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The shrimp grounds of Surinam are actually fully exploited by some 136 trawlers of the Florida type, ranging from 100 to 130 GRT. Through export and import levies and fishing licence fees the country was able to obtain a small piece of the foreign currency cake. The Republic of Surinam has been looking for means to increase the benefits from its shrimp business. The alleged huge profits made by foreign vessels inspired the country to invest in a national shrimp fleet and man it with national crew (SUGAM). For reasons explained in the text Sugam has difficultes to operate with a gain. This paper will review Sugam's attempt to earn hard currency. An analysis is made of the foreign exchange earnings of Sugam and is compared with the results of a Korean company. The main conclusions are as follows : shrimp exploitation in a fully exploited Exclusive Economic Zone can only be brought to success by fishermen of proven ability. Each vessel should make trips lasting from 45 to 60 days and be some 280 days at sea per year. Surinam should also reconsider its present policy of shrimp purchasing.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the link between chronic exposure to particulate matter (PM), especially particles with an aerodynamic diameter lesser than 2.5 µm (PM), and lung cancer. Mechanistic investigations focus on the contribution of the various genotoxicants adsorbed onto the particles, and more particularly on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or nitroaromatics. Most of the previous studies dealing with genotoxic and/or mutagenic measurements were performed on organic extracts obtained from PM collected in polluted areas. In contrast, we have evaluated genotoxic and mutagenic properties of urbano-industrial PM (PM) collected in Dunkerque (France). Thermally desorbed PM (dPM) was also comparatively studied. Suspensions of PM and dPM (5-50 µg per plate) were tested in Salmonella tester strains TA98, TA102 and YG1041 ± S9mix. Significant mutagenicity was observed for PM in YG1041 ± S9 mix. In strain TA102 - S9mix, a slight, but not significant dose-response increase was observed, for both PM and dPM. Genotoxic properties of PM and dPM were evaluated by the measurement of (1) 8-OHdG in A549 cells and (2) bulky DNA adducts on A549 cells and on human alveolar macrophages (AMs) in primary culture. A dose-dependant formation of 8-OHdG adducts was observed on A549 cells for PM and dPM, probably mainly attributed to the core of the particles. Bulky DNA adducts were observed only in AMs after exposure to PM and dPM. In conclusion, using relevant exposure models, suspension of PM induces a combination of DNA-interaction mechanisms, which could contribute to the induction of lung cancer in exposed populations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Genotoxic and mutagenic properties of suspensions of PM (PM) collected in Dunkerque (France) were evaluated together with their thermally desorbed counterpart (dPM). Significant mutagenicity was observed for PM only in Salmonella tester strains YG1041 ± S9 mix. For PM and dPM, a slight dose-response increase was observed in strain TA102 - S9mix. PM and dPM induced 8-OHdG adducts formation on A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, together with bulky DNA adducts on human alveolar macrophages in primary culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate for an association between population mixing and the occurrence of leukaemia in young people (less than 25 years), a geographical study was conducted, for the years 1979 to 1998, in Nord Cotentin (France). This area experienced between the years 1978 and 1992 a major influx of workers for the construction of a nuclear power station and a new nuclear waste reprocessing unit. A population mixing index was defined on the basis of the number of workers born outside the French department of 'La Manche' and living in each 'commune', the basic geographical unit under study. The analyses were done with indirect standardisation and Poisson regression model allowing or not for extra-Poisson variation. Urban 'communes' were considered as the reference population. The Incidence Rate Ratio was 2.7 in rural 'communes' belonging to the highest tertile of population mixing (95% Bayesian credible interval, 95%BCI=1.2-5.9). A positive trend was observed among rural strata with increasing population mixing index (IRR for trend=1.4, 95%BCI=1.1-1.8). The risk became stronger for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in children 1-6 years old in the highest tertile of population mixing (IRR=5.5, 95%BCI=1.4-23.3). These findings provide further support for a possible infective basis of childhood leukaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data from several Western countries suggest a rapid increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, as well as variations in the sex ratio and the subsite distribution of oesophageal cancer. Although France has a high incidence rate of oesophageal cancer in males, no information was available on trends in its occurrence. The purpose of this study was to report changes in the pattern of oesophageal cancer incidence in three regions of France.Methods: Data from the three population-based cancer registries of Calvados, Côte d'Or and Haute-Garonne were used to study time trends of oesophageal cancer by sex, age, subsite and histological type between 1978 and 1987. Annual incidence rates have been standardized by the direct method using the world standard population. To test the trend in cancer incidence, either an exponential curve of the form y = aekt was fitted to the annual incidence rates by means of a regression technique, or incidence rates were compared between two 5-year periods after age standardization by Mantel-Haenszel test.Results: The mean annual variation of oesophageal cancer in males was -2.9% in Calvados (P < 0.05), + 0.5% in Côte d'Or (NS) and + 12.4% in Haute-Garonne (P < 0.05). The corresponding figures in females were + 7.9% (NS), + 19.6% (P < 0.05) and + 50.7% (NS). The significant variations in males (decrease in Calvados and increase in Haute-Garonne) were confined to the oldest age group (> or = 65 years). With regard to subsite, incidence in males increased in Haute-Garonne for the upper and the middle third, while there was a significant decrease in Calvados only for the middle third. For histological type, no increase in adenocarcinoma was noticed in males while there was a slight increase in incidence in females (statistically significant in Calvados).Conclusions: In France, the incidence of oesophageal cancer has decreased in the high-risk region (Calvados) in males, while there was a slight increase in the three studied regions in females. The important rise in incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinomas observed in some Western countries has yet to be seen in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel exhausts are partly responsible for the deleterious effects on human health associated with urban pollution, including cardiovascular diseases, asthma, COPD, and possibly lung cancer. Particulate fraction has been incriminated and thus largely investigated for its genotoxic properties, based on exposure conditions that are, however, not relevant for human risk assessment. In this paper, original and more realistic protocols were used to investigate the hazards induced by exhausts emitted by the combustion of standard (DF0) vs . bio-diesel fuels (DF7 and DF30) and to assess the impact of exhaust treatment devices (DOC and DPF). Mutagenicity and genotoxicity were evaluated for (1) resuspended particles (“off line” exposure that takes into account the bioavailability of adsorbed chemicals) and for (2) the whole aerosols (particles + gas phase components) under continuous flow exposure (“on line” exposure). Native particles displayed mutagenic properties associated with nitroaromatic profiles (YG1041), whereas PAHs did not seem to be involved. After DOC treatment, the mutagenicity of particles was fully abolished. In contrast, the level of particle deposition was low under continuous flow exposure, and the observed mutagenicity in TA98 and TA102 was thus attributable to the gas phase. A bactericidal effect was also observed in TA102 after DOC treatment, and a weak but significant mutagenicity persisted after DPF treatment for bio-diesel fuels. No formation of bulky DNA-adducts was observed on A549 cells exposed to diesel exhaust, even in very drastic conditions (organic extracts corresponding to 500 μg equivalent particule/mL, 48 h exposure). Taken together, these data indicate that the exhausts issued from the bio-diesel fuels supplemented with rapseed methyl ester (RME), and generated by current diesel engines equipped with after treatment devices are less mutagenic than older ones. The residual mutagenicity is linked to the gas phase and could be due to pro-oxydants, mainly for RME-supplemented fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to characterize the genotoxicity in the Seine estuary and Seine bay, chemical and toxicological analyses were performed on 17 sediments collected in June 2001 and June 2003. Many potent mutagenic and/or carcinogenic compounds – including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and metals – were detected. Those compounds were found to be at relatively high concentrations in the upper part of the Seine estuary but were barely detectable at sites outside the plume from the Seine. The levels of pollution did not vary significantly between the two sampling periods, except that PAH concentrations in sediments collected at Oissel and Le Havre showed a marked increase in June 2003. The toxicity of organic extracts from sediments was evaluated by both embryotoxicity and in vitro genotoxicity (SOS Chromotest) assays. Organic extracts from sediments taken from the Seine estuary appeared significantly more embryotoxic than those from the Seine bay. In addition, the sediment extracts from the upper part of the Seine estuary exhibited higher genotoxicity than those from the lower part, and no genotoxicity was reported for sediments from the Seine bay. The genotoxic activity was detected only after adding an S9 microsomal fraction, suggesting the preponderant involvement of pro-genotoxic organic compounds. In addition, SOS Chromotest responses obtained with purified organic fractions revealed that PAH and, to a lesser extent, unknown polar organic compounds were probably responsible for this genotoxicity. Altogether, these results suggest that sediments from the upper Seine estuary are genotoxic and embryotoxic, and therefore, could be potentially hazardous for species living or feeding in the area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine PAH accumulation and bulky DNA adduct formation in the digestive gland of zebra mussels exposed in their habitat or in controlled laboratory conditions to complex mixture of PAH. DNA adducts were measured using a 32P-postlabelling protocol with nuclease P1 enrichment adapted from Reddy and Randerath [Reddy, M.V., Randerath, K., 1986. Nuclease P1-mediated enhancement of sensitivity of 32P-postlabelling test for structurally diverse DNA adducts. Carcinogenesis 7, 1543–1551]. Specimens collected in the upper part of the Seine estuary were shown to accumulate higher levels of PAH (up to 1.6μgg−1 dry weight) in comparison to individuals from the reference site (0.053μgg−1 dry weight). The former exhibited elevated levels of DNA adducts (up to 4.0/108 nucleotides) and higher diversity of individual adducts with five distinct spots being specifically detected in individuals originating from the Seine estuary. Zebra mussels exposed for 5 days to 0.01% (v/v) of organic extract of sediment from the Seine estuary were shown to accumulate high amounts of PAH (up to 138μgg−1 dry weight) but exhibited relatively low levels of DNA adducts. Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene led to a dose-dependent accumulation of B[a]P (up to 7063μgg−1 dry weight) and a clear induction of DNA adduct formation in the digestive gland of mussels (up to 1.13/108 nucleotides). Comparisons with other bivalves exposed to the same model PAH, revealed similar levels of adducts and comparable adduct profiles with a main adduct spot and a second faint one. This study clearly demonstrated that zebra mussels are able to biotransform B[a]P and probably other PAH into reactive metabolites with DNA-binding activity. This work also demonstrated the applicability of the nuclease P1 enhanced 32P-postlabelling method for bulky adduct detection in the digestive gland of zebra mussels. DNA adduct measurement in zebra mussels could be a suitable biomarker to monitor PAH-exposure and evaluate genotoxicity in fresh water ecosystems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to investigate genotoxicant accumulation and biological responses of zebra mussels and blue mussels collected along a pollution gradient in the Seine estuary and in the Seine Bay. The sampling area included three contaminated and one reference sites for each species. The study focused on polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), lindane, polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and metals known to be potential genotoxicants and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducers. Enzymatic activities related to cellular defence systems including the phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and three antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathion peroxydase (GPx) were measured in gills. DNA adducts and DNA strand breaks (Comet assay) were measured in digestive gland and hemocytes, respectively. Species differences were observed in metal accumulation (As and Pb), GPx activity and DNA adduct formation. A marked upstream–downstream gradient was reported for PAH body burden and to a lesser extent for PCB and metals with the highest values measured just downstream the industrialized area of Rouen. GST and SOD activities in gills of bivalves were positively related to PAH and metals body burden, respectively. Activation of those cellular defences may prevent accumulation of electrophilic metabolites and free radicals and thus may protect DNA and others macromolecules against oxidation and adduction. Although DNA strand breaks and bulky adducts were detected in both species, levels were relatively low and no significant site differences were observed in June 2003. Our results indicate a clear relationship between genotoxicant accumulation and positive activation of detoxification and antioxidant systems but poor consequences in term of DNA damage for wild population of mussels inhabiting the Seine estuary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]