No abstract

Carbones de la zona cundiboyacence fueron estudiados, con el fin de determinar la presencia y cuantificar los contenidos de elementos contaminantes como: cadmio (Cd), arsénico (As), plomo (Pb), selenio (Se) y mercurio (Hg), estos elementos son comparados con los índices de Clarke para carbones del mismo rango. Las muestras de carbón fueron tomadas de frentes de explotación activa y son analizadas mediante análisis próximos, petrográficos y por espectrometría de masas con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS). Los resultados revelan que las muestras analizadas presentan contenidos promedio de metales como Pb (15,5 mg•kg-1), Se (16,5 mg•kg-1), Cd (0,55 mg•kg-1) y As (16,05 mg•kg-1) por encima del promedio mundial para carbones del mismo rango y sus concentraciones son mayores a los carbones de la zona norte carbonífera de Colombia, el contenido de Hg es bajo (< 0,08 mg•kg-1). El contenido de estos elementos genera preocupación ambiental ya que de acuerdo a la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (EPA), el límite máximo permitido para el Se, Pb y Cd es de 0.05 mg•kg-1(ppm). Se sugiere realizar estudios específicos, que permitan la recuperación previa y/o utilización.

No abstract

The objective of this study was to identify demographic and nutritional factors that are associated with Arsenic exposure and the influence of As on cognitive function in school‐age children. 602 children aged 6 to 8 living within 3.5 km of a metallurgic smelter complex in the city of Torreon, Mexico participated in a cross‐sectional evaluation. 557 had complete anthropometry, nutritional status by biochemical measurements in blood, blood lead concentration (PbB), arsenic in urine (UAs), and completed cognitive performance tests. The mean for UAs was 58.1 ± 33.2 ug/dL, 52% had UAs concentrations > 50 ug/dL and 50.7% of children had blood PbB > 10 μg/dL UAs concentration was also associated with low SES. Nutritional status indicators were not related to UAs concentrations. Linear and logistic regressions showed a significant inverse association between UAs and the Math Achievement test, Visual‐Spatial Abilities with Block Design and the WISC‐RM Digit Span subscale (p<0.05), Boys excreted significantly more UAs (p<0.05) and were affected on different cognitive areas than girls. In conclusion, children living in an area contaminated with both arsenic and lead showed that arsenic contamination affected children cognitive development independent of any effect of lead.