Title: Journal of Environmental Pathology and Toxicology

Title: Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology

ISO Abbreviated Title: J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. Oncol.

JCR Abbreviated Title: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol

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? Morales Suárez Varela, M.M., Escrivá Peyró, C., Orden Gil, A.L., Mañes Vinuesa, J., Font, G. and Llopis González, A. (1990), Atmospheric contamination in the city of Valencia: Relation to noise and climate. Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology, 10 (4-5), 237-244.

Abstract: A qualitative and quantitative study is made of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere of the city of Valencia for the period 1988-1989; an analysis is made of their concentrations during the year in terms of season and noise levels. Eleven sampling points in the city were used to determine PAH composition by reverse-phase, high-resolution liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection, employing an acetonitrile-water gradient; nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide were determined by the Valencia city government. Environmental noise levels were determined using a BK 2221 integrated precision sonometer, and temperature values were obtained from the city Meteorological Institute. Daily PAH values varied between 0.1769 and 2.0916 micrograms/m³, whereas the figures for nitrogen oxide were between 91.5 and 100.67 micrograms/m³ during 1982-1989 (only one value, 58.01 micrograms/m³, is available for 1988-1989, corresponding to the Mercadona sampling point), and between 17.33 and 129.36 micrograms/m³ for sulfur dioxide for a total of 9 sampling points; the highest concentrations were recorded in the winter and spring months, the association between PAH and temperature being statistically significant (p less than or equal to .05). The relation to noise was also significant (p less than or equal to .005), Fluoranthene was the predominant PAH in all samples analyzed.

? Ptashekas, J.R. (1992), Environmental monitoring in Lithuania. Environmental distress signals: Gastrointestinal epithelial barrier after exposure to chemical agents. Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology, 11 (5-6), 299-302.

Abstract: Lithuania’s environment is heavily polluted as a result of domestic and transboundary contamination. The main ecological problems are related to atmospheric pollution; water contamination; soil, water, and forest acidification; nitrogen-compounds overload of soil, water, and food; and contamination with agricultural chemicals and heavy metals. The increased environmental distress is a menace to public health in Lithuania. Experimental studies need to be designed and used to ascertain the effects of environmental distress on the gastrointestinal tract epithelial barrier. Our electronmicroscopic and immunohistochemical study of human gastrointestinal endocrine cells revealed changes in the amount of secretory material and intracytoplasmic vacuolization after exposure to the environmental chemicals such as hexavalent chromium and the herbicide Saprol. The most affected were the EC (serotonin, motilin, substance P), D (somatostatin), A (glucagon), B (insulin), and mast (histamine, serotonin, heparin) cells. These results provide ultrastructural evidence of digestive tract epithelial barrier reaction as an expression of environmental distress signals of the organism.

? Morales Suarez Varela, M., Llopis Gonzalez, A., Tejerizo Perez, M.L. and Ferrandiz Ferragud, J. (1993), Concentration of nitrates in drinking water and its relationship with bladder cancer. Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology, 12 (4), 229-236.

Abstract: Environmental contamination is a characteristic of industrialized nations. The quality of public drinking water, particularly from underground reserves, has increasingly deteriorated. The fundamental cause of the contamination of underground water layers has been the growing worldwide use of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides since the 1960s. The Valencian Community comprises three provinces on the East Mediterranean coast of Spain. Public drinking water in this community is obtained chiefly from underground sources. As a result, this area suffers the highest nitrates contamination of public drinking water recorded not only in Spain but in all of Europe. The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of differences in the occurrence of bladder cancer between the population of Valencia province and the rest of the country. We studied the differences in bladder cancer incidence among populations exposed to different levels of nitrates in drinking water in the province of Valencia, as expressed in terms of relative risk. We found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the occurrence of bladder cancer in the Valencia province and the rest of Spain, as reflected by the analysis of the corresponding regression curve slopes. Our analytical study revealed relative risks of over 1 in Valencia province in men and women, associated with the consumption of water containing a mean concentration of > 50 mg/L.

? Ptashekas, J., Ciuniene, E., Barkiene, M., Zurlyte, I., Jonauskas, G., Sliachtic, N., Babonas, J., Jankeviciene, R., Runkelyte, J. and Saltiene, Z. (1996), Environmental and health monitoring in Lithuanian cities: Exposure to heavy metals and benz (a)pyrene in Vilnius and Siauliai residents. Journal of Environmental Pathology Toxicology and Oncology, 15 (2-4), 135-141.

Abstract: The Environmental and Health Monitoring program in the large cities of Lithuania is aimed at the evaluation of the population health status in terms of chemically induced diseases. During the 1991 to 1995 period, this program was carried out in two Lithuanian cities, Vilnius, the capital of the country, and Siauliai. Data on the chemical pollution of ambient air, soil, and drinking water and the morbidity were mapped. Risk zones of environmental pathology threat were defined within each city on the basis of the mapped data. Subsequently, chemical pollutants, namely, heavy metals and benz (a)pyrene, were determined in the biomedia of selected population groups in the risk zones. Exposure analysis of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn) and benz (a)pyrene was carried out for standardized groups of children and pregnant women in the risk zones and in a relatively safe (control) zone. The evaluation of exposure to heavy metals was based on the levels found in blood, urine, and hair. Benz (a)pyrene was tested in urine samples. The obtained data are applied in the process of environmental health monitoring in the large cities of Lithuania.