Exposure to p,p′-DDE: A Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as PCBs, DDT and dioxins have in several cross-sectional studies shown strong associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Reversed causality can however not be excluded. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate whether POPs concentration is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A case-control study was performed within a well-defined cohort of women, age 50-59 years, from the Southern part of Sweden. Biomarkers for POP exposure, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE) were analyzed in stored serum samples, which were collected at the baseline examination when the cohort was established. For 107 out of the 371 cases, serum samples were stored at least three years before their type 2 diabetes was diagnosed. In this data set, CB-153 and p,p'-DDE were not associated with an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes. However, when only the cases (n = 39) that were diagnosed more than six years after the baseline examination and their controls were studied, the women in the highest exposed quartile showed an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes (OR of 1.6 [95% 0.61, 4.0] for CB-153 and 5.5 [95% CI 1.2, 25] for p,p'-DDE). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results from the present case-control study, including a follow-up design, confirms that p,p'-DDE exposure can be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Właściwości mechaniczne i mikrostruktura złączy doczołowych obwodowych rur ze stali API 5L X70 wykonanych metodami łukowymi

In the paper the results of welding of girth welded joints of steel pipe API 5L grade X70 (L485M) are presented. Manual metal arc (MMA) and metal active gas welding (MAG) were applied. Two welding filler metals for MMA were used to weld the girth welded joints and one for MAG process. The results of mechanical tests and distribution of residual stress of the girth welded joints are presented. Results indicated that MMA and MAG welding processes allowed to achieved the proper girth welded joints from the quality and mechanical properties point of view. Moreover, results of microscopic examination of welded joint, based on light microscopy are presented. In the root passes of MMA girth welded joint ferrite prevails with a grain size of several dozen micrometres. On the borders of ferrite grains, a second structural component, occurring as small islands of a few micrometres in diameter, can be distinguished, which may be either martensitic-austenitic (M/A) component, bainite or fine perlite. In the cap passes a bainitic structure was observed. In the case of MAG welded joints the weld microstructure consists of primary austenite grains, and on the primary boundaries the ferrite can be recognized. This ferrite forms a continuous phase and Widmanstätten ferrite, which lathes grow into the interior of the grains.W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań spoin spawanych doczołowych obwodowych rur stalowych – gatunek API 5L X70 (L485M). Spoiny wykonano metodą spawania ręcznego elektrodą otuloną i spawania półautomatycznego MAG. Do spawania elektrodami otulonymi zastosowano dwa gatunki materiałów dodatkowych, natomiast do spawania metodą MAG jeden gatunek materiału. Przedstawiono analizę wyników badań właściwości mechanicznych połączeń spawanych obwodowych oraz określono rozkład naprężeń resztkowych. Stwierdzono, że procesy spawania ręcznego elektrodami otulonymi i półautomatycznego MAG pozwoliły na wykonanie spoin spełniających wymagania zarówno jakościowe, jak i właściwości mechanicznych. Wykonano badania mikroskopowe połączeń spawanych za pomocą mikroskopu świetlnego. Wykazano, że w obszarze grani (ściegi graniowe) dominuje struktura ferrytyczna o rozmiarze ziarna do kilkadziesiąt mikrometrów. Obserwowano na granicach ziaren ferrytu dodatkowe wydzielenia drugiego składnika mikrostruktury (o średnicy ziarna kilkanaście mikrometrów): wyspy martenzytyczno-austenityczne (M/A), bainit lub drobny perlit. Stwierdzono, że w obszarze ściegów licowych dominuje struktura bainityczna. Ustalono również, że w przypadku złączy spawanych półautomatu MAG mikrostrukturę cechują pierwotne ziarna austenitu o większych rozmiarach (także obserwowano na pierwotnych granicach austenitu ciągłe wydzielanie ferrytu oraz ferryt Widmanstättena o płytkach wrastających w kierunku wnętrza ziarn

An assessment of solid-wire film coatings for MAG welding

Solid electrode-wires, intended for MAG welding, are made of common and low-alloy constructional steels and are usually coated with a thin copper film whose role is to ensure good electrical contact in the contact tube (the current terminal), a low level of resistance to feed in the spiral of the MAG welding clamp, and a temporary anticorrosion protection. The present paper contains results of the investigations into the properties of film coatings on G3Sil-EN 440 solid wires. The assessment of the wire properties was based on the criteria established in the course of the experimentation. This was necessary because the available standards for the welding wires do not uniquely specify requirements regarding factors such as, for instance, film thickness, its uniformity and surface roughness which influence the quality of the coatingTranslated from Polish (Biul. Inst. Spawalnictwa 2001 45 (4) p. 53-56)Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:9023.190(10423)T / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Atrazine Contamination of Drinking Water and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Community Water Systems with Elevated Atrazine in Ohio, 2006–2008

Atrazine, a common water contaminant in the U.S., has been associated with adverse birth outcomes in previous studies. This study aimed to determine if atrazine concentrations in drinking water are associated with adverse birth outcomes including small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (term LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), preterm birth (PTB), and very preterm birth (VPTB). This study included 14,445 live singleton births from Ohio communities served by 22 water systems enrolled in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Atrazine Monitoring Program between 2006 and 2008. Mean gestational and trimester-specific atrazine concentrations were calculated. Significantly increased odds of term LBW birth was associated with atrazine exposure over the entire gestational period (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10, 1.45), as well as the first (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.34) and second trimesters (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07, 1.20) of pregnancy. We observed no evidence of an association between atrazine exposure via drinking water and SGA, VLBW, PTB, or VPTB. Our results suggest that atrazine exposure is associated with reduced birth weight among term infants and that exposure to atrazine in drinking water in early and mid-pregnancy may be most critical for its toxic effects on the fetus

Supplemental Materials: Risks and Benefits of Consumption of Great Lakes Fish

Background: Beneficial effects of fish consumption on early cognitive development and cardiovascular health have been attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oils, but toxic chemicals in fish may adversely affect these health outcomes. Risk–benefit assessments of fish consumption have frequently focused on methylmercury and omega-3 fatty acids, not persistent pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls, and none have evaluated Great Lakes fish consumption. O b jectives: The risks and benefits of fish consumption have been established primarily for marine fish. Here, we examine whether sufficient data are available to evaluate the risks and benefits of eating freshwater fish from the Great Lakes. Methods: We used a scoping review to integrate information from multiple state, provincial, and federal agency sources regarding the contaminants and omega-3 fatty acids in Great Lakes fish and fish consumers, consumption rates and fish consumption advisories, and health effects of contaminants and omega-3 fatty acids. D ata synthesis: Great Lakes fish contain persistent contaminants—many of which have documented adverse health effects —that accumulate in humans consuming them. In contrast, data are sparse on omega-3 fatty acids in the fish and their consumers. Moreover, few studies have documented the social and cultural benefits of Great Lakes fish consumption, particularly for subsistence fishers and native communities. At this time, federal and state/provincial governments provide fish consumption advisories based solely on risk. C onclusions: Our knowledge of Great Lakes fish has critical gaps, particularly regarding the benefits of consumption. A risk–benefit analysis requires more information than is currently available on the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in Great Lakes fish and their absorption by fish eaters in addition to more information on the social, cultural, and health consequences of changes in the amount of fish consumed

Polychlorinated biphenyl exposure, diabetes and endogenous hormones: a cross-sectional study in men previously employed at a capacitor manufacturing plant

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have shown associations of diabetes and endogenous hormones with exposure to a wide variety of organochlorines. We have previously reported positive associations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and inverse associations of selected steroid hormones with diabetes in postmenopausal women previously employed in a capacitor manufacturing plant.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This paper examines associations of PCBs with diabetes and endogenous hormones in 63 men previously employed at the same plant who in 1996 underwent surveys of their exposure and medical history and collection of bloods and urine for measurements of PCBs, lipids, liver function, hematologic markers and endogenous hormones.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PCB exposure was positively associated with diabetes and age and inversely associated with thyroid stimulating hormone and triiodothyronine-uptake. History of diabetes was significantly related to total PCBs and all PCB functional groupings, but not to quarters worked and job score, after control for potential confounders. None of the exposures were related to insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in non-diabetic men.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Associations of PCBs with specific endogenous hormones differ in some respects from previous findings in postmenopausal women employed at the capacitor plant. Results from this study, however, do confirm previous reports relating PCB exposure to diabetes and suggest that these associations are not mediated by measured endogenous hormones.</p