Decades of mining activity have resulted in the accumulation significant amounts tailings that are deposited over natural vegetation, forming deposits tens meters thick. The poor organic matter and macronutrients contain a high concentration potentially toxic elements (PTE). Their surface remains unvegetated for long periods time is susceptible to fluvial wind erosion. Equisetum arvense E. telm...

Selenium compounds have a checkered history. Originally considered to be highly toxic, the tide turned in 20th century when selenium was discovered an essential trace element; indeed, is least abundant element on Earth well-defined biological role. Despite this new-found importance, organoselenium were largely curiosities because methods for their synthesis cumbersome and unpleasant often invol...

Trace elements are a major area of nutritional status which influence brain functioning and behavior. Recent studies have found significantly abnormal levels of trace nutritive minerals and trace toxic metals in the head hair of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Utilizing hair element analysis, this study examined 26 trace elements in two groups of young Appalachian children: an economic...

In recent decades, the use of nanomaterials has received much attention in industrial and medical fields. However, some reports have mentioned adverse effects of these materials on the biological systems and cellular components. There are several major mechanisms for cytotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) such as physicochemical properties, contamination with toxic element, fibrous structure, high...

Vinegar has long been added to foods in the home and in the commercial packing plant as a flavoring element; in addition, it has adefinite preservative action against spoilage microorganisms. Any toxic effect of vinegar is undoubtedly due to its acetic acid content. Levine and Fellers (1940) showed that the toxicity of acetic acid is not due to pH alone although an increase in the hydrogen ions...