Microbial indicators of soil health as tools for ecological risk assessment of a metal contaminated site in Brazil

Lead-induced neurotoxicity acquired by low-level long-term exposure has special relevance for children. A plethora of recent reports has demonstrated a direct link between low-level lead exposure and deficits in the neurobehavioral-cognitive performance manifested from childhood through adolescence. In many studies, aggressiveness and delinquency have also been suggested as symptoms of lead poisoning. Several environmental, occupational and domestic sources of contaminant lead and consequent health risks are largely identified and understood, but the occurrences of lead poisoning remain numerous. There is an urgent need for public health policies to prevent lead poisoning so as to reduce individual and societal damages and losses. In this paper we describe unsuspected sources of contaminant lead, discuss the economic losses and urban violence possibly associated with lead contamination and review the molecular basis of lead-induced neurotoxicity, emphasizing its effects on the social behavior, delinquency and IQ of children and adolescents.

/pdf/neurotoxicity-and-aggressiveness-triggered-by-low-level-lead-2fs90xyi7m.pdf

Neurotoxicity and aggressiveness triggered by low-level lead in children: a review

Characterization of the lead smelter slag in Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil.

Medical geology in the framework of the sustainable development goals

http://www.ceama.mp.ba.gov.br/2012-11-21-00-12-02/doc_view/2059-artigo-visao-geral-sobre-o-impacto-do-seculo-20-da-contaminacao-de-vestigios-metalicos-na-bts.html

Overview of the 20th century impact of trace metal contamination in the estuaries of Todos os Santos Bay: past, present and future scenarios.

OBJETIVO: Determinar os niveis de chumbo no sangue de criancas que moravam proximo a uma fundicao de chumbo desativada na Cidade de Santo Amaro da Purificacao, Estado da Bahia, em setembro de 1998; e identificar fatores associados a variacao destes niveis. METODOS: Estudo de corte transversal com criancas de 1 a 4 anos de idade que residiam a menos de 1 km da fundicao. Maes ou responsaveis por 47 criancas responderam questionarios sobre transtornos do habito alimentar (comer barro, terra, reboco ou outros materiais) e outros aspectos epidemiologicos relevantes. A concentracao de chumbo no sangue foi determinada por espectrofotometria de absorcao atomica. RESULTADOS: O nivel medio de chumbo foi de 17,1 ± 7,3 mig/dL. Os niveis de chumbo no sangue foram cerca de 5 mig/dL mais elevados em criancas que tinham transtorno do habito alimentar, independentemente da idade, presenca de escoria visivel no peridomicilio, situacao de emprego do pai, historia familiar de intoxicacao pelo chumbo e desnutricao. CONCLUSOES: O passivo ambiental da fundicao de chumbo, desativada em 1993, permanece como um fator de risco relevante para elevar os niveis desse metal no sangue de criancas, particularmente aquelas que apresentam transtornos do habito alimentar.

/pdf/chumbo-no-sangue-de-criancas-e-passivo-ambiental-de-uma-1k6cd2cya0.pdf

Carolina d'El Rei Chaves

Papers

Chumbo no sangue de crianças e passivo ambiental de uma fundição de chumbo no Brasil