Tofu consumption and blood lead levels in young Chinese adults

Blood Lead, Systemic Inflammation, and Blood Pressure: Exploring Associations and Mediation Effects in Workers Exposed to Lead

Relationships of lead exposure with blood pressure and blood lead with inflammation have been previously established yet, but the conclusions are still controversial. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of systemic inflammation in the relationships between blood lead concentration and blood pressure. We quantified the levels of blood lead and white blood cell count in 505 lead-exposed workers with 842 observations. Associations between blood lead, white blood cell count, and blood pressure were evaluated by using linear mixed models. We further performed mediation analysis to investigate the role of white blood cell count in the associations between blood lead concentration and blood pressure. We observed that each 1% increase of blood lead levels was significantly positively associated with a 0.9%, 1.7%, and 1.1% increases in systolic blood pressure, white blood cell count, and blood platelet count, respectively. Also, we found that the levels of white blood cell count were positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure in a dose-response manner. Mediation analysis showed that the levels of white blood cell significantly mediated the associations between concentration of blood lead and systolic blood pressure. Collectively, our findings suggest that blood lead was positively associated with systolic blood pressure and that systemic inflammation might play a key role in this association.

Human exposure assessment to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from tofu consumption

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (V, B, Ba, Li, Sr, Cr, Ni, Al, Pb, Cd) were determined in 130 samples of different tofu types (natural, flavored, smoked, and fresh made) by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Al was the most notable element found with the highest concentration (6.71 mg/kg ww) found in flavored tofu. Ni level (0.38 mg/kg) stands out in smoked tofu. European tofu has higher PTE levels than Chinese tofu. Organic-produced tofu has higher PTE concentrations than conventional produced tofu. A total of 200 g/day of smoked tofu confers a contribution percentage of 39.6% of its TDI (tolerable daily intake). In addition, 200 g/day of flavored tofu would mean a high Pb contribution with a 23.2% of the BMDL (benchmark dose level) set in 0.63 μg/kg bw/day to the development of nephrotoxicity. Mean consumption would not pose a risk to adults' health. Considering the obtained results, it would be advisable to establish limits for certain metals such as Pb, Al, and Ni in this type of product. Furthermore, it is recommendable to set consumer guidelines to some tofu types in order to avoid excessive intake of PTEs.

The Social Cost of Informal Electronic Waste Processing in Southern China

Large amounts of e-waste are processed “informally” in lower income countries. Such processing releases dangerous pollutants, which increase mortality and reduce cognitive functioning. This paper estimates the social cost of informal e-waste processing in Southern China. This parameter may be “plugged-in” to cost-benefit analyses that evaluate the economic efficiency of policies to reduce informal e-waste processing in China or other lower income countries. It may also be used in the estimation of the social benefits (or costs) of new or proposed e-waste processing policies in higher income countries. We estimate that the social cost of informal e-waste processing in Guiyu is about $529 million. This amount is equivalent to about $423 per tonne (in 2018 US dollars) or $3528 per person, which is over half the gross income per capita of the residents of Guiyu. We also perform sensitivity analysis that varies the estimated mortality outcomes, the value of a statistical life and the amount of e-waste processed.

Where are we at with lead? Current levels, time trend, and determinants of blood lead in New Zealand children and adults

AIMS

A national biomonitoring survey was conducted in 2014-2016, to determine current blood lead levels (BLL) in New Zealand children and adults and identify determinants of BLL.

METHODS

Blood samples were provided by 191 children (age 5-18) and 304 adults (age 20-65) and analysed for BLL using inductively coupled mass spectroscopy. Linear regression on log-transformed BLL was used to assess associations between BLL and demographic and lifestyle factors collected via questionnaire.

RESULTS

The geometric mean (GM) BLL was 0.86 μg/dl (95%CI 0.80-0.92) for children and 1.31 μg/dl (1.23-1.39) for adults, representing a 90% reduction in BLL over the past 36 years. For children, shellfish consumption was associated with 20% higher BLL. Adult BLLs were positively associated with age, beer consumption, spirits consumption, having roof water as the home's water supply, and having worked in glass manufacturing. Determinants of reduced BLL were tofu and canned food consumption. For women, menopause was associated with 34% higher BLL.

CONCLUSIONS

Although significant reductions in New Zealanders' BLL have been achieved in the past decades, this study identified several additional opportunities to reduce further background exposure to lead. In particular, consideration needs to be given to reducing lead levels in New Zealand roof water supplies.

Nutritional determinants of anemia among adults in Eastern China

Historically, Eastern China has the highest prevalence of anemia among adults in China. It is commonly believed that iron deficiency is the main cause of anemia in China. Iron fortified soysauce is used to prevent anemia. Findings from Jiangsu Nutrition Study suggest that diet is related to anemia in this region. However, iron deficiency is not the main cause. Micronutrients other than iron (e.g., riboflavin) need to be considered in the prevention of anemia in the region.

Prevalence of unrecognized lower extremity peripheral arterial disease and the associated factors in chinese hypertensive adults

We aimed to examine the prevalence of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (LE-PAD) and its associated factors in 3,128 Chinese hypertensive adults 45 to 75 years old without known cardiovascular disease, PAD, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. A cross-sectional investigation was carried out in a rural area of Lianyungang, China. An ankle-brachial index ≤0.90 in either leg was used to define LE-PAD. Prevalence of LE-PAD was 9.0% (10.0% in women and 7.4% in men). In the multivariable logistic regression model, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having LE-PAD, were 1.82 (1.27 to 2.61) for participants 65 to 75 versus 45 to 55 years old, 1.48 (1.00 to 1.20) for participants with a waist circumference ≥90 versus <90 cm, 1.47 (1.05 to 2.04) and 1.62 (1.15 to 2.27) for participants with grade 2 and 3 hypertension versus controlled blood pressure or grade 1 hypertension, 1.35 (1.00 to 1.83) and 1.61 (1.16 to 2.23) for participants with heart rate at rest 70 to 80 and ≥80 versus <70 beats/min, and 1.41 (1.00 to 1.97) for participants with poor versus good sleeping quality. For other risk factors, gender-related differences were observed. Adjusted odds ratios of having LE-PAD for men and women were 1.07 (0.66 to 1.74) and 0.65 (0.47 to 0.90) for inland versus coastal residents and 1.03 (0.57 to 1.86) and 1.62 (1.09 to 2.41) for participants with body mass index ≥25 versus <25 kg/m(2). In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of LE-PAD in Chinese hypertensive adults without known cardiovascular disease, PAD, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, particularly in women in coastal areas and in participants with higher heart rate and poor sleeping quality. Therefore, ankle-brachial index determinations should be encouraged in clinical practice in Chinese hypertensive adults.

Prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and associated factors in hypertensive adults aged 45-75 years

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We aimed to examine the prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity and associated factors in 17,656 Chinese hypertensive adults aged 45-75 years.

METHODS

A cross-sectional investigation was carried out in Lianyungang, China. Overweight or obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m(2). Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight or obesity and abdominal obesity was 54.4% (women 59.3% and men 46.0%) and 59.4% (women 73.8% and men 35.1%), respectively. In the multivariable logistic-regression models, higher hypertension grades and standard of living, greater red meat consumption, lower physical activity levels, and antihypertensive treatment were independently associated with overweight or obesity and abdominal obesity in both sexes. Inland residence (versus coastal) was an independent associated factor for abdominal obesity in both sexes. Furthermore, a positive family history of diabetes in both sexes, a positive family history of hypertension, men with a positive family history of coronary heart disease, and men with inland residence were all independently associated with overweight or obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high prevalence of overweight or obesity and abdominal obesity in Chinese hypertensive adults, particularly in inland areas.

Ten-year follow-up of blood lead levels with medical removal protection of shipyard workers

This cases report compared the short-term changes of BLL with medical removal intervention and follow-up the long-term changes of BLL afterward. During a physical examination in October 1992, a 44-year old shipyard welder was discovered to have a blood lead level (BLL) of 54.1 microg/dl. It was recommended that the shipyard remove this worker from his workplace. In 1993 the BLLs checked for this worker were 36.7 microg/dl in March and 32.0 microg/dl in April. After six months of medical removal, he returned to initial welding work. In 2002, we collected two blood samples from this worker for analysis in May and October. The results were 30.4 microg/dl and 31.6 microg/dl, respectively. Meanwhile, two other welding workers (case 2 and case 3) with BLLs over 40 microg/dl in the survey conducted at the same shipyard in 1992. It took 4 yr to let BLLs downed to less than 40 microg/dl. However, after the blood lead concentration drops to below 40 microg/dl, 10 yr long-term observation indicates that BLLs reduction level off and do not continue to go down in these three cases.