CYP1A expression in freshwater fish of western New York as an indicator of pollution levels

Various species of freshwater fish regulate the expression of certain proteins in response to environmental contamination. Previous research has shown that CYP1A expression increases in response to contaminant levels, and can result in increased tumor formation. Fish in contaminated environments would thus benefit by downregulating the expression of CYP1A to reduce tumor prevalence as an adaptive strategy. Alternatively, regulation of the CYP1A protein in fish can serve as a bioindicator of the pollution level of an environment. This study evaluated CYP1A expression in twelve different species of freshwater fish from seven bodies of water throughout western NY including Cuba Lake, Genesee River, Hanging Bog, Love Canal, Moss Lake, Rushford Lake and Tifft Nature Preserve. Western blot analysis was used to measure CYP1A expression as a marker of site pollution and potential fish population adaptation. It was hypothesized that low CYP1A expression at a site with known contamination would suggest signs of adaptation to pollution levels present. Furthermore, if at least one sample from a species showed CYP1A expression, then the CYP1A antibody (Caymen Chemical, USA; 173132) had compatibility with that species, eliminating falsely suspected adaptation. The results from this study suggest possible adaptation of fish may be occurring in the polluted Tifft Nature Preserve and Genesee River. In contrast, CYP1A expression in fish from Cuba Lake, Hanging Bog, Love Canal, Moss Lake, and Rushford Lake appear to represent known pollution levels and adaptation is not likely occurring. Results from this study are preliminary and next steps include collection and analysis of sediment to provide a stronger correlation between pollution at sites and CYP1A expression.

DESASTRES AMBIENTAIS PROVOCADOS POR RESÍDUOS INDUSTRIAIS: NOS CASOS CIDADE DOS MENINOS (RJ) E THE LOVE CANAL (EUA)

Sob a análise do desenvolvimento sustentável, a pesquisa tem por objetivo analisar os desastres ambientais da Cidade dos Meninos no Rio de Janeiro e do Love Canal nos Estados Unidos, e o dever constitucional do Estado Brasileiro em reparar direitos violados, como a saúde dos residentes, assim como o meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado. Dessa forma, será discutido o desenvolvimento sustentável, sobre poluição e áreas contaminadas, serão detalhados ambos os casos e se adentará sobre a responsabilidade em cada país. Se averiguará sobre os elementos da responsabilidade e se analisará o dano ambiental. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e legislativa, além de reportagens internacionais.

You’re Murdering Us

This chapter examines the activism of residents of Love Canal, New York, in response to the 1976 discovery of 21,000 tons of buried toxic waste in their community. It concentrates especially on the work of the Love Canal Homeowners Association. Love Canal residents understood the health of the human body through an assemblage of epidemiology, toxicology, and personal experience. They perceived the individual as the marker of community health, environmental reality, scientific legitimacy, and government responsibility, in the process coming to see the entire world as environmentally vulnerable. Their conflicting interpretations of citizenship rights illustrated how they were torn between the conviction that everyone had the right to environmental health, and the belief that the needs of national citizens should be prioritized.