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Lorena de Araújo T, Verbi Pereira FM, Pereira-Filho ER. Direct solid sample analysis of low-cost jewelry using spectroanalytical techniques: exploratory chemical data evaluation and metal migration with synthetic sweat. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:2286-2291. [PMID: 38525883 DOI: 10.1039/d4ay00325j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Humans have used jewelry for a long time. Initially, this habit had religious purposes for individual protection, then it became a compliment accessory to noble appearance until its popularization with production using cheaper and potentially toxic chemical elements. Therefore, the health of people of low social status has been compromised in such a way that a big part of the metals present in these accessories are potentially toxic. In this regard, with the proposition of legislation limiting these elements' concentrations, several analytical techniques have been used to study their determinations; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) direct analysis of solids has been highlighted in the past years due to many advantages in several areas. In this study, LIBS and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) were implemented in low-cost jewelry analyses. Then, an exploratory data analysis was carried out using chemometric tools. Finally, the migration of these elements to synthetic sweat was studied to verify its contact with human organisms, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was employed for the determination of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaila Lorena de Araújo
- Group of Applied Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil.
| | - Fabiola Manhas Verbi Pereira
- Group of Alternative Analytical Approaches (GAAA), Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Edenir Rodrigues Pereira-Filho
- Group of Applied Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil.
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Hu L, Feng X, Lan Y, Zhang J, Nie P, Xu H. Co-exposure with cadmium elevates the toxicity of microplastics: Trojan horse effect from the perspective of intestinal barrier. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133587. [PMID: 38280329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been shown to adsorb heavy metals and serve as vehicles for their environmental transport. To date, insufficient studies have focused on enterohepatic injury in mice co-exposed to both MPs and cadmium (Cd). Here, we report that Cd adsorption increased the surface roughness and decreased the monodispersity of PS-MPs. Furthermore, exposure to both PS-MPs and Cd resulted in a more severe toxic effect compared to single exposure, with decreased body weight gain, shortened colon length, and increased colonic and hepatic inflammatory response observed. This can be attributed to an elevated accumulation of Cd resulting from increased gut permeability, coupled with the superimposed effects of oxidative stress. In addition, using 16 S sequencing and fecal microbiota transplantation, it was demonstrated that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an essential role in the synergistic toxicity induced by PS-MPs and Cd in mice. This study showed that combined exposure to MPs and Cd induced more severe intestinal and liver damage in mice compared to individual exposure, and provided a new perspective for a more systematic risk assessment process related to MPs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liehai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China
| | - Yuzhi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China
| | - Jingfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China
| | - Penghui Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, PR China; International Institute of Food Innovation Co., Ltd., Nanchang University, Nanchang 330200, PR China.
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Fadaei A. An investigation into the present levels of contamination in children's toys and jewelry in different countries: a systematic review. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:601-611. [PMID: 35778924 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Contamination by heavy metals and toxic elements in children's toys and jewelry is an ongoing challenge in different countries. These contaminants can enter the children's body via oral, dermal, and respiratory routes, leading to adverse health effects. This study aimed to investigate the present levels of contamination in children's toys and jewelry in 15 countries, including UK, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, China, Kosovo, Nigeria, North American, Kazakhstan, UAE, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel, West Bank/Palestine, Czech Republic, and Turkey. In this review, the legislation and recommendation of the United States (U.S.), the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Turkish Standards Institute (TSE), Canada, and the European Union (E.U.) on toxic elements in toys and jewelry are introduced. Plastic or metallic toys and children's jewelry still have the most severe toxic elements pollution and the existence of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), barium (Ba), Zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), bisphenol A, phthalates, parabens, azo dyes, and flame retardants has been regarded as an ongoing challenge in these articles. Finally, this review offers benchmarking of the concentrations of toxic elements in all types of children's toys and jewelry in different nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolmajid Fadaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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Jurowski K. The toxicological assessment of hazardous elements (Pb, Cd and Hg) in low-cost jewelry for adults from Chinese E-commerce platforms: In situ analysis by portable X-ray fluorescence measurement. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132167. [PMID: 37619281 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
This article focusses on the environmental implications of low-cost jewelry for adults from Chinese e-commerce platforms ((n = 8) with heavy metal impurities (Pb, Cd and Hg) and their potential impact on human health and the environment. The study highlights the advantages of using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis for rapid, non-destructive, and in situ analysis of heavy metals in jewelry. The results reveal that all products (n = 106) contained heavy metals at varying levels, Hg being the most commonly detected heavy metal. The fact that 71% of the samples exceeded the EU limit for Pb and 51% exceeded the EU limit for Cd is alarming and highlights the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of the jewelry industry to mitigate the risks posed by heavy metals in the environment. The study emphasizes the importance of using pXRF analysis to identify heavy metals in jewelry and address the literature gap in environmental risk assessments of Pb, Cd, and Hg in low-cost jewelry for adults from China. In general, the findings call for urgent action to ensure the safety of consumers and prevent environmental pollution by strengthening regulations and monitoring the jewelry industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Jurowski
- Laboratory of Innovative Toxicological Research and Analyzes, Institute of Medical Studies, Medical College, Rzeszów University, Al. mjr. W. Kopisto 2a, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland; Department of Regulatory and Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Medical Expertises, ul. Aleksandrowska 67/93, 91-205 Łódź, Poland.
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Gul A, Gul DES, Mohiuddin S. Metals as toxicants in event-based expedited production of children's jewelry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27620-y. [PMID: 37202632 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27620-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Globally, the hazardous substance in children's goods is of great concern. Toxic chemicals are potentially harmful to the health and growth of infants and children. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)-contaminated children's jewelry is widely encountered in many countries. This study aims to determine the concentration of metal toxicants (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, and Fe) in event-based (Independence Day festival) children's jewelry, considering time-limited and fast production products that may compromise the quality and safety parameters during manufacturing. The determinations are for the time-constraint industrial production of children's jewelry in the context of the toxic substances in a variety of base materials used. This is the first time event-based children's jewelry has been monitored and critically assessed for metal contamination. Forty-two samples, including metallic, wooden, textile, rubber, plastic, and paint-coated plastic children's jewelry, were tested. Seventy-four percent of samples detected Pb and Cd in quantifiable amounts. Ni in 71%, Cu in 67%, Co in 43%, and Zn and Fe were detected in 100% samples with quantifiable amounts. Twenty-two ID-CJ samples exceeded the US regulatory limit for Pb and four samples for Cd. However, twenty-nine samples for Pb, eleven for Cd, five for Co, and one for Cu exceeded the EU regulatory limit. The highest concentration of Pb was found in paint-coated plastic jewelry, and the highest Cd was found in metallic jewelry. These results suggest that the potential hazards of event-based children's jewelry deserve the attention of government agencies seeking to limit children's exposure to toxic chemicals. Intergovernmental organizations and individual countries regulate chemicals in consumer products, but a coordinated international approach is lacking. Some continents and countries still lack in regulations for children's products, especially jewelry, and toys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Gul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Dur-E-Shahwar Gul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Shaikh Mohiuddin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
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Barrozo F, de Almeida GA, Luz MS, Olympio KPK. A Low-Cost Method Shows Potentially Toxic Element Levels in Dust Correlated with Elevated Blood Levels of These Chemicals in Children Exposed to an Informal Home-Based Production Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16236. [PMID: 36498308 PMCID: PMC9735684 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Dust is recognized as a route of exposure to environmental pollutants. The city of Limeira, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, is a production center for jewelry and fashion jewelry, where part of this jewelry production is home-based, informal, and outsourced. The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE: Cr, Sn, Mn, Sb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) in dust among children from households of informal workers using electrostatic dust cloths (EDC). Dust samples were collected in 21 exposed and 23 control families using EDC from surfaces where dust deposits had accumulated for approximately 14 days. In exposed families, dust samples were also collected from welders’ workstations. PTE concentrations were then determined using inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results raised concerns in relation to Cr, As, and Cd exposure among children within the informal home-based production environment. Blood PTE concentrations in children showed a moderate correlation with levels of Cr (Rho 0.40), Zn (Rho −0.43), and As (Rho 0.40), and a strong correlation with Cd (Rho 0.80) (p < 0.05), detected in dust. In conclusion, analyzing dust collected using EDC proved a potentially low-cost tool for determining PTE in dust. In addition, the results confirmed that informal home-based work poses a risk for children residing in these households. Public policies are needed to assist these families and promote better conditions of occupational health and safety for the whole family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fairah Barrozo
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Gilmar Alves de Almeida
- Advanced Materials, Laboratory of Metallurgical Processes, Institute for Technological Research of the State of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-901, Brazil
| | - Maciel Santos Luz
- Advanced Materials, Laboratory of Metallurgical Processes, Institute for Technological Research of the State of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-901, Brazil
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