Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some fauna and flora.

"Of a major concern is the possibility that continual exposure to relatively
low levels of these heavy metals through the consumption of these fauna and flora may entail adverse health effect."

Gbaruko, B. C. & Friday, O. U. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some fauna and flora. International Journal of Environmental Sciences Technology 4, 197-202 (2007). URL \#.

Blueberries and Mining - An Agricultural Dilemma!

Mining causes a variety of pollution problems and can reduce the natural "scrub" of the landscape. Minnesota has a thriving blueberry industry but with pollution -- there will be inevitable crop declines because pollution and changes in water flow will harm the plants and pollution will effect the numbers of bees. Bees... like natural environments which is free of chemicals. Pollution of this sort will also effect other crops including Christmas trees. Blueberries of the Minnesota region offer a distinct flavor that is beneficial for cooking and baking. It is also one of the healthiest of all foods. Destruction of the soil and their water habitats could do great harm and they may never recover.

Read more: A Sticky Situation for Pollinators: Minnesota DNR

Rufus Isaacs Explains Bees and Blueberries

Considering the reduction in bee colonies -- it is pretty good assumption that sulfide mining is not gonna help this! Water loss and changes in water flow will not either!

Tourism vs. Mining: Which Will the Great Lakes Region Choose for its Economic Future?

The disaster at Massey’s West Virginia Upper Big Branch mine is an example of unenforced regulations. Reports now show that safety inspectors were not given access to the mines that took the lives of 29 miners when it collapsed last April......

"They disrupt the hydrologic regime underground and the groundwater flows differently than it did before. When you raise the pH, you create a different set of problems chemically and water quality-wise. It is better, but they are not going to be able to create a situation where there are no adverse effects to the groundwater and water quality." Oh, there goes the blueberry crop!

Read more here.

State board gets potential stake in PolyMet mining project

Eveleth, Minn. — A state agency could become part owner of a controversial copper-nickel mine proposed in northern Minnesota. Read more here..

Olfactory Maternal Exposure to Both Metals & Chemicals Enhance Neurotoxic Effect in Fetus~!

Maternal exposure to PAHs by nose-only has a negative effect on the fetus. There is a potentiating effect between PAHs and metals. Metals can alter the binding of Sp1 and in this study, we also see that PAHs disturb Sp1 and may contribute to neurotoxicity in utero.

Darryl. MODULATION IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION PROFILE OF Sp1 SUBSEQUENT TO TRANSPLACENTAL EXPOSURE OF FETAL RATS TO DESORBED BENZO[a]PYRENE FOLLOWING MATERNAL INHALATION. Inhalation Toxicology 12, 511-535 (2010). URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/089583700402897. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8425830

For more on the topic of how metals and pollution contribute to environmental disease...see:
*Greenhouse Gases and Environmental Illness
*Toxins and Their Effects on Bones and Development  

Cravaack says he'll push for two new mines

Republican Rep.-elect Chip Cravaack said Monday that he will push to open two new precious metals mines in northeastern Minnesota as he prepares to take office after unseating 18-term Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar.

Read at this link....Cravaack says he'll push for two new mines


Learn more about the hazards and health effects of mining and toxic environments many that are ignored by those that endorse and are in support of mining policies here.....http://www.heirs-online.com/

Greenhouse Gases and Their Effects on Environmental Illness and Immunity~!

Greenhouse Gases and Their Effects on Environmental Illness and Immunity~!

Proteins in Bone Health, Development and Disease in Environmental Illness

Proteins in Bone Health, Development and Disease in Environmental Illness

The U licenses technology that may reduce chemicals used in mining

The University of Minnesota announced Thursday it has licensed technology to a start-up that may reduce toxic waste emissions from copper mines.  Read more

EPA's Climate Change Requirements Grow: Underground Coal Mines Added to List July 6, 2010

Some underground coal mine operators already saddled with copious amounts of paperwork will soon be required to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Read more about requirements for those underground,,,,

Read more: EPA's Climate Change Requirements Grow: Underground Coal Mines Added to List July 6, 2010

Region's coal mining past takes toll on air quality, study says

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region has the 11th highest death rate in the country from air pollutants emitted by power plants that burn coal, according to a new study.

Read more here...

Co-exposure to mercury increases immunotoxicity of trichloroethylene.

" TCE can promote autoimmune disease following chronic exposure, a shorter exposure to a binary mixture of TCE and HgCl2 accelerated disease development. Co-exposure to TCE and HgCl2 also generated a unique liver-specific antibody response not found in mice exposed to a single toxicant."


Gilbert, K. M., Rowley, B., Gomez-Acevedo, H. & Blossom, S. J. Co-exposure to mercury increases immunotoxicity of trichloroethylene. Toxicological Sciences URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfq345.

Preliminary Study Suggest PCB, Lead, and Mercury Associated with Liver Disease

Preliminary studies suggest that PCB, lead, and mercury exposures may increase the risk of NAFLD, and recommend additional studies to confirm these associations."

CiteULike: Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Lead, and Mercury Are Associated with Liver Disease in American Adults: NHANES 2003-2004.:

Study Suggests Water Pollution Associated With Antibiotic Gene Resistance~!

"results suggest that pollution has increased background AR levels in a setting where other causes of AR are less prevalent."

CiteULike: Antibiotic Resistance Gene Abundances Associated with Waste Discharges to the Almendares River near Havana, Cuba.:

Effect of selected heavy metals on the histopathology of different tissues of earthworm Eudrillus eugeniae.

"In general, earthworms can be used as biomarkers in toxicity studies related to heavy metals at cellular levels."

Read more: CiteULike: Effect of selected heavy metals on the histopathology of different tissues of earthworm Eudrillus eugeniae.:

Tiny Green Bubble • Wild Rice Fields of Minnesota Threatened by Increasing Pollution

"Anderson points to research from the DNR that relates a spike in sulfates in the St. Louis River at the point where it passes south of the mines, collecting water from tributaries near the mines. Said Anderson, “Above the Partridge River, the river’s choked with wild rice and, of course, flocks of ducks that go with it. When you get to the Partridge River … the end of wild rice. That’s when the first mining-impacted water hits the St. Louis River.”"

Read more: Tiny Green Bubble • Wild Rice Fields of Minnesota Threatened by Increasing Pollution:

Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dibenzothiophenes in wetland sediments and aquatic insects in the oil sands area of northeastern Alberta, Canada.

CiteULike: Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dibenzothiophenes in wetland sediments and aquatic insects in the oil sands area of northeastern Alberta, Canada.: "Wayland, M., Headley, J. V., Peru, K. M., Crosley, R., and Brownlee, B. G. (2008). Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dibenzothiophenes in wetland sediments and aquatic insects in the oil sands area of northeastern Alberta, Canada. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 136(1-3):167-182."

Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the urine of mining workers occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust.

CiteULike: Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the urine of mining workers occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust.: "excreted amounts of aromatic amines found as metabolites of the nitro-arenes were about 5- to 10-fold higher as one might expect from the levels determined by personal air sampling at the workplace of the individuals."

Seidel, A., Dahmann, D., Krekeler, H., and Jacob, J. (2002). Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the urine of mining workers occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust. International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 204(5-6):333-338. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8365603

HSolvents, PAHs and BDNF as a Modulator of TrkB, Anxiety and Nrf2~!

Health and Environmental Illness Research Blog: Solvents, PAHs and BDNF as a Modulator of TrkB, Anxiety and Nrf2~!: "Solvents, PAHs and BDNF as a Modulator of TrkB, Anxiety and Nrf2~!"

Research suggests mercury linked to dementia

"New research by Northeastern University professor Richard Deth and academic colleagues in Germany suggests that long-term exposure to mercury may produce Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in people"

Read more: Research suggests mercury linked to dementia:

Comment: This is also the same researcher that has provided research that heavy metals contributes to autistic behaviors.

Deth, R. and Waly, M. Effects of Mercury on Methionine Synthase: Implications for Disordered Methylation in Autism. Autism Research Institute. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/6536181

Culley, D. J., Raghavan, S. V., Waly, M., Baxter, M. G., Yukhananov, R., Deth, R. C., and Crosby, G. (2007). Nitrous Oxide Decreases Cortical Methionine Synthase Transiently but Produces Lasting Memory Impairment in Aged Rats. Anesth Analg, 105(1):83-88. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/6557028

USGS studies causes and effects of mercury moving through the environment - Topeka watershed | Examiner.com

"A new report by USGS examines 5-years worth of data on mercury in Indiana fish and waters. The biggest curve ball that we all should have seen coming....water coming out of reservoirs has higher levels of mercury"

Read more: USGS studies causes and effects of mercury moving through the environment - Topeka watershed Examiner.com:

Major Public Health Risks of Metallic Sulfide Mining~!

"The most dangerous substances likely to be found at the NorthMet site as a result of mining are mercury (methylmercury), sulfuric acid, and the heavy metals of arsenic, copper, lead, and manganese."

Read more: Welcome to the Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness web site:

A biomarker of mercury body-burden correlated with diagnostic domain specific clinical symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.

"results show an association between the apparent level of mercury toxicity as measured by recognized urinary porphyrin biomarkers of mercury toxicity and the magnitude of the specific hallmark features of autism as assessed by ATEC."

Read more: CiteULike: A biomarker of mercury body-burden correlated with diagnostic domain specific clinical symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.:

Elevated plasma cytokines in autism spectrum disorders provide evidence of immune dysfunction and are associated with impaired behavioral outcome.

"we report significantly shifted cytokine profiles in ASD. These findings suggest that ongoing inflammatory responses may be linked to disturbances in behavior and require confirmation in larger replication studies."

Read more: CiteULike: Elevated plasma cytokines in autism spectrum disorders provide evidence of immune dysfunction and are associated with impaired behavioral outcome.:

The Severity of Autism Is Associated with Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels

"significant correlations of severity of autism and the urinary excretion of toxic metals, such that a higher body burden of toxic metals was associated with more severe autistic symptoms"

Read more: The Severity of Autism Is Associated with Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels:

Adams, J. B., Baral, M., Geis, E., Mitchell, J., Ingram, J., Hensley, A., Zappia, I., Newmark, S., Gehn, E., Rubin, R. A., Mitchell, K., Bradstreet, J., and El-Dahr, J. M. (2009). The Severity of Autism Is Associated with Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels. Journal of Toxicology, 2009. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8357229

 

 

Nrf2/INrf2 (Keap1) Signaling in Oxidative Stress and Cellular Protection

Pathways SABiosciences: "Nrf2-/- mice are prone to acute damages induced by acetaminophen, ovalbumin, cigarette smoke, pentachlorophenol and 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide [62-68]."

Sulfide Mines, Meth Labs and Heavy Metals == Why Would You?

What heavy metal poisoning and other toxic pollutants produced from meth labs and toxic environments like sulfide mines feels likes -- it feels like your muscles and skin is on fire -- it hurts and hurts--- and then your muscles and brain stops functions or does not work. I have been there and have lived it  and continue to live it every day of my life....

Oh, yes, and then there is the threat of cancer, lung disease and infertility..and the development of sensiivity to pollutants that are considered "normal" in the regular environment....Why in the world would you want this in your town?

Minnesota: Mercury and coal - SourceWatch

"In February 2009, the MPCA released a study showing that methylmercury levels in large Minnesota fish including northern pike and walleye had increased unexpectedly. Mercury levels had declined by 37 percent between 1982 and the mid-1990s, but have since increased by 15 percent. The analysis, which was based on tissue samples from fish collected from over 800 state lakes, concerns scientists because the mercury is toxic to humans and wildlife. The agency said that a local source of mercury is not likely to be responsible. Instead, mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants outside the state and factors related to global climate change are probably to blame."

Mercury and coal - SourceWatch:

Report from 2003- Mercury Release in Minnesota's Iron Industry from Taconite~!

"Mercury (Hg) release is intrinsically linked to the firing of pellets, airborne Hg emissions from Minnesota’s iron industry effectively began with taconite processing in 1949...."
Average mercury concentration in NE Minnesota precipitation is higher than dissolved mercury in most streams and lakes, underscoring the importance of sedimentation and uptake by soils and vegetation in regional mercury cycles. Atmospheric deposition of mercury from precipitation appears to be increasing or holding steady since 1990 despite large reductions in Minnesota’s statewide emission rates. Lake sediment records indicate that mercury is being delivered to lakes at rates much greater now than in pre-industrial times, but some lakes reveal recent declines.


Berndt, M. E. (2003). Mercury and Mining in Minnesota.
http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8356901
files.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/mercuryandmining.pdf

Mining Pollution: Hazardous Pollution Created by Mining Activities

"Coal, various metals and other subterranean materials are mined because they are valuable to the economy and they are depended on for every day living. Mining these materials, however, has led to the pollution of the environment. In some cases, the hazards associated with this pollution is mitigated and the impact is minimum."

Read more: Mining Pollution: Hazardous Pollution Created by Mining Activities:

What's old is new again — High Country News

What's old is new again — High Country News: "Two stories about mining projects in California that crossed my path last week remind me that some narratives just don't seem to go away"

EPA Gold Mining Regulations Webinar Held May 25

"On Tuesday, May 25, 2010, EPA held a webinar to discuss the proposed national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants at gold ore processing and production facilities. EPA has identified these facilities and similar mineral processing facilities to be the 6th largest source of mercury emissions in the United States."

Read more: EPA Gold Mining Regulations Webinar Held May 25:

Birds Are Becoming Gay From Mercury Pollution, According To New Study On White Ibis Breeding

"According to Nature.com, coal-fired plants and gold mining are the main sources of global mercury pollution, though the burning of medical and municipal waste is likely the prime culprit in Florida, ingested by the wetlands birds through their food sources."

Read more: Birds Are Becoming Gay From Mercury Pollution, According To New Study On White Ibis Breeding:

Arsenic in Newly Discovered Life Form Produced at High Levels in Mine Drainage~!

Researchers are about to make a public announcement of a new life form that has been found in Mono Lake in California. This is a poisonous lake that is found at the base of Yosemite that contains significant amounts of arsenic -- a metal that is essentially toxic to humans in anything but very small amounts. These new findings have set the scientific community abuz because its discovery will alter the thinking of the origins of life. In the case of this new life form one of the six elements that generally make up life forms as we have previously known it has been replaced by arsenic which brings up an important issue about pollution. How are the activities of man which produces areas where heavy metals become elevated than is commonly found in nature influencing life and the "evolution" of it? Earlier last week, I posted that heavy metals increase the potential for bacterial resistance which is an important consideration for public health. Now, one must also consider in relation to this discovery that heavy metals could play an important role in the creation of this new life form and therefore, potentiation of the "evolution" of life becomes an important issue to consider from heavy metal pollution.  Personally, I am not sure we have the "technology" yet to adequately face this "demon".

Several weeks ago, I noted how sulfide mining can produce environments similar to what biologists call "hot spots" where environmental factors are in place that force "adaptive changes" in organisms. In this case, sulfide mining could be comparable to a "small" Yosemite and poisonous Mono Lake. On the other hand, sulfide mining is different because while Mono Lake is considered "contained" --no one can predict how far the pollution from acid mine drainage will spread by water or by air during evaporation.

While some scientists may be excited by the discovery of a new life form -- it also raises the issue of concern for adaptive biologists, anthropologists and public health workers because most organisms on earth may not be able to effectively "adaptive" to the existence of these kinds of "new organisms"!

As Dorothy might have said in the classic movie Wizard of Oz,,,,,"Toto, I want to go back to Kansas! Things seemed ordinary and familiar there!"

Cheng, H., Hu, Y., Luo, J., Xu, B., and Zhao, J. (2009). Geochemical processes controlling fate and transport of arsenic in acid mine drainage (AMD) and natural systems. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 165(1-3):13-26. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8352070

National Resource Defense Counsil. Arsenc in Drinking Water. http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qarsenic.asp

"Life as we don't know it' discovery could prove existence of aliens. Richard Alleyne. The Telegraph. December 3, 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/8174040/Life-as-we-dont-know-it-discovery-could-prove-existence-of-aliens.html

NASA find New Life Form. Jesus Diaz. Wired Science. http://networkedblogs.com/bmZS7

Those with Nrf2 Deficiency May Be More At Risk from Potential Changes in Minnesota Manganese Laws!

I hope the health department looks at the consequences of changes like these considering the new research on the health effects of toxic metals. Especially that certain polymorphisms in this system and the genes it regulates may put people and animals more at risk for permanent health effects including neurological and cognitive impairment that may be permanent and can be passed on to future generations. Since polymorphisms exist in populations and their descendants in Minnesota -- I hope the health department understands the consequences related to environmental justice issue considering in addtion to population factors, the economic and environmental factors related to where the sulfide mines are being proposed.  "The Nrf2 antioxidant system may play a role in protection against manganese toxicity. It is expected that the PolyMet mine will leach manganese from tailings."

"This may be hard to understand, but just as the pressure builds to permit sulfide mining and processing, the Minnesota Health Department is proposing to repeal the Health Risk Limits that protect Minnesota drinking water from overly high levels of manganese contamination."

Will Minnesota Lose Protection from Manganese Pollution in Drinking Water? | Just Change Law:

Source#2: Li, H., Wu, S., Shi, N., Lin, W., You, J., and Zhou, W. (2010). NF-E2-related factor 2 activation in PC12 cells: its protective role in manganese-induced damage. Archives of toxicology, pages 1-10. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/8337080

Health and Environmental Illness Research Blog: Elevated Levels of Ammonia Impair the NO/cGMP Through Alterations of Cellular Transporters~!

Health and Environmental Illness Research Blog: Elevated Levels of Ammonia Impair the NO/cGMP Through Alterations of Cellular Transporters~!: "Elevated Levels of Ammonia Impair the NO/cGMP Through Alterations of Cellular Transporters~!"