Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in children with asthma-relation between lead and cadmium, and cotinine concentrations in urine

Horizontal distribution and levels of heavy metals in the biggest snowstorm in a century in Shenyang, China

The horizontal distribution and levels of heavy metals in the biggest snowstorm in Shenyang since 1904 were investigated by analyzing 4 metals (As, Cd, Pb, and Cu) in a series of ultraclean samples collected from 17 sites distributed in different regions of the Shenyang area, China. The results showed that the concentrations of all the 4 heavy metals in snow from the industrial regions were high, up to 7.3 (As), 2.2 (Cd), 850.0 (Pb), and 0.197-20.2 (Cu) microg/kg, respectively. In the suburb, in contrast, their concentrations were not detected, except for As. Because of the long-term application of arsenical pesticides and herbicides, As was detected in the snow samples which collected on the farm. As, Cd, and Pb were also detected in the snow samples collected from the parks, the residential areas, and the commercial districts mainly by reason of human activities. In a sense, long-term industrial activities, traffic activities, coal combustion, and agricultural activities affected the horizontal distribution and levels of these heavy metals in snow differently. The data relating to the horizontal distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in the snow under extreme climatic conditions can provide with a unique snapshot of environmental pollution situation and behaviors in urban areas.

Urinary cadmium levels and tobacco smoke exposure in women age 20-69 years in the United States

Cadmium is a toxic, bioaccumulated heavy metal with a half-life of one to four decades in humans (CDC, 2005). Primary exposure sources include food and tobacco smoke. In our population-based study, a risk-factor interview was conducted as part of a breast cancer study for 251 randomly selected women living in Wisconsin (USA), aged 20-69 yr, and spot-urine specimens were also obtained. Urine collection kits were carefully designed to minimize trace element contamination during specimen collection and handling in each participant's home. Urine cadmium concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and creatinine levels and specific gravity were also determined. Statistically significant increasing creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium mean levels relative to smoking status (never, former, and current respectively) were observed. A difference in mean cadmium levels for nonsmokers who reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure during childhood or the recent past (approximately 2 yr prior to the interview) for exposure at home, at work, or in social settings compared to those who reported no exposure was not found.

Effects of environmental lead pollution, smoking, and smokeless tobacco (Maras powder) use on blood lead level

One hundred sixty-four adult male volunteers (29 controls [Group 1] and 135 combi drivers) enrolled in the study. The combi drivers were divided into three groups as nonusers of either Maras powder or cigarette (Group 2), smokers (Group 3), and users of Maras powder (Group 4). Blood lead levels (BLLs) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. BLL was detected as 2.8 +/- 2.3 microg/dL in Group 1 (n = 29); however, it was 3.5 +/- 1.6 microg/dL in Group 2 (n = 33), 3.8 +/- 2.4 microg/dL in Group 3 (n = 62), and 3.9 +/- 2.4 microg/dL in Group 4 (n = 40). BLL in Group 1 was found significantly lower than other groups (p < 0.05). The use of cigarette or Maras powder by the drivers did not give rise to a marked difference on the BLLs (p > 0.05). BLL of (combi) drivers was detected to be significantly higher than nondrivers; however, it was still under the hazardous level of 10 microg/dL announced by WHO. Although there are publications reporting that usage of tobacco increases the level of lead in blood, both smoking and use of Maras powder did not affect BLL markedly in our study.