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Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) episodes cause important economic impacts due to closure of shellfish production areas in order to protect human health. These closures, if are frequent and persistent, can seriously affect shellfish producers and the seafood industry, among others. In this study, we have developed an alternative processing method for bivalves with PSP content above the legal limit, which allows reducing toxicity to acceptable levels. A modification of the PSP detoxifying procedure stablished by Decision 96/77/EC of the European Union in Acanthocardia tuberculata, was developed and implemented for PSP elimination in other bivalves species. The procedure was applied to 6 batches of mussels, 2 batches of clams and 2 batches of scallops, achieving detoxification rates of around 85%. A viable industrial protocol which allows the transformation of a product at risk into a safe product was developed. Although a significant reduction was obtained, in a sample circa 9000 μg STX diHCl equiv/kg, the final toxin level in these highly toxic mussels did not fall below the European limit. The processing protocol described may be applied efficiently to mussels, clams and scallops and it may be a major solution to counteract the closure of shellfish harvesting areas, especially if persistent.

Introduction: Poisoning in children is a common and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Our environment is still not child-safe and the medications are not dispensed in a child-safe manner. The incidence of childhood poisoning in India varies from 0.3 to 7.6 percent. Poisoning accounts for 0.03% of mortality in infants, 0.16% in preschool age group and 0.37% of in five to fourteen year's age group as per the statistics projected by Government of India. The poisoning in paediatric age group includes obsolescent traditional poisons, the in fashion intoxications with recreational drugs as well as chronic exposure to industrial chemicals. The peak incidence of accidental overdoses is in the second year of life and 85% of accidental poisoning affect children under five years of age. Methodology: This is a prospective case controlled study done over a period of two years. The study was conducted in S C B Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha. Results: The poisoning constitutes 1.15% of total paediatric admissions. The commonest type of poisoning was due to Non-Medicaments (56 cases – 78.87%), out of which the commonest poisoning was due to hydrocarbons. Conclusion: Non medicament ingestions particularly kerosene still one of the very common toxic ingestion in children used in accidental poisoning cases.

WOS: 000471814000019 ; In this case report, acute methomyl poisoning in dogs is described by pathological and toxicological findings for the first time in Turkey. Five of the thirty stray dogs that were found dead within 1-2 days after eating the foodstuffs in an industrial area in Konya were necropsied. Grossly, undigested pieces of chicken meat with a mild insecticidal smell in stomach of all dogs were found and toxicological analysis by GC-MS revealed toxic levels of methomyl in the stomach contents (15.7-17.8 ppm) and, intestines, livers and kidneys (1.2-2.9 ppm) also. In addition, histopathologically degenerative and necrotic changes were observed in liver, brain, lung, kidneys and gastrointestinal system mucosa. Postmortem and histopathological examinations and toxicological analyses revealed that deaths were related to methomyl poisoning and it has been subsequently learned from the police officers and printed media that this poison had been deliberately infected to dog food for the purpose of theft committed in the industrial area. Publishing these intentional poisoning events, we have wanted to draw attention to that more serious measures and statutory regulations should be taken by governments about animal rights.