...Case Study 1-The Children with Lead Poisoning 1) What is the etiology of the mental and physiological signs shown by these patients? -The cause of the mental and physiological signs shown by these patients is lead poisoning. The toxins within the lead are effecting the brain and nerves of the patients. 2) What risk factors for lead poisoning can you identify in this case study? -In this particular case study the risk factors include: Occupation-children collecting scrap metal with in a lead infested old factory for money Age- children from ages 6 to 15 were the ones salvaging the scrap metal Diet- the elderly woman’s habit of compulsively chewing on nonnutritive substances 3) Is lead a toxin? -According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “No amount of lead is safe. Eliminating all lead exposure in our environment is our best course of action. New findings from NIEHS-supported grantees, as well as the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have found many adverse health effects in both children and adults at blood levels below 10 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) and for some below 5 ug/dL.” (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 2014.) 4) Do any of the people in this story exhibit idiopathic lead poisoning? Why or Why not? -No, the term idiopathic is defined as a disease in which no cause can be identified. Due to the fact that the reason for all the signs...
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...1. In this case lead poisoning form the factory walls 2. The risk factors in this case study are where the people lived and the financial circumstances they faced. 3. Lead is not a toxin. 4. None of the people in this story exhibit an idiopathic lead poisoning because the cause for every case of lead poisoning is known 5. Yes a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and degenerative processes that occur together in a particular disease. In this case the children show symptoms of joint pain, excessive salivating, seizures, and personality changes all around the same time. 6. In this case the histopathology became relevant when test were taken of patients blood and urine. 7. Morbidity: insufficient information. In this case there are certainly a high number of children who had lead poisoning however I assume it would depend on the population of the area there could be a lot more people than we think there was. Mortality: insufficient information. In this case death of any child ,due the lead poisoning, was neither mentioned or studied thus I must conclude that the mortality was low. Prevalence: Yes. The case it self’s says that the Prevalence of lead poisoning is high. Of the 112 children examined during the course of the study, over 70 show at least some signs and symptoms. Incidence: Yes. In this case the physician noticed an unusually large number of children brought to the clinic experiencing the same symptoms over a period of time, and until...
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...“The Case of the Addled Electrician” is a medical mystery short story by Benedict Carey. The story involves an electrician named Elmer Galbraith who has mysteriously contracted lead poisoning and is frantically searching for the cause to his illness. Throughout the story Carey uses suspense and dialogue to grab the attention of the everyday reader. The most obvious way that Carey builds interest is by creating suspense. He begins the story by describing the symptoms that Elmer has, continuing to do so for the first five paragraphs. As the story progresses, the interest towards Elmer’s illness grows. Once Carey has the reader hooked, he reveals that Elmer is actually suffering from lead poisoning. After Elmer’s illness is revealed, the reader stars to wonder what is actually causing the lead poisoning, which creates even more suspense. Using suspense keeps the reader interested and alert throughout the story. If Carey simply stated at the beginning that Elmer suffered from lead poisoning obtained by chewing plastic wire coating, then the reader would not read the rest of the story to learn about the symptoms and complications of lead poisoning. By creating suspense, Carey ensures readers actively read and understand the story. Another way that Benedict Carey is able to grab the interest of the reader is through dialogue. Reading words that were actually spoken by the characters is an excellent way to draw the audience into the story. For instance, the conversation between...
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...1 Introduction to Clinical Applications Objectives In this chapter we will study • various approaches to the study of disease; • the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; • common causes of disease; • the distinction between signs and symptoms of disease; • terms used to describe the time course of a disease; and • common abbreviations for medical specialists and specialties. Homeostasis and Disease The body’s tendency to maintain internal stability is called homeostasis. Examples include the body’s relatively stable temperature, blood glucose concentration, hormone levels, acid-base balance, and electrolyte balance. When physiological variables deviate too much from their set point, the body activates negative feedback loops that tend to restore stability and maintain health. In some cases, such as the stoppage of bleeding, positive feedback loops are activated to bring about rapid change. If the attempt to regain homeostasis fails, disease results. There is a strong emphasis in medicine today on promoting wellness through prevention. However, this manual focuses on what happens when prevention fails, homeostasis is disrupted, and disease occurs. The Study of Disease Disease (illness) is any deviation from normal that interferes with correct, life-sustaining bodily function. Literally, the word means dis-ease, the opposite of ease (comfort and normal function). Disease may have underlying structural foundations, such as a broken bone, and its...
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...Literature Review Background on Lead Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts (0.002%) throughout the earth’s surface and deep beneath the ground (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2014; Environmental Protection Agency, 2014; World Health Organization, 2010). It is described as a heavy, low melting, and bluish-gray metal (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2007). The toxicity of lead has been known ever since Roman times (WHO, 2010), when a Greek physician and poet, Nicander, described it as “gleaming, deadly white lead” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235) and, Dioscorides, a physician of Nero, described “lead makes the mind give away” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235). World Health Organization cites (Eisinger,...
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...as a human right. It’s a film that many can relate to and can serve as a case study in Environmental Law and Public Health. Purpose of the Film The exact details which reveal why the film was made are unclear. Erin Brockovich mentions being approached by a writer and film studio in the 1990s, however, there is no mention of why they chose to tell her story. One can assume the writer and film studio felt the David and Goliath story of a small town legal secretary taking on a large corporation, was worthy of dramatizing. Their hunch was correct and the film was nominated for an Academy Award. Appropriate Audience This film would suit a wide range, from teens to the 60 plus crowd. There is some swearing so it's not appropriate for children; parents will have to decide if it's ok for their teenage children. Erin Brockovich is a great case study for those studying environmental law or public health. It’s also relevant to anyone studying business or ethics. The science has been called into question, yet the fundamentals of leading an inquiry into a community's drinking water remain relevant today. Public Health Issue Given recent developments in the United States, the issue of contaminated drinking water is a grave Public Health concern. Safe drinking water is a public health issue covered in the movie. Contaminated drinking water is a hot topic and the real life Erin Brockovich continues to lead the charge in regards to the issue. The contaminant in the film...
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...Treadwell May 7, 2014 Week 7 assignment 1 Environmental Issues The lead poisoned candy scare put fear in hundreds of parents as well as costing the many different companies thousands of dollars. Lead has been found in some consumer candies imported from Mexico. Certain candy ingredients such as chili powder and tamarind may be a source of lead exposure. Lead sometimes gets into the candy when processes such as drying, storing, and grinding the ingredients are done improperly. Also, lead has been found in the wrappers of some imported candies. The ink of these plastic or paper wrappers may contain lead that leaches into the candy. Most domestic and imported candies already meet the stricter lead threshold. However, the FDA moved to lower the limit from an earlier half a part per million after the sampling of dozens of types of candies imported from Mexico and after information from other sources revealed additional ingredients used in some sweets can boost the lead content beyond allowable levels. Government tests had documented 102 candies with levels between 0.2 and 0.49 parts per million lead and 159 candies even higher, starting in 1993. In children, acute exposure to very high levels of lead may produce encephalopathy and other accompanying signs of * ataxia * coma * convulsions * death * hyperirritability * stupor The BLLs associated with encephalopathy in children vary from study to study, but BLLs of 70-80 µg/dL or greater appear to indicate a serious...
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...Touro University International BHE314 Module 4 Case: Environmental Health and Safety Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in the earth's crust. Lead can be found everywhere, because of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead is a soft, heavy, toxic metal. Lead is found in many products we use every day, it is even found in toys. It is also in the paint in many houses and in some dirt and dust. Lead Poisoning means having lead in the body in an amount that can cause serious health and development problems. It is much more dangerous for children than adults because it affects kids’ developing brains and nervous systems. The younger the child, the more harm lead can cause. Lead can cause serious health effects: kidney problems, anemia, hearing loss, development delay and growth problems. The only way to know for sure if you have lead poisoning is to have blood test. People who are most at risk of harmful effects from lead in their body include (Risk Factor, 2010): Babies and children under 6 years of age. Infants and young children are more likely to be exposed to lead than are older children. They may chew paint chips, and their hands may be contaminated with lead dust. Young children also absorb lead more easily and sustain more harm from it than do adults and older children. Children living in older homes. Although the use of lead-based paints has been banned since the 1970s, older homes and buildings...
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...Although according to the CDC 2015, There are between 10 thousand and 20 thousand pesticide poisoning cases yearly among farm workers, the exact number of workers in the U.S. affected by pesticides is unknown as California and Washington are the only states that mandate reporting of pesticide poisoning, in addition to the huge proportion of migrant farm workers that rarely seek medical care. Pesticide poisoning in general can causes acute or chronic health effects. The acute effects include headache, nausea, shortness of breath, seizures or even death (Calvert et al., 2008), while the chronic effects include neurological, respiratory, reproductive and cognitive. Most far workers do not know which pesticide they have been exposed to and most of them do not realize that they were poisoned as some of the symptoms are similar to...
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...Its Effect on Children Samuel Meraz SOC100-146 Prof. Steward July 27, 2014 Poverty and its effect on children We think of poverty, and our first thoughts are lower income, crime, and living conditions. We think of areas of our cities and towns that we all try to avoid and the crime that these areas are infamous for. But, do we ever think of the children that live in poverty? How about the effects of growing up in poverty? Put yourself in their shoes, think about how it would affect you if you had grown up scared to go outside, or going to bed hungry. We will look at some of the causes and effects as well as possible ways to assist these children in improving their chances at a better future. Poverty is when a person or family lives with an income of less than the poverty line set by the government. In 2014, the poverty threshold for a family of four is $23,850 in 48 contiguous states and the District of Colombia (HHS, 2014). When broken down that is less than $6,000 per person in the family. Imagine that for a second; that is annual income. “About one in five American children-some 12 to 14 million” live below the poverty threshold (Brooks-Gunn/Duncan, 1997). Basic needs for these children are not met on a daily basis, things like clothes, food, and decent shelter are not available. Their education suffers from living in these conditions. Children living in under the poverty line are more likely to be dropouts of school, or repeat a grade, than children living above the...
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...Case Study Title Environmental Toxicology Case Summary 3 Mount Isa Children were found to have excessive (2-3 times more than the international safety limit) of lead in their blood causing permanent neurological damage. An inquiry into environmental lead exposure was conducted against Xstrata’s Mount Isa Mines Ltd lead emittance, who firmly stand that the lead was “naturally occurring” and not a consequence of mining. As subsequent years follow, more children are found to have dangerous lead levels in their blood, raising more suspicion, but Queensland Health and Xstrata are turning a blind eye to the concern. Suspected toxic substance Common name is Lead, the trade name is Plumbum, and CAS number is 7439-92-1 Chemical properties: reactive...
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...at risk of consuming an unsafe amount of mercury if they eat certain things in excess amounts, such as more than 6 ounces of albacore tuna per week, or over 12 ounces of fish like shrimp, canned tuna, salmon, pollock or catfish. Exposure to mercury can cause brain damage, kidney damage, lung damage and various digestive system problems (McCoy). Perhaps the person most vulnerable to mercury poisoning is the pregnant woman and her unborn fetus. Trauma caused to infants and children as a result of mercury exposure is exponentially worse than it would be an adult. In most cases, it causes severe nervous system problems. Exposure A EU study found that “between 1.5 and 2 million children in the EU are born each year with MeHg exposures above the safe limit of 0.58µg/g and 200,000 above the WHO recommended maximum of 2.5µg/g” (Sunderland). Exposure to MeHg in these amounts affects brain development. Stunted brain development leads to a lower IQ. A low IQ lessens one’s earning power. When just looking at the European Union, the consequences are of paramount importance. In the study, Prof Philippe Grandjean explained, "If we convert the effects of MeHg on developing brains into IQ points then the benefits of controlling MeHg pollution equates to 700,000 IQ points per year and monetary benefits of €8,000 to €9,000 million per year for the whole of the EU.” Where is the mercury pollution coming from? Excessive mercury exposure clearly has detrimental affects on society...
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...Adulterants added to reduce the amount of expensive product in illicit drugs are called cutting agents. Deliberate addition of toxic adulterants to food or other products for human consumption is poisoning. In food and beverages[edit] Past and present examples of adulteration, some dangerous, include: Roasted chicory roots used as an adulterant for coffee Diethylene glycol, used dangerously by some winemakers in sweet wines Apple jellies (jams), as substitutes for more expensive fruit jellies, with added colorant and sometimes even specks of wood that simulate raspberry or strawberry seeds Water, for diluting milk and alcoholic beverages Cutting agents used to adulterate (or "cut") illicit drugs—for example, shoe polish in hashish, amphetamines in ecstasy, lactose in cocaine Urea, melamine and other nonprotein nitrogen sources, added to protein products to inflate crude protein content measurements[1] High fructose corn syrup or cane sugar, used to adulterate honey Water or brine injected into chicken, pork, or other meats to increase their weight[2] History[edit] Historically, the use of adulterants has been common; sometimes dangerous substances have been used. In the United Kingdom during the Victorian era, adulterants were common; for example, cheeses were sometimes colored with lead....
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...Michigan was declared in a state of emergency after it was discovered that the city’s water contained dangerous amounts of lead. After a switch in water supply in April 2014, the number of children in Flint with elevated lead levels in their blood nearly doubled from 2013 to 2015 (Newland 2016). The Flint water crisis attracted national attention and led to a class-action lawsuit filed by city residents. Many Americans were shocked that the land of opportunity could fail the residents of Flint so badly. Many also pointed out that such a problem would not be likely in a more affluent area of the United States. While the United States is not lacking in quality water, the infrastructure delivering water...
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...that is not an inherent natural constituent of the food itself, in an amount that poses a reasonable possibility of injury to health, or (2) a substance that is an inherent natural constituent of the food itself; is not the result of environmental, agricultural, industrial, or other contamination; and is present in an amount that ordinarily renders the food injurious to health. The first includes, for example, a toxin produced by a fungus that has contaminated a food, or a pathogenic bacterium or virus, if the amount present in the food may be injurious to health. An example of the second is the tetrodotoxin that occurs naturally in some organs of some types of pufferfish and that ordinarily will make the fish injurious to health. In either case, foods adulterated with these agents are prohibited from being introduced, or offered for introduction, into interstate commerce. Our scientific understanding of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins is continually advancing....
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