Age-related cataracts (ARCs) are an important cause of blindness in developing countries. Although antioxidants may be part of the body's defense to prevent ARC, environmental contaminants may contribute to their pathogenesis. Elevated exposure to mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) has been reported in fish-eating populations of the lower Tapaj

Long-term occupational exposure to cotton dust containing endotoxin is associated with chronic respiratory symptoms and a more rapid decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), but the mechanisms of endotoxin-related effects remain unclear. Shi et al.

In response to calls for more direct measurements of pesticide residues in foods consumed by children, and to compare direct measures of pesticide residues in foods representing actual consumption with those reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program, Lu et al.

Lung cancer accounts for a substantial proportion of cancer incidence and mortality throughout the world. Epidemiologic data suggest that Chinese women have a high incidence of lung cancer in relation to their smoking prevalence.

Fish consumption is regarded as the primary pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure for most people in the world. However, in the inland regions of China, most residents eat little fish, but they live in areas contaminated with mercury (Hg). To investigate salient MeHg exposure for the general adult population in Guizhou, Zhang et al. (p.

Ground-level concentrations of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter [? 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5)] have increased since preindustrial times in urban and rural regions and are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory mortality.

The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is the fastest growing economic development region in China and one of the most densely populated regions in the world, with recent dramatic increases in energy consumption and atmospheric emissions. To inform air pollution control strategy design, Zhou et al. studied how different emission sectors influence population exposures and corresponding health risks.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor, is highly glucuronidated in the liver, and the resultant BPA-glucuronide (BPA-GA) is excreted primarily into bile. However, in rodents, prenatal exposure to low doses of BPA can adversely affect the fetus, despite the efficient drug-metabolizing systems of the dams. The transport mechanisms of BPA from mother to fetus are unknown.

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been reported to be associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. general population, and this association appears to be higher among obese people than among the nonobese.

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (As) via drinking water has been linked to increased risk of skin cancer, internal cancers, and cardiovascular disease, and an association between diabetes mellitus and exposure to relatively high concentrations (> 500 ?g/L) of As in drinking water has been reported.