CINCINNATIA new international population study, led by the University of Cincinnati, will be the first to examine the human developmental effects of environmental exposure to the complex metal mixture found in electronic waste (e-waste).
UC epidemiologist Aimin Chen, MD, PhD, says research on the effects of complex metal and organic pollutant mixtures in e-waste is urgently needed in order to avoid unnecessary health risks to vulnerable populations from exposure to toxic air, soil and water.
Chen and his team recently received a competitive $1.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct a population-based study aimed at determining how exposure to this complex e-waste toxicant mixture impacts human health.
E-waste includes a mixture of many chemicals that cause known adverse health effects alone: lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Inappropriate handing of e-waste, such as burning, may produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans. It is estimated that 20 to 50 million tons of this potentially toxic trashcomputers, cell phones, televisions, keyboards, printers and other electronic devicesare produced worldwide annually, much of it ending up in landfills or being improperly recycled.
UC researchers believe pregnant womenand more specifically their growing fetuses and young childrenliving in developing countries where primitive and informal e-waste recycling occurs are at increased risk for neurotoxicity.
"Because the brain is in a state of rapid development, the blood-brain barrier in infants and young children is not as effective as in adults, and neurotoxic substanceslike heavy metalscan cause developmental damage," explains Chen.
For this new research study, UC has partnered with Shantou University in China to recruit about 600 pregnant women living in recycling and non-recycling communities in China to track neurological de
'/>"/>
| Contact: Amanda Harper amanda.harper@uc.edu 513-558-4657 University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics celebrates 10th birthday by presenting major gifts to human health
2. Scientists identify novel inhibitor of human microRNA
3. During exercise, the human brain shifts into high gear on alternative energy
4. Complete Genomics launches, becomes worlds first large-scale human genome sequencing company
5. Research shows Brazilian acai berry antioxidants absorbed by human body
6. Study: Bird diversity lessens human exposure to West Nile Virus
7. Human Microbiome Project awards funds for technology development, data analysis and ethical research
8. TheVisualMD.com launches new animated 3-D views of human body in action
9. Gene with probable role in human susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis identified
10. The American Society of Human Genetics hosts 58th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia
11. Genetic based human diseases are an ancient evolutionary legacy
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |