Humor and laughter have been a focus of attention in the popular media and in the medical literature. Despite statements about the health benefits of humor, current research is insufficient to validate such claims. There is support in the literature for the role of humor and laughter in other areas, including patient-physician communication, psychological aspects of patient care, medical education, and as a means of reducing stress in medical professionals.
Abstract:The results of three national monitoring programs in the United States (U.S.) that measure concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) are compared. Regional and site comparisons are made of changes in TBT concentrations since passage of the Organotin Antifouling Paint Control Act (OAPCA) in 1988. The monitoring programs compared are the U.S. Long: Term Monitoring Program conducted by a consortium of tributyltin manufacturers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Status and Trends Mussel Watch project, and the U.S. Navy's TBT monitoring program. All of the monitoring results demonstrate declining TBT concentrations over time. These declines have occurred rapidly (within a few years) and are considerable (56%-7i % decrease in TBT concentrations in water, 47%-55% decrease in sediments, and 40%-82% decrease in bivalve tissues). Mean TBT concentrations in water are generally below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency marine chronic water quality criterion of 10ng/L. These results indicate that the OAPCA has been effective in reducing TBT concentrations in the aquatic environment.
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