Techniques for estimation of element levels directly in humans (non-invasive in vivo) or in samples (in vitro) from humans are reviewed. Toxic, nonessential, trace elements may cause temporary or permanent damage to various organs and tissues in humans. There is thus a need to control the concentrations. Knowledge of the relations between toxic effects and element concentration may be extracted...

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) functions as a transcription factor after ligand binding by halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon, is dependent on binding to the AhR to mediate a broad range of toxic effects. Immune suppression is one of the most sensitive sequela associated with TCDD exposure, yet, par...

This study investigated sub-lethal effects and detoxification processes activated in free-ranging Red Knots (RKs) (Calidris canutus) from the Pertuis Charentais on the Atlantic coast of France, and compared the results with previous data obtained on another shorebird species, the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa). The concentrations of 13 trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni...

Copper is an essential metal for normal plant growth and development, although it is also potentially toxic. Copper participates in numerous physiological processes and is an essential cofactor for many metalloproteins, however, problems arise when excess copper is present in cells. Excess copper inhibits plant growth and impairs important cellular processes (i.e., photosynthetic electron trans...

Selenium is a naturally occurring trace element that is nutritionally required in small amounts but it can become toxic at concentrations only twice those required. The narrow margin between beneficial and harmful levels has important implications for human activities that increase the amount of selenium in the environment. Two of these activities, disposal of fossil fuel wastes and agricultura...

This study discusses the content of different elements including toxic metals (Ba, Cd, Pb, Sr) in hair of adult subjects exposed to a wide spectrum of pollutants. Scalp hair samples were collected from inhabitants of the rural outskirts of Gdańsk, located in the north of Poland (from citizens living near a phosphate fertilizer waste disposal place) and from the donors who were employed in two f...

Manganese is an essential trace element which is toxic in high doses. Over the past several decades, manganese has replaced lead as the anti-knock agent in gasoline, raising concern about air and road-side contamination with this element. In addition, manganese is absorbed by the liver, making specific populations (e.g., pregnant women, infants and children, and patients with liver disease) sus...

Copper is a transition metal essential for cellular metabolism, which is involved in many biological processes as a cofactor of several enzymes. Although essential, it is also toxic. For this reason, organisms in all kingdoms have developed homeostatic systems for its control. This element becomes more toxic under the anaerobic and slightly acidic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract forcin...

Metal toxicity is a function of the biology of the target organism and the chemical speciation of the metal. The toxicity of 11 metals was assessed with three cell-based bioassays based on marine organisms: the bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum of the Microtox bioassay, an environmental strain of P. phosphoreum, and photocytes isolated from the brittlestar Ophiopsila californica. Metal speci...

Distribution and behavior of many trace elements in the aquatic environment has been well characterized, but little is known about silver (Ag) concentrations in coastal waters, even though this element ranks among the most toxic to marine invertebrates (Calabrese et al., 1977 ; Fisher and Hook, 1997 ; Webb and Wood, 1998). Studies conducted by Flegal et al. (1995), River-Duarte et al. (1999), a...