2. Are we Decreasing our Survival? Behavioral and Physical traits from Animals to Humans and the Chemicals that Bind them Science for Environmental Lawyers Fall 2001 Jessica Rutell Pace University School of Law November 29, 2001

3. NEUROTOXICITY Negative effects a chemical has on an organism's nerve cells, which in turn can threaten the entire nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves). Neurotoxins cause behavioral changes in the organisms they come into contact with.

4. EXPERIMENT Carbaryl=naphthyl methylcarbamate C 12 H 11 NO 2

5. EXPERIMENT Cadmium Cd Obtained as a by-product of zinc refining. Used in nickel-cadmium batteries. Also in electroplating steel and in the manufacture of berrings. Its compounds are found in paint pigments and in fungicides.

6. What will Scientists look at to see if these chemicals are neurotoxic to the rainbow trout? Neurochemical endpoints in the organisms' brains to detect cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition. Swimming Speed

7. CHOLINESTERASE Enzyme=complex protein catalyzes specific biochemical reactions in body Acetylcholine (ACh) Acetyl Choline

8. TEST Carbaryl No carbaryl 188 microgram/L 375 microgram/L 750 microgram/L a.) 24 hr exposure b.)48 hr recovery in clean water c.) swimming speed recorded for 2 min. Cadmium No cadmium 2.5 microgram/L 5.0 microgram/L 96 hr exposure fish sampled fish euthanized

9. TEST The brains of ten fish were removed and iced. The brain tissue was then homogenized by using a Tissuemizer and a sample was taken from this blend and frozen.

10. RESULTS Cholinesterase Activity (μM/min/g) Carbaryl Concentration (μg/L) Cadmium Concentration (μg/L)

11. SWIMMING SPEED RESULTS

12. EFFECTS

13. CORRELATION FOUND Neurotoxicity and behavior to carbaryl in rainbow trout=YES Neurotoxicity and behavior to cadmium in rainbow trout=NO

14. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!