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In order to assess the internal structure of Risk Matrix 2000 in an Italian sample of 308 adult males convicted for sex abuse, a principal component analysis with Promax rotation was performed. The results identified a structure with three factors that explained 53.8% of the total variance: the first factor concerned items referred to the criminal career of the offender; the second factor concerned the age of onset in committing crimes; the third factor was more strictly related to the offenders' attitude towards the sex crime/s, and reflects the aggravating items of the S scale. These results allows us to have the first validated tool on an Italian sample for assessing the level of risk for recidivism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the lead intake from crystalware resulting from short-term contacts with beverages, under conditions that are likely to occur to a consumer. The extraction ability of different kinds of beverages was estimated by comparison with 4% acetic acid under conditions of continuous contact for 3h. It was found that lead release increased in the following order: cola drink> HAc> whisky> white wine. Under conditions of repeated use under different scenarios, lead release showed a steep decrease with increasing number of contacts, for both wine and cola drink. The maximum lead intake resulted from the cola drink, corresponding to an ingestion of 14.5 mu g Pb for consumption of 350ml beverage. Assuming a fixed contribution from the diet of 71mug/day, in the six scenarios taken into consideration, total daily lead intake levels ranged from a minimum of about 76mug up to a maximum of 86mug lead. As these values, converted on a weekly basis, would correspond to 35% and 40% PTWI respectively, significant health risks resulting from the ingestion of beverages in contact with crystalware can be excluded. Finally it was found that the use of a dishwasher did not affect significantly the release of lead into wine, while release into cola drink was slightly but significantly increased after the third cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Jayjock and Lewis, 'Implication of Hormesis for Industrial Hygiene', represents a challenge for the scientific community to consider hormesis as a possible working hypothesis for redefining risk assessment strategy for low-dose exposures in the realm of industrial hygiene. This invited commentary aims at examining some aspects of the study for which no proven and conclusive scientific evidence has yet been found, such as the limited nature of some statistical tests, the calculation of the safety factor, the place occupied by hormesis in industrial hygiene and, finally, the impact that scarce knowledge of this phenomenon and rejection by part of the scientific community has on the possibility of using hormesis in the safeguarding of workers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solution of tetramethyl lead, used as an antiknock agent in gasoline, was given by injection and inhalation to mice and by injection to rabbits. The signs of poisoning are described. Deaths might be delayed until 10 days after dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of lead (Pb) ingestion on hematological parameters in male and female Swiss mice was assessed. Eight different doses of Pb were administered through preparation of different feeds. The levels of Pb in the diet were designed to provide exposure below (0.6 to <2.0 μg/dl) and above (>2.0–13 μg/dl) normal background. One litter of mice was exposed to each Pb dose, with the mother given the feed 1 day after mating, and the mother and offspring continuing to receive the feed until the litter was 90 days old. Male and female mice receiving below normal background levels of dietary Pb displayed enhanced red blood cell (RBC) production as measured by increased numbers of RBC and increased hemoglobin and hematocrit values. However, as the blood Pb levels approached 10 μg/dl there was a marked decrease in RBC production. These findings are significant since Pb was biologically active in a stimulating manner below typical background levels (2.0 μg/dl) while adversely effecting red cell synthesis at above background levels (7.0–13 μg/dl) encountered in the environment by humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previously published studies indicate that hepatotoxicity is associated with high blood lead (Pb) levels in animal models and humans. The present investigation evaluated the effects of in vivo Pb exposure via drinking water on mouse hepatocyte survival in vitro when blood Pb concentrations reflected those seen in children in urban and rural settings (2–15 μg/dl). The findings indicated a biphasic dose–response with low concentrations associated with a modest decrease in hepatocyte survival, while at the highest concentration, survival was significantly enhanced (60%). Since these responses were associated with concentrations normally encountered by children, follow-up investigations are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]