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American Family Physician Jul 2019Asymptomatic lead poisoning has become more common in children. Blood lead levels of less than 5 µg per dL are associated with impairments in neurocognitive and... (Review)
Review
Asymptomatic lead poisoning has become more common in children. Blood lead levels of less than 5 µg per dL are associated with impairments in neurocognitive and behavioral development that are irreversible. Risk factors for lead poisoning include age younger than five years, low socioeconomic status, living in housing built before 1978, and use of imported food, medicines, and pottery. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a recommendation in 2019 citing insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of universal screening for elevated blood lead levels in asymptomatic children and pregnant women. Local risk factors can be substantial, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that states and cities formulate their own targeted screening guidelines. In the absence of local guidance, the CDC recommends screening all Medicaid-eligible children at 12 months and again at 24 months, or at least once between 36 and 72 months if not previously screened. The CDC also recommends universal screening in areas where more than 27% of the housing was built before 1950, or where at least 12% of children 12 to 36 months of age have blood lead levels greater than 10 µg per dL. Life-threatening lead levels are treated with chelation therapy, and lower levels should prompt case management and environmental investigations to identify and remove the source of exposure. Primary prevention strategies are essential to eliminate the harmful effects of lead on child development.
Topics: Chelation Therapy; Child; Child, Preschool; Housing; Humans; Infant; Lead Poisoning; Mass Screening; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; United States
PubMed: 31259498
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2020Human exposure to lead can occur in a variety of ways, all of which involve exposure to potentially toxic elements as environmental pollutants. Lead enters the body via... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Human exposure to lead can occur in a variety of ways, all of which involve exposure to potentially toxic elements as environmental pollutants. Lead enters the body via ingestion and inhalation from sources such as soil, food, lead dust and lead in products of everyday use and in the workplace. The aim of this review is to describe the toxic effects of lead on the human body from conception to adulthood, and to review the situation regarding lead toxicity in Poland.
RESULTS
Pb is very dangerous when it is absorbed and accumulates in the main organs of the body, where it can cause a range of symptoms that vary from person to person, the time of exposure and dose. Lead in adults can cause an increase in blood pressure, slow nerve conduction, fatigue, mood swings, drowsiness, impaired concentration, fertility disorders, decreased sex drive, headaches, constipation and, in severe cases, encephalopathy or death.
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to lead in Poland remains an important public health problem. This review will cover the range of lead exposures, from mild to heavy. Public health interventions and policies also are needed to reduce occupational and environmental exposure to this element.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollution; Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Poland
PubMed: 32570851
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124385 -
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North... Nov 2021Abdominal pain is a common reason for emergency department visits, with many patients not receiving a definitive diagnosis for their symptoms. Non-gastrointestinal... (Review)
Review
Abdominal pain is a common reason for emergency department visits, with many patients not receiving a definitive diagnosis for their symptoms. Non-gastrointestinal causes need to be considered in the workup of abdominal pain. A high index of suspicion is needed in order to develop a broad differential, and a thorough history and physical examination is paramount. This article will discuss some of these diagnoses, including can't miss diagnoses, common non-abdominal causes, and rare etiologies of abdominal pain.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Adrenal Gland Diseases; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Angioedemas, Hereditary; Aortic Diseases; COVID-19; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Heart Failure; Herpes Zoster; Humans; IgA Vasculitis; Lead Poisoning; Migraine Disorders; Ovarian Torsion; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Pneumonia; Porphyria, Acute Intermittent; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Pulmonary Embolism; Thyrotoxicosis; Uremia
PubMed: 34600641
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2021.07.003 -
Journal of Public Health Management and... 2019
Topics: Humans; Lead Poisoning; Michigan; Water Quality
PubMed: 30507762
DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000902 -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... Mar 2021
Topics: Black or African American; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Health Status Disparities; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lead Poisoning; Pandemics; Racism; SARS-CoV-2; Water Supply; Wisconsin
PubMed: 33819405
DOI: No ID Found -
Metal Ions in Life Sciences Apr 2017Heavy metal exposure has long been associated with metallothionein (MT) regulation and its functions. MT is a ubiquitous, cysteine-rich protein that is involved in... (Review)
Review
Heavy metal exposure has long been associated with metallothionein (MT) regulation and its functions. MT is a ubiquitous, cysteine-rich protein that is involved in homeostatic metal response for the essential metals zinc and copper, as well as detoxification of heavy metals; the most commonly proposed being cadmium. MT binds in vivo to a number of metals in addition to zinc, cadmium and copper, such as bismuth. In vitro, metallation with a wide range of metals (especially mercury, arsenic, and lead) has been reported using a variety of analytical methods. To fully understand MT and its role with lead metabolism, we will describe how MT interacts with a wide variety of metals that bind in vitro. In general, affinity to the metal-binding cysteine residues of MT follows that of metal binding to thiols: Zn(II) < Pb(II) < Cd (II) < Cu(I) < Ag(I) < Hg(II) < Bi(III). To introduce the metal binding properties that we feel directly relate to the metallation of metallothionein by Pb(II), we will explore MT's interactions with metals long known as toxic, particularly, Cd(II), Hg(II), and As(III), along with xenobiotic metals, and how these metal-binding studies complement those of lead binding. Lead's effects on an organism's physiological functions are not fully understood, but it is known that chronic exposure inflicts amongst other factors pernicious anemia and developmental issues in the brain, especially in children who are more vulnerable to its toxic effects. Understanding the interaction of lead with metallothioneins throughout the biosphere, from bacteria, to algae, to fish, to humans, is important in determining pathways for lead to enter and damage physiologically significant protein function, and thereby its toxicity.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Metallothionein; Protein Binding
PubMed: 28731302
DOI: 10.1515/9783110434330-009 -
WMJ : Official Publication of the State... Apr 2019
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Child; Female; Humans; Lead Poisoning; Male; Parent-Child Relations; Risk-Taking; Wisconsin
PubMed: 31083826
DOI: No ID Found -
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry... Apr 2018The documentation of lead toxicity (plumbism) dates back to the times when man learnt its various applications. This versatile heavy metal is non-degradable and its... (Review)
Review
The documentation of lead toxicity (plumbism) dates back to the times when man learnt its various applications. This versatile heavy metal is non-degradable and its ability to get accumulated in the body that goes undiagnosed, makes it a serious environmental health hazard. Lead is now known to affect almost every organ/tissue of the human body. With irreversible effects on neurobiological development of young children and foetus, its toxicity has lasting implications on the human life. Outlining the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment therapy for lead poisoning, the present review elaborates the pathophysiological effects of lead on various organs. This will be of immense help to the health professionals so as to inculcate a better understanding of the lead poisoning which otherwise is asymptomatic. With chelation therapy being the classic path of treatment, new strategies are being explored as additive/adjunct therapy. It is now understood that lead toxicity is completely preventable. In this regard significant efforts are in place in the developed countries whereas much needs to be done in the developing countries. Spreading the awareness amongst the masses by educating them and reducing the usage of lead following stricter industry norms appears to be the only roadmap to prevent lead poisoning. Efforts being undertaken by the Government of India and other organisations are also mentioned.
PubMed: 29651203
DOI: 10.1007/s12291-017-0680-3 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Nov 2022
Topics: Humans; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Lead Poisoning
PubMed: 35342137
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9178-21 -
La Medicina Del Lavoro Dec 2019.
UNLABELLED
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BACKGROUND:
The Clinica del Lavoro of Milan provided several contributions to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology during the twentieth century.
OBJECTIVES:
Describe the first years of the laboratory of industrial hygiene of Milan through three figures who played a leading role: Enrico Carlo Vigliani, Nicola Zurlo and Gianmario Cavagna.
METHODS:
Scientific literature of the period 1948-1970 was investigated, also interviewing first-hand witnesses of that period.
RESULTS:
Enrico Vigliani was the first European scholar to understand the importance of a laboratory of industrial hygiene within his institution. Thanks to the support of private (Montecatini) and public (INAIL) institutions he succeeded in creating a laboratory in 1948. Nicola Zurlo, who directed this structure in the first thirty years, conducted innovative studies on chronic mercury intoxication, lead intoxication and silicosis, designing and creating instruments for capturing and analyzing atmospheric dust and protection devices. He conducted analysis of the health effects of organophosphorus insecticides and started to study the air pollution. Zurlo also provided an epistemological and methodological content to the discipline. Gianmario Cavagna, one of the first Italian toxicologists, contributed to the discovery of the origin of fevers caused by the inhalation of metal fumes and to the studies on the pathogenesis of byssinosis, hypothesizing a role of bacterial endotoxins in the genesis of this disease.
CONCLUSIONS:
The contributions provided by these three protagonists to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology were relevant and made in those years the Clinica del Lavoro of Milan as a landmark, not only in Italy but also abroad.
Topics: History, 20th Century; Humans; Italy; Laboratories; Lead Poisoning; Occupational Health; Occupational Medicine
PubMed: 31846445
DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v110iS1.8875