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Cavalheiro Paulelli AC, Cruz JC, Rocha BA, Souza MCO, Ruella de Oliveira S, Cesila CA, Devoz PP, Filho WDRP, Soares de Campos M, Domingo JL, Barbosa F. Association between urinary concentrations of toxic metals/metalloids and oxidative stress in Brazilians living in areas affected by the Fundão dam failure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117307. [PMID: 37797667 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117307] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The Fundão Dam failure has been the most significant environmental disaster in Brazil. The catastrophe released large amounts of mining waste into the environment, including toxic metals/metalloids, which are recognized to induce carcinogenic effects. The urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), a widely accepted oxidative stress and carcinogenesis biomarker, provide a potential tool for assessing the disaster's health implications. This study investigated the association between urinary levels of some toxic metals/metalloids and 8OHdG in Brazilian individuals living in areas affected by the Fundão dam failure. Urinary concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while 8OHdG was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Non-parametric bootstrap regression was used to estimate the associations between the urinary levels of toxic elements and 8OHdG. The results showed that except for Hg, urinary concentrations of all metals/metalloids analyzed here exceeded the reference ranges for the Brazilian population. The regression analysis revealed that As (0.337; CI 95%: 0.203; 0.474), Cd (0.268; CI 95%: 0.036; 0.520), and Ni (0.296; CI 950.108; 0.469) were positively associated with creatinine-adjusted urinary 8OHdG levels. Associations were not found for Hg (0.0122; CI 95%: -0.155; 0.183) and Pb (0.201; CI 95%: -0.040; 0.498). The current findings suggest that high exposure to toxic metals/metalloids might increase 8OHdG levels with potential adverse health effects. This study is the first one in which the relationship between toxic metals/metalloids and oxidative stress biomarkers is investigated in populations affected by environmental disasters. Further prospective studies are necessary to monitor exposure levels and explore additional health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Cavalheiro Paulelli
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonas Carneiro Cruz
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Alves Rocha
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Marilia Cristina Oliveira Souza
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil.
| | - Silvana Ruella de Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Cibele Aparecida Cesila
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Picoli Devoz
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - José L Domingo
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, SP, Brazil.
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Santos APR, Silva LZ, Freire BM, da Silva Faria MC, Batista BL, Rocha BA, Barbosa F, Rodrigues JL. Artisanal Gem Mining in Brazil: A Source of Genotoxicity and Exposure to Toxic Elements. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2510. [PMID: 36767878 PMCID: PMC9916162 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032510] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposure to toxic metals has led many people around the world to have serious health problems. Mining activities contribute to an increased risk of exposure to these elements. In this work, a study of environmental biomonitoring and routes of exposure to toxic metals in a region of artisanal mining was performed. This study was carried out in the district of Taquaral de Minas, located in the Jequitinhonha Valley in the state of Minas Gerais. The valley is one of the wealthiest and highest gem-producing areas in Brazil. Five artisanal mines were sampled (Bode, Pirineu, Pinheira, Lajedo, and Marmita). Several potentially toxic metals (Be, Zn, Mn, Ba Cd, Hg, and U) were investigated in the soils and dust over the rocks and the soils. Samples from 22 individuals occupationally exposed and 17 unexposed persons, who formed the reference group, were analyzed for trace elements by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The genotoxicity was evaluated by the micronucleus test in buccal mucosa epithelial cells, where the following changes were scored: micronuclei (MN) binucleate (BN) cells and kariolytic (KL) cells. The MN test showed significantly increased frequencies in all alterations of exposed individuals compared to the controls (p < 0.05, Student's t-test). The urine analysis showed levels of Cr, Ni Ba, Pb, and As in the blood, which were higher than the ATSDR recommended levels. The association between the MN test and the trace element concentrations found in the blood and urine was significant (p < 0.05). The higher the number of years of working, the higher the concentrations in the blood were, due to chronic exposure. The results of the present study indicate environmental contamination and a potential risk to the health of miners, suggesting an intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Rufino Santos
- Instituto de Ciência, Engenharia e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Teófilo Otoni 39803-371, MG, Brazil
| | - Lucas Zeferino Silva
- Instituto de Ciência, Engenharia e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Teófilo Otoni 39803-371, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruna Moreira Freire
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia Cristina da Silva Faria
- Instituto de Ciência, Engenharia e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Teófilo Otoni 39803-371, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lemos Batista
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Alves Rocha
- Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Cafe s/no, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Cafe s/no, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Jairo Lisboa Rodrigues
- Instituto de Ciência, Engenharia e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Teófilo Otoni 39803-371, MG, Brazil
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