Micronuclei, Pesticides, and Element Mixtures in Mining Contexts: The Hormetic Effect of Selenium.

The contexts where there are mining and agriculture activities are potential sources of risk to human health due to contamination by chemical mixtures. These contexts are frequent in several Colombian regions. This study explored the potential association between the frequency of micronuclei and pesticides and elements in regions with ferronickel (Montelibano, Córdoba) and gold (Nechí, Antioquia) mining, and a closed native mercury mine (Aranzazu, Caldas), with an emphasis in the potential effect of selenium as a potential chelator.

Micronuclei frequency and exposure to chemical mixtures in three Colombian mining populations.

The Colombian mining industry has witnessed significant growth. Depending on the scale and mineral extracted, complex chemical mixtures are generated, impacting the health of occupationally exposed populations and communities near mining projects. Increasing evidence suggests that chromosomal instability (CIN) is an important link between the development of certain diseases and exposure to complex mixtures.

[Lead and mercury exposure in populations on the banks of the Bogotá River: a multi-method study].

Objectives: This study sought to understand the health problems associated with the presence of lead and mercury in the water of the Bogotá River.

Materials And Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted using interviews, surveys and measurements of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and mercury in blood from 172 individuals. Variables associated with the highest concentrations were identified, as well as the attributes of the cases with increased exposure by means of a qualitative comparative analysis.

Biomarkers of susceptibility and effect in car painters exposed to organic solvents.

Introduction: Car painters are routinely exposed to organic solvents classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic substances.

Objective: To characterize the population susceptibility and evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to organic solvents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing a group of car painters exposed to organic solvents with a non-exposed group.

Does sulfuric acid have a 'protective' effect on battery recyclers exposed to lead?

Culturally significant interventions to prevent lead exposure of battery recyclers are required. Sulfuric acid used in batteries causes skin lesions and could facilitate the recognition of hazards. This study explored whether joint exposure to lead and sulfuric acid can be used in interventions to manage hazardous work conditions.

Chronic pesticide mixture exposure including paraquat and respiratory outcomes among Colombian farmers.

This study explored the potential association between chronic exposure to pesticide mixtures including paraquat and respiratory outcomes among Colombian farmers. Sociodemographic and occupational data, respiratory symptoms and spirometric data were collected. Paraquat in spot urine samples were quantified with solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography.

Quantification of cell-free DNA for evaluating genotoxic damage from occupational exposure to car paints.

Background: For several years, cell-free DNA has been emerging as an important biomarker for non-invasive diagnostic in a wide range of clinical conditions and diseases. The limited information available on the genotoxic effects associated with occupational exposure to car paints, as well as the fact that up-to-date there are not reports about cell-free DNA measurements for assessing this condition, led us to evaluate the DNA damage caused by the occupational exposure to organic solvents contained in car paints, through the quantification of the cell-free DNA and the comet assay, in a sample of 33 individuals taken from 10 automobile paint shops located in Bogota DC, Colombia.

Results: By applying the two methods, cell-free DNA and comet assay, we found a significant increase in the extent of DNA damage in the exposed individuals compared with the non-exposed ones within the control group.

Underground Coal Mining: Relationship between Coal Dust Levels and Pneumoconiosis, in Two Regions of Colombia, 2014.

In Colombia, coal miner pneumoconiosis is considered a public health problem due to its irreversibility, high cost on diagnosis, and lack of data related to its prevalence in the country. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in underground coal mining workers in two regions of Colombia. The results showed a 35.

Exposure to pesticide mixtures and DNA damage among rice field workers.

This study describes the use of pesticides mixtures and their potential association with comet assay results in 223 rice field workers in Colombia. Thirty-one pesticides were quantified in blood, serum, and urine (15 organochlorines, 10 organophosphorus, 5 carbamates, and ethylenethiourea), and the comet assay was performed. Twenty-four (77.

[Occupational medicine services in Colombia].

Objective: Characterizing the technical quality of occupational medicine services being provided by occupational health supply providing institutions (OHSPI) in Colombia's main cities.

Materials And Methods: This was a national descriptive cross-sectional study (2009- 2010) in which a diagnostic survey was used for obtaining data regarding 192 OHSPI.

Results: The study demonstrated that 76 % of the OHSPI had a license for offering occupational medicine services.

[Bogotá paint-industry workers exposure to organic solvents and genotoxic effects].

Objective: Investigating the degree of exposure to organic solvents and related genotoxic consequences in paint-factory workers by using cytogenetic monitoring and determining micronuclei frequency in lymphocytes and DNA damage as assessed by comet assays.

Methodology: Excretion of phenol and hippuric and methylhippuric acids in urine was investigated as biomarkers for benzene, toluene and xylene exposure. Urine samples were taken in two paint-factories in Bogotá and in a non-exposed control group.

[Correlation of protoporphyrin zinc with lead in blood in workers of the car batteries industry in Bogota, Colombia].

Objective: To determine the usefulness of zinc protoporphyrin in blood (PPz) as an indicator of lead exposure in workers of the homemade car battery industry.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 116 workers of the car battery industry in Bogotá, Colombia. Data on general, occupational, and health variables were collected by interview.