[Intelligence and neurocognitive tests among students living in a industrialized region of Sardinia with relatively low blood levels of lead].

In several recent epidemiological studies blood lead levels (BLLs) even below the current CDC intervention level of 10 microg/dl have been associated with reduced neurocognitive capacities of children, with no clear evidence of a "safe" threshold. We analyzed the relationship between the BLLs and the neurocognitive capacities of 205 Sardinian students aged 11 to 15 years, using 2 tests of the Swedish Performance Evaluating System (SPES) and the full-scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) derived from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). The studied population included 104 children (61 males and 43 females) living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter (mean BLLs: 5.

Sub-clinical neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with low level of mercury exposure through fish consumption.

In order to assess early neurotoxic effects associated with relatively low levels of mercury absorbed through fish eating, two groups of 22 adult male subjects, habitual consumers of tuna fish, and 22 controls were examined using a cross-sectional field study. The assessment included neurobehavioral tests of vigilance and psychomotor function, hand tremor measurements and serum prolactin assessment. Mercury in urine (U-Hg) and serum prolactin (sPRL) were measured in all exposed subjects and controls, whereas measurements of the organic component of mercury in blood (O-Hg) were available for only 10 exposed and six controls.

Application of a latent variable model for a multicenter study on early effects due to mercury exposure.

A latent variable model was applied to the results of an Italian multicenter nation-wide cross-sectional study to assess the earliest health effects due to mercury (Hg) exposure caused by occupation, dental amalgams (DENTAM) and fish eating (FISH). The studied population included subjects recruited from four different geographical areas. A total number of 122 workers from chloroalkali plants and production of thermometers and neon lamps formed the occupationally exposed group, whereas 196 subjects, recruited from the same areas and not occupationally exposed to mercury, formed the control group.

Biomonitoring of primary aluminium industry workers: detection of micronuclei and repairable DNA lesions by alkaline SCGE.

The genetic effects of occupational exposure to low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were investigated in primary aluminium industry workers. The study subjects were employed in a plant that uses pre-baked anode cells, and has relatively low PAH contamination. Forty-two male workers belonging to different job categories (anode fabrication, baking, rodding, electrolysis, maintenance), together with 16 male local residents with no occupational exposure to PAHs were selected for the analysis of micronuclei and DNA lesions in peripheral lymphocytes.