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Diogo BS, Narayan A, Mansilha C, Marques JE, Flores D, Antunes SC. Phytotoxicity of coal waste elutriates (Douro Coalfield, North Portugal) in Lactuca sativa. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:107650-107660. [PMID: 37735332 PMCID: PMC10611624 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29868-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important mining areas in the Douro Carboniferous Basin is the Pejão Coalfield. In the summer of 2017, a wildfire promoted the ignition and self-burning some of the coal waste piles in the area and caused important environmental changes, promoting a new heterogenic pedological zonation. This study aims to assess the ecotoxicological effects of 25 soil elutriates from these different soil types in seed germination and individual (emergence, growth, and morphologic alterations) and subindividual parameters in Lactuca sativa. The different evaluated endpoints were differently affected regarding the soil elutriate revealing the high heterogeneity of soil characteristics. The presence of different potentially toxic elements (e.g., Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn) in soil elutriates, even in low concentrations, caused effects on L. sativa development. Unburned coal wastes and downhill soil elutriates were able to inhibit the germination of L. sativa and affect them individually and sub-individually (decrease in size, biomass, and presence of morphological alterations). Additionally, it was observed that all soil elutriates induce a decrease in root size. The results highlight the importance of using elutriate samples in phytotoxicity studies of coal mining waste, since the tailings lixiviate may reduce plant establishment and growth, affecting the terrestrial ecosystems. The integrated use of seed germination assays with the analysis of morphological and biochemical alterations in plants proved to be sensitive parameters to evaluate the phytotoxicity of coal mining wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara S Diogo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Aracelis Narayan
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra (ICT), Universidade do Porto, Polo Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Mansilha
- Departamento da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Universidade do Porto, 4050-083, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Espinha Marques
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra (ICT), Universidade do Porto, Polo Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Flores
- Instituto de Ciências da Terra (ICT), Universidade do Porto, Polo Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara C Antunes
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
- Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
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Yi M, Zhang S, Li M, Xiang J, Tang B, Yan X, Zheng J, Li G, An T. Spatial Distribution Profiles and Human-Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Surrounding Area Surface Soils of a Petrochemical Complex. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16930. [PMID: 36554812 PMCID: PMC9778647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing concern raised by organic pollutants from the petrochemical industry to the surrounding soils, the heavy metal (HM) pollution in these soils remains understudied. This study investigated the levels, potential sources, and human-health risks of 12 HMs in soils inside and in surrounding areas of a petrochemical complex. Generally, the levels of 12 HMs in all soil samples were lower than the national standard of China, except for the Cd in one surrounding soil sample. Approximately 40.9% and 98.1% of soils around and inside the petrochemical complex, respectively, were at slightly contaminated levels. The HM pollution in 94.4% of soils inside and 32% of soils in surrounding areas were mainly affected by petrochemical production. Human-health risk showed that although As posed an acceptable cancer risk for adults both in and around the complex, high cancer risk for surrounding children from As was observed. Moreover, around the complex, Cr, Cd, and Pb posed acceptable cancer risks for children, while Cd posed an acceptable cancer risk for adults. The spatial distribution of the health risks decreased with increasing distance from the complex. Overall, our results demonstrate that it is essential to minimize human exposure to HMs originating from the petrochemical industry, especially As, Cr, Cd, and Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yi
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Shiyi Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Min Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Jun Xiang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Bin Tang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xiao Yan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Ahmad I, Ahmad HR, Farooqi ZUR, Sabir M, Rizwan M, Maqsood MA. Apportionment of heavy metals in a soil-water-plant system via brick kiln emissions in heavily industrialized city of Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:54855-54864. [PMID: 35314930 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19753-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the major environmental problems is the fast accumulation of brick kiln emissions near the peripheries of almost all urban centers. An enormous quantity of substandard coal, wood, rubber tires, or saw wood is used as fuel in these brick kilns, creating environmental pollution through carbon and heavy metals present in the emissions. The present study was designed to determine the distribution pattern of heavy metals in a soil-water-plant system under the influence of brick kiln emissions. Ash, soil (0-15 cm), water, and plant samples were collected from the adjacent areas of the brick kilns. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factors were used to assess the toxicity of metals to soil and plants. It was found that the concentrations of Cd in water, soil, coal, and plant samples were found in the range of 0.004-0.024 mg L-1, 0.02-0.66, 0.002-0.042, and 0.06 to 0.07 mg kg-1, respectively, while Pb concentration was found within the range of 0-0.08 mg L-1, 0.30-8.60, 0.011-0, and 0.01-0.08 mg kg-1 in water, soil, and plant samples, respectively. The concentration of Cd in brick kilns ash was in the range of 0-0.04 mg kg-1 while Pb was found within the range of 0.01-0.05 mg kg-1 for ash. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values for Cd were found higher suggesting proper pollution prevention measures to be implemented. Based on the results, it was concluded that Cd concentrations in soil, plants, and water samples were higher in the subject area due to brick kiln emissions and higher Cd concentrations in the fuel material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Ahmad
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Hamaad Raza Ahmad
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Zia Ur Rahman Farooqi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Muhammad Sabir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, Scotland, UK.
| | - Muhammad Aamer Maqsood
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Pan F, Yu Y, Yu L, Lin H, Wang Y, Zhang L, Pan D, Zhu R. Quantitative assessment on soil concentration of heavy metal-contaminated soil with various sample pretreatment techniques and detection methods. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:800. [PMID: 33263163 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Detection and quantification of heavy metals in soil samples are significant in terms of environmental monitoring and risk assessment for metals. In order to improve the accuracy and precision to detect heavy metal, in this study, four standard samples (NASS-4, NASS-5, NASS-9, and NASS-16) were analyzed by evolving heating (electric heating plate, water bath, and microwave) and acidic systems (includes HCl, HNO3, HF, and HClO4). The result shows that different pretreatment methods have different effects on the extraction of heavy metal elements and five heavy metal elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cr) were selected for optimization through pretreatment methods. Although the contents of heavy metals were same but we found diversity in the results. Under optimal conditions, the selected standard samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and the results were compared. The results show that different elements have their own most suitable detection methods, such as for Pb, the most suitable method is ICP-MS; and for Zn, the most suitable method is AAS. Pretreatment methods and detection techniques are combined to find and improve accuracy of results for certain elements. This study provides a reliable detection method for the accurate detection of heavy metals in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Pan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 4100821, People's Republic of China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Quality Control in Environmental Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yu
- Hunan Ecology and Environment Monitoring Center, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring for Heavy Metal Pollutants, Changsha, 410019, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailan Lin
- Hunan Ecology and Environment Monitoring Center, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring for Heavy Metal Pollutants, Changsha, 410019, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeyao Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Quality Control in Environmental Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Quality Control in Environmental Monitoring, China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing, 100012, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rilong Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 4100821, People's Republic of China.
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Savabieasfahani M, Basher Ahamadani F, Mahdavi Damghani A. Living near an active U.S. military base in Iraq is associated with significantly higher hair thorium and increased likelihood of congenital anomalies in infants and children. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113070. [PMID: 31757565 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In Iraq, war contamination is the result of dispensed bombs, bullets, detonation of chemical and conventional weapons, and burn-pit emissions by US bases. Increases in congenital anomalies were reported from Iraqi cities post-2003. These cities were heavily bombed and encircled by US bases with burn-pits. Thorium is a radioactive compound and a direct depleted-uranium decay-product. Radioactive materials, including depleted uranium, are routinely stored in US bases and they have been shown to leak into the environment. We conducted a case-control study to investigate associations of residential proximity to Tallil Air Base, a US military base near Nasiriyah, as well as levels of uranium and thorium in hair and deciduous teeth with congenital anomalies. The study was based on a sample of 19 cases and 10 controls who were recruited during late Summer and early Fall of 2016. We developed mixed effects logistic regression models with village as the random effect, congenital anomaly as the outcome and distance to the US base and hair metal levels (one at a time) as the predictor variable, controlling for child's age, sex and paternal education. We also explored the mediation of the association between proximity to the base and congenital anomalies by hair metal levels. We found an inverse association between distance to Tallil Air Base and risk of congenital anomalies and hair levels of thorium and uranium. The results of our mediation analyses were less conclusive. Larger studies are necessary to understand the scope of war contamination and its impact on congenital anomalies in Iraq.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F Basher Ahamadani
- Bint Al-Huda Maternal and Child Teaching Hospital, Dhi Qar Governorate, Nasiriyah, Iraq.
| | - A Mahdavi Damghani
- Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box 19835-196, Evin, Tehran, Iran.
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Wu X, Li N, Ji H, Zhang H, Bu J, Zhang X, Qian S, Yang Y, Han B, Wang H, Ye P, Zhou J, Zhang C. Determination and analysis of harmful components in synthetic running tracks from Chinese primary and middle schools. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12743. [PMID: 31484956 PMCID: PMC6726760 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49142-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In China, incidences involving pupils suffering health problems caused by synthetic running tracks have attracted the public's attention. However, the existence of known and unknown harmful chemicals in the tracks have not yet been explored. Here, the levels of 16 known harmful ingredients were firstly analyzed in 167 school running tracks. In all samples, the recognized toxic solvents and additives, such as the benzene series, soluble mercury, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (MOCA) and toluene diisocyanate monomer (TDI) were under the limits of detection. In contrast, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) soluble lead, cadmium and chromium were found in 86%, 88%, 46%, 81%, 43% and 83% of the specimens, respectively. The levels, toxicology and distribution of these known chemicals were evaluated. Then, a static-headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) method in full scan mode was employed to screen for unknown volatile chemicals. Three groups of chemicals reflecting different kinds of pollution sources were discovered: new solvents, such as N, N-Dimethylformamide, new additives, such as 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and by-products, such as carbon disulfide. In summary, the existence of potential risk factors in school plastic tracks was revealed through exhaustive testing. Moreover, most of the hazardous components detected have been recently included in a new national standard to improve the safety performance of synthetic running tracks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wu
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Ministry of Education), School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, No. 2 Sipailou, 210096, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Hanxu Ji
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiangtao Bu
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Shasha Qian
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Han
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Haojie Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Ye
- Taizhou Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 9 Tianhong Road, 225300, Taizhou, China
| | - Jungui Zhou
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Supervision & Inspection Center of Green & Degradable Materials, Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection, No. 3 Jialingjiang East Street, 210019, Nanjing, China.
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Savabieasfahani M, Alaani S, Tafash M, Dastgiri S, Al-Sabbak M. Elevated titanium levels in Iraqi children with neurodevelopmental disorders echo findings in occupation soldiers. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:4127. [PMID: 25446717 PMCID: PMC4250563 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4127-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic release of pollutants into the environment is especially harmful to growing fetuses and young children. These populations are at an increased risk of damage because exposure to pollutants during critical periods of development can cause many impairments. Children's exposure to mixtures of metals could be responsible for the rising numbers of neurological disorders surfacing in Iraqi children. Titanium (Ti) and magnesium (Mg) are heavily used in war industries. Exposure to Ti and Mg has been linked to the dust in occupation soldiers' lungs. Hair samples of children in Hawija, Iraq (n = 13) contained significantly higher levels of Ti compared to Iranian children (n = 13) living near the Iraqi border (2080 ± 940 vs 707 ± 421 μg/kg, p < 0.0001). Magnesium was 1.7 times higher in Hawija children compared to Iranian children (115,763 ± 118,155 vs 67,650 ± 46,729 μg/kg). In samples from Hawija, Ti was 1.3 times higher in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (2198 ± 1108 vs 1942 ± 779 μg/kg), and Mg was 1.9 times higher in children without neurodevelopmental disorders (155,618 ± 140,791 vs 81,602 ± 91,940 μg/kg). Lead, arsenic, and cadmium in Hawija children with neurodevelopmental disorders (n = 6) were 2.5, 2.2, and 1.37 times higher compared to non-disabled children (n = 7). To get a clear understanding of the current status of neurodevelopmental disorders in Iraqi children and to determine the magnitude of this suspected global health issue, registries should be set up to compile and aggregate data from hospitals, clinics, and health centers across the country. Functional registries can develop collaborations with researchers toward finding causes of these disorders in Iraqi children and toward preventing them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S. Alaani
- Fallujah General Hospital, Althubbadh District, Fallujah, 00964 Iraq
| | - M. Tafash
- Medical College, Al-Anbar University, Fallujah, 00964 Iraq
| | - S. Dastgiri
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 5166615739 Iran
| | - M. Al-Sabbak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Basra Maternity Hospital, Basra Medical School, P.O. Box 1633, Basra, Iraq
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Sughis M, Nawrot TS, Riaz A, Ikram-Dar U, Mahmood A, Haufroid V, Nemery B. Metal exposure in schoolchildren and working children. A urinary biomonitoring study from Lahore, Pakistan. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2014; 217:669-77. [PMID: 24641998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In order to document the exposure to trace metals among urban schoolchildren and rural working children, we measured the urinary concentrations of metals in schoolchildren from two areas of differing traffic intensity in Lahore, and in children working in carpet weaving or the brick industry outside Lahore. In a cross-sectional design, we recruited a convenience sample of 339 children aged 8-12 years (mean age 9.9 y, SD 1.4; 47% girls) from two elementary schools in Lahore - one situated in a high air pollution area (n=100) and one situated in an area with lower air pollution (n=79) - and from the carpet weaving industry (n=80) and brick industry (n=80). A spot urine sample was collected and concentrations of 20 metals and metalloids were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples of drinking water were similarly analyzed. In general, the urinary concentrations of several toxic metals (including Cr, Mn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb, U) were higher than international reference values. Concentrations of As were especially elevated in children working in the brick making industry [geometric mean (GM) 118 μg/L], but they were also high among urban schoolchildren (GM 68 μg/L and 56 μg/L). Lead (Pb) was higher in urine from schoolchildren in the high air pollution area (GM 11 μg/L) than in those from the lower pollution area (GM 5.3 μg/L). Uranium (U) was high in both carpet weavers (GM 0.28 μg/L) and brick kiln workers (GM 0.45 μg/L). Concentrations of As, Pb, and U in drinking water corresponded well with urinary concentrations of metals. This descriptive study provides evidence for a high exposure to several toxic metals in this area of Pakistan. The concentrations of urinary As are in the order of those found in other regions of the world with high environmental exposure to As. The sources and pathways of exposure and the health significance of these findings need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sughis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium; Centre of Research for Public Health, Lahore, Pakistan; Lahore College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Belgium
| | - Amir Riaz
- Centre of Research for Public Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Arshad Mahmood
- Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions & Environment, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Vincent Haufroid
- Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium.
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