No abstract

Laboratory and field studies were used to investigate toxicity and bioaccumulation of PCBs in crickets exposed to contaminated soil A 14‐d laboratory soil bioassay with the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) yielded an LC50 of 1,200 ppm Aroclor 1254 Mean whole body concentrations of Aro‐clor 1254 in exposed crickets were 11, 48, 92, 149, and 144 ppm for soil test concentrations of 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 ppm, respectively A whole body concentration of about 150 ppm appears to be a threshold concentration above which acute mortality will be observed House crickets placed in cages on a PCB contaminated landfill accumulated 1 6 and 0 9 ppm of PCBs (whole body concentration) after 3 and 7 d of exposure, respectively Although this represents a rapid uptake of PCBs, whole body concentrations remained considerably below levels expected to cause acute mortality Abundance of another species, the field cricket (Gryllus pennsylvamcus), was investigated using pitfall traps placed at the PCB contaminated landfill and a reference site No adverse effect on abundance was observed at the contaminated site, nor was pitfall trap success correlated to soil PCB concentration These data indicate that PCBs in soil can rapidly move into epigeic fauna but that the likelihood of acquiring sufficient body burdens to cause acute mortality is low

Laboratory and field studies were used to investigate toxicity and bioaccumulation of PCBs in crickets exposed to contaminated soil A 14-d laboratory soil bioassay with the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) yielded an LC50 of 1,200 ppm Aroclor 1254 Mean whole body concentrations of Aroclor 1254 in exposed crickets were 1 I , 48, 92, 149, and 144 ppm for soil test concentrations of 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 ppm, respectively A whole body concentration of about 150 pprn appears to be a threshold concentration above which acute mortality will be observed House crickets placed in cages on a PCB contaminated landfill accumulated 1 6 and 0 9 ppm of PCBs (whole body concentration) after 3 and 7 d of exposure, respectively Although this represents a rapid uptake of PCBs, whole body concentrations remained considerably below levels expected to cause acute mortality Abundance of another species, the field cricket (Gry//uspennsy/vanicus), was investigated using pitfall traps placed at the PCB contaminated landfill and a reference site No adverse effect on abundance was observed at the contaminated site, nor was pitfall trap success correlated to soil PCB concentration These data indicate that PCBs in soil can rapidly move into epigeic fauna but that the likelihood of acquiring sufficient body burdens to cause acute mortality is low

No abstract

While women in Mexico City can access free, safe and legal abortion during the first trimester, women in other Mexican states face many barriers. To complicate matters, between 2008 and 2009, 16 state constitutions were amended to protect life from conception. While these reforms do not annul existing legal abortion indications, they have created additional obstacles for women. Health providers increasingly report women who seek life-saving care for complications such as haemorrhage to the police, and some cases eventually end up in court. The Grupo de Información en Reproducción Elegida (GIRE) has successfully litigated such cases in state courts, with positive outcomes. However, state courts have mainly focused on procedural issues. The Mexican Supreme Court ruling supporting Mexico City's law has had a positive effect, but a stronger stance is needed. This paper discusses the constitutional framework and jurisprudence regarding abortion in Mexico, and the recent Costa Rica decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. We assert that Mexican states must guarantee women's access to abortion on the legal grounds established in law. We continue to support litigation at the state level to oblige courts to exonerate women prosecuted for illegal abortion. Advocacy should, of course, also address the legislative and executive branches, while working simultaneously to set legal precedents on abortion.