Poisoning with carbon monoxide (CO)probably began in prehistory of humanity, when man learned to harness the fire. In the twenty-first century remains one of the most ubiquitous pollutants requiring prevention and control measures to ensure adequate protection of public health. A typical story without end ... and probably the most globalized of poisoning. The incidence of CO-related morbidity and mortality is similar worldwide  and CO may be responsible for more than half of all fatal poisoning. Despite  efforts in prevention and in public  and medical education, CO poisoning remains frequents. As it could not be otherwise, there are several news in Spanish [ See in Spanish Bulletin ]. We have interesting input on information / write, News Sertox, collaborations, and recommend articles like  a new paper from J. Waskman "Contrast Sensitivity in Occupational and Environmental Neurotoxicology: What Does it Really Mean?" [ See ].  We hope you enjoy this new edition. Until next time. JCP

Contrast Sensitivity in Occupational and Environmental Neurotoxicology: What Does it Really Mean?. Waksman JC, Brody A.Arch Environ Occup Health. 2007 Winter;62(4):177-81. Abstract: Contrast sensitivity (CS) emerged more than 30 years ago as an alternative to traditional acuity testing, and recently it has become the focus of attention in the field of neurotoxicology. CS testing may be useful for detecting defects in oculoneural processing and therefore possible chemical-induced neurotoxicity, such as solvent-induced encephalopathy. The authors' objective in this article is to introduce the concept of CS and CS testing, summarize recent reports describing its use in occupational and environmental toxicology, and challenge the validity of CS testing in its present state as a toxicological assessment. Although CS testing appears to be an attractive and cost-effective screening tool for identifying possible neurotoxicity, additional work will be required before it can become a meaningful and widely accepted diagnostic tool.

• Return to Galileo? The Inquisition of the International Narcotic Control Board.Dan Small  and Ernest Drucker.Harm Reduction Journal 2008,5:16. Abstract. PDF full text.
• Factors predicting drop out from, and retention in, specialist drug treatment services: a case control study in the North West of England. Caryl M Beynon , Alison M McMinn  and Adam JE Marr.BMC Public Health 2008, 8:14. Abstract. PDF full text.
• Experience of road and other trauma by the opiate dependent patient: a survey report. Albert S Reece.Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 2008, 3:10.  Abstract. PDF full text.
  
  

'Derivation of a Bisphenol a Oral Reference Dose (RfD) and Drinking-Water Equivalent Concentration ', Willhite, Calvin C., Ball, Gwendolyn L. and McLellan, Clifton J. (2008). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 11:2, 69 — 146. Abstract. Full text HTM. Full text PDF.
See previous related articles in our site:in e sertox Nº 24, november 2004 (see, in Spanish), we recommended the article Bisphenol A: A Scientific Evaluation, from Mescape (you need previous registration).Recently (April/2008):a media news, BPA in plastics!(see) and an article in NTP page.

Mesothelioma mortality in men: trends during 1977–2001 and projections for 2002–2016 in Spain. S Pitarque, R Clèries, J M Martínez1, G López-Abente, M Kogevinas, F G Benavides.Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;65:279-282. Abstract and full text. PDF full text.

The Rotterdam Convention: Fighting for its Life, by Laurie Kazan-Allen. May 21, 2008.As its 10th anniversary  approaches, the Rotterdam Convention is facing an uncertain future. This multilateral agreement, which took years of negotiations to bring into existence, had the highest of intentions. It was devised to protect human beings and the environment in developing countries from exposure to dangerous substances by implementing a global protocol to insure that importing countries were fully informed of potential hazards. Thereby armed, they would be able to give prior informed consent regarding their ability to use these substances safely. [ See ]. Image from BTinternet.

Epidemiologic Evidence of Relationships Between Reproductive and Child Health Outcomes and Environmental Chemical Contaminants. Donald T. Wigle; Tye E. Arbuckle; Michelle C. Turner; Annie Brub; Qiuying Yang; Shiliang Liu; Daniel Krewski. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, Volume 11, Issue 5 & 6 May 2008 , pages 373 - 517. Abstract.

[ Ir Arriba ]

Powerset brings the Semantic Web to Wikipedia. News.som.May 11, 2008.Amid speculation that Microsoft is looking to make an acquisition, Powerset launched a public beta of its Wikipedia search engine. It brings a new, rich semantic dimension via natural language query processing to Wikipedia that greatly improves the search and reading experience. [ See ]

Ver Imagen Safe Kids USA. http://www.usa.safekids.org/poison/National Poison Prevention Week 2008 is March 16-22.Each year, more than 100 children ages 14 and under die as a result of unintentional poisoning. Non-pharmaceutical products such as cosmetics, cleaning substances, plants, foreign bodies, toys, pesticides, art supplies, and alcohol are responsible for 56 percent of poisoning exposures for children under 5 years of age What You Need to Know: Safety Tips; Poison Checklist; Safety Poster;   Mirror Sticker. Also: Test Your Knowledge: Play the Safety Game. Watch video.

In pictures: Chile volcano erupts. BBC, May 3, 2008.A volcano has erupted in southern Chile, near the town of Chaiten, scattering ash over the surrounding area and forcing more than 1,000 people to leave their homes. See. Watch video: Chile eruption spurs evacuations & Chile volcano prompts evacuation. Image from Spanish new. See ESA image.

Benefits and risks of a fish diet—should we be eating more or less?.Khursheed N.Jeejeebhoy.Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology.April 2008 Volume 5 No 4.The consumption of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to have cardioprotective benefits; however, these benefits are tempered by the risk of mercury poisoning. This Viewpoint article discusses the benefits and potentially harmful effects of a fish diet, and considers the amount and type of fish that should be consumed to obtain the most benefit with the least risk of toxicity.Full Text. PDF (96K). (Image fron Spanish article).Watch video in Read more.

Sexual uses of alcohol and drugs and the associated health risks: a cross sectional study of young people in nine European cities. Mark A Bellis , Karen Hughes , Amador Calafat , Montse Juan , Anna Ramon , Jose A Rodriguez , Fernando Mendes , Susanne Schnitzer  and Penny Phillips-Howard.BMC Public Health 2008, 8:155. See abstract (also in Read more). PDF full text. Image from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/

Association of Prenatal and Childhood Blood Lead Concentrations with Criminal Arrests in Early Adulthood. John Paul Wright, Kim N. Dietrich, M. Douglas Ris, Richard W. Hornung, Stephanie D. Wessel, Bruce P. Lanphear, Mona Ho, Mary N. Rae. PLoS Med 5(5). May 27, 2008.  Conclusions: Prenatal and postnatal blood lead concentrations are associated with higher rates of total arrests and/or arrests for offenses involving violence. This is the first prospective study to demonstrate an association between developmental exposure to lead and adult criminal behavior. Full text free.

Ver Imagen Canutec: Promote Public Safety in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. http://www.tc.gc.ca/canutec/en/menu.htm.  Emergency Response Guidebook 2004 .The 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook has been published.