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Biomedical subjects

E I Hamilton

Publications and source records attributed to E I Hamilton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Significance and utility of reference values in occupational medicine.

Although it is generally accepted that reference values can be included among the instruments of modern occupational medicine, problems arise when applying them from clinical chemistry to the needs of occupational medicine. Here some general aspects regarding reference values beginning from their theoretical basis, their significance and importance and their possible use in occupational medicine are reviewed. Furthermore, their relationship with other more familiar 'guideline values', such as action levels and limit values, is demonstrated.

Guidelines as Topic↗
PubMed1994

Element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. VI. Review of elements in blood, plasma and urine and a critical evaluation of reference values for the United Kingdom population.

Reference values for the concentration of elements in whole blood for the UK population are presented together with estimates for concentrations in plasma and urine. The blood data, when compared with other values obtained for Belgium, Denmark and Italy, obtained through the EURO-Terviht programme of the European Union, together with data from other countries, indicate similar concentrations. The data provide a basis for identifying the expected levels for the non-occupational exposed population against which differences attributable to various states of well-being, morbidity and mortality can be evaluated. However, it is also apparent that significant differences do exist which are related to geography and diet. In order to consider these differences, further improvements in the determination of elements in human tissues and fluids are required. Particular attention should be paid to that proportion of an element in the environment which is bioavailable together with its toxicity.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1994

The geobiochemistry of cobalt.

In the crust of the Earth cobalt is present in a greater abundance than lead, molybdenum or cadmium. The concentration and distribution of cobalt is discussed in relation to major terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric systems. The processes which control or influence the transfer of this element in major ecosystems are evaluated in terms of bioavailability to plants, animals and man. The concept of geochemical provinces is considered in relation to the regional availability of cobalt and then its transfer along foodchains to man. Areas and environments which contain high or low concentrations of cobalt are considered in relation to the health of plants, animals and man; the special case of exposure to cobalt from the manufacturing industry is discussed. The association between cobalt and hard metal disease is noted. The use of various radionuclides of cobalt is considered as a means of tracing cobalt through complex ecosystems. The state of the art for measuring the concentration of cobalt is discussed with special reference to the quality of analytical data and the availability of suitable reference materials.

Air↗
PubMed1990

Irradiated cells.

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Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1988

Geobiocoenosis: the chemical elements and relative abundances in biotic and abiotic systems.

Geobiocoenosis (the total ecosystem i.e. biotic + abiotic) is concerned with the evolution of life on Earth, in particular the harmony which has developed between geochemical and biological systems. In any geochemical province the abundance of the elements in the geosphere should, to various degrees, be reflected by those present in the biosphere. The extent to which elements are transferred from an abiotic to a biotic system is normally controlled by the particular biological processes which characterise the biota. On the basis of associations between elements which were established during organic evolution, here I consider whether or not any coherent patterns in the abundances of the elements occur between abiotic and biotic systems. In particular, to establish what may be considered as normal and those which are disturbed, for example as a consequence of contamination and pollution of the environment. An objective is to establish natural abundance patterns for the elements in living organisms in order to provide baseline data for concentrations rather than accept alternatives, such as those based upon the sensitivity of a particular analytical technique or inspired guesses.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The Chernobyl accident--radionuclide fallout in S.W. England.

Initial fallout data from the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl is presented for the Plymouth region of Devon S.W. England which received low levels of radioactivity. During the period of maximum fallout the overall gross gamma activity for the Plymouth area was approximately 10% higher than levels recorded prior to the Chernobyl accident. The increase in levels of radioactivity were within the variability of natural background found in local houses.

Accidents↗
PubMed1976

Review of the chemical elements and environmental chemistry--strategies and tactics.

Inspite of advanced technology and the availability of adequate basic analytical instrumentation there is a need to improve the quality of data obtained in many programmes of environmental monitoring. Really new approaches are required based upon interdisciplinary, as distinct from pluridisciplinary cooperation; during the early stages individual disciplines need to extend some degree of charity. Scientists have to acknowledge the social implications of many of their studies and face up to controversial issues particularly in relation to pollution of the environment. Today we do not know the significance of levels of most contaminants and pollutants found in the environment, and many have not even been identified. Besides large releases of pollutants, a fundamental problem concerns man's biological response to low doses of various substances over long periods of time; the interval between an initial insult and the detection of detrimental effects for many physical and chemical agents can amount to between 10-30 years. In the absence of an objective interdisciplinary approach the expertise developed in an individual discipline is not available to others in which it may be of value. Many types of instrumentation and techniques developed in one discipline are unknown, or untried, in another; centralised facilities provide an adequate spectrum of tools and skills which are essential in tackling current problems. This approach has been shown to be rewarding in industry and in several private research organisations. In this paper the versatility of some types of modern instrumentation is illustrated in several fields of environmental chemistry and some of the substantial problems are discussed.

Air Pollutants↗