Outbreak investigation of lead neurotoxicity in children from artificial jewelry cottage industry.

Background: Although lead neurotoxicity is a known phenomenon, it can often be missed at a primary or secondary care level especially if detailed environmental exposure history is missed.

Methods: This is an outbreak investigation where we observed 15 pediatric cases with neurologic signs and symptoms clustered in a slum area known for an unorganized artificial jewelry industry. Their clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological features were compared with 14 other children from the same region reporting with non-neurological symptoms who were considered as unmatched controls.

Study of secondhand smoke levels pre and post implementation of the comprehensive smoking ban in mumbai.

Objectives: This research was undertaken with the aim of assessing the indoor air quality in popular hospitality venues, as also to evaluate the effectiveness of the nationwide comprehensive public smoking ban. The analysis was split into two halves - baseline study taken up prior to implementation of the said ban on 2(nd) October 2008, and the follow-up study after it came into effect.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five venues including five restaurants, fourteen resto-bars, two hookah (smoking water-pipe) cafes and four pubs were selected using a mix of random, convenience and purposeful sampling.

Determination of toxic metals in Indian smokeless tobacco products.

This study targets the lesser-known ingredients of smokeless tobacco products, i.e., the toxic metals, in Indian brands.