PubMed · 2238922
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D Heidemann. 1990-03-09. [Amalgam?].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2238922/
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The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb were analysed by AAS in the hair of male and female, controls and workers from firework cottage industries from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. When compared with controls, significantly higher levels of Mn and Cr were found in male healthy workers and unhealthy workers with chronic headaches and dizziness. In the case of female workers, higher Mn and lower Pb levels were found, but the level of any element was not significantly different in the workers with ulcers and asthma. There is a possibility of occupational exposure of both male and female workers to the risk of Cr and Mn pollution.
Knowledge of the body burden of a metal is important for evaluation of exposure and risk. Traditionally, the burden has been estimated through levels in blood, urine, hair, or shed teeth, or by mobilization tests. However, all these methods have limitations. In vivo methods for determination of cadmium in kidney by neutron activation analysis or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) reflect the burden, long-term exposure, and risk of toxic effect. In vivo determination by XRF of lead in fingerbone, tibia, or calcaneus reflect the long-term exposure, and should become a valuable tool in epidemiological studies, especially of chronic effects.
The severity of radiation exposure for astronauts outside the magnetosphere poses a critical unanswered question bearing on the use of manned vehicles in extended exploration of the solar system (moon, Mars). Such prolonged exomagnetospheric voyages (1-3 years) enter a radiologic environment more severe than that of low earth orbit, an annual dose equivalent in the range of 0.3-0.5 Sv (30-50 rem), and a lifetime excess cancer fatality risk of 3-5% due to low linear-energy-transfer components of galactic cosmic radiation alone. To this calculus must be added estimates for high-atomic-number, high-energy particles, the probability of solar particle events, and the limited effectiveness of shielding. For a 3-year Mars voyage these could elevate the dose equivalent to 1.5-2.25 Sv (150-225 rem) total (0.5-0.75 Sv [50-75 rem] annual) and risks to 5-9% excess cancer fatality. Both the mission (civilian scientific research) and the alternatives (unmanned robotic devices) enter the policy decision here. This paper presents a brief review of pertinent physical and biological data and of research urgently needed before reaching a decision on this question.