Vijay K Bhatnagar

Publications of Vijay K Bhatnagar

• Repeated episodes of endosulfan poisoning.

  Authors: Aruna Dewan, Vijay K Bhatnagar, Murli L Mathur, Tapas Chakma, Rekha Kashyap, Harsiddha G Sadhu, Sukesh N Sinha, Habibullah N Saiyed

  Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology. 02/2004; 42(4):363-9.

  INTRODUCTION: A number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of thisINTRODUCTION: A number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause of the illness. METHODS: The investigation included a house-to-house survey, interviews of affected families, discussions with treating physicians, and examination of hospital records. Endosulfan poisoning was suspected as many villagers were using empty pesticide containers for food storage. To confirm this, our team collected blood and food samples, which were transported to the laboratory and analyzed with GC-ECD. RESULTS: Thirty-six persons of all age groups had illness of varying severity over a period of three weeks. In the first week, due to superstitions and lack of treatment, three children died. In the second week, symptomatic treatment of affected persons in a district hospital led to recovery but recurrence of convulsive episodes occurred after the return home. In the third week, 10 people were again hospitalized in a teaching hospital. Investigations carried out in this hospital ruled out infective etiology but no facilities were available for chemical analysis. All persons responded to symptomatic treatment. The blood and food samples analyzed by our team showed presence of endosulfan, which was confirmed by GCMS. One of the food items (Laddu) prepared from wheat flour was found to contain 676 ppm of alpha-endosulfan. CONCLUSIONS: Contamination of wheat grains or flour with endosulfan and its consumption over a period of time was the most likely cause of repeated episodes of convulsions, but the exact reason for this contamination could not be determined. This report highlights the unsafe disposal of pesticide containers by illiterate farm workers, superstitions leading to delay in treatment, and susceptibility of children to endosulfan.

• Cotinine, thioether, and glucuronide excretion among active and passive bidi smokers in India.

  Authors: Sandip K Ghosh, Vijay K Bhatnagar, Pankaj B Doctor, Mahesh P Shah, Rajnikant J Amin, Pradip K Kulkarni

  Archives of environmental health. 07/2003; 58(6):368-72.

  The authors examined biomarkers for environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) from bidis (Indian cigarettes) among male smokers, their nonsmoking female family members (passive smokers), and anThe authors examined biomarkers for environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) from bidis (Indian cigarettes) among male smokers, their nonsmoking female family members (passive smokers), and an unexposed control group (N = 66). The 3 parameters used to determine the magnitude of exposure were cotinine (a tobacco-specific alkaloid indicating nicotine exposure) and thioethers and glucuronides (indicators of electrophilic burden). Urinary excretion of cotinine was significantly higher among active smokers (4.30 +/- 1.18), compared with passive smokers (wives = 1.76 +/- 0.50; daughters = 0.50 +/- 0.26). Similar trends were noted for thioethers and glucuronides. The authors found that cotinine and glucuronide levels were correlated significantly with exposure to ETS among both active and passive bidi smokers.

• Integrated pest management and residue levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in water samples from rural areas in Gujarat State, India.

  Authors: Rekha Kashyap, Vijay K Bhatnagar, Habibullah N Saiyed

  Archives of environmental health. 57(4):337-9.

  The authors identified 2 rural areas for study in Gujarat State, India, on the basis of pesticide use in agriculture and vector-control programs. In rural area 1, pesticides were used in bothThe authors identified 2 rural areas for study in Gujarat State, India, on the basis of pesticide use in agriculture and vector-control programs. In rural area 1, pesticides were used in both agriculture and vector-control programs, whereas in rural area 2, they were used in agriculture only. Water samples were collected from both areas, and they were analyzed for total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) residues. The mean residue levels of total DDT in rural areas 1 and 2 were 7.56 ng/l and 4.27 ng/l, respectively. The corresponding values for HCH were 6.96 ng/l and 5.53 ng/l, respectively. Residue levels of both pesticides were significantly lower in rural area 2 than in area 1.