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Chen Q, Hong J, Lai G, Yang X, Chen G, Xu N, Li X, Hu K, Chen T, Song Y, Wan Y. What are exposure biomarkers of rare earth elements for the ionic rare earth occupational population? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123499. [PMID: 38350535 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are widely utilized in industries. However, The specific exposure features of REEs and potential biomarkers of exposure in occupational populations remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the external and internal REEs exposure levels among the participants working in the ionic rare earth smelting plant. For the external exposure, the concentrations of 14 REEs and total rare earth elements (ΣREEs) in airborne particles were significantly elevated in the REEs-exposed versus non-exposed group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of Yttrium (Y), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), and ΣREEs in urine were higher in the REEs-exposed group compared to the non-exposed group (P < 0.05). Notably, a significant positive correlation was observed between Y in both the airborne particles and urine samples as well as Gd, and the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.53 and 0.39 respectively, both P < 0.05. Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the levels of 15 REEs or ΣREEs in the blood samples between the REEs-exposed group and non-exposed group. Moreover, the concentrations of ΣREEs and 9 REEs in nail samples of the exposed group were significantly higher than those of the non-exposed group (P < 0.05), and the composition ratios of REEs in the nail samples closely resembled those found in individual airborne particles. Therefore, nail and urine samples were proposed to reflect long-term and short-term exposure to ionic rare earth respectively. Exposure biomarkers confirmed by external and internal exposure characteristics accurately provide the situation of human exposure to REEs environment, and have profound significance for monitoring and evaluating the level of REEs pollution in human body. It also provides a vital basis to find out the effect biomarkers, susceptible biomarkers and the health effects of rare earth environment for the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Chen
- School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China; School of Public Health and Management, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, 330004, China; Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
| | - Jun Hong
- School of Public Health and Management, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, 330004, China
| | - Guowen Lai
- School of Public Health and Management, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, 330004, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 22, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China; China Rare Earth Group Co., Ltd, Zhangjiang Road 16, Ganzhou, 341001, China; Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Kejia Road 1958, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Na Xu
- Jiangxi Center of Quality Inspection for Tungsten and Rare Earth Products, Huajian South Road 68, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Xuewei Li
- Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Kaibo Hu
- School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China; Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Tianci Chen
- Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Yang Song
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yinhua Wan
- School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China; Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
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Cirtiu CM, Valcke M, Gagné M, Bourgault MH, Narame C, Gadio S, Poulin P, Ayotte P. Biological monitoring of exposure to rare earth elements and selected metals in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Canada. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 289:133142. [PMID: 34863726 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada), some mining projects are envisioned, that could increase the contamination of the environment by various chemicals, including rare earth elements (REEs), and implicitly Inuit population exposure. The objective of this study was to determine the baseline biological exposure of the population to these elements, before the potential mining development occurs. In the framework of the 2017 Qanuilirpitaa? Inuit health survey, urine samples were obtained from a representative sample of the adult Nunavik population, which were used to constitute 30 pooled samples according to age, sex and Nunavik subregions. Pooled samples were analyzed using sensitive and accurate methods involving ICP-MS platforms to quantify urinary concentrations of 17 REEs and 7 elements of interest in Nunavik (arsenic, antimony, chromium, cobalt, nickel, thallium and uranium). REEs were mostly not detected in pooled samples from this population. Detectable concentrations were found in some samples for cerium (range: 0.5-0.7 nmol/L; 27% > method detection limit (MDL) and lanthanum (range: 0.2-0.4 nmol/L; 33% > MDL). As for the other elements of interest, antimony, arsenic, cobalt and thallium were detected in 100% of the samples, whereas chromium and nickel were detected in 83% and 80% of the samples, respectively. Concentrations of arsenic (geometric mean (GM) = 0.5 μmol/L) and cobalt (GM = 5.2 nmol/L) were greater than in the general Canadian population; the opposite was observed for nickel (GM = 8.9 nmol/L). Arsenic concentrations increased significantly with age, whereas the opposite trend was observed for nickel and thallium. In this first biomonitoring study focusing on REEs and carried out in a representative sample of the Nunavik population, we found no evidence of significant exposure from pooled samples analysis. These results could eventually be used as baseline values in future studies aiming to assess temporal trends of exposure to REEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Mihai Cirtiu
- Centre de toxicologie du Québec, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 Avenue Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 5B3, Canada.
| | - Mathieu Valcke
- Unité Évaluation et soutien à la gestion des risques, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 190, boulevard Crémazie Est, Montréal, Quebec, H2P 1E2, Canada; Département de santé environnementale et de santé au travail, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Michelle Gagné
- Unité Évaluation et soutien à la gestion des risques, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 190, boulevard Crémazie Est, Montréal, Quebec, H2P 1E2, Canada
| | - Marie-Hélène Bourgault
- Unité Évaluation et soutien à la gestion des risques, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 190, boulevard Crémazie Est, Montréal, Quebec, H2P 1E2, Canada
| | - Céline Narame
- Centre de toxicologie du Québec, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 Avenue Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Souleymane Gadio
- Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 Avenue Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Patrick Poulin
- Unité Évaluation et soutien à la gestion des risques, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 avenue Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 5B3, Canada
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Centre de toxicologie du Québec, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 Avenue Wolfe, Quebec City, Quebec, G1V 5B3, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada; Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, 1050 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, Quebec, G1S 4L8, Canada
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Henríquez-Hernández LA, Romero D, González-Antuña A, Gonzalez-Alzaga B, Zumbado M, Boada LD, Hernández AF, López-Flores I, Luzardo OP, Lacasaña M. Biomonitoring of 45 inorganic elements measured in plasma from Spanish subjects: A cross-sectional study in Andalusian population. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 706:135750. [PMID: 31841855 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals and other toxic elements are frequently detected in humans. Rare earth elements (REE) have arisen as a novel group of substances considered as emerging pollutants due to its dependence for high tech industry. We designed a study aimed to conduct the biomonitoring a total of 45 inorganic elements in the population of Andalusia (Spain). A total of 419 participants were recruited and their plasma samples analyzed. Concentration of elements, including elements in the ATSDR's priority pollutant list and REE were measured by ICP-MS in the blood plasma of participants. Arsenic, copper, lead, selenium, antimony, strontium, and bismuth were detected in ˃98% of subjects. Median values of arsenic, mercury and lead were 1.49, 1.46, and 5.86 ng/mL, respectively. These concentrations did not exceed reference values published by international agencies. We observed a positive correlation between age and plasma concentrations of arsenic, mercury, antimony and strontium. Sum of elements was lower in the group of subjects younger than 45 years old (P = 0.002). Positive correlations were observed between body mass index (BMI) and plasma concentrations of barium, cerium, osmium, tin, and ytterbium. 7 out of 26 REEs showed a percentage of detection ≥ 90%. Bismuth, yttrium, and cerium were quantified at the highest concentrations (median value = 7.7, 0.19, and 0.16 ng/mL, respectively). We found that plasma levels of 6 REEs were higher among males, and a positive correlation between REEs and age was detected. The present results suggest a potential interaction with the human physiology that deserves additional research. Given the high persistence of these elements in the environment, and the significant technological dependence on them, future studies are needed to elucidate the potential sources of exposure and possible adverse effects on health, especially in the most vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - D Romero
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain; Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - A González-Antuña
- Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - B Gonzalez-Alzaga
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain; Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | - M Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - L D Boada
- Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - A F Hernández
- Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - I López-Flores
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - O P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Clinical Sciences Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain.
| | - M Lacasaña
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain; Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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Abd El-wahaab B, Elgendy K, El-didamony A. Synthesis and characterization of new azo-dye reagent and using to spectrophotometric determination of samarium(III) in some industrial and blood samples. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-019-01000-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Electrical Conductivity and Optical Properties of Pulsed Laser Deposited LaNi₅ Nanoscale Films. MATERIALS 2018; 11:ma11081475. [PMID: 30126256 PMCID: PMC6120037 DOI: 10.3390/ma11081475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This work presents pulsed laser deposition as a method to obtain unoxidized LaNi₅ nanoscale films and describes their temperature and thickness dependent electrical conductivity and the spectral dispersions of some optical properties. AB₅-type rare earth element (REE)-nickel compounds are currently studied from both theoretical and practical points of view. Special challenges are posed during the preparation of these nanomaterials, which can be overcome using finely tuned parameters in a preparation process that always involves the use of high energies. Film deposition was made by laser-induced vaporization, with short and modulated impulses and electro⁻optical tuning of the quality factor, mainly on glass and one SiO₂ substrate. Deposition geometry dependent linear thickness increase, between 1.5⁻2.5 nm per laser burst, was achieved. Film structures and phase compositions were determined using XRD and discussed in comparison with films obtained by similar deposition procedures. Temperature and scale dependent properties were determined by studying electrical conductivity and optical properties. Electrical conductivity was measured using the four-probe method. The observed semiconductor-like conductivity for film thicknesses up to 110 nm can be explained by thermal activation of electrons followed by inter-insular hopping or quantum tunneling, which, on the other hand, modulates the material's native metallic conductance. Films with thicknesses above this value can be considered essentially metallic and bulk-like. The spectral behaviors of the refractive index and absorption coefficient were deduced from differential reflectance spectroscopy data acquired on a broad ultraviolet, visible, near- and mid-infrared (UV-VIS-NIR-MIR) domain, processed using the Kramers-Krönig formalism. Their study led to the identification of the allowed interband transitions. Electronic behavior in the energy bands near the Fermi level and in the surface and interface-states was described, discussing the differences between experimental data and the classical free-electron theoretical model applied for the bulk intermetallic alloy, in correlation with theoretical optical properties or experimental X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results from references. However, the dielectric-like shape of the reflectance of the thinnest film was in accordance with the Lorentz⁻Drude model.
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Trifuoggi M, Pagano G, Guida M, Palumbo A, Siciliano A, Gravina M, Lyons DM, Burić P, Levak M, Thomas PJ, Giarra A, Oral R. Comparative toxicity of seven rare earth elements in sea urchin early life stages. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:20803-20810. [PMID: 28721613 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9658-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of rare earth elements (REEs) in a number of technological applications raises unanswered questions related to REE-associated adverse effects. We have previously reported on the multiple impact of some REEs on the early life stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. The present investigation was to evaluate REE toxicity to early life stages in two unrelated sea urchin species, Sphaerechinus granularis and Arbacia lixula. The comparative toxicities were tested of seven REEs, namely yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, samarium, europium and gadolinium as chloride salts at concentrations ranging from 10-7 to 10-4 M. The evaluated endpoints included developmental defects and cytogenetic anomalies in REE-exposed embryos/larvae, and decreased fertilization success and offspring damage following sperm exposure. The results showed different toxicity patterns for individual REEs that varied according to test species and to treatment protocol, thus showing toxicity scaling for the different REEs. Further, the observed effects were compared with those reported for P. lividus either following embryo or sperm exposures. S. granularis showed a significantly higher sensitivity both compared to A. lixula and to P. lividus. This study provides clear-cut evidence for distinct toxicity patterns among a series of REEs. The differences in species sensitivity at micromolar REE levels may warrant investigations on species susceptibility to impacts along polluted coasts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni Pagano
- Federico II Naples University, 80126, Naples, Italy.
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy.
| | - Marco Guida
- Federico II Naples University, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniel M Lyons
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Petra Burić
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Maja Levak
- Center for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-52210, Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science & Technology Branch, National Wildlife Research Center, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | | | - Rahime Oral
- Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
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Zhang X, Cui X, Lin C, Ma J, Liu X, Zhu Y. Reference levels and relationships of nine elements in first-spot morning urine and 24-h urine from 210 Chinese children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:227-234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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