International Journal of Environment and Health 

About: International Journal of Environment and Health is an academic journal published by Inderscience Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Environmental pollution & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 1743-4955. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 218 publications have been published receiving 1662 citations. The journal is also known as: IJEnvH.

Heavy metal poisoning from Ayurvedic traditional medicines: an emerging problem?

Abstract: The use of Ayurvedic medicines is common in both adults and children and is increasing in many areas of the world. This paper will discuss the risks of heavy metal poisoning associated with the use of Ayurvedic medicines and illustrate this with some cases managed by the authors. Many Ayurvedic medicines contain heavy metals, including lead, mercury and arsenic, and there have been numerous reports of clinically significant heavy metal poisoning related to their use. However, there have been few studies that allow quantification of the incidence of this problem. There is limited regulation of these products in most areas of the world. Recent European legislation may help to improve safety of products bought in shops, but it is likely to have a relatively limited overall impact as it will not cover personal imports or products prescribed by traditional medicine practitioners. There is an urgent need for studies to quantify the frequency and potential risk of heavy metal poisoning from Ayurvedic medicines and for culturally appropriate education to inform the public of the potential for toxicity associated with these products.

Copper in human health

Abstract: Copper is an essential mineral for human health and at the same time can be toxic, depending upon the amounts ingested. Copper is associated with bone health, immune function and increased frequency of infections, cardiovascular risk and alterations in cholesterol metabolism. Its metabolism is tightly intertwined with other microminerals and its deficiency is known to impair iron mobilisation, resulting in secondary iron deficiency. A pressing challenge in modern nutrition is to define both the copper dose and regimen of administration for safe human consumption; this is a difficult task because our knowledge about the limits of safe copper exposure (homeostasis), the consequences of moderate excess copper exposure and the indicators to detect early adverse effects are not well established. The article updates the knowledge of the early adverse effects derived from acute copper exposure, those associated with chronic copper exposure and discusses recent studies that explore potential indicators of early copper effects.

Shortcuts for biodiversity evaluation: a review of terminology and recommendations for the use of target groups, bioindicators and surrogates

Abstract: The terms related to rapid alternative routes for appraising species diversity (biodiversity assessment shortcuts), through the use of biodiversity target groups, indicator groups and other biodiversity surrogates are examined. Biodiversity target groups are selected for their methodological and taxonomical advantages, and the purpose of their use is the assessment of their own diversity patterns. The focus of biodiversity indicator groups is on assessing the health of the entire ecosystem or a part of it, with respect to a visible phenomenon. Biodiversity surrogates include taxa-for-taxa surrogates, higher taxa, morphospecies and environmental surrogates. These are faster, less expensive routes for assessing general biodiversity patterns as compared with taking complete biological inventories. These concepts are clarified, examples of their use are examined and the published studies that have implemented such shortcuts are also analysed. For the selection of biological groups according to biodiversity research goals we have also proposed general recommendations.

Drinking mineral waters: biochemical effects and health implications - the state-of-the-art

Abstract: Spring mineral water might have the properties favourable to health, which should be assessed by clinical and pharmacological analyses. Efforts have recently been made to approach the study of the validity of spring mineral water curative therapies by advanced biochemical research on both animal models and humans. Owing to the paramount interest and the growing recent use of drinking mineral waters, a need for a rigorous scientific approach arises. The therapeutic action of drinking mineral waters has been demonstrated to have important biochemical implications. However, some adverse events during health resorts cure must be considered and investigated. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art on the biochemical studies related to the effects of drinking mineral water. In the light of the review of the literature on the matter, we conclude that further studies are necessary to avoid any possible implication for public health connected with mineral water misuse.

Distribution of atmospheric trace elements and assesment of air quality in Argentina employing the lichen, Ramalina celastri, as a passive biomonitor: detection of air pollution emission sources

Abstract: Fil: Pignata, Maria Luisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Vegetal; Argentina