http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16510229&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Food Chem Toxicol. 2006 Feb 27;
[Epub ahead of print]
Fluoride levels in various black tea commodities:
Measurement and safety evaluation.
Cao J, Zhao Y, Li Y, Deng HJ, Yi J, Liu
JW.
Tea and Health Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology,
Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha
410078, Hunan, PR China.
In order to determine the fluoride content of various products
of black tea and to make safety evaluations, 37 commodities in
the different manufactured forms of tea were assessed by means
of ion-selective electrode and spectrophotometric methods. The
results showed wide differences in fluoride levels. The fluoride
content was found 0.95-1.41mg/L in black tea sticks, 0.70-2.44mg/L
in black tea granules and 1.15-6.01mg/L in black tea bags. Of
the products tested, the fluoride content was greatest in black
tea bags, presumably because black tea bags are made of low cost,
and older tea leaves. According to WHO's recommendation,
fluoride exposure threshold for children is 2mg of daily intake
and for adult, 4mg. Assuming that children's daily intake of black
tea was 800ml and adult's 1500ml, 56% of black tea bags should
be considered unsafe for children and 44% should be considered
unsafe for adults. At average rates of consumption,
24% of the black tea bags could result in an increasing risk of
osteofluorosis and fractures (WHO). In
the areas with drinking water fluoridation or other fluoride supplements,
excessive fluoride exposure can become even more severe with even
lower intake tea made from black tea bags. The potential
hazards of fluoride arising from consumption of black tea has
not aroused due public attention. Therefore, it is necessary to
establish reliable fluoride surveillance in food and beverage
commodities and conduct additional epidemiological research on
fluoride hazards. In addition, it is urgent that governmental
and international agencies adopt safe standards of fluoride content
in tea commodities.
PMID: 16510229 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16474946&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Eur Spine J. 2006 Feb 11;:1-15 [Epub
ahead of print]
Glucocorticosteroid-induced spinal osteoporosis:
scientific update on pathophysiology and treatment.
Popp AW, Isenegger J, Buergi EM, Buergi
U, Lippuner K.
Osteoporosis Policlinic, University Hospital of Berne, 3010,
Berne , Switzerland, kurt.lippuner@insel.ch.
Glucocorticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
(GIOP) is the most frequent of all secondary types of osteoporosis.
The understanding of the pathophysiology of glucocorticoid (GC)
induced bone loss is of crucial importance for appropriate treatment
and prevention of debilitating fractures that occur predominantly
in the spine. GIOP results from depressed bone formation due to
lower activity and higher death rate of osteoblasts on the one
hand, and from increased bone resorption due to prolonged lifespan
of osteoclasts on the other. In addition, calcium/phosphate metabolism
may be disturbed through GC effects on gut, kidney, parathyroid
glands and gonads. Therefore, therapeutic agents aim at restoring
balanced bone cell activity by directly decreasing apoptosis rate
of osteoblasts (e.g., cyclical parathyroid hormone) or by increasing
apoptosis rate of osteoclasts (e.g., bisphosphonates). Other therapeutical
efforts aim at maintaining/restoring calcium/phosphate homeostasis:
improving intestinal calcium absorption (using calcium supplementation,
vitamin D and derivates) and avoiding increased urinary calcium
loss (using thiazides) prevent or counteract a secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Bisphosphonates, particularly the aminobisphosphonates risedronate
and alendronate, have been shown to protect patients on GCs from
(further) bone loss and to reduce vertebral fracture risk. Calcitonin
may be of interest in situations where bisphosphonates are contraindicated
or not applicable and in cases where acute pain due to vertebral
fracture has to be managed. The intermittent administration of
1-34-parathormone may be an appealing treatment alternative, based
on its documented anabolic effects on bone resulting from the
reduction of osteoblastic apoptosis. Calcium and vitamin D should
be a systematic adjunctive measure to any drug treatment for GIOP.
Based on currently available evidence, fluoride,
androgens, estrogens (opposed or unopposed) cannot be recommended
for the prevention and treatment of GIOP. However, substitution
of gonadal hormones may be indicated if GC-induced hypogonadism
is present and leads to clinical symptoms. Data using the SERM
raloxifene to treat or prevent GIOP are lacking, as are data using
the promising bone anabolic agent strontium ranelate. Kyphoplasty
performed in appropriately selected osteoporotic patients with
painful vertebral fractures is a promising addition to current
medical treatment.
PMID: 16474946 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16444544&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Cell Tissue Res. 2006 Jan 28;:1-11
[Epub ahead of print]
Extracellular matrix changes in knee joint
cartilage following bone-active drug treatment.
Claassen H, Cellarius C, Scholz-Ahrens
KE, Schrezenmeir J, Gluer CC, Schunke M, Kurz B.
Institut fur Anatomie und Zellbiologie der Martin-Luther-Universitat
Halle-Wittenberg, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle, Germany.
Certain drugs or treatments that are known to affect bone quality
or integrity might have side effects on the extracellular matrix
of articular cartilage. We investigated the effects of vitamin
D and calcium deficiency, estrogen deficiency, and hypercortisolism
alone or in combination with bisphosphonates or sodium fluoride
in an animal model, viz., the Gottingen miniature pig (n=29).
The articular cartilage from knee joints was analyzed for its
content of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, as macromolecules responsible
for the elasticity of articular cartilage) by a spectrometric
method with dimethylene blue chloride. In cryo- or paraffin sections,
alkaline phosphatase (AP, as an enzyme indicating mineralization
or reorganization of articular cartilage matrix) was localized
by enzyme histochemistry, and positive cells were counted, whereas
differently sulfated GAGs were stained histochemically. A significant
decrease in GAG content was measured in ovariectomized and long-term
glucocorticoid-treated animals compared with untreated animals.
In the glucocorticoid/sodium fluoride group,
GAGs were significantly diminished, and significantly fewer AP-positive
chondrocytes were counted compared with the control. GAG
content was slightly higher, and significantly more AP-positive
chondrocytes were counted in short-term glucocorticoid-treated
animals then in the control group. GAGs,
as part of proteoglycans, are responsible for the water-storage
capacity that gives articular cartilage its unique property of
elasticity. Thus, ovariectomy and long-term glucocorticoid therapy,
especially when combined with sodium fluoride, have detrimental
effects on this tissue.
PMID: 16444544 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16515677&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2006
Apr;34(2):130-8.
Is the fluoride/creatinine ratio of a spot
urine sample indicative of 24-h urinary fluoride?
Zohouri FV, Swinbank CM, Maguire A, Moynihan
PJ.
School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle
upon Tyne, UK.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to determine how representative
the fluoride/creatinine (F/Cr) ratio of a spot urinary sample
is of the fluoride content of a 24-h urine sample in young children
aged 12-36 months. Subsidiary objectives were to: (a) evaluate
the use of 24-h urine samples in monitoring fluoride exposure
and (b) estimate the retention of fluoride in very young children.
Methods: Seven healthy children residing in a fluoridated area
completed the study. Dietary information was obtained using a
3-day estimated food diary followed by an interview on the fourth
day. Samples of foods and drinks were analysed for fluoride content.
Ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste was also measured. A 24-h
urine sample and a morning spot urine sample were collected from
each child.
Results: The mean age of the children was 32 months (range: 16-36
months). The mean total daily intake of fluoride was 0.71 (+/-0.41)
mg or 0.05 (+/-0.02) mg/kg bodyweight, of which 37% came from
the diet, the remainder being from toothpaste ingestion. None
of the children used any other sources of fluoride such as fluoride
tablets or fluoridated salt. The mean F/Cr ratio was 1.49 (+/-0.63)
mg F/g creatinine. A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation
= 0.76, P = 0.05) between fluoride excretion estimated using the
F/Cr ratio in a morning spot urine sample and fluoride excretion
in a 24-h urine sample was found. There was also a positive correlation
(Pearson's correlation = 0.83, P = 0.02) between total daily fluoride
intake and 24-h urinary fluoride excretion. Less than half (43%)
of the total daily fluoride intake was retained in the body.
Conclusions: The F/Cr ratio of a morning spot urine sample may
be used to estimate mean 24-h urinary excretion of fluoride and
therefore has potential application for larger-scale epidemiological
studies where 24-h samples are impractical. Estimates of 24-h
urinary fluoride excretion can be used to gauge fluoride exposure.
PMID: 16515677 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16432773&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Klin Padiatr. 2006 Jan-Feb;218(1):31-3.
[Drug poisonings in childhood at a regional
poisons unit.]
[Article in German]
von Mach MA, Habermehl P, Zepp F, Weilemann
LS.
Klinische Toxikologie und Giftinformationszentrum, II. Medizinische
Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum der Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat
Mainz.
BACKGROUND: Drug poisonings in childhood account with about one
fourth for the most important group of poisonings in this age
group.
METHOD: From 1995 to 2004 the inquiries to a poison centre regarding
drug poisonings of children </= 6 years of age were analyzed.
Additionally, a standardized questionnaire was sent for follow-up
information.
RESULTS: During the study period a total number of 17 553 cases
of drug poisonings in childhood was determined and follow-up information
was obtained for 8 590 cases (48.9 %). Boys were more likely to
be affected (53.4 %) and most children were between 2 and 4 years
of age (57.5 %). Mostly oral contraceptives, homeopathic drugs,
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sodium
fluoride and paracetamol were ingested. In 97.8 % of the
reported cases none or minor symptoms and in 1.5 % medium or major
symptoms (1 death) were observed. In the latter group of patients
mostly neuroleptics, antihistaminics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, beta (2)-sympathomimetics and paracetamol were ingested.
In most cases the application of fluids (47.3 %) or activated
charcoal (32.0 %) was sufficient.
CONCLUSIONS: Severe symptoms have rarely been observed in drug
poisonings and in most children a treatment by non-professionals
was sufficient. Most frequently activated charcoal was currently
used for primary poison elimination. We suggest an early involvement
of a poison centre in drug intoxications.
PMID: 16432773 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16430525&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Int J Paediatr Dent. 2006 Mar;16(2):111-6.
Fluoride content of bottled waters available
in Northern Greece.
Ahiropoulos V.
School of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry, Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride
content of bottled drinking waters commercially available in northern
Greece and to report on the accuracy of the labelling of fluoride
concentration.
Materials and methods. Twenty-two randomly selected commercial
brands of bottled water were obtained from three supermarkets
in Thessaloniki, Greece. Three bottles of each brand were purchased.
Following calibration, six tests were conducted on each bottle
using a combination fluoride-ion selective electrode (Orion, 96-09-00,
MA, USA). The average reading for each brand was estimated and
also compared with the fluoride content printed on the label.
Results. The mean (+/- SD) fluoride content of the bottled water
samples was 0.35 (+/- 1.00) mg F/L with a range from 0.05 to 4.8
mg F/L. Only 18% (N = 4) of brands tested mention the fluoride
concentration on the label, and 90% (N = 22) had a tested fluoride
between 0.05 and 0.21 mg F/L. Of the remaining two brands, one
was found to contain 0.3 mg F/L without having the fluoride concentration
indicated on the label, and the other was labelled
at 6 mg F/L, whereas the concentration was estimated as 4.8 mg
F/L.
Conclusions. The use of bottled water may be a significant source
of systemic fluoride and therefore be considered as a risk factor
for dental fluorosis in young children. This article shows that
bottled drinking waters contain differing concentrations of fluoride.
The manufacturers' labelling of fluoride concentrations may be
inaccurate. When prescribing fluoride supplements, dentists should
be aware of the fluoride content of bottled waters used by paediatric
patients, especially brands with a concentration higher than 0.3
mg F/L. In view of the wide variation of
fluoride concentration in the tested bottled waters, regulatory
guidelines for controlling concentration in order to prevent dental
fluorosis are recommended.
PMID: 16430525 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16426786&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Forensic Sci Int. 2006
Jan 17; [Epub ahead of print]
Pathological demonstration of rapid involvement
into the subcutaneous tissue in a case of fatal hydrofluoric acid
burns.
Ohtani M, Nishida N, Chiba T, Muto H, Yoshioka
N.
Division of Forensic Sciences, Department
of Social Medicine,
Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1
Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan.
We report an autopsy case of a man who
suffered accidental chemical burns following exposure to 60% hydrofluoric
acid. The extent of the burns covered about 30% of his body surface,
and cardiopulmonary arrest occurred
about 30min after the exposure. At autopsy, the skin of the affected
area showed greenish gray or black coloring with thin circumferential
erythema, and this discoloration extended as far as the periosteum
of the skull. However, such discoloration was not found on the
mucosa of the airway or the gastrointestinal tract. Microscopically,
severe liquefactive necrosis was already evident on the skin.
Elastic fibers within the dermis were completely lost, and the
entire wall of large vessels within the subcutaneous layer was
already severely affected. Blood analysis
in the emergency room showed hypocalcemia, and the levels of fluoride
ions in the postmortem blood and urine showed extremely high values.
However, fewer fluoride ions were detected from the lung
tissue. The present case suggests that the hydrofluoric acid had
immediately penetrated down into the deep layer of the skin, thereby
involving the large vessels present within the subcutaneous layer.
These pathological findings of the skin seen in the present case
explain the mechanism behind the rapid dissemination of fluoride
ions which entered the bloodstream from damaged arteries, resulting
in the development of acute toxicity.
PMID: 16426786 [PubMed - as supplied by
publisher]
Full report available at Science Direct
Environmental Pollution - Volume 139, Issue
3 , February 2006, Pages 421-432
Growth and photosynthetic responses of
two pine species (Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida) in a polluted
industrial region in Korea
D.S. Choi (a), M. Kayama (b), H.O. Jin
(c), C.H. Lee (d), T. Izuta (e) and T. Koike (b)
(a) Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido
University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan
(b) Hokkaido University Forests, FSC, Sapporo 060-0809, Japan
(c) Division of Life Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 449-701,
South Korea
(d) Forest Research Institute, Seoul 130-012, South Korea
(e) Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University
of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
We investigated the effects of pollutants on two pine species
(Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida) in an industrial region in
Korea, using a physiological approach. The
concentrations of fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) in the atmosphere,
in precipitation and soil water at the damaged site were all significantly
higher than at a control site. Moreover, the concentrations of
F, Cl and Mn in pine needles were significantly higher, and essential
elements and chlorophyll in needles were significantly lower at
the damaged site than at the control site. The photosynthetic
capacities, shoot length and survival statistics of needles of
the two pines were all significantly reduced at the damaged site
compared to the control site, especially P. rigida. Based on our
comparison of photosynthetic responses and the concentrations
of F, Cl and Mn in needles of the two pine species, P. koraiensis
is more resistant to excess Mn in its needles than P. rigida.
Full report available at Science Direct
Journal of Fluorine Chemistry - Volume 127, Issue 1 , January
2006, Pages 8-17
Review
Fluorine chemistry at Central Glass
Yutaka Katsuhara, Minoru Aramaki, Akihiro
Ishii, Takashi Kume, Chikashi Kawashima and Seiichi Mitsumoto
Chemical Research Center, Central Glass Co. Ltd., Kawagoe, Saitama
350-1151, Japan
Central Glass produces a diverse range of fluorocompounds for
pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals as well as for semiconductor industries.
Some of its products and chemistry developed at Central Glass
in the field of industrial fluorine compounds are described.
Central Glass (hereafter CGC) produced synthetic cryolite (Na3AlF6)
as its first targeted fluorine-containing compound in 1970 by
an aqueous process using fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) obtained
as a by-product in the production of phosphoric acid [1].In 1974,
CGC started its commercial production of hydrogen fluoride in
order to produce aluminum trifluoride, and since then has continuously
kept developing its own fluorine chemistry in the fields of inorganic,
organic and polymer chemistry using various fluorination technologies
based on HF, metal fluorides and elemental fluorine.
Nowadays, CGC produces the range of fluorocompounds shown in
Fig. 1. This includes fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals,
e.g. Sevoflurane, an inhalation anesthetic, agrochemicals and
their precursors, new types of electrolytes for batteries and
capacitors [2], highly purified gaseous metal fluorides, etching
gases, cleaning gases, and polymeric materials for semiconductor
industries. Also produced are bulk chemicals such as fluorinated
polymers for molding [3] and paints, and the zero ODP-rated hydrofluorocarbon
CF3CH2CHF2 (HFC-245fa).
Full report available at Science Direct
Environmental Pollution - Volume 139, Issue 2 , January 2006,
Pages 232-243
Radionuclides, heavy metals and fluorine
incidence at Tapira phosphate rocks, Brazil, and their industrial
(by) products
Fabiano Tomazini da Conceição
(a), and Daniel Marcos Bonotto (b)
(a) Unidade Diferenciada Sorocaba/Iperó (UDSI), UNESP,
Sorocaba, Iperó, Brazil
(b) Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE),
UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil
Inorganic phosphate fertilizers may contain radionuclides, heavy
metals and fluorine. This paper presents the possible environmental
hazards from Tapira phosphate rocks and their (by) products (Brazil)
utilized as phosphate fertilizers. The activity concentration
of 238U, 234U, 226Ra and 40K in Tapira phosphate rocks is within
the world range for these rock types. The 232Th activity concentration
is higher than the mean reported in phosphate rocks. A value of
2184 nGy h-1 was obtained for the exposure dose rate in Tapira
phosphate deposit area, which is indicative of a high background
radiation area. The flotation-separation process causes the incorporation
of no more than 9%, 11% and 24% of radionuclides, heavy metals
and fluorine, respectively, into the phosphate concentrate. The
radionuclides and heavy metals existing in phosphate fertilizers
applied in Brazilian crops according to the recommended rates,
do not raise their concentration in soils to harmful levels.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16352884&query_hl=11&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Caries Res. 2006;40(1):66-72.
The prevalence and severity of fluorosis
in children who received toothpaste containing either 440 or 1,450
ppm F from the age of 12 months in deprived and less deprived
communities.
Tavener JA, Davies GM, Davies RM, Ellwood
RP.
Dental Health Unit, Manchester Science Park, Lloyd Street North,
UK.
This study compared fluorosis in the upper central incisors of
children from socially diverse backgrounds who had received either
440- or 1,450-ppm F toothpaste from 12 months of age. The children
were resident in non-fluoridated districts in the north-west of
England. They received either 440- or 1,450-ppm F toothpaste and
advice regarding its use until the age of 5-6 years. Dental fluorosis
(TF index) was assessed on digital images of dried teeth when
the children (n = 1,268) were 8-10 years old. In the less deprived
districts the prevalences of fluorosis (TF >or=0) for the 1,450-
and 440-ppm F groups were 34.5 and 23.7% (p = 0.006). In the deprived
districts the prevalences of fluorosis were 25.2 and 19.5% (p
= 0.2). Overall the prevalences of TF >or=2 were 7 and 2.1%
for the 1,450- and 440-ppm F groups and 2.2 and 0.2% for TF >or=3.
These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.003).
There was a strong association between the deprivation status
of wards and fluorosis. Only 1 subject with a TF score of 3 was
identified in the two most deprived quintiles of the Townsend
score. It is concluded that careful targeting of programmes of
this type to children living in high caries risk deprived communities
carries only a small risk of aesthetically objectionable fluorosis
(TF >2) whether low or high fluoride toothpastes are used.
High fluoride (1,450 ppm F) toothpastes should not be provided
on a community basis to very young children in less deprived communities.
PMID: 16352884 [PubMed - in process]
Full report available at Science Direct
Fuel - Volume 85, Issue 2 , January 2006,
Pages 235-242
The 21st Annual International Pittsburgh
Coal Conference This Document
Fate of the chlorine and fluorine in a
sub-bituminous coal during pyrolysis and gasification
Makoto Takeda (a), Akio Ueda (a), Harumi
Hashimoto (b), Tetsuo Yamada (b), Noboru Suzuki (c), Masahide
Sato (c), Naoto Tsubouchi (d), Yoshihiro Nakazato (d) and Yasuo
Ohtsuka (d)
(a) Kure Research Laboratory, Environmental
Research Department, Babcock-Hitachi K.K., Kure 737-8508, Japan
(b) Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Kitami
Institute of Technology, Kitami 090-8507, Japan
(c) Graduate School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya
321-8585, Japan
(d) Research Center for Sustainable Materials Engineering, Institute
of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University,
Sendai 980-8577, Japan
The fate of the chlorine and fluorine present in a sub-bituminous
coal from Indonesia during pyrolysis and gasification has been
studied with fixed and entrained bed reactors. The rate profile
for HCl evolved in the temperature programmed pyrolysis exhibits
the main and shoulder peaks at 480 and 600 °C, respectively.
Model experiments and subsequent Cl 2p XPS measurements show that
HCl reacts with metal impurities and carbon active sites at 500 °C
to be retained as inorganic and organic chlorine forms, from which
HCl evolves again at elevated temperatures. It is suggested that
the HCl observed in the coal pyrolysis may originate from the
above-mentioned chlorine functionalities formed by secondary reactions
involving the nascent char. In the CO2 gasification of the 900 °C
char at 1000 °C and 2.5 MPa, any measurable amounts
of HCl and HF could not be detected even at a high conversion
of 75 wt% (daf), suggesting the accumulation of these halogens
in the residual char. When the coal is injected into an O2-blown,
entrained bed gasifier at 1200–1400 °C under 2.6 MPa,
the partial oxidation proceeds to a larger extent at a higher
O2/coal ratio, whereas the chlorine and
fluorine are enriched in the remaining char, and the extent of
the enrichment at the latter stage of gasification is larger with
the fluorine. The XPS measurements of the chars reveal the presence
of the broad F 1 s peak, which can cover a wide range of
binding energies attributable to inorganic and organic fluorine.
The halogen enrichment during gasification is discussed in terms
of secondary reactions of HCl and HF with char.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17204367&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Hazard Mater. 2006 Oct 28; [Epub
ahead of print]
Use of cement and quicklime to accelerate ripening and
immobilize contaminated dredging sludge.
Brouwers HJ, Augustijn DC, Krikke B, Honders A.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Twente, P.O. Box
217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
In this study cement and quicklime are examined as binders to
enhance the ripening process and immobilize contaminants in dredging
sludge. Ripening comprises the drying in the open air till a dry
matter content of 50-55% is reached. For this study, a dredging
sludge of the highest contamination category was used. The binders
speed up the ripening process substantially since the binders
as such increase the dry matter content upon mixing, but they
also modify the structure so that evaporation is facilitated.
Furthermore, the reaction of cement and quicklime with water generates
heat that also stimulates evaporation, and both binders, in combination
with dredging sludge, bind water chemically (twice as much as
expected). The total time for ripening could be reduced by 70%,
which means that existing treatment depots can be used more effectively.
The emission of contaminants was determined by a standard leaching
test. The cement and quicklime had opposite effects on the leaching
of constituents. The addition of cement
had negative effects on sulphate, fluoride, and zinc, which were
compensated by the addition of quicklime. On the other
hand, cement reduced the emission of chloride, copper, and nickel,
while quicklime seemed to increase the emission of these constituents.
The concentration and emission of contaminants of the treated
dredging sludge meet the requirements of the current legislation.
It is therefore concluded that the presented method is able to
produce, in a much shorter time, an applicable building material
from contaminated dredging sludge.
PMID: 17204367 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17382061&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2006;81(3-4):199-222.
Life cycle Analysis of Aluminum Foil Packaging Material.
El Sebaie O, Ahmed M, Hussein A, El Sharkawy F, Samy M.
Environmental Health Department, High Institute of Public Health,
Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. manalmahdaly@hotmail.com.
A fundamental tent of life cycle analysis (LCA) is that every
material product must become a waste. To choose the greener products,
it is necessary to take into account their environmental impacts
from cradle to grave. LCA is the tool used to measure environmental
improvements. Aluminum (Al) is the third most common element found
in the earth's crust, after oxygen and silicon. Al packaging foil
was chosen as the material for the study with its life cycle perspective
at Alexandria. The Al packaging produced from virgin and recycled
Al was investigated through life cycle stages in these two production
processes; primary and secondary. The aim of this study is to
evaluate the environmental impact of aluminum packaging process
by using life cycle analysis of its product from two different
starting raw materials (virgin and recycled aluminum). The input
and output materials, energy, water, natural gas consumptions,
and solid waste uses in the foil industry had been analyzed in
order to identify those with significant contribution to the total
environmental impacts. From the survey done on the two life cycles,
it was found that in environmental terms, the most important emissions
from the primary process are the emission of CO(2) and perfluorocarbon
(PFC) gases, which produce the greenhouse effect, and SO(2)
as well as the emission of fluorides
and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH compounds), which are toxic
to humans and the environment. On over all material balance, it
was found that the ingot shares by 45% of the feed to the casthouse
furnaces at Egyptian Copper Work (ECW), net production of the
casthouse is 43.76% and the yield of rotary dross furnace (RDF)
is 28.8%. The net production of the foil unit represents 35% of
the total input to the unit. By comparing the two life cycles,
it is obvious that, for water consumption, 93.5% is used in the
primary cycle, while 6.5% is used in the secondary cycle. For
electricity consumption, 99.3% is used in the primary cycle; while
0.63% is used in the secondary cycle. For the natural gas consumption,
46.66% is used in the primary cycle excluding Nag' Hammady as
it uses fuel oil, while 53.34% is used in the secondary cycle.
Using a matrix approach, the primary cycle scored 6 heavy loaded
factors out of 9, while the secondary cycle scored 3 heavy loaded
factors out of 9. It can be concluded that Al recycling (secondary
cycle) in Al industry decreases the use of virgin material, energy
use, and environmental loadings, while increasing the economic
life of products, and reducing overall material demands. So, the
secondary cycle is to be recommended and is the most favorable
option in most of the factors influencing the two cycles. Monitoring
of the furnaces, automatic control of the metal, proper dross
cooling, better refining of molten Al, rate of solidification
of molten Al, and proper annealing process will lead to reduction
of the overall fuel, water, and electricity consumption and metal
losses will be minimum.
PMID: 17382061 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17063019&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Caries Res. 2006;40(6):487-93.
Fluoride intake from food and liquid in Japanese children
living in two areas with different fluoride concentrations in
the water supply.
Nohno K, Sakuma S, Koga H, Nishimuta M, Yagi M, Miyazaki H.
Department of Oral Health Science, Graduate School of Medical
and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Gakkocho-Dori, Niigata,
Japan. no2@dent. niigata-u.ac.jp
The purpose of this study was to estimate the average daily amount
of fluoride from the diet ingested by Japanese children of ages
susceptible to dental fluorosis in two areas with different fluoride
concentrations in the water supply. Thirty-eight children aged
2-8 years participated in a survey of fluoride intake. Twenty-one
out of 38 children lived in an area in which the community water
fluoride concentration was an average of 0.555 ppm (moderate fluoride
area: MFA), and 17 lived in a low fluoride area (LFA), which ranged
between 0.040 and 0.131 ppm. To measure the fluoride intake, diets
were collected with a duplicate-diet technique. The fluoride concentrations
in each sample were measured using the diffusion technique of
Taves and the electrode technique. Meanwhile, after clinical examinations
for dental caries and fluorosis, 228 subjects aged 13-15 years
were selected for analysis from the same communities. The mean
DMFT in the MFA was significantly lower than that in the LFA.
The severest grade of dental fluorosis observed was 'very mild'
according to Dean's fluorosis index in both areas. The total daily
fluoride intakes were 0.0252-0.0254 mg F/kg/day in the MFA and
0.0126-0.0144 mg F/kg/day in the LFA. Differences in the fluoride
concentration of drinking water in this study were reflected in
the fluoride intake from the diet in a typical Japanese diet.
PMID: 17063019 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17066792&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Econ Entomol. 2006 Oct;99(5):1628-35.
Sulfuryl fluoride as a quarantine
treatment for Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
in regulated wood packing material.
Barak AV, Wang Y, Zhan G, Wu Y, Xu L, Huang Q.
USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Pest Survey, Detection and Exclusion Laboratory,
Bldg. 1398, Otis ANGB, MA 02542-5008, USA. al.barak@aphis.usda.gov
The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), was probably introduced into the United
States from China with solid wood packing and dunnage during the
1980s, and it has recently become established in limited infestations
near several major cities in the United States. Regulated wood
packing material (RWPM) arriving in the United States from China
is required to undergo fumigation with methyl bromide (MeBr),
to be heat treated, or kiln dried. Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is a
candidate fumigant to replace MeBr under certain conditions. SF
fumigations were conducted in 432-liter Lexan chambers held in
a 6.1-m (20-foot) refrigerated container for temperature control.
Each fumigation consisted of 12 Populus spp. 10- by 10- by 115-cm
timbers, of high moisture content, naturally infested with Asian
longhorned beetle. During 2001, we fumigated wood for 24 h at
a range of doses (20-112 g/m3) and temperatures (4.4, 10.0, 15.6,
and 21.1 degrees C) and subjected the data to probit analysis.
Confirmatory fumigations were conducted at doses of 120 and 104
g/m3 at temperatures of 10.0 and 15.6 or 21.1 degrees C, respectively,
which resulted in complete kill of all larvae. Pupae that became
available later in the year as temperatures warmed were fumigated
at 15.6 and 21.1 degrees C with 104 g/m3, which resulted in complete
pupal mortality. The next year (2002), we conducted 24-h fumigations
with doses of 116 g/m3 at 4.4 and 10.0 degrees C with cold-harvested
wood infested with cold-acclimated larvae. Cold-acclimated larvae
required much higher concentration times time (CxT) product for
control at 4.4 and 10.0 degrees C compared with nonacclimated
larvae. Sulfuryl fluoride treatments at a dose of 104 g/m3 and
temperature of 15.6 degrees C and above and that achieved a CxT
product of 1,095 g-h/m3 or above are recommended for RWPM infested
with Asian longhorned beetle larvae and pupae.
PMID: 17066792 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17288493&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Toxicol Rev. 2006;25(4):213-9.
Sodium fluoroacetate poisoning.
Proudfoot AT, Bradberry SM, Vale JA.
National Poisons Information Service (Birmingham Centre), City
Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Sodium fluoroacetate was introduced as a rodenticide in the US
in 1946. However, its considerable efficacy against target species
is offset by comparable toxicity to other mammals and, to a lesser
extent, birds and its use as a general rodenticide was therefore
severely curtailed by 1990. Currently, sodium fluoroacetate is
licensed in the US for use against coyotes, which prey on sheep
and goats, and in Australia and New Zealand to kill unwanted introduced
species. The extreme toxicity of fluoroacetate
to mammals and insects stems from its similarity to acetate, which
has a pivotal role in cellular metabolism. Fluoroacetate
combines with coenzyme A (CoA-SH) to form fluoroacetyl CoA, which
can substitute for acetyl CoA in the tricarboxylic acid cycle
and reacts with citrate synthase to produce fluorocitrate, a metabolite
of which then binds very tightly to aconitase, thereby halting
the cycle. Many of the features of fluoroacetate poisoning are,
therefore, largely direct and indirect consequences of impaired
oxidative metabolism. Energy production is reduced and intermediates
of the tricarboxylic acid cycle subsequent to citrate are depleted.
Among these is oxoglutarate, a precursor of glutamate, which is
not only an excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS but is also
required for efficient removal of ammonia via the urea cycle.
Increased ammonia concentrations may contribute to the incidence
of seizures. Glutamate is also required for glutamine synthesis
and glutamine depletion has been observed in the brain of fluoroacetate-poisoned
rodents. Reduced cellular oxidative metabolism contributes to
a lactic acidosis. Inability to oxidise fatty acids via the tricarboxylic
acid cycle leads to ketone body accumulation and worsening acidosis.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion results in inhibition of
high energy-consuming reactions such as gluconeogenesis. Fluoroacetate
poisoning is associated with citrate accumulation in several tissues,
including the brain. Fluoride liberated
from fluoroacetate, citrate and fluorocitrate are calcium chelators
and there are both animal and clinical data to support hypocalcaemia
as a mechanism of fluoroacetate toxicity. However, the
available evidence suggests the fluoride component does not contribute.
Acute poisoning with sodium fluoroacetate is uncommon. Ingestion
is the major route by which poisoning occurs. Nausea, vomiting
and abdominal pain are common within 1 hour of ingestion. Sweating,
apprehension, confusion and agitation follow. Both supraventricular
and ventricular arrhythmias have been reported and nonspecific
ST- and T-wave changes are common, the QTc may be prolonged and
hypotension may develop. Seizures are the
main neurological feature. Coma may persist for several
days. Although several possible antidotes have been investigated,
they are of unproven value in humans. The immediate, and probably
only, management of fluoroacetate poisoning is therefore supportive,
including the correction of hypocalcaemia.
PMID: 17288493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17161907&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Hazard Mater. 2006 Nov 11; [Epub
ahead of print]
Simulation the kinetics of fluoride removal
by electrocoagulation (EC) process using aluminum electrodes.
Hu CY, Lo SL, Kuan WH.
Research Center for Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control
Technology, Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National
Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC.
A variable order kinetic (VOK) model derived from the Langmuir
equation was applied to specify the kinetics of the fluoride removal
reaction for electrocoagulation (EC). Synthetic solutions were
employed to elucidate the effects of the initial fluoride concentration,
the applied current and the initial acidity on the simulation
results of the model. The proposed model successfully describes
the fluoride removal reaction, except in a system in which the
initial concentration of the acid is less than the initial fluoride
concentration. The violent change of pH companying with the appearance
of equivalence point in the titration curves should be the main
reason the VOK model fails to simulate the defluoridation in the
systems with an initial acidity higher than initial fluoride concentration.
PMID: 17161907 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17225816&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Public Health Dent. 2006 Fall;66(4):227-34.
Sources of dietary fluoride intake in
6-7-year-old English children receiving optimally, sub-optimally,
and non-fluoridated water.
Zohouri FV, Maguire A, Moynihan PJ.
School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington
Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4BW, UK.
OBJECTIVES: Due to increased consumption
of pre-packaged drinks, tap water may no longer be the principal
source of water intake and consequently fluoride intake. Little
is known about the importance of solid foods as fluoride sources
and how the relative contribution of foods/drinks to fluoride
intake is affected by residing in fluoridated or non-fluoridated
areas. This study investigated the relative contributions of different
dietary sources to dietary fluoride intake and compared this in
children residing in optimally artificially fluoridated, sub-optimally
artificially fluoridated, and non-fluoridated areas.
METHODS: Thirty-three healthy children aged 6 years were recruited
from fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities and categorised
into three groups based on fluoride content of home tap water:
optimally fluoridated (< or =0.7 mgF/L), sub-optimally fluoridated
(> or =0.3 to < or =0.7 mgF/L) and non-fluoridated (50.3
mgF/L) drinking water. A 3-day dietary diary collected dietary
information. Samples of foods/drinks consumed were collected and
analyzed for fluoride content.
RESULTS: Drinks provided 59%, 55% and 32% of dietary fluoride
intake in optimally, sub-optimally and non-fluoridated areas respectively.
Tap water, fruit squashes and cordials (extremely sweet non-alcoholic
fruit flavoured drink concentrates) prepared with tap water, as
well as cooked rice, pasta and vegetables were important sources
of fluoride in optimally and sub-optimally fluoridated areas.
Carbonated soft drinks and bread were the most important contributors
to dietary fluoride intake in the non-fluoridated area.
CONCLUSION: The main contributory sources to dietary fluoride
differ between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. Estimating
total fluoride intake from levels of fluoride in tap water alone
is unlikely to provide a reliable quantitative measure of intake.
Studies monitoring dietary fluoride exposure should consider intake
from all foods and drinks.
PMID: 17225816 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17176816&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Water Health. 2006 Dec;4(4):453-61.
Studies on defluoridation of water by
tamarind seed, an unconventional biosorbent.
Murugan M, Subramanian E.
Department of Chemistry, S.K.G.S. College, Srivaikuntam, Tuticorin
628 619, Tamil Nadu, India. mahalingam_murugan2004@yahoo.com
Tamarind seed, a household waste from the kitchen is used for
the sorptive removal of fluoride from synthetic aqueous solution
as well as from field water samples. Batch sorptive defluoridation
was conducted under variable experimental conditions such as pH,
agitation time, initial fluoride concentration, particle size
and sorbent dose. Maximum defluoridation was achieved at pH 7.0.
Defluoridation capacity decreases with increase in temperature
and particle size. Further, defluoridation follows first order
kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Desorption was carried
out with 0.1 N HCl and is 90 per cent. The surface and sorption
characteristics were analysed using FTIR and SEM techniques. All
these results indicate the involvement of energetic forces such
as coulombic interaction in sorption. For domestic and industrial
applications, defluoridation with 100% achievement and subsequent
regeneration of adsorbent was performed with a household water
filter and fixed bed column respectively.
PMID: 17176816 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17128514&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2006 Sep;27(9):1841-5.
[Biodegradability and degradation mechanism
of 3-fluorophenol by the activated sludge]
[Article in Chinese]
Zhang CJ, Zhou Q, Chen L, Yuan Y, Yu H.
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University,
Shanghai 200092, China. myrazh@mamil.tongji.edu.cn
An acclimated activated sludge was examined for its ability to
degrade 3-fluorophenol in aerobic batch cultures. The result indicated
that the organism degrades up to 100 mg/L
3-fluorophenol completely with approximately 100% fluoride anion
release within 16 h. 3-Fluorophenol can serve as the sole
carbon source and energy source for the organism. The acclimated
activated sludge can degrade 3-fluorophenol effectively. The degradation
mechanism study reveal that the initial step in the aerobic biodegradation
of 3-fluorophenol is its transformation to fluorocatechol. Following
transformation of the fluorophenol to fluorocatechol, ring cleavage
by catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase proceedes via an ortho-cleavage pathway,
then defluorination occurres.
PMID: 17128514 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17119712&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
Pesqui Odontol Bras. 2006 Jul-Sep;20(3):269-74.
Analysis of fluoride concentration in
mother's milk substitutes.
Pagliari AV, Moimaz SA, Saliba O, Delbem AC, Sassaki KT.
School of Dentistry of Aracatuba, Sao Paulo State University.
The aim of the present study was to determine the fluoride concentration
in some brands of mother's milk substitutes and evaluate the possibility
of developing dental fluorosis by consuming these products. The
products, all powdered, were divided into 3 groups: infant formulae
(group I, n = 7), milk-based (group M, n = 8) and soy-based (group
S, n = 3). Samples from 3 cans of different batches of each brand
were reconstituted in deionized water and analyzed using the specific
electrode method, after hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS) facilitated
diffusion. The fluoride content (mg F/L) of the products ranged
from 0.044 to 0.326 (I), 0.014 to 0.045 (M) and 0.253 to 0.702
(S). There was significant difference in the fluoride content
of cans from distinct batches (p < 0.05) in most of the brands.
The reconstitution of all products in water with optimal fluoride
concentration for consumption during the mineralization phase
of the primary teeth could result in daily fluoride intake above
0.07 mg F/kg body weight/day. Therefore, the consumption of these
products, especially when reconstituted with optimally fluoridated
water, could increase the risk of developing dental fluorosis.
PMID: 17119712 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17118549&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum
J Hazard Mater. 2006 Oct 11; [Epub
ahead of print]
Fluoride in drinking water and human urine
in Southern Haryana, India.
Singh B, Gaur S, Garg VK.
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar
University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India.
The objective of this study was to determine the fluoride content
in drinking water and urine samples of adolescent males aged 11-16
years living in Southern Haryana, India. A total of 30 drinking
water sources in the studied habitations were assessed for fluoride
contamination. Fluoride was estimated in the urine of 400 male
children randomly selected from these habitations. The fluoride
concentration in drinking water and urine samples was determined
using USEPA fluoride ion selective electrode method.
The mean fluoride concentration in drinking water samples of Pataudi,
Haily Mandi and Harsaru villages was 1.68+/-0.35, 3.22+/-1.18
and 1.78+/-0.12mg/l, respectively. The mean urinary fluoride concentration
was 2.26+/-0.024mg/l at Pataudi, 2.48+/-0.77mg/l at Haily Mandi
and 2.43+/-0.84mg/l at Harsaru village. The higher fluoride levels
in the urine of children may be associated to higher fluoride
levels in drinking water. The accuracy of measurements
was assessed with known addition method in water and urine. Mean
fluoride recovery was 98.0 and 99.1% in water and urine. The levels
obtained were reproducible with in +/-3% error limit.
PMID: 17118549 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
