Heavy Metal Poisoning ; Humans ; Nervous System ; drug effects ; Poisoning ; Thallium ; poisoning

Study of plant roots and the diversity of soil micro biota, such as bacteria, fungi and microfauna associated with them, is important for understanding the ecological complexities between diverse plants, microbes, soil and climates and their role in phytoremediation of contaminated soils. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are universal and ubiquitous rhizosphere microflora forming symbiosis with plant roots and acting as biofertilizers, bioprotactants, and biodegraders. In addition to AMF, soils also contain various antagonistic and beneficial bacteria such as root pathogens, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria including free-living and symbiotic N-fixers, and mycorrhiza helping bacteria. Their potential role in phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils and water is becoming evident although there is need to completely understand the ecological complexities of the plant-microbe-soil interactions and their better exploitation as consortia in remediation strategies employed for contaminated soils. These multitrophic root microbial associations deserve multi-disciplinary investigations using molecular, biochemical, and physiological techniques. Ecosystem restoration of heavy metal contaminated soils practices need to incorporate microbial biotechnology research and development. This review highlights the ecological complexity and diversity of plant-microbe-soil combinations, particularly AM and provides an overview on the recent developments in this area. It also discusses the role AMF play in phytorestoration of HM contaminated soils, i.e. mycorrhizoremediation.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil Pollutants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics

Humans ; Infant ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male

Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male

Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood ; complications ; Male ; Optic Neuritis ; etiology

This study introduced the arsenic and arsenic intoxication in the world, especially in arsenic contaminated drinking water in Bangladesh. The study on the 1,200 samples of drinking water from drilling well in Hanoi and surround areas of river delta by the Center for Fresh Water and Environmental Hygiene of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development found that there was a high contaminated level for the geological layer Holocene in the river delta.
Arsenic ; Poisoning

Adult ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System ; etiology ; Male

Arsenic ; toxicity ; Arsenic Poisoning ; Ecotoxicology

Arsenic pollution in tube well water was observed at both Red river and Mekong river deltas with different levels. The average concentrations were determined as 1.3 µg/L; 6.8 µg/L; 72 µg/L; 165 µg/L; 277 µg/L; 421.5 µg/L at Triton (Angiang); Tuliem (Hanoi); Tanhong (Dongthap); Thanhtri (Hanoi); Hoaiduc (Hatay) and Lynhan (Hanam) respectively. Filtration groundwater by sand has removed a major portion of arsenic. The arsenic accumulation in hair sample is useful biomarker for assessment of chronic intoxication of arsenic form drinking and daily use water. It is proved by closely correlation between arsenic contents in hair and consumed water (R2= 0.935). More detail screening of arsenic pollution in tube well water, evaluation of health effect and education for people to use free arsenic water are the most important approaches.
Arsenic ; Poisoning ; Water ; Epidemiology

Occupational neurotoxic diseases have become increasingly common in Taiwan due to industrialization. Over the past 40 years, Taiwan has transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. The most common neurotoxic diseases also changed from organophosphate poisoning to heavy metal intoxication, and then to organic solvent and semiconductor agent poisoning. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to toxic agents because of its high metabolic rate. Neurological manifestations may be transient or permanent, and may range from cognitive dysfunction, cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction to neuromuscular junction disorders. This study attempts to provide a review of the major outbreaks of occupational neurotoxins from 1968 to 2012. A total of 16 occupational neurotoxins, including organophosphates, toxic gases, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals, were reviewed. Peer-reviewed articles related to the electrophysiology, neuroimaging, treatment and long-term follow up of these neurotoxic diseases were also obtained. The heavy metals involved consisted of lead, manganese, organic tin, mercury, arsenic, and thallium. The organic solvents included n-hexane, toluene, mixed solvents and carbon disulfide. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide were also included, along with toxic chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, organophosphates, and dimethylamine borane. In addition we attempted to correlate these events to the timeline of industrial development in Taiwan. By researching this topic, the hope is that it may help other developing countries to improve industrial hygiene and promote occupational safety and health care during the process of industrialization.
Arsenic ; Ataxia ; Carbon Disulfide ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Delivery of Health Care ; Developing Countries ; Dimethylamines ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophysiology ; Gases ; Hexanes ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Manganese ; Metals, Heavy ; Nervous System ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neuromuscular Junction Diseases ; Neurotoxins ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Organophosphates ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; Semiconductors ; Sodium Fluoride ; Solvents ; Taiwan ; Thallium ; Tin ; Toluene ; Urethane