1
|
An DW, Yu YL, Hara A, Martens DS, Yang WY, Cheng YB, Huang QF, Asayama K, Stolarz-Skrzypek K, Rajzer M, Verhamme P, Nawrot TS, Li Y, Staessen JA. Lead-associated mortality in the US 1999-2020: a time-stratified analysis of a national cohort. J Hypertens 2024; 42:1322-1330. [PMID: 38511337 PMCID: PMC11216377 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We undertook time-stratified analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US to assess time trends (1999-2020) in the associations of blood lead (BL) with blood pressure, mortality, the BL-associated population attributable fraction (PAF). METHODS Vital status of participants, 20-79 years old at enrolment, was ascertained via the National Death Index. Regressions, mediation analyses and PAF were multivariable adjusted and standardized to 2020 US Census data. RESULTS In time-stratified analyses, BL decreased from 1.76 μg/dl in 1999-2004 to 0.93 μg/dl in 2017-2020, while the proportion of individuals with BL < 1 μg/dl increased from 19.2% to 63.0%. Total mortality was unrelated to BL (hazard ratio (HR) for a fourfold BL increment: 1.05 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.93-1.17]). The HR for cardiovascular death was 1.44 (1.01-2.07) in the 1999-2000 cycle, but lost significance thereafter. BL was directly related to cardiovascular mortality, whereas the indirect BL pathway via BP was not significant. Low socioeconomic status (SES) was directly related to BL and cardiovascular mortality, but the indirect SES pathway via BL lost significance in 2007-2010. From 1999-2004 to 2017-2020, cardiovascular PAF decreased ( P < 0.001) from 7.80% (0.17-14.4%) to 2.50% (0.05-4.68%) and number of lead-attributable cardiovascular deaths from 53 878 (1167-99 253) to 7539 (160-14 108). CONCLUSION Due to implementation of strict environmental policies, lead exposure is no longer associated with total mortality, and the mildly increased cardiovascular mortality is not associated with blood lead via blood pressure in the United States.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- De-Wei An
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine
- Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yu-Ling Yu
- Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine
- Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Azusa Hara
- Division of Drug Development and Regulatory Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Japan
| | - Dries S. Martens
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Wen-Yi Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Bang Cheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Fang Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kei Asayama
- Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katarzyna Stolarz-Skrzypek
- First Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marek Rajzer
- First Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Peter Verhamme
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jan A. Staessen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine
- Biomedical Sciences Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chavez-Garcia JA, Noriega-León A, Alcocer-Zuñiga JA, Robles J, Cruz-Jiménez G, Juárez-Pérez CA, Martinez-Alfaro M. Association between lead source exposure and blood lead levels in some lead manufacturing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2022; 71:126948. [PMID: 35219028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.126948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Lead is one of the 10 most toxic chemicals of greatest concern for its effects on public health. Predominantly, in undeveloped countries, high blood lead levels (BLLs) persist in the population. To develop intervention strategies that may reduce lead exposure in populations, it is a priority to know the sources of lead pollution. The objective of this critical review and meta-analysis is to assess whether there is an association between different sources of lead exposure and the mean difference in blood lead levels in people exposed. To identify the major lead source exposure, a statistical analysis was performed on selection studies. This investigation reveals the limited information available on the sources of lead in Mexico and other lead producer countries, such as Croatia, Ecuador, Brazil, South Korea, India, Nigeria, Turkey, and China. Meta-analysis could be performed only in battery, smelting mining, and glazed ceramic workers. Battery manufacturing workers have the highest mean difference level of lead in their blood worldwide. Mexico has the second highest mean difference BLL in battery workers in the world. An interesting difference between the mean difference in BLL in mining workers from uncontrolled industry (-39.38) and controlled industry (-5.68) was found. This difference highlighted the success of applying strict control of lead sources and community education to reduce BLL and its potential harmful effects on human health and the environment. Children living near mining sites have the highest mean difference BLL (-11.1). This analysis may aid in assessing the source of lead exposure associated with a range of BLLs in people. Furthermore, this review highlights several social and cultural patterns associated with lead exposure and lead levels in control populations. These results could help to develop international lead regulations and appropriate public health guidelines to protect people around the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cuauhtémoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez
- Research Unit Health at Work, XXI Century National Medical Center (CMNSXXI), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Perng W, Tamayo-Ortiz M, Tang L, Sánchez BN, Cantoral A, Meeker JD, Dolinoy DC, Roberts EF, Martinez-Mier EA, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Song PXK, Ettinger AS, Wright R, Arora M, Schnaas L, Watkins DJ, Goodrich JM, Garcia RC, Solano-Gonzalez M, Bautista-Arredondo LF, Mercado-Garcia A, Hu H, Hernandez-Avila M, Tellez-Rojo MM, Peterson KE. Early Life Exposure in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) Project. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e030427. [PMID: 31455712 PMCID: PMC6720157 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Early Life Exposure in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) Project is a mother-child pregnancy and birth cohort originally initiated in the mid-1990s to explore: (1) whether enhanced mobilisation of lead from maternal bone stores during pregnancy poses a risk to fetal and subsequent offspring neurodevelopment; and (2) whether maternal calcium supplementation during pregnancy and lactation can suppress bone lead mobilisation and mitigate the adverse effects of lead exposure on offspring health and development. Through utilisation of carefully archived biospecimens to measure other prenatal exposures, banking of DNA and rigorous measurement of a diverse array of outcomes, ELEMENT has since evolved into a major resource for research on early life exposures and developmental outcomes. PARTICIPANTS n=1643 mother-child pairs sequentially recruited (between 1994 and 2003) during pregnancy or at delivery from maternity hospitals in Mexico City, Mexico. FINDINGS TO DATE Maternal bone (eg, patella, tibia) is an endogenous source for fetal lead exposure due to mobilisation of stored lead into circulation during pregnancy and lactation, leading to increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and smaller head circumference, and transfer of lead into breastmilk. Daily supplementation with 1200 mg of elemental calcium during pregnancy and lactation reduces lead resorption from maternal bone and thereby, levels of circulating lead. Beyond perinatal outcomes, early life exposure to lead is associated with neurocognitive deficits, behavioural disorders, higher blood pressure and lower weight in offspring during childhood. Some of these relationships were modified by dietary factors; genetic polymorphisms specific for iron, folate and lipid metabolism; and timing of exposure. Research has also expanded to include findings published on other toxicants such as those associated with personal care products and plastics (eg, phthalates, bisphenol A), other metals (eg, mercury, manganese, cadmium), pesticides (organophosphates) and fluoride; other biomarkers (eg, toxicant levels in plasma, hair and teeth); other outcomes (eg, sexual maturation, metabolic syndrome, dental caries); and identification of novel mechanisms via epigenetic and metabolomics profiling. FUTURE PLANS As the ELEMENT mothers and children age, we plan to (1) continue studying the long-term consequences of toxicant exposure during the perinatal period on adolescent and young adult outcomes as well as outcomes related to the original ELEMENT mothers, such as their metabolic and bone health during perimenopause; and (2) follow the third generation of participants (children of the children) to study intergenerational effects of in utero exposures. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00558623.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Perng
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
- National Council of Science and Technology, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lu Tang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Brisa N Sánchez
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alejandra Cantoral
- National Council of Science and Technology, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Elizabeth F Roberts
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Esperanza Angeles Martinez-Mier
- Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Peter X K Song
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Adrienne S Ettinger
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- Division of Research in Community Interventions, Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Robin C Garcia
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Maritsa Solano-Gonzalez
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | | | - Adriana Mercado-Garcia
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mauricio Hernandez-Avila
- Dirección de Prestaciones Económicas y Sociales, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Martha Maria Tellez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cai H, Xu X, Zhang Y, Cong X, Lu X, Huo X. Elevated lead levels from e-waste exposure are linked to sensory integration difficulties in preschool children. Neurotoxicology 2019; 71:150-158. [PMID: 30664973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to lead is associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment. However, studies of the effects of lead on sensory integration are few. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of lead exposure on child sensory integration by correlating the blood lead levels of children with sensory processing measures. A total of 574 children, from 3 to 6 years of age, 358 from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling town named Guiyu, and 216 from Haojiang, a nearby town with no e-waste recycling activity, were recruited in this study. The median blood lead level in Guiyu children was 4.88 μg/dL, higher than the 3.47 μg/dL blood lead level in Haojiang children (P < 0.001). 47.2% of Guiyu children had blood lead levels exceeding 5 μg/dL. The median concentration of serum cortisol, an HPA-axis biomarker, in Guiyu children was significantly lower than in Haojiang, and was negatively correlated with blood lead levels. All subscale scores and the total score of the Sensory Processing Measure (Hong Kong Chinese version, SPM-HKC) in Guiyu children were higher than Haojiang children, indicating greater difficulties, especially for touch, body awareness, balance and motion, and total sensory systems. Sensory processing scores were positively correlated with blood lead, except for touch, which was negatively correlated with serum cortisol levels. Simultaneously, all subscale scores and the total SPM-HKC scores for children with high blood lead levels (blood lead > 5 μg/dL) were higher than those in the low blood lead level group (blood lead < 5 μg/dL), especially for hearing, touch, body awareness, balance and motion, and total sensory systems. Our findings suggest that lead exposure in e-waste recycling areas may result in a decrease in serum cortisol levels and an increase in child sensory integration difficulties. Cortisol may be involved in touch-related sensory integration difficulties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoxing Cai
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xiaowei Cong
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueling Lu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xia Huo
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, 855 East Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511486, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pantic I, Tamayo-Ortiz M, Rosa-Parra A, Bautista-Arredondo L, Wright RO, Peterson KE, Schnaas L, Rothenberg SJ, Hu H, Téllez-Rojo MM. Children's Blood Lead Concentrations from 1988 to 2015 in Mexico City: The Contribution of Lead in Air and Traditional Lead-Glazed Ceramics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E2153. [PMID: 30274368 PMCID: PMC6210390 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the removal of lead from gasoline in 1997, elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) > 5 µg/dL are still detectable in children living in Mexico City. The use of lead-glazed ceramics may explain these persistent exposure levels. Mexico lacks a national surveillance program for BLL, but temporal trends can be derived from epidemiological studies. With this approach, we leveraged a series of birth cohorts to report BLL trends from 1987 to 2002 and expanded our analysis to 2015. Data were from 1⁻5-year-old children from five Mexico City cohorts followed between 1988 and 2015. BLLs are reported on 1963 children, who contributed 4975 BLLs. We estimated the trend of mean BLL, which decreased from 15.7 µg/dL in 1988, to 7.8 µg/dL in 1998 (a year after the total ban of lead in gasoline), to 1.96 µg/dL in 2015. The proportion of BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL decreased from 92% (1988⁻1998) to 8% (2008⁻2015). The use of lead-glazed ceramics was associated with an 11% increase in BLLs throughout the study period. Replacing lead-based glazes in traditional ceramics may be the key to further reducing exposure, but this presents challenges, as it involves a cultural tradition deeply rooted in Mexico. In addition, the creation of a rigorous, standardized, and on-going surveillance program of BLL is necessary for identifying vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pantic
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City 11000, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
- National Council of Science and Technology, Mexico City 03940, CDMX, Mexico.
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Antonio Rosa-Parra
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Luis Bautista-Arredondo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City 11000, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Stephen J Rothenberg
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Martha María Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Perng W, Baek J, Zhou CW, Cantoral A, Tellez-Rojo MM, Song PX, Peterson KE. Associations of the infancy body mass index peak with anthropometry and cardiometabolic risk in Mexican adolescents. Ann Hum Biol 2018; 45:386-394. [PMID: 30328713 PMCID: PMC6377326 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2018.1506048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life growth dynamics are associated with future health. Little is known regarding timing and magnitude of the infancy body mass index (BMI) peak with adiposity and metabolic biomarkers during adolescence. AIM To examine associations of the infancy BMI peak with anthropometry and cardiometabolic risk during peripuberty. METHODS Among 163 ELEMENT participants, this study estimated age and magnitude of the infancy BMI peak from eight anthropometric measurements from birth-36 months using Newton's Growth Models, an acceleration-based process model. Associations were examined of the infancy milestones with anthropometry and cardiometabolic risk at 8-14 years using linear regression models that accounted for maternal calcium supplementation and age; child's birthweight, sex, and age; and the other infancy milestone. RESULTS Median age at the infancy BMI peak was 9.6 months, and median peak BMI was 16.5 kg/m2. Later age and larger magnitude of the peak predicted higher BMI z-score, waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses; i.e. each 1 month of age at peak and each 1 kg/m2 of peak BMI corresponded with 0.04 (0.01-0.07) and 0.33 (0.17-0.48) units of higher BMI z-score, respectively. Later age at peak was also a determinant of worse glycaemia and higher blood pressure. CONCLUSION Later age and larger magnitude of the infancy BMI peak are associated with higher adiposity at 8-14 years of age. Later age but not magnitude of the BMI peak are related to a worse cardiometabolic profile during peripuberty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Perng
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonggyu Baek
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christina W. Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alejandra Cantoral
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, MX
- CONACYT, National Institute of Public Health, Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, MX
| | | | - Peter X.K. Song
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karen E. Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sprowles JLN, Amos-Kroohs RM, Braun AA, Sugimoto C, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Developmental manganese, lead, and barren cage exposure have adverse long-term neurocognitive, behavioral and monoamine effects in Sprague-Dawley rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 67:50-64. [PMID: 29631003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Developmental stress, including low socioeconomic status (SES), can induce dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and result in long-term changes in stress reactivity. Children in lower SES households experience more stress and are more likely to be exposed to environmental neurotoxins such as lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) than children in higher SES households. Co-exposure to stress, Pb, and Mn during early development may increase the risk of central nervous system dysfunction compared with unexposed children. To investigate the potential interaction of these factors, Sprague-Dawley rats were bred, and litters born in-house were culled on postnatal day (P)1 to 6 males and 6 females. One male and female within each litter were assigned to one of the following groups: 0 (vehicle), 10 mg/kg Pb, 100 mg/kg Mn, or 10 mg/kg Pb + 100 mg/kg Mn (PbMn), water gavage, and handled only from P4-28 with half the litters reared in cages with standard bedding (29 litters) and half with no bedding (Barren; 27 litters). Mn and PbMn groups had decreased anxiety, reduced acoustic startle, initial open-field hypoactivity, increased activity following (+)-methamphetamine, deficits in egocentric learning in the Cincinnati water maze (CWM), and deficits in latent inhibition conditioning. Pb increased anxiety and reduced open-field activity. Barren-reared rats had decreased anxiety, CWM deficits, increased startle, and initial open-field hyperactivity. Mn, PbMn, Pb Barren-reared groups had impaired Morris water maze performance. Pb altered neostriatal serotonin and norepinephrine, Mn increased hippocampal serotonin in males, Mn + Barren-rearing increased neostriatal serotonin, and Barren-rearing decreased neostriatal dopamine in males. At the doses used here, most effects were in the Mn and PbMn groups. Few interactions between Mn, Pb, and rearing stress were found, indicating that the interaction of these three variables is not as impactful as hypothesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L N Sprowles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Rhodes College, Department of Psychology, 2000 North Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, United States.
| | - Robyn M Amos-Kroohs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Virginia Department of Forensic Science, 700 North Fifth St, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
| | - Amanda A Braun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Chiho Sugimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Charles V Vorhees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Michael T Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Claus Henn B, Austin C, Coull BA, Schnaas L, Gennings C, Horton MK, Hernández-Ávila M, Hu H, Téllez-Rojo MM, Wright RO, Arora M. Uncovering neurodevelopmental windows of susceptibility to manganese exposure using dentine microspatial analyses. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 161:588-598. [PMID: 29247915 PMCID: PMC5965684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between manganese (Mn) and neurodevelopment may depend on dose and exposure timing, but most studies cannot measure exposure variability over time well. OBJECTIVE We apply temporally informative tooth-matrix biomarkers to uncover windows of susceptibility in early life when Mn is associated with visual motor ability in childhood. We also explore effect modification by lead (Pb) and child sex. METHODS Participants were drawn from the ELEMENT (Early Life Exposures in MExico and NeuroToxicology) longitudinal birth cohort studies. We reconstructed dose and timing of prenatal and early postnatal Mn and Pb exposures for 138 children by analyzing deciduous teeth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Neurodevelopment was assessed between 6 and 16 years of age using the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities (WRAVMA). Mn associations with total WRAVMA scores and subscales were estimated with multivariable generalized additive mixed models. We examined Mn interactions with Pb and child sex in stratified models. RESULTS Levels of dentine Mn were highest in the second trimester and declined steeply over the prenatal period, with a slower rate of decline after birth. Mn was positively associated with visual spatial and total WRAVMA scores in the second trimester, among children with lower (< median) tooth Pb levels: one standard deviation (SD) increase in ln-transformed dentine Mn at 150 days before birth was associated with a 0.15 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.26] SD increase in total score. This positive association was not observed at high Pb levels. In contrast to the prenatal period, significant negative associations were found in the postnatal period from ~ 6 to 12 months of age, among boys only: one SD increase in ln-transformed dentine Mn was associated with a 0.11 [95% CI: - 0.001, - 0.22] to 0.16 [95% CI: - 0.04, - 0.28] SD decrease in visual spatial score. CONCLUSIONS Using tooth-matrix biomarkers with fine scale temporal profiles of exposure, we found discrete developmental windows in which Mn was associated with visual-spatial abilities. Our results suggest that Mn associations are driven in large part by exposure timing, with beneficial effects found for prenatal levels and toxic effects found for postnatal levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine Austin
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- Division of Research on Community Interventions, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan K Horton
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mauricio Hernández-Ávila
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Howard Hu
- University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martha Maria Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Olympio KPK, Gonçalves CG, Salles FJ, Ferreira APSDS, Soares AS, Buzalaf MAR, Cardoso MRA, Bechara EJH. What are the blood lead levels of children living in Latin America and the Caribbean? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 101:46-58. [PMID: 28159393 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Information on the prevalence of lead exposure is essential to formulate efficient public health policies. Developed countries have implemented successful public policies for the prevention and control of lead poisoning. In the United States, Canada, Japan and the European Union, for instance, periodically repeated prevalence studies show that blood lead levels (BLLs) in children have decreased overall. Although BLL of Latino children in the U.S. have also dropped in recent years, the geometric mean remains higher than that of white children. Little is known about lead exposure in children in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). In this review, we responded to two questions: What is currently known about lead sources and levels in children in LAC? Are there public policies to prevent children's exposure to lead in LAC? METHOD We conducted a literature review covering the period from January 2000 to March 2014 in the PubMed and Lilacs databases to obtain English, Portuguese and Spanish language studies reporting the prevalence of BLLs in children aged 0-18years living in LAC countries. No specific analytical method was selected, and given the scarcity of data, the study was highly inclusive. RESULTS Fifty-six papers were selected from 16 different LAC countries. The children's BLLs found in this review are high (≥10μg/dL) compared to BLLs for the same age group in the U. S. However, most studies reported an association with some type of "lead hot spot", in which children can be exposed to lead levels similar to those of occupational settings. Only Peru and Mexico reported BLLs in children from population-based studies. CONCLUSIONS Most BLLs prevalence studies carried out in LAC were in areas with known emission sources. The percentage of children at risk of lead poisoning in LAC is unknown, and probably underestimated. Thus, there is an urgent need to establish public health policies to quantify and prevent lead poisoning, specifically by prioritizing the identification and control of "hot spots".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cláudia Gaudência Gonçalves
- Departamento de Controle Ambiental/Grupo Técnico Permanente de Áreas Contaminadas - Secretaria do Verde e Meio Ambiente de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Junqueira Salles
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Agnes Silva Soares
- Sustainable Development and Health Equity, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina Alves Cardoso
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ulijaszek SJ. The International Growth Standard for Children and Adolescents Project: Environmental Influences on Preadolescent and Adolescent Growth in Weight and Height. Food Nutr Bull 2016; 27:S279-94. [PMID: 17361663 DOI: 10.1177/15648265060274s510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This review has two aims. The first is to identify important environmental influences on the growth of children aged 1 to 9 years and of adolescents, defined as those aged 10 to 19 years. The second is to identify possible environmentally based criteria for the selection of individuals and populations for data collection in the development of an international growth reference for these age ranges. There are many common environmental influences on the growth of children between the ages of 1 and 19 years; the examination and description of these forms the main body of this review. Subsequently, environmental factors influencing adolescent growth only are considered. In both cases, possible selection criteria are put forward. The most important inclusion criteria for both preadolescence and adolescence are good nutrition, lack of infection, and socioeconomic status that does not constrain growth. Additionally, low birthweight, catch-up growth, breastfeeding, and early adiposity rebound have impacts on growth and/or body composition into puberty. Exclusion of children born at low birth and/or experiencing catch-up growth could be most realistically operationalized if populations in which secular trends in growth were either completed or minimal were selected. Although an effect of hypoxia on child and adolescent growth, independent of nutrition, is small at most, many high-altitude populations have high prevalances of low birthweight and should be excluded on this basis. Since all populations are exposed to pollutants, contaminants, and toxicants in varying degrees, they cannot be realistically excluded from the sample frame. However, it may be desirable to exclude populations that are habitually exposed to extremely high levels of environmental pollution, including air pollution, and those living in close proximity to toxic waste. It is impossible to exclude populations and individuals on the basis of their exposure to aflatoxin contamination of food. However, exclusion on the basis of low socioeconomic status or poverty may well act as a proxy for this. There are a small number of populations that show extreme patterns of growth in body size and proportion in preadolescence and adolescence, and these should be excluded from the sample frame.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley J Ulijaszek
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Welton M, Rodriguez-Lainz A, Loza O, Brodine S, Fraga M. Use of lead-glazed ceramic ware and lead-based folk remedies in a rural community of Baja California, Mexico. Glob Health Promot 2016; 25:6-14. [DOI: 10.1177/1757975916639861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Lead exposure from lead-glazed ceramics (LGCs) and traditional folk remedies have been identified as significant sources of elevated blood lead levels in Mexico and the United States. This study took place from 2005 to 2012 in a rural community in Baja California, Mexico. Objectives: 1) Investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to lead and lead exposures from LGCs and two lead-based folk remedies ( azarcon and greta); and 2) evaluate a pilot intervention to provide alternative lead-safe cookware. Methods: A baseline household survey was conducted in 2005, followed by the pilot intervention in 2006, and follow-up surveys in 2007 and 2012. For the pilot intervention, families who reported using LGCs were given lead-safe alternative cookware to try and its acceptance was evaluated in the following year. Results: The community was mostly of indigenous background from Oaxaca and a high proportion of households had young children. In 2006, all participants using traditional ceramic ware at the time ( n = 48) accepted lead-safe alternative cookware to try, and 97% reported that they were willing to exchange traditional ceramic ware for lead-safe alternatives. The use of ceramic cookware decreased from over 90% during respondents’ childhood household use in Oaxaca to 47% in 2006 among households in Baja California, and further reduced to 16.8% in 2012. While empacho, a folk illness, was widely recognized as an intestinal disorder, there was almost universal unfamiliarity with the use and knowledge of azarcon and greta for its treatment. Conclusion: This pilot evaluation provides evidence 1) for an effective and innovative strategy to reduce lead exposure from LGCs and 2) of the feasibility of substituting lead-free alternative cookware for traditional ceramic ware in a rural indigenous community, when delivered in a culturally appropriate manner with health education. This strategy could complement other approaches to reduce exposure to lead from LGCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oralia Loza
- The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, USA
| | | | - Miguel Fraga
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Diaz-Ruiz A, Tristán-López LA, Medrano-Gómez KI, Torres-Domínguez JA, Ríos C, Montes S. Glazed clay pottery and lead exposure in Mexico: Current experimental evidence. Nutr Neurosci 2016; 20:513-518. [PMID: 27297776 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2016.1193967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lead exposure remains a significant environmental problem; lead is neurotoxic, especially in developing humans. In Mexico, lead in human blood is still a concern. Historically, much of the lead exposure is attributed to the use of handcrafted clay pottery for cooking, storing and serving food. However, experimental cause-and-effect demonstration is lacking. The present study explores this issue with a prospective experimental approach. METHODS We used handcrafted clay containers to prepare and store lemonade, which was supplied as drinking water to pregnant rats throughout the gestational period. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We found that clay pots, jars, and mugs leached on average 200 µg/l lead, and exposure to the lemonade resulted in 2.5 µg/dl of lead in the pregnant rats' blood. Neonates also showed increased lead content in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Caspase-3 activity was found to be statistically increased in the hippocampus in prenatally exposed neonates, suggesting increased apoptosis in that brain region. Glazed ceramics are still an important source of lead exposure in Mexico, and our results confirm that pregnancy is a vulnerable period for brain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Araceli Diaz-Ruiz
- a Neurochemistry Department , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suarez" , Mexico
| | - Luis Antonio Tristán-López
- a Neurochemistry Department , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suarez" , Mexico
| | - Karen Itzel Medrano-Gómez
- a Neurochemistry Department , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suarez" , Mexico
| | | | - Camilo Ríos
- a Neurochemistry Department , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suarez" , Mexico
| | - Sergio Montes
- a Neurochemistry Department , National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suarez" , Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tamayo y Ortiz M, Téllez-Rojo MM, Hu H, Hernández-Ávila M, Wright R, Amarasiriwardena C, Lupoli N, Mercado-García A, Pantic I, Lamadrid-Figueroa H. Lead in candy consumed and blood lead levels of children living in Mexico City. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 147:497-502. [PMID: 26974363 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that lead exposure continues to pose a health risk in Mexico. Children are a vulnerable population for lead effects and Mexican candy has been found to be a source of exposure in children. There are no previous studies that estimates lead concentrations in candy that children living in Mexico City consume and its association with their blood lead level. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether there is an association between reported recent consumption of candies identified to have lead, and blood lead levels among children in Mexico City. METHODS A subsample of 171 children ages 2-6 years old, from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohort study was assessed between June 2006 and July 2007. The candy reported most frequently were analyzed for lead using ICP-MS. The total weekly intake of lead through the consumption of candy in the previous week was calculated. Capillary blood lead levels (BLL) were measured using LeadCare (anodic stripping voltammetry). RESULTS Lead concentrations ≥0.1ppm, the FDA permitted level (range: 0.13-0.7ppm) were found in 6 samples out of 138 samples from 44 different brands of candy. Median BLL in children was 4.5µg/dl. After adjusting for child's sex, age, BMI, maternal education & occupation, milk consumption, sucking the candy wrapper, use of lead-glazed pottery, child exposure behavior, living near a lead exposure site and use of folk remedies, an increase of 1µg of lead ingested through candy per week was associated with 3% change (95% CI: 0.1%, 5.2%) in BLL. CONCLUSIONS Although lead concentrations in candy were mostly below the FDA permitted level, high lead concentrations were detected in 4% of the candy samples and 12% of brands analyzed. Although candy intake was modestly associated with children's BLL, lead should not be found in consumer products, especially in candy that children can consume due to the well documented long-lasting effect of lead exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Tamayo y Ortiz
- National Council of Science and Technology, Avenida Insurgentes Sur 1582, Benito Juárez, Crédito Constructor, 03940 Ciudad de México, D.F, Mexico; National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María, Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Martha María Téllez-Rojo
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María, Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Howard Hu
- University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 6, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 3M7.
| | - Mauricio Hernández-Ávila
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María, Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Robert Wright
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Chitra Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Nicola Lupoli
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Adriana Mercado-García
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María, Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Ivan Pantic
- National Institute of Perinatology, Calle Montes Urales #800, Miguel Hidalgo Lomas Virreyes, 11000 Ciudad de México, D.F, Mexico.
| | - Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María, Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Amos-Kroohs RM, Graham DL, Grace CE, Braun AA, Schaefer TL, Skelton MR, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Developmental stress and lead (Pb): Effects of maternal separation and/or Pb on corticosterone, monoamines, and blood Pb in rats. Neurotoxicology 2016; 54:22-33. [PMID: 26943976 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The level of lead (Pb) exposure in children has decreased dramatically since restrictions on its use were implemented. However, even with restrictions, children are exposed to Pb and still present with cognitive and behavioral deficits. One prominent aspect of the exposome of these children is that many come from low social economic status (SES) conditions, and low SES is associated with stress. In order to compare the combined effects of early stress and Pb, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vehicle or Pb either alone or in combination with maternal separation stress during brain development (i.e., postnatal day (P)4-P11, P19, or P28). Maternally separated/isolated pups had lower body and thymus weights during exposure and had increased levels of blood Pb compared with vehicle controls. Isolation, but not Pb, affected the response to an acute stressor (standing in shallow water) when assessed on P19 and P29, but not earlier on P11. Interactions of Pb and isolation were found on monoamines in the neostriatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus on turnover but not on levels, and most changes were on dopamine turnover. Isolation had greater short-term effects than Pb. Interactions were dependent on age, sex, and acute stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robyn M Amos-Kroohs
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, United States.
| | - Devon L Graham
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Curtis E Grace
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Amanda A Braun
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Matthew R Skelton
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Charles V Vorhees
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| | - Michael T Williams
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cantoral A, Téllez-Rojo MM, Levy TS, Hernández-Ávila M, Schnaas L, Hu H, Peterson KE, Ettinger AS. Differential association of lead on length by zinc status in two-year old Mexican children. Environ Health 2015; 14:95. [PMID: 26715556 PMCID: PMC4696318 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-015-0086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood lead levels have decreased in Mexico since leaded fuel was banned in 1997, but other sources remain, including the use of lead-glazed ceramics for food storage and preparation. Zinc deficiency is present in almost 30% of children aged 1-2 years. Previous studies have documented negative associations of both lead exposure and zinc deficiency with stature, but have not considered the joint effects. Given that the prevalence of stunting in pre-school aged children was 13.6% in 2012, the aim of this study was to evaluate if the relationship between blood lead and child stature was modified by zinc status. METHODS Anthropometry, dietary energy intake, serum zinc and blood lead were measured in 291 children aged 24 months from an ongoing birth cohort study in Mexico City. Child stature was represented by recumbent length as appropriate for this age group. The association between blood lead (BPb) and length-for-age Z score (LAZ) was evaluated using a model stratified by zinc status measured by standard criteria and adjusted for: birth length, breastfeeding practices, energy intake, maternal height and education. RESULTS Median (IQR) BPb was: 0.17 (0.12-0.26) μmol/L and 17% of the sample had zinc deficiency (<9.9 μmol/L). BPb was inversely associated with LAZ in the overall sample (β = -0.19, p = 0.02). In stratified models, this negative association was more than three times higher and statistically significant only in the zinc deficient group (β = -0.43, p = 0.04) compared to the zinc replete group (β = -0.12, p = 0.22) (BPb*zinc status, p-for-interaction = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Zinc adequacy is a key factor that may attenuate the negative association of lead on stature in young children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Cantoral
- Research Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
| | - Martha M Téllez-Rojo
- Research Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
| | - Teresa Shamah Levy
- Research Center for Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
| | - Mauricio Hernández-Ávila
- National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655, Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Mor, Mexico.
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- National Institute of Perinatology, Monte Urales Sur 800, Lomas Virreyes, C.P. 11000, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Howard Hu
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, 6th floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Adrienne S Ettinger
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Smolders R, Den Hond E, Koppen G, Govarts E, Willems H, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Fiddicke U, Castaño A, Koch HM, Angerer J, Esteban M, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Aerts D, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Cerna M, Krskova A, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Nielsen JKS, Rudnai P, Közepesy S, Evans DS, Ryan MP, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Jakubowski M, Reis MF, Namorado S, Lupsa IR, Gurzau AE, Halzlova K, Fabianova E, Mazej D, Tratnik Snoj J, Gomez S, González S, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Schoeters G. Interpreting biomarker data from the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects: Using external exposure data to understand biomarker differences among countries. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 141:86-95. [PMID: 25440294 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2011 and 2012, the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects performed the first ever harmonized human biomonitoring survey in 17 European countries. In more than 1800 mother-child pairs, individual lifestyle data were collected and cadmium, cotinine and certain phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Total mercury was determined in hair samples. While the main goal of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects was to develop and test harmonized protocols and procedures, the goal of the current paper is to investigate whether the observed differences in biomarker values among the countries implementing DEMOCOPHES can be interpreted using information from external databases on environmental quality and lifestyle. In general, 13 countries having implemented DEMOCOPHES provided high-quality data from external sources that were relevant for interpretation purposes. However, some data were not available for reporting or were not in line with predefined specifications. Therefore, only part of the external information could be included in the statistical analyses. Nonetheless, there was a highly significant correlation between national levels of fish consumption and mercury in hair, the strength of antismoking legislation was significantly related to urinary cotinine levels, and we were able to show indications that also urinary cadmium levels were associated with environmental quality and food quality. These results again show the potential of biomonitoring data to provide added value for (the evaluation of) evidence-informed policy making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Smolders
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - E Den Hond
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - G Koppen
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - E Govarts
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - H Willems
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | | | - U Fiddicke
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
| | - A Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - H M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - J Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - M Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - O Sepai
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - K Exley
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - L Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, The Netherlands
| | - M Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | - P Biot
- FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - D Aerts
- FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - A Katsonouri
- State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Cyprus
| | | | - M Cerna
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | - A Krskova
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | | | - M Seiwert
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
| | | | - P Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | - S Közepesy
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | - D S Evans
- Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland
| | - M P Ryan
- University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland
| | - A C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg
| | | | - D Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M Jakubowski
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M F Reis
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Namorado
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I-R Lupsa
- Environmental Health Center, Romania
| | | | - K Halzlova
- Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky, Slovakia
| | - E Fabianova
- Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky, Slovakia
| | - D Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | - S Gomez
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | | | | | | | - A Lehmann
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - P Crettaz
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - G Schoeters
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Belgium; Southern Denmark University, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Farías P, Álamo-Hernández U, Mancilla-Sánchez L, Texcalac-Sangrador JL, Carrizales-Yáñez L, Riojas-Rodríguez H. Lead in school children from Morelos, Mexico: levels, sources and feasible interventions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 11:12668-82. [PMID: 25493390 PMCID: PMC4276639 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111212668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Lead is a pervasive pollutant, associated at low levels to many adverse health effects. Objective: To investigate lead levels, exposure pathways and intervention possibilities in school children from Alpuyeca, in Morelos, Mexico. Methods: Blood lead concentrations (BPb) were measured in 226 children in 2011. Exposure pathways were assessed through a questionnaire, lead measurements in different environmental matrices and spatial aggregation analysis of lead concentrations. Results: BPb ranged from 1.5 to 36.5 µg/dL, with a mean (SD) of 7.23 (4.9) µg/dL. Sixty-four and 18% of the children had BPb > 5 µg/dL and > 10 µg/dL, respectively. The use of lead glazed ceramics was reported in almost half of the households; it was the main BPb determinant and it was associated with an increased risk of having BPb > 5 g/dL by 2.7 times (p = 0.001). Environmental samples were within US EPA’s lead recommended limits, and blood lead levels were randomly distributed in the community. Conclusions: Lead remains a public health problem in Alpuyeca, Mexico. Unlike other local pollutants, lead exposure prevention can be achieved inexpensively and in a short term. Interventions should make mothers aware of lead’s health effects and empower them to safeguard their children’s health by avoiding the culturally ingrained use of lead glazed pottery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Farías
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P., Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; E-Mails: (P.F.); (L.M.-S.); (J.L.T.-S.); (H.R.-R.)
| | - Urinda Álamo-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P., Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; E-Mails: (P.F.); (L.M.-S.); (J.L.T.-S.); (H.R.-R.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +52-777-329-3000 (ext. 3303)
| | - Leonardo Mancilla-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P., Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; E-Mails: (P.F.); (L.M.-S.); (J.L.T.-S.); (H.R.-R.)
| | - José Luis Texcalac-Sangrador
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P., Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; E-Mails: (P.F.); (L.M.-S.); (J.L.T.-S.); (H.R.-R.)
| | - Leticia Carrizales-Yáñez
- Departamento de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico; E-Mail:
| | - Horacio Riojas-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P., Cuernavaca, Morelos 62100, Mexico; E-Mails: (P.F.); (L.M.-S.); (J.L.T.-S.); (H.R.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lim S, Ha M, Hwang SS, Son M, Kwon HJ. Disparities in Children's Blood Lead and Mercury Levels According to Community and Individual Socioeconomic Positions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:6232-48. [PMID: 26035667 PMCID: PMC4483698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120606232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to examine the associations between blood lead and mercury levels and individual and community level socioeconomic positions (SEPs) in school-aged children. A longitudinal cohort study was performed in 33 elementary schools in 10 cities in Korea. Among a total of 6094 children included at baseline, the final study population, 2281 children followed-up biennially, were analyzed. The geometric mean (GM) levels of blood lead were 1.73 μg/dL (range 0.02–9.26) and 1.56 μg/dL (range 0.02–6.83) for male and female children, respectively. The blood lead levels were significantly higher in males, children living in rural areas, and those with lower individual SEP. The GM levels of blood mercury were 2.07 μg/L (range 0.09–12.67) and 2.06 μg/L (range 0.03–11.74) for males and females, respectively. Increased blood mercury levels were significantly associated with urban areas, higher individual SEP, and more deprived communities. The risk of high blood lead level was significantly higher for the lower individual SEP (odds ratio (OR) 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36–3.50 in the lowest educational attainment of the father), with a significant dose-response relationship observed after adjusting for the community SEP. The association between high blood lead levels and lower individual SEP was much stronger in the more deprived communities (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.27–6.53) than in the less deprived communities (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.76–2.59), and showed a significant decreasing trend during the follow-up only in the less deprived communities. The risk of high blood mercury levels was higher in higher individual SEP (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.40–1.03 in the lowest educational attainment of the father), with a significant dose-response relationship noted. Significant decreasing trends were observed during the follow-up both in the less and more deprived communities. From a public health point-of-view, community level intervention with different approaches for different metals is warranted to protect children from environmental exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinye Lim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, 23 Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul 130-872, Korea.
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, 119 Dandae-Ro, Dongnam-Gu, Cheonan, Chungnam 330-714, Korea.
| | - Seung-Sik Hwang
- Department of Social Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, 366 Seohae-Daero, Jung-Gu, Incheon 400-712, Korea.
| | - Mia Son
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, 1, Gangwondaehak-Gil, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea.
| | - Ho-Jang Kwon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, 119 Dandae-Ro, Dongnam-Gu, Cheonan, Chungnam 330-714, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Niveles de Plomo en Sangre en México y su Implicación para la Carga
Pediátrica de la Enfermedad. Ann Glob Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
20
|
Caravanos J, Dowling R, Téllez-Rojo MM, Cantoral A, Kobrosly R, Estrada D, Orjuela M, Gualtero S, Ericson B, Rivera A, Fuller R. Blood lead levels in Mexico and pediatric burden of disease implications. Ann Glob Health 2014; 80:269-77. [PMID: 25459328 DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there has been success in reducing lead exposure with the phase-out of leaded gasoline, exposure to lead in Mexico continues to threaten the health of millions, much of which is from lead-based glazes used in pottery that leaches into food. OBJECTIVES An extensive historical review and analysis of available data on blood lead levels in Mexican populations was conducted. We used a calculated geometric mean to evaluate the effect of lead on the pediatric burden of disease. METHODS An extensive bibliographic search identified 83 published articles from 1978 to 2010 with blood lead level (BLL) data in Mexican populations representing 150 data points from more than 50,000 study participants. Values from these publications were categorized into various groupings. We then calculated the incidence of disease and disability-adjusted life-years resulting from these BLLs using the World Health Organization's burden of disease spreadsheets for mild mental retardation. RESULTS Reviewing all relevant studies, the geometric means of Mexican BLLs in urban and rural areas were found to be 8.85 and 22.24 ug/dL, respectively. Since the phase-out of leaded gasoline, the mean in urban areas was found to be 5.36 ug/dL and the average in rural areas is expected to be much higher. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) upper limit of blood lead in children under the age of 6 years is 5 ug/dL and the current U.S. average is 1.2 ug/dL. Our results indicate that more than 15% of the population will experience a decrement of more than 5 IQ points from lead exposure. The analysis also leads us to believe that lead is responsible for 820,000 disability-adjusted life-years for lead-induced mild mental retardation for children aged 0 to 4 years. CONCLUSION Lead continues to threaten the health of millions and remains a significant cause of disability in Mexico. Additional interventions in reducing or managing lead-based ceramic glazes are necessary to protect the public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Caravanos
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Program, City University of New York, School of Public Health, New York, NY; Blacksmith Institute, New York, NY.
| | | | - Martha María Téllez-Rojo
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Alejandra Cantoral
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Roni Kobrosly
- Blacksmith Institute, New York, NY; Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Manuela Orjuela
- Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Horton LM, Mortensen ME, Iossifova Y, Wald MM, Burgess P. What do we know of childhood exposures to metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) in emerging market countries? Int J Pediatr 2013; 2013:872596. [PMID: 23365584 PMCID: PMC3556434 DOI: 10.1155/2013/872596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury present potential health risks to children who are exposed through inhalation or ingestion. Emerging Market countries experience rapid industrial development that may coincide with the increased release of these metals into the environment. A literature review was conducted for English language articles from the 21st century on pediatric exposures to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) top 10 Emerging Market countries: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. Seventy-six peer-reviewed, published studies on pediatric exposure to metals met the inclusion criteria. The reported concentrations of metals in blood and urine from these studies were generally higher than US reference values, and many studies identified adverse health effects associated with metals exposure. Evidence of exposure to metals in the pediatric population of these Emerging Market countries demonstrates a need for interventions to reduce exposure and efforts to establish country-specific reference values through surveillance or biomonitoring. The findings from review of these 10 countries also suggest the need for country-specific public health policies and clinician education in Emerging Markets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey M. Horton
- Office of Science, National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Mary E. Mortensen
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Yulia Iossifova
- Office of Science, National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Marlena M. Wald
- Office of Science, National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Paula Burgess
- Office of Science, National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Braun JM, Hoffman E, Schwartz J, Sanchez B, Schnaas L, Mercado-Garcia A, Solano-Gonzalez M, Bellinger DC, Lanphear BP, Hu H, Tellez-Rojo MM, Wright RO, Hernandez-Avila M. Assessing windows of susceptibility to lead-induced cognitive deficits in Mexican children. Neurotoxicology 2012; 33:1040-7. [PMID: 22579785 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of susceptible periods to Pb-induced decrements in childhood cognitive abilities remains elusive. OBJECTIVE To draw inferences about windows of susceptibility using the pattern of associations between serial childhood blood lead (BPb) concentrations and children's cognitive abilities at 4 years of age among 1035 mother-child pairs enrolled in 4 prospective birth cohorts from Mexico City. METHODS Multiple longitudinally collected BPb measurements were obtained from children (1, 2, 3, and 4 years) between 1994 and 2007. Child cognitive abilities were assessed at 4 years using the general cognitive index (GCI) of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate the change in cognitive abilities at 4 years of age with a 10 μg/dL increase in childhood BPb concentrations adjusting for maternal IQ, education, marital status, child sex, breastfeeding duration, and cohort. RESULTS In separate models for each BPb measurement, 2 year BPb concentrations were most strongly associated with reduced GCI scores at 4 years after adjusting for confounders (β: -3.8; 95% confidence interval CI: -6.3, -1.4). Mutual adjustment for other BPb concentrations in a single model resulted in larger, but less precise estimate between 2 year BPb concentrations and GCI scores at 4 years of age (β: -7.1; 95% CI: -12, -2.0). The association between 2 year BPb and GCI was not heterogeneous (p=0.89), but some BPb and GCI associations varied in magnitude and direction across the cohorts. Additional adjustment for child hemoglobin, birth weight, gestational age, gestational BPb concentrations, or test examiner did not change the pattern of associations. CONCLUSIONS Higher BPb concentrations at 2 years of age were most predictive of decreased cognitive abilities among these Mexico City children; however, the observed pattern may be due to exposure, outcome, or cohort related factors. These results may help developing countries more efficiently implement childhood Pb prevention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe M Braun
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Peters JL, Kubzansky LD, Ikeda A, Spiro A, Wright RO, Weisskopf MG, Kim D, Sparrow D, Nie LH, Hu H, Schwartz J. Childhood and adult socioeconomic position, cumulative lead levels, and pessimism in later life: the VA Normative Aging Study. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 174:1345-53. [PMID: 22071587 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwr269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pessimism, a general tendency toward negative expectancies, is a risk factor for depression and also heart disease, stroke, and reduced cancer survival. There is evidence that individuals with higher lead exposure have poorer health. However, low socioeconomic status (SES) is linked with higher lead levels and greater pessimism, and it is unclear whether lead influences psychological functioning independently of other social factors. The authors considered interrelations among childhood and adult SES, lead levels, and psychological functioning in data collected on 412 Boston area men between 1991 and 2002 in a subgroup of the VA Normative Aging Study. Pessimism was measured by using the Life Orientation Test. Cumulative (tibia) lead was measured by x-ray fluorescence. Structural equation modeling was used to quantify the relations as mediated by childhood and adult SES, controlling for age, health behaviors, and health status. An interquartile range increase in lead quartile was associated with a 0.37 increase in pessimism score (P < 0.05). Low childhood and adult SES were related to higher tibia lead levels, and both were also independently associated with higher pessimism. Lead maintained an independent association with pessimism even after childhood and adult SES were considered. Results demonstrate an interrelated role of lead burden and SES over the life course in relation to psychological functioning in older age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junenette L Peters
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Blood lead levels of contemporary Japanese children. Environ Health Prev Med 2011; 17:27-33. [PMID: 21516304 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-011-0216-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lead concentrations in whole blood (BPb) of Japanese children were measured to obtain insight into the sources of variation and to estimate health risk. METHODS Blood samples were taken from 352 children (aged 1-14 years) at pediatric clinics/hospitals in 3 regions of Japan (Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Osaka) during 2005-2006 (Shizuoka only) and 2008-2010 (3 regions), and BPb was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after acid digestion. RESULTS Geometric mean BPb of the 352 children was 1.07 μg/dL, among the lowest in the world. Based on this result, the probability of exceeding BPb 10 μg/dL, the action level proposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in general Japanese children was estimated to be negligible. There was a significant negative correlation between BPb and age, while sex difference was not significant. BPb was significantly lower in subjects in Tokyo than in the other two regions. Age-adjusted mean BPb was significantly higher in children with a family member who smoked in their presence than in those who did not have such a family member, indicating that passive smoking had a significant effect on BPb. CONCLUSIONS Health risk of lead exposure is minimal in Japanese children. To lower the exposure level further, reduction of passive smoking is suggested as one of the effective measures.
Collapse
|
25
|
Graham DL, Grace CE, Braun AA, Schaefer TL, Skelton MR, Tang PH, Vorhees CV, Williams MT. Effects of developmental stress and lead (Pb) on corticosterone after chronic and acute stress, brain monoamines, and blood Pb levels in rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2010; 29:45-55. [PMID: 20920575 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 09/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite restrictions, exposure to lead (Pb) continues. Moreover, exposure varies and is often higher in lower socioeconomic status (SES) families and remains a significant risk to cognitive development. Stress is another risk factor. Lower SES may be a proxy for stress in humans. When stress and Pb co-occur, risk may be increased. A few previous experiments have combined Pb with intermittent or acute stress but not with chronic stress. To determine if chronic developmental stress affects outcome in combination with Pb, we tested such effects on growth, organ weight, brain monoamines, and response to an acute stressor. Sprague Dawley rats were gavaged with Pb acetate (1 or 10 mg/kg) or vehicle every other day from postnatal day (P)4-29 and reared in standard or barren cages. Subsets were analyzed at different ages (P11, 19, 29). Chronic stress did not alter blood Pb levels but altered HPA axis response during early development whereas Pb did not. Pb treatment and rearing each altered organ-to-body weight ratios, most notably of thymus weights. Both Pb and rearing resulted in age- and region-dependent changes in serotonin and norepinephrine levels and in dopamine and serotonin turnover. The model introduced here may be useful for investigating the interaction of Pb and chronic developmental stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devon L Graham
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chang WH, Yang YH, Liou SH, Liu CW, Chen CY, Fuh LJ, Huang SL, Yang CY, Wu TN. Effects of mixology courses and blood lead levels on dental caries among students. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38:222-7. [PMID: 20353453 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2009.00518.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dental caries can be affected by alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption also increases blood lead levels (BLLs) in humans and BLLs have been correlated with caries. Culinary students participate in mixology courses on either an elective or a mandatory basis. Therefore, we conducted this study to elucidate the effects of mixology courses and elevated BLLs on dental caries among students. METHODS This study had a cross-sectional design. We recruited first-year at one hospitality college and one university in southern Taiwan in September 2004. We applied a questionnaire, collected a blood specimen and performed a dental caries examination for each student. The subjects comprised 133 students who had ever participated in a mixology course (≥2 credits) during high school (exposure group) and 160 who had not participated in such a course (control group). RESULTS Compared with the control group, the exposure group had a higher prevalence of a DMFT index ≥ 0 (92.5% versus 81.2%, P = 0.005), a higher DMFT index [5.59 ± 3.53 (mean ± SD) versus 4.21 ± 3.64 teeth, P ≤ 0.001], and a higher BLL (3.12 ± 1.02 versus 2.67 ± 0.83 μg/dl, P = ≤ 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, dental caries was significantly associated with participation in a mixology course. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol exposure associated with participation in a mixology course may have an effect on caries in students. These findings suggest that occupational safety and health education should be applied to students participating in mixology courses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan School of Dentistry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan Department of Baking Technology and Management, Kaoshiung Culinary College, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Faculty of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gump BB, Reihman J, Stewart P, Lonky E, Granger DA, Matthews KA. Blood lead (Pb) levels: further evidence for an environmental mechanism explaining the association between socioeconomic status and psychophysiological dysregulation in children. Health Psychol 2009; 28:614-20. [PMID: 19751088 DOI: 10.1037/a0015611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors recently reported that blood lead (Pb) was a significant mediator for the positive association between socioeconomic status (SES) and peripheral vascular responses to acute stress in children (B. B. Gump et al., 2007). The present study considers the possibility that Pb may also mediate an association between SES and cortisol responses to acute stress. DESIGN Early childhood Pb exposure was tested as a mediator for cross-sectional associations between SES and cortisol responses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was cortisol responses to acute stress in 9.5-year-old children (N = 108). RESULTS Lower family income was associated with significantly greater cortisol levels following an acute stress task. A mediational analysis confirmed that Pb was a significant mediator for this association. CONCLUSION These results reaffirm the importance of considering the chemical environment as well as social and psychological environment when evaluating psychophysiological effects of low SES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brooks B Gump
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Barbosa F, Fillion M, Lemire M, Passos CJS, Rodrigues JL, Philibert A, Guimarães JR, Mergler D. Elevated blood lead levels in a riverside population in the Brazilian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2009; 109:594-599. [PMID: 19389665 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2008] [Revised: 03/07/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is recognized as one of the most toxic metals. Sources of Pb exposure have been widely documented in North America, and the removal of Pb additives from gasoline was reflected in a dramatic lowering of blood Pb concentration. In Latin America, the removal of Pb from gasoline resulted in decreased exposure, but Pb levels in many areas remain high due to occupational and environmental sources of exposure. While many of the Pb sources have been identified (mining, industries, battery recycling, lead-based paint, ceramics), new ones occasionally crop up. Here we report on blood Pb (B-Pb) levels in remote riverside communities of the Brazilian Amazon. Blood Pb (B-Pb) levels were determined in 448 persons from 12 villages of the Lower Tapajós River Basin, Pará, Brazil. Socio-demographic and dietary information, as well as occupational, residential and medical history was collected using an interview-administered questionnaire. B-Pb, measured by ICP-MS, showed elevated concentrations. Mean B-Pb was 13.1 microg/dL +/- 8.5, median B-Pb was 11.2 microg/dL and ranged from 0.59 to 48.3 microg/dL. Men had higher B-Pb compared to women (median: 15.3 microg/dL vs 7.9 microg/dL respectively). B-Pb increased with age for women, while it decreased for men. For both genders, B-Pb decreased with education. There were significant differences between villages. Exploratory analyses, using linear partition models, showed that for men B-Pb was lower among those who were involved in cattle-raising, and higher among those who hunted, farmed and fished. The distribution profile of B-Pb directed us towards artisanal transformation of manioc to flour (farinha), which requires heating in a large metal pan, with stirring primarily done by young men. In the village with the highest B-Pb, analysis of Pb concentrations (dry weight) of manioc (prior to transformation) and farinha (following transformation) from 6 houses showed a tenfold increase in Pb concentration (mean: 0.017 +/- 0.016 to 0.19 +/- 0.10 microg/g). This was confirmed in one of these villages where we sampled manioc paste (just before roasting) and the roasted farinha (0.05 microg/g vs 0.20 microg/g). While there may be other sources (ammunition, sinkers for fishing nets), the high concentrations in farinha, a dietary staple, assuredly makes an important contribution. Further action needs to reduce Pb sources in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Moffet RC, Desyaterik Y, Hopkins RJ, Tivanski AV, Gilles MK, Wang Y, Shutthanandan V, Molina LT, Abraham RG, Johnson KS, Mugica V, Molina MJ, Laskin A, Prather KA. Characterization of aerosols containing Zn, Pb, and Cl from an industrial region of Mexico City. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2008; 42:7091-7097. [PMID: 18939531 DOI: 10.1021/es7030483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent ice core measurements show lead concentrations increasing since 1970, suggesting new nonautomobile-related sources of Pb are becoming important worldwide (1). Developing a full understanding of the major sources of Pb and other metals is critical to controlling these emissions. During the March, 2006 MILAGRO campaign, single particle measurements in Mexico City revealed the frequent appearance of particles internally mixed with Zn, Pb, Cl, and P. Pb concentrations were as high as 1.14 microg/m3 in PM10 and 0.76 microg/m3 in PM2.5. Real time measurements were used to select time periods of interest to perform offline analysis to obtain detailed aerosol speciation. Many Zn-rich particles had needle-like structures and were found to be composed of ZnO and/or Zn(NO3)2 x 6H2O. The internally mixed Pb-Zn-Cl particles represented as much as 73% of the fine mode particles (by number) in the morning hours between 2-5 am. The Pb-Zn-Cl particles were primarily in the submicrometer size range and typically mixed with elemental carbon suggesting a combustion source. The unique single particle chemical associations measured in this study closely match signatures indicative of waste incineration. Our findings also show these industrial emissions play an important role in heterogeneous processing of NO(y) species. Primary emissions of metal and sodium chloride particles emitted by the same source underwent heterogeneous transformations into nitrate particles as soon as photochemical production of nitric acid began each day at approximately 7 am.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Moffet
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0314, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Strömberg U, Lundh T, Skerfving S. Yearly measurements of blood lead in Swedish children since 1978: the declining trend continues in the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2008; 107:332-5. [PMID: 18466895 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2008.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2008] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have measured blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) in Swedish children, yearly since 1978. As reported previously, a substantial decrease of B-Pb was found for the period 1978-1994 (2440 children measured), as an effect of gradual reduction of lead in petrol. In another report focusing on the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2001, we noted that B-Pb seemed to stabilize at an average level close to 20 microg/L. OBJECTIVE We here analyze data from the extended petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007. METHODS B-Pb was measured in 1268 children, aged 7-11 years, from the municipalities of Landskrona and Trelleborg in southern Sweden, yielding 1407 measurements on B-Pb (since 139 children were measured in two different calendar years). RESULTS We observed statistically significant decreases of the average concentrations during the recent years. The average B-Pb reduction rate was close to 5%/yr in the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007; a similar reduction rate was estimated for the period with gradual reduction of lead in petrol, 1978-1994. The most recent geometric mean of B-Pb was 13.1 (range, 6.9-29.1)microg/L in Trelleborg (sample year 2005) and 13.2 (5.7-58.5)microg/L in Landskrona (2007). A declining B-Pb time trend was observed during the recent years among children who lived in near smelter, urban, and rural residential areas, respectively. B-Pb was influenced by the variables sex (boys had higher B-Pb), parents' smoking habits (children with one or both parents smoking had higher B-Pb), and potentially lead-exposing hobbies (for example, shooting air guns). CONCLUSION Children's B-Pb levels can continue to decline markedly more than a decade after lead in petrol has been phased out in a country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Strömberg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Smolders R, Koppen G, Schoeters G. Translating biomonitoring data into risk management and policy implementation options for a European Network on Human Biomonitoring. Environ Health 2008; 7 Suppl 1:S2. [PMID: 18541068 PMCID: PMC2423451 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-7-s1-s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The "European Environment & Health Action Plan 2004-2010" originates from the concern of the European Commission on the well-being of individuals and the general population. Through this plan, the Commission has set the objectives to improve the information chain for a better understanding of the link between sources of pollution and health effects, to better identify existing knowledge gaps, and improve policy making and communication strategies. Human biomonitoring (HBM) has been included as one of the tools to achieve these objectives. As HBM directly measures the amount of a chemical substance in a person's body, taking into account often poorly understood processes such as bioaccumulation, excretion, metabolism and the integrative uptake variability through different exposure pathways, HBM data are much more relevant for risk assessment than extrapolations from chemical concentrations in soil, air, and water alone. However, HBM primarily is a stepping stone between environmental and health data, and the final aim should be an integrated and holistic systematic risk assessment paradigm where HBM serves as a pivotal point between environment and health, on the one hand leaning on environmental data to provide detailed information on the sources and pathways of pollutants that enter the human body, and on the other hand clarifying new and existing hypotheses on the relationship between environmental pollutants and the prevalence of diseases. With the large amount of data that is being gathered in the different national survey projects, and which is expected to become available in Europe in the near future through the expected European Pilot Project on HBM, a framework to optimize data interpretation from such survey projects may greatly enhance the usefulness of HBM data for risk managers and policy makers. RESULTS This paper outlines an hierarchic approach, based on the stepwise formulation of 4 subsequent steps, that will eventually lead to the formulation of a variety of policy relevant risk reduction options. CONCLUSION Although the usefulness of this approach still needs to be tested, and potential fine-tuning of the procedure may be necessary, approaching the policy implications of HBM in an objective framework will prove to be essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Smolders
- VITO, Environmental Toxicology Department, Boeretang 200, 2500 Mol, Belgium
| | - G Koppen
- VITO, Environmental Toxicology Department, Boeretang 200, 2500 Mol, Belgium
| | - G Schoeters
- VITO, Environmental Toxicology Department, Boeretang 200, 2500 Mol, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Brown MJ, Falk H, Frumkin H. Children's health/regional collaboration to reduce lead exposure in children. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2007; 115:A17. [PMID: 17366803 PMCID: PMC1797867 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.115-1797867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
|
33
|
Schnaas L, Rothenberg SJ, Flores MF, Martinez S, Hernandez C, Osorio E, Velasco SR, Perroni E. Reduced intellectual development in children with prenatal lead exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:791-7. [PMID: 16675439 PMCID: PMC1459938 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Low-level postnatal lead exposure is associated with poor intellectual development in children, although effects of prenatal exposure are less well studied. We hypothesized that prenatal lead exposure would have a more powerful and lasting impact on child development than postnatal exposure. DESIGN We used generalized linear mixed models with random intercept and slope to analyze the pattern of lead effect of the cohort from pregnancy through 10 years of age on child IQ from 6 to 10 years. We statistically evaluated dose-response nonlinearity. PARTICIPANTS A cohort of 175 children, 150 of whom had complete data for all included covariates, attended the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City from 1987 through 2002. EVALUATIONS/MEASUREMENTS We used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Spanish version, to measure IQ. Blood lead (BPb) was measured by a reference laboratory of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quality assurance program for BPb. RESULTS Geometric mean BPb during pregnancy was 8.0 microg/dL (range, 1-33 microg/dL), from 1 through 5 years was 9.8 microg/dL (2.8-36.4 microg/dL), and from 6 through 10 years was 6.2 microg/dL (2.2-18.6 microg/dL). IQ at 6-10 years decreased significantly only with increasing natural-log third-trimester BPb (beta=-3.90; 95% confidence interval, -6.45 to -1.36), controlling for other BPb and covariates. The dose-response BPb-IQ function was log-linear, not linear-linear. CONCLUSIONS Lead exposure around 28 weeks gestation is a critical period for later child intellectual development, with lasting and possibly permanent effects. There was no evidence of a threshold; the strongest lead effects on IQ occurred within the first few micrograms of BPb. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Current CDC action limits for children applied to pregnant women permit most lead-associated child IQ decreases measured over the studied BPb range.
Collapse
|