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Bzikowska-Jura A, Wesołowska A, Sobieraj P, Nawrocka A, Filipek A, Durkalec M, Katryńska D, Jedziniak P. Essential and non-essential element concentrations in human milk samples and the assessment of infants' exposure. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8140. [PMID: 38584184 PMCID: PMC10999444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58683-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
As the data concerning element concentrations in human milk (HM) samples and their intake by infants are lacking in Poland, the present study aimed to explore this issue. The material consisted of HM samples obtained from 30 exclusively breastfeeding mothers during 4-6 weeks postpartum. Additionally, to identify the factors that may potentially affect HM composition, information regarding maternal data (anthropometry, body composition, and diet) was also collected. Maternal diet was assessed with two methods-a food frequency questionnaire and 3-day dietary records. In total, 18 essential and non-essential elements were determined. For the elements analysis, we used inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. Most of the elements (n = 11, 61%) were detected in all HM samples. In all HM samples tin concentration was higher (5.67 ± 2.39 μg/L) than the usual range reported by the World Health Organization (~ 1.0 μg/L). HM cadmium content was positively associated with maternal salty snacks intake (r = 0.502, p = 0.005), arsenic with whole-grain products intake (r = 0.37, p = 0.043), and mercury concentration with fruits and seeds/nuts consumption (r = 0.424, p = 0.042 and r = 0.378, p = 0.039, respectively). Higher HM lead concentration was predicted by maternal age (95% CI [0.94-0.97]), intake of fish (95% CI [1.01-1.03]), and vegetables (95% CI [1.02-1.06]). The highest infants' intake was observed for copper (35.24 ± 12.48) and the lowest for arsenic (0.076 ± 0.102). Infants' exposure to lead was associated with maternal frequency consumption of canned fish (p = 0.0045). There is a need to perform further research on this topic to maximize the benefits of breastfeeding by minimizing maternal and infant exposure to potentially toxic elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura
- Laboratory of Human Milk and Lactation Research at Regional Human Milk Bank in Holy Family Hospital, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Wesołowska
- Laboratory of Human Milk and Lactation Research at Regional Human Milk Bank in Holy Family Hospital, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Sobieraj
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nawrocka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Filipek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Maciej Durkalec
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Danuta Katryńska
- The Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, University of the National Education Commission, Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Jedziniak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
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Stajnko A, Lundh T, Assarson E, Åkerberg Krook E, Broberg K. Lead, cadmium, and mercury blood levels in schoolchildren in southern Sweden: Time trends over the last decades. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140562. [PMID: 38303383 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140562] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
To prevent diseases arising from exposure to toxic metals, more knowledge about their temporal changes is needed, especially in children, the most vulnerable group. This study follows temporal changes in blood lead (BPb), mercury (BHg) and cadmium (BCd) levels in schoolchildren (8-11 years old) from two cities in southern Sweden. One blood sample per 773 children was used for time trend analyses between 2007 and 2022. One further blood sample re-sampled after 2 years, were used to assess intra-individual time trends of BPb (n = 377), BCd (n = 102) and BHg (n = 53) between 1979 and 2019. Geometric mean (range) of BPb, BCd and BHg concentrations during 2007-2022 was 9.9 (2.3-59), 0.09 (0.03-0.34) and 0.73 (0.02-8.2) μg/L, respectively. Living close to a Pb smelter resulted in higher levels of all three metals compared with living in the city or rural area. Annually, the concentrations clearly decreased for BPb (-4.9%, p < 0.001) and weakly for BCd (-0.6%, p = 0.013), while BHg slightly increased (+1.4%, p = 0.029). When stratified by residential area, the decrease of BCd and increase of BHg were significant only in the urban area (-1.8% and +2.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). The BPb decrease rate was the highest in the urban area followed by the rural and Pb smelter areas (-5.8% > -4.5% > -3.9%; p < 0.001). For children re-analysed during 1979-2019, a significant decrease was observed only for BPb (-6.8%; p < 0.001), with a 2% higher decrease rate in the period before than after the Pb-gasoline ban in 1994. The preventive measures against Pb pollution are reflected in the constant decrease of BPb levels over time. However, the area close to a Pb smelter, as indicated by a slower Pb decrease rate, might need further and stricter preventive measures. Exposure to Hg and Cd was low, however, the slight increase in BHg and only a minor decrease in BCd, indicate the need for continuous biomonitoring of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Stajnko
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Assarson
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Else Åkerberg Krook
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Xu X, Wang YQ, Dong CY, Hu CP, Zhang LN, Gao ZY, Li MM, Wang SS, Yan CH. Determinants affecting the blood mercury levels of preschool children in Shanghai, China: A cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:90980-90992. [PMID: 37468774 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28035-5] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Infants and children are vulnerable to mercury (Hg)-induced toxicity, which has detrimental effects on their neurological development. This study measured blood Hg levels (BMLs) and identified potential factors influencing BMLs, including demographic and socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, and daily dietary habits, among 0 to 7-year-old children in Shanghai. Our study recruited 1474 participants, comprising 784 boys and 690 girls. Basic demographic and lifestyle information were obtained and blood Hg were analyzed using the Direct Mercury Analyzer 80. The blood Hg concentrations of children in Shanghai ranged from 0.01 to 17.20 μg/L, with a median concentration of 1.34 μg/L. Older age, higher familial socioeconomic status, higher residential floors, and a higher frequency of consuming aquatic products, rice, vegetables, and formula milk were identified as risk factors. Other potential influencing factors including the mother's reproductive history (gravidity and parity), smoking (passive smoking), supplementation of fish oil and calcium need to be further investigated. These findings can be useful in establishing appropriate interventions to prevent children's high blood Hg concentrations in Shanghai and other similar metropolitan cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Xu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yu-Qing Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chen-Yin Dong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Ping Hu
- Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li-Na Zhang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Yan Gao
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Ming Li
- Children's Health Department, Shanghai Center for Women and Children's Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Su-Su Wang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chong-Huai Yan
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Satir S. The relationship between oral cancer and cadmium: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2413-2419. [PMID: 34822067 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07000-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has been classified as a type I carcinogen. Since it is ingested orally through food and tobacco use, Cd is likely to be closely related to oral cancers. The relationship between cadmium and oral cancer was investigated using papers on Pubmed and Web of Science. Thus a total of 11 studies from these databases were included in the review. Cd concentrations were significantly higher in both the blood and hair of oral cancer patients than in controls. Additionally, it has been reported that Cd increases the activity of reactive oxygen species. Tobacco plants contain varying levels of Cd. The presence of high Cd concentrations in patients who use tobacco products and develop oral cancer is strong evidence that Cd is directly related to oral cancer. While planning a study to determine the Cd concentrations in biological samples, it is advisable to examine the methodologies of previous studies and to avoid technical deficiencies. New cell line studies are required to explain the relationship between Cd and autophagy-apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samed Satir
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Konaklı, Mustafa Kemal Boulevard, Alanya, 07490, Antalya, Turkey.
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Almerud P, Zamaratskaia G, Lindroos AK, Bjermo H, Andersson EM, Lundh T, Ankarberg EH, Lignell S. Cadmium, total mercury, and lead in blood and associations with diet, sociodemographic factors, and smoking in Swedish adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:110991. [PMID: 33705767 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite their vulnerability to the toxic effects of certain metals, biomonitoring data on adolescents are limited. In the present study, we assessed blood concentrations of toxic metals (cadmium [Cd], total mercury [Hg], and lead [Pb] in a national representative sample of Swedish adolescents. We also examined the associations of Cd, total Hg and Pb with habitual intakes of major energy-providing food groups and other possible determinants such as age, sex, household education, Nordic or non-Nordic origin, and smoking. METHODS We analysed blood concentrations of Cd, total Hg, and Pb in a sample of 1099 adolescents from the Riksmaten Adolescents 2016-17 study in three age groups (mean age of 12, 15, and 18 years) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The participants completed web-based questionnaires on food consumption frequency, sociodemographic factors and health status. Dietary data from two web-based 24-h dietary recalls were used to estimate the habitual intake of 10 major food groups. RESULTS Almost all participants had detectable concentrations of Cd, total Hg, and Pb in whole blood. The median blood concentrations were 0.12 μg/L for Cd, 0.72 μg/L for total Hg, and 7.1 μg/L for Pb. Higher blood concentrations of Cd were observed in girls than in boys, whereas concentrations of total Hg and Pb were higher in boys. We observed an inverse association between Cd and meat intake. Total Hg concentrations were positively associated with intakes of fish, eggs, meat, and vegetables, and Pb concentrations were inversely associated with intakes of dairy products. Furthermore, smokers had higher concentrations of Cd and Pb. CONCLUSIONS We found that fish was a potentially important source of exposure to total Hg in Swedish adolescents. No other food group was identified to have a strong impact on the blood levels of Cd, total Hg and Pb. Thirteen per cent of the adolescents had blood Pb concentrations above 12 μg/L, the reference point used in the risk assessment of Pb by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernilla Almerud
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Galia Zamaratskaia
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Karin Lindroos
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helena Bjermo
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva M Andersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden.
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't Mannetje A, Coakley J, Douwes J. Total blood mercury and its determinants in New Zealand children and adults. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:289-298. [PMID: 33603094 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a widespread persistent environmental pollutant associated with adverse health effects. OBJECTIVE This first national biomonitoring survey of blood total mercury (tHg) conducted in New Zealand aimed to provide baseline data and identify exposure determinants. METHODS Blood was collected from 191 children (age 5-18 years) and 304 adults (20-65) in 2014-2016 and analysed for tHg using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Linear regression was used to assess associations with demographic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS Blood mercury was detected in 93% of children and 99% of adults, with geometric means (GMs) of 0.86 and 1.65 µg/L, respectively. The 60-65-year olds had the highest GM (2.34 µg/L). Regression indicated that tHg was 40% higher in boys compared to girls. Eating fish ≥ 3 times/week (compared to ≤once/week) was associated with 2.7 and 1.7 times higher tHg in children and adults, respectively. Shellfish consumption was also associated with higher tHg. High daily tap water consumption (≥2 L for children, ≥3 L for adults) was associated with lower tHg. In adults, smoking and milk consumption were associated with higher tHg. SIGNIFICANCE Fish and shellfish consumption is a strong determinant of New Zealanders blood tHg levels, with water and milk consumption possibly acting as modulating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea 't Mannetje
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Jonathan Coakley
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeroen Douwes
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Wu Y, Yang X, Wang H, Jia G, Wang T. Relationship between ambient PM 2.5 exposure and blood cadmium level in children under 14 years in Beijing, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:123871. [PMID: 33264943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Ambient PM2.5 pollution is a global environmental problem. PM2.5 can act as a carrier of heavy metals. However, the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and blood cadmium (Cd) level in children was less understood. Based on the data of hourly collected PM2.5 and blood Cd level of 13,626 children aged 0-14 years from Apr. 2008 to Feb. 2013 in Beijing of China, we investigated the short-term effects of PM2.5 exposure on blood Cd level. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were utilized to explore the potential association between PM2.5 exposure and blood Cd level of children. The results showed that the mean blood Cd level was 0.64 μg/L. There was a significant association between PM2.5 exposure and blood Cd level (P < 0.05). Age was negatively associated with blood Cd level (P < 0.05), and the younger children were more sensitive to Cd from PM2.5 exposure. There wasn't a significant difference in PM2.5 concentration between heating and non-heating seasons in winter (P > 0.05); there was also no gender difference of children on blood Cd level (P > 0.05). The present study demonstrates the importance of controlling the PM2.5 bound Cd exposure, and environmental countermeasures should be implemented stringently to reduce their impact on children's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haining Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guang Jia
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tiancheng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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He L, Liu F, Zhao J, Liu Q, Cui L, Yu YL, Fan Y, Li B, Li YF. Temporal trends of urinary mercury in Chinese people from 1970s to 2010s: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111460. [PMID: 33120263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic heavy metals. It can migrate around the globe and magnify through the food chain, ultimately harming human health. Urinary Hg reflects recent exposure of Hg, which reflects the status of environmental contamination by Hg. This review summarized the levels and presented temporal trends of urinary Hg in Chinese people (both the general public and the occupationally exposed people) reported from 1970s to 2010s. It was found that urinary Hg levels in 92.3% of the reported population were less than the reference value (10.0 µg/L) recommended by Chinese health authority, while 76.9% were less than the reference value (4.0 µg/L) recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) in the general public in China. For the temporal trend from 1970s to 2010s, the urinary Hg levels in the general public in China were found to decrease gradually. In the occupationally exposed people, the urinary Hg levels generally exceeded the reference value (10.0 µg/L) for the general public, and about half of them were higher than the occupational exposure limit (35.0 µg/g creatinine) set by Chinese Occupational Health Standard (WS/T 265 - 2006). From 1970s to 2010s, the urinary Hg levels in occupationally exposed population increased first and then decreased slowly. Hg miners in Guizhou were found to have the highest urinary Hg levels, while workers in Anhui, Chongqing, Qinghai and Shanxi also had high levels of urinary Hg. In all, the urinary Hg levels in both the general public and the occupationally exposed people decreased from 1970s to 2010s, especially in recent decades. Attention should be paid to occupationally exposed people since high levels of urinary Hg were found in them. The message provided in this review can help better understand the situation of Hg burden in Chinese people and lay a basis for the coming effectiveness evaluation on the implementation of Minamata Convention on Mercury. Capsule abstract: The urinary Hg levels in both the general public and the occupationally exposed people in China are decreasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina He
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China; CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Beijing 100049, China; Beijing Metallomics Facility, Beijing 100049, China; National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Rizhao Central Hospital, Rizhao 276800, Shandong, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Beijing 100049, China; Beijing Metallomics Facility, Beijing 100049, China; National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Quancheng Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, Shandong, China
| | - Liwei Cui
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong-Liang Yu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yuqin Fan
- Shandong Provincial Maternal & Child Health Care Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Bai Li
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Beijing 100049, China; Beijing Metallomics Facility, Beijing 100049, China; National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS-HKU Joint Laboratory of Metallomics on Health and Environment, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Beijing 100049, China; Beijing Metallomics Facility, Beijing 100049, China; National Consortium for Excellence in Metallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Mattisson K, Tekavec E, Lundh T, Stroh E. Cadmium and Lead Levels in Blood and Arsenic Levels in Urine among Schoolchildren Living in Contaminated Glassworks Areas, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7382. [PMID: 33050429 PMCID: PMC7600003 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Kingdom of Crystal, an area in southern Sweden famous for its many glassworks, is historically heavily burdened by pollution from this industry. Glass crust containing cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) has been deposited around the area and used as filling. The purpose of this study was to monitor whether the high levels of metals in the contaminated soil were reflected in blood and urine among school children in this area. Blood and urine samples were collected from 87 children in 2017. The levels of cadmium (Cd-B) and lead (Pb-B) found in blood were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The speciation of As in urine (As-U) was performed by ion chromatography. The geometric mean of Cd-B and Pb-B among the children were 0.09 μg/L and 9.9 μg/L respectively. The geometric mean of inorganic As (AsIII and AsV) with metabolites in urine was 6.1 μg/L and 6.94 μg/g creatinine. Children in the study area had blood levels of Pb and Cd that correspond to levels generally found in Swedish children. The levels of inorganic As and its metabolites in urine were low and in the same magnitude as other children in Europe and the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Mattisson
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden; (E.T.); (T.L.); (E.S.)
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Sharma BM, Sáňka O, Kalina J, Scheringer M. An overview of worldwide and regional time trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk from 1966 to 2015 and their associations with health effects. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 125:300-319. [PMID: 30735961 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a pollutant of global concern. To protect human health and environment from mercury pollution, the Minamata Convention on mercury entered into force in 2017. OBJECTIVES To support a future effectiveness evaluation of the convention, this study assesses worldwide and regional time trends of total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk across different population sub-groups in the last half-century prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention. This study also provides an overview of the epidemiological literature showing evidence of associations between mercury exposure (in terms of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk) and human health. METHODS We searched electronic databases to identify articles published prior to June 14, 2017 and reported total mercury levels in any of three biological matrices (whole blood, cord blood, or breast milk) and/or associations with human health. Temporal trends of total mercury levels in the selected biological matrices across different population sub-groups were estimated using a linear fit of the log-transformed data. In parallel, statistical methods were employed to assess any possible effect of sources of inhomogeneity (i.e. study and population characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, source of exposure, sampling period, and geographical region) in the collected studies. Furthermore, a summary of significant and relevant associations between mercury exposure and human health conditions in children and adults was prepared. FINDINGS We found significant declines in total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk between 1966 and 2015. A regional overview of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk suggests the highest levels in South America, followed by Africa or Asia whereas the population groups from Europe or North America displayed the lowest levels of total mercury in the selected biological matrices. We observed conclusive consistent associations of mercury exposure with selected health conditions, especially neurodevelopment and neurotoxicity in children and adults. For several other health conditions, reported findings in the collected studies do not support conclusive associations. We also found that several studies demonstrated significant associations between mercury exposure below the USEPA reference level and various health conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a worldwide and regional overview of trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk and associated health risks prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention and calls for further epidemiological investigations from across the globe to fully understand the health implications of mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brij Mohan Sharma
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondřej Sáňka
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kalina
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Caini S, Bendinelli B, Masala G, Saieva C, Lundh T, Kyrtopoulos SA, Palli D. Predictors of erythrocyte cadmium levels in 454 adults in Florence, Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 644:37-44. [PMID: 29980083 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium bioaccumulates in the body and causes several adverse health effects. Understanding the primary sources of exposure is critical in order to implement effective prevention measures. METHODS We included 454 adults enrolled in the Florence cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) during 1992-98. At enrolment, information was collected on demographics, lifestyle and dietary habits using validated questionnaires; anthropometric measures were taken; and a blood sample was collected from each study participant. Information on the residential and occupational history prior to enrolment was reconstructed by phone interviews. Cadmium levels were measured in erythrocytes using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. We used multiple linear regression models to investigate the main determinants of cadmium levels. RESULTS Median erythrocyte cadmium levels were 0.66 μg/L (inter-quartile range 0.43-1.07 μg/L). Cadmium levels were lowest in never smokers (0.50 μg/L) and highest in current smokers (1.38 μg/L). Smoking status and the number of pack-years were the strongest predictors of cadmium levels in multivariable analysis, together with erythrocyte levels of lead, and biking to work, while an inverse association emerged with consumption of red meat and dairy products and physical activity levels. Cadmium levels were higher among women than men (0.66 vs. 0.58 μg/L), and, among the former, positively associated with late menopause, nulliparity, and use of hormones for menopause. The predictors included in the multivariable model explained >40% of the variability in erythrocyte cadmium levels. CONCLUSIONS Smoking was the most important determinant of erythrocyte cadmium levels, which were also affected by dietary habits, physical activity levels, biking, and (among women) hormone-related variables. Our results are important to inform public health actions aimed at reducing the impact of potentially modifiable sources of exposure to cadmium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Caini
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Bendinelli
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Calogero Saieva
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Soterios A Kyrtopoulos
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biotechnology, Athens, Greece
| | - Domenico Palli
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
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Wennberg M, Lundh T, Sommar JN, Bergdahl IA. Time trends and exposure determinants of lead and cadmium in the adult population of northern Sweden 1990-2014. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 159:111-117. [PMID: 28787621 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study follows cadmium and lead concentrations in blood in the adult population in northern Sweden over 24 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS Concentrations of lead and cadmium were measured in single whole blood samples (B-Pb and B-Cd) from 619 men and 926 women participating in the Northern Sweden WHO MONICA Study on one occasion 1990-2014. Associations with smoking and dietary factors were investigated. Consumption of moose meat was asked for in 2014. RESULTS In the adult population in northern Sweden, the median B-Pb in 2014 was 11.0µg/L in young (25-35 years) men and 9.69µg/L in young women. In an older age-group (50-60 years), the median B-Pb was 15.1µg/L in men and 13.1µg/L in women. B-Pb decreased from 1990 to 2009, after which time no further decrease was observed. B-Pb was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. In never-smokers, positive associations were found between B-Pb and consumption of wine and brewed coffee (women only) in 2004-2014. Higher B-Pb with consumption of moose meat was demonstrated in men, but not in women. B-Cd was essentially stable over the whole period, but an increase in B-Cd, of 3% per year, was detected in never-smoking women between 2009 and 2014. In 2014, median B-Cd in never-smokers in the four groups was; 0.11µg/L in younger men, 0.15µg/L in younger women, 0.14µg/L in older men, and 0.21µg/L in older women. B-Cd was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. The only positive association between B-Cd and food items in 2004-2014 was with consumption of brewed coffee (men only). CONCLUSIONS The lack of a decrease in B-Cd from 1990 to 2014 and the absence of a further decrease in B-Pb after 2009 are unsatisfactory considering the health risks these metals pose in the general population at current concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wennberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Nutritional Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Johan Nilsson Sommar
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Ingvar A Bergdahl
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Biobank Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Al-Saleh I, Al-Rouqi R, Elkhatib R, Abduljabbar M, Al-Rajudi T. Risk assessment of environmental exposure to heavy metals in mothers and their respective infants. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:1252-1278. [PMID: 28869188 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to heavy metals can cause renal injury, which has been well documented in occupational exposure. Studies of low exposure in the general population, however, are still scarce, particularly for vulnerable populations such as mothers and young children. This study evaluated exposure to heavy metals, and biomarkers of renal function and oxidative stress in 944 lactating mothers and their infants and investigated the role of the interaction between heavy metals and oxidative stress in altering renal function. Mother and infant urine samples were analyzed to measure mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) concentrations for determining body-burden exposure; N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), α1-microglobulin (α1-MG), albumin (ALB), and creatinine (Cr) concentrations for determining early renal injury; and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations for determining oxidative stress. The median concentrclearlyations in mothers presented as μg/g Cr (infants as μg/l) for Hg, Cd, and Pb were 0.695 (0.716), 0.322 (0.343), and 3.97 (5.306) respectively. The mothers and their infants had clearly been exposed to heavy metals and had levels higher than the reference values reported for the general populations of USA, Germany, and Canada. Multiple regression analyses clearly demonstrated associations between urinary heavy metals in quartiles and several renal and oxidative biomarkers in mothers and to a lesser extent their infants. ß coefficients for urinary excretions of MDA, 8-OHdG, ALB, α1-MG, NAG, and Cr in mothers were high in the highest quartile of Hg (1.183-51.29μg/g Cr or 1.732-106.95μg/l), Cd (0.565-765.776μg/g Cr or 0.785-1347.0μg/l), and Pb (6.606-83.937μg/g Cr or 9.459-80.826μg/l), except Pb was not associated with ALB. Infants in the highest Pb quartile (9.293-263.098μg/l) had the highest ß coefficients of urinary excretion of MDA, 8-OHdG, ALB, NAG, and Cr. Significant increasing trend in biomarkers across the quartiles of the three metals was seen in both mothers and infants (ptrend <0.001). A receiver operating characteristic analysis supported the predictive abilities of the four renal biomarkers in discriminating between low versus high metal quartiles. The interaction between heavy metals and oxidative stress contributed to the high excretions of renal biomarkers, but the mechanism remains unclear. These findings add to the limited evidence that low exposure to heavy metals in the general population is associated with alterations in renal function that could eventually progress to renal damage if exposure continues and that children are more susceptible due to the immaturity of their body organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Reem Al-Rouqi
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rola Elkhatib
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai Abduljabbar
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahreer Al-Rajudi
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Kamycheva E, Goto T, Camargo CA. Blood levels of lead and mercury and celiac disease seropositivity: the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:8385-8391. [PMID: 28185175 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8545-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease with increasing prevalence in the USA. CD leads to decreased absorption of many nutrients including certain divalent metals. On the other hand, recent cross-sectional studies suggest the associations between trace heavy metal exposure and autoimmunity. We aimed to determine if there is an association between CD autoimmunity and blood levels of heavy metals in the general US population. We used nationally representative data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2012. Our study comprised 3643 children (ages 6-17 years) and 11,040 adults (age ≥18 years). Children with CD seropositivity had significantly lower blood lead (0.56 versus 0.80 μg/dL, P = 0.001) and mercury levels (0.47 versus 0.64 μg/L, P = 0.001). In the linear regression model, CD seropositivity was associated with lower levels of blood lead and mercury in children (β = -0.14, P = 0.03 for lead and β = -0.22, P = 0.008 for mercury), but not in adults. These findings of CD-heavy metals association are, to our knowledge, novel, and we conclude that decreased levels of heavy metals in blood are most likely a consequence of CD in the US children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kamycheva
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua St, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Medical Clinic, University Hospital of North Norway, Sykehusveien 38, 9038, Tromsoe, Norway.
- Endocrine Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Hansine Hansens veg 18, 9017, Tromsoe, Norway.
| | - Tadahiro Goto
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua St, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua St, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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