Search

Environmental contamination by arsenic compounds in the Ribeira River Valley, São Paulo, Brazil has already been observed. Lead mining and refining activities had been carried on since late colonial times and finished recently, at the end of 1995. The source of As in the region is known to be mainly from arsenopirite geological presence in the lead ore. Chronic exposure to arsenic compounds may cause peripheral vascular disorders, hyperpigmentation, hiperkeratosis and cancer of the skin, bladder, lung, liver and other internal organs. The purpose of this study was to assess children exposure to arsenic from environmental sources in the region. Urine samples from children between 7 to 14 years old were collected at the following localities: Cerro Azul (Paraná); urban areas of Ribeira (São Paulo) and Adrianópolis (Paraná); Vila Mota neighborhood (rural area of Adrianópolis) and Serra neighborhood (Iporanga, São Paulo), identified as groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Group 1 was considered as non-exposed control group. Toxicologically relevant forms of As were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation system. The median values of urine arsenic levels obtained in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were respectively: 3.60, 6.30, 6.41 e 8.94μg/L.Contaminação ambiental por compostos de arsênio no Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brasil, tem sido já observada. As atividades de mineração e refinamento do chumbo têm ocorrido desde a época colonial e foram encerradas recentemente, no final de 1995. A principal fonte de arsênio na região é arsenopirita que ocorre geologicamente no minério de chumbo. Exposição crônica aos compostos de arsênio podem causar desordens vasculares periféricas, hiperpigmentação, hiperqueratose, além de câncer de pele, bexiga, pulmão, fígado e outros órgãos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a exposição de crianças ao arsênio proveniente de fontes ambientais na região. Amostras de urina de crianças entre 7 e 14 anos foram coletadas das seguintes localidades: Município de Cerro Azul (Paraná); região urbana dos municípios de Ribeira (São Paulo) e Adrianópolis (Paraná); bairro Vila Mota (área rural de Adrianópolis) e bairro Serra (Ipiranga, São Paulo), identificados como grupos 1, 2, 3 e 4, respectivamente. O grupo 1 foi considerado não exposto (grupo controle). As formas de arsênio toxicologicamente relevantes foram determinadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com sistema de geração de hidretos. Os valores medianos de arsênio obtidos nos grupos 1, 2, 3 e 4 foram iguais a 3,60, 6,30, 6,41 e 8,9μg/L.

Although peripheral neuropathy is a fairly common finding in chronic arsenic poisoning, little is known about the acute effects of this metal on peripheral nerves. This report shows clinical and electrophysiological findings in a patient who developed peripheral neuropathy only three days after a high-dose ingestion of this metal due to a failed suicide attempt. We speculate that peripheral nerves and some cranial nerves can show not only clinical but also subclinical involvement that can only be detected by neurophysiological studies.

Xenobiotics exposure generates concern, mostly because the effects on DNA and cancer generation are not well known. Identification of dangerous agents are difficult due to the large latency period between exposure and clinic manifestations (from years to several generations). Biomarkers are proposed for human biomonitoring of individuals that due to natural, occupational, medical or accidental exposure are considered of "high risk". The present work evaluates the use of biomarkers of cell proliferation in lymphocyte cultures of individuals exposed to hydro-arsenicism, dangerous industrial products (DIP), neuro-cysticercosis patients under treatment with praziquantel and individuals treated with metronidazole. The slowing of cell proliferation in arsenic exposed individuals and in neuro-cysticercosis patients, in which higher cancer frequencies han been reported, evidence the usefulness of these parameters. We did not find lymphocyte proliferation changes due to DIP exposure although we did find an increased proliferation due to metronidazole treatment. The biological meaning of these data opens new research interests.

We present four cases of heavy metal poisoning (mercury, lead, bismuth and arsenic) in which plain chest and/or abdominal assisted in the differential diagnosis of the clinical picture manifested upon admission at our Emergency Department. The patients suffering from mercury, lead, and bismuth poisoning recovered some weeks after treatment was started. However, the patient with arsenic trioxide poisoning developed cardio-circulatory collapse leading to death three days after admission.

A 65 years old patient with vulvar basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous manifestations of chronic arsenicism is reported; by its endemic origin is considered as hidroarsenicism ( ERCHA = endemic regional chronic hidroarsenicism ). The unusual presentation of this type of cancer is resalted , and it's attributed to its general disease . The principal characteristics of arsenical skin cancer are considered.

This report deals with endemic chronic arsenical intoxication (HACRE) observed in several provinces in Argentina. Similar reports come from Chili, Mexico, Brasil, Bolivia, Peru and Japan. HACRE patients show no systemic, symptoms and specific manifestations are palmoplantar keratoderma, multiple cutaneous epitheliomas, mainly Bowen-type and respiratory or digestive carcinomas. The authors emphasize that these specific manifestations of HACRE are worth knowing for their possible social incidence.

Arsenical pollution of water supplies is a chronic problem of great medical, social and sanitary importance in Argentina. The well-known cutaneous manifestations of chronic arsenical toxicity, palmar and plantar keratoses, melanoderma and multiple epitheliomas are described. The interest which this disease has evoked in the last few years is emphasized when new arsenical areas are discovered with clinical cases of chronic arsenical intoxication. Furthermore it is shown that the high content of arsenic in drinking water may be the determining factor in the incidence of visceral neoplasms. Contrary to classic beliefs, the chronic toxic effects from arsenic may be present in young children but the palmar and plantar keratoses may be absent. The histochemical localization of the arsenic in the skin and its relation to thyroid function and the production of leukoplakia and laryngeal cancer are noted. When one analyses all the recent reports it is evident that patients with chronic arsenical intoxication must now be thoroughly studied bearing in mind the multiple localization of this carcinogenic agent.

Presently exist only four regions where the supply of drinking water with an abnormally high content of arsenic and/or its salts, produces cutaneous signs generically termed "arsenical toxidermias" or "chronic arsenism"; they are: Mexico, Taiwan, Chile and Argentina. In this paper details are given of the typical skin lesions of hydroarsenism and the generally multiple epitheliomas of varied histological and clinical pattern in 340 patients; the diseases characterized for not being acute but chronic and the relanodermia holds a secondary place. Among histologically diagnosed carcinomas, deep basal-cell (276) and superficial multiple basal-cell (130) carcinomas predominate over the squamous-cell carcinomas (239) and Bowen disease (113); 18 mixed carcinomas were found. In these 340 patients, 51 carcinomas of the internal organs (15%), 34 of lungs, 8 of larynx, 3 of stomach, 2 of liver and 1 of pharynx, trachea, esophagus and breast in a man were diagnosed, which evolved in a similar manner to that of not arsenical patients.

A case of chronic arsenic intoxication due to ingestion of contaminated water for several years is reported. The main symptoms were keratosis palmaris et plantaris, confetti - Like dyschromias in chest, post - necrotic liver cirrhosis multiple intraepithelial epidermoid carcinomas and invasive epidermoid carcinoma. The epidemiologic study showed high concentration of arsenic in the water of the well used by the patient; likewise, chronic arsenicalism was found in the whole family and in several neighbors who consumed water from the same well.