1
|
Colombi F, Holland A, Baldwin D, Lawrence S, Davies P, Rutherfurd I, Grove J, Turnbull J, Macklin M, Hil G, Silvester E. Legacy effects of historical gold mining on floodplains of an Australian river. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:247. [PMID: 38869651 PMCID: PMC11176104 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02003-5] [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: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The gold rush at the end of the nineteenth century in south-eastern Australia resulted in the mobilization and re-deposition of vast quantities of tailings that modified the geomorphology of the associated river valleys. Previous studies of contamination risk in these systems have either been performed directly on mine wastes (e.g., battery sand) or at locations close to historical mine sites but have largely ignored the extensive area of riverine alluvial deposits extending downstream from gold mining locations. Here we studied the distribution of contaminant metal(loids) in the Loddon River catchment, one of the most intensively mined areas of the historical gold-rush period in Australia (1851-1914). Floodplain alluvium along the Loddon River was sampled to capture differences in metal and metalloid concentrations between the anthropogenic floodplain deposits and the underlying original floodplain. Elevated levels of arsenic up to 300 mg-As/kg were identified within the anthropogenic alluvial sediment, well above sediment guidelines (ISQG-high trigger value of 70 ppm) and substantially higher than in the pre-mining alluvium. Maximum arsenic concentrations were found at depth within the anthropogenic alluvium (plume-like), close to the contact with the original floodplain. The results obtained here indicate that arsenic may pose a significantly higher risk within this river catchment than previously assessed through analysis of surface floodplain soils. The risks of this submerged arsenic plume will require further investigation of its chemical form (speciation) to determine its mobility and potential bioavailability. Our work shows the long-lasting impact of historical gold mining on riverine landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Colombi
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Albury/Wodonga Campus, Wodonga, VIC, 3690, Australia.
| | - Aleicia Holland
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Albury/Wodonga Campus, Wodonga, VIC, 3690, Australia
| | - Darren Baldwin
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Thurgoona, NSW, 2640, Australia
- River and Wetlands, Thurgoona, NSW, Australia
| | - Susan Lawrence
- Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Peter Davies
- Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Ian Rutherfurd
- School of Geography, Faculty of Earth and Atmospheric Science, University of Melbourne, 22 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - James Grove
- School of Geography, Faculty of Earth and Atmospheric Science, University of Melbourne, 22 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Jodi Turnbull
- Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Mark Macklin
- School of Geography and Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health, College of Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 TS, UK
| | - Greg Hil
- Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Ewen Silvester
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Albury/Wodonga Campus, Wodonga, VIC, 3690, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kastury F, Besedin J, Betts AR, Asamoah R, Herde C, Netherway P, Tully J, Scheckel KG, Juhasz AL. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, antimony bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability in legacy gold mining waste. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133948. [PMID: 38493633 PMCID: PMC11097331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133948] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability of As, Cd, Pb and Sb was investigated in 30 legacy gold mining wastes (calcine sands, grey battery sands, tailings) from Victorian goldfields (Australia). Pseudo-total As concentration in 29 samples was 1.45-148-fold higher than the residential soil guidance value (100 mg/kg) while Cd and Pb concentrations in calcine sands were up to 2.4-fold and 30.1-fold higher than the corresponding guidance value (Cd: 20 mg/kg and Pb: 300 mg/kg). Five calcine sands exhibited elevated Sb (31.9-5983 mg/kg), although an Australian soil guidance value is currently unavailable. Arsenic bioaccessibility (n = 30) and relative bioavailability (RBA; n = 8) ranged from 6.10-77.6% and 10.3-52.9% respectively. Samples containing > 50% arsenopyrite/scorodite showed low As bioaccessibility (<20.0%) and RBA (<15.0%). Co-contaminant RBA was assessed in 4 calcine sands; Pb RBA ranged from 73.7-119% with high Pb RBA associated with organic and mineral sorbed Pb and, lower Pb RBA observed in samples containing plumbojarosite. In contrast, Cd RBA ranged from 55.0-67.0%, while Sb RBA was < 5%. This study highlights the importance of using multiple lines of evidence during exposure assessment and provides valuable baseline data for co-contaminants associated with legacy gold mining activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Kastury
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia.
| | - Julie Besedin
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia; School of Science, STEM, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R Betts
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Land Remediation and Technology Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richmond Asamoah
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia
| | - Carina Herde
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide 5086, Australia
| | - Pacian Netherway
- EPA Science, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Jennifer Tully
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Water Infrastructure Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kirk G Scheckel
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Land Remediation and Technology Division, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Albert L Juhasz
- Future Industries Institute, STEM, University of South Australia, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Martínez-Morcillo S, Barrales I, Pérez-López M, Rodríguez FS, Peinado JS, Míguez-Santiyán MP. Mineral and potentially toxic element profiles in the soil-feed-animal continuum: Implications for public, environmental, and livestock health in three pasture-based sheep farming systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170860. [PMID: 38346655 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170860] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Grazing livestock derive most of their mineral requirements from foraging. The presence of toxic elements in soils has become a significant concern for food safety and ecosystem services. Understanding the mineral content profiles in soil and forage is crucial for assessing animal health, predicting potential transfers of minerals or heavy metals into the food-chain, and assessing threats to the environment and human health. In this study, Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were measured to determine the mineral status of three different pasture-based farming systems (with grazing sheep livestock) in a Spanish region of significant economic importance. A risk assessment evaluation of animal, environmental, and human health was performed on soil, forage, feed, serum, milk, and wool. Notably, traces of Pb, and As were identified in pastures in all farms. Our calculation of pollution indices revealed moderate levels of contamination by various elements, including Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The two farms with more intense agrosystem practices showed a significant potential ecological risk, characterized by high soil levels of Hg and Cd. Animals from these farms also had high concentrations of these metals in wool. Although the target Hazard Quotient derived from milk consumption suggests that dairy products from this area are safe for consumption for adults, only milk from a dehesa farm (mix of woodland and pastureland) was free of potential health concerns related to Pb exposure. Our assessment of mineral profiles reveals a cohesive relationship between soil quality and derived animal products, particularly of the Merino sheep breeding and farming system. The results reveal the importance of adopting and reinforcing strategies to preserve dehesas as a sustainable and environmentally friendly agrosystem in the western Mediterranean region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ignacio Barrales
- Unit of Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - Marcos Pérez-López
- Unit of Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | | | - Joaquín Sánchez Peinado
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Faidutti C, Doolette C, Hair L, van Daalen KR, Naheed A, Lombi E, Feldmann J. Trace Element Distribution and Arsenic Speciation in Toenails as Affected by External Contamination and Evaluation of a Cleaning Protocol. Anal Chem 2024; 96:4039-4047. [PMID: 38422552 PMCID: PMC10938283 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Trace element concentrations in toenail clippings have increasingly been used to measure trace element exposure in epidemeological research. Conventional methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS) are commonly used to measure trace elements and their speciation in toenails. However, the impact of the removal of external contamination on trace element quantification has not been thoroughly studied. In this work, the microdistribution of trace elements (As, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Rb, S, Sr, Ti, and Zn) in dirty and washed toenails and the speciation of As in situ in toenails were investigated using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and laterally resolved X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). XFM showed different distribution patterns for each trace element, consistent with their binding properties and nail structure. External (terrestrial) contamination was identified and distinguished from the endogenous accumulation of trace elements in toenails─contaminated areas were characterized by the co-occurrence of Co, Fe, and Mn with elements such as Ti and Rb (i.e., indicators of terrestrial contamination). The XANES spectra showed the presence of one As species in washed toenails, corresponding to As bound to sulfhydryl groups. In dirty specimens, a mixed speciation was found in localized areas, containing AsIII-S species and AsV species. ArsenicV is thought to be associated with surface contamination and exogenous As. These findings provide new insights into the speciation of arsenic in toenails, the microdistribution of trace elements, and the effectiveness of a cleaning protocol in removing external contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Faidutti
- TESLA,
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, U.K.
| | - Casey Doolette
- Future
Industries Institute, University of South
Australia, Mawson
Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Louise Hair
- TESLA,
Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, U.K.
| | | | | | - Enzo Lombi
- Future
Industries Institute, University of South
Australia, Mawson
Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Joerg Feldmann
- TESLA
− Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Christensen JR, LaBine GO, Cheung JS, Rosol R, Mohapatra AK, Laird B, Chan HM. Micro-distribution of arsenic in toenail clippings using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: implications for biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:181. [PMID: 38246977 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12360-4] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Toenails are a common monitoring tool for arsenic exposure, but the risk of external contamination of toenails has cast doubt on its usefulness. The main objective of this study is to investigate the micro-distribution of arsenic through the dorsoventral plane of nail clippings to understand endogenous vs exogenous sources. We used laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to measure arsenic through a dorsoventral cross-section of the nail plate collected from reference (N = 17) and exposed individuals (N = 35). Our main results showed (1) bulk toenail concentrations measured using ICP-MS in this study ranged from 0.54 to 4.35 µg/g; (2) there was a double-hump pattern in arsenic concentrations, i.e., dorsal and ventral layers had higher arsenic than the inner layer; (3) the double-hump was more pronounced in the exposed group (ventral: 6.25 μg/g; inner: 0.75 μg/g; dorsal: 0.95 μg/g) than the reference group (ventral: 0.58 μg/g; inner: 0.15 μg/g; dorsal: 0.29 μg/g) on average; (4) the distribution was, in part, associated with different binding affinity of nail layers (i.e., ventral > dorsal > inner); (5) most individuals in the higher exposure group showed > 25% contamination in ventral and dorsal nail layers; and (6) there were no statistically significant correlations between LA-ICP-MS arsenic with either bulk toenail arsenic or urine arsenic from the same individuals. Our results on micro-distribution and binding affinity provide insight into the impact of external contamination on arsenic concentrations and show how LA-ICP-MS can access the protected inner nail layer to provide a more accurate result.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Geriene O LaBine
- TrichAnalytics Inc., 207-1753 Sean Heights, Saanichton, BC, V8M 0B3, Canada
| | - Janet S Cheung
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Renata Rosol
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | | | - Brian Laird
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bali V, Khajuria Y, Maniyar V, Rai PK, Kumar U, Ghany C, Gondal M, Singh VK. Quantitative analysis of human hairs and nails. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:401-417. [PMID: 37396444 PMCID: PMC10310683 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01069-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hair and nails are human biomarkers capable of providing a continuous assessment of the concentrations of elements inside the human body to indicate the nutritional status, metabolic changes, and the pathogenesis of various human diseases. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry are robust and multi-element analytical techniques able to analyze biological samples of various kinds for disease diagnosis. The primary objective of this review article is to focus on the major developments and advances in LIBS and XRF for the elemental analysis of hair and nails over the last 10-year period. The developments in the qualitative and quantitative analyses of human hair and nail samples are discussed in detail, with special emphasis on the key aspects of elemental imaging and distribution of essential and non-essential elements within the hair and nail tissue samples. Microchemical imaging applications by LIBS and XRF (including micro-XRF and scanning electron microscopy, SEM) are also presented for healthy as well as diseased tissue hair and nail samples in the context of disease diagnosis. In addition, main challenges, prospects, and complementarities of LIBS and XRF toward analyzing human hair and nails for disease diagnosis are also thoroughly discussed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Varun Bali
- School of Physics, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320 India
| | - Yugal Khajuria
- School of Physics, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320 India
| | | | - Pradeep K. Rai
- Department of Urology and Nephrology, Opal Hospital, Kakarmatta, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005 India
| | - Upendra Kumar
- Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory, Department of Applied Sciences, IIIT Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211005 India
| | - Charles Ghany
- Department of Engineering, Computer Science, and Physics, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS 39056 USA
| | - M.A. Gondal
- Laser Research laboratory, Physics Department, IRC- Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia
| | - Vivek K. Singh
- School of Physics, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320 India
- Department of Physics, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007 India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Development of a comprehensive method for hair and nail analysis using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Microchem J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2023.108503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
8
|
Haris M, Netherway P, Eshtiaghi N, Paz-Ferreiro J. Arsenic immobilization in soil affected by mining waste using waste-derived functional hydrochar and iron-encapsulated materials. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2023; 52:161-172. [PMID: 36427854 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination is a widespread problem. Continued and concerted effort in exploring sustainable remediation strategies is required, with in situ immobilization emerging as a promising option. This work valorized a waste by-product from olive (Olea europaea L.) milling into functional hydrochar (HC). The HC was then transformed into iron oxide-encapsulated carbon with three different iron loading rates (10, 25, and 50% w/w of iron chloride hexahydrate added to the olive mill waste feedstock). The HC and the three iron oxide-encapsulated carbon materials were then tested in a pot trial using a 3% w/w application rate as a means to immobilize As in a mining-contaminated soil (2,580 ± 110 mg kg-1 As). After a 45-d incubation period, the effect of adding the amendments on As mobility and bioaccessibility compared with an untreated control was measured using a sequential extraction procedure and in vitro bioaccessibility, respectively. All four treatments resulted in a decrease in mobility and in vitro bioaccessibility as compared with the control. Specifically, As in the mobile phases was up to 35% less than the in control, whereas bioaccessibility was 21.8% in the control and ranged from 17.5 to 12.3% in the treatments. The efficiency of amendments to immobilize As increased with the iron content of the developed materials. This work positions HCs and iron oxide-encapsulated carbon materials produced from olive mill waste as promising options to immobilize As in situ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Haris
- School of Engineering, RMIT Univ., Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Pacian Netherway
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, EPA Science, Terrace 4 Ernest Jones Dr., Macleod, VIC, 3085, Australia
| | - Nicky Eshtiaghi
- School of Engineering, RMIT Univ., Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Peng C, Zhou J, Li C, Chen Y, Huo Q, Xie F. Research progress on speciation analysis of arsenic in traditional Chinese medicine. OPEN CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine contains arsenic (As), which in the natural environment accumulates in plants during the growth of Chinese medicinal materials; there are mineral medicines containing As in Chinese patent medicine such as As4S4, As2S3, etc. Due to the toxicity of As-containing compounds and its role in inflammation and treatment of cancers such as leukemia, it is necessary to analyze the chemical form of As. A comprehensive investigation of the compound forms of heavy metals rather than the simple total amount of elements will lay the foundation for the scientific and objective evaluation of the safety of heavy metals. This article summarizes the speciation of As in bulk Chinese medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines in recent years, and reviews the main research methods of As speciation analysis. The separation and detection combined analysis method focuses on the high-performance liquid chromatography-plasma mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, etc. Taking the advanced synchrotron radiation source as the research platform, the use of X-ray near edge absorption fine structure spectrum and micro-area X-ray fluorescence analysis as a microscopic analysis technique supports direct analysis of the As speciation in situ. It is the most promising morphological analysis method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congnan Peng
- Department of Biomedicine, Biochemical Engineering College of Beijing Union University , 100023 Beijing , China
| | - Juntong Zhou
- Department of Biomedicine, Biochemical Engineering College of Beijing Union University , 100023 Beijing , China
| | - Chi Li
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Beijing City University , 100083 Beijing , China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Biomedicine, Biochemical Engineering College of Beijing Union University , 100023 Beijing , China
| | - Qing Huo
- Department of Biomedicine, Biochemical Engineering College of Beijing Union University , 100023 Beijing , China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Biomedicine, Biochemical Engineering College of Beijing Union University , 100023 Beijing , China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lum JTS, Chan YN, Leung KSY. Current applications and future perspectives on elemental analysis of non-invasive samples for human biomonitoring. Talanta 2021; 234:122683. [PMID: 34364482 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Humans are continuously exposed to numerous environmental pollutants including potentially toxic elements. Essential elements play an important role in human health. Abnormal elemental levels in the body, in different forms that existed, have been reported to be correlated with different diseases and environmental exposure. Blood is the conventional biological sample used in human biomonitoring. However, blood samples can only reflect short-term exposure and require invasive sampling, which poses infection risk to individuals. In recent years, the number of research evaluating the effectiveness of non-invasive samples (hair, nails, urine, meconium, breast milk, placenta, cord blood, saliva and teeth) for human biomonitoring is increasing. These samples can be collected easily and provide extra information in addition to blood analysis. Yet, the correlation between the elemental concentration in non-invasive samples and in blood is not well established, which hinders the application of those samples in routine human biomonitoring. This review aims at providing a fundamental overview of analytical methods of non-invasive samples in human biomonitoring. The content covers the sample collection and pretreatment, sample preparation and instrumental analysis. The technical discussions are separated into solution analysis and solid analysis. In the last section, the authors highlight some of the perspectives on the future of elemental analysis in human biomonitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judy Tsz-Shan Lum
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yun-Nam Chan
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Signes-Pastor AJ, Gutiérrez-González E, García-Villarino M, Rodríguez-Cabrera FD, López-Moreno JJ, Varea-Jiménez E, Pastor-Barriuso R, Pollán M, Navas-Acien A, Pérez-Gómez B, Karagas MR. Toenails as a biomarker of exposure to arsenic: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110286. [PMID: 33075355 PMCID: PMC7987585 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review summarizes the current evidence related to the reliability of toenail total arsenic concentrations (thereafter "arsenic") as a biomarker of long-term exposure. Specifically, we reviewed literature on consistency of repeated measures over time, association with other biomarkers and metal concentrations, factors influencing concentrations, and associations with health effects. We identified 129 papers containing quantitative original data on arsenic in toenail samples covering populations from 29 different countries. We observed geographic differences in toenail arsenic concentrations, with highest median or mean concentrations in Asian countries. Arsenic-contaminated drinking water, occupational exposure or living in specific industrial areas were associated with an increased toenail arsenic content. The effects of other potential determinants and sources of arsenic exposure including diet, gender and age on the concentrations in toenails need further investigations. Toenail arsenic was correlated with the concentrations in hair and fingernails, and with urine arsenic mainly among highly exposed populations with a toenail mean or median ≥1 μg/g. Overall, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that arsenic content from a single toenail sample may reflect long-term internal dose-exposure. Toenail arsenic can serve as a reliable measure of toxic inorganic arsenic exposure in chronic disease research, particularly promising for cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Signes-Pastor
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr, Williamson Translational Research Bldg, Lebanon NH, 03756, USA.
| | - Enrique Gutiérrez-González
- Spanish Agency of Food Safety and Nutrition, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Alcalá, 56, 28014, Madrid, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel García-Villarino
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Unit of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, University Institute of Oncology of the Principality of Asturias (IUOPA) - Department of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Julian Clavería Street s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Francisco D Rodríguez-Cabrera
- Public Health Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029. Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge J López-Moreno
- Public Health Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029. Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Varea-Jiménez
- Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Pastor-Barriuso
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Pollán
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Beatriz Pérez-Gómez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Public Health Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029. Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr, Williamson Translational Research Bldg, Lebanon NH, 03756, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Arsenic Content, Speciation, and Distribution in Wild Cordyceps sinensis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6651498. [PMID: 33680057 PMCID: PMC7910042 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6651498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The excessive arsenic content in wild Cordyceps sinensis has caused great concerns on human health. The toxicity of arsenic depends on its concentration, chemical form, and valence. The source studies of arsenic in C. sinensis are essential for safety evolution and quality control. We used ICP-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS methods to determine the total arsenic amount and the arsenic speciation. Synchrotron-based XANES and micro-XRF imaging techniques were used to characterize arsenic valence and distribution. The total arsenic amount range in wild C. sinensis samples was 5.77–13.20 μg/g with an average of 8.85 ± 2.5 μg/g. As(III) and As(V) were the main species in wild C. sinensis samples. The iAs only accounts for 4.47–11.42% of the extracted arsenic. Trivalent and pentavalent forms were the dominant chemical forms of arsenic. Besides, we found that arsenic was accumulated at the digestive tract of the host larva.
Collapse
|
13
|
Kapwata T, Mathee A, Sweijd N, Minakawa N, Mogotsi M, Kunene Z, Wright CY. Spatial assessment of heavy metals contamination in household garden soils in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:4181-4191. [PMID: 32062739 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in soil poses a serious health threat to humans living in close proximity and in contact with contaminated soil. Exposure to heavy metals can result in a range of adverse health effects, including skin lesions, cardiovascular effects, lowering of IQ scores and cancers. The main objectives of this study were to (1) use a portable XRF spectrophotometer to measure concentrations of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) in residential soils in rural Giyani in the Limpopo province of South Africa; (2) to assess the spatial distribution of soil metal concentrations; and (3) to assess pollution levels in residential soils. There were elevated levels of As at one of the sites where 54% of soil samples exceeded the Canadian reference levels for As of 20 mg/kg. Using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) to determine contamination levels of As, 57% of soil samples from the most polluted site were found to be moderately to heavily and extremely contaminated with As (Igeo class 2-5). The site is located near the Giyani Greenstone Belt, which is characterized by abandoned mines and artisanal mining activities. Gold ores are closely associated with sulphide minerals such as arsenopyrite, and these have been found to contain high amounts of As. This study highlighted the potential for soil contamination and the importance of site-specific risk assessment in the context of environment and health impact assessments prior to major developments, including human settlement developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thandi Kapwata
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa.
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa.
| | - Angela Mathee
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
| | - Neville Sweijd
- Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science, National Research Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Noboru Minakawa
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mirriam Mogotsi
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
| | - Zamantimande Kunene
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
| | - Caradee Y Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa
- Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chan HM, Hu XF, Cheung JS, Parajuli RP, Rosol R, Yumvihoze E, Williams L, Mohapatra A. Cohort profile: health effects monitoring programme in Ndilǫ, Dettah and Yellowknife (YKHEMP). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038507. [PMID: 32988947 PMCID: PMC7523220 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Yellowknife Health Effects Monitoring Programme (YKHEMP) was established to examine the relationship of exposure to arsenic and other chemicals of potential concern such as antimony, cadmium, lead, manganese and vanadium and health outcomes. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2037 individuals were recruited, including children (age 3-19) and adults (age 20+), residing in Dettah, Ndilǫ and Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, Canada, in two waves in Fall 2017 and Spring 2018. In Yellowknife, there were 891 (675 adults, 216 children), randomly selected participants with a participation rate of 64%. In addition, we also recruited a total of 875 (669 adults, 206 children) volunteer participants. A total of 225 (137 adults, 88 children) of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN), and 46 (33 adults, 13 children) of the North Slave Métis Alliance participated in the study. Each participant answered a lifestyle questionnaire as well as provided toenail clippings and urine for contaminant testing and saliva samples for testing of genetic polymorphisms associated with arsenic metabolism. Participants also provided consent to have their medical records reviewed by the research team for the past 5 years to allow for the investigation between exposure and health outcomes. FINDINGS TO DATE The adult YKHEMP participants had lower urinary total arsenic but the children had higher inorganic arsenic than the general Canadian population. There was no difference in urinary total arsenic concentrations between adults and children, however, urinary inorganic arsenic concentrations were generally higher in children than in adults in all four YKHEMP sampling groups. The adult YKDFN participants had lower urinary total arsenic and inorganic arsenic concentrations compared with the random selected and volunteer participants. FUTURE PLANS YKHEMP is designed as a prospective cohort study; the children participants will be re-examined in 2022 and both adult and children participants in 2027.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hing Man Chan
- Biology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xue Feng Hu
- Biology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet S Cheung
- Biology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Renata Rosol
- Biology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Yumvihoze
- Biology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Science, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linna Williams
- Health and Social Services, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - Asish Mohapatra
- Environmental Health Program, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Di Ciaula A, Gentilini P, Diella G, Lopuzzo M, Ridolfi R. Biomonitoring of Metals in Children Living in an Urban Area and Close to Waste Incinerators. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17061919. [PMID: 32187971 PMCID: PMC7143875 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061919] [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: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The impact of waste incinerators is usually examined by measuring environmental pollutants. Biomonitoring has been limited, until now, to few metals and to adults. We explored accumulation of a comprehensive panel of metals in children free-living in an urban area hosting two waste incinerators. Children were divided by georeferentiation in exposed and control groups, and toenail concentrations of 23 metals were thereafter assessed. The percentage of children having toenail metal concentrations above the limit of detection was higher in exposed children than in controls for Al, Ba, Mn, Cu, and V. Exposed children had higher absolute concentrations of Ba, Mn, Cu, and V, as compared with those living in the reference area. The Tobit regression identified living in the exposed area as a significant predictor of Ba, Ni, Cu, Mn, and V concentrations, after adjusting for covariates. The concentrations of Ba, Mn, Ni, and Cu correlated with each other, suggesting a possible common source of emission. Exposure to emissions derived from waste incinerators in an urban setting can lead to body accumulation of specific metals in children. Toenail metal concentration should be considered a noninvasive and adequate biomonitoring tool and an early warning indicator which should integrate the environmental monitoring of pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Bisceglie (ASL BAT), 76011 Bisceglie, Italy
- International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE), 52100 Arezzo, Italy; (P.G.); (R.R.)
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Patrizia Gentilini
- International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE), 52100 Arezzo, Italy; (P.G.); (R.R.)
| | - Giusy Diella
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Study of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lopuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Study of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Ruggero Ridolfi
- International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE), 52100 Arezzo, Italy; (P.G.); (R.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
For the past several decades, synchrotron radiation has been extensively used to measure the spatial distribution and chemical affinity of elements found in trace concentrations (<few μg/g) in animal and human tissues. Intense and highly focused (lateral size of several micrometers) X-ray beams combined with small steps of photon energy tuning (2-3 eV) of synchrotron radiation allowed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques to nondestructively and simultaneously detect trace elements as well as identify their chemical affinity and speciation in situ, respectively. Although limited by measurement time and radiation damage to the tissue, these techniques are commonly used to obtain two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps of several elements at synchrotron facilities around the world. The spatial distribution and chemistry of the trace elements obtained is then correlated to the targeted anatomical structures and to the biological functions (normal or pathological). For example, synchrotron-based in vitro studies of various human tissues showed significant differences between the normal and pathological distributions of metallic trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and lead in relation to human diseases ranging from Parkinson's disease and cancer to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Current research effort is aimed at not only measuring the abnormal elemental distributions associated with various diseases, but also indicate or discover possible biological mechanisms that could explain such observations. While a number of studies confirmed and strengthened previous knowledge, others revealed or suggested new possible roles of trace elements or provided a more accurate spatial distribution in relation to the underlying histology. This area of research is at the intersection of several current fundamental and applied scientific inquiries such as metabolomics, medicine, biochemistry, toxicology, food science, health physics, and environmental and public health.
Collapse
|
17
|
Fleming DEB, Crook SL, Evans CT. Assessing zinc from a nail clipping using mono-energetic portable X-ray fluorescence. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 145:170-175. [PMID: 30639633 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A mono-energetic X-ray beam from a portable X-ray fluorescence device was used to excite characteristic X-rays from zinc in a series of nail clipping phantoms. Twenty nail clipping phantoms having equal zinc concentrations of ~40 µg/g, but with different physical characteristics, were measured individually for 300 s using a small diameter (~1 mm) X-ray beam. Energy spectra obtained from the measurements were analyzed using PyMca software. Zinc signal size varied widely between the different clippings, with a relative standard deviation of 41% observed in the combined signal from zinc Kα and Kβ characteristic X-rays. Three different normalization approaches were introduced to account for variation in the amounts of sample interrogated by the X-ray beam. All three approaches produced similar results, and successfully reduced the relative standard deviation to between 12% and 13%. A clear trend was still observed, however, between the normalized zinc signal and the thickness of clipping measured. To account for this effect, normalized signals were adjusted to calculate "thickness-corrected" values. The relative standard deviation of these thickness-corrected values was 6.2%. Reproducibility of measurement from individual clippings was excellent, with relative standard deviations on the order of 1%, with or without normalization. Overall, this new method of measuring zinc in nail shows promise for the assessment of zinc status in humans using a portable device. The method is sensitive, rapid, and requires only a single nail clipping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David E B Fleming
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada.
| | - Samantha L Crook
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| | - Colby T Evans
- Physics Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abraham J, Dowling K, Florentine S. Controlled burn and immediate mobilization of potentially toxic elements in soil, from a legacy mine site in Central Victoria, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 616-617:1022-1034. [PMID: 29107365 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Conducting controlled burns in fire prone areas is an efficient and economic method for forest management, and provides relief from the incidence of high severity wild fires and the consequent damage to human property and ecosystems. However, similar to wild fires, controlled burns also affect many of the physical and biogeochemical properties of the forest soil and may facilitate remobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) sequestered in vegetation and soil organic matter. The objective of the current study is to investigate the mobilization of PTEs, in Central Victorian forest soils in Australia after a controlled burn. Surface soil samples were collected two days before and after the controlled burn to determine the concentration of PTEs and to examine the physicochemical properties. Results show that As, Cd, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations increased 1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 1.1 and 1.9 times respectively in the post-burn environment, whereas the concentrations of Hg, Cr and Pb decreased to 0.7, 0.9 and 0.9 times respectively, highlighting considerable PTE mobility during and after a controlled burn. Whilst these results do not identify very strong correlations between physicochemical properties of soil and PTEs in the pre- and post-burn environments, PTEs themselves demonstrated very strong and significant correlations. The mobilization of As, Hg and other toxic elements raise potential health concerns as the number of controlled burns are projected to increase in response to climate change. Due to this increased level of PTE release and remobilization, the use of any kinds of controlled burn must be carefully considered before being used as a forest management strategy in mining-affected landscapes which include areas with high PTE concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joji Abraham
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC 3353, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Aderibigbe AD, Stewart AG, Hursthouse AS. Seeking evidence of multidisciplinarity in environmental geochemistry and health: an analysis of arsenic in drinking water research. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:395-413. [PMID: 28236208 PMCID: PMC5797562 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-017-9919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A multidisciplinary approach to research affords the opportunity of objectivity, creation of new knowledge and potentially a more generally acceptable solution to problems that informed the research in the first place. It increasingly features in national programmes supporting basic and applied research, but for over 40 years, has been the arena for many research teams in environmental geochemistry and health. This study explores the nature of multidisciplinary research in the earth and health sciences using a sample selected from co-authored articles reporting research on arsenic (As) in drinking water from 1979 to 2013. A total of 889 relevant articles were sourced using the online version of the science citation index-expanded (SCI-expanded). The articles were classified according to author affiliation and later by author discipline/research interests using the Revised Field of Science and Technology Frascati manual DSTI/EAS/STP/NESTI (2006) 19/FINAL and a decision algorithm. Few articles were published on the topic until 2000. More articles were published across all affiliations in the last 10 years of the review period (2004-2013) than in the first 10 years (1979-1988). Only 84 (~9%) articles fell within the "earth and health" only and "earth, health and other" categories when classification was undertaken by author affiliation alone. This suggests that level of collaboration between earth and health scientists in arsenic in drinking water research may be very low. By refining the classification further using author discipline/research interests, only 28 of the 84 articles appear to be co-authored by earth and health scientists alongside professionals in other fields. More than half of these 28 articles involved descriptive non-experimental, observational study designs, limited in direct causal hypotheses and mechanistic investigation. If collaborative research is to lead to the increased multidisciplinary research, early interaction should be encouraged between students from different disciplines. In order to achieve multidisciplinarity in practise, it is imperative that scientific communities and research agencies do more to encourage interaction and integration between researchers from different disciplines. This must develop from educational institutions seeing opportunities to improve graduate skills in an increasingly diverse research landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abiodun D. Aderibigbe
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Science and Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE UK
- Present Address: Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704 Ondo state Nigeria
| | - Alex G. Stewart
- Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health England Centre, Liverpool, L1 1JF UK
- Present Address: College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew S. Hursthouse
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, School of Science and Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abraham J, Dowling K, Florentine S. Assessment of potentially toxic metal contamination in the soils of a legacy mine site in Central Victoria, Australia. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 192:122-132. [PMID: 29100120 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of toxic metal contamination from legacy mining activities, many of which had operated and were closed prior to the enforcement of robust environmental legislation, is of growing concern to modern society. We have carried out analysis of As and potentially toxic metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface soil of a legacy gold mining site in Maldon, Victoria, Australia, to reveal the status of the current metal concentration. The results revealed the median concentrations of metals from highest to lowest, in the order: Mn > Zn > As > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > Hg > Cd. The status of site was assessed directly by comparing the metal concentrations in the study area with known Australian and Victorian average top soil levels and the health investigation levels set by the National Environmental Protection Measures (NEPM) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) of the State of Western Australia. Although, median concentrations of As, Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn exceeded the average Australian and Victorian top soil concentrations, only As and Hg exceeded the ecological investigation levels (EIL) set by DEC and thus these metals are considered as risk to the human and aquatic ecosystems health due to their increase in concentration and toxicity. In an environment of climate fluctuation with increased storm events and forest fires may mobilize these toxic metals contaminants, pose a real threat to the environment and the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joji Abraham
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen Campus, VIC, 3353, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Martin R, Dowling K, Pearce DC, Florentine S, McKnight S, Stelcer E, Cohen DD, Stopic A, Bennett JW. Trace metal content in inhalable particulate matter (PM 2.5-10 and PM 2.5) collected from historical mine waste deposits using a laboratory-based approach. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2017; 39:549-563. [PMID: 27146864 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9833-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Mine wastes and tailings are considered hazardous to human health because of their potential to generate large quantities of highly toxic emissions of particulate matter (PM). Human exposure to As and other trace metals in PM may occur via inhalation of airborne particulates or through ingestion of contaminated dust. This study describes a laboratory-based method for extracting PM2.5-10 (coarse) and PM2.5 (fine) particles from As-rich mine waste samples collected from an historical gold mining region in regional, Victoria, Australia. We also report on the trace metal and metalloid content of the coarse and fine fraction, with an emphasis on As as an element of potential concern. Laser diffraction analysis showed that the proportions of coarse and fine particles in the bulk samples ranged between 3.4-26.6 and 0.6-7.6 %, respectively. Arsenic concentrations were greater in the fine fraction (1680-26,100 mg kg-1) compared with the coarse fraction (1210-22,000 mg kg-1), and Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb and Zn were found to be present in the fine fraction at levels around twice those occurring in the coarse. These results are of particular concern given that fine particles can accumulate in the human respiratory system. Our study demonstrates that mine wastes may be an important source of metal-enriched PM for mining communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Martin
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Dora C Pearce
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Stafford McKnight
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Eduard Stelcer
- Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David D Cohen
- Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Attila Stopic
- Neutron Activation Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - John W Bennett
- Neutron Activation Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Martin R, Dowling K, Pearce DC, Florentine S, Bennett JW, Stopic A. Size-dependent characterisation of historical gold mine wastes to examine human pathways of exposure to arsenic and other potentially toxic elements. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2016; 38:1097-1114. [PMID: 26537592 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-015-9775-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Abandoned historical gold mining wastes often exist as geographically extensive, unremediated, and poorly contained deposits that contain elevated levels of As and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs). One of the key variables governing human exposure to PTEs in mine waste is particle size. By applying a size-resolved approach to mine waste characterisation, this study reports on the proportions of mine waste relevant to human exposure and mobility, as well as their corresponding PTE concentrations, in four distinct historical mine wastes from the gold province in Central Victoria, Australia. To the best of our knowledge, such a detailed investigation and comparison of historical mining wastes has not been conducted in this mining-affected region. Mass distribution analysis revealed notable proportions of waste material in the readily ingestible size fraction (≤250 µm; 36.1-75.6 %) and the dust size fraction (≤100 µm; 5.9-45.6 %), suggesting a high potential for human exposure and dust mobilisation. Common to all mine waste types were statistically significant inverse trends between particle size and levels of As and Zn. Enrichment of As in the finest investigated size fraction (≤53 µm) is of particular concern as these particles are highly susceptible to long-distance atmospheric transport. Human populations that reside in the prevailing wind direction from a mine waste deposit may be at risk of As exposure via inhalation and/or ingestion pathways. Enrichment of PTEs in the finer size fractions indicates that human health risk assessments based on bulk contaminant concentrations may underestimate potential exposure intensities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Martin
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia.
| | - Kim Dowling
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - Dora C Pearce
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Singarayer Florentine
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University Australia, Mount Helen, VIC, Australia
| | - John W Bennett
- Neutron Activation Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Attila Stopic
- Neutron Activation Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
McIver DJ, VanLeeuwen JA, Knafla AL, Campbell JA, Alexander KM, Gherase MR, Guernsey JR, Fleming DEB. Evaluation of a novel portable x-ray fluorescence screening tool for detection of arsenic exposure. Physiol Meas 2015; 36:2443-59. [DOI: 10.1088/0967-3334/36/12/2443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
24
|
Davis MA, Li Z, Gilbert-Diamond D, Mackenzie TA, Cottingham KL, Jackson BP, Lee JS, Baker ER, Marsit CJ, Karagas MR. Infant toenails as a biomarker of in utero arsenic exposure. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2014; 24:467-73. [PMID: 24896769 PMCID: PMC4141012 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2014.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that in utero and early-life exposure to arsenic may have detrimental effects on children, even at the low to moderate levels common in the United States and elsewhere. In a sample of 170 mother-infant pairs from New Hampshire, we determined infant exposure to in utero arsenic by evaluating infant toenails as a biomarker using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Infant toenail arsenic concentration correlated with maternal postpartum toenail concentrations (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.34). In adjusted linear models, a doubling of maternal toenail arsenic concentration was associated with a 53.8% increase in infant toenail arsenic concentration as compared with 20.4% for a doubling of maternal urine arsenic concentration. In a structural equation model, a doubling of the latent variable integrating maternal toenail and urine arsenic concentrations was associated with a 67.5% increase in infant toenail arsenic concentration. A similar correlation between infant and maternal postpartum toenail concentrations was observed in a validation cohort of 130 mother-infant pairs from Rhode Island. In utero exposure to arsenic occurs through maternal water and dietary sources, and infant toenails appear to be a reliable biomarker for estimating arsenic exposure during the critical window of gestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Davis
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Zhigang Li
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Todd A. Mackenzie
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Kathryn L. Cottingham
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Trace Element Analysis Core Laboratory, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Joyce S. Lee
- Rhode Island Child Health Study, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Emily R. Baker
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Rhode Island Child Health Study, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Health Effects Associated with Inhalation of Airborne Arsenic Arising from Mining Operations. GEOSCIENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences4030128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
26
|
Merola RB, Kravchenko J, Rango T, Vengosh A. Arsenic exposure of rural populations from the Rift Valley of Ethiopia as monitored by keratin in toenails. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2014; 24:121-126. [PMID: 24192661 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2013.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination of drinking water is a worldwide phenomenon whose effect among vulnerable and rural communities in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia in eastern Africa is not well studied. This study examines As exposure and bioaccumulation from drinking water by monitoring human keratin in the form of toenails from exposed populations. Groundwater samples from drinking water wells (n=34) were collected along with toenail samples (n=58) from local communities and were analyzed for trace metals including As by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Of the total number of wells tested, 53% had As level above the WHO maximum contamination level of 10 p.p.b. Arsenic in toenails was significantly correlated to corresponding drinking water (r=0.72; R(2)=0.52; P<0.001). This correlation improves for drinking water with As concentrations above 2 p.p.b. (r=0.74; R(2)=0.54; P<0.001). Male minors (<18 years old) were found to have greater nail-As concentrations compared with adults consuming equal amounts of As (P<0.05). Estimated As dose specifically from drinking water sources was also associated with nail concentrations (P<0.01). We suggest that As measurement in nails could be a reliable method for detecting As exposure in residents living in rural areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Brittany Merola
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julia Kravchenko
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tewodros Rango
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sanders AP, Miller SK, Nguyen V, Kotch JB, Fry RC. Toxic metal levels in children residing in a smelting craft village in Vietnam: a pilot biomonitoring study. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:114. [PMID: 24495283 PMCID: PMC3922956 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Vietnam, environmental pollution caused by small-scale domestic smelting of automobile batteries into lead ingot is a growing concern. The village of Nghia Lo is a smelting craft village located roughly 25 km southeast of Hanoi in the Red River Delta. Despite the concern of toxic metal exposure in the village, biomonitoring among susceptible populations, such as children, has not been previously conducted. The aim of this study was to determine the body burden of toxic metals in children residing in a smelting craft village. METHODS Twenty children from Nghia Lo, Vietnam, ages 18 months to four years were selected for capillary whole blood and toenail biomonitoring. Whole blood lead levels (BLLs) were measured using a portable lead analyzer, and toenail levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and mercury were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS The findings show that all of the 20 children had detectable BLLs, and every child had levels that exceeded the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline level of 5 μg/dL. Eighty percent of tested subjects had BLLs higher than 10 μg/dL. Five children (25%) had BLLs greater than 45 μg/dL, the level of recommended medical intervention. In addition to blood lead, all of the children had detectable levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and mercury in toenail samples. Notably, average toenail lead, manganese, and mercury levels were 157 μg/g, 7.41 μg/g, and 2.63 μg/g respectively, well above levels previously reported in children. Significant Spearman's rank correlations showed that there were relationships between blood and toenail lead levels (r = 0.65, p < 0.05), toenail levels of lead and cadmium (r = 0.66, p < 0.05), and toenail levels of manganese and chromium (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Linear regression showed that reducing the distance to the nearest active smelter by half was associated with a 116% increase in BLL (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that children in battery recycling and smelting craft villages in Vietnam are co-exposed to toxic metals. There is an urgent need for mitigation to control metal exposure related to domestic smelting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Grashow R, Zhang J, Fang SC, Weisskopf MG, Christiani DC, Cavallari JM. Toenail metal concentration as a biomarker of occupational welding fume exposure. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2014; 11:397-405. [PMID: 24372360 PMCID: PMC4019688 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2013.875182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In populations exposed to heavy metals, there are few biomarkers that capture intermediate exposure windows. We sought to determine the correlation between toenail metal concentrations and prior 12-month work activity in welders with variable, metal-rich, welding fume exposures. Forty-eight participants, recruited through a local union, provided 69 sets of toenail clippings. Union-supplied and worker-verified personal work histories were used to quantify hours welded and respirator use. Toenail samples were digested and analyzed for lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) using ICP-MS. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine the correlation between toenail metal concentrations. Using mixed models to account for multiple participation times, we divided hours welded into three-month intervals and examined how weld hours correlated with log-transformed toenail Pb, Mn, Cd, Ni, and As concentrations. Highest concentrations were found for Ni, followed by Mn, Pb and As, and Cd. All the metals were significantly correlated with one another (rho range = 0.28-0.51), with the exception of Ni and As (rho = 0.20, p = 0.17). Using mixed models adjusted for age, respirator use, smoking status, and BMI, we found that Mn was associated with weld hours 7-9 months prior to clipping (p = 0.003), Pb was associated with weld hours 10-12 months prior to clipping (p = 0.03) and over the entire year (p = 0.04). Cd was associated with weld hours 10-12 months prior to clipping (p = 0.05), and also with the previous year's total hours welded (p = 0.02). The association between Ni and weld hours 7-9 months prior to clipping approached significance (p = 0.06). Toenail metal concentrations were not associated with the long-term exposure metric, years as a welder. Results suggest Mn, Pb, and Cd may have particular windows of relevant exposure that reflect work activity. In a population with variable exposure, toenails may serve as useful biomarkers for occupational metal fume exposures to Mn, Pb, and Cd during distinct periods over the year prior to sample collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Grashow
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jinming Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shona C. Fang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA
| | - Marc G. Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David C. Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Cavallari
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Chakraborti D, Rahman MM, Murrill M, Das R, Siddayya, Patil SG, Sarkar A, Dadapeer HJ, Yendigeri S, Ahmed R, Das KK. Environmental arsenic contamination and its health effects in a historic gold mining area of the Mangalur greenstone belt of Northeastern Karnataka, India. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2013; 262:1048-55. [PMID: 23228450 PMCID: PMC4089497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2011] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
This report summarizes recent findings of environmental arsenic (As) contamination and the consequent health effects in a community located near historic gold mining activities in the Mangalur greenstone belt of Karnataka, India. Arsenic contents in water, hair, nail, soil and food were measured by FI-HG-AAS. Elemental analyses of soils were determined by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). Of 59 tube-well water samples, 79% had As above 10 μg L(-1) (maximum 303 μg L(-1)). Of 12 topsoil samples, six were found to contain As greater than 2000 mg kg(-1) possibly indicating the impact of mine tailings on the area. All hair and nail samples collected from 171 residents contained elevated As. Arsenical skin lesions were observed among 58.6% of a total 181 screened individuals. Histopathological analysis of puncture biopsies of suspected arsenical dermatological symptoms confirmed the diagnosis in three out of four patients. Based on the time-course of As-like symptoms reported by the community as well as the presence of overt arsenicosis, it is hypothesized that the primary route of exposure in the study area was via contaminated groundwater; however, the identified high As content in residential soil could also be a significant source of As exposure via ingestion. Additional studies are required to determine the extent as well as the relative contribution of geologic and anthropogenic factors in environmental As contamination in the region. This study report is to our knowledge one of the first to describe overt arsenicosis in this region of Karnataka, India as well as more broadly an area with underlying greenstone geology and historic mining activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar Chakraborti
- School of Environmental Studies (SOES), Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Calderon RL, Hudgens EE, Carty C, He B, Le XC, Rogers J, Thomas DJ. Biological and behavioral factors modify biomarkers of arsenic exposure in a U.S. population. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2013; 126:134-44. [PMID: 23777639 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Although consumption of drinking water contaminated with inorganic arsenic is usually considered the primary exposure route, aggregate exposure to arsenic depends on direct consumption of water, use of water in food preparation, and the presence in arsenicals in foods. To gain insight into the effects of biological and behavioral factors on arsenic exposure, we determined arsenic concentrations in urine and toenails in a U.S. population that uses public or private water supplies containing inorganic arsenic. Study participants were 904 adult residents of Churchill County, Nevada, whose home tap water supplies contained <3 to about 1200 µg of arsenic per liter. Biomarkers of exposure for this study were summed urinary concentrations of inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolites (speciated arsenical), of all urinary arsenicals (total arsenical), and of all toenail arsenicals (total arsenical). Increased tap water arsenic concentration and consumption were associated with significant upward trends for urinary speciated and total and toenail total arsenical concentrations. Significant gender differences in concentrations of speciated and total arsenicals in urine and toenails reflected male-female difference in water intake. Both recent and higher habitual seafood consumption significantly increased urinary total but not speciated arsenical concentration. In a stepwise general linear model, seafood consumption significantly predicted urinary total arsenical but not urinary speciated or toenail total arsenical concentrations. Smoking behavior significantly predicted urinary speciated or total arsenical concentration. Gender, tap water arsenic concentration, and primary drinking water source significantly predicted urinary speciated and total concentrations and toenail total arsenical concentrations. These findings confirm the primacy of home tap water as a determinant of arsenic concentration in urine and toenails. However, biological and behavioral factors can modify exposure-response relations for these biomarkers. Refining estimates of the influence of these factors will permit better models of dose-response relations for this important environmental contaminant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Calderon
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Gherase MR, Desouza ED, Farquharson MJ, McNeill FE, Kim CY, Fleming DEB. X-ray fluorescence measurements of arsenic micro-distribution in human nail clippings using synchrotron radiation. Physiol Meas 2013; 34:1163-77. [DOI: 10.1088/0967-3334/34/9/1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
32
|
Cui J, Shi J, Jiang G, Jing C. Arsenic levels and speciation from ingestion exposures to biomarkers in Shanxi, China: implications for human health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:5419-24. [PMID: 23600923 DOI: 10.1021/es400129s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) threatens human health. To systematically understand the health risks induced by As ingestion, we explored water and diet contributions to As exposure, and compared As in biomarkers and the arsenicosis in a geogenic As area in China. In this study, high percentages of water (77% of n = 131 total samples), vegetables (92%, n = 120), cereals (32%, n = 25), urine (70%, n = 99), nails (76%, n = 176), and hair (62%, n = 61) contained As higher than the acceptable levels. Dietary As contributed 92% of the average daily dose (ADD) when the water As concentration was less than 10 μg/L, for which 5 out of 30 examined participants were diagnosed with arsenicosis symptoms. The distinct positive correlation between ADD and As concentrations in urine, nails, and hair suggests different applicability for these biomarkers. Methylated As as the predominant urinary As species confirms that the ingested inorganic As is methylated and is excreted through urine. In situ microdistribution and speciation analysis indicates that As is mainly associated with sulfur in nails and hair. Nails, rather than hair and urine, could be used as a proper biomarker for arsenicosis. High ADD from the environment and low excretion could result in As toxicity to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinli Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pearce DC, Dowling K, Sim MR. Cancer incidence and soil arsenic exposure in a historical gold mining area in Victoria, Australia: a geospatial analysis. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2012; 22:248-257. [PMID: 22434113 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2012.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Soil and mine waste around historical gold mining sites may have elevated arsenic concentrations. Recent evidence suggests some systemic arsenic absorption by residents in the goldfields region of Victoria, Australia. Victorian Cancer Registry and geochemical data were accessed for an ecological geographical correlation study, 1984-2003. Spatial empirical Bayes smoothing was applied when estimating standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancers in 61 statistical local areas. The derived soil arsenic exposure metric ranged from 1.4 to 1857 mg/kg. Spatial autoregressive modelling detected increases in smoothed SIRs for all cancers of 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.02-0.08) and 0.04 (0.01-0.07) per 2.7-fold increase in the natural log-transformed exposure metric for males and females, respectively, in more socioeconomically disadvantaged areas; for melanoma in males (0.05 (0.01-0.08) adjusted for disadvantage) and females (0.05 (0.02-0.09) in disadvantaged areas). Excess risks were estimated for all cancers (relative risk 1.21 (95% CI, 1.15-1.27) and 1.08 (1.03-1.14)), and melanoma (1.52 (1.25-1.85) and 1.29 (1.08-1.55)), for males and females, respectively, in disadvantaged areas in the highest quintile of the exposure metric relative to the lowest. Our findings suggest small but significant increases in past cancer risk associated with increasing soil arsenic in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and demonstrate the robustness of this geospatial approach.
Collapse
|
34
|
Brockman JD, Schell LA. A radiochemical method for neutron activation analysis of arsenic in biological samples and its potential use in epidemiology studies. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-011-1196-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
35
|
Gherase MR, Fleming DEB. A calibration method for proposed XRF measurements of arsenic and selenium in nail clippings. Phys Med Biol 2011; 56:N215-25. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/56/20/n01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|