Public Health Commons^™

Aflatoxin B1 Albumin Adducts In Plasma And Aflatoxin M1 In Urine Are Associated With Plasma Concentrations Of Vitamins A And E, Francis A. Obuseh, Pauline E. Jolly, Yi Jiang, Faisal M. B. Shuaib, John Waterbor, William O. Ellis, Chandrika J. Piyathilake, Renee A. Desmond, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Timothy D. Phillips

Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

Background: Although aflatoxin exposure has been shown to be associated with micronutrient deficiency in animals, there are few investigations on the effects of aflatoxin exposure on micronutrient metabolism in humans.
Objective: To examine the relationship between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) albumin adducts (AF-ALB) in plasma and the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) metabolite in urine and plasma concentrations of retinol (vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in Ghanaians.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 147 adult participants was conducted. Blood and urine samples were tested for aflatoxin and vitamins A and E levels.
Results: Multivariable analysis showed that participants with high AF-ALB (≥ 0.80 …

Comparison Of Bacteroides Human Markers For Pollution Diagnostics In Recreational Waters, Asli Aslan, Joan B. Rose

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Presentations

This presentation was given during the Great Lakes Beach Association Annual Conference.

Hiv And Hepatocellular And Esophageal Carcinomas Related To Consumption Of Mycotoxin-Prone Foods In Sub-Saharan Africa, Jonathan H. Williams, Jessica A. Grubbs, Jerry W. Davis, Jia-Sheng Wang, Pauline E. Jolly, Nii-Ayi Ankrah, William O. Ellis, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Natalie M. Johnson, Abraham G. Robinson, Timothy D. Phillips

Environmental Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Promotion of the HIV epidemic by aflatoxin is postulated but not yet established. Sub-Saharan populations commonly consume food contaminated by mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins (predominantly found in peanut, maize, rice, and cassava) and fumonisins, which occur primarily in maize. Aflatoxin promotes hepatocellular cancer, and fumonisin may promote esophageal cancer.

Objectives: This analysis was undertaken to test the hypotheses that consumption of mycotoxin-prone staple foods is 1) related to the incidence of HIV infection in Africa and 2) related to “signature” cancer rates confirming exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins.

Design: World Health Organization data for causes of death and the Food …

Pollution And Public Health In A Shrinking World: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations As A Paradigm For Emergent Needs In Environmental And Public Health Policy, Leland Stillman

Self-Designed Majors Honors Papers

Environmental factors play a major part in human health. Environmental pollutants are often as poisonous to humans as the environment. Presently, much time and energy is dedicated to keeping pollution apart from human society, with varying success. But as global population densities rise, current levels of pollution will become inviable due to public health concerns. An emergent example of this is in the concentration of livestock operations. Recent changes in the structure of U.S. hog farming have resulted in an industry-wide shift from small or medium production farms to high capacity, “concentrated animal feeding operations” (CAFO). These operations have become …

Evaluating And Regulating Lead In Artificial Turf, Gregory Van Ulirsch, Kevin Gleason, Shawn Gerstenberger, Deaphne B. Moffett, Glenn Pulliam, Tariq Ahmed, Jerald Fagliano

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background: In 2007, a synthetic turf recreational field in Newark, New Jersey, was closed because lead was found in synthetic turf fibers and in surface dust at concentrations exceeding hazard criteria. Consequently, public health professionals across the country began testing synthetic turf to determine whether it represented a lead hazard. Currently, no standardized methods exist to test for lead in synthetic turf or to assess lead hazards.

Objectives: Our objectives were to increase awareness of potential lead exposure from synthetic turf by presenting data showing elevated lead in fibers and turf-derived dust; identify risk assessment uncertainties; recommend that federal and/or …

Heat Stress Evaluation Of Protective Clothing Ensembles, Amanda Lee Pease

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Clothing directly affects the level of heat stress exposure. Useful measures to express the thermal characteristics are WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature) clothing adjustment factor (CAF) or apparent total evaporative resistance (R_e,T,_a). The CAF is assigned through laboratory wear trials following a heat stress protocol in which the air temperature and humidity are progressively increased until the participant clearly loses the ability to maintain thermal equilibrium. The critical condition is the point of thermal transition and from these conditions both the CAF and Re,T,a are computed. The first objective of this study is to compare the …