BackgroundOxidative damage has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity, specially affecting the liver and kidney. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant effect of Spirulina maxima in several experimental models of oxidative stress. The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Spirulina maxima against lead acetate-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in the liver and kidney of male rats. Control animals were fed on a standard diet and did not receive lead acetate (Control group). Experimental animals were fed on a standard laboratory diet with or without Spirulina maxima 5% in the standard laboratory diet and treated with three doses of lead acetate (25 mg each/weekly, intraperitoneal injection) (lead acetate with Spirulina, and lead acetate without Spirulina groups).ResultsThe results showed that Spirulina maxima prevented the lead acetate-induced significant changes on plasma and liver lipid levels and on the antioxidant status of the liver and kidney. On the other hand, Spirulina maxima succeeded to improve the biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney towards the normal values of the Control group.ConclusionsIt was concluded that Spirulina maxima has protective effects on lead acetate-induced damage, and that the effects are associated with the antioxidant effect of Spirulina.

Lead levels and cognitive abilities in Peruvian children Níveis de chumbo e funções cognitivas em crianças peruanas A b s t r a c t Objective: To study the relationship between blood lead levels and cognitive abilities of children exposed to this metal. Method: This is a cross-sectional study that included 134 children aged 6 to 8.5 years old from 3 schools with different risks of lead exposure located in El Callao (Peru Kohs (39,6% vs. 18,6%, p = 0,01), quando comparadas com aquelas com níveis séricos menores. Um déficit de uma categoria no Teste Gráfico de Raciocínio foi associado com um aumento no nível sérico de chumbo de 16,78 ug/dl (assumindo uma relação linear) e de 1 a 5,19 ug/dl (modelo logarítmico). Para cada 10 ug/dl de aumento no nível sérico de chumbo, o Teste dos Cubos de Kohs apresentou diminuição de 6,24 unidades (12,91 para os meninos e 0,216 para as meninas) (modelo linear) e um aumento de 1 a 10 ug/dl correspondeu a uma diminuição de 16,44 pontos no Teste dos Cubos de Kohs (31,19 para os meninos e 3,98 para as meninas) (modelo logarítmico). Considerando as subescalas do Teste Gráfico de Raciocínio, os níveis séricos de chumbo correlacionaram-se negativamente com as áreas de problemas numéricos (rho = -0,445, p < 0,001), relações numéricas (rho = -0,365, p < 0,001), inferências (rho = -0,281, p = 0,002) e semelhanças (rho = -0,250, p = 0,005). Conclusões: Níveis séricos de chumbo foram associados de uma maneira não-linear com déficits das habilidades cognitivas, especialmente entre os meninos, sendo o raciocínio numérico a área mais afetada.

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Previous studies have evaluated associated health risks and human exposure pathways at mining sites. Others have provided estimates of the scale of the issue based in part on surveys. However, a global census of mining-related hazardous waste sites has been lacking. The Toxic Sites Identification Program (TSIP) implemented by Blacksmith Institute (New York, NY, USA) since 2009 is an ongoing effort to catalogue a wide range of chemically contaminated sites with a potential human health risk (Ericson et al., Environ Monit Assess doi:10.1007/s 10661-012-2665-2, 2012). The TSIP utilizes a rapid assessment instrument, the Initial Site Screening (ISS), to quickly and affordably identify key site criteria including human exposure pathways, estimated populations at risk, and sampling information. The resulting ISS allows for comparison between sites exhibiting different contaminants and pollution sources. This paper explores the results of a subset of ISSs completed at 131 artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas and 275 industrial mining and ore processing sites in 45 countries. The authors show that the ISS captures key data points, allowing for prioritization of sites for further investigation or remedial activity.

Over a million people in Peru may be exposed to lead (Pb) due to past or present mining‐related activities; however, neither soil Pb nor blood Pb are routinely monitored throughout the country. Because little is known about Pb contamination in smaller mining‐impacted towns, soil Pb was mapped in four such towns with a portable X‐ray fluorescence analyzer in 2015. The roadside mapping delineated hotspots of highly contaminated soil (1,000–6,000 mg/kg Pb) in two of the towns. The local health department, provided with a LeadCare II analyzer, then measured blood‐Pb levels >5 in 65% and >10 μg/dL in 15% of children (n = 200) up to 6 years of age in these same four communities. There were no clear relations between child blood‐Pb levels and Pb levels in soil samples collected inside (n = 50) or outside the home (n = 50). Increased child blood Pb was associated with decreased level of cleanliness of parent clothing (n = 136) and shoes (n = 138), linking a possible behavioral factor for transferring contaminated soil and dust to children. In order to explore individual exposure and variations in soil Pb, 10 parents of children with blood Pb >10 μg/dL and 10 parents of children with blood Pb <5 μg/dL were invited to collect soil samples in areas where their children play and screen it for Pb using a color‐based field procedure. Importantly, parents identified a new hotspot of Pb contamination that had been missed by the previous portable X‐ray fluorescence soil mapping. The findings highlight the feasibility and value of involving families impacted by environmental contamination to identify and reduce environmental health risk.