Gas stations are important emissions source of benzene (C 6 H 6 ), toluene (C 7 H 8 ), ethylbenzene (C 8 H 10 ), and ortho, meta and para-xylene (C 8 H 10 )-better known by the acronym BTEX. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of BTEX compounds in the ambient air of ten gas stations in the cities of Salvador and Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil and evaluate the health risks to workers. Passive samplers diffusive of the Radiello®, containing activated carbon as adsorbent, were used. The samplers were exposed for 8 h and then the analytes were recovered by chemical desorption with CS 2 and determined by GC-FID. The BTEX concentrations found in the ambient air of gas stations ranged from 46.72 -435.43 μg·m −3 for benzene;25.54 -342.46 μg·m −3 for toluene, 7.10 -30.07 μg·m −3 for ethylbenzene, 9.36 -89.73 μg·m −3 for m, p-xylene and 9.79 -52.29 μg·m −3 for o-xylene. The concentrations of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes found in gas stations were lower than the limits recommended by the US NIOSH and NR-15 of the Ministry of Labour of Brazil; however, it should be considered the risks due to chronic exposure of workers. Benzene concentrations in three gas stations were above the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH (3.20 × 10 2 μg·m −3). Samplings were also held outdoors at 250 m of two gas stations. The total concentrations of the BTEX compounds were equal to 24.97 and 35.51 μg·m −3
Lymphocytes activated by mitogenic lectins display changes in transmembrane potential, an elevation in the cytoplasmic Ca 2+ concentrations, proliferation and/or activation induced cell death. Low concentrations of ouabain (an inhibitor of Na + ,K + -ATPase) suppress mitogen-induced proliferation and increases cell death. To understand the mechanisms involved, a number of parameters were analyzed using fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. The addition of 100nM ouabain to cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes activated with 5µg/ml phytohemagglutinin (PHA) did not modify the increased expression of the Fas receptor or its ligand FasL induced by the mitogen. However, treatment with ouabain potentiated apoptosis induced by an anti-Fas agonist antibody. A synergy between ouabain and PHA was also observed with regard to plasma membrane depolarization. PHA per se did not induce dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential but when cells were also exposed to ouabain a marked depolarization could be observed, and this was a late event. It is possible that the inhibitory effect of ouabain on activated peripheral blood lymphocytes involves the potentiation of some of the steps of the apoptotic process and reflects an exacerbation of the mechanism of activation-induced cell death.
To show the risks and harm caused by the occupational exposure to the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes compounds (BTEX), the working conditions of 113 persons employed at gas stations in the cities of Riachão do Jacuipe, Feira de Santana and Salvador in the state of Bahia, Brazil were investigated by experts who correlated protection measures required by law and those applied to the workers. Data collection was performed by help of a questionnaire and non-participant observation record. The age groups of the workers in the three cities surveyed were between 18 to 25 years (30.08%) and 26 to 33 years (34.51%) of the total. The study revealed an association between occupational habits of workers at gas stations and the prevalence of symptoms due to the exposure to the BTEX compounds. Regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) most workers wear boots. The data show that these workers reported symptoms such as headache, rhinitis, leg pain, drowsiness, cough, fatigue, insomnia, tremors and palpitations. These disorders are related back to previous exposure to BTEX compounds which is associated with inadequate occupational habits of the workers which potentiate chemical contamination in their respective environment.
The medicinal plant Jatropha curcas exerts beneficial effects against ethanol toxicity in humans. In this work, we investigated the protective effect of three extracts (ethanol [Et], vegetal glycerin [VG], and propylene glycol [PG]) of J. curcas leafs against Et‐induced damage in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The cytotoxicity of the extracts alone or in combination with each other in mononuclear cells was also assessed. A thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of the protection assumed that the cells were in a metastable equilibrium of growth and death, and the mass action of the extracts was used to determine the optimal concentration for each extract. The PG and VG extracts were cytotoxic, with an efficiency index of protection (η) of approximately −20% and −41%, respectively. By contrast, η values of ∼220% were observed for Et extracts (0.625% vol/vol) and combined extracts (Et + PG) at concentrations of (0.375 + 0.250)% and (0.5 + 0.5)%, respectively. These results identify J. curcas as a promising source of bioactive compounds and show that appropriate modeling can provide a powerful system for determining the optimal conditions for drug action.
Introduction: Brazil leads the production of sugarcane and its derived commodities, sugar and ethanol. The fact that it is predominantly manually harvested exposes the workers to a variety of health hazards. Since the harvest is a labor activity that exacts from the worker a heavy physical toll, involving the exertion of quick, repetitive movements that intensely overburden both one's muscles and skeletal frame. Objective: To assess the health profile and functional independence in former workers who operated in a biofuel plant in Bahia. Methods: This is a descriptive, exploration-oriented study conducted with 42 workers formerly employed as cane cutters, both male and female and over 18 years old, all of them living in the town of Amélia Rodrigues (BA). The self-administered Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to measure their quality of life, based on the World Health Organization's classification of disabilities; the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) metrics was employed to keep track of functional independence. The FIM focuses on two aspects, motile and cognitive, subdivided further into categories designed to assess individual independence in tackling basic activities effectively and satisfactorily. Results: 42 individuals were assessed, most of them men (54.8%), predominantly adults (73.8%) of African descent (61.9%). Evidence, along with the correlation coefficient to analyze the FIM and the NHP, presents a significance level of 0.05 in the categories: Total NHP, Energy Level, Pain and Physical Abilities. Conclusion: This study found that there is harm to the health of former cane cutters as far as their sleep, energy levels and physical abilities are concerned. With these remarks, the authors expect to motivate health surveillance efforts regarding the risks in those work environments and the associated health issues, so that preventive and interventive public health measures can be implemented.
Background: Large-scale cane cultivation can promote health impacts of workers, resulting from weight bearing and repetitive movements. Musculoskeletal conditions can alter balance and increase risk of falls. Aim of Work: The objective of this study is to identify clinical characteristics and to correlate balance with functional capacity in ex-cane cutters. Methods: This was a descriptive exploratory study, 42 former workers of the cane cut, with mean age of 49 (±13) years, who were submitted to balance evaluation through the Berg Balance Scale (BSE) and the functional capacity was evaluated by the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT). To investigate respiratory symptoms, the Medical Research Council questionnaire was used. Results: The individuals reached a mean of 52 points in BSE, considered low to moderate risk for falls and the average distance traveled of 446.2 (±188.5) meters, corresponding to 52.9% (±23.1) of the normal distance. Weak and negative correlations were found between changes in balance and exposure time (r2 −0.16). Conclusion: It is concluded that excessive physical effort contributes to changes in the balance and, consequently, diminish functional capacity.
Direitos para esta edição cedidos à Atena Editora pelos autores. Open access publication by Atena Editora Todo o conteúdo deste livro está licenciado sob uma Licença de Atribuição Creative Commons. Atribuição-Não-Comercial-NãoDerivativos 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). O conteúdo dos artigos e seus dados em sua forma, correção e confiabilidade são de responsabilidade exclusiva dos autores, inclusive não representam necessariamente a posição oficial da Atena Editora. Permitido o download da obra e o compartilhamento desde que sejam atribuídos créditos aos autores, mas sem a possibilidade de alterá-la de nenhuma forma ou utilizá-la para fins comerciais.Todos os manuscritos foram previamente submetidos à avaliação cega pelos pares, membros do Conselho Editorial desta Editora, tendo sido aprovados para a publicação com base em critérios de neutralidade e imparcialidade acadêmica.A Atena Editora é comprometida em garantir a integridade editorial em todas as etapas do processo de publicação, evitando plágio, dados ou resultados fraudulentos e impedindo que interesses financeiros comprometam os padrões éticos da publicação. Situações suspeitas de má conduta científica serão investigadas sob o mais alto padrão de rigor acadêmico e ético.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
334 Leonard St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.