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Exopolysaccharide Production from Marine Bacteria and Its Applications
Published in Se-Kwon Kim, Marine Biochemistry, 2023
Prashakha J. Shukla, Shivang B. Vhora, Ankita G. Murnal, Unnati B. Yagnik, Maheshwari Patadiya
The marine environment is polluted by a variety of organic compounds, from both terrestrial and atmospheric sources. The contamination of the ocean principally with crude oil remains a major threat. Every year, about 1.3 million tons of petroleum enter into the marine environment (Board et al., 2003; Hassanshahian and Cappello, 2013). The components of crude oil (particularly aromatic hydrocarbons fractions) are toxic to marine organisms (Carls et al., 1999; Heintz, 2007). However, the microbial community residing at polluted sites plays a vital role in the degradation of these compounds. Microbes have adapted several mechanisms, such as an increase in population size, genetic modification, biofilm formation and secretion of biosurfactants, to degrade organic contaminants (Singh et al., 2006).
Effects of Environmental Factors on the Endocrine System
Published in George H. Gass, Harold M. Kaplan, Handbook of Endocrinology, 2020
Common pesticides used are dibromochloropropane (DBCP), DDT, and the once popular chlordecone. There are many different pesticides and herbicides used in agriculture. They are mostly organic compounds. In 1977, DBCP was the first pesticide reported to have reproductive toxicity.55 It is associated with occupational exposure in manufacturing workers. Male workers report impotence or decreased libido with elevated FSH levels. There is a loss of germ cells, leading to azoospermia or oligospermia and eventually to reduced fertility.
The Role of Toxicology
Published in Nicola Loprieno, Alternative Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals in the Cosmetic Industry, 2019
It is relatively easy to demonstrate that humans of every age are exposed to a myriad of air-, water-, and foodborne toxicants with varying properties. Public and official concerns about human contamination are focused on a vast array of chemicals, including industrial solvents, volatile organic compounds, agrochemicals, household products (e.g., detergents, cleaners, and paints), cosmetic products (e.g., shampoos, hair dyes, and sunscreens), and a plethora of prescription and nonprescription drug preparations.
Looking for the phoenix: the current research on radiation countermeasures
Published in International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2023
Vojtěch Chmil, Alžběta Filipová, Aleš Tichý
Chelating agents are a broad category of decorporating drugs. They are organic compounds that bind a metal atom by two or more coordinate covalent bonds. Trisodium calcium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Ca-DTPA) and trisodium zinc diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (Zn-DTPA) are representatives of FDA-approved chelators. They are able to chelate transuranic ions such as plutonium, americium or curium, which are removed by renal excretion of the formed chelates (Kazzi et al. 2012; FDA 2016, 2013). Other agents include deferoxamine (DFOA), which binds magnesium, iron, and chromium. A pair of thiol compounds dimercaprol, also known as British anti-lewisite (BAL) and dimercaptopropanesulphonate (DMPS), bind arsenic and other heavy metals. Some other drugs are under development for internalized radionuclides (IAEA 2018).
“My body is the evidence, assess my health”: Women’s disposable sanitary pads social health movement in Korea
Published in Health Care for Women International, 2023
In Korea, the women’s disposable sanitary pads health movement was triggered by the Korean Women’s Environmental Network (hereafter, KWEN), the Korean environment NGO, and a professor. KWEN unveiled that it detected carcinogenic substances in the harmful substance detection tests by professor Kim Man-goo’s team at Gangwon-University in March 2017 (Hankook Ilbo, 2017). It caused a big controversy on the safety of disposable sanitary pads in Korean society. The research results that the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected from tested disposable sanitary pads, were controversial enough to raise safety issues in Korean society (Suh et al., 2017; Suh & Kim, 2017). VOCs collectively refers to liquid or gas compounds that easily evaporate in the air, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and styrene. Prior to this, environmental issues became big concerns in Korea, such as deaths due to the humidifier disinfectant cases (Humidifier Disinfectant Cases of Korea, Wikipedia, n.d.). KWEN and other environmental NGOs, consumer advocates, and feminist NGOs requested thorough investigations of disposable sanitary pads’ health impact to be assessed by the government.
Carcinogenic and health risk assessment of respiratory exposure to acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene and styrene in the petrochemical industry using the US Environmental Protection Agency method
Published in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 2022
Vahid Ahmadi-Moshiran, Ali Asghar Sajedian, Ahmad Soltanzadeh, Fatemeh Seifi, Rozhin Koobasi, Neda Nikbakht, Mohsen Sadeghi-Yarandi
In recent years, following the growth of industries, the reduction of workplace air quality due to chemicals in the air has been evident. Petrochemical and refining plants are among the industries exposed to work-related organic pollutants due to their operation [1]. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the leading causes of air pollution, and due to their high evaporation rate and rapid dispersion in the environment, many people are exposed. Consequently, there are irreversible effects on health in various jobs [2,3]. These compounds also enhance atmospheric oxidation and adversely influence respiratory air quality. The diverse effects of these organic compounds include irritation and the creation of various types of occupational cancers [3–6]. Materials released from the refineries and petrochemicals are mainly composed of a mixture of toxic chemicals such as VOCs (e.g., 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile, styrene) [3].