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Zhang Y, Tang M, Zhang S, Lin Y, Yang K, Yang Y, Zhang J, Man J, Verginelli I, Shen C, Luo J, Luo Y, Yao Y. Mapping Blood Lead Levels in China during 1980-2040 with Machine Learning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:7270-7278. [PMID: 38625742 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Lead poisoning is globally concerning, yet limited testing hinders effective interventions in most countries. We aimed to create annual maps of county-specific blood lead levels in China from 1980 to 2040 using a machine learning model. Blood lead data from China were sourced from 1180 surveys published between 1980 and 2022. Additionally, regional statistical figures for 15 natural and socioeconomic variables were obtained or estimated as predictors. A machine learning model, using the random forest algorithm and 2973 generated samples, was created to predict county-specific blood lead levels in China from 1980 to 2040. Geometric mean blood lead levels in children (i.e., age 14 and under) decreased significantly from 104.4 μg/L in 1993 to an anticipated 40.3 μg/L by 2040. The number exceeding 100 μg/L declined dramatically, yet South Central China remains a hotspot. Lead exposure is similar among different groups, but overall adults and adolescents (i.e., age over 14), females, and rural residents exhibit slightly lower exposure compared to that of children, males, and urban residents, respectively. Our predictions indicated that despite the general reduction, one-fourth of Chinese counties rebounded during 2015-2020. This slower decline might be due to emerging lead sources like smelting and coal combustion; however, the primary factor driving the decline should be the reduction of a persistent source, legacy gasoline-derived lead. Our approach innovatively maps lead exposure without comprehensive surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengling Tang
- Department of Public Health, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuyou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Yaoyao Lin
- Department of Public Health, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kaixuan Yang
- Department of Public Health, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yadi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Jiangjiang Zhang
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Jun Man
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Iason Verginelli
- Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Chaofeng Shen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Yongming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yijun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Gherase MR, Serna B, Kroeker S. A novel calibration for L-shell x-ray fluorescence measurements of bone lead concentration using the strontium K β/K αratio. Physiol Meas 2021; 42:10.1088/1361-6579/abf886. [PMID: 33857933 PMCID: PMC8177726 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/abf886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective. Lead (Pb) is a well-known toxic element.In vivobone Pb concentration measurement is a long-term exposure metric complementary to blood Pb concentration measurement which is a metric of recent exposure.In vivohuman tibia bone Pb measurements using Pb K-shell or L-shell x-ray fluorescence (KXRF or LXRF) emissions were developed in the 1980s. KXRF bone Pb measurements using Cd-109 gamma rays and coherent-to-fluorescence ratio to account for differences between phantom andin vivomeasurements, was employed in human studies. Bone Pb LXRF method employed x-ray tubes. However, calibration procedures using ultrasound measurements of the soft tissue thickness (STT) proved inaccurate.Approach. In this study, bone and soft tissue (ST) phantoms simulatedin vivobone Pb measurements. Seven plaster-of-Paris cylindrical bone phantoms containing 1.01 mg g-1of strontium (Sr) were doped with Pb in 0, 8, 16, 29, 44, 59, and 74 μg g-1concentrations. Polyoxymethylene (POM), resin, and wax were each used to fabricate four ST phantoms in the approximate 1-4 mm thickness range. Pb LXRF measurements were performed using a previously developed optimal grazing incidence position method.Main results. Linear attenuation coefficients measurements of ST materials indicated that POM and resin mimicked well attenuation of Pb x-rays in skin and adipose tissue, respectively. POM and resin data indicated a bone Pb detection limit of 20 μg g-1for a 2 mm STT. Derived relationships between the Pb concentration, Pb LXRF and Sr Kβ/Kαratio data did not require STT knowledge. Applied to POM and resin data, the new calibration method yielded unbiased results.Significance.In vivobone Pb measurements in children were suggested following considerations of radiation dose, STT, detectability and distribution of Pb and Sr in bone. This research meets with the concerns regarding the negative effects of low levels of Pb exposure on neurodevelopment of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai R Gherase
- Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, United States of America
| | - Blaz Serna
- Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, United States of America
| | - Sarah Kroeker
- Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, United States of America
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Zhang X, Specht AJ, Wells E, Weisskopf MG, Weuve J, Nie LH. Evaluation of a portable XRF device for in vivo quantification of lead in bone among a US population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:142351. [PMID: 33207470 PMCID: PMC7677595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) concentration in bone is a reliable biomarker for cumulative Pb exposure and studying associated health outcomes. However, the standard K-shell fluorescence (KXRF) bone Pb measurement technology has limitations in large-scale population studies. OBJECTIVE We compared measurements from a portable XRF device and a KXRF device. METHODS We measured bone Pb concentrations in vivo using portable XRF and KXRF, each measured at the mid-tibia bone in 71 people, 38-95 years of age (mean ± SD = 63 ± 11 years) living in or near three Indiana communities, US; 10 participants were occupationally exposed. We estimated the correlation between bone Pb concentrations measured by both devices. We also examined the extent to which the detection limit (DL) of the portable XRF was influenced by scan time and overlying soft tissue thickness. Finally, we quantified the associations of estimated bone Pb concentration with age and age with soft tissue thickness. RESULTS The mean bone Pb concentration measured via portable XRF was 12.3 ± 16.7 mg Pb/kg dry bone. The uncertainty of a 3-minute (N = 60) in vivo portable XRF measurement ranged from 1.8 to 6.3 mg/kg, in the context of soft tissue thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm. This uncertainty was reduced by a factor of 1.4 with 5-minute measurements (N = 11). Bone Pb measurements via portable XRF and KXRF were significantly correlated: r = 0.48 for all participants, and r = 0.73 among participants with soft tissue thickness < 6 mm (72% of the sample). Bone Pb concentrations were higher among participants who were older or were occupationally exposed to Pb. Soft tissue thickness decreased with age. CONCLUSION With its ease of use, portability, and comparable sensitivity with conventional KXRF systems, the portable XRF could be a valuable tool for non-invasive quantification of bone Pb in vivo, especially for people with thinner soft tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Zhang
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, 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
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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Averina M, Hervig T, Huber S, Kjær M, Kristoffersen EK, Bolann B. Environmental pollutants in blood donors: The multicentre Norwegian donor study. Transfus Med 2020; 30:201-209. [DOI: 10.1111/tme.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Averina
- Department of Laboratory MedicineUniversity Hospital of North Norway Tromsø Norway
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health SciencesUiT The Arctic University of Norway Tromsø Norway
| | - Tor Hervig
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of Bergen, Norway
- Laboratory of Immunology and Transfusion MedicineHaugesund Hospital Haugesund Norway
| | - Sandra Huber
- Department of Laboratory MedicineUniversity Hospital of North Norway Tromsø Norway
| | | | - Einar K. Kristoffersen
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion MedicineHaukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
| | - Bjørn Bolann
- Department of Clinical ScienceUniversity of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and PharmacologyHaukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
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Gherase MR, Al-Hamdani S. Improvements and reproducibility of an optimal grazing-incidence position method to L-shell x-ray fluorescence measurements of lead in bone and soft tissue phantoms. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2018; 4. [PMID: 30631485 DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/aae300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
L-shell x-ray fluorescence (LXRF) is a non-invasive approach to lead (Pb) concentration measurements in human bone. The method is based on the detection of the characteristic x-ray photons of Pb at 10.5 and 12.6 keV and experimental studies were designed to perform in vivo human bone Pb measurements. In later studies, however, the initial LXRF methodology was shown to have poor accuracy and precision. In a recent publication, we investigated an optimal grazing-incidence position (OGIP) approach using a submillimeter x-ray beam from an integrated x-ray tube and polycapillary x-ray lens table-top system. The OGIP method effectively reduced the x-ray scatter and produced a Pb detection limit of ~5 μg/g for a 2 mm soft tissue phantom thickness. In this study, the OGIP methodology was improved by using 10 s x-ray spectra acquisitions at sequential positions 0.5 mm apart. The measured Sr Kα peak height versus position data was used to spectroscopically identify the bone phantom and the OGIP. The data was fitted with the analytical convolution between a Gaussian and an exponential decay. The position corresponding to the maximum of the fitted convolution function was then selected as the OGIP. Four phantom sets were used. A cylindrical plaster-of-Paris bone phantom doped with Pb in a concentration of 74 μg/g was used as a bare bone phantom or with one of the three overlying polyoxymethylene cylindrical shell soft tissue phantoms of 1, 2, and 3 mm thickness. The reproducibility of the OGIP method was assessed in five independent trials using each of the four phantom sets. The coefficient of variation (COV) percentage values of the Sr Kα peak height measurements were below 5%. The new procedure decreased by more than threefold the duration and radiation dose of the earlier approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai R Gherase
- California State University, Fresno, Fresno, California, United States
| | - Summer Al-Hamdani
- California State University, Fresno, Fresno, California, United States
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Gherase MR, Al-Hamdani S. A microbeam grazing-incidence approach to L-shell x-ray fluorescence measurements of lead concentration in bone and soft tissue phantoms. Physiol Meas 2018; 39:035007. [PMID: 29406315 PMCID: PMC6040594 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/aaad5a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE L-shell x-ray fluorescence (LXRF) is a non-invasive approach to lead (Pb) concentration measurements in the human bone. The first studies were published in the early 1980s. In the same period the K-shell x-ray fluorescence (KXRF) method using a Cd-109 radionuclide source was developed and later improved and refined. Lower sensitivity and calibration difficulties associated with the LXRF method led the KXRF to be the most adopted method for in vivo human bone Pb studies. In the present study a microbeam-based grazing-incidence approach to Pb LXRF measurements was investigated. APPROACH The microbeam produced by an integrated x-ray tube and polycapillary x-ray lens (PXL) unit was used to excite cylindrical plaster-of-Paris (poP) bone phantoms doped with Pb in seven concentrations: 0, 8, 16, 29, 44, 59, and 74 µg g-1. Two 1 mm- and 3 mm-thick cylindrical shell soft tissue phantoms were made out of polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic. Three bone-soft tissue phantom sets corresponding to the 0, 1, and 3 mm POM thickness values resulted. Each phantom was placed between the microbeam and the detector; its position was controlled using a positioning stage. Small steps (0.1-0.5 mm) and short 30 s x-ray spectra acquisitions were used to find the optimal phantom position according to the maximum observed Sr Kα peak height. At the optimal geometry, five 180 s x-ray spectra were acquired for each phantom set. Calibration lines were obtained using the fitted peak heights of the two observed Pb Lα and Pb Lβ peaks. MAIN RESULTS The lowest detection limit (DL) values were (2.9 ± 0.2), (4.9 ± 0.3), and (23 ± 3) µg g-1, respectively. The order of magnitude of the absorbed radiation dose in the POM plastic for the 180 s irradiation was estimated to be <1 mGy. SIGNIFICANCE The results are superior to a relatively recently published LXRF phantom study and show promise for future designs of in vivo LXRF measurements.
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McNeill FE, Fisher M, Chettle DR, Inskip M, Healey N, Bray R, Webber CE, Manton WI, Marro L, Arbuckle TE. The decrease in population bone lead levels in Canada between 1993 and 2010 as assessed by in vivo XRF. Physiol Meas 2017; 39:015005. [PMID: 28967867 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/aa904f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective and Approach: A study, conducted in Toronto, Canada, between 2009 and 2011, measured the bone lead concentrations of volunteers aged 1-82 years using in vivo x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. MAIN RESULTS Bone lead levels were lower compared to Ontario in vivo XRF studies from the early 1990s. In adults, the slope of tibia lead content versus age was reduced by 36-56%, i.e. bone lead levels for a given age group were approximately half compared to the same age group 17 years prior. Further, bone lead levels of individuals fell over that time period. In 2010, an average person aged 57 years had a bone lead level approximately 1/3 less than their bone lead level age 40 years in 1993. Using this data, the half-lives of lead in the tibia were estimated as 7-26 years. Tibia lead levels were found to be low in children. The reduction in bone tibia content in children was not significant (p = 0.07), but using data from additional north eastern US studies, there is evidence that childhood tibia stores are lower than in the 1990s. SIGNIFICANCE In vivo XRF analysis shows that there has been a reduction in the level of lead in bone in Canada over the last two decades. Public health measures have been very successful in reducing ongoing exposure to lead and in reducing bone lead stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E McNeill
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. Physics and Astronomy, Nuclear Research Building Room 230, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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