scholarly journals Objective Assessment of an Ionic Footbath (IonCleanse): Testing Its Ability to Remove Potentially Toxic Elements from the Body

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Kennedy ◽  
Kieran Cooley ◽  
Thomas R. Einarson ◽  
Dugald Seely
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Specific Induction ◽  
Healthy Participants

Ionic footbaths are often used in holistic health centres and spas to aid in detoxification; however, claims that these machines eliminate toxins from the body have not been rigorously evaluated. In this proof-of-principle study, we sought to measure the release of potentially toxic elements from ionic footbaths into distilled and tap water with and without feet. Water samples were collected and analyzed following 30-minute ionic footbath sessions without feet using both distilled (n=1) and tap water (n=6) and following four ionic footbaths using tap water (once/week for 4 weeks) in six healthy participants. Urine collection samples were analyzed at four points during the study. Hair samples were analyzed for element concentrations at baseline and study conclusion. Contrary to claims made for the machine, there does not appear to be any specific induction of toxic element release through the feet when running the machine according to specifications.

scholarly journals It’s Time to Replace the Term “Heavy Metals” with “Potentially Toxic Elements” When Reporting Environmental Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Pourret ◽  
Andrew Hursthouse
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Common Term ◽  
Pollution Impacts

Even if the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is relatively well defined, some controversial terms are still in use. Indeed, the term “heavy metal” is a common term used for decades in the natural sciences, and even more in environmental sciences, particularly in studies of pollution impacts. As the use of the term appears to have increased, we highlight the relevance of the use of the term “Potentially Toxic Element(s)”, which needs more explicit endorsement, and we illustrate the chemical elements that need to be considered.

scholarly journals Selected Essential and Toxic Chemical Elements in Hypothyroidism—A Literature Review (2001–2021)

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10147
Author(s):  
Anna Błażewicz ◽  
Patrycja Wiśniewska ◽  
Katarzyna Skórzyńska-Dziduszko
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
The Body ◽  
Toxic Chemical ◽  
Thyroid Status ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Essential Chemical

Thyroid hormones are known for controlling metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and electrolytes and for regulating body temperature. Normal thyroid status depends on the chemical/elemental composition of body fluids and tissues, which changes depending on physiological state, lifestyle and environment. A deficiency or excess of certain essential chemical elements (selenium, zinc, copper, iron or fluorine) or exposure to toxic (cadmium or lead) or potentially toxic elements (manganese or chromium) interacts with thyroid hormone synthesis and may disturb thyroid homeostasis. In our review, accessible databases (Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched for articles from 2001–2021 on the influence of selected chemical elements on the development of hypothyroidism. Our review adopted some of the strengths of a systematic review. After non-eligible reports were rejected, 29 remaining articles were reviewed. The review found that disruption of the physiological levels of elements in the body adversely affects the functioning of cells and tissues, which can lead to the development of disease.

scholarly journals Public health vulnerability due to the exposure of dissolved metal(oid)s in tap water from a mega city (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabiha Hossain ◽  
Amit Hasan Anik ◽  
Rahat Khan ◽  
Farah Tasneem Ahmed ◽  
Md. Abu Bakar Siddique ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Health Vulnerability

Abstract Tap water is the sole source of water in urban cities but gradually being polluted by potentially toxic elements due to unplanned urbanization. The south Asian megacity, Dhaka (capital of Bangladesh) encounters drastic water pollution resulting mainly from anthropogenic differential factors. Consumption of such polluted water distributed to residents by pipelines can trigger health risks. Therefore, this study investigated the public health vulnerability associated with dissolved metal(oid)s in tap water collected across Dhaka city. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in measured tap water ranged from 8-156, 7–73, 400-20100, 12–110, 7-101, 12–136, 12–908, 0.03–9.75, 1–5, 0.22–1.30, and 8-118 µg/L, respectively. Among the observed elements, Pb, Cr, and Fe concentrations in 18%, 26%, and 75% of sampling sites, respectively, exceeded the standard guideline criteria of Bangladesh. Entropy-based water quality index demonstrated that ~ 12% of sampling sites possessed water unsuitable for drinking and other household works. The dominant sources of water pollution in this region are industrial effluents and domestic sewage. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks are invoked mostly from ingestion of Co and Pb. Regular consumption of this tap water without further pretreatment may result in detrimental health consequences to both children and adults due to the physiological accumulation of toxic elements over time. This study highlighted a comprehensive scenario of the potentially toxic elements in the tap water of Dhaka city, which will allow policymakers to take adequate measures for sustainable water quality management.

Accumulation of potentially toxic elements in the body tissues of sheep grazed on grassland given repeated applications of sewage sludge

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Wilkinson ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
C.T. Livesey
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
The Body ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Repeated Applications ◽  
Treated Site

AbstractIngestion of sewage sludge with soil, together with herbage containing elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) might pose a risk to the human food chain through the accumulation of PTEs in edible tissues of livestock grazed on pastures which have received repeated doses of sludge. The accumulation of PTEs in tissues of animals grazed on a permanent pasture which had received repeated applications of sewage sludge between 1981 and 1994 was studied over two consecutive grazing seasons by monthly serial slaughter. Blocks of six weaned lambs were allocated at random at the start of the grazing seasons to slaughter date. Blocks of lambs were also allocated at random to an adjacent untreated pasture and to initial slaughter groups. Animals grazed continuously for two periods of 181 days and 152 days in 1994 (experiment 1) and 1995 (experiment 2), respectively. An application of sewage sludge was made to the treated site between the two experiments. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) in soil samples taken to 25 cm depth from the treated site was close to the United Kingdom statutory limit of 3 mg Cd per kg dry matter (DM) and 1·67 times the limit at the soil surface. Concentrations of other PTEs in soil were below statutory limis. The concentrations of PTEs in herbage at the treated site increased as each grazing period advanced (P < 0·05). Mean concentrations of Cd, lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were higher (P < 0·05) in both experiments for herbage at the treated site than at the untreated site. No differences were observed in the concentrations of PTEs in muscle tissue between lambs grazed on treated or untreated pastures. The concentration of Cd in kidneys of lambs grazed on the treated pasture increased as the grazing seasons progressed from 0·19 to 0·36 mg/kg DM (P < 0·01) in experiment 1 and from 0·03 to 2·57 mg/kg DM in experiment 2 (P < 0·001). There was no measurable accumulation of Pb into kidney in either experiment. Concentrations of Cu in kidney remained similar during experiment 1 but increased during experiment 2 in lambs grazed on the treated pasture only (P < 0·05). Similar trends to those for kidney were observed for Cd in liver in both experiments. The concentrations of Pb increased in liver for lambs grazed on the treated site in experiment 1 (P < 0·01) but not in experiment 2. The concentrations of Cu in lambs grazed on the treated pasture in liver decreased (P < 0·01) in experiment 1 from 139 to 28 mg Cu per kg DM. Liver concentrations of Cu in experiment 2 increased (P < 0·01) from 63·5 to 197 mg Cu per kg DM, possibly reflecting the application of sludge to the experimental site between the two experiments. The results indicated that soil and herbage concentrations of PTEs were elevated following repeated applications of sewage sludge to grassland. The accumulation of PTEs in edible body tissues was generally low, with the greatest being of Cd and Cu in the second experiment, possibly reflecting recent application of sludge.

scholarly journals Earthworms accelerate the biogeochemical cycling of potentially toxic elements: Results of a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Sizmur ◽  
Justin Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Earthworm Casts ◽  
Potentially Toxic Element ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Earthworms are ecosystem engineers, capable of modifying the soil environment they inhabit. Recent evidence indicates that they increase the mobility and availability of potentially toxic elements in soils, but the systematic synthesis of the evidence required to understand mechanisms and identify soils most susceptible to earthworm-induced potentially toxic element mobilisation is lacking. We undertook a meta-analysis of 43 peer reviewed journal articles, comprising 1185 pairwise comparisons to quantify the impact of earthworms on potentially toxic element mobility in bulk earthworm-inhabited soil and earthworm casts and on plant uptake and concentration. We find that earthworms mobilise potentially toxic elements primarily due to the passage of soil through the earthworm gut and that this results in an increase in the concentration and uptake by plants. Earthworms mobilise potentially toxic elements in uncontaminated soils to a greater extent than contaminated soils. Soils with either very low (&lt;2%) or very high (&gt;10%) soil organic matter content are most susceptible to earthworm-induced potentially toxic element mobilisation. These findings have important implications for exotic earthworms burdening plants with toxic metals, but also offer a promising phenomenon that, if harnessed, may help to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in degraded soils.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Role of Toxic Elements in Chronic Kidney Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adwalia Fevrier-Paul ◽  
Adedamola K Soyibo ◽  
Sylvia Mitchell ◽  
Mitko Voutchkov
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Body Burden ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
The Body ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Chronic Injury

Background. The kidney is central to many complex pathways in the body and kidney injury can precipitate multiple negative clinical outcomes. The resultant effect on nutrition and elemental body burden is bi-directional, confounding the very complex pathways that maintain homeostasis. These elemental changes themselves increase the risk of nutritional and biochemical disturbances. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to describe how toxic elements interface with complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods. The present review included studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms induced by exposure to elements with known nephrotoxic effects and associated health complications in CKD patients. Discussion. Many non-essential elements have nephrotoxic activity. Chronic injury can involve direct tubular damage, activation of mediators of oxidative stress, genetic modifications that predispose poor cardiovascular outcomes, as well as competitive uptake and element mobilization with essential elements, found to be deficient in CKD. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality among CKD patients. Oxidative stress, a common denominator of both deficient and excess element body constitution, underlies many pathological derivatives of chronic kidney disease. Bone disorders, hematological dysfunction and dysregulation of acid-base balance are also prevalent in kidney patients. The largest contribution of toxic element body burden results from environmental exposure and lifestyle practices. However, standard medical therapies may also potentiate toxic element accumulation and re-injury of vulnerable tissue. Conclusions. For CKD patients, the cumulative effect of toxic elements persists throughout the disease and potentiates complications of CKD. Medical management should be coordinated between a medical team, dietitians and clinical researchers to mitigate those harmful effects. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

scholarly journals Potentially Toxic Element Pollution Levels and Risk Assessment of Soils and Sediments in the Upstream River, Miyun Reservoir, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libo Pan ◽  
Guangling Fang ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Benying Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Toxic Element ◽  
Miyun Reservoir ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Potentially Toxic Element ◽  
Soils And Sediments ◽  
Soil And Sediment

This study focused on the Chao River and Baimaguan River located upstream of the Miyun Reservoir in Miyun District (Beijing, China). Soil and sediment samples were collected from the river and drainage basin. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and six potentially toxic elements including cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium, arsenic, and copper, were analyzed in terms of concentration, potential ecological risk, and human health risk. The average concentrations of the six potentially toxic elements were all below the soil environmental quality standards for China. Cadmium was the most serious pollutant in both soils and sediments, at 2.58 and 3.40 times its background values. The contents of Cd and Pb were very closely related (p < 0.01) to total nitrogen concentrations in both soil and sediment samples. The potential ecological risks posed by Cd in the Chao and Baimaguan River soils were considerable and moderate, respectively. The historical iron ore mining and agricultural activity were identified as the primary sources of potentially toxic element pollution of soil and sediment in the Chao-Bai River in Miyun District. Human health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risks all fell below threshold values. The total carcinogenic risks due to Cr and As were within the acceptable range for both adults and children. This conclusion provides a scientific basis for the control of potentially toxic element pollution and environmental protection of the Miyun Reservoir in Beijing.

Gender determination of caucasoid hair using image analysis

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 216-217
Author(s):  
T.B. Ball ◽  
W.M. Hess
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Scalp Hair ◽  
The Body ◽  
Equivalent Diameter ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Length Width ◽  
Morphological Differences

It has been demonstrated that cross sections of bundles of hair can be effectively studied using image analysis. These studies can help to elucidate morphological differences of hair from one region of the body to another. The purpose of the present investigation was to use image analysis to determine whether morphological differences could be demonstrated between male and female human Caucasian terminal scalp hair.Hair samples were taken from the back of the head from 18 caucasoid males and 13 caucasoid females (Figs. 1-2). Bundles of 50 hairs were processed for cross-sectional examination and then analyzed using Prism Image Analysis software on a Macintosh llci computer. Twenty morphological parameters of size and shape were evaluated for each hair cross-section. The size parameters evaluated were area, convex area, perimeter, convex perimeter, length, breadth, fiber length, width, equivalent diameter, and inscribed radius. The shape parameters considered were formfactor, roundness, convexity, solidity, compactness, aspect ratio, elongation, curl, and fractal dimension.

STUDIES IN THE SUPPOSED GOITROGENOUS EFFECT OF TAP WATER IN HELSINKI

1960 ◽  
Vol XXXIII (IV) ◽  
pp. 630-636
Author(s):  
F.-E. Krusius ◽  
P. Peltola
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Iodine Uptake ◽  
Redistilled Water ◽  
Detectable Difference ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Long Term Experiment

ABSTRACT The study reported here was performed in order to examine the tap water of Helsinki for its alleged goitrogenous effect. In a short-term, 24-hour experiment with rats, kept on an iodine-poor diet, we noticed no inhibition of the 4-hour 131I uptake, as compared with that of animals receiving physiological saline instead of tap water. Two similar groups of rats receiving 1 and 2 mg of mercazole in redistilled water showed a distinct blockage of the 4-hour uptake, which proved the effect of this substance. In a long-term experiment of 5 weeks' duration there was no detectable difference in the body weight, thyroid weight and the 4-hour 131I uptake when the rats receiving tap water or distilled water to which 0.45 per cent of sodium chloride was added were compared with each other. Replacement of tap water by a 10 mg per cent solution of mercazole in redistilled water enlarged the thyroid to double its normal weight and increased the 131I uptake to approximately five times that of the controls. Thus our experiments failed to demonstrate any goitrogenous effect in the tap water of Helsinki. Changes similar to those produced by a long-term administration of mercazole, i. e. an enlargement of the thyroid and an increased thyroidal iodine uptake, have been shown to be due to milk collected from goitrous areas. The observations here reported confirm the importance of milk in the genesis of the goitre endemia of Helsinki. Attention is further called to the fact that a thyroidal enlargement combined with an increased thyroidal iodine uptake cannot always be taken as a sign of iodine deficiency because similar changes may be produced by the administration of goitrogens.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document