Blood lead level (BPbL) was determined in forty-five traffic controllers working on Alexandria road intersections. Central nervous system dysfunction in the subjects studied was investigated by means of performance tests. Biochemical indicators related to lead exposure such as delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and hemoglobin in their blood were also determined. Results indicated that most of the subjects studied have a comparably high BPbL. They also showed significantly poorer performance scores than that obtained in a previous study with a group of textile workers of the same age and educational levels. The mean of the BPbL in the traffic controllers was found to be 68.28 +/- 13.22 micrograms/dl. This is a very high level compared to an acceptable level of 30.00 micrograms/dl. All neurobehavioral symptoms demonstrated in the traffic controllers could be attributed to a high level of lead exposure.

The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs.eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.

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Bioassays were conducted to study comparative and selective toxicity of commercial formulations of the neonicotinoid insecticides acetamiprid (Mospilan 20% SP) and imidacloprid (Imaxi 35% SC) against Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) using leaf dipping technique as well as Apis mellifera L. by orally mixing with food media. Based on the obtained LCR 50 Rvalues, acetamiprid was more toxic to the tested adult and nymphal stages of B. tabaci than imidacloprid. The adult stage was more susceptible than nymph. Acetamiprid showed higher toxicity to eggs, the 2P nd P and 4P th P instar larvae of S. littoralis than imidacloprid. Moreover, eggs were more susceptible to the two tested insecticides than the larval instars, and the 4P th P instar larvae were the least susceptible. Acetamiprid applied orally to honey bee workers at a field rate (50 µg a.i./ml) caused 3.33 % mortality with no symptoms of toxicity 24 hr. post treatment. The field rate of imidacloprid (265 µg a.i./ml) gave 90% mortality and obvious symptoms of poisoning were recorded 10 minutes after exposure. The LCR 50 R value for imidacloprid was 59.83 µg a.i./ml. The results revealed that the cyano-substituted compound (acetamiprid) was more toxic to the tested insect pests than the nitro-substituted compound (imidacloprid) and the later was highly toxic to honey bee. So, the efficiency and selectivity of neonicotinoid insecticides are related to the chemical group of the compound as well as the species and developmental stage of the insect.