Background. Skin bleaching is a major health concern among Jamaicans. A common ingredient in skin lightening products is mercury. Mercury is a toxic substance that can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and kidneys. Objective. The objectives of this study were to use different analytical techniques to measure mercury concentrations in popular skin lightening products used in Jamaica and to assess individual levels of mercury exposure based on product usage. Methods. Sixty skin lightening products were purchased from different vendors across various locations in Jamaica. Each product was initially screened for mercury using a portable handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. In addition, 25 out of 60 products were further measured using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS). Questionnaires were distributed to users of skin lightening products to determine their usage patterns. Results. Six products had mercury concentrations above the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowable limit of 1 ppm, of which three products contained alarmingly high concentrations (i.e. > 400 ppm). The majority of products (57 out of 60) had mercury concentrations below 10 ppm. The mercury concentrations in skin lightening products ranged from 0.05 ppm to 17,547 ppm. In our sample, 51% of women and 49% of men used skin products more than once per day. Conclusions. On average, creams contained more mercury than lotions and soaps. Individuals who use skin lightening products in Jamaica may be at risk for high mercury exposure, as some popular products were found to have mercury concentrations above the allowable limit. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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
This study deals with the distribution of heavy metals in soils around one of the most important industries in Kingston, Jamaica i.e. the Carib Cement factory at Rockfort. The dust emitted from the Caribbean Cement Company Limited (Carib Cement), located in Rockfort, Kingston, gets deposited in course of time over the soil, leaves and forms a grey cover on the surrounding soils. Geochemical analysis of the top soil, collected from the present study area has been undertaken to assess the impact of the dust emitted from the cement factory and its effect on the surrounding ecosystem. A total of seventeen top soil samples of 0-10 cm depth were collected from the close vicinity of the Rockfort and the Harbour view area and analysed by INAA, AAS, XRF for major, minor and trace elements. Results show that the top soils of the study area are enriched in Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, V, Pb, and Hg which are released into the air from the cement kilns. Results show that the soils are enriched in Ca with a maximum value of 18% followed by Al, Fe and Na. Heavy metals in the soils of the study area shows relatively high concentrations of zinc with a maximum of 132 ppm followed by Cr (57) ppm and Pb (32) ppm. Maximum concentrations were found in soils sampled at a distance of 2-3 m from the cement factory as opposed to samples collected much further ie from the Harbour View area. High concentrations of the heavy metals in the soils near the cement factory as opposed to those further away can be due to the emissions from the factory. A significant contribution can also come from traffic emissions as the study area is located along one of the busiest street of Kingston, Jamaica
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