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Danesh Yazdi M, Sonntag A, Kosheleva A, Nassan FL, Wang C, Xu Z, Wu H, Laurent LC, DeHoff P, Comfort NT, Vokonas P, Wright R, Weisskopf M, Baccarelli AA, Schwartz JD. The association between toenail metals and extracellular MicroRNAs (ex-miRNAs) among the participants of the Normative Aging study (NAS). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119761. [PMID: 39122161 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanistic studies of the effects of environmental risk factors have been exploring the potential role of microRNA(miRNAs) as a possible pathway to clinical disease. In this study we examine whether levels of toenail metals are associated with changes in extracellular miRNA(ex-miRNA) expression. METHODS We used data derived from the Normative Aging Study from 1996 to 2014 to conduct our analyses. We looked at associations between measured toenail metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese, and mercury and 282 ex-miRNAs in this population using canonical correlation analyses (CCAs) and longitudinal median regression. We adjusted for covariates such as age, education, body mass index, drinking and smoking behaviors, diabetes, and where available, seafood consumption. The p-values obtained from regression analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons. Ex-miRNAs identified to be associated with toenail metal levels were further examined using pathway analyses. RESULTS Our dataset included 937 observations from 589 men with an average age of 72.9 years at baseline. Both our correlation and regression analyses identified lead and cadmium as exposures most strongly associated with ex-miRNA expression. Numerous ex-miRNAs were identified as being associated with toenail metal levels. miR-27b-3p, in particular, was found to have high correlation with the first canonical dimension in the CCA and was significantly associated with cadmium in the regression analysis. Pathway analyses revealed messenger RNA (mRNA) targets for the ex-miRNAs that were associated with a number of clinical disorders including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, etc. CONCLUSION: Toenail metals were associated with changes in ex-miRNA levels in both correlational and regression analyses. The ex-miRNAs identified can be linked to a variety of clinical disorders. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Allison Sonntag
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Anna Kosheleva
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Feiby L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zongli Xu
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Haotian Wu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Louise C Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter DeHoff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicole T Comfort
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Chobanian and Avidisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Wright
- Institute for Exposomic Research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Joel D Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Nossa G, Monsivais H, Lee CG, Francis G, Wells EM, Park JH, Dydak U. Do toenail manganese and iron levels reflect brain metal levels or brain metabolism in welders? Neurotoxicology 2024; 104:45-55. [PMID: 39002648 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.07.007] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Inhalation of welding fumes can cause metal accumulation in the brain, leading to Parkinsonian-like symptoms. Metal accumulation and altered neurochemical profiles have been observed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in highly exposed welders, being associated with decreased motor function and cognition. While MRI is impractical to use as a health risk assessment tool in occupational settings, toenail metal levels are easier to assess and have been demonstrated to reflect an exposure window of 7-12 months in the past. Yet, it is unclear whether toenail metal levels are associated with brain metal levels or changes in metabolism, which are the root of potential health concerns. This study investigates whether toenail manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) levels, assessed at several time points, correlate with brain Mn and Fe levels, measured by MRI, as well as brain GABA, glutamate (Glu), and glutathione (GSH) levels, measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), in seventeen Mn-exposed welders. Quantitative T1 and R2* MRI maps of the whole brain, along with GABA, Glu, and GSH MRS measurements from the thalamus and cerebellum were acquired at baseline (T0). Toenail clippings were collected at T0 and every three months after the MRI for a year to account for different exposure periods being reflected by toenail clippings and MRI. Spearman correlations of toenail metal levels were run against brain metal and metabolite levels, but no significant associations were found for Mn at any timepoint. Cerebellar GSH positively correlated with toenail Fe clipped twelve months after the MRI (p = 0.05), suggesting an association with Fe exposure at the time of the MRI. Neither thalamic GABA nor Glu correlated with toenail Fe levels. In conclusion, this study cannot support toenail Mn as a proxy for brain Mn levels or metabolic changes, while toenail Fe appears linked to brain metabolic alterations, underscoring the importance of considering other metals, including Fe, in studying Mn neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna Nossa
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Humberto Monsivais
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Chang Geun Lee
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Grace Francis
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ellen M Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States; Department of Public Health, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jae Hong Park
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Regencia ZJG, Zhao W, Torres-Roja C, Jones BC, Baja ES. Association between lead and circulating markers of inflammation among traffic enforcers in Metro Manila, Philippines: the MMDA traffic enforcer's health study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2024; 97:303-311. [PMID: 38351350 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-02044-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several epidemiological studies have linked lead (Pb) exposure to induced oxidative stress and the promotion of inflammatory response. We performed a within-subjects study (repeated measures study) to evaluate the relationship between the concentration of blood lead (B-Pb) and toenail lead (T-Pb) and circulating markers of inflammation. METHODS We evaluated the associations between B-Pb concentrations and T-Pb concentrations and circulating markers of inflammation, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (s-VCAM-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on 158 traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer's health study. Linear mixed-effects models with random subject-specific intercepts were fitted to estimate the association between B-Pb and T-Pb exposure and circulating markers of inflammation, adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS Traffic enforcers were middle-aged men (89.4%) with a mean age (± SD) of 37.1 years ± 8.9 years and had a total of 293 valid markers of inflammation measurements. B-Pb concentration was related to increased hs-CRP levels. A 10% increase in B-Pb was associated with a 5.7% increase in hs-CRP level [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.3-10.1]. However, B-Pb was not associated with s-ICAM-1 and s-VCAM-1. Furthermore, no associations were observed between T-Pb and all the circulating markers of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Low-level B-Pb may increase hs-CRP among traffic enforcers. Moreover, the study suggests that Pb via the oxidative and inflammation pathways may have an essential role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, MMDA and the Department of Labor and Employment can use our study's findings as evidence to conduct routine screening of blood heavy metals, especially Pb, among MMDA and other traffic enforcers as part of their yearly medical examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zypher Jude G Regencia
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Room 103, Paz Mendoza Bldg., 547 Pedro Gil Street, 1000, Manila, Philippines
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Room 201, NIH Bldg., 623 Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, 1000, Manila, Philippines
| | - Wenyuan Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Carolina Torres-Roja
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Byron C Jones
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Baja
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Room 103, Paz Mendoza Bldg., 547 Pedro Gil Street, 1000, Manila, Philippines.
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Room 201, NIH Bldg., 623 Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, 1000, Manila, Philippines.
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Specht AJ, Adesina KE, Read DE, Weisskopf MG. Benchtop x-ray fluorescence to quantify elemental content in nails non-destructively. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170601. [PMID: 38309346 PMCID: PMC10923075 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Metals continue to impose health issues among world populations. A non-invasive alternative biomarker for assessment of metals and other elements has been explored in other studies using toenail samples. Some benefits of using toenails as biomarkers over blood samples include cost efficiency, ease of collection, and a longer biological half-life within samples. The objective of this study was to employ desktop XRF for the purpose of measuring metal concentrations in human nail samples, thus conducting a non-destructive assessment. These benefits paired with comparable accuracy in exposure detection could prove toenail samples to be a preferred biomarker for many studies. Current elemental quantification techniques in toenail samples could be improved. The standard practice for measuring metal exposure in toenails, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has a counterpart in x-ray fluorescence. While maintaining similar quantification capabilities, x-ray fluorescence could provide decreased cost, preservation of samples, and ease of operation. Portable XRF machines have been tested for measuring toenail samples, but they have drastically increased detection limits in comparison to ICP-MS. New benchtop XRF systems should give comparable detection limits to ICP-MS. This study compares the benchtop XRF measurements of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and Selenium (Se) levels to that of ICP-MS measurements of toenail samples and calculates estimated detection limits for 23 other elements. We found strong correlations for the toenail lead (R2 = 0.92), copper (R2 = 0.95), selenium (R2 = 0.60), and iron (R2 = 0.77) comparison between desktop XRF and ICP-MS measurements. Median minimum detection limits over the 23 elements were found to be 0.2 μg/g using a 7.5-min measurement. Benchtop XRF provides a lower detection limit than previously studied portable XRF machines, which gives it the capability of accurately detecting almost any desired element in nail samples. Benchtop XRF provides a non-destructive alternative to ICP-MS in surveillance of nail samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Specht
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, United States of America; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America.
| | - Kolawole E Adesina
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, United States of America
| | - Daniel E Read
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, United States of America
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
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Bauer JA, Romano ME, Jackson BP, Bellinger D, Korrick S, Karagas MR. Associations of Perinatal Metal and Metalloid Exposures with Early Child Behavioral Development Over Time in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2024; 16:135-148. [PMID: 38694196 PMCID: PMC11060719 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-023-00543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Research on the neurodevelopmental effects of metal(loid)s has focused mainly on outcomes assessed at one time point, even though brain development progresses over time. We investigated biomarkers of perinatal exposure to metals and changes in child behavior over time. We followed 268 participants from the prospective New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study between birth and age 5 years. We measured arsenic (As), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in toenails from 6-week-old infants. The Behavioral Symptoms Index (BSI), externalizing, and internalizing symptoms were assessed using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd edition (BASC-2) at ages 3 and 5 years. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations of metals with behavior change, calculated as the difference in symptom raw scores between 3 and 5 years, in addition to the associations for symptom scores at 3 and 5 years separately. Sex-specific associations were also explored using stratified models and a sex-metal interaction term. Adjusted associations of metals and change in behavior varied by exposure and outcome. Each 1 μg/g increase in ln toenail Cu was associated with improved behavior between 3 and 5 years [BSI: β = - 3.88 (95%CI: - 7.12, - 0.64); Externalizing problems: β = - 2.20 (95%CI: - 4.07, - 0.33)]. Increasing Zn was associated with increased externalizing behavior over time (β = 3.42 (95%CI: 0.60, 6.25). Sex-stratified analyses suggested more pronounced associations among boys compared to girls. Perinatal exposure to metals may alter behavioral development between ages 3 and 5 years. Findings support the need for more research on associations between metals and neurodevelopment over longer time periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Bauer
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
| | - Megan E. Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - David Bellinger
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Korrick
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
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Cortes JB, Sarazin P, Dieme D, Côté J, Ouellet C, El Majidi N, Bouchard M. Biomonitoring of exposure to multiple metal components in urine, hair and nails of apprentice welders performing shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117361. [PMID: 37844685 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117361] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Welding fumes are associated with various diseases. Increased air levels of metals were reported during welding. However, few multielement biomonitoring studies were conducted to assess the actual dose of metal components absorbed in apprentice welders in a learning environment. This research aimed to establish the nature and level of exposure to welding fumes and their metallic components in apprentice welders performing 'Shielded Metal Arc Welding' (SMAW), based on multi-element and multi-matrix analyses. A total of 86 apprentice welders were recruited in three different schools in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Twenty-one elements were measured in urine, hair, fingernail, and toenail samples collected at the beginning of the program and at the end of SMAW practical training. Concentrations of welding fumes and 12 metals were also determined in personal respirable air samples collected over a typical workday in a subgroup of 19 apprentices. Levels of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) in urine and Mn in hair were higher in samples taken at the end of the SMAW module compared to the beginning of training, while there was no significant difference for the other elements or for nail concentrations. Geometric mean concentrations [5th-95th percentiles] reached 0.31 [0.032-2.84], 9.4 [3.1-51] and 0.87 [0.35-3.1] μg/g creat. in post-shift urine, respectively, for Mn, Fe and Ni, and 0.37 [0.46-6.4] μg Mn/g hair at the end of SWAW. Median concentrations [5th-95th percentiles] were 29 [4.6-1200], 120 [27-3100] and 0.31 [
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Affiliation(s)
- Jairo Buitrago Cortes
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair in Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management, and Public Health Research Center (CReSP), University of Montreal, Roger-Gaudry Building, U436, P.O. Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarazin
- Chemical and Biological Hazards Prevention, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, 505 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, Québec, H3A 3C2, Canada
| | - Denis Dieme
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair in Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management, and Public Health Research Center (CReSP), University of Montreal, Roger-Gaudry Building, U436, P.O. Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jonathan Côté
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair in Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management, and Public Health Research Center (CReSP), University of Montreal, Roger-Gaudry Building, U436, P.O. Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Capucine Ouellet
- Chemical and Biological Hazards Prevention, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, 505 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, Québec, H3A 3C2, Canada
| | - Naïma El Majidi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair in Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management, and Public Health Research Center (CReSP), University of Montreal, Roger-Gaudry Building, U436, P.O. Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Michèle Bouchard
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Chair in Toxicological Risk Assessment and Management, and Public Health Research Center (CReSP), University of Montreal, Roger-Gaudry Building, U436, P.O. Box 6128, Main Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada.
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Tsai CY, Peng YP, Lin CH, Chen KF, Lai CH, Qiu PH. Seasonal Disparities of Human Health Risk and Particle-Bound Metal Characteristics Associated with Atmospheric Particles in a Fishery Harbor. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 85:438-450. [PMID: 37910195 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01037-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The effects of atmospheric pollution from ship emissions have been considered for several harbors worldwide. The health risk assessment and source apportionment of particle-bound metals in a fishery harbor were investigated in this study. The most abundant metal elements in particulate matter (PM) on all sampling days in three seasons were Fe (280.94 ± 136.93 ng/m3), Al (116.40 ± 71.25 ng/m3), and Zn (110.55 ± 26.70 ng/m3). The ratios of V/Ni were 1.44 ± 0.31, 1.48 ± 0.09 and 1.87 ± 0.06 in PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, respectively. Meanwhile, the ratios higher than 1 indicated that fuel oil combustion from ship emission in fishery harbor. The highest deposits of total particle-bound metals in the human respiratory tract were in the head airway (HA), accounting for 76.77 ± 2.29% of the total particle-bound metal concentration, followed by 5.32 ± 0.13% and 2.53 ± 0.15% in the alveolar region (AR) and tracheobronchial (TB) region, respectively. The total cancer risk (CR) of inhalation exposure to local residents exceeded 10-6. Mean total CR values followed the sequence: autumn (1.24 × 10-4) > winter (8.53 × 10-5) > spring (2.77 × 10-6). Source apportionment of related metal emissions was mobile pollution emissions (vehicle/boat) (37.10-48.92%), metal fumes of arc welding exhaust (19.68-34.42%), spray-painting process (12.34-16.24%), combustion emissions (6.32-13.12%), and metal machining processes (9.04-16.31%) in Singda fishing harbor. These results suggest that proper control of heavy metals from each potential source in fishing harbor areas should be carried out to reduce the carcinogenic risk of adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yun Tsai
- Institute of Safety Health and Environmental Engineering, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ping Peng
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hua Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, 632301, Taiwan
| | - Ku-Fan Chen
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, 545, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsiang Lai
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, 632301, Taiwan.
| | - Pin-Hao Qiu
- Department of Biotechnology, National Formosa University, Yunlin, 632301, Taiwan
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Čargonja M, Mekterović D, Žurga P, Ravlić-Gulan J, Radović IB, Žauhar G. Deposition of heavy metals in biological tissues of workers in metal workshops. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:36794-36806. [PMID: 36562973 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Welding and cutting of metals produce large amounts of particulate matter (PM), which poses a significant health risk to exposed workers. Appropriate biological markers to estimate exposure are of great interest for occupational health and safety. Here, hair and nail samples from metal workers were analyzed, which appear to be more suitable than blood or urine samples for assessing long-term exposure. Four workshops working with steel components were included in the study. The hair and nail samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the concentrations of 12 elements. At the workplaces, the concentrations of 15 elements in particulate matter were determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques. The hair and nail samples of the workers contained significantly higher metal concentrations than the analytical results of a nonexposed control group. The most significant difference between the groups was found for Ti, Mn, Fe, and Co.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Čargonja
- Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Darko Mekterović
- Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Paula Žurga
- Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Krešimirova 52a, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Jagoda Ravlić-Gulan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Gordana Žauhar
- Faculty of Physics, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, HR-51000, Rijeka, Croatia
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Hoover C, Specht AJ, Hemenway D. Firearm licensure, lead levels and suicides in Massachusetts. Prev Med 2023; 166:107377. [PMID: 36493866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nationally, between 2011 and 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of injury death, and about half of all suicides were firearm related. An overlooked factor connecting firearms and suicide is lead exposure. Lead bullets and primers are used throughout the US and pose danger to adults and children. Most (not all) studies link lead to mental illness, while others link lead with suicide. Research has linked lead and firearm violence, but rarely examined the relationship among firearms, lead exposure, and suicide. We collected data for cities/towns in Massachusetts between 2011 and 2019 regarding the number of firearm licenses, suicides, prevalence of blood lead levels, and covariates. We hypothesized that; 1) towns with higher levels of licensure will have higher levels of firearm suicides but licensure will have little relationship with non-firearm suicide; 2) towns with higher levels of licensures would have higher rates of lead exposure; 3) higher lead levels would be associated with higher rates of suicide by all methods. Individuals living in towns with higher rates of licensure were significantly more likely to die in firearm suicides and all suicide types. They were not more or less likely to die from non-firearm suicides. Lead was a predictor of all suicide types. Our study appears to be the first to show the established firearm suicide relationships holds within municipalities in a single state. We provide evidence concerning the link between lead exposure and suicide, particularly from firearms, and provide a glimpse into the relationship between firearm prevalence and elevated blood lead levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hoover
- Department of Health Policy, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Aaron J Specht
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - David Hemenway
- Department of Health Policy, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Karyakina NA, Shilnikova N, Farhat N, Ramoju S, Cline B, Momoli F, Mattison D, Jensen N, Terrell R, Krewski D. Biomarkers for occupational manganese exposure. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:636-663. [PMID: 36705643 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2022.2128718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Long-term inhalation exposure to manganese (Mn) metal or its inorganic compounds can result in manganism or subclinical neurofunctional deficits. Studies have described affected workers in Mn dioxide mining, Mn-containing ore crushing and milling facilities, manufacturing of dry-cell batteries, Mn steel and alloy production plants, and in welders. The objective of this study was to critically review existing evidence on the reliability of potential biomarkers of Mn exposure, specifically the relationship between inhalation exposure to Mn particulates in different occupational settings and Mn concentrations in blood and other biological fluids and tissues, with a particular focus on whole blood as a potentially useful medium for measuring internal tissue dose. We also examined available evidence on the relationship between Mn levels in blood and adverse clinical and subclinical neurotoxic outcomes. Three bibliographic databases were searched for relevant studies and identified references were screened by two independent reviewers. Of the 6338 unique references identified, 76 articles were retained for data abstraction. Findings indicate that the relationships between Mn in blood and both external Mn exposure indices and neurofunctional impairments are limited and inconsistent. Different sources of exposure to Mn compounds, heterogeneity in the methodological approaches, and inadequate reporting of essential information limited direct comparison of the reported findings. Among the Mn-exposure biomarkers considered in this review - including biomarkers in blood, plasma, serum, erythrocytes, urine, bone, toenails, fingernails, hair, saliva - biomarkers in whole blood may provide to be most useful in Mn biomonitoring and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya A Karyakina
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Natalia Shilnikova
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nawal Farhat
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | - Franco Momoli
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Donald Mattison
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - N Jensen
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - R Terrell
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Daniel Krewski
- Risk Sciences International, Ottawa, Canada.,McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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11
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An Investigation for Heavy Metals’ Contamination in Farmers’ Fingernails: Case Study in Libya. J CHEM-NY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5102599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to assess the concentration levels of heavy metals, which are associated with health hazards: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) among Libyan farmers using fingernails as a biomarker. Factors that may contribute for accumulation of these toxic heavy metals in the farmers’ fingernails were also evaluated. This cross-sectional study involved 127 farmers and 25 high school teachers living in the same geographical area as the farmers (served as the control group). Fingernail samples of the participants were collected, treated, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for As, Cd, and Pb contents after microwave acid digestion. Results of this study indicated that the concentration levels of the investigated heavy metals in fingernail samples of both participating farmers and control group were in order of Pb > Cd > As. Also, the results showed that As, Cd, and Pb levels in the farmers’ fingernails were found to be higher than in the control group by about 9-, 5-, and 2-fold, respectively. This difference for all heavy metals analyzed was found to be statistically significant
. As a conclusion, the results of this study clearly indicated that Libyan farmers have been exposed to high levels of toxic heavy metals as a result of their agricultural activities compared with the general population living in the same geographical area as farmers, which, in turn, pose a high risk to their health. Thus, toxicological, epidemiological, and clinical studies for the Libyan farmers are strongly recommended.
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12
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Specht AJ, Zhang X, Young A, Nguyen VT, Christiani DC, Ceballos DM, Allen JG, Weuve J, Nie LH, Weisskopf MG. Validation of in vivo toenail measurements of manganese and mercury using a portable X-ray fluorescence device. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:427-433. [PMID: 34211112 PMCID: PMC8720103 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00358-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Toenail metal concentrations can be used as an effective biomarker for exposure to environmental toxicants. Typically toenail clippings are measured ex vivo using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) toenail metal measurements done on intact toenails in vivo could be used as an alternative to alleviate some of the disadvantages of ICP-MS. In this study, we assessed the ability to use XRF to measure toenail metal concentrations in real-time without having to clip the toenails (i.e., in vivo) in two occupational settings for exposure assessment of manganese and mercury. MATERIALS AND METHODS The portable XRF method used a 3-min in vivo measurement of toenails prior to clipping and was assessed against ICP-MS measurement of toenail clippings taken immediately after the XRF measurement and work history for a group of welders (n = 16) assessed for manganese exposure and nail salon workers (n = 10) assessed for mercury exposure. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We identified that in vivo XRF metal measurements were able to discern exposure to manganese in welders and mercury in nail salon workers. We identified significant positive correlations between ICP-MS of clippings and in vivo XRF measures of both toenail manganese (R = 0.59, p = 0.02) and mercury (R = 0.74, p < 0.001), as well as between in vivo XRF toenail manganese and work history among the welders (R = 0.55, p = 0.03). We identified in vivo XRF detection limits to be 0.5 µg/g for mercury and 2.6 µg/g for manganese. Further work should elucidate differences in the timing of exposure using the in vivo XRF method over toenail clippings and modification of measurement time and x-ray setting to further decrease the detection limit. In vivo portable, XRF measurements can be used to effectively measure toenail Mn and Hg in occupational participants in real-time during study visits and at a fraction of the cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Specht
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Purdue University, School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Purdue University, School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Anna Young
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vy T Nguyen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Diana M Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda H Nie
- Purdue University, School of Health Sciences, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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13
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Niehoff NM, O’Brien KM, Keil AP, Levine KE, Liyanapatirana C, Haines LG, Waidyanatha S, Weinberg CR, White AJ. Metals and Breast Cancer Risk: A Prospective Study Using Toenail Biomarkers. Am J Epidemiol 2021; 190:2360-2373. [PMID: 34268559 PMCID: PMC8799900 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwab204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of metals in breast cancer is of interest because of their carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting capabilities. Evidence from epidemiologic studies remains elusive, and prior studies have not investigated metal mixtures. In a case cohort nested within the Sister Study (enrolled in 2003-2009; followed through September 2017), we measured concentrations of 15 metals in toenails collected at enrollment in a race/ethnicity-stratified sample of 1,495 cases and a subcohort of 1,605 women. We estimated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each metal using Cox regression and robust variance. We used quantile g-computation to estimate the joint association between multiple metals and breast cancer risk. The average duration of follow-up was 7.5 years. There was little evidence supporting an association between individual metals and breast cancer. An exception was molybdenum, which was associated with reduced incidence of overall breast cancer risk (third tertile vs. first tertile: hazard ratio = 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.67, 1.00). An inverse association for antimony was observed among non-Hispanic Black women. Predefined groups of metals (all metals, nonessential metals, essential metals, and metalloestrogens) were not strongly associated with breast cancer. This study offers little support for metals, individually or as mixtures, as risk factors for breast cancer. Mechanisms for inverse associations with some metals warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Niehoff
- Correspondence to Dr. Nicole M. Niehoff, Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Room A344, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (e-mail: )
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14
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Bhatia M, Specht AJ, Ramya V, Sulaiman D, Konda M, Balcom P, Sunderland EM, Qureshi A. Portable X-ray Fluorescence as a Rapid Determination Tool to Detect Parts per Million Levels of Ni, Zn, As, Se, and Pb in Human Toenails: A South India Case Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13113-13121. [PMID: 34529917 PMCID: PMC8582015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00937] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to inorganic pollutants adversely affects human health. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the most common method used for trace metal(loid) analysis of human biomarkers. However, it leads to sample destruction, generation of secondary waste, and significant recurring costs. Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments can rapidly and nondestructively determine low concentrations of metal(loid)s. In this work, we evaluated the applicability of portable XRF as a rapid method for analyzing trace metal(loid)s in toenail samples from three populations (n = 97) near the city of Chennai, India. A Passing-Bablok regression analysis of results from both methods revealed that there was no proportional bias among the two methods for nickel (measurement range ∼25 to 420 mg/kg), zinc (10 to 890 mg/kg), and lead (0.29 to 4.47 mg/kg). There was a small absolute bias between the two methods. There was a strong proportional bias (slope = 0.253, 95% CI: 0.027, 0.614) between the two methods for arsenic (below detection to 3.8 mg/kg) and for selenium when the concentrations were lower than 2 mg/kg. Limits of agreement between the two methods using Bland-Altman analysis were derived for nickel, zinc, and lead. Overall, a suitably calibrated and evaluated portable XRF shows promise in making high-throughput assessments at population scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri Bhatia
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
| | - Aaron J. Specht
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Vallabhuni Ramya
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
| | - Dahy Sulaiman
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
| | - Manasa Konda
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
| | - Prentiss Balcom
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Asif Qureshi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
- Department of Climate Change, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS 502285, India
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15
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Di Ciaula A. Bioaccumulation of Toxic Metals in Children Exposed to Urban Pollution and to Cement Plant Emissions. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2021; 13:681-695. [PMID: 34189342 PMCID: PMC8229267 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-021-00412-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cement plants located in urban areas can increase health risk. Although children are particularly vulnerable, biomonitoring studies are lacking. Toenail concentration of 24 metals was measured in 366 children (6-10 years), who live and attend school in a city hosting a cement plant. Living addresses and schools were geocoded and attributed to exposed or control areas, according to modeled ground concentrations of PM10 generated by the cement plant. Air levels of PM10 and NO2 were monitored. PM10 levels were higher in the exposed, than in the control area. The highest mean PM10 concentration was recorded close to the cement plant. Conversely, the highest NO2 concentration was in the control area, where vehicular traffic and home heating were the prevalent sources of pollutants. Exposed children had higher concentrations of Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and Arsenic (As) than controls. These concentrations correlated each other, indicating a common source. Toenail Barium (Ba) concentration was higher in the control- than in the exposed area. The location of the attended school was a predictor of Cd, Hg, Ni, Ba concentrations, after adjusting for confounders. In conclusion, children living and attending school in an urban area exposed to cement plant emissions show a chronic bioaccumulation of toxic metals, and a significant exposure to PM10 pollution. Cement plants located in populous urban areas seem therefore harmful, and primary prevention policies to protect children health are needed.
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16
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Martín-Pozo L, Gómez-Regalado MDC, Cantarero-Malagón S, Navalón A, Zafra-Gómez A. Determination of ultraviolet filters in human nails using an acid sample digestion followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 273:128603. [PMID: 33082003 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet filters (UV-filters) are specific chemicals that absorb and reflect UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. They are regularly used in sunscreens and in other personal care products (PCPs), and in products like plastics, adhesives, toys, or furniture finishes. This work develops and validates a new method to determine concentrations of UV-filters (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-6, BP-8, 4-OH-BP, THB, AVB) in human nail samples. Nails are easily available and are considered to be suitable indicators of cumulative and continued exposure to harmful chemicals. The treatment of nail samples includes microwave assisted digestion/extraction (MAE) in a methanolic solution of o-phosphoric acid (0.05 mol L-1) followed by analyte determination using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The analytes were separated in less than 10 min. The digestion procedure was optimized using multivariate techniques. Matrix-matched calibration with a pig hoof matrix was used for validating the method. A study of accuracy with spiked blank samples was also conducted. The calculated detection limits varied between 0.2 and 1.5 ng g-1, and quantification limits between 1.0 and 5.0 ng g-1. The trueness of the method was an estimation of the recovery, which was between 90.2% and 112.2%; with an estimated precision (relative standard deviation, % RSD) lower than 12.3% for all UV-filters. Nail samples were obtained from 22 volunteers (male and female). The results showed that BP-1 and BP-3 mainly bioaccumulate in human nails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martín-Pozo
- Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Samuel Cantarero-Malagón
- Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain; Center for Scientific Instrumentation, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto Navalón
- Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto Zafra-Gómez
- Analytical Chemistry and Life Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, E-18071, Granada, Spain.
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17
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Salcedo-Bellido I, Gutiérrez-González E, García-Esquinas E, Fernández de Larrea-Baz N, Navas-Acien A, Téllez-Plaza M, Pastor-Barriuso R, Lope V, Gómez-Ariza JL, García-Barrera T, Pollán M, Jiménez Moleón JJ, Pérez-Gómez B. Toxic metals in toenails as biomarkers of exposure: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111028. [PMID: 33753073 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Toenails have been used as biomarkers of exposure to toxic metals, but their validity for this purpose is not yet clear and might differ depending on the specific agent. To evaluate this issue, we reviewed the literature on: a) the time-window of exposure reflected by toenails; b) the reproducibility of toenail toxic-metal levels in repeated measures over time; c) their relationship with other biomarkers of exposure, and; d) their association with potential determinants (i.e. sociodemographic, anthropometric, or lifestyle characteristics) or with sources of exposure like diet or environmental pollution. Thus, we performed a systematic review, searching for articles that provided original data for levels of any of the following toxic metals in toenails: aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, thallium and uranium. We identified 88 articles, reporting data from 67 different research projects, which were quite heterogeneous with regard to population profile, sample size and analytical technique. The most commonly studied metal was mercury. Concerning the time-window of exposure explored by toenails, some reports indicate that toenail cadmium, nickel and lead may reflect exposures that occurred 7-12 months before sampling. For repeated samples obtained 1-6 years apart, the range of intraindividual correlation coefficients of aluminum, chromium and mercury was 0.33-0.56. The correlation of toxic metal concentrations between toenails and other matrices was higher for hair and fingernails than for urine or blood. Mercury levels were consistently associated with fish intake, while other toxic metals were occasionally associated with specific sources (e.g. drinking water, place of residence, environmental pollution, and occupation). The most frequently evaluated health endpoints were cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and central nervous system diseases. Available data suggest that toenail mercury levels reflected long-term exposures and showed positive associations with fish intake. The lack of standardization in sample collection, quality control, analytical techniques and procedures - along with the heterogeneity and conflicting results among studies - mean it is still difficult to conclude that toenails are a good biomarker of exposure to toxic metals. Further studies are needed to draw solid conclusions about the suitability of toenails as biomarkers of exposure to toxic metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Enrique Gutiérrez-González
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Spanish Agency of Food Safety and Nutrition, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Alcalá, 56, 28014, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther García-Esquinas
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Fernández de Larrea-Baz
- 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, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - María Téllez-Plaza
- 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
| | - Virginia Lope
- 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
| | - José Luis Gómez-Ariza
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, University of Huelva, Fuerzas Armadas, Ave., 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center for Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Spain
| | - Tamara García-Barrera
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, University of Huelva, Fuerzas Armadas, Ave., 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center for Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, 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
| | - José Juan Jiménez Moleón
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - 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 & Preventive Medicine 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.
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18
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Doherty CL, Buckley BT. Translating Analytical Techniques in Geochemistry to Environmental Health. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26092821. [PMID: 34068689 PMCID: PMC8126036 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
From human health exposure related to environmental contamination to ancient deep-Earth processes related to differentiation of the Earth's geochemical reservoirs, the adaptability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has proven to be an indispensable standard technique that transcends disciplines. Continued advancements in ICP-MS, including improved auxiliary applications such as laser ablation (LA), ion/liquid chromatography (IC), automated pre-concentration systems (e.g., seaFAST), and improved desolvating nebulizer systems (e.g., Aridus and Apex) have revolutionized our ability to analyze almost any sample matrix with remarkable precision at exceedingly low elemental abundances. The versatility in ICP-MS applications allows for effective interdisciplinary crossover, opening a world of analytical possibilities. In this communication, we discuss the adaptability of geochemical techniques, including sample preparation and analysis, to environmental and biological systems, using Pb isotopes for source apportionment as a primary example.
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19
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Masjedi MR, Dobaradaran S, Keshmiri S, Taghizadeh F, Arfaeinia H, Fanaei F, Behroozi M, Nasrzadeh F, Joukar M. Use of toenail-bounded heavy metals to characterize occupational exposure and oxidative stress in workers of waterpipe/cigarette cafés. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:1783-1797. [PMID: 33098497 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoke is known for releasing metals in indoor air of waterpipe/cigarette cafés. However, the worker exposure to metals, and its association with oxidative stress in these cafés are still unclear. To this end, 54 workers and 38 customers from waterpipe/cigarette cafés (the exposed group), 30 workers from non-smoking cafés (the control group 1 (CG_1)) and 32 individuals from the general population (the control group 2 (CG_2)) were selected and toenails samples were then taken from them. Our findings revealed a significant difference in terms of toenail-bounded metal levels between the exposure and control groups (CG_1 and CG_2) (Mann-Whitney U test, Pvalue < 0.05). This study has also indicated that "type of tobacco" could be considered as a predictor for toenail-bounded heavy metals. Furthermore, our research's results suggest that toenail-bounded heavy metals are positively and significantly correlated with urinary levels of 8- hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, as a biomarker for the degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oxidative stress). Therefore, it can be concluded that workers of waterpipe/cigarette cafés are at high risks of adverse health of DNA oxidative degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Masjedi
- Tobacco Control Research Center (TCRC), Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Saeed Keshmiri
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Farhad Taghizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Arfaeinia
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Farzad Fanaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Behroozi
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Nasrzadeh
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Melika Joukar
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Shih YH, Howe CG, Scannell Bryan M, Shahriar M, Kibriya MG, Jasmine F, Sarwar G, Graziano JH, Persky VW, Jackson B, Ahsan H, Farzan SF, Argos M. Exposure to metal mixtures in relation to blood pressure among children 5-7 years old: An observational study in Bangladesh. Environ Epidemiol 2021; 5:e135. [PMID: 33778363 PMCID: PMC7939402 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension in later life, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been linked to elevated blood pressure in early life. Exposure to metals may influence childhood blood pressure; however, previous research is limited and has mainly focused on evaluating the toxicity of single metal exposures. This study evaluates the associations between exposure to metal mixtures and blood pressure among Bangladeshi children age 5-7 years. METHODS We investigated the associations of 17 toenail metal concentrations with blood pressure using linear regression models. Principal component analysis (PCA), weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were conducted as secondary analyses. RESULTS Associations were observed for selenium with diastolic blood pressure (per doubling of exposure β = 2.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 4.75), molybdenum with systolic (β = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.61) and diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.12, 0.66), tin with systolic blood pressure (β = -0.33, 95% CI = -0.60, -0.06), and mercury with systolic (β = -0.83, 95% CI = -1.49, -0.17) and diastolic blood pressure (β = -0.89, 95% CI = -1.53, -0.26). Chromium was associated with diastolic blood pressure among boys only (β = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.28, 1.92, P for interaction = 0.02), and copper was associated with diastolic blood pressure among girls only (β = -1.97, 95% CI = -3.63, -0.32, P for interaction = 0.01). These findings were largely robust to the secondary analyses that utilized mixture modeling approaches (PCA, WQS, and BKMR). CONCLUSIONS Future prospective studies are needed to investigate further the impact of early life exposure to metal mixtures on children's blood pressure trajectories and cardiovascular disease risk later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Shih
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Caitlin G. Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Molly Scannell Bryan
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Institute for Minority Health Research, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- UChicago Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Trace Element Analysis Core Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Muhammad G. Kibriya
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Farzana Jasmine
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Joseph H. Graziano
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Victoria W. Persky
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brian Jackson
- Trace Element Analysis Core Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Habibul Ahsan
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shohreh F. Farzan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Maria Argos
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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21
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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.
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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
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22
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Ceballos DM, Young AS, Allen JG, Specht AJ, Nguyen VT, Craig JA, Miller M, Webster TF. Exposures in nail salons to trace elements in nail polish from impurities or pigment ingredients - A pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 232:113687. [PMID: 33445102 PMCID: PMC7854487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Nail polishes have evolved considerably. Toxic elements, such as lead, have been found in nail polish, and it is unclear if new finishes using metallic effect pigments may be contributing to metals exposure in nail technicians. We characterized concentrations of trace elements in 40 nail polishes, 9 technicians' urine, and 20 technicians' toenail clippings from 8 nail salons in the Boston area in 2017. We also collected 24 salon surface wipes from 3 of the salons. Antimony was not disclosed as a nail polish ingredient, yet concentrations (<15 μg/g) were above existing cosmetics guidelines (0.5 μg/g) in five (13%) of the samples. Aluminum (<11,450 μg/g), barium (<11,250 μg/g), iron (<3,270 μg/g), and magnesium (<2375 μg/g) were disclosed as ingredients and were also found on salon surfaces where nail polish was stored or used. Heavy metal impurities in nail polish were not detected for cadmium. Lead and nickel were found at low concentrations (<0.40 μg/g lead, <0.67 μg/g nickel). Tin (p = 0.003) concentrations were higher in nail polish with finishes compared to without. Barium and strontium (both p = 0.0001) concentrations were higher for red nail polishes compared to all other colors. Of those elements in nail polish and salon surfaces, aluminum and iron were detected in toenails, manganese was detected in urine and toenails, and barium was detected in urine at comparable levels to the general population. Besides preventable antimony levels in nail polish, individual metals in nail polish did not appear to be from impurities but mainly from colorants (i.e., pigments) and not major contributors to nail technician exposure. It is unclear if low-level chronic metals mixtures in nail salons are of health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Anna S Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vy T Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica A Craig
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Miller
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Oliveira AS, Costa EAC, Pereira EC, Freitas MAS, Freire BM, Batista BL, Luz MS, Olympio KPK. The applicability of fingernail lead and cadmium levels as subchronic exposure biomarkers for preschool children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143583. [PMID: 33243496 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Preschool children are exposed daily to metals in their homes and at daycare centers (DCC). Metal exposure and health effects are associated even at low levels, and children comprise a group of public health concern. Nail metals have been studied for exposure biomonitoring and compared to other biological media. The aim of this study was to explore the applicability of preschool fingernail lead and cadmium as subchronic exposure biomarkers. Nail lead and cadmium levels (NLL and NCL) of 602 preschool children (age: 1-4 years) who attended 21 DCC in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2013 were analyzed. Results were compared against blood lead and cadmium levels (BLL and BCL) found in a previous study. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses were performed for both samples. DCC and metal contaminated sites (MCS) were georeferencing. Logistic regression tests were applied to verify associations between nail metal levels and risk factors (sex, age, maternal education, secondary smoking, DCC geographic district, vehicle flow density, relative altitude and distance between DCC and nearest MCS) (p < 0.05). BLL was stratified by exposure level (low: <5 μg.dL-1; high: >13.9 μg.dL-1; medium: ≥5 μg.dL-1 and ≤13.9 μg.dL-1) and also tested the associations in order to verify if nail lead levels are affected by exposure intensity defined by blood metals concentrations. Radius distance and relative altitude of DCC to nearest MCS were associated with high NLL and NCL. Abnormal appearance of nails was associated with high NLL and low NCL. Lead and cadmium exposure magnitude had no significant impact on NLL. NLL should only be used for initial screening, and when financial resources are scarce, especially in areas located near contaminated sites. Preschool children were co-exposed to both lead and cadmium, reinforcing the need for broader studies evaluating exposure to environmental pollutants for more than one chemical element.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Oliveira
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904 São Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | - E A C Costa
- Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados, 5001, Santa Terezinha, CEP 09210-580 Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - E C Pereira
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904 São Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | - M A S Freitas
- Laboratório de Processos Metalúrgicos, Centro de Tecnologia em Metalurgia e Materiais, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 532, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, CEP 05508-901 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - B M Freire
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados, 5001, Santa Terezinha, CEP 09210-580 Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - B L Batista
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados, 5001, Santa Terezinha, CEP 09210-580 Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - M S Luz
- Laboratório de Processos Metalúrgicos, Centro de Tecnologia em Metalurgia e Materiais, Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 532, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, CEP 05508-901 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - K P K Olympio
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904 São Paulo, SP, Brazil..
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24
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Olympio K, Ferreira A, Rodrigues M, Luz MS, Albuquerque L, Barbosa J, Cardoso M, Oliveira PV, Buzalaf M. Are fingernail lead levels a reliable biomarker of lead internal dose? J Trace Elem Med Biol 2020; 62:126576. [PMID: 32540742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially toxic elements, such as lead, can bioaccumulate and alter human physiology. Human biomonitoring is an essential tool to evaluate chemical exposures in different biological matrices (blood, urine, saliva, nails, and hair). Of these biological matrices, nails are favorable for their ease of sampling, transport and storage. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between blood lead levels (BLL) and washed and non-washed fingernail lead levels (FLL) in 55 adults living in a lead-contaminated area. METHOD Venous blood and fingernail (thumbs and forefingers) samples were collected. Nails from the left hand were washed with Triton X-100 (0.5 % m/v) and HNO3 solution, while nails from the right hand were not submitted to the pre-analytical procedures. Samples were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and pairwise correlations were used to correlate lead concentrations between BLL and FLL; nails from fingers of the same hand and between washed and unwashed fingernails. Principal component analysis was performed and scatter diagrams were plotted to investigate correlations. RESULTS A non-significant positive correlation was found between BLL and washed forefinger nails lead (r = 0.219, p = 0.112) and between BLL and thumbnail lead levels (r = 0.182, p = 0.191). Comparison of fingernails from the same hand (thumb and forefinger), showed that lead concentrations of non-washed nails varied widely, even on analyses of transversal fragments from the same nail. Lead levels in non-washed forefinger nails were not correlated with non-washed thumbnails (r = 0.169, p = 0.219). Conversely, washed thumb and forefinger nails were found to be correlated (r = 0.39, p = 0.003). Washed and non-washed nails were also found to be correlated (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In conclusion, the results showed that non-washed nails are not a reliable biomarker for lead exposure. Although washing nails before analysis may reduce external contamination, the correlation of lead concentrations between fingers is poor for fingernail lead levels to serve as an internal dose biomarker to lead exposure. In addition, levels in washed nails were not significantly correlated with blood lead levels. Fingernail lead levels seem to serve as an indicator of lead exposure sources in contact with the individual, but not as a reliable biomarker of internal dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kpk Olympio
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Apss Ferreira
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Mhc Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Alameda Otávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Vila Nova Cidade Universitária, CEP 17012-901, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
| | - M S Luz
- Centro de Tecnologia em Metalurgia e Materiais/Laboratório de Processos Metalúrgicos (CTMM/LPM), Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo (IPT), Av. Prof. Almeida Prado, 532, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, CEP 05508-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Lgr Albuquerque
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Analytical Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, MS 6140, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, USA.
| | - JrF Barbosa
- Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, S/N, CEP 14049-903, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Mra Cardoso
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - P V Oliveira
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Mar Buzalaf
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Alameda Otávio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Vila Nova Cidade Universitária, CEP 17012-901, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
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25
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Fischer RSB, Unrine JM, Vangala C, Sanderson WT, Mandayam S, Murray KO. Evidence of nickel and other trace elements and their relationship to clinical findings in acute Mesoamerican Nephropathy: A case-control analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240988. [PMID: 33170853 PMCID: PMC7654766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although there are several hypothesized etiologies of Mesoamerican Nephropathy (MeN), evidence has not yet pointed to the underlying cause. Exposure to various trace elements can cause the clinical features observed in MeN. Methods and findings We measured 15 trace elements, including heavy metals, in renal case-patients (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 36) in a MeN high-risk region of Nicaragua. Toenails clippings from study participants were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A case-control analysis was performed, and concentrations were also analyzed over participant characteristics and clinical parameters. Nickel (Ni) concentrations were significantly higher in toenails from cases (1.554 mg/kg [0.176–42.647]) than controls (0.208 mg/kg [0.055–51.235]; p<0.001). Ni concentrations correlated positively with serum creatinine levels (p = 0.001) and negatively with eGFR (p = 0.001). Greater Ni exposure was also associated with higher leukocyte (p = 0.001) and neutrophil (p = 0.003) counts, fewer lymphocytes (p = 0.003), and lower hemoglobin (p = 0.004) and hematocrit (p = 0.011). Conclusions Low-dose, chronic environmental exposure to Ni is a possible health risk in this setting. Ni intoxication and resulting systemic and renal effects could explain the clinical signs observed during early MeN. This study provides compelling evidence for a role of Ni in the acute renal impairment observed in this MeN high-risk population. Additional work to assess exposure levels in a larger and heterogeneous population, identify environmental sources of Ni and exposure pathways, and evaluate the link between Ni and MeN pathogenesis are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S. B. Fischer
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Jason M. Unrine
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Chandan Vangala
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wayne T. Sanderson
- Departments of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Sreedhar Mandayam
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kristy O. Murray
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States of America
- William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Kelly RS, Bayne H, Spiro A, Vokonas P, Sparrow D, Weiss ST, Schwartz J, Nassan FL, Lee-Sarwar K, Huang M, Kachroo P, Chu SH, Litonjua AA, Lasky-Su JA. Metabolomic signatures of lead exposure in the VA Normative Aging Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:110022. [PMID: 32791250 PMCID: PMC7983049 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) is widespread and exposure to this non-essential heavy metal can cause multiple negative health effects; however the mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES To identify plasma metabolomic signatures of Pb exposure, as measured in blood and toenails. METHODS In a subset of men from the VA Normative Aging Study, mass-spectrometry based plasma metabolomic profiling was performed. Pb levels were measured in blood samples and toenail clippings collected concurrently. Multivariable linear regression models, smoothing splines and Pathway analyses were employed to identify metabolites associated with Pb exposure. RESULTS In 399 men, 858 metabolites were measured and passed QC, of which 154 (17.9%) were significantly associated with blood Pb (p < 0.05). Eleven of these passed stringent correction for multiple testing, including pro-hydroxy-pro (β(95%CI): 1.52 (0.93,2.12), p = 7.18x10-7), N-acetylglycine (β(95%CI): 1.44 (0.85,2.02), p = 1.12x10-6), tartarate (β(95%CI): 0.68 (0.35,1.00), p = 4.84x10-5), vanillylmandelate (β(95%CI): 1.05 (0.47,1.63), p = 4.44x10-7), and lysine (β(95%CI): 1.88 (-2.8,-0.95), p = 9.10x10-5). A subset of 48 men had a second blood sample collected a mean of 6.1 years after their first. Three of the top eleven metabolites were also significant in this second blood sample. Furthermore, we identified 70 plasma metabolites associated with Pb as measured in toenails. Twenty-three plasma metabolites were significantly associated with both blood and toenail measures, while others appeared to be specific to the biosample in which Pb was measured. For example, benzanoate metabolism appeared to be of importance with the longer-term exposure assessed by toenails. DISCUSSION Pb exposure is responsible for 0.6% of the global burden of disease and metabolomics is particularly well-suited to explore its pathogenic mechanisms. In this study, we identified metabolites and metabolomic pathways associated with Pb exposure that suggest that Pb exposure acts through oxidative stress and immune dysfunction. These findings help us to better understand the biology of this important public health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Kelly
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Haley Bayne
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Avron Spiro
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02118, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Boston University, USA
| | - David Sparrow
- VA Normative Aging Study, VA Boston Healthcare System, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Boston University, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Feiby L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kathleen Lee-Sarwar
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA; Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mengna Huang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Priyadarshini Kachroo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Su H Chu
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Jessica A Lasky-Su
- Channing Division of Network Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Guérin T, Massanyi P, Van Loveren H, Baert K, Gergelova P, Nielsen E. Update of the risk assessment of nickel in food and drinking water. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06268. [PMID: 33193868 PMCID: PMC7643711 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its previous Opinion on nickel in food and drinking water, taking into account new occurrence data, the updated benchmark dose (BMD) Guidance and newly available scientific information. More than 47,000 analytical results on the occurrence of nickel were used for calculating chronic and acute dietary exposure. An increased incidence of post-implantation loss in rats was identified as the critical effect for the risk characterisation of chronic oral exposure and a BMDL 10 of 1.3 mg Ni/kg body weight (bw) per day was selected as the reference point for the establishment of a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 13 μg/kg bw. Eczematous flare-up reactions in the skin elicited in nickel-sensitised humans, a condition known as systemic contact dermatitis, was identified as the critical effect for the risk characterisation of acute oral exposure. A BMDL could not be derived, and therefore, the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level of 4.3 μg Ni/kg bw was selected as the reference point. The margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied and an MOE of 30 or higher was considered as being indicative of a low health concern. The mean lower bound (LB)/upper bound (UB) chronic dietary exposure was below or at the level of the TDI. The 95th percentile LB/UB chronic dietary exposure was below the TDI in adolescents and in all adult age groups, but generally exceeded the TDI in toddlers and in other children, as well as in infants in some surveys. This may raise a health concern in these young age groups. The MOE values for the mean UB acute dietary exposure and for the 95th percentile UB raises a health concern for nickel-sensitised individuals. The MOE values for an acute scenario regarding consumption of a glass of water on an empty stomach do not raise a health concern.
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Niehoff NM, Keil AP, O'Brien KM, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Weinberg CR, White AJ. Metals and trace elements in relation to body mass index in a prospective study of US women. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109396. [PMID: 32209500 PMCID: PMC7153007 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies on the association between metals and body mass index (BMI) have been cross-sectional and have demonstrated inconsistent associations. Our study prospectively examined whether metals measured at baseline were associated with later BMI. We considered metals individually and as joint exposure to pre-defined metal groupings. METHODS We measured concentrations of 16 metals in toenails collected at baseline (2003-2009) in a subset of 1221 women from the Sister Study. We calculated BMI from height and weight reported on a follow-up questionnaire an average of 5.2 years (range = 3.5-8.3) after baseline. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between BMI and individual metals (with estimates given per interquartile range (IQR) increase or in quartiles). Quantile g-computation was used to examine joint associations between groups of metals and BMI. Groups considered were (1) all metals combined, and metals classified as (2) non-essential or (3) essential. RESULTS In individual metal models we found that, with the exception of cobalt, no single metal was strongly related to BMI. In our mixture analyses, a quartile increase in all non-essential metals was associated with higher BMI (β = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.00, 0.63 kg/m2), whereas essential metals were suggestively associated with lower BMI (β = -0.25; 95%CI: 0.58, 0.07 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS In this population of women who were, on average, overweight, essential metals were jointly associated with slightly healthier, lower BMI whereas non-essential metals were jointly associated with slightly higher, unhealthier BMI, after controlling for other health indicators and predictors of metals exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Niehoff
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Alexander P Keil
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Katie M O'Brien
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Clarice R Weinberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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29
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Hasan Z, Rolle-McFarland D, Liu Y, Zhou J, Mostafaei F, Li Y, Fan Q, Zhou Y, Zheng W, Nie LH, Wells EM. Characterization of bone aluminum, a potential biomarker of cumulative exposure, within an occupational population from Zunyi, China. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2020; 59:126469. [PMID: 31982817 PMCID: PMC7112220 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aluminum (Al) is a neurotoxicant; however, efforts to understand Al toxicity are limited by the lack of a quantitative biomarker of cumulative exposure. Bone Al measurements may address this need. Here, we describe and compare non-invasive bone Al measurements with fingernail Al and Al cumulative exposure indices (CEIs). METHODS We completed a cross-sectional study of 43 factory workers in Zunyi, China. Bone Al measurements were taken with a compact in-vivo neutron activation analysis system (IVNAA). Fingernail samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. CEIs, based on self-reported work history and prior literature, were calculated for the prior 5, 10, 15, 20 years and lifetime work history. Linear regressions adjusted for age and education compared fingernail Al and Al CEIs with bone Al. RESULTS Median (interquartile range (IQR)) Al measurements were: 15 μg/g dry bone (IQR = 28) for bone Al; 34.9 μg/g (43.3) for fingernail; and 24 (20) for lifetime CEI. In adjusted regression models, an increase in 15-year CEI was significantly associated with increased bone Al (β = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16, 1.66). Associations of bone Al with 10- and 20-year CEI were approaching statistical significance (β = 0.98, 95% CI: -0.14, 2.1; β = 0.59, 95% CI: -0.01, 1.18, respectively). Other models were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Bone Al was significantly associated with 15-year Al CEI, but not other Al CEIs or fingernail Al. Bone Al may be a useful measure of cumulative, rather than short-term, Al exposure. Additional refinement of this method is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Hasan
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Danelle Rolle-McFarland
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yingzi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jieqiong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Farshad Mostafaei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yan Li
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qiyuan Fan
- Zunyi Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yuanzhong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Linda H Nie
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Ellen M Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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30
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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.
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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.)
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31
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Wiart JF, Hakim F, Andry A, Eiden C, Drevin G, Lelièvre B, Rougé-Maillart C, Decourcelle M, Lemaire-Hurtel AS, Allorge D, Gaulier JM. Pitfalls of toxicological investigations in hair, bones, and nails in extensively decomposed bodies: illustration with two cases. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1339-1344. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02267-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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32
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Specht AJ, Dickerson AS, Kponee-Shovein KZ, Nkpaa KW, Weisskopf MG. Toenail Metal Exposures in Fishermen from Bodo City, Nigeria. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 104:90-95. [PMID: 31728558 PMCID: PMC6946879 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02750-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We conducted exposure assessment using toenails from 20 fishermen living in Bodo City, a community of the Niger delta region in Nigeria. This community has been affected by over 4000 oil spills and environmental disasters. Fishing is the primary source of food and income for individuals in this community. Previous research in Bodo City found elevated metal levels in fish. Toenails were used as a biomarker to investigate the feasibility for use in risk assessment studies in developing countries. The toenails collected had significantly higher manganese levels (median 5.8 µg/g) and lead levels (median 0.98 µg/g) than those reported in more developed countries, comparable levels to those from other low-middle incomes countries. These exposure levels are likely a direct result of exposures from the environmental disasters the community has experienced and would be related to increased risks for many diseases previously associated with heavy metal exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Specht
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | | | - Kpobari W Nkpaa
- Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Gutiérrez-González E, García-Esquinas E, de Larrea-Baz NF, Salcedo-Bellido I, Navas-Acien A, Lope V, Gómez-Ariza JL, Pastor R, Pollán M, Pérez-Gómez B. Toenails as biomarker of exposure to essential trace metals: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108787. [PMID: 31610392 PMCID: PMC8164381 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Health problems associated with essential trace metals can result from both inadequate (i.e., low intake) and excessive exposures (i.e., from environmental and/or occupational source). Thus, measuring the exposure level is a real challenge for epidemiologists. Among non-invasive biomarkers that intend to measure long-term exposure to essential trace metals, the toenail is probably the biological matrix with the greatest potential. This systematic review collects the current evidence regarding the validity of toenail clippings as exposure biomarker for trace metals such as boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, vanadium and zinc. Special attention was paid to the time-window of exposure reflected by the toenail, the intraindividual variability in exposure levels over time in this matrix, and the relationship of toenail with other biomarkers, personal characteristics and environmental sources. Our search identified 139 papers, with selenium and zinc being the most studied elements. The variability among studies suggests that toenail levels may reflect different degrees of exposure and probably correspond to exposures occurred 3-12 months before sampling (i.e., for manganese/selenium). Few studies assessed the reproducibility of results over time and, for samples obtained 1-6 years apart, the correlation coefficient were between 0.26 and 0.66. Trace metal levels in toenails did not correlate well with those in the blood and urine and showed low-moderate correlation with those in the hair and fingernails. Available data suggests that for some elements (Se, Mn, Zn) toenail concentrations reflect long-term external exposures in fairly reproducible levels, while for other metals, this association has not yet been assessed. Among dietary factors, only toenail selenium showed clear associations with the intake of supplements or specific foods. The toenail levels could also represent occupational exposure, for instance, Mn exposure in welders. The scarcity of information on other essential trace elements, together with the great heterogeneity among studies makes the validation of the usage of toenails as biomarkers of exposure to these elements difficult. Standardization of sample collection, quality control, analytical techniques and reporting procedures might facilitate further research focused on the clear understanding of the significance of essential levels in this promising matrix and would enhance its utility in epidemiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gutiérrez-González
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Esther García-Esquinas
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Fernández de Larrea-Baz
- 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
| | - Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada & Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Virginia Lope
- 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
| | - José Luis Gómez-Ariza
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Research Center on Health and Environment (RENSMA), C/ Menéndez Pelayo, 21002, Huelva, Spain
| | - Roberto Pastor
- 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
| | - Beatriz Pérez-Gómez
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; 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.
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O’Brien KM, White AJ, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Sandler DP, Weinberg CR. Toenail-Based Metal Concentrations and Young-Onset Breast Cancer. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:34-43. [PMID: 32242893 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Several metals have carcinogenic properties, but their associations with breast cancer are not established. We studied cadmium, a metalloestrogen, and 9 other metals-arsenic, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, lead, tin, and vanadium--in relation to young-onset breast cancer (diagnosis age <50 years), which tends to be more aggressive than and have a different risk profile from later-onset disease. Recent metal exposure was measured by assessing element concentrations, via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in toenail clippings of 1,217 disease-discordant sister pairs in the US-based Sister (2003-2009) and Two Sister (2008-2010) studies. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. After correcting for differential calendar time of sample collection, no statistically significant associations were observed between any metals and breast cancer. Vanadium had the largest odds ratio (for fourth vs. first quartile, odds ratio = 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.75, 3.16; P for trend = 0.21). The association between cadmium and young-onset breast cancer was near null, with no evidence of a dose-response relationship (for fourth vs. first quartile, odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.64, 1.43; P for trend = 0.64). Positive associations between urinary cadmium concentrations and breast cancer have been reported in case-control studies, but we observed no such association between young-onset breast cancer and toenail concentrations of any assessed metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M O’Brien
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Clarice R Weinberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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35
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Wu AC, Allen JG, Coull B, Amarasiriwardena C, Sparrow D, Vokonas P, Schwartz J, Weisskopf MG. Correlation over time of toenail metals among participants in the VA normative aging study from 1992 to 2014. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2019; 29:663-673. [PMID: 30482937 PMCID: PMC6536369 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0095-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scientists use biomarkers to evaluate metal exposures. One biomarker, toenails, is easily obtained and minimally invasive, but less commonly used as a biomarker of exposure. Their utility will depend on understanding characteristics of their variation in a population over time. The objective of our study is to describe the correlation of toenail metal levels many years apart among participants in the VA Normative Aging Study (NAS). METHODS Toenail clippings from 825 participants of the NAS from year 1992 to 2014 were analyzed for lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), and Mercury (Hg). We utilized linear mixed models to assess correlation between toenail metal concentrations in multiple toenail samples from the same subject collected years apart and identified the optimal covariance pattern by likelihood ratio tests and Akaike's information criterion (AIC). Correlations among different metals were described using Spearman correlations. RESULTS The average number of times toenail samples were collected from each subject ranged from 1.63 (Hg) to 2.04 (As). The average number of years between toenails collected per subject ranged from 4.73 (SD = 2.44) (Mn) to 5.35 (SD = 2.69) (Hg). Metal concentrations had slightly different correlation patterns over time, although for all metals correlations decreased with increasing time between samples. Estimated correlations over a 3-year span were highest for toenail Pb (0.68) and Hg (0.67), while As, Cd, and Mn had lower correlations of 0.49, 0.44, and 0.47, respectively. Even across a 6-year span, the lowest correlation was 0.35 (Cd). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that Pb, As, Cd, Mn, and Hg levels from toenail clippings can reasonably reflect exposures over several years in elderly men in the NAS. Even across 6 years, toenail metal levels were generally well correlated among NAS participants. As such, they may be useful as biomarkers of exposure in epidemiological studies of similar populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Wu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Brent Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chitra Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Sparrow
- Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Landmark Center, L3-046, PO Box 15677, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Sauvé JF, Ramsay JM, Locke SJ, Dopart PJ, Josse PR, Zaebst DD, Albert PS, Cantor KP, Baris D, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Hosain GMM, Schwenn M, Johnson A, Purdue MP, Koutros S, Silverman DT, Friesen MC. Validity of retrospective occupational exposure estimates of lead and manganese in a case-control study. Occup Environ Med 2019; 76:680-687. [PMID: 31308155 PMCID: PMC6767614 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-105744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The validity of surrogate measures of retrospective occupational exposure in population-based epidemiological studies has rarely been evaluated. Using toenail samples as bioindicators of exposure, we assessed whether work tasks and expert assessments of occupational metal exposure obtained from personal interviews were associated with lead and manganese concentrations. METHODS We selected 609 controls from a case-control study of bladder cancer in New England who had held a job for ≥1 year 8-24 months prior to toenail collection. We evaluated associations between toenail metal concentrations and five tasks extracted from occupational questionnaires (grinding, painting, soldering, welding, working near engines) using linear regression models. For 139 subjects, we also evaluated associations between the toenail concentrations and exposure estimates from three experts. RESULTS We observed a 1.9-fold increase (95% CI 1.4 to 2.5) in toenail lead concentrations with painting and 1.4-fold increase (95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) in manganese concentrations with working around engines and handling fuel. We observed significant trends with increasing frequency of both activities. For lead, significant trends were observed with the ratings from all three experts. Their average ratings showed the strongest association, with subjects rated as possibly or probably exposed to lead having concentrations that were 2.0 and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than in unexposed subjects (ptrend <0.001). Expert estimates were only weakly associated with manganese toenail concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the ability of experts to identify broad contrasts in previous occupational exposure to lead. The stronger associations with task frequency and expert assessments support using refined exposure characterisation whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Sauvé
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joemy M. Ramsay
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
- Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sarah J. Locke
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Pamela J. Dopart
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Pabitra R. Josse
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Paul S. Albert
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Cantor
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dalsu Baris
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - GM Monawar Hosain
- Bureau of Public Health Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, NH, USA
| | | | | | - Mark P. Purdue
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Stella Koutros
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Debra T. Silverman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Melissa C. Friesen
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
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Rasheed H, Kay P, Slack R, Gong YY. Assessment of arsenic species in human hair, toenail and urine and their association with water and staple food. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2019; 29:624-632. [PMID: 30262833 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic intake from household drinking/cooking water and food may represent a significant exposure pathway to induce cancer and non-cancer health effects. This study is based on the human biomonitoring of 395 volunteers from 223 households with private water sources located in rural Punjab, Pakistan. This work has shown the relative contribution of water and staple food to arsenic intake and accumulation by multiple biological matrix measurements of inorganic and organic arsenic species, while accounting for potential confounders such as age, gender, occupation, and exposure duration of the study population. Multi-variable linear regression showed a strong significant relationship between total arsenic (tAs) intake from water and concentrations of tAs, inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine and toenail samples. tAs intake from staple food (rice and wheat) also showed a strong significant relationship with hair tAs and iAs. The sole impact of staple food intake on biomarkers was assessed and a significant correlation was found with all of the urinary arsenic metabolites. Toenail was found to be the most valuable biomarker of past exposure to inorganic and organic arsenic species of dietary and metabolic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hifza Rasheed
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Paul Kay
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rebecca Slack
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Yun Yun Gong
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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38
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Palzes VA, Sagiv SK, Baker JM, Rojas-Valverde D, Gutiérrez-Vargas R, Winkler MS, Fuhrimann S, Staudacher P, Menezes-Filho JA, Reiss AL, Eskenazi B, Mora AM. Manganese exposure and working memory-related brain activity in smallholder farmworkers in Costa Rica: Results from a pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 173:539-548. [PMID: 30991177 PMCID: PMC6581040 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Main sources of manganese (Mn) in the general population are diet and drinking water. Mn is also found in ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicides used in agriculture or emitted into the air by ferromanganese plants and welding fumes, which can be additional environmental and occupational sources of exposure. High occupational Mn exposure has been linked with motor, behavioral, and cognitive impairment, but its effects on neural function remain poorly understood. We conducted a functional neuroimaging study in a sample of 48 farmworkers in Zarcero County, Costa Rica, an agricultural region where EBDC fungicides are sprayed. We measured Mn concentrations in farmworkers' toenails (n = 40 farmworkers) and hair (n = 33 farmworkers), and recorded brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during a letter-retrieval working memory task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We estimated exposure-outcome associations using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age and education level. Geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) toenail and hair Mn concentrations were 0.40 μg/g (3.52) and 0.24 μg/g (3.54), respectively. We did not find strong evidence that Mn concentrations were associated with working memory-related brain activity in this sample of farmworkers; we also found null associations between working memory task accuracy and brain activity. However, our small sample size may have limited our ability to detect small effect sizes with statistical precision. Our study demonstrates that fNIRS can be a useful and feasible tool in environmental epidemiology for examining the effects of toxicants, like Mn, on neural function. This may prove to be important for elucidating neuropathological pathways that underlie previously reported associations of elevated Mn exposure with neurotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa A Palzes
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica; Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joseph M Baker
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Rojas-Valverde
- Centro de Investigación y Diagnóstico en Salud y Deporte, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Randall Gutiérrez-Vargas
- Centro de Investigación y Diagnóstico en Salud y Deporte, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Mirko S Winkler
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Fuhrimann
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Philipp Staudacher
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Allan L Reiss
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ana M Mora
- Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica; Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Rolle-McFarland D, Liu Y, Mostafaei F, Zauber SE, Zhou Y, Li Y, Fan Q, Zheng W, Nie LH, Wells EM. The association of bone, fingernail and blood manganese with cognitive and olfactory function in Chinese workers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:1003-1010. [PMID: 30970467 PMCID: PMC6461352 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Occupational manganese (Mn) exposure has been associated with cognitive and olfactory dysfunction; however, few studies have incorporated cumulative biomarkers of Mn exposure such as bone Mn (BnMn). Our goal was to assess the cross-sectional association between BnMn, blood Mn (BMn), and fingernail Mn (FMn) with cognitive and olfactory function among Mn-exposed workers. A transportable in vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNAA) system was designed and utilized to assess BnMn among 60 Chinese workers. BMn and FMn were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cognitive and olfactory function was assessed using Animal and Fruit Naming tests, World Health Organization/University of California-Los Angeles Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Additional data were obtained via questionnaire. Regression models adjusted for age, education, factory of employment, and smoking status (UPSIT only), were used to assess the relationship between Mn biomarkers and test scores. In adjusted models, increasing BnMn was significantly associated with decreased performance on average AVLT scores [β (95% confidence interval (CI)) = -0.65 (-1.21, -0.09)] and Animal Naming scores [β (95% CI) = -1.54 (-3.00, -0.07)]. Increasing FMn was significantly associated with reduced performance measured by the average AVLT [β (95% CI) = -0.35 (-0.70, -0.006)] and the difference in AVLT scores [β (95% CI) = -0.40 (-0.77, -0.03)]. BMn was not significantly associated with any test scores; no significant associations were observed with Fruit Naming or UPSIT tests. BnMn and FMn, but not BMn, are associated with cognitive function in Mn-exposed workers. None of the biomarkers were significantly associated with olfactory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danelle Rolle-McFarland
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Public Health Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yingzi Liu
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Farshad Mostafaei
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - S Elizabeth Zauber
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yuanzhong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qiyuan Fan
- Zunyi Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Linda H Nie
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Ellen M Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Public Health Graduate Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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40
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O’Brien KM, White AJ, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Sandler DP, Weinberg CR. Toenail-Based Metal Concentrations and Young-Onset Breast Cancer. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:646-655. [PMID: 30608527 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several metals have carcinogenic properties, but their associations with breast cancer are not established. We studied cadmium, a metalloestrogen, and 9 other metals-arsenic, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, lead, tin, and vanadium--in relation to young-onset breast cancer (diagnosis age <50 years), which tends to be more aggressive than and have a different risk profile from later-onset disease. Recent metal exposure was measured by assessing element concentrations, via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in toenail clippings of 1,217 disease-discordant sister pairs in the US-based Sister (2003-2009) and Two Sister (2008-2010) studies. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. After correcting for differential calendar time of sample collection, no statistically significant associations were observed between any metals and breast cancer. Vanadium had the largest odds ratio (for fourth vs. first quartile, odds ratio = 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.84, 2.21; P for trend = 0.17). Cadmium was associated with a small increase in risk, with no evidence of a dose-response relationship (for fourth vs. first quartile, odds ratio = 1.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.82, 1.60; P for trend = 0.67). Positive associations between urinary cadmium concentrations and breast cancer have been reported in case-control studies, but we observed no such association between young-onset breast cancer and toenail concentrations of any assessed metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M O’Brien
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Clarice R Weinberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Chen P, Totten M, Zhang Z, Bucinca H, Erikson K, Santamaría A, Bowma AB, Aschner M. Iron and manganese-related CNS toxicity: mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:243-260. [PMID: 30759034 PMCID: PMC6422746 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1581608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are essential nutrients for humans. They act as cofactors for a variety of enzymes. In the central nervous system (CNS), these two metals are involved in diverse neurological activities. Dyshomeostasis may interfere with the critical enzymatic activities, hence altering the neurophysiological status and resulting in neurological diseases. Areas covered: In this review, the authors cover the molecular mechanisms of Fe/Mn-induced toxicity and neurological diseases, as well as the diagnosis and potential treatment. Given that both Fe and Mn are abundant in the earth crust, nutritional deficiency is rare. In this review the authors focus on the neurological disorders associated with Mn and Fe overload. Expert commentary: Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are the primary molecular mechanism that mediates Fe/Mn-induced neurotoxicity. Although increased Fe or Mn concentrations have been found in brain of patients, it remains controversial whether the elevated metal amounts are the primary cause or secondary consequence of neurological diseases. Currently, treatments are far from satisfactory, although chelation therapy can significantly decrease brain Fe and Mn levels. Studies to determine the primary cause and establish the molecular mechanism of toxicity may help to adapt more comprehensive and satisfactory treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Chen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Totten
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hana Bucinca
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Keith Erikson
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Abel Santamaría
- Laboratory of Excitatory Amino Acids, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aaron B. Bowma
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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Unrine JM, Slone SA, Sanderson W, Johnson N, Durbin EB, Shrestha S, Hahn EJ, Feltner F, Huang B, Christian WJ, Mellon I, Orren DK, Arnold SM. A case-control study of trace-element status and lung cancer in Appalachian Kentucky. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212340. [PMID: 30811496 PMCID: PMC6392268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Appalachian Kentucky (App KY) leads the nation in lung cancer incidence and mortality. Trace elements, such as As, have been associated with lung cancers in other regions of the country and we hypothesized that a population-based study would reveal higher trace element concentrations in App KY individuals with cancer compared to controls. Using toenail and drinking water trace element concentrations, this study investigated a possible association between lung cancer incidence and trace-element exposure in residents of this region. This population-based case-control study had 520 subjects, and 367 subjects provided toenail samples. Additionally, we explored the relationship between toenail and fingernail trace-element concentrations to determine if fingernails could be used as a surrogate for toenails when patients are unable to provide toenail samples. We found that, contrary to our initial hypothesis, trace element concentrations (Al, As, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Se, and Pb) were not higher in cancer cases than controls with the exception of Zn where concentrations were slightly higher in cases. In fact, univariate logistic regression models showed that individuals with lower concentrations of several elements (Al, Mn, Cr, and Se) were more likely to have lung cancer, although only Mn was significant in multivariate models which controlled for confounding factors. While drinking water concentrations of Al, Cr and Co were positively related to cancer incidence in univariate models, only Co remained significant in multivariate models. However, since the drinking water concentrations were extremely low and not reflected in the toenail concentrations, the significance of this finding is unclear. We also found that fingernail concentrations were not consistently predictive of toenail concentrations, indicating that fingernails should not be used as surrogates for toenails in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M. Unrine
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Stacey A. Slone
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Wayne Sanderson
- Department of Preventative Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Nancy Johnson
- Department of Preventative Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Eric B. Durbin
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Kentucky Cancer Registry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Shristi Shrestha
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Ellen J. Hahn
- BREATHE, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Fran Feltner
- Center of Excellence in Rural Health, University of Kentucky, Hazard, KY, United States of America
| | - Bin Huang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Kentucky Cancer Registry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - W. Jay Christian
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Isabel Mellon
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - David K. Orren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Susanne M. Arnold
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
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O'Brien KM, White AJ, Sandler DP, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Weinberg CR. Do Post-breast Cancer Diagnosis Toenail Trace Element Concentrations Reflect Prediagnostic Concentrations? Epidemiology 2019; 30:112-119. [PMID: 30256233 PMCID: PMC6275107 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to trace elements may affect health, including breast cancer risk. Trace element levels in toenails are potentially useful biomarkers of exposure, but their reliability is not established. We assessed the reproducibility of toenail element concentrations over time and whether concentrations change following a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS We assessed trace element levels in toenails collected at two time points from 221 women (111 with and 110 without an intervening breast cancer diagnosis). We measured levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in samples collected at baseline and 4-10 years later. We compared trace element concentrations over time using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (R). We used linear models to examine the magnitude and direction of changes and the influence of a breast cancer diagnosis. RESULTS Overall, we observed positive correlations (R = 0.18-0.71) between paired samples for all trace elements. However, nickel (R = -0.02) and antimony (R = 0.12) were not correlated among cases. We observed decreases in cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and lead between baseline and follow-up, but case status was unrelated to these changes. The declines are consistent with decreases over calendar time rather than age time. CONCLUSIONS Toenail trace element concentrations were correlated over time, but many elements showed systematic decreases by calendar year. Aside from nickel and antimony, postdiagnostic toenail levels correlated with prediagnostic levels, providing support for using postdiagnostic toenail samples in retrospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M O'Brien
- From the Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | - Clarice R Weinberg
- From the Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
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44
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Farzan SF, Howe CG, Chen Y, Gilbert-Diamond D, Cottingham KL, Jackson BP, Weinstein AR, Karagas MR. Prenatal lead exposure and elevated blood pressure in children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:1289-1296. [PMID: 30389381 PMCID: PMC6279470 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures can influence blood pressure over the course of a lifetime. Exposure to toxic metals, such as lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), has been associated with increased blood pressure in adults, but few studies have examined the impacts of in utero and early life toxic metals exposure on blood pressure in childhood. As subclinical vascular changes are thought to begin early in life, it is possible that in utero toxic metals exposure may play a role in blood pressure homeostasis. In the ongoing New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we investigated whether in utero exposure to Pb and As was associated with measures of blood pressure in a total of 323 young children (mean age 5.5 years, SD 0.4). Pb and As were measured in maternal toenail samples collected at ~28 weeks gestation (n = 257) and/or 6 weeks postpartum (n = 285), which represent exposures ~6 to 12 months prior to collection and therefore reflect the early prenatal and late prenatal exposures, respectively. Five measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were averaged for each child using a standardized technique. In linear regression analyses, where log2-transformed prenatal toenail Pb and As were modeled jointly and adjusted for child age, sex, height, weight and maternal smoking during pregnancy, we observed that a doubling of maternal prenatal toenail Pb was associated with statistically significant increases in child SBP (β: 0.58 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.11). We did not observe any association of prenatal or postpartum As, or postpartum Pb, with SBP or DBP. Exploratory sex-stratified analyses suggest that associations of prenatal Pb with BP may be stronger among boys (SBP β: 0.72 mm Hg: 95% CI: -0.01, 1.44; DBP β: 0.37; 95% CI: -0.09, 0.84), compared to girls (SBP β: 0.48 mm Hg: 95% CI: -0.31, 1.26; DBP β: -0.05; 95% CI: -0.52, 0.41), though tests for interaction did not reach statistical significance (p-interaction SBP = 0.059; DBP = 0.057). Our preliminary results suggest that in utero toxic metals exposures may be associated with early life increases in blood pressure in children, which could have consequences for long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh F Farzan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Kathryn L Cottingham
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Adam R Weinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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45
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Sadat SM, Seyed Ghoreyshi S, Rajabi F, Zendehdel R. Development of a new method for biomonitoring of multiple metals in occupational exposure. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2018; 15:833-840. [PMID: 30207929 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1521972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of co-exposure to several types of metal contamination poses a hurdle for occupational monitoring. Determination of elements in biological samples is an important way to evaluate occupational exposure. However, optimized methods for the extraction of multiple metals from biological samples have not been reported in recent studies. Therefore, solid-phase extraction (SPE) based on the functionalized nano-zeolite Y was suggested for the biomonitoring of metal co-exposure. SPE was conducted with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) surrounded by Triton X-100 micelles, which were loaded into the pores of nano-zeolite Y. In this study, SPE was optimized for pre-concentration of trace amounts of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in urine samples with respect to the pH, APDC concentration, elution condition, amount of functionalized nano-zeolite Y, and sample volume. This method has been successfully optimized for the extraction of the mentioned multiple metals with >97% efficiency and an acceptable reproducibility with a coefficient variation of <10%. This method could be used in the extraction of multiple metals in environmental and occupational exposure conditions. In this study, urine samples of welding workers were evaluated following this optimized method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Sadat
- a Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Shirin Seyed Ghoreyshi
- a Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rajabi
- a Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Rezvan Zendehdel
- b Department of Occupational Hygiene, School of Public Health and Safety , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science , Tehran , Iran
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Ward EJ, Edmondson DA, Nour MM, Snyder S, Rosenthal FS, Dydak U. Toenail Manganese: A Sensitive and Specific Biomarker of Exposure to Manganese in Career Welders. Ann Work Expo Health 2018; 62:101-111. [PMID: 29186301 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxx091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal. It is also a component of welding fume. Chronic inhalation of manganese from welding fume has been associated with decreased neurological function. Currently, there is not a universally recognized biomarker for Mn exposure; however, hair and toenails have shown promise. In a cohort of 45 male welders and 35 age-matched factory control subjects, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of toenail Mn to distinguish occupationally exposed subjects from unexposed controls. Further we examined the exposure time window that best correlates with the proposed biomarker, and investigated if non-occupational exposure factors impacted toenail Mn concentrations. Toenail clippings were analyzed for Mn using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Exposure to respirable Mn-containing particles (<4 µm) was estimated using an exposure model that combines personal air monitoring, work history information, and dietary intake to estimate an individual's exposure to Mn from inhalation of welding fume. We assessed the group differences in toenail concentrations using a Student's t-test between welders and control subjects and performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify a threshold in toenail concentration that has the highest sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing welders from control subjects. Additionally, we performed mixed-model regressions to investigate the association between different exposure windows and toenail Mn concentrations. We observed that toenail Mn concentrations were significantly elevated among welders compared to control subjects (6.87 ± 2.56 versus 2.70 ± 1.70 µg g-1; P < 0.001). Our results show that using a toenail Mn concentration of 4.14 µg g-1 as cutoff allows for discriminating between controls and welders with 91% specificity and 94% sensitivity [area under curve (AUC) = 0.98]. Additionally, we found that a threshold of 4.66 µg g-1 toenail Mn concentration enables a 90% sensitive and 90% specific discrimination (AUC = 0.96) between subjects with average exposure above or below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 0.02 mg m-3 during the exposure window of 7-12 months prior to the nail being clipped. Investigating which exposure window was best reflected by toenail Mn reproduced the result from another study of toenail Mn being significantly (P < 0.001) associated with exposure 7-12 months prior to the nail being clipped. Lastly, we found that dietary intake, body mass index, age, smoking status, and ethnicity had no significant effect on toenail Mn concentrations. Our results suggest that toenail Mn is a sensitive, specific, and easy-to-acquire biomarker of Mn exposure, which is feasible to be used in an industrial welder population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Ward
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, USA
| | - David A Edmondson
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | | | - Sandy Snyder
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, USA
| | | | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
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Ciesielski TH, Schwartz J, Bellinger DC, Hauser R, Amarasiriwardena C, Sparrow D, Wright RO. Iron-processing genotypes, nutrient intakes, and cadmium levels in the Normative Aging Study: Evidence of sensitive subpopulations in cadmium risk assessment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 119:527-535. [PMID: 30059941 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because iron and cadmium share common transport mechanisms, iron-processing protein variants such as HFE C282Y, HFE H63D, and Transferrin P570S may influence cadmium metabolism. Our aim was to evaluate associations between common HFE and Transferrin polymorphisms and toenail cadmium levels among older men. METHODS In a longitudinal cohort of men age 51-97, the Normative Aging Study (NAS), we evaluated toenail cadmium concentrations and missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HFE and Transferrin genes. We fit age-adjusted models to estimate associations between genotypes and toenail cadmium concentrations. We then considered potential interactions with smoking status, hemoglobin, and nutritional intakes known to modulate cadmium absorption. For the significant interactions, we also evaluated genotype specific effect estimates. RESULTS HFE and Transferrin genotypes were not associated with toenail cadmium concentrations in the main effect analyses, but there were significant interactions between HFE H63D and hemoglobin (pinteraction = 0.021), as well as HFE H63D and vitamin C intake (pinteraction = 0.048). Genotype specific effect estimates suggested: 1) an inverse relationship between hemoglobin and cadmium levels among HFE H63D homozygotes, and 2) an inverse relationship between vitamin C intake and cadmium levels that strengthens with the number of HFE H63D variant alleles a subject carries. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that sensitive subpopulations defined by diet, hemoglobin level, and genotype may absorb more cadmium from their environment and thus should be considered in cadmium risk analyses. These findings are particularly relevant given the high prevalence of the H63D variant worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David C Bellinger
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Chitra Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - David Sparrow
- VA Normative Aging Study, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and the Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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48
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Marinho Reis AP, Cave M, Sousa AJ, Wragg J, Rangel MJ, Oliveira AR, Patinha C, Rocha F, Orsiere T, Noack Y. Lead and zinc concentrations in household dust and toenails of the residents (Estarreja, Portugal): a source-pathway-fate model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2018; 20:1210-1224. [PMID: 30084851 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00211h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes a methodology developed to assess and apportion probable indoor and outdoor sources of potentially toxic elements while identifying chemical signatures in the household dust collected from private homes in an industrial city (Estarreja, central Portugal). Oral bioaccessibility estimates and the chemical composition of toenail clippings were used to assess indoor dust ingestion as a potential exposure pathway and further investigate exposure-biomarker relationships. Indoor and paired outdoor dust samples were collected from each household. A total of 30 individuals, who provided toenail clippings and a self-reported questionnaire, were recruited for the study. Total concentrations of 34 elements, including lead and zinc, were determined in washed toenail samples and household dust via Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The oral bioaccessibility was estimated using the Unified BARGE Method. The enrichment factor shows that lead was enriched (10 < EF < 100) while zinc (EF > 100) was anomalously enriched in the household dust, thus indicating potential exposure in the home environment. The results from principal component analysis coupled to cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis suggested that mixed contamination derived from multiple sources with a predominance of biomass burning. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to model toenail data using the indoor dust elemental composition. Whereas the model obtained for lead was not reliable, indoor dust zinc and antimony contents arose as good predictors of toenail zinc. The exposure-biomarker relationships seem to be influenced by the oral bioaccessibility of the elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Paula Marinho Reis
- GEOBIOTEC, Departmento de Geociências, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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49
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White AJ, O'Brien KM, Jackson BP, Karagas MR. Urine and toenail cadmium levels in pregnant women: A reliability study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 118:86-91. [PMID: 29857281 PMCID: PMC6045451 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium, as measured in human tissue, has been associated with numerous health outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated the reliability of cadmium measurements across different biologic samples. We evaluated toenail cadmium levels over time and compared toenail cadmium to urinary cadmium. We also evaluated the relationship between biomarker concentrations and cigarette smoking, a known source of cadmium exposure. METHODS Cadmium was assessed in urine and toenail samples collected from 1338 pregnant women participating in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. Each participant was asked to provide a urine and a toenail sample at enrollment (between 24 and 28 weeks gestation) and another toenail sample 2-8 weeks postpartum. Cadmium concentrations were determined using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Spearman correlations were assessed for cadmium in the toenails across the two-time points and comparing toenail and urine levels. Smoking status was evaluated as a predictor of cadmium levels. RESULTS Toenail cadmium assessed during pregnancy and postpartum were modestly correlated (R = 0.3, p < 0.0001). However, urine and toenail cadmium levels were unrelated (R = -0.03, p = 0.46). Both toenail and urinary cadmium levels were associated with women's smoking status. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both toenail and urinary cadmium concentrations reflect the major source of exposure - cigarette smoking. Toenail cadmium concentrations are modestly reproducible pre- and postpartum; but do not appear to be related to urinary cadmium and thus likely represent different windows and chronicity of exposure among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Katie M O'Brien
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Specht AJ, Kponee K, Nkpaa KW, Balcom PH, Weuve J, Nie LH, Weisskopf MG. Validation of x-ray fluorescence measurements of metals in toenail clippings against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in a Nigerian population<sup/>. Physiol Meas 2018; 39:085007. [PMID: 30091720 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/aad947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Metal exposures have been linked with many adverse health outcomes affecting nearly every system in the body. Exposure to metals has been tracked primarily using blood. Blood metal concentrations have drawbacks as biomarkers stemming from the metals' short biologic half-lives, shipping and storage requirements, and invasive collection procedures. Toenails, which capture a longer exposure period, can be collected non-invasively and stored at room temperature, and can be more feasible and cost-effective for large-scale population studies. APPROACH Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used for analysis of toenail metal concentrations, but x-ray fluorescence (XRF) has many advantages in versatility and cost effectiveness over these analyses. This study compared toenail concentrations of manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) measured with XRF against ICP-MS, in samples collected from 20 adults in Nigeria. To do this we developed a novel calibration method that corrects XRF measurements for toenail weight and thickness to reduce the variability in XRF measurements of toenail clippings. MAIN RESULTS We found a high correlation (R = 0.91) between toenail manganese metal measurements made with XRF and ICP-MS and a correlation of (R = 0.32) between toenail lead XRF and ICP-MS with over half of the lead results below the detection limit of the instrumentation. SIGNIFICANCE XRF can be used effectively to quantify metals at the part per million level or lower depending on the XRF equipment used in the measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Specht
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America. Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed
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