Toxic metals and metalloids in dietetic products.

Aim: To determine the concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and metalloid arsenic in the samples of some dietetic products marketed in Croatia, and to compare the values obtained with maximum allowed amounts (MAA) according to the law.

Method: Metal and metalloid concentrations were measured in 30 dietetic products from the group of industrial food supplements and food additives. The measurements were performed by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry.

Soil and wheat grain selenium content in the vicinity of Koprivnica (Croatia).

This paper describes the findings of selenium measurement in three types of soil (semigley, pseudogley and hypogley) and in wheat grain cultivated in these types of soil in the vicinity of Koprivnica using hydrid atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed relatively low selenium levels in all three types of soil (145-333 micrograms Se/kg dry weight) as well as the wheat grain (22-62 micrograms Se/kg dry weight). The analysis of covariance suggested that the concentration of selenium in soil, pH in KCl, and K2O affect the concentration of selenium in wheat grain.

Lead absorption and psychological function in Zagreb (Croatia) school children.

A cross-sectional study was performed on 275 pupils from the third and fourth grade of three elementary schools (three urban areas with different traffic conditions) in Zagreb. Lead exposure was environmental, mostly through leaded gasoline. The difference in traffic density around the schools was consistent with biological indicators of lead absorption.

Lead poisoning associated with the use of Ayurvedic metal-mineral tonics.

Objective: The aim of this study was to confirm the connection between lead poisoning and the use of traditional Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics.

Methods: The study group comprised 29 subjects (26 adults and three children) who had previously taken Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics. All subjects were tested for lead absorption by blood lead, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and erythrocyte protoporphyrin.

Visual evoked potentials in individuals exposed to long-term low concentrations of toluene.

An investigation of visual evoked potentials was carried out in two groups of subjects; 49 workers employed in a printing-prss where toluene has been used exclusively as an organic solvent for the last 30 years, and 59 workers not occupationally exposed to any known neurotoxic substances. The average length of work service in the printing-press was 21.4 years.

Assessment of urban population exposure to trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene by means of biological monitoring.

Exposure of the general population to trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene under normal environmental conditions, achieved with biological monitoring, was assessed, and the possible influence of these compounds via drinking water on the body burden was revealed. A total of 79 subjects with no known solvent exposure was selected, by stratified sampling, from the residents of the city of Zagreb. Trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were determined in blood, and trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid were determined in plasma and urine.

Assessment of exposure to trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in the population of Zagreb, Croatia.

Human exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI) and tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PER) through air, food and drinking water was assessed by biological monitoring. By stratified sampling 39 subjects with no known solvent exposure were selected from the residents of the city of Zagreb (the capital of the Republic of Croatia). TRI and PER were determined in blood and their metabolites trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in plasma and urine.

A follow-up study in a lead smelter community following the introduction of an effective pollution control system.

A follow-up study using biological and environmental monitoring was performed in a lead smelter community to assess the health risk of inhabitants and to establish how long it takes after the introduction of an effective emission control system to declare a lead-contaminated area safe for normal living. In specific population groups (mothers and children) biological indicators of lead exposure and lead effect on hemoglobin synthesis were determined 2 years before and 11 consecutive years after the installation of bag filters. At the same time lead was monitored in the airborne and deposited particulates, in household dust and in soil.

Assessment of exposure to lead and cadmium through air and food in inhabitants of Zagreb.

Exposure to lead and cadmium was monitored in a group of 17 non-smoking women in Zagreb. The monitoring included measurement of the intake of the two metals via air and the diet during a period of seven days. Duplicate daily diets and air filter samples were collected for analysis of lead and cadmium.

A comparative study of human levels of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene after occupational exposure.

The rate of trichloroethylene (TRI) and perchloroethylene (PER) absorption was investigated in workers who were (1) occupationally exposed to TRI in four dry-cleaning shops (Group 1, n = 10) and (2) occupationally exposed to PER in one dry-cleaning shop (Group 2, n = 18). Concentrations of TRI and PER in blood were analyzed, and concentrations of trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in blood and urine were analyzed. Results varied widely: PER was found in the blood of workers in group 1, but TRI was not detected in blood from any worker in group 2; most blood samples from group 2 workers did not contain a detectable quantity of TCE, and urine TCE concentrations in this group were very low.

Dietary calcium and blood lead levels in women.

Nutritional factors are known to influence metabolism and toxicity of several metals in animal experiments, but relevant human data are scarce and inconclusive. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that dietary calcium influences lead metabolism in humans. Blood lead concentrations were used as indicators of lead exposure and metabolism.

Acute intermittent porphyria and hormone disbalance.

A study of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in three female patients indicates the necessity of stressing that in cases of clinical and laboratory exacerbation of the disease in patients of reproductive age the possibility of the existence of pathological changes in the ovaries (polycystic ovary, anovulatory cycle) should be taken into consideration. By examination of patients' endocrinological status and on the basis of the experience of clinicians it can be concluded that in such cases of exacerbation of the disease, apart from conventional therapy with glucose, Panhematin, electrolyte correction and other symptomatic therapy, coexisting steroid deficiency should be corrected.

Relationships between blood lead and indicators of effect in cows environmentally exposed to lead.

Biological indicators of lead exposure and its effects were measured in 83 cows from a lead-contaminated area in the vicinity of a lead smeltery and in 53 cows from a control area. Differences between the groups were highly significant for blood lead (PbB) content, activity of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) content, but considerably less significant for blood hemoglobin (Hb) content and not significant for hematocrit (Hct). An exponential, rather than linear, characteristic form was observed for the relationships between ALAD activity, EP, Hb and Hct with respect to PbB.

Relationship between the levels of biological indicators of lead exposure in children and their mothers environmentally exposed to lead.

From a follow-up study (1976-1985) on lead exposure in population groups living in the vicinity of a lead smeltery, and those from a control area, data were selected on 222 simultaneous measurements of biological indicators of effective lead exposure (absorption) in the blood of children and their mothers. The range of lead exposure levels in both the children and the mothers was very wide (from "normal" to largely excessive lead exposure) as indicated by blood lead (PbB), activity of delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin (ZnPP). A highly significant (P less than 0.

Metabolic activity of antipyrine in workers occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene.

In order to investigate possible effects of occupational exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI) on the liver cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenases, the metabolic activity of salivary antipyrine was determined in workers (I; N = 32) employed in dry-cleaning shops (I-1; N = 17) and in an industrial metal degreasing process (I-2; N = 15). The studies were performed twice: (a) during the working period, (b) and after at least three weeks free of exposure. The control group (II) consisted of 29 subjects with no known exposure to chemicals.

Occupational exposure to benzene in the shoe industry.

In order to determine the possible actual exposure to benzene in the shoe industry from industrially used solvents, glues, and paints containing benzene as a nondeclared constituent, phenol in urine and benzene in blood, as indices of internal exposure to benzene, were measured in workers (N = 33). Since toluene, in contrast to benzene, is declared as a constituent in several glues, toluene in the blood of workers was also analysed. All analyses were performed using gas chromatography.

In vivo study on lead and alcohol interaction and the inhibition of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in man.

The effect on alcohol (EtOH) consumption on the inhibition of erythrocyte delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) was investigated in 13 male lead workers and 7 "normal" male subjects. Lead and zinc protoporphyrin in blood and lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid, porphobilinogen and coproporphyrin in 24-h urine specimens were also determined. During 1 h the subjects drank 122.

In vitro study on lead and alcohol interaction and the inhibition of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in man.

The effect of lead (Pb) and ethanol (EtOH) interaction on the inhibition of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) was investigated in human blood in vitro. Two different doses of ethanol (equivalent to 16.28 mmol of EtOH/l of blood and 108.

Biological monitoring of lead effects in a smelter community before and after emission control.

Biological monitoring of lead effects in specific population groups living in the vicinity of a lead smelter has been followed up after effective emission control, in order to estimate the length of time necessary before the characteristic indicators of increased lead absorption normalize. The period established could be a realistic basis for predicting the time necessary to elapse before a lead contaminated area can be proclaimed as safe for normal living. Three groups of subjects were examined: preschool children, school children and mothers.

PbB and ALAD in mentally retarded and normal children.

Blood lead (PbB) and erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) were measured in a group (A) of 50 mentally retarded children of unknown etiology (24 boys and 26 girls; average age 13.38 years, range 10-17 years) from an institution for handicapped children in Zagreb, and in a group (B) of 50 "normal" children (31 boys and 19 girls; average age 13.36 years, range 10-17 years) from a nearby orphanage in the same area (less polluted) of northern Zagreb.