[Preliminary survey to detect toxic substances in domestic potable water, Bogotá and Soacha, 2012].

Introduction: Significant alterations may be found in the water of Bogotá´s water supply system after its purification, specifically during its distribution and storage in home reservoirs, which makes it necessary to study the final quality of the domiciliary water consumed by users.

Objective: To conduct a preliminary study of toxic chemical substances in the water supplied by Bogotá´s water supply system in samples obtained from residential reservoirs and faucets.

Materials And Methods: Descriptive study made in 26 homes located in Bogotá and Soacha.

[Microbiological and chemical quality of water used in Colombian food industries].

Introduction: Food safety is a public health concern that is recognized worldwide. Food-borne diseases affect millions of people throughout the world, although mainly in developing countries. The current study was performed within the framework of an inter-administrative agreement in Colombia that considers decisions for improving the sanitary status of products from the agrofood industry in Colombia.

[Aluminium in chronic renal replacement therapy patients undergoing haemodialysis in two renal units in Bogotá].

Objective: Determining aluminium concentrations in the serum of patients undergoing chronic renal replacement therapy with haemodialysis and concentration in distribution network water and dialysis in two renal units in Bogotá.

Material And Methods: This was a descriptive study of 63 haemodialysed patients and 20 healthy subjects. Aluminium concentration was determined in water and serum using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium lamp background corrector.

[The use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors pesticides in eleven local health institutions, Colombia, 2002-2005].

Introduction: Due to the importance of acetylcholinesterase inhibiting chemicals as pesticides in developing countries, the Instituto Nacional de Salud in Colombia designed the organophosphate and carbamate epidemiological surveillance program for the period 2002-2005.

Objective: The acetylcholinesterase activity was determined in study participants with a history of organophosphate and carbamate exposure and the most commonly used pesticides were identified in each study area.

Materials And Methods: The information was compiled from reports sent to the Instituto Nacional de Salud organophosphate and carbamate epidemiological surveillance program from each of 11 provinces in Colombia.

[Pesticides use by flower companies associated with the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters].

Introduction: In Colombia, pesticide exposure has became a public health problem, as the use of these substances continues to increase.

Objective: The current study accumulated information concerning pesticides used by flower companies in Bogotá and Rionegro (Antioquia) that were associated with Asociación Colombiana de Exportadores de Flores (Asocolflores) in Colombia.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-four companies were stratified by geographic location and size.

[Epidemiological study of organophosphate and carbamate pesticide exposure in 7 separated zones in Colombia].

Objective: Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured in workers potentially exposed to pesticides that are frequently used in agriculture in 7 provinces in Colombia between 1998 and 2001.

Material And Methods: During this period, local health centers in the Departments (provinces) of Boyacá, Caldas, Huila, Meta, Norte de Santander, Santander and Valle del Cauca monitored a total of 25,242 workers for acetylcholinesterase activity. The Limperos and Ranta method, modified by Edson, was used to detect levels of pesticide exposure.

[Cytogenetic alterations in field workers routinely exposed to pesticides in Bogota flowers farms].

Frequency of cytogenetic alterations (micronuclei and chromosome aberrations), DNA repair deficiencies and acetylcholinesterase activity was determined for field workers in Bogotá, Colombia. These workers were regularly exposed to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides while employed on farms for flower growing. Interviews were conducted with 31 workers associated with occupational risk of pesticides exposure and 30 without exposure.