Meltem Çöl

Environmental boron contamination in waters of Hisarcik area in the Kutahya Province of Turkey.

Our aim was to determine boron levels in waters of rich boron mine areas in Turkey. There is a naturally occurring high level of boron in the ground waters of some parts of Turkey. Our study area is Hisarcik village in the Kutahya Province of Turkey which has a large number of boron mines. Boron occurs in combined form, usually borax (Na2B4O7 x 10H2O) and colemanite (Ca2B6O11 x 5H2O). Water samples were collected from many springs in order to determine boron concentrations and the amount of boron that is exposed to 88 samples from the drinking water (tap water), 37 from ground water and 257 from stream or pond water (surface water). Urine samples taken from 42 residents in this area were analyzed for boron and compared with its levels in drinking waters. The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) method was used for the analysis of boron concentrations. Water boron contents at differing locations of this area ranged from 2.05 to 29.00 mg B/l. Mean value of boron was 10.20+/-4.08 mg B/l. Total urinary boron excretion was ranged from 0.04 to 50.70 mg B/l and mean value was 8.30+/-10.91 mg B/l. Current information on sources, occurrence, pollution potential and toxicity of environmental boron is discussed.

Arsenic Concentrations in the Surface, Well, and Drinking Waters of the Hisarcik, Turkey, Area

ABSTRACT Arsenic is one of the most important water pollutants because of its carcinogenicity. The association between arsenical poisoning and the development of internal malignancies and skin cancer is well known. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) sets maximum contaminant level goals at zero for carcinogens. In this study are presented groundwater arsenic concentrations in the area of naturally rich boron sources of Turkey. Water samples were collected from the Hisarcik, Turkey, area, which has a large boron mine. An inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry method was used to analyze arsenic concentrations in water samples. The arsenic levels in water ranged from no detectable amounts to 3.00 mg As/L (mean: 0.46 ± 0.07SD). This mean As level exceeds by a factor of 10 the USEPAs current Maximum Contaminant Level of 0.05 mgAs/L. Some possible health problems associated with consumption of arsenic-contaminated water are discussed and public health interventions proposed.

Assessment of possible risk indicators for apical periodontitis in root-filled teeth in an adult Turkish population

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine possible independent risk indicators of apical periodontitis (AP) in root-filled teeth in an adult Turkish population. STUDY DESIGN This study included subjects older than 15 years who had 1 or more root-filled teeth examined at the Baskent University Faculty of Dentistry. A total of 812 root-filled teeth were evaluated in 425 individuals. AP was the dependent variable and age, gender, length and density of root fillings, presence of periodontal problems, posts, localization of tooth, and tooth type were identified as independent variables. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS AP was detected on 148 teeth (18.2%) in 812 root-filled teeth. According to multiple GEE model, males were more likely to have AP than females. Of the dental variables, length of root fillings, periodontal problems and tooth type were significantly associated with AP. CONCLUSIONS The present study indicates that to be male and dental variables including length of root fillings, periodontal problems, and molar teeth were significantly associated with AP.

Türkiye’de bor ve bileşiklerine maruz toplum kesimlerinde fertilite ve infertilite araştırması: 6. tüm bulgular

In this last article, part of a large-scale work to reveal health effects of boron exposure, findings of fertility-infertility states of subjects exposed to borates environmentally and/oroccupationally in a country with the world’s largest deposits aredescribed. The study covered all centers of borate production, namely, Bigadic county of Balikesir; Kestelek village of Mustafa Kemal Pasa county, Bursa; Emet and Hisarcik counties of Kutahya, and Kirka town, Seyidgazi of Eskisehir, an area nearly350 km long and 150 km wide. Drinking water piped out from springs and wells has boron concentrations 0.2 to 29 ppm(mgB/kg or mgB/l). Dust amount at work-sites was below permissible level of 10 mg/m3. The work, questionnaire-based,was realized in field as an observational one. Residents were visited at home and coffee houses in villages and public buildings in towns, and workers at facilities and ore pits without any selection. The inquiry was mainly concerned with marital state and childbearing properties of probands, and of other membersin the kindred.