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Biomedical subjects

L Trachtman

Publications and source records attributed to L Trachtman.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Blood mercury levels and fish consumption in Louisiana.

The primary source of non-occupational exposure to mercury is through the consumption of contaminated fish. Since 1994, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has reported mercury contamination in fish obtained from bodies of water throughout the state and has issued fish consumption advisories accordingly. To determine the extent of mercury intoxication in Louisiana, screening for blood mercury levels was offered to volunteers residing near selected advisory areas. A total of 313 residents participated in the screening; 6 were found to have elevated levels. No level was detected in 48 of the participants, while the remaining participants had normal levels. Significantly higher levels were found in those associated with commercial fishing and those reporting increased fish consumption. For most people, ordinary consumption of fish contaminated with mercury does not currently appear to pose a public health hazard in Louisiana; however, educational efforts regarding the risks of fish consumption in great quantities should be continued.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Are you sanitary?

The authors present an annotated, condensed synopsis of the fundamental basis of public health practice in Louisiana, the state's Sanitary Code. The "tongue-in-cheek" remarks about some of the Code's requirements are just that, poking a bit of fun at the rule and law-making processes, but meant not in the least bit to underestimate the value of the public health rules and laws of the state.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1993

How to interpret fish consumption advisories.

The goal of this paper is to explain the guidelines used in Louisiana to issue advisories against consumption of chemically contaminated seafood or fish and explain some of the uncertainties encountered. In the absence of federal regulations the State had to develop its own approach. The concentrations resulting from Louisiana policies are generally low in comparison with the FDA tolerances and, thereby, well within reasonable limits justified by the need to protect populations with high fish consumption.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of infectious waste in Louisiana.

The purpose of the article is to acquaint readers of the JOURNAL with the requirements of state regulation of infectious waste, especially as it pertains to individual physicians and their medical offices. A brief historical perspective is given, followed by a brief summary of pertinent data relating to disease transmission via infectious waste and injuries attributable to infectious waste. Suggestions which comply with the law for disposal of infectious waste from a physician's office are given.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1977

Investigating the contacts and suspected contacts of tuberculous patients in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Health Department still investigates the contacts and suspected contacts of patients with tuberculosis, although it has stopped some tuberculosis control programs as unproductive. To determine whether contact investigation is worthwhile, in 1974 we sampled 1,110 men, women, infants, and children who had proved (391) or suspected (719) contact with a tuberculous patient. Nineteen percent (215 out of 1,110) of these contacts examined had tuberculous infections (reflected by positive skin tests). Seven (0.63%) also had pulmonary tuberculosis. We concluded that contact investigation effectively identified residents of New Orleans who were at risk of tuberculosis and the program should be continued.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Finding recent tuberculous infection in New Orleans. Results of tuberculin skin tests on New Orleans children from the inner city and Contact Investigation Program.

We tested infants and preschool-age children from the New Orleans Health Department programs for tuberculosis contact investigation and for tuberculin skin testing. About 7.8% (34 of 438) of the contacts and about 0.78% (107 of 13,797) of those given skin tests were tuberculosis-infected. Both programs, we concluded, detected enough recent tuberculous infection to be worthwhile as screening procedures.

Age Factors↗