The preventive effects of sodium molybdate on the acute toxicity of lead were studied by investigating tissue accumulation of lead, changes of nerve conduction velocity and concentrations of metabolites related to function of sciatic nerve in rats treated with lead, sodium molybdate and both, respectively. In lead-intoxicated rat, the conduction velocity, myo-inositol concentration and Na+/K+ ATPase activity of sciatic nerve were decreased by about 33 %, 48 % and 58 %, respectively. However, sodium molybdate treatment significantly normalized the conduction velocity, Na+/K+ ATPase activity and myo-inositol concentration of sciatic nerve in lead-intoxicated rat. Also, sodium molybdate treatment decreased the contents of lead in blood and sciatic nerve through promotion of urinary excretion of lead. But sodium molybdate treatment did not affect the glucose concentration in sciatic nerve. These results suggest that sodium molybdate prevented peripheral neuropathy not only by reducing lead contents in sciatic nerve and blood, but also by enhancing Na+/K+ ATPase activity in sciatic nerve.

Environmental problems emerged as common global problems awaiting solution. Active collaborative efforts are required of nations and communities in order to solve environmental problems effectively. International collaboration occurs much more commonly these days than before, and European Community(EC) mumber countries are no exceptions. EC has established and executed the five-year programs on Environmental Policy Implementation, which explicated basic principles for environmental policy development, since 1973. EC programs tend to emphasize that the direction of the policies should reflect a change from a remedial approach to a preventive approach. Those programs have brought an awareness of the importance of Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) to EC member countries. France installed an EIA system in 1976, which was the first among member countries. Several other member countries also established a system. EC decided that a common guideline was necessary, and therefore formulated the "European Community Guideline for Environmental Impact Assessment" in 1985. All member countries were required to legislate an EIA system within three years, according to the Guideline. This study will conduct a comparative analysis of the current EIA systems of different EC member countries. The findings of this study will provide helpful information on how to improve the efficacy of the Korean system.

The effects of reaction temperature, SO_2 and CO_2 concentration in an air gas stream, particle sizes of limestone on the reactivity and capacity of SO_2 removal have been determined in a thermogravimetric analyser(TGA). The apparent reaction order of sulfation reaction of pre-calcined lime(CaO) with respect to SO_2 is found to be close to unity. The apparent activation energies are found to be 17,000 ㎉/kmol for sulfation of pre-calcined lime and 19,500 ㎉/kmol for direct sulfation of limestone(CaCO_3). The initial sulfation reaction rate of pre-calcined lime increases with increasing temperature, whereas the sulfur capture capacity exhibits a maximum value at 900℃. In direct sulfation of limestone, sulfation reactivity and sulfur capature capacity of sorbent increase with increasing temperature and decreasing CO_2 concentration in a gas bulk stream. The main pore of pre-calcined lime is shifted to the larger pore sizes and pore volume decreases with increasing sulfation time and temperature. The surface area of lime decreases with increasing calcination temperature under an air atmosphere, whereas is rearly constant under a CO_2(5, 10%) atmosphere in a gas stream.