Establishment of toxic metal reference range in tobacco from US cigarettes

Consumption of chewing tobacco alters the serum metal contents in pregnant women at Tandojam and adjoining areas

Chewing tobacco may play a contributing role in complications during pregnancy as it contains various kinds of toxic metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and can cause alteration in serum metal concentration. Hence, the present study aimed to explore the effects of chewing tobacco consumption on serum metal contents in pregnant women. A total number of 200 chewing tobacco consumer pregnant women and 200 age-matched non-consumer pregnant women were selected for the study from the outpatient department of gynaecology at Rural Health Centre Tandojam, Pakistan. After obtaining the sociodemographic characteristics of all participants, 10 ml of venous blood was also drawn for serum metal analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Different chewing tobacco samples consumed by consumer pregnant women were collected from local shops of Tandojam, Pakistan. Drinking water samples from the residential areas of consumer and non-consumer pregnant women were prepared and analysed for the same metal contents. In present study, serum Pb, Cd, K and Co were found significantly increased in CPW as compared to NCPW. Serum Pb was found significantly increased in gutkha consumers in comparison to mainpuri consumers. Serum Pb, Cd, and Co were present with significantly increased concentration in serum of CPW who were taking canal and well water for drinking purpose when compared with NCPW. Significant negative strong correlation of serum Pb with K and Cr of drinking water and Na of chewing tobacco samples were observed. Strong positive correlation of serum Cd and Cr with Co of drinking water had been observed. Whereas, serum maternal Co was strongly negatively correlated with Mn of chewing tobacco samples, and serum Cu of CPW had a strong positive correlation with K and Cr of drinking water and Na of chewing tobacco samples. In conclusion, consumption of chewing tobacco alters the serum metal contents in pregnant women at Tandojam and adjoining areas, Pakistan.

Tracking the Variations in Trace and Heavy Elements in Smoking Products Marketed in Oman and Egypt: Risk Assessment After Implementation of Constraining Protocols

Tobacco smoking is becoming one of the major worldwide concerns regarding environmental pollution as well as health threats. In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the Framework Convention On Tobacco Control (FCTC), which outlined protocols for controlling tobacco products. Oman was one of the leading countries to follow these protocols; however, Egypt has only followed these protocols recently in 2020. One of the main challenges in tobacco product control is the variation in their trace element's types and amounts from country to country owing to differences in agriculture techniques and used chemical additives. Smoking releases different toxic metal ions found in them into the air, and hence, analyzing trace amounts of metals in tobacco smoking products is becoming more critical. The proposed research aims to evaluate the current levels of 11 heavy metals (namely, As, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Be, Ba, Mn, Ni, Fe, and Hg) in 22 tobacco products available in Egypt and Oman using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and a direct mercury analyzer. Although some elements such as Be, Co, and Cd were absent, the positive detection of As and Pb and the levels of Ba, Cr, and Ni are still alarming, especially for heavy smokers. The obtained results were then statistically related to previously published data in 2017 to explore the effectiveness of implementing the FCTC protocols within the Egyptian market. The outcomes suggested a positive impact of FCTC protocol implementation in Egypt, besides the lower levels of elemental content for Omani products compared to the Egyptian market.

The toxic metal hypothesis for neurological disorders

Multiple sclerosis and the major sporadic neurogenerative disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease are considered to have both genetic and environmental components. Advances have been made in finding genetic predispositions to these disorders, but it has been difficult to pin down environmental agents that trigger them. Environmental toxic metals have been implicated in neurological disorders, since human exposure to toxic metals is common from anthropogenic and natural sources, and toxic metals have damaging properties that are suspected to underlie many of these disorders. Questions remain, however, as to how toxic metals enter the nervous system, if one or combinations of metals are sufficient to precipitate disease, and how toxic metal exposure results in different patterns of neuronal and white matter loss. The hypothesis presented here is that damage to selective locus ceruleus neurons from toxic metals causes dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier. This allows circulating toxicants to enter astrocytes, from where they are transferred to, and damage, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. The type of neurological disorder that arises depends on (i) which locus ceruleus neurons are damaged, (ii) genetic variants that give rise to susceptibility to toxic metal uptake, cytotoxicity, or clearance, (iii) the age, frequency, and duration of toxicant exposure, and (iv) the uptake of various mixtures of toxic metals. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is presented, concentrating on studies that have examined the distribution of toxic metals in the human nervous system. Clinicopathological features shared between neurological disorders are listed that can be linked to toxic metals. Details are provided on how the hypothesis applies to multiple sclerosis and the major neurodegenerative disorders. Further avenues to explore the toxic metal hypothesis for neurological disorders are suggested. In conclusion, environmental toxic metals may play a part in several common neurological disorders. While further evidence to support this hypothesis is needed, to protect the nervous system it would be prudent to take steps to reduce environmental toxic metal pollution from industrial, mining, and manufacturing sources, and from the burning of fossil fuels.

Elevated serum lead and cadmium levels associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia in children aged 6 to 9 years in Shenzhen, China

Exposure to heavy metals can influence on metabolism, but studies have not fully evaluated young children. We investigated the association between levels of serum lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As) and risk of dyslipidemia in children. A total of 4513 children aged 6 to 9 years at 19 primary schools in Shenzhen were enrolled. Overall, 663 children with dyslipidemia were matched 1:1 with control by sex and age, and levels of serum Pb, Cd, Cr, and As were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Demographic characteristics and lifestyle were covariates in the logistic regression to determine the association of heavy metal levels with risk of dyslipidemia. Serum Pb and Cd levels were significantly higher in children with dyslipidemia than controls (133.08 vs. 84.19 μg/L; 0.45 vs. 0.29 μg/L; all P < 0.05), but this association was not found in Cr and As. We found significant upward trends for the odds ratios (ORs) of dyslipidemia associated with increasing quartiles of Pb and Cd levels (highest quartile of serum Pb OR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-2.38; Cd OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.94-3.24). Elevated serum Pb and Cd levels were associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia among children.

Risk assessment of combined exposure to lead, cadmium, and total mercury among the elderly in Shanghai, China

Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and total mercury (THg) are toxic heavy metals (THMs) that are widely present in the environment and can cause substantial health problems. However, previous risk assessment studies have rarely focused on the elderly population and have usually targeted a single heavy metal, which might underestimate the long-term accumulative and synergistic effects of THMs in humans. Based on the food frequency questionnaire and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, this study assessed external and internal exposures to Pb, Cd and THg in 1747 elderly people in Shanghai. Probabilistic risk assessment with the relative potential factor (RPF) model was used to assess the neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity risks of combined THMs exposures. The mean external exposures of Pb, Cd and THg in Shanghai elderly were 46.8, 27.2 and 4.9 μg/day, respectively. Plant-based foods are the main source of Pb and THg exposure, while Cd is mainly from animal-based foods. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and THg were 23.3, 1.1 and 2.3 μg/L in the whole blood, and 6.2, 1.0 and 2.0 μg/L in the morning urine, respectively. Combined exposure to THMs leading to 10.0 % and 7.1 % of Shanghai elderly at risk of neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The results of this study have important implications for understanding the profiles of Pb, Cd and THg exposure in the elderly living in Shanghai and provide data support for risk assessment and control of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity from combined THMs exposure in the elderly.

The COPD-Associated Polymorphism Impairs the CFTR Function to Suppress Excessive IL-8 Production upon Environmental Pathogen Exposure

COPD is a lifestyle-related disease resulting from irreversible damage to respiratory tissues mostly due to chronic exposure to environmental pollutants, including cigarette smoke. Environmental pathogens and pollutants induce the acquired dysfunction of the CFTR Cl^- channel, which is invoked in COPD. Despite the increased incidence of CFTR polymorphism R75Q or M470V in COPD patients, the mechanism of how the CFTR variant affects COPD pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of CFTR polymorphisms (R75Q, M470V) on the CFTR function in airway epithelial cell models. While wild-type (WT) CFTR suppressed the proinflammatory cytokine production induced by COPD-related pathogens including pyocyanin (PYO), R75Q- or M470V-CFTR failed. Mechanistically, the R75Q- or M470V-CFTR fractional PM activity (FPMA) was significantly lower than WT-CFTR in the presence of PYO. Notably, the CF drug Trikafta corrected the PM expression of R75Q- or M470V-CFTR even upon PYO exposure and consequently suppressed the excessive IL-8 production. These results suggest that R75Q or M470V polymorphism impairs the CFTR function to suppress the excessive proinflammatory response to environmental pathogens associated with COPD. Moreover, Trikafta may be useful to prevent the COPD pathogenesis associated with acquired CFTR dysfunction.

Concentrations of Transition Metal Ions in Rat Lungs after Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Treatment with His-Leu Dipeptide

Tobacco smoking is deleterious to the lungs because it exposes them to many toxic substances. These include transition metal ions, such as cadmium. However, there is a lack of information about the influence of endogenous metal-binding peptides, such as His-Leu (HL), on the lung distribution of transition metals in smokers. To address this, we administered HL subcutaneously to rats exposed to tobacco smoke for six weeks, then we measured the concentrations of transition metal ions in the lungs. We found that exposure to tobacco smoke elevates the concentrations of Cd(II) and Cu(II). Administration of the HL peptide, whose elevation is a consequence of angiotensin receptor blocker anti-hypertension therapy, increases the concentration of Fe in the lungs of rats exposed to smoke. These findings suggest that smoking is a risk factor for patients receiving angiotensin receptor blockers to treat hypertension.

Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in the Filler and Smoke of Tobacco-Containing Tobacco Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration established a list of 93 harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco products. While HPHCs are required to be submitted for tobacco products, knowledge gaps exist regarding which tobacco-containing tobacco product (TCTP, i.e., tobacco products that contain tobacco(s) as a component) types (cigarettes, cigars, roll-your-own tobaccos [RYOs], pipe tobaccos [pipes], smokeless tobacco products [STPs], waterpipe tobaccos [waterpipes]) and matrices (filler, smoke) contain which HPHCs. This study identified and addressed such gaps by conducting literature searches and measuring the amount of HPHCs in TCTP types and matrices. First, literature searches, performed for cigarettes, RYOs, and STPs for publications up to 2014 and for cigars, pipes, and waterpipes for publications up to 2016, identified knowledge gaps for the 93 HPHCs (or 119 HPHCs if cresols [o-, m-, p-cresol] are counted as 3 and chlorinated dioxins/furans as 25) across TCTP types and matrices. Then, three ISO 17025 accredited laboratories including two subcontracted laboratories performed the HPHC quantifications. Inclusion of the HPHCs, TCTP types, and matrices in the study scope was also determined by the availability of validated analytical methods in each laboratory. Eleven (9%) HPHCs are quantifiable in all brands for all TCTP types and matrices, 33 (28%) HPHCs are not quantifiable in any brands of any TCTP type and matrix, and 74 (63%) HPHCs are quantifiable only in some brands across TCTP types and matrices examined. Understanding the quantifiability of HPHCs in each TCTP type and matrix can inform the scientific basis for manufacturers regarding the regulatory requirements for reporting HPHCs. The quantity of HPHCs observed can also inform the evaluation of the public health impact of HPHCs and public communications regarding the health risks of tobacco products.

Carcinogenic components of tobacco and tobacco smoke: A 2022 update

Tobacco and tobacco smoke contain a complex mixture of over 9500 chemical compounds, many of which have been recognized as hazardous to human health by regulatory agencies. In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration established a list of harmful and potentially harmful constituents in unburned tobacco and tobacco smoke, 79 of which are considered as carcinogens. Over the past 10 years, with advancing analytical technology, significant amounts of new data have been published, increasing our understanding of levels of carcinogens in tobacco products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has released 35 monographs since 2012, with an increasing number of compounds in unburned tobacco and tobacco smoke classified as carcinogens. In this paper, we provide an updated list of IARC-classified carcinogens in unburned tobacco and tobacco mainstream smoke. A total of 83 carcinogens has been identified - 37 in unburned tobacco and 80 in tobacco smoke - with their occurrence levels reported since 2012. No clear decreasing trends were observed for any of these carcinogens in recent years. Surveillance of the levels of tobacco carcinogens as well as regulatory actions are needed to ensure control of their levels so that potential reduced risks of cancer and other diseases may be achieved.

Smoking is associated with altered serum and hair essential metal and metalloid levels in women

The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between smoking and essential metal (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V, Zn) and metalloid (Se) levels in hair and serum of adult women using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 344 women 20-70 years old including 199 smokers and 145 non-smoking women were enrolled. Serum Cu, Fe, and Zn levels in smoking women were found to be 6%, 8%, and 3% lower of levels in non-smokers, respectively. In contrast, circulating Mn, V, and especially Cr concentrations in smoking women exceeded the respective values in non-smoking women by 5%, 14%, and 54%. Hair Fe and Se levels in smoking women were 17% and 23% lower as compared to non-smoking controls, respectively. In multiple regression models, smoking severity was inversely associated with serum and hair Se concentrations, whereas the relationship to serum and hair Cr was positive. In addition, serum Zn and hair Fe levels were found to be inversely associated with the number of cigarettes per day. These findings hypothesize that health hazards of smoking may be at least in part be mediated by alteration in essential metal and metalloid metabolism.

Exposure to potentially toxic elements through the soil-tobacco-human pathway: causative factors and probabilistic model

High concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tobacco leaves are possible from the soil contamination and would have adverse health risks on residents. A large-scale survey of 306 tobacco fields in southern China was conducted to investigate the accumulation of PTEs in tobacco leaves through the soil-tobacco-human pathway and the associated health risks for local smokers and passive smokers. Significant enrichment of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb was observed in the investigated tobacco fields, with industrial emissions and applied fertilizers as the major potential sources. Dynamic interactions between factors in the soil acidic labile pool showed site-specific effects on the uptake of PTEs by tobacco plants. It was 99.6% and 91.8% probable that exposure of local adult men smokers to Cd and As exceeded the permitted safety limits, respectively. The population of men smokers had a 20-fold higher Cd exposure risk than did passive smokers. A probability-based transfer model was developed to demonstrate that interactions between soil factors could affect the Cd exposure risk of men smokers of locally harvested tobacco. Optimizing the pH (>6.0) and organic matter content (>40 g kg-1) of tobacco-growing soils, and setting a safe tobacco consumption rate of 2.80 g dry weight per day would help protect 90.4% of men smokers from excessive risks of exposure to Cd.

Analyzing pesticides and metal(loid)s in imported tobacco to Saudi Arabia and risk assessment of inhalation exposure to certain metals

Exposure to toxic chemicals through smoked tobacco is a significant global public health issue due to their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The study aims to (1) measure Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickle (Ni), lead (Pb), and 407 pesticides in tobacco commercialized in Saudi Arabia; and (2) evaluate human health risks associated with smoking tobacco. Thus, we analyzed 60 tobacco samples per brand from eight of the most popular tobacco brands in the Saudi market. The analyzed tobacco contained significant concentrations of toxic metal (loid)s and banned pesticides. Twenty-three out of 407 pesticide residues were found, with an average concentration of 0.004-1.155 µg/g. Average concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb for all brands were 0.16, 0.57, 0.75, 1.36, 1.94, 0.01, and 0.37 µg/g, respectively. The risk assessment indicated that high cancer risks are associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while lower risks are associated with Pb. Additionally, the potential cancer risk estimated for Cr was higher than other toxic elements. The cumulative cancer risks (95%) under three different cases for all brands were greater than the permissible limits (=10-4). The chances of getting cancer through inhalation of particulate As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb was 4 in 10 000 cases in the best case scenario (1 cigarette per day). Therefore, metal content in cigarette tobacco should be reduced to improve public health.HIGHLIGHTSAll tested brands contained banned pesticide residues except for brand C.Tobacco samples contained significant concentrations of toxic metal(loid)s.A high risk of developing cancer is associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while a lower risk is associated with exposure to Pb.

Mitigating cadmium contamination of rice soils supporting tobacco-rice rotation in southern China: Win-win or lose-lose?

The present study evaluates the sustainability of tobacco-rice rotation by reducing the phytoavailability of cadmium (Cd) to rice by combining large-scale field sampling and regional investigations in southern China. The rotation involves frequent tillage and liberal application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, which increases yields but lowers soil pH. As a result, manganese is lost from soil and, at the same time, more soil Cd is taken up by rice and tobacco. The tendency to overcompensate for the Mn loss is influenced by soil properties, crop type, and economics of cultivation. Based on the scenario analysis, this tendency and the Cd uptake risks were estimated. Dietary intake of 83.3% of rice grain produced on the rotation fields would have adverse health effects on local male nonsmokers. Besides the rice, Cd in local tobacco leaf may lead to an increase in the kidney Cd levels of local male smokers (21.5 cigarettes per day) by 16.2-fold at age 50. Field trials and model estimations indicated that for a Cd concentration below 0.2 mg dry weight kg-1 in rice grain, the critical pH value in rice soils was ~ 6.0, and that for amorphous Mn oxide at pH 4.5-6.0 was 120 mg kg-1.

Redox-Mediated Carbamylation As a Hapten Model Applied to the Origin of Antibodies to Modified Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Significance: The production of antibodies to posttranslationally modified antigens is a hallmark in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, the presence of citrullination-associated antibodies, targeting both citrullinating enzymes (the peptidylarginine deiminases [PADs]) and citrullinated antigens (anticitrullinated protein antibodies [ACPAs]), has suggested that dysregulated citrullination is relevant for disease pathogenesis. Antibodies to other protein modifications with physicochemical similarities to citrulline, such as carbamylated-lysine and acetylated-lysine, have also gained interest in RA, but their mechanistic relation to ACPAs remains unclear. Recent Advances: Recent studies using RA-derived monoclonal antibodies have found that ACPAs are cross-reactive to carbamylated and acetylated peptides, challenging our understanding of the implications of such cross-reactivity. Critical Issues: Analogous to the classic antibody response to chemically modified proteins, we examine the possibility that antibodies to modified proteins in RA are more likely to resemble antihapten antibodies rather than autoantibodies. This potential shift in the autoantibody paradigm in RA offers the opportunity to explore new mechanisms involved in the origin and cross-reactivity of pathogenic antibodies in RA. In contrast to citrullination, carbamylation is a chemical modification associated with oxidative stress, it is highly immunogenic, and is considered in the group of posttranslational modification-derived products. We discuss the possibility that carbamylated proteins are antigenic drivers of cross-reacting antihapten antibodies that further create the ACPA response, and that ACPAs may direct the production of antibodies to PAD enzymes. Future Directions: Understanding the complexity of autoantibodies in RA is critical to develop tools to clearly define their origin, identify drivers of disease propagation, and develop novel therapeutics. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 389-409.

Toxic Metals in Liquid and Aerosol from Pod-Type Electronic Cigarettes

High-quality, accurate data on liquid contents and aerosol emissions from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, e.g., e-cigarettes) are crucial to address potential health concerns as these devices evolve and mature. Metals are an important class of ENDS constituents that merit attention as they have various health implications. Proper sampling, handling and aerosol trapping materials are essential to generate accurate quantitative metal data and to reduce the likelihood of inaccurate results originating from inappropriate collection vessels and materials that contribute to high background levels. Published methods that meet these criteria were applied to the analyses of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin and lead in liquid and aerosol from mint/menthol and tobacco flavors of currently popular pod-based devices from three manufacturers. Metal concentrations from pods that had not been used for generating aerosol ranged from below our lowest reportable level to 0.164 µg/g for Cr, 61.3 µg/g for Ni, 927 µg/g for Cu, 14.9 µg/g for Zn, 58.2 µg/g for Sn and 2.56 µg/g for Pb. Cadmium was included in our analyte panel and was not present above detection limits in liquid or aerosol. Aerosol metal concentrations (using a 55-mL puff) ranged from below our lowest reportable level to 29.9 ng/10 puffs for Cr, 373 ng/10 puffs for Ni, 209 ng/10 puffs for Cu, 4,580 ng/10 puffs for Zn, 127 ng/10 puffs for Sn and 463 ng/10 puffs for Pb. Our results showed some metal delivery from all the products examined and highly variable metal levels between manufacturer, brand and package.

Salivary Lead Levels among Workers in Different Industrial Areas in the West Bank of Palestine: a Cross-Sectional Study

Saliva is a biofluid that can easily be obtained and used for biomonitoring lead levels in occupationally and environmentally exposed individuals. The aims of this study were to determine salivary lead levels among workers in different industrial areas in the West Bank of Palestine and investigate the association between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of the workers and their salivary lead levels. Salivary samples were obtained from workers in different industrial areas in metal-free polyethylene tubes. The samples were analyzed for their lead contents using a pre-validated inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric method. A total of 97 salivary samples were analyzed. The median salivary lead level was 1.84 μg/dL an IQR of 5.04 μg/dL. Salivary lead levels were significantly higher in workers who were 40 years and older (p value = 0.031), had 3 children or more (p value = 0.048), worked in repair workshops (p value = 0.012), worked in industrial areas for 20 years or more (p value = 0.048), did not consume fruits on regular basis (p value = 0.031), and smoked for 30 years or more (p value = 0.013). Multiple linear regression showed that smoking of 30 years old or more was a significant (p value < 0.001) predictor of higher salivary lead levels. Salivary lead levels among workers from different industrial areas of the West Bank were comparable to those occupationally exposed to lead in more industrialized and urbanized areas of the world. Smoking was a predictor of higher salivary lead levels.

ICP-MS Determination of 23 Elements of Potential Health Concern in Liquids of e-Cigarettes. Method Development, Validation, and Application to 37 Real Samples

The lack of interest in the determination of toxic elements in liquids for electronic cigarettes (e-liquids) has so far been reflected in the scarce number of accurate and validated analytical methods devoted to this aim. Since the strong matrix effects observed for e-liquids constitute an exciting analytical challenge, the main goal of this study was to develop and validate an ICP-MS method aimed to quantify 23 elements in 37 e-liquids of different flavors. Great attention has been paid to the critical phases of sample pre-treatment, as well as to the optimization of the ICP-MS conditions for each element and of the quantification. All samples exhibited a very low amount of the elements under investigation. Indeed, the sum of their average concentration was of ca. 0.6 mg kg-1. Toxic elements were always below a few tens of a μg per kg-1 and, very often, their amount was below the relevant quantification limits. Tobacco and tonic flavors showed the highest and the lowest concentration of elements, respectively. The most abundant elements came frequently from propylene glycol and vegetal glycerin, as confirmed by PCA. A proper choice of these substances could further decrease the elemental concentration in e-liquids, which are probably barely involved as potential sources of toxic elements inhaled by vapers.

The Multi-Elemental Composition of the Aqueous Humor of Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery, Suffering from Coexisting Diabetes, Hypertension, or Diabetic Retinopathy

The aim of the study was the multi-elemental analysis of aqueous humor (AH) collected from patients undergoing cataract surgery. The study included: 16 patients with age-related macular degeneration AMD (99 controls), 10 patients with retinopathy (105 controls), 61 patients with hypertension (54 controls), and 33 patients with coexisting diabetes (82 controls). The control groups were recruited from patients with a lack of co-existing disease characterizing the specified studied group. The measurements were performed by the use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The statistical analysis was carried out using non-parametric testing (Mann–Whitney U). The level of significance was set at p = 0.05. The data obtained revealed substantial variations in elemental composition between the test groups in comparison to the controls. However, the significant variations concerned only a few elements. The phosphorous (P) level and the ratio of P/Ca were significant in retinopathy and diabetes, whereas cobalt (0.091 ± 0.107 mg/L vs. 0.031 ± 0.075 mg/L; p = 0.004) was significant in AMD. In co-existing hypertension, the levels of tin (0.293 ± 0.409 mg/L vs. 0.152 ± 0.3 mg/L; p = 0.031), titanium (0.096 ± 0.059 mg/L vs. 0.152 ± 0.192 mg/L; p = 0.045), and ruthenium (0.035 ± 0.109 mg/L vs. 0.002 ± 0.007 mg/L; p = 0.006) varied in comparison to the controls. The study revealed inter-elemental interactions. The correlation matrices demonstrated the domination of the positive correlations, whereas negative correlations mainly concerned sodium.

The adverse impact of cadmium on immune function and lung host defense

Cadmium (Cd) is a transition metal, also referred to as a heavy metal, that is naturally abundant in the earth's crust. It has no known benefit to humans. It is primarily released into our environment through mining and smelting in industrial processes and enters the food chain through uptake by plants from contaminated soil and water. In humans, Cd primarily enters the body through ingestion of foods and cigarette smoke and has an extremely long resident half-life in the body compared to other transition metals. Environmental workplace exposure is also a source through inhalation, although much less common. The principal organs adversely affected by Cd following acute and chronic exposure are the kidneys, bone, vasculature and lung. Cd adversely impacts cell function through changes in gene expression and signal transduction and is recognized as a carcinogen. Despite a substantial body of mechanistic studies in cells and animal models, the overall impact of Cd on innate immune function in humans remains poorly understood. The best evidence is perhaps alteration of reactive oxygen species balance and signaling in cells that regulate innate immunity causing alteration of the inflammatory response that is postulated to contribute to chronic diseases. Epidemiologic studies support this possibility since increased tissue levels in humans are strongly associated with leading chronic diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which will be discussed in depth. Additional studies are required to understand how chronic exposure and accumulation of this leading environmental toxicant in vital organs negatively impact innate immune function and host defense leading to chronic disease in humans.

A comprehensive study on the leaching of metals from heated tobacco sticks and cigarettes in water and natural waters

The leaching behavior of Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Ba, Hg and Pb in water from two types of heat-not-burn tobacco sticks is presented here, and compared to that from conventional cigarettes. The total concentration of each metal in solid tobacco products was initially determined. Concentrations in used and unused tobacco sticks were similar and generally, lower than those in unused conventional cigarettes. Studies on the contribution of paper, filter and tobacco revealed that tobacco was the major source of metal contamination. Smoking conventional cigarettes reduced the total metal concentrations since a substantial amount of metals was retained in the ash; a post-consumption waste that is difficult to collect. Batch leaching tests were performed to determine dissolved concentrations as a function of time. With the exceptions of As and (in most cases) Hg that were not detected, metals were released at varying rates. At 24 h of soaking the percentage of metals leached ranged from 0.2-43%. The contribution of paper, filter and tobacco to the dissolved concentrations at 24 h of leaching was investigated and in almost all cases tobacco was the major source of metal contamination. The dissolved concentrations from ash were low as metals were strongly bound. Varying the pH, ionic strength and humic acids content at environmentally relevant values did not affect leaching of metals at 24 h of soaking. The use of river water, rain water and seawater as leachants was also not found to alter dissolved concentrations at 24 h compared to ultrapure water. The results presented here suggest that the consequences of improper disposal of tobacco products in the environment are two-sided and that next to the generation of plastic litter, discarded tobacco products can also act as point sources of metal contamination. Public education campaigns focusing on the environmental impact and best disposal practices are urgently needed.

Chromium Levels in Tobacco, Filter and Ash of Illicit Brands Cigarettes Marketed in Brazil

Smoking is a public health problem and an important source of exposure to toxic metals. This work describes an efficient analytical method comparable to the ones based on atomic emission techniques for the determination of chromium in different constituent parts of cigarette samples (tobacco, filters and ashes) using electrothermal vaporization-atomic absorption spectrometry. The method was evaluated using 12 samples, and the results showed recovery values between 83 and 107%. The accuracy was also evaluated using a reference sample of tomato leaves (NIST SRM 1573a), which proved the efficiency of the method. The limits of detection of the developed method were 20.4, 75.8 and 80.7 ng g-1 for tobacco, filter and cigarette ash samples, respectively. The average chromium values found for the analyzed samples were in the range of 0.96 to 3.85 and from 0.32 to 0.80 μg/cigarette for tobacco and ashes, respectively. For most pre-burn and post-burn filter samples, the values of chromium concentration remained below limits of detection. The developed method presented adequate results about precision and accuracy, demonstrating its applicability in the determination of chromium in cigarette samples.

Analysis of Toxic Metals in Liquid from Electronic Cigarettes

As the technology of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, evolves, assessing metal concentrations in liquids among brands over time becomes challenging. A method for quantification of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin, and lead in ENDS liquids using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The method’s limits of detection (LODs) were 0.031, 0.032, 3.15, 1.27, 0.108, 0.099, 0.066 µg/g for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, and Pb respectively. Liquids analyzed were from different brands and flavors of refill bottles or single-use, rechargeable, and pod devices from different years. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy further evaluated the device components’ compositions. Refill liquids before contacting a device were below lowest reportable levels (LRL) for all metals. Copper and zinc were elevated in liquids from devices containing brass. Cadmium was <LRL in all liquids and was not observed in device components. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb, reported in µg/g, ranged from <LRL to 0.396, 4.04, 903, 454, 0.898, and 13.5 respectively. Elevated metal concentrations in the liquid were also elevated in aerosol from the corresponding device. The data demonstrates the impact of device design and materials on toxic metals in ENDS liquid.

Cd isotope fractionation during tobacco combustion produces isotopic variation outside the range measured in dietary sources

Cadmium production has risen 1000-fold in the past 100 years, from under 20 to over 20,000 tons per year, causing anthropogenically-mobilized Cd to overwhelm natural sources in global cycling. Cadmium has no known biological function in humans, yet has biochemical behaviors similar to zinc and manganese, making exposure detrimental to human health. Identifying and quantifying the sources of Cd for human sub-populations is key to reducing exposures. Cadmium stable isotopes may provide a method for tracing Cd sources throughout the environment and the human body, but at present the limited database for high precision Cd isotopic compositions is inadequate to support such an analysis. Here, we provide new Cd isotope data on dietary sources, cigarette smoking components, and environmentally relevant standard reference materials. Results indicated that minor but significant variations are observed in food products (e.g., peanuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, kale, lettuce, cocoa powder; ~0.9‰ at 4 amu) that may be useful for tracing contamination in agricultural soils. In contrast, Cd isotope fractionation during smoking is larger (~6‰ at 4 amu) and has implications for tracing cadmium sources from tobacco combustion in the environment and throughout the human body. The primary inhaled component of cigarette smoke contains highest delta values (δ116/112Cd or δ114/110Cd ~5.2‰), while the second-hand smoke and cigarette ash have the lowest delta values (δ116/112Cd or δ114/110Cd ~-0.9‰). Used cigarette butts have δ114/110Cd ~2.4‰, in between the values measured in ash/s hand smoke and the inhaled smoke components. The high delta values of the inhaled smoke indicate that Cd isotopes may be used to determine the extent of Cd exposure due to smoking in human biological samples. This study provides new data for previously uncharacterized isotopic reservoirs that can be included in future studies of Cd source-exposure tracing.

Toxic heavy metal (Pb and Cd) content in tobacco cigarette brands in Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are ubiquitous metals widely distributed in the environment, resulting in toxic health effects. This project aims to evaluate Pb and Cd as toxic elements in 15 different tobacco cigarette brands produced and/or sold in Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in all tobacco brands tested in this study were determined using the air-acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). On average, the concentrations of Pb and Cd in different tobacco brand samples ranged from 3.05 and 0.80 μg/g dw, respectively. The results indicate that assessment mean values of Pb inhaled from smoking one packet of 20 cigarettes were in the range of 1.55-3.51 μg. Furthermore, the concentration of Cd inhaled per packet of cigarettes (20 sticks) is estimated to be 0.04-0.36 μg. However, there was a significant difference in the concentrations of Pb and Cd between the different brands of tobacco cigarettes, among cigarette prices (cheap versus expensive) of tobacco brands. In conclusion, cigarette smokers in Selangor, Malaysia, are heavily exposed to Pb and Cd, and such exposure could adversely affect their health in the long term. The impact of toxic heavy metals on smokers in this state would be an area for future research.

Childhood chromium exposure and neuropsychological development in children living in two polluted areas in southern Spain

This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to chromium and neuropsychological development among children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 393 children aged 6-11 years old randomly selected from State-funded schools in two provinces in Southern Spain (Almeria and Huelva), in 2010 and 2012. Chromium levels in urine and hair samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an octopole reaction system. Neuropsychological development was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and three computerized tests from the Behavioural Assessment and Research System (BARS): Reaction Time Test (RTT), Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Selective Attention Test (SAT). Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders, including heavy metals, were applied to examine the association between chromium levels and neuropsychological outcomes. A 10-fold increase in urine chromium levels was associated with a decrease of 5.99 points on the WISC-IV Full-Scale IQ (95% CI: 11.98 to -0.02). Likewise, a 10-fold increase in urine chromium levels in boys was associated with a decrease of 0.03 points in the percentage of omissions (95% CI: 0.0 to 0.05) in the SAT, with an increase of 68.35 points in latency (95% CI: 6.60 to 130.12) in the RTT, and with an increase in the number of trials with latencies > 1000 ms (β = 37.92; 95% CI: 2.73 to 73.12) in the RTT. An inverse significant association was detected between chromium levels in hair and latency in the SAT in boys (β = -50.53; 95% CI: 86.86 to -14.22) and girls (β = -55.95; 95% CI: 78.93 to -32.97). Excluding trials with latencies >1000 ms in the RTT increased latency scores by 29.36 points in boys (95% CI: 0.17 to 58.57), and 39.91 points in girls (95% CI: 21.25 to 58.59). This study is the first to show the detrimental effects of postnatal chromium exposure on neuropsychological development in school-aged children.

Distribution of heavy metal and macroelements of Indian and imported cigarette brands in Turkey

While Cd contents of cigarettes are determined between 0.44 (C8) and 1.55 mg/kg (C7), Co contents of cigarette samples varied between 0.26 (B5) and 2.19 mg/kg (B3). Also, while Cr contents of tested cigarettes are determined between 0.88 mg/kg (C5) and 1.72 mg/kg (B2), Mo contents of cigarettes ranged from 0.39 (C7) to 1.13 mg/kg (B2). In addition, Cu contents of cigarettes varied between 10.36 (C11) and 30.47 mg/kg (C18), while Fe contents of cigarette samples range between 306.03 (C5) and 595.42 mg/kg (C16). In addition, while Ni contents of cigarettes vary between 1.00 (C7) and 3.17 mg/kg (C1), Pb contents of brands varied between 0.16 (B4) and 7.37 mg/kg (B1). In general, Indian and imported cigarette samples used in Turkey are rich in Ca, K, Mg, P, and S. In Indian samples, B4 and B5 cigarette samples contained lower heavy metals compared with other cigarettes.

Mercury Is Taken Up Selectively by Cells Involved in Joint, Bone, and Connective Tissue Disorders

Background: The causes of most arthropathies, osteoarthritis, and connective tissue disorders remain unknown, but exposure to toxic metals could play a part in their pathogenesis. Human exposure to mercury is common, so to determine whether mercury could be affecting joints, bones, and connective tissues we used a histochemical method to determine the cellular uptake of mercury in mice. Whole neonatal mice were examined since this allowed histological assessment of mercury in joint, bone, and connective tissue cells. Materials and Methods: Pregnant mice were exposed to a non-toxic dose of 0.5 mg/m3 of mercury vapor for 4 h a day on gestational days 14-18. Neonates were sacrificed at postnatal day 1, fixed in formalin, and transverse blocks of the body were processed for paraffin embedding. Seven micrometer sections were stained for inorganic mercury using silver nitrate autometallography, either alone or combined with CD44 immunostaining to detect progenitor cells. Control neonates were not exposed to mercury during gestation. Results: Uptake of mercury was marked in synovial cells, articular chondrocytes, and periosteal and tracheal cartilage cells. Mercury was seen in fibroblasts in the dermis, aorta, esophagus and striated muscle, some of which were CD44-positive progenitor cells, and in the endothelial cells of small blood vessels. Mercury was also present in renal tubules and liver periportal cells. Conclusions: Mercury is taken up selectively by cells that are predominantly affected in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition, fibroblasts in several organs often involved in multisystem connective tissue disorders take up mercury. Mercury provokes the autoimmune, inflammatory, genetic, and epigenetic changes that have been described in a range of arthropathies and bone and connective tissue disorders. These findings support the hypothesis that mercury exposure could trigger some of these disorders, particularly in people with a genetic susceptibility to autoimmunity.

Differential exposure to 33 toxic elements through cigarette smoking, based on the type of tobacco and rolling paper used

Environmental pollution due to various elements is increasing all across the planet owing to their use in industrial processes. The tobacco plants and the vegetables used in the manufacturing of smoking paper may accumulate these elements from the environment. Thus, tobacco and smoking paper may be relevant contributors among the content of elements in cigarettes, including some emerging pollutants such as rare earth elements (REEs). Thirty-two elements related to hi-tech industrial processes were analyzed in tobacco, rolling paper, and filters (n = 257 samples) by ICP-MS. A variety of industrial brands and "roll-your-own" cigarette papers were considered. The potential maximum daily exposure to these elements by a hypothetical heavy smoker was calculated for each type of cigarette. We found significant differences in the levels of most elements, both in the tobacco and in the paper. Black tobacco cigarettes contained the maximum levels. We found that the paper used in roll-your-own cigarettes may significantly modify their concentration of elements. Fast-burning, bleached, and flavored papers also contribute to higher levels of these pollutants. Thus, the differences in theoretical exposure depending on the type of cigarette consumed-either branded or hand-rolled-may be very striking, of up to 35-40 times. In addition to the number of cigarettes consumed per day, it is necessary to consider the type of cigarette consumed to assess the risk of exposure to toxic elements. Tobacco paper is a prominent source of exposure to toxic elements. Cigarette smoke is another source of exposure to emerging contaminants such as REE.

Elevated lead level from a tobacco source requiring chelation in a 12-year-old child

CONTEXT

Across the world, tobacco is used in a variety of forms, including being smoked or added to a "quid" that is then chewed. We report a case of lead poisoning in a child from tobacco imported from Thailand.

CASE DETAILS

A 12-year-old Thai immigrant boy had a blood lead level (BLL) of 6 mcg/dL on routine testing upon arrival to the United States, but which increased to 72 mcg/dL six months after his arrival. He was asymptomatic with unremarkable workup. At this time his father, mother and two siblings were also found to have elevated BLLs of 53, 16, 22, and 11 mcg/dL, respectively. Water, paint, food and cookware sources tested negative for lead, whereas samples of the father's dried tobacco leaves imported from Thailand contained 36.12 ppm (mcg/g) of lead. The mother admitted that both she and the patient used the tobacco as well. The child was chelated with oral succimer and his BLL decreased.

DISCUSSION

In our case, the source of the lead exposure was from the tobacco that the patient was chewing. Tobacco is often overlooked as a source of lead exposure, though it has been reported in the literature, both from direct smoking and from chewing, as well as through secondhand smoke. Toxicologists and health care professionals should consider cultural practices when evaluating patients with elevated BLLs.

Multielemental Analysis of Tobacco Plant and Tobacco Products by TXRF

The aim of this research is to develop a fast analytical method for multielemental analysis of the tobacco plant Virginia tobacco (cultivated in Poland) and tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, snuff and two kinds of properly crafted tobacco such as a shisha and cigarette tobacco) distributed in Polish markets by means of a low-power benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system. For this purpose, a set of certified tobacco materials and real samples was employed. In leaves and stalks of V. tobacco and tobacco products, a concentration of 18 elements (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb) was determined. Analyzing elemental composition of tobacco plants, one can see that concentrations of S, Ca, Ti, Mn, Zn, Sr and Pb are higher in leaves, whereas the concentrations of P, Cl, K, Fe Cu and Br are higher in stalks; the levels of Cr, Ni, As and Rb are comparable in both these parts of the tobacco plant. All of the parameters affecting sample preparation and TXRF measurements conditions were carefully evaluated. The accuracy and precision of the TXRF measurements were verified using an internal standardization approach for quantification.

Blood boron levels and anthropometric measurements in prepubertal children

This study was conducted to assess the blood boron levels (BBL) in prepubertal children in the West and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey and its relationship with chosen anthropometric measurements. A multistage sampling design that combined multicluster (West Anatolia vs. Central Anatolia regions and rural vs. urban residents) and simple random sampling methods were used for the sample selection. BBL was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Weight, height, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age were calculated. Furthermore, arm-muscle area, arm-fat area, and fat percentage were measured. This study enrolled 2126 children, of whom 50.7% were male. The mean age was 8.9 years. The mean concentration of BBL was 15.6 μg/L (interquartile range: 11.7-19.6 μg/L). Children in urban areas had significantly higher BBL than those in rural areas (17.2 ± 5.5 vs. 11.9 ± 4.6 μg/L; p < .001). Children in the West Anatolia region had significantly lower BBL than those in the Central Anatolia region (14.5 ± 5.9 μg/L vs. 17.8 ± 5.0 μg/L; p < .001). BBL was not affected by maternal education, occupation, sex, and anemia. BBL was found to be significantly lower in children with low BMI, low triceps skinfold thickness, low arm fat area, and low-fat percentage. Change in BBL was associated with the region and residence in Turkey. BBL differed between well-nourished and malnourished children. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between anthropometry and BBL.

Trace Elements in Pleural Effusion Correlates with Smokers with Lung Cancer

Smoking leads to the presence of various elements, including toxic metals and metalloids, in tissues and fluids, thus contributing to cancer risk. This study assessed the concentrations of 14 elements (Ag, Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sn, V, and Zn) and biochemical parameters (glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, and total protein) in the pleural effusion (PE) of patients with lung cancer. The potential association of these parameters with smoking was assessed. Total of 48 patients with lung cancer (26 non-smokers and 22 smokers) received thoracocentesis for PE removal. Analysis results revealed that among the biochemical parameters, only the glucose concentration was significantly higher in current smokers than in non-smokers; the other parameters showed no significant difference. The concentration of Zn in the PE was significantly lower in all smokers (10 former and 12 current smokers) than in non-smokers, but the other elements did not differ significantly between the two groups and smoker subgroups. Simultaneously, Zn correlated negatively with glucose concentrations in all smokers, positively with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration in current smoker, and positively with total protein (TP) concentrations in non-smokers. This is for the first time the relation between Zn and certain biochemical parameters in PE was found, the observation requiring further studies to explain the potential interactions between this element and glucose, LDH, and TP concentrations.

Cadmium and Cadmium/Zinc Ratios and Tobacco-Related Morbidities

Metals are one of five major categories of carcinogenic or toxic constituents in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Cadmium is highly volatile and a higher percentage of the total tobacco cadmium content is efficiently transferred to mainstream tobacco smoke than many other toxic metals in tobacco. Inhaled cadmium bioaccumulates in the lungs and is distributed beyond the lungs to other tissues, with a total body biological half-life of one to two decades. Chronic cadmium exposure through tobacco use elevates blood and urine cadmium concentrations. Cadmium is a carcinogen, and an inducer of proinflammatory immune responses. Elevated exposure to cadmium is associated with reduced pulmonary function, obstructive lung disease, bronchogenic carcinoma, cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, and various oral pathologies. Cadmium and zinc have a toxicologically inverse relationship. Zinc is an essential element and is reportedly antagonistic to some manifestations of cadmium toxicity. This review summarizes associations between blood, urine, and tissue cadmium concentrations with emphasis on cadmium exposure due to tobacco use and several disease states. Available data about zinc and cadmium/zinc ratios and tobacco-related diseases is summarized from studies reporting smoking status. Collectively, data suggest that blood, urine, and tissue cadmium and cadmium/zinc ratios are often significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers and they are also different in smokers for several diseases and cancers. Additional biomonitoring data such as blood or serum and urine zinc and cadmium levels and cadmium/zinc ratios in smokers may provide further insight into the development and progression of diseases of the lung, cardiovascular system, and possibly other organs.

Electrothermal Vaporization-QQQ-ICP-MS for Determination of Chromium in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke Particulate

Chromium is transported in mainstream tobacco smoke at very low concentrations. However, when chromium is deposited too deeply in the lungs for mucociliary clearance, or is in a particle that is too large to pass directly through tissues, it bioaccumulates in the lungs of smokers. It is important to determine the concentrations of chromium that are transported in mainstream smoke. Several reliable studies have resulted in reports of chromium concentrations in smoke particulate that were below limits of detection (LODs) for the instruments and methods employed. In this study, electrothermal vaporization-triple quad-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ETV-QQQ-ICP-MS) was chosen for determination of chromium concentrations in mainstream smoke because of the high sensitivity of ETV combined with QQQ-ICP-MS. The smoke from five reference, quality control, and commercial cigarettes was analyzed using ETV-QQQ-ICP-MS with isotope dilution for quantitative determination of chromium. The method LOD was sufficiently low that chromium concentrations in mainstream smoke could indeed be determined. The chromium concentrations in the smoke particulate were between 0.60 and 1.03 ng/cigarette. The range of chromium concentrations was at or below previously reported LODs. Determination of the oxidation state of the chromium transported in mainstream smoke would also be important, in consideration of the fact that both chromium(III) and chromium(VI) oxidation states cause inhalation toxicity, but chromium(VI) is also a carcinogen. It was possible to separate the oxidation states using ETV-QQQ-ICP-MS. However, determination of individual species at the levels found in mainstream smoke particulate matter was not possible with the present method.

Body burdens, sources and interrelations of selected toxic and essential elements among the nine Cree First Nations of Eeyou Istchee, James Bay region of northern Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND

this article constitutes a report on the comprehensive Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii multi-community environment-and-health study conducted among the Cree peoples (Eeyouch) of northern Quebec, Canada.

OBJECTIVES

to interpret observed concentrations of a suite of chemical elements in a multi-media biological monitoring study in terms of sources and predictors.

METHODS

the concentrations of 5 essential and 6 toxic chemical elements were measured in whole blood, and/or in urine or hair by ICP-MS. Concentrations of essential elements are compared to those considered normal (i.e., required for good health) and, when toxic, deemed acceptable at specified concentrations in public health guidelines. Their dependence on age, sex, the specific community lived-in and diet were explored employing multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) involving new variables generated by principle component analysis (PCA) and correspondence analysis (CA).

RESULTS

the 5 most prominent PCA axes explained 67.7% of the variation, compared to 93.0% by 6 main CA factors. Concentrations of the essential elements in whole blood (WB) and iodine(i) and arsenic (As) in urine were comparable to those reported in the recent Canadian Health Measures survey and are assigned to dietary sources. By contrast, WB cadmium (Cd) was elevated even when smoking was considered. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in WB and hair were also higher in adults, although comparable to those observed for other indigenous populations living at northern latitudes. Fish consumption was identified as the prominent source. Of the 5 coastal communities, all but one had lower Hg exposures than the four inland communities, presumably reflecting the type of fish consumed. Use of firearms and smoking were correlated with WB-lead (Pb). The concentrations of both Hg and Pb increased with age and were higher in men, while WB-Cd and smoking prevalence were higher in women when considering all communities. Hg and Pb were low in children and women of reproductive age, with few exceedances of health guidelines. Although individuals with T2D had somewhat lower WB-Cd, there is some indication that Cd may potentiate renal dysfunction in this subgroup. Plots of selected CA axes grouped those elements expected to be in a normal diet and distinguished them from those with well-known unique sources (especially Hg and As in hair; and Hg, Pb and Cd in WB).

CONCLUSIONS

the use of multiple biological media in conjunction with the complementary PCA and CA approaches for constructing composite variables allowed a more detailed understanding of both the sources of the essential and toxic elements in body fluids and the dependencies of their observed concentrations on age, sex, community and diet.

Metals transfer from tobacco to cigarette smoke: Evidences in smokers' lung tissue

Tobacco use kills millions of people every year around the world. The current level of 11 metals in tobacco was determined and their transfer rate to cigarette smoke was calculated as the difference between the total metal content in cigarettes and the amount present in its ashes. The metals content was also determined in the lung tissue of smokers and non-smokers in order to evaluate the marks that smoking leaves in this tissue. Metals content in tobacco ranged from less than 1μg/g (Co, Cd, Pb, As and Tl) to several hundreds of μg/g (Al, Mn and Ba). The highest transfer rate from tobacco to cigarette smoke was found for Tl (85-92%) and Cd (81-90%), followed by Pb (46-60%) and As (33-44%). Significantly higher levels of As, Cd and Pb were found in the lung tissue of smokers compared to non-smokers, showing that smoking results in an increase of these metals in the lungs and that they contribute to the carcinogenic potential of cigarette smoke. This study presents important data on current metals content in tobacco and its transference to cigarette smoke and provides evidence of their accumulation in smokers' lung tissue.

Trace Metals Derived from Electronic Cigarette (ECIG) Generated Aerosol: Potential Problem of ECIG Devices That Contain Nickel

Introduction: ECIGs are currently under scrutiny concerning their safety, particularly in reference to the impact ECIG liquids (E-liquids) have on human health. One concern is that aerosolized E-liquids contain trace metals that could become trapped in respiratory tissues and induce pathology. Methods: To mimic this trapping, peristaltic pumps were used to generate and transport aerosol onto mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membranes where aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were subsequently captured and quantified. The presence of trace metals on unexposed MCE membranes and on MCE membranes exposed to mainstream smoke served as control and comparison, respectively. The presence of these metals was also determined from the E-liquid before aerosolization and untouched by the ECIG device. All metals were quantified using ICP-MS. The ECIG core assembly was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy with elemental analysis capability. Results: The contents (μg) of Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn on control MCE membranes were 1.2 ± 0.2, 0.050 ± 0.002, 0.047 ± 0.003, 0.05 ± 0.01, 0.001 ± 0.001, 0.16 ± 0.04, 0.005 ± 0.003, 0.014 ± 0.006, and 0.09 ± 0.02, respectively. The contents of all trace metals on MCE membranes exposed to aerosol were similar to controls, except Ni which was significantly (p < 0.01) higher (0.024 ± 0.004 μg). In contrast, contents of Al, As, Fe, Mn, and Zn on MCE membranes exposed to smoke were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than controls. The contents of Al, As, Cu, Fe, and Mn on smoke-exposed MCE membranes were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than their content on aerosol-exposed membranes. The contents per cigarette equivalent of metals in E-liquid before aerosolization were negligible compared to amounts of aerosolized E-liquid, except for Fe (0.002 μg before and 0.001 μg after). Elemental analysis of the core assembly reveals the presence of several of these trace metals, especially Al, Fe, Ni, and Zn. Conclusions: In general, from the single ECIG-device/E-liquid combination used, the amount of trace metals from ECIG-generated aerosol are lower than in traditional mainstream smoke, Only Ni in the ECIG-generated aerosol was higher than control. The most probable source of Ni in this aerosol is the core assembly.

Body burden of heavy metals among HIV high risk population in USA

OBJECTIVE

HIV high risk population may face not only the threat of HIV infection but also a higher chance of exposure to environmental contaminants. However, no previous studies have examined the body burden of environmental pollutants including heavy metals among HIV high risk populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adults aged 20-59 years old at high risk of HIV infection have higher blood levels of heavy metals compared to those with low risk of HIV infection in United States.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2010 to compare exposures to heavy metals including cadmium, lead, and total mercury by HIV risk status.

RESULTS

The results showed that people at high risk of HIV had higher blood concentrations of all heavy metals compared to their counterparts with lower HIV risks. In multivariate linear regression models, HIV risk status was significantly associated with increased blood cadmium, lead, and total mercury after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, and poverty income ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that people at high risk of HIV have significantly higher body burden of heavy metals including cadmium, lead, and mercury compared to those with low risk of HIV. Further longitudinal study collecting more pollutants are warranted to determine the potential health effects of these elevated pollutants on both HIV-infected and HIV high-risk populations.

Determination of Metal Levels in Shamma (Smokeless Tobacco) with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in Najran, Saudi Arabia

Objective: The use of Shamma (smokeless tobacco) by certain groups is giving rise to health problems, including cancer, in parts of Saudi Arabia. Our objective was to determine metals levels in Shamma using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Methods: Thirty-three samples of Shamma (smokeless tobacco) were collected, comprising four types: brown Shamma (n = 14.0), red Shamma (n = 9.0), white Shamma (n = 4.0), and yellow Shamma (n = 6.0). All samples were collected randomly from Shamma users in the city of Najran. Levels of 11 elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined by ICP-MS. Results: A mixed standard (20 ppb) of all elements was used for quality control, and average recoveries ranged from 74.7% to 112.2%. The highest average concentrations were found in the following order: Al (598.8–812.2 μg/g), Mn (51.0–80.6 μg/g), and Ni (23.2–53.3 μg/g) in all four Shamma types. The lowest concentrations were for As (0.7–1.0 μg/g) and Cd (0.0–0.06 μg/g). Conclusions: The colour of each Shamma type reflects additives mixed into the tobacco. Cr and Cu were showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among Shamma types. Moreover, Pb levels are higher in red and yellow Shamma, which could be due to use (PbCrO4) as yellow colouring agent and lead tetroxide, Pb3O4 as a red colouring agent. The findings from this study can be used to raise public awareness about the safety and health effects of Shamma, which is clearly a source of oral exposure to metals.

Characterization of SPECTRUM Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes

OBJECTIVE

To provide researchers an extensive characterization of the SPECTRUM variable nicotine research cigarettes.

METHODS

Data on cigarette physical properties, nicotine content, harmful and potentially harmful constituents in the tobacco filler was compiled.

RESULTS

Data on physical properties, concentrations of menthol, nicotine and minor alkaloids, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonia, and toxic metals in the filler tobacco for all available varieties of Spectrum research cigarettes are provided. The similarity in the chemistry and physical properties of SPECTRUM cigarettes to commercial cigarettes renders them acceptable for use in behavioral studies. Baseline information on harmful and potentially harmful constituents in research tobacco products, particularly constituent levels such as minor alkaloids that fall outside typical ranges reported for commercial, provide researchers with the opportunity to monitor smoking behavior and to identify biomarkers that will inform efforts to understand the role of nicotine in creating and sustaining addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

Well characterized research cigarettes suitable for human consumption are an important tool in clinical studies for investigating the physiological impacts of cigarettes delivering various levels of nicotine, the impact of reduced nicotine cigarettes on nicotine addiction, and the relationship between nicotine dose and smoking behavior.

Triple Quad-ICP-MS Measurement of Toxic Metals in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke from Spectrum Research Cigarettes

We previously reported toxic metal concentrations in the mainstream smoke from 50 varieties of commercial cigarettes available in the USA using quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). However, efforts to continue producing high quality data on select mainstream cigarette smoke constituents demand continued improvements in instrumentation and methodology and application of the methodology to cigarettes that differ in design or construction. Here we report a new application of 'triple quad'-ICP-MS instrumentation to analyze seven toxic metals in mainstream cigarette smoke from the Spectrum variable nicotine research cigarettes. The Spectrum cigarettes are available for research purposes in different configurations of low or conventional levels of nicotine, mentholated or nonmentholated, and tar delivery ranges described as 'low tar' or 'high tar'. Detailed characterizations of specific harmful or potentially harmful constituents delivered by these research cigarettes will help inform researchers using these cigarettes in exposure studies, cessation studies and studies related to nicotine addiction or compensation.

[Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Mutagenicity of Mainstream Smoke and Heavy Metals in Tobacco Filler of Cigarettes of a Brand in Japan and Cigarettes of the Same Brand Imported Privately from Other Asian Countries]

OBJECTIVE

Some Japanese smokers imported Japanese cigarette brands from other Asian countries for personal use because of the increase in tobacco tax in 2010, which meant that privately importing the cigarettes was cheaper than purchasing them in Japan. We assumed that the health hazards of locally made cigarettes were different from those of privately imported cigarettes, despite the brands being the same. In this study, we carried out a comparative toxicological analysis of domestic and privately imported cigarettes.

METHODS

Privately imported cigarettes of five brands and domestic cigarettes of the brand named "MILD SEVEN ORIGINAL" were selected for the study. The level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mainstream smoke was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography using fluorescence detection. The mutagenicity of mainstream smoke was assessed using the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA98, and YG1024 with the metabolic activation system (S9mix) by preincubation assay. The levels of heavy metals in cigarette fillers were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The level of PAH in the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was higher than that in the smoke from the domestic cigarettes. However, the mutagenic activity of the mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes was equivalent to that from the domestic cigarettes. The levels of nickel and cadmium in the fillers of the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the domestic cigarettes.

CONCLUSION

The levels of constituents in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the privately imported cigarettes were higher than those in the fillers and mainstream smoke from the domestic cigarettes. The majority of Japanese smokers are unaware of these findings. The guidelines regulating tobacco products recommend that articles 9 and 10 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control should be fully implemented in Japan.

Electron Microscopic Analysis of Surface Inorganic Substances on Oral and Combustible Tobacco Products

Although quantitative trace toxic metal analyses have been performed on tobacco products, little has been published on inorganic particulate constituents on and inside the products. We analyzed these constituents using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The nature of SEM-EDS instrumentation makes it an ideal choice for inorganic particulate analyses and yields relevant information to potential exposures during consumption of oral tobacco products, and possibly as a consequence of smoking. Aluminum silicates, silica and calcium compounds were common inorganic particulate constituents of tobacco products. Aluminum silicates and silica from soil were found on external leaf surfaces. Phytolithic silica, found in the lumen of the plant leaf, is of biogenic origin. Calcium oxalate was also apparently of biogenic origin. Small mineral deposits on tobacco could have health implications. Minerals found on the surfaces of smokeless tobacco products could possibly abrade the oral mucosa and contribute to the oral inflammatory responses observed with smokeless tobacco product use. If micron and sub-micron size calcium particles on cigarette filler were transported in mainstream smoke, they could potentially induce a pulmonary irritant inflammation when inhaled. The transport of aluminum silicate and silica in smoke could potentially also contribute to chronic inflammatory disease.

Toxic metal and nicotine content of cigarettes sold in China, 2009 and 2012

BACKGROUND

Metals of primary health concern can accumulate in the tobacco plant and contribute to smokers' exposures to carcinogens, a significant cause of the millions of smoking-related deaths in China each year. These exposures are due to the smoker's addiction to nicotine.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to explore toxic heavy metal and nicotine concentrations in the tobacco of Chinese cigarette brands purchased in 2009 and 2012, as well as its regional variation.

METHODS

Cigarette packs for this study were purchased from seven Chinese cities in 2009 and 2012, and 91 pairs of cigarettes were matched based on UPC for comparison. Ten cigarette sticks were randomly selected from each pack and tested using polarised energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) concentrations. Nicotine analysis was conducted following Coresta's Recommended Method N°62. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, encompassing descriptive statistics, correlations and generalised estimating equations to observe changes in brand varieties overtime.

FINDINGS

On average, from 2009 to 2012, As, Cd, Cr and Pb concentrations have decreased in Chinese tobacco. Of the seven cities where the cigarette brands were purchased, only four cities showed significant differences of the selected metals from 2009 to 2012. However, there was no significant change in the tobacco nicotine content from 2009 to 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco in Chinese cigarettes purchased in seven geographically disbursed cities contains consistently high levels of metals, including carcinogens like Cd. One source may be the improper use of fertilisers. These numbers should be monitored more carefully and regulated by health officials.

High-Throughput Determination of Mercury in Tobacco and Mainstream Smoke from Little Cigars

A method was developed that utilizes a platinum trap for mercury from mainstream tobacco smoke, which represents an improvement over traditional approaches that require impingers and long sample preparation procedures. In this approach, the trapped mercury is directly released for analysis by heating the trap in a direct mercury analyzer. The method was applied to the analysis of mercury in the mainstream smoke of little cigars. The mercury levels in little cigar smoke obtained under Health Canada Intense smoking machine conditions ranged from 7.1 × 10(-3) to 1.2 × 10(-2) mg/m(3). These air mercury levels exceed the chronic inhalation minimal risk level corrected for intermittent exposure to metallic mercury (e.g., 1 or 2 h per day, 5 days per week) determined by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess associations between mercury levels and little cigar physical design properties. Filter ventilation was identified as the principal physical parameter influencing mercury concentrations in mainstream little cigar smoke generated under ISO machine smoking conditions. With filter ventilation blocked under Health Canada Intense smoking conditions, mercury concentrations in tobacco and puff number (smoke volume) were the primary physical parameters that influenced mainstream smoke mercury concentrations.

Determination of Toxic Metals in Little Cigar Tobacco with 'Triple Quad' ICP-MS

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the USA. Much of the focus on harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco products has been on cigarettes. Little cigars gained popularity over the last decade until tobacco taxes made cigarettes more expensive in the USA. Many little cigar brands are similar in size with cigarettes and may be smoked in a similar manner. Scant data are available on HPHC concentrations in little cigars, therefore we developed and applied a new analytical method to determine concentrations of 10 toxic metals in little cigar tobacco. The method utilizes 'triple quadrupole' ICP-MS. By optimizing octapole bias, energy discrimination and cell gas flow settings, we were able to accurately quantify a range of elements including those for which the cell gas reactions were endothermic. All standard modes (Single Quad No Gas, MS-MS NH3/He and MS-MS O2) were utilized for the quantitation of 10 toxic metals in little cigar tobacco, including uranium, which was added as an analyte in the new method. Because of the elimination of interfering ions at 'shifted analyte masses', detection limits were lower compared with a previous method. Tobacco selenium concentrations were below the limit of detection in the previous method, but the new technology made it possible to report all selenium concentrations.

Association of arsenic exposure with smoking, alcohol, and caffeine consumption: data from NHANES 2005-2010

Association of arsenic exposure with smoking, alcohol, and caffeine consumption was investigated. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2005-2010 were used for this investigation. Urinary levels of total arsenic (UAS) and dimethylarsonic acid (UDMA) were evaluated for children aged 6-12 years and adolescents and adults aged ≥ 12 years. Urinary levels of arsenobetaine (UAB) were evaluated for adolescents and adults only. Regression models were fitted for log transformed values of UAB, UAS, and UDMA. For the models for children, however, gender, race/ethnicity, SES, and fish/shell fish consumption during the last 30 days were the only independent variables that were included in the models. Nonsmokers were found to have higher levels of UAS and UDMA than smokers. Elevated levels of UAB, UAS, and UDMA were associated with higher amounts of daily alcohol consumption. The associations were in the opposite direction for daily caffeine consumption. Females were found to have statistically significantly lower adjusted levels of UDMA than males for those aged ≥ 12 years. Irrespective of age, those with unclassified race/ethnicity had the highest levels of UAB, UAS, and UDMA and non-Hispanic whites had the lowest levels. Adolescents had the higher levels of UAB, UAS, and UDMA than adults. Higher SES was associated with higher levels of UAB, UAS, and UDMA among adolescents and adults. Irrespective of age, fish consumption was associated with higher levels of UAB, UAS, and UDMA.