Industrial Environmental Pollution Research Articles

Infectious diseases and morbidity in conditions of anthropogenic environmental pollution

In the scientific literature, there are virtually no publications related to the systematic study of the impact of industrial environmental pollution on infectious pathology at both the organismal and population levels. This connection is sufficiently argued only for a number of endogenous infections (pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.), as well as for the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections. For other forms of infectious pathology such materials are either completely absent or available in separate, unrelated publications.

Effect of Industrial Environmental Pollution on Winter Dormancy in Scotch Pine

Many complexes of adaptive responses to environmental factors that have been formed in the course of evolution change under the effect of technogenic pollution. Disturbance of the natural dynamics of transition to winter dormancy in woody plants is among the possible manifestations of this effect. We may presume that, as a result, some of the plants growing in regions with a high level of air pollution do not complete their transition to dormancy, remain unprepared for severe conditions in winter, and may be damaged. Apparently, this is actually the case, as the composition of sugars in plant leaves changes under the effect of air pollution, and the increase in their contents in autumn and winter is less pronounced and occurs later than under normal conditions (Huttunen et al. , 1981b). Seasonal dynamics of transpiration rate is also altered in plants growing in polluted areas (Huttunen et al. , 1981a). To resolve this issue, it is necessary to study in detail the seasonal dynamics of the state of plants, including their transition to winter dormancy, using adequate methods for monitoring their physiological condition. Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence is one such approach. It allows the researcher to estimate structural and functional changes in the photoassimilatory system of plants (Matorin et al. , 1985; Veselovskii and Veselova, 1990; Gaevskii and Morgun, 1993; Grigor’ev and Buchel’nikov, 1999). The purpose of this study was to analyze the seasonal dynamics of chlorophyll fluorescence in the needles and the depth of winter dormancy in Scotch pine trees ( Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in areas with different levels of air pollution.

Pollutants in breast milk.

To review data on the occurrence and toxicity of the commonly reported pesticides and industrial environmental pollutant chemicals in breast milk. Continuous automated literature surveillance plus contact with investigators and governmental agencies. For data on occurrence, the most recent data from the largest data sets on the most representative donors were used. For data on toxicity, the primary report that was publicly available was used. When necessary, data were reexpressed or concentrations were rescaled. The original investigator was contacted if necessary. Although pollutant chemicals are readily detected in most human milk worldwide, there is little evidence for consequent morbidity in nurslings. There have been several mass poisonings in which chemicals that were transmitted through breast milk clearly affected children who were breast-fed, and there is some evidence that prenatal exposure to background levels resulted in mild developmental delay and that lactation per se was disturbed. Breast-feeding is recommended despite the presence of chemical residues. The prenatal period in the child and the initiation of lactation in the mother may be sensitive periods to the toxicity of the chemicals that are considered here, and the potential for poisoning at higher levels is clear. However, in the vast majority of women, the benefits of breast-feeding appear to outweigh the risks, and those who advise women about infant nutrition should continue to support breast-feeding.

The fate of environmental contaminants in the food chain

This paper reviews the major sources of industrial environmental pollutants that may give rise to organic contaminants in foods, indicates which foods tend to be most frequently found to be contaminated and summarises available data on levels of occurrence. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalic acid esters, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs and PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organic phosphates are widespread environmental contaminants which have all been detected in foods. Estimates of exposure to these contaminants from total diet and other studies are summarised. Some pollutants such as volatile halocarbons and benzene tend to only occur as localised contaminants for which targeted monitoring of foods is necessary. The most difficult area is regarded as the detection of previously unrecognised contaminants in foods for which some possible approaches are described.