Lead concentration in blood samples of humans and animals near an industrial waste dump in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Blood lead was determined in 7 adults, 2 children, 1 bull, 11 cows, and 3 calves living on agricultural land near an industrial waste site. An unexposed human control group was composed of 2 adults and 2 children. Mean blood lead from the exposed group was 4.

[Infantile methemoglobinemia caused by nitrates].

The intake of water or food with high levels of nitrates produces methemoglobinemia in infants up to 3 months of age. The study reviews factors in the environment and in the host that account for the increased risk in this age group. In order to reduce the prevalence of this problem, health authorities should control nitrate concentrations in drinking water, create adequate water supply systems, implement educational programs aimed at informing parents about preventive measures, and call on physicians to report cases of methemoglobinemia.

Joint Toxicology Network at the Latin American Regional Level.

The Environmental Health Program of the Pan American Health Organization has established goals to be able to comply with the resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. As an integral part of the Environmental Health Program, the Pan American Center for Human Ecology and Health (ECO) must contribute to the achievement of these goals. Generally speaking, there is a scarcity of toxicology professionals in the Region of the Americas.