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Tercanli H, Yavuz E, Yilmaz SG, Yardimci S. Mercury Concentration in Saliva and the Impact of Chewing: An Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Study. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:1965-1971. [PMID: 37632686 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03825-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Mercury, which is found in dental amalgams, is considered to be the most toxic non-radioactive element. However, the health policies of different countries have not reached a consensus on the use and safety of amalgam. This study aims to investigate the effect of amalgam restorations on mercury concentration in saliva, as well as the effect of restoration number, surface number, and chewing on this concentration. A total of 86 participants were included in this study (an equal number for the study and control groups). The number of amalgam restorations and their surfaces were recorded. While both unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected from the study group, only unstimulated saliva was collected from the control group. The effect of chewing on mercury concentration was examined in the study group with unstimulated and stimulated saliva specimens using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry device. Mercury concentration in the unstimulated saliva was found to be higher in the study group compared to the control group (p= 0.000). As the number of amalgam restorations and the number of amalgam restoration surfaces increased, the mercury concentration in the saliva increased (p= 0.015 and p= 0.021, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between mercury levels in the unstimulated saliva and the stimulated saliva (p=0.316). Chewing presented an insignificant difference in mercury concentration. Given this surprising result, the effect of chewing on mercury concentrations should be explored more extensively in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humeyra Tercanli
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, Dumlupınar Avenue, 07058, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Esra Yavuz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, Dumlupınar Avenue, 07058, Antalya, Turkey.
| | - Sevcihan Gunen Yilmaz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, Dumlupınar Avenue, 07058, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Selmi Yardimci
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, Dumlupınar Avenue, 07058, Antalya, Turkey
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Hu Z, Wu X, Du Y, Zou W, Dong H, Song M, Hang T, Lu Y. Health risk assessment for human mercury exposure from Cinnabaris-containing Baizi Yangxin Pills in healthy volunteers Po administration. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 83:127398. [PMID: 38245934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cinnabaris (α-HgS), a mineral traditional Chinese material medica, has been used in combination with other herbs manifesting some definite therapeutic effects for thousands of years. But the currently reported mercury poisoning incidents raised the doubts about the safety of Cinnabaris-containing traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Baizi Yangxin Pills (BZYXP) is a Cinnabaris-containing TCM widely used in clinical practice. This study evaluated the health risk of mercury exposure from BZYXP in healthy volunteers based on the total mercury and mercury species analysis of blood and urine after single and multiple doses of BZYXP. METHODS Blood pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion studies of mercury were compared between single (9 g, once daily) and multiple doses (9 g, twice daily, continued for 7 days) of BZYXP. The whole blood and urine samples were collected at the specific points or periods after the administration of BZYXP. The total mercury and mercury species in blood and urine samples were determined by cold vapor-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS) and HPLC-CV-AFS, respectively. RESULTS The mercury was excreted slowly and accumulated obviously after continuous exposure of BZYXP. Moreover, the well-known neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) was detected in blood samples after 7 days' administration of BZYXP. In the urine samples, only Hg(II) was detected. Therefore, long-term use of BZYXP will cause mercury poisoning due to mercury's high accumulative properties and MeHg formation. CONCLUSION Cinnabaris-containing TCMs such as BZYXP should be restricted to cases in which alternatives are available, and the blood mercury species profile should be monitored during the long-term clinical medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoliang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Du
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenyu Zou
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haijuan Dong
- The Public Laboratory Platform, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Song
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taijun Hang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuting Lu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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Liu R, Hu B, Dannenmann M, Giesemann A, Geilfus CM, Li C, Gao L, Flemetakis E, Haensch R, Wang D, Rennenberg H. Significance of phosphorus deficiency for the mitigation of mercury toxicity in the Robinia pseudoacacia L.- rhizobia symbiotic association. J Hazard Mater 2024; 467:133717. [PMID: 38325100 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N2)-fixing legumes can be used for phytoremediation of toxic heavy metal Mercury (Hg) contaminated soil, but N2-fixation highly relies on phosphorus (P) availability for nodule formation and functioning. Here, we characterized the significance of P deficiency for Hg accumulation and toxicity in woody legume plants. Consequences for foliar and root traits of rhizobia inoculation, Hg exposure (+Hg) and low P (-P) supply, individually and in combination were characterized at both the metabolite and transcriptome levels in seedlings of two Robinia pseudoacacia L. provenances originating from contrasting climate and soil backgrounds, i.e., GS in northwest and the DB in northeast China. Our results reveal that depleted P mitigates the toxicity of Hg at the transcriptional level. In leaves of Robinia depleted P reduced oxidative stress and improved the utilization strategy of C, N and P nutrition; in roots depleted P regulated the expression of genes scavenging oxidative stress and promoting cell membrane synthesis. Rhizobia inoculation significantly improved the performance of both Robinia provenances under individual and combined +Hg and -P by promoting photosynthesis, increasing foliar N and P content and reducing H2O2 and MDA accumulation despite enhanced Hg uptake. DB plants developed more nodules, had higher biomass and accumulated higher Hg amounts than GS plants and thus are suggested as the high potential Robinia provenance for future phytoremediation of Hg contaminated soils with P deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University No. 2, Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400715 Chongqing, China; College of Resources and Environment, Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University No. 2, Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400715 Chongqing, China.
| | - Michael Dannenmann
- Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Kreuzeckbahnstrasse 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Anette Giesemann
- Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph-Martin Geilfus
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Canbo Li
- Shanghai OE Biotech. Co., Ltd., No. 1188, Lianhang Rd., Minhang district, Shanghai 201212, China
| | - Lan Gao
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University No. 2, Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400715 Chongqing, China; College of Resources and Environment, Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Robert Haensch
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University No. 2, Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400715 Chongqing, China; Institute for Plant Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Humboldtstraße 1, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Heinz Rennenberg
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University No. 2, Tiansheng Road, Beibei District, 400715 Chongqing, China
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Ma BC, Guo Y, Lin YR, Zhang J, Wang XQ, Zhang WQ, Luo JG, Chen YT, Zhang NX, Lu Q, Hui CY. High-throughput screening of human mercury exposure based on a low-cost naked eye-recognized biosensing platform. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 248:115961. [PMID: 38150800 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors could be helpful for in situ disease diagnosis. However, their use in analyzing biological samples has been hindered by unstable responses, low signal enhancement, and growth inhibition in complex media. Here, we offered a solution by building a visual whole-cell biosensor for urinary mercury determination. With deoxyviolacein as the preferred signal for the mercury biosensor for the first time, it enabled the quantitative detection of urinary mercury with a favorable linear range from 1.57 to 100 nM. The biosensor can accurately diagnose urine mercury levels exceeding the biological exposure index with 95.8% accuracy. Thus, our study provided a biosensing platform with great potential to serve as a stable, user-friendly, and high-throughput alternative for the daily monitoring or estimating of urinary mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Chan Ma
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China; Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yi-Ran Lin
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, 828 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Wang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Wen-Qi Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Jin-Gan Luo
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yu-Ting Chen
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Nai-Xing Zhang
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Chang-Ye Hui
- Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, 2019 Buxin Road, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
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Prabakaran K, Sompongchaiyakul P, Bureekul S, Wang X, Charoenpong C. Heavy metal bioaccumulation and risk assessment in fishery resources from the Gulf of Thailand. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 198:115864. [PMID: 38096691 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The muscle tissues of 19 fish species, two crab species, and one shrimp species collected from the Gulf of Thailand (GoT) were analyzed to determine the levels of heavy metals, including Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg. The results revealed that the mean concentrations of the heavy metals, in descending order, were Zn > Cu > Fe > Cd > Hg > Mn > Pb > Ni. Among the examined metals, zinc was found to be the most prevalent in fish tissues. Based on the risk assessment indices, the estimated average daily doses (ADD) of the heavy metals were found to be below the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) recommended by the joint Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on food contaminants. The results of the target cancer risk analysis revealed no related cancer risk from the consumption of the fishes considered for the study. However, the target hazard quotient (THQ) values exceeded the threshold of 1 (THQ > 1) specifically for mercury in Gymnothorax spp. and Terapon spp. Furthermore, the calculated hazard index (HI) values for fish muscles were all below 1, indicating that there is no significant health risk for humans at the current consumption rates, except in Terapon species for both normal and habitual consumers. Notably, habitual consumers of Gymnothorax species showed the highest HI value (>1), suggesting potential long-term effects on human health when consuming larger quantities of these fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Prabakaran
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Penjai Sompongchaiyakul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Sujaree Bureekul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Xiangfeng Wang
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chawalit Charoenpong
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Perkins M, Stenhouse IJ, Lanctot RB, Brown S, Bêty J, Boldenow M, Cunningham J, English W, Gates R, Gilchrist HG, Giroux MA, Grond K, Hill B, Kwon E, Lamarre JF, Lank DB, Lecomte N, Pavlik D, Rausch J, Regan K, Robards M, Saalfeld ST, Smith F, Smith PA, Wilkinson B, Woodard P, Basu N. Factors influencing mercury exposure in Arctic-breeding shorebirds. Ecotoxicology 2023; 32:1062-1083. [PMID: 37874523 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02708-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution remains a concern to Arctic ecosystems, due to long-range transport from southern industrial regions and melting permafrost and glaciers. The objective of this study was to identify intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal factors influencing Hg concentrations in Arctic-breeding shorebirds and highlight regions and species at greatest risk of Hg exposure. We analyzed 1094 blood and 1384 feather samples from 12 shorebird species breeding at nine sites across the North American Arctic during 2012 and 2013. Blood Hg concentrations, which reflect Hg exposure in the local area in individual shorebirds: 1) ranged from 0.01-3.52 μg/g ww, with an overall mean of 0.30 ± 0.27 μg/g ww; 2) were influenced by species and study site, but not sampling year, with birds sampled near Utqiaġvik, AK, having the highest concentrations; and 3) were influenced by foraging habitat at some sites. Feather Hg concentrations, which reflected Hg exposure from the wintering grounds: 1) ranged from 0.07-12.14 μg/g fw in individuals, with an overall mean of 1.14 ± 1.18 μg/g fw; and 2) were influenced by species and year. Most Arctic-breeding shorebirds had blood and feather Hg concentrations at levels where no adverse effects of exposure were predicted, though some individuals sampled near Utqiaġvik had Hg levels that would be considered of concern. Overall, these data increase our understanding of how Hg is distributed in the various shorebird breeding areas of the Arctic, what factors predispose Arctic-breeding shorebirds to Hg exposure, and lay the foundation for future monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Perkins
- Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Joël Bêty
- Département de biologie and Centre d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Willow English
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - River Gates
- National Audubon Society, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | | | - Marie-Andrée Giroux
- Centre d'Études Nordiques, Department of Biology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - Kirsten Grond
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Brooke Hill
- Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Eunbi Kwon
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Jean-Francois Lamarre
- Département de biologie and Centre d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - David B Lank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Centre d'Études Nordiques, Department of Biology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - David Pavlik
- Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
| | - Kevin Regan
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | | | | | - Fletcher Smith
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Brunswick, GA, USA
| | - Paul A Smith
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Paul Woodard
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
| | - Niladri Basu
- Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Wang YL, Tsou MCM, Lai LC, Hseu ZY, Hsi HC, Chien LC. Oral and inhalation bioaccessibility of mercury in contaminated soils and potential health risk to the kidneys and neurodevelopment of children in Taiwan. Environ Geochem Health 2023; 45:6267-6286. [PMID: 37289259 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01633-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Health risk assessments of exposure to mercury (Hg) from soils via ingestion and inhalation are indispensable for Taiwanese people living in the vicinity of Hg-contaminated sites. In this study, anthropogenic soils were collected from various polluted sources in Taiwan. In vitro oral and inhalation bioaccessible fractions of Hg were analyzed to avoid from overestimating the exposure risk. Discrepancies in oral and inhalation bioaccessible levels of Hg in soils were found using different in vitro assays with different pH levels and chemical compositions. The freshly contaminated soil (soil S7) polluted by chlor-alkali production activity sampled before the site was remediated had the highest total Hg concentration of 1346 mg/kg, with the highest oral bioaccessibility of 26.2% as analyzed by SW-846 Method 1340 and inhalation bioaccessibility of 30.5% as analyzed by modified Gamble's solution. The lesser extent of aging of Hg in soil S7 increased the Hg availability for humans, which was also found based on results of a sequential extraction procedure. Results of the hazard quotient showed that soil ingestion was the main pathway causing non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults. Children were also exposed to higher risks than were adults due to higher frequencies of hand-to-mouth behaviors and lower body weights. Furthermore, hazard index results adjusted for oral and inhalation bioaccessible Hg were lower than those obtained based on the total Hg content; however, an unacceptable value of the non-carcinogenic risk (> 1) for children living near soil S7 was still observed. This study suggests that children living near sites polluted for a short period of time may suffer potential renal effects regardless of the bioaccessibility. Our findings provide suggestions for decision makers on setting new strategies for managing risks of Hg-contaminated soils in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Lin Wang
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 4, Da'an Dist., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | | | - Li-Chi Lai
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 4, Da'an Dist., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Zeng-Yei Hseu
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Cheng Hsi
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 4, Da'an Dist., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
| | - Ling-Chu Chien
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Cegolon L, Petranich E, Pavoni E, Floreani F, Barago N, Papassissa E, Larese Filon F, Covelli S. Concentration of mercury in human hair and associated factors in residents of the Gulf of Trieste (North-Eastern Italy). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:21425-21437. [PMID: 36269483 PMCID: PMC9938062 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) is the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea most highly contaminated by mercury (Hg) due to fluvial inputs from the Isonzo/Soča River system, draining over 500 years' worth of cinnabar extraction activity from the Idrija mining district (Western Slovenia). The aim of this research is to investigate the concentration of Hg in hair samples taken from the general population of the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region coastal area, as a marker of chronic exposure to Hg. Three hundred and one individuals - 119 males and 182 females - were recruited by convenience sampling in Trieste in September 2021. An amount of approximately 100 mg of hair was collected from the occipital scalp of each participant to measure the respective Hg concentrations (expressed as mg/kg). Moreover, participants completed a self-report questionnaire collecting extensive socio-demographic and life-style information. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed to investigate factors associated with increased levels of Hg concentration in hair. A mean Hg concentration in hair of 1.63 mg/kg was found, slightly above the 1.0 mg/kg threshold recommended by the WHO for pregnant women and children, although still well below the no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of 10 mg/kg. Among respondents, 55.6% showed a Hg concentration in hair > 1 mg/kg, 22.9% > 2 mg/kg, and 2 participants exhibited Hg levels > 10 mg/kg. The adjusted mean hair Hg level increased in those subjects who reported a preference for shellfish/crayfish/mollusks (RC = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.16; 0.55), whereas it decreased in those who reported a preference for frozen fish (RC = -0.23; 95%CI: - 0.39; - 0.06). Though a risk alert for Hg exposure for coastal residents from FVG is deemed unnecessary at this time, it is recommended that pregnant women limit their ingestion of locally caught fish to < 4 servings/month.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cegolon
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Public Health Department, University Health Agency Giuliano-Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Petranich
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Elena Pavoni
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Floreani
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolò Barago
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elisa Papassissa
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Larese Filon
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Covelli
- Department of Mathematics & Geosciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Tang W, He M, Chen B, Ruan G, Xia Y, Xu P, Song G, Bi Y, Hu B. Investigation of toxic effect of mercury on Microcystis aeruginosa: Correlation between intracellular mercury content at single cells level and algae physiological responses. Sci Total Environ 2023; 858:159894. [PMID: 36336050 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell studies can help to understand individual differences and obtain atypical cellular characteristics in view of cellular heterogeneity. Herein, the accumulation of mercury (Hg) in single algae cells was studied by droplet chip-time resolved inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analytical system, and the relation of Hg accumulation to the physiological responses of algae cell was explored. When low concentrations of Hg2+ (5-20 μg/L) were used in the exposure experiment, the content of Hg in single cells increased in first 2 h, then decreased with further increase of exposure time to 96 h, probably due to the growth dilution effect of the algae. When exposed to 30 μg/L Hg2+, the uptake of Hg by individual cells increased over time, which was associated with increased cell membrane permeability. The exposure to Hg2+ (5-30 μg/L) inhibited the growth of algae in a concentration-dependent manner and serious growth inhibition occurred under the exposure concentration of 30 μg/L. While the exposure concentration was lower than 20 μg/L, algal cells exhibited a recover tendency due to the self-protection mechanism of algal cells. Bivariate results showed that intracellular Hg accumulation was significantly negatively correlated with cells growth in terms of OD680, photosynthetic pigments, Fv/Fm and PIabs. On the contrast, reactive oxygen species content, superoxide dismutase activity, and cell membrane permeability were significantly positively correlated with the accumulation of intracellular Hg. These results are helpful to further understand the toxic effect of Hg on algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiao Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Man He
- Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Beibei Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Gang Ruan
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yixue Xia
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Pingping Xu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Gaofei Song
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yonghong Bi
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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10
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Huang Y, Li F, Yi J, Yan H, He Z, Li X. Transcriptomic and physio-biochemical features in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in response to mercury stress. Chemosphere 2022; 309:136612. [PMID: 36179923 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic and nonessential element for organisms, and its contamination in the environment is a global concern. Previous research has shown that Hg stress may cause severe damage to rice roots; however, the transcriptomic changes in roots and physio-biochemical responses in leaves to different levels of Hg stress are not fully understood. In the present study, rice seedlings were exposed to 20, 80, and 160 μM HgCl2 for three days in hydroponic experiments. The results showed that the majority of Hg was accumulated in rice roots after Hg exposure, and the 80- and 160-μM Hg stresses significantly increased the root-to-shoot translocation factors relative to 20-μM Hg stress, resulting in elevated Hg concentrations in rice shoots. Only the 160-μM Hg stress significantly inhibited root growth compared with the control, while photosynthesis capacity in leaves was significantly reduced under Hg stress. RNA transcriptome sequencing analyses of the roots showed that common responsive differentially expressed genes were strongly associated with glutathione metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and secondary metabolite metabolism, which may play significant roles in Hg accumulation by rice plants. Nine crucial genes identified by protein-protein interaction network analysis may be used as candidate target genes for further investigation of the detoxification mechanism, encoding proteins involved in jasmonic acid synthesis, sugar metabolism, allene oxide synthase, glutathione peroxidase, dismutase, and catalase. Furthermore, physio-biochemical analyses of the leaves indicated that higher production of reactive oxygen species was induced by Hg stress, while glutathione and antioxidant enzymes may play crucial roles in Hg detoxification. Our findings provide transcriptomic and physio-biochemical features of rice roots and shoots, which advance our understanding of the responsive and detoxification mechanisms in rice under different levels of Hg stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingmei Huang
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fangbai Li
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Jicai Yi
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Huili Yan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Zhenyan He
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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11
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Sarzo B, Ballester F, Soler-Blasco R, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Lozano M, Iriarte G, Beneito A, Riutort-Mayol G, Murcia M, Llop S. Pre and postnatal exposure to mercury and sexual development in 9-year-old children in Spain: The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Environ Res 2022; 213:113620. [PMID: 35697081 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Early exposure to mercury has been related to endocrine disruption. Steroid hormones play a crucial role in neural cell migration, differentiation, etc., as well as protecting against several neurotoxic compounds. We investigate the relation between mercury exposure and children's sexual development, and we evaluate the possible influence of different brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphisms on this association. Our study sample comprised 412 9-year-old children participating in the INMA cohort (2004-2015). Mercury concentrations were measured at birth (cord blood) and at 4 and 9 years of age (hair). Sexual development was assessed by levels of sex steroid hormones (estradiol and testosterone) in saliva and the Tanner stages of sex development at 9 years (categorized as 1: prepuberty and >1: pubertal onset). Covariates and confounders were collected through questionnaires during pregnancy and childhood. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene were genotyped in cord blood DNA. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed between mercury levels and children's sexual development by sex. Effect modification by genetic polymorphisms and fish intake was assessed. We found marginally significant inverse associations between postnatal exposure to mercury (at 9 years) and testosterone levels (β[95%CI] = -0.16[-0.33,0.001], and -0.20[-0.42,0.03], for boys and girls, respectively). Additionally, we found that prenatal mercury was negatively associated with Tanner stage >1 in boys. Finally, we found significant genetic interactions for some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BDNF gene. In conclusion, pre and postnatal exposure to mercury seems to affect children's sexual development and BDNF may play a role in this association, but further research would be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Sarzo
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Ecology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gorka Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Salud Pública, Vitoria Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - Andrea Beneito
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gabriel Riutort-Mayol
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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12
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English SG, Hess H, Bishop CA, Porter E, Cheng KM, Elliott JE. Bioaccumulation and effects of selenium from surface coal mining in an aquatic songbird. Environ Res 2022; 208:112702. [PMID: 35026185 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Open-pit mining operations are hailed for safe working conditions for miners as well as economically and logistically favourable outcomes for mining companies. However, ecological impacts of these operations may persist for decades. Expansions of open-pit coal mining in British Columbia of Western Canada are planned. Governmental regulation of background contaminants leached from these mines into nearby water systems were established to mitigate environmental impacts associated with these operations. We analyzed water, periphyton, invertebrate, and American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) blood, egg, and feather samples for selenium and mercury exposure related to mining operations in the Elk Valley. We also quantified effects associated with exposure on clutch size and hatching success. Selenium concentrations in water, periphyton, and invertebrates were significantly higher downstream of mines compared to reference sites within and outside of the Elk River watershed. Selenium concentrations in water from exposed sites exceeded current regulatory levels established to protect wildlife by up to 20 times. Mercury concentrations were below toxic levels for birds in all media and did not factor into determination of selenium exposure or effects. Egg selenium concentrations were on average 0.9 times the regulatory threshold. Our stable isotope analyses showed that diets of nesting females included a negligible proportion of higher order consumers. We did not detect a significant effect of selenium on the rate of hatching success or clutch size of dippers nesting in exposed sites. We conclude that at the time of the investigation, selenium exposure was not impairing hatching of American dippers at the sampled locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon G English
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Helmi Hess
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Christine A Bishop
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Emily Porter
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research Division, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Kimberly M Cheng
- Canada Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada; Canada Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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13
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Bartel-Steinbach M, Lermen D, Gwinner F, Schäfer M, Göen T, Conrad A, Weber T, von Briesen H, Kolossa-Gehring M. Long-term monitoring of mercury in young German adults: Time trend analyses from the German Environmental Specimen Bank, 1995-2018. Environ Res 2022; 207:112592. [PMID: 34973943 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As highlighted in the Minamata Convention, Mercury (Hg) in its various forms poses a substantial risk to human health and the environment. The health relevance of Hg is also recognized by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which classifies Hg as a priority substance, since considerable knowledge and data gaps on Hg exposure levels and their changes over time still exist in Europe. The German Environmental Specimen Bank (German ESB) provides valuable policy relevant data and long-term trends of substance exposure on a national level for international comparison and evaluation. In this study we analysed data of the German ESB on Hg exposure of young adults aged 20 to 29 including data on urinary Hg levels from 1995 to 2018 and whole blood Hg levels from 2001 to 2010. Results show a clear decrease in both, about 86% in urine total daily Hg excretion from 1995 (0.76 μg/L) to 2018 (0.11 μg/L) (n = 10,069) and about 57% in blood concentrations of Hg from 2001 (1.76 μg/L) to 2010 (0.77 μg/L) (n = 4085). Over the investigated timeframe only a few values exceeded the toxicologically derived health based guidance value HBM I for blood and urine, with these exceedances decreasing over time in line with the general trend. The factors mostly influencing Hg excretion identified in this study are dental amalgam as well as fish and seafood consumption. Besides other factors (e.g. age and sex), also airborne Hg exposure appears to be a low but evident influencing factor in Germany. Although a considerable decrease in internal Hg exposure is recognized in the last decades, the current low-level exposure may cause adverse health effects especially to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. To further elucidate and evaluate current exposure sources and to reduce human exposure to Hg, continuous environmental and human biomonitoring is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Frederik Gwinner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Moritz Schäfer
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
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14
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Vieira JCS, de Oliveira G, Cavallini NG, Braga CP, Adamec J, Zara LF, Buzalaf MAR, de Magalhães Padilha P. Investigation of Protein Biomarkers and Oxidative Stress in Pinirampus pirinampu Exposed to Mercury Species from the Madeira River, Amazon-Brazil. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:1872-1882. [PMID: 34482504 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In recent decades, the scientific community has widely debated the contamination of fish in the Amazon region by mercury species. As the diet of riverside populations in the Amazon region is based mainly on fish, these populations are exposed to mercurial species that can cause serious and irreversible damage to their health. The risks of consuming fish exposed to mercurial species in the Amazon region have motivated toxicological investigations. However, the effect of mercurial species on protein and enzyme levels is still controversial. In this work, analytical and bioanalytical techniques Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [2D-PAGE] Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [GFAAS], and Mass Spectrometry in Sequence with Electrospray Ionization [ESI-MS/MS] were used to identify proteins associated with mercury (metal-binding protein) in muscle and liver tissues of the fish species Pinirampus pirinampu from the Madeira River, in the Brazilian Amazon. Enzymatic and lipid peroxidation analyses were also used to assess changes related to oxidative stress. Determinations of total mercury by GFAAS indicated higher concentrations in liver tissue (555 ± 19.0 µg kg-1) when compared to muscle tissue (60 ± 2.0 µg kg-1). The fractionation process of tissue proteomes by 2D-PAGE and subsequent mapping of mercury by GFAAS in the protein spots of the gels identified the presence of mercury in three spots of the liver tissue (concentrations in the range of 0.800 to 1.90 mg kg-1). The characterization of protein spots associated with mercury by ESI-MS/MS identified the enzymes triosephosphate isomerase A, adenylate kinase 2 mitochondrial, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as possible candidates for mercury exposure biomarkers. The muscle tissue did not show protein spots associated with mercury. Enzymatic activity decreased proportionally to the increase in mercury concentrations in the tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grasieli de Oliveira
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jiri Adamec
- University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Luiz Fabrício Zara
- College of Planaltina, University of Brasília (UNB), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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15
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Attiya N, Filali A, Fattahi R, Moujane S, Mazouz H, Amarouch MY, Filali-Zegzouti Y. Modeling Subjective Symptoms Related to Micro-Hydrargyrism in a Population of Moroccan Dentists. Ethiop J Health Sci 2021; 31:147-158. [PMID: 34158762 PMCID: PMC8188101 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v31i1.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ability of mercury to deposit throughout the body and alter a wide range of molecular and cellular pathways results in a polymorphic and complex clinical phenotype with over 250 possible symptoms. However, some of them are recurrently cited as evoking chronic mercury poisoning. In this light, dentists users of dental amalgams are chronically exposed to mercury so that in-depth epidemiological investigations and adapted statistical methods are required to highlight adverse effects of this exposure. Methods In order to study the health impact of the occupational mercury exposure in a population of liberal dentists practicing in two Moroccan regions, a list of eighteen subjective symptoms commonly associated with micro-hydrargyrism was drawn up. Then, seven statisctical models adapted to count data were fitted. Finally, three methods were used to compare their relative performance in order to choose the most appropriate one. Results The adopted logical path, from the response variable selection till models' comparison, led us to lean towards quasi-Poisson regression as the best way to predict the number of symptoms declared by dentists according to mercury exposure. Conclusions Interpretation of the selected model allowed us to conclude that the reduction of dental amalgam use allows the reduction of subjective symptoms related to mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourdine Attiya
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, Morocco
| | - Ayoub Filali
- Higher Institute of Nursing Profession and Techniques of Health, Kenitra, Morocco.,Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
| | - Rkia Fattahi
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, Morocco
| | - Soumia Moujane
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, Morocco
| | - Hamid Mazouz
- P.B.M.B Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Mohamed-Yassine Amarouch
- R.N.E Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Younes Filali-Zegzouti
- B.A.S.E Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
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16
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Xie Q, Wang Y, Li S, Zhang C, Tian X, Cheng N, Zhang Y, Wang D. Total mercury and methylmercury in human hair and food: Implications for the exposure and health risk to residents in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, China. Environ Pollut 2021; 282:117041. [PMID: 33838440 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Three Gorges Dam (TGD) is the largest hydroelectric construction in the world, and its potential impacts on the ecological environment and human health risks have invoked considerable global concern. However, as a mercury (Hg) sensitive system, limited work was conducted on the Hg exposure level of local residents around the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Thus, 540 human hair samples and 22 species of local food samples were collected to assess the Hg exposure and human health risk to the residents located in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR) and to investigate their dietary exposure to Hg. The results showed that the geometric mean concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in hair were 0.42 ± 0.43 μg g-1 and 0.23 ± 0.32 μg g-1, respectively, lower than the reference level (1.0 μg g-1) recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), indicating a low level Hg exposure for residents around the TGR. No significant difference in the accumulation of Hg in hair between the gender subgroups was observed, whereas age difference, smoking and alcohol drinking behavior, and fish consumption frequency were significant predictors of hair Hg level. Besides, THg and MeHg of all the investigated food samples did not exceed the corresponding Chinese national standard. The average probable daily intakes (PDIs) of THg and MeHg were 0.032 μg kg-1 day-1 and 0.007 μg kg-1 day-1, which were obviously below the recommended values of 0.57 μg kg-1 day-1 and 0.1 μg kg-1 day-1, respectively. The cereal (mainly rice) contribution of THg (76.0%) and MeHg (74.4%) intakes to the local residents around the TGR was much higher than that of fish (10.7% and 22.9%, respectively) due to the considerable rice consumption. Overall, residents around the TGR were at a low Hg exposure and rice consumption was the major pathway for Hg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xie
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shouying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xiaosong Tian
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Nan Cheng
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yongjiang Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Department of Environment and Quality Test, Chongqing Chemical Industry Vocational College, Chongqing, 401220, China
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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17
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Du B, Li P, Feng X, Yin R, Zhou J, Maurice L. Monthly variations in mercury exposure of school children and adults in an industrial area of southwestern China. Environ Res 2021; 196:110362. [PMID: 33169691 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that rice consumption can be the major pathway for human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in inland China. However, few studies have considered the susceptible population of school children's exposure through rice ingestion. In this study, monthly variations in total Hg (THg)/MeHg concentrations in rice, fish, hair, and urine samples were studied to evaluate the Hg (both THg and MeHg) exposure in Guiyang, a typical industrial area with high anthropogenic emission of Hg. A total of 17 primary school (school A) students, 29 middle school (school B) students, and 46 guardians participated in this study for one year. Hair THg, hair MeHg, and urine THg concentrations ranged from 355-413 ng g-1, 213-236 ng g-1, and 469-518 ng g-1 Creatinine (ng·g-1 Cr), respectively, and no significant differences were observed between different genders and age groups. Hair and urine Hg concentrations showed slightly higher values in the cold season (October to February) than the hot season (March to September), but without significant difference. High monthly variability of individual hair and urine Hg concentrations suggested that long-term study could effectively decrease the uncertainty. The school students showed significantly higher urine THg concentrations than adults due to children's unique physiological structure and behaviors. Probable daily intake (PDI) of MeHg via rice and fish ingestion averaged at 0.0091, 0.0090, and 0.0079 μg kg-1 d-1 for school A students, school B students, and their guardians, respectively, which means that 86%, 84%, and 87% of the PDI were originated from rice ingestion, respectively. Therefore, more attention should be paid to children as a susceptible population. The results indicated low risk of Hg exposure via rice and fish consumption for urban residents in a Chinese industrial city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, IRD-CNRS-Université Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400, France
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18
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Hu Q, Han X, Dong G, Yan W, Wang X, Bigambo FM, Fang K, Xia Y, Chen T, Wang X. Association between mercury exposure and thyroid hormones levels: A meta-analysis. Environ Res 2021; 196:110928. [PMID: 33640496 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between mercury (Hg) exposure and thyroid hormones (THs) levels in the general population has been inconclusive. We conducted a random effects model meta-analysis to identify the association between Hg exposure and THs levels in the general population. METHODS This meta-analysis were performed based on the PECO questions (P = general population; E =1ug/L Hg in blood and urine; C =1ug/L incremental increase on; and O = variation of THs levels). We searched four electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published on or before 20th July 2020. Prospective and cross-sectional studies that evaluated the association between Hg exposure and the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were included. We also assessed aggregate risks for the reliability of the included studies. RESULTS Initially, we retrieved 4889 articles. 18 studies met our inclusion criteria after screening and 13 articles were eligible to be included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results suggest that blood Hg may be significantly associated with THs levels. The presence of Hg in blood may significantly increase the levels of TSH (β=0.55; 95%CI: 0.20,0.90; p < 0.001) and FT4 (β=0.47; 95%CI: 0.11,0.82; p < 0.001), with the opposite association in T4 (β=-0.02; 95%CI: 0.02, -0.01; p < 0.001). For the subgroup analysis, blood Hg was positively correlated with TSH levels in children and adolescents (β=0.62; 95%CI: 0.09, 1.15; p < 0.001) and FT4 levels in pregnant women (β=1.00; 95%CI: 0.99, 1.00; p < 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis indicates that exposure to Hg in blood could significantly corrrelate with the levels of TSH, T4, and FT4 in the general population. Therefore, it is crucial to control the use of Hg and strengthen protection of the thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiumei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Guangzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Children's hospital of Nanjing medical university, Nanjing, China
| | - Francis Manyori Bigambo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Kacey Fang
- Department of Cognitive Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China; Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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Du B, Yin R, Fu X, Li P, Feng X, Maurice L. Use of mercury isotopes to quantify sources of human inorganic mercury exposure and metabolic processes in the human body. Environ Int 2021; 147:106336. [PMID: 33360410 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The pathways of human mercury (Hg) exposure are complex and accurate understanding of relative contributions from different pathways are crucial for risk assessment and risk control. In this study, we determined total Hg concentration and Hg isotopic composition of human urine, dietary components, and inhaled air in the Wanshan Hg mining area (MA), Guiyang urban area (UA), and Changshun background area (BA) to understand Hg exposure sources and metabolic processes in human body. At the three studied sites, total gaseous mercury (TGM) showed negative δ202Hg (-3.11‰ to + 1.12‰) and near-zero Δ199Hg (-0.16‰ to + 0.13‰), which were isotopically distinguishable from Hg isotope values of urine (δ202Hg: -4.02‰ to - 0.84‰; Δ199Hg: -0.14‰ to 0.64‰). We observed an offset of -1.01‰ to -1.6‰ in δ202Hg between TGM and urine samples, and an offset of -1.01‰ to 0.80‰ in δ202Hg between rice and urine samples, suggesting that lighter isotopes are more easily accumulated in the kidneys and excreted by urine. We proposed that the high positive Δ199Hg in urine samples of UA was derived from fish consumption. The results of a binary mixing model based on Δ199Hg were compared with those from a classic dietary model. The results from the MIF binary model showed that fish consumption accounted for 22% of urine Hg in the families at UA, whereas fish consumption contributed limited Hg to MA and BA. This study highlighted that Hg isotopes can be a useful tracer in understanding the sources and fates of Hg in human bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; College of Environmental Ecology, Jiangsu Open University, Nanjing 210017, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xuewu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse 31400, France
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Wu Y, Xue J, Zhang C, Liang L, Wang Y, Wang D. A Study on Hair Mercury Levels of University Students. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2021; 106:160-164. [PMID: 32734359 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-02947-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were measured in hair of 98 Chinese university students to study their levels of Hg exposure and influencing factors. The results showed that Hg exposure for university students was at a low level with concentrations lower than the USEPA recommended reference level (1 µg/g) across all hair samples. The percentage of MeHg to THg (%MeHg) in hair was about 50%, lower than the previously reported value of 70-100%, probably associated with the low %MeHg in the diet of university students. Fish and rice consumption were not a primary factor affecting hair Hg levels of university students, while smoking could be one main pathway of Hg exposure. In addition, the similarly dietary structure in the studied university narrowed the difference of Hg exposure levels among students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Wu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinping Xue
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G7, Canada
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Liang
- Chongqing Industry Polytechnic College, Chongqing, 401120, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongmin Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
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Simões RP, Fardin PBA, Simões MR, Vassallo DV, Padilha AS. Long-term Mercury Exposure Accelerates the Development of Hypertension in Prehypertensive Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Inducing Endothelial Dysfunction: the Role of Oxidative Stress and Cyclooxygenase-2. Biol Trace Elem Res 2020; 196:565-578. [PMID: 31745719 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-01952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mercury is a metal widely dispersed in nature that when in contact with human organism, it damages the cardiovascular system. Long-term mercury exposure for 30 days induces endothelial dysfunction without blood pressure changes in normotensive adult rats. However, it is not known whether exposure to mercury can exacerbate endothelial dysfunction and hypertension development in predisposed animals. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of long-term mercury exposure on the blood pressure (BP) and in the isolated aortas of young normotensive and prehypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Four-week-old male Wistar rats and SHRs were treated daily with mercury chloride (HgCl2) (1st dose, 4.6 μg/kg; subsequent dose, 0.07 μg/kg/day, im, 30 days) or vehicle. BP was assessed weekly and the vascular reactivity to phenylephrine was evaluated in isolated aorta from rats exposed or not to mercury. Mercury exposure did not affect BP in young Wistar rats but accelerated the development of hypertension in young SHRs. Vascular reactivity to phenylephrine increased only in the aorta from mercury-exposed SHRs. While HgCl2 exposure in SHRs did not alter nitric oxide production, we observed increased superoxide anion production and decreased superoxide dismutase-1 protein expression, and enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) participation with increased prostaglandin (PGE2) production and decreased prostacyclin. In the Wistar group, mercury exposure did not alter superoxide anion production or the COX-2 pathway. Mercury exposure accelerated the natural course of hypertension in young SHRs and increased oxidative stress associated with reduced participation of antioxidant enzymes, an activated COX-2 pathway, thereby producing endothelial dysfunction, which is a risk factor in prehypertensive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakel Passos Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, ES, 29040-091, Brazil
| | - Paloma Batista Almeida Fardin
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, ES, 29040-091, Brazil
| | - Maylla Ronacher Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, ES, 29040-091, Brazil
| | - Dalton Valentim Vassallo
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, ES, 29040-091, Brazil
- School of Sciences of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitoria- EMESCAM, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Simão Padilha
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, ES, 29040-091, Brazil.
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Manjarres-Suarez A, Olivero-Verbel J. Hematological parameters and hair mercury levels in adolescents from the Colombian Caribbean. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:14216-14227. [PMID: 32043249 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07738-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the heavy metals of concern for fish-eating populations. This pollutant can be released from many sources and generates diverse toxic effects in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate hematological parameters and their relationship with total Hg (T-Hg) levels in the hair of adolescents from Tierrabomba, an island close to an industrialized area, and also from San Onofre, a reference site. Blood and hair samples were collected from 194 individuals, aged 11-18 years old, as well as sociodemographic and dietary information. The hematological profile showed marked differences between the two sites. Mean values for almost all variables of the red blood cell line, as well as lymphocyte percentage (LYM%) and monocyte percentage (MID%), were greater in Tierrabomba. In contrast, red cell distribution width (RDW), white blood cells (WBC), granulocyte percentage (GRA%), and plateletcrit (PTC) were higher at the reference site. Total Hg mean in Tierrabomba was 1.10 ± 0.07 μg/g, while at San Onofre, it was 1.87 ± 0.11 μg/g. In both places, more than 49% of participants had Hg concentrations over the limit threshold (1 μg/g). Overall mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and T-Hg showed a negative correlation (r = - 0.162, p = 0.024). However, positive associations were observed between T-Hg and MID% for Tierrabomba (r = 0.193, p = 0.041), and between T-Hg and mixed cells (MID) for the reference site (r = 0.223, p = 0.044). A significant relationship was found for fish consumption frequency and T-Hg levels (r = 0.360, p < 0.001). These results indicate blood parameters may be affected by Hg even at low-level exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Manjarres-Suarez
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 130015, Colombia
| | - Jesus Olivero-Verbel
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 130015, Colombia.
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Heo HC, Lim YH, Byun YS, Sakong J. Mercury concentration in shark meat from traditional markets of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Ann Occup Environ Med 2020; 32:e3. [PMID: 32082585 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although unusually high levels of blood mercury have been reported in the North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do), mercury contents from shark meat distributed in this region have not been assessed yet. Thus, this study aims to identify the hazard by evaluating the mercury contents of the shark meat sold in the traditional market of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Methods The shark meat in the form of muscle meat was obtained from 15 traditional markets of Gyeongsangbuk-do in the summer and winter of 2013. Out of 105 samples in total, 49 were collected in the summer and 56 in the winter. The total mercury concentration was measured by the combustion-gold amalgamation method using an automatic mercury analyzer (Milestone DMA-80, Milestone). Results The average mercury concentration of shark meat was 2.29 ± 1.77 µg/g, ranging between 0.06–8.93 µg/g with a geometric mean of 1.44 µg/g, which is higher than those reported in many countries. The mercury concentration in 77 of 105 shark meat samples exceeded 1 µg/g. Mercury concentration ranged between 0.09–8.93 µg/g (geometric mean: 1.45) in the summer and 0.06–6.73 µg/g (geometric mean: 1.48) in the winter. Conclusions Shark meat sold in the market contained a substantial amount of mercury. This suggests that it is difficult to reduce mercury intake by simply strengthening the standard level of mercury concentration in shark meat. Therefore, it is need to communication and awareness programs with consumers about hazardous effects of mercury inherent in shark meat.
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Tsai TL, Kuo CC, Pan WH, Wu TN, Lin P, Wang SL. Type 2 diabetes occurrence and mercury exposure - From the National Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. Environ Int 2019; 126:260-267. [PMID: 30825744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase in both developed and developing countries. Environmental exposure to mercury may be an important and modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, the epidemiological results are controversial. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the association between blood mercury levels and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. METHODS A total of 646 adult participants were selected from the National Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2005-2008. The participants were interviewed using structured questionnaires to record data on basic demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, medical history, and 24-h dietary recall. Specimens of blood and urine were collected at the health examination. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting blood glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL or intake of hypoglycemic medications. The mercury concentration in red blood cells (RBC-Hg) was quantified by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS Participants with type 2 diabetes had a significantly higher RBC-Hg than those without type 2 diabetes. A significant association between the RBC-Hg and prevalence of type 2 diabetes was observed [odds ratio (OR): 1.64; 95% confidence intervals: 1.14-2.35] after potential confounders were well considered, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, total cholesterol, saltwater fish consumption, geographical strata, seasonality and hemoglobin (Hb) level. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that elevated RBC-Hg is significantly associated with type 2 diabetes prevalence. Future research, particularly for longitudinal cohort studies with suitable specimens, needs to be performed to verify our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Lin Tsai
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chi Kuo
- Kidney Institute and Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Big Data Center, China Medical Univeresity Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Harn Pan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Trong-Neng Wu
- Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pinpin Lin
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health, and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Sharma BM, Sáňka O, Kalina J, Scheringer M. An overview of worldwide and regional time trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk from 1966 to 2015 and their associations with health effects. Environ Int 2019; 125:300-319. [PMID: 30735961 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a pollutant of global concern. To protect human health and environment from mercury pollution, the Minamata Convention on mercury entered into force in 2017. OBJECTIVES To support a future effectiveness evaluation of the convention, this study assesses worldwide and regional time trends of total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk across different population sub-groups in the last half-century prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention. This study also provides an overview of the epidemiological literature showing evidence of associations between mercury exposure (in terms of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk) and human health. METHODS We searched electronic databases to identify articles published prior to June 14, 2017 and reported total mercury levels in any of three biological matrices (whole blood, cord blood, or breast milk) and/or associations with human health. Temporal trends of total mercury levels in the selected biological matrices across different population sub-groups were estimated using a linear fit of the log-transformed data. In parallel, statistical methods were employed to assess any possible effect of sources of inhomogeneity (i.e. study and population characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, source of exposure, sampling period, and geographical region) in the collected studies. Furthermore, a summary of significant and relevant associations between mercury exposure and human health conditions in children and adults was prepared. FINDINGS We found significant declines in total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk between 1966 and 2015. A regional overview of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk suggests the highest levels in South America, followed by Africa or Asia whereas the population groups from Europe or North America displayed the lowest levels of total mercury in the selected biological matrices. We observed conclusive consistent associations of mercury exposure with selected health conditions, especially neurodevelopment and neurotoxicity in children and adults. For several other health conditions, reported findings in the collected studies do not support conclusive associations. We also found that several studies demonstrated significant associations between mercury exposure below the USEPA reference level and various health conditions. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a worldwide and regional overview of trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk and associated health risks prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention and calls for further epidemiological investigations from across the globe to fully understand the health implications of mercury exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brij Mohan Sharma
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondřej Sáňka
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kalina
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Akkaya B, Kucukal E, Little JA, Gurkan UA. Mercury leads to abnormal red blood cell adhesion to laminin mediated by membrane sulfatides. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 2019; 1861:1162-1171. [PMID: 30890469 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury is associated with numerous health problems, affecting different parts of the human body, including the nervous and cardiovascular systems in adults and children; however, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated the role of membrane sulfatide on mercuric ion (Hg2+) mediated red blood cell (RBC) adhesion to a sub-endothelial matrix protein, laminin, using a microfluidic system that mimics microphysiological flow conditions. We exposed whole blood to mercury (HgCl2), at a range of concentrations to mimic acute (high dose) and chronic (low dose) exposure, and examined RBC adhesion to immobilized laminin in microchannels at physiological flow conditions. Exposure of RBCs to both acute and chronic levels of Hg2+ resulted in elevated adhesive interactions between RBCs and laminin depending on the concentration of HgCl2 and exposure duration. BCAM-Lu chimer significantly inhibited the adhesion of RBCs that had been treated with 50 μM of HgCl2 solution for 1 h at 37 °C, while it did not prevent the adhesion of 3 h and 24 h Hg2+-treated RBCs. Sulfatide significantly inhibited the adhesion of RBC that had been treated with 50 μM of HgCl2 solution for 1 h at 37 °C and 0.5 μM of HgCl2 solution for 24 h at room temperature (RT). We demonstrated that RBC BCAM-Lu and RBC sulfatides bind to immobilized laminin, following exposure of RBCs to mercuric ions. The results of this study are significant considering the potential associations between sulfatides, red blood cells, mercury exposure, and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birnur Akkaya
- Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey; Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Erdem Kucukal
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jane A Little
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Umut A Gurkan
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Biomedical Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Henriques MC, Loureiro S, Fardilha M, Herdeiro MT. Exposure to mercury and human reproductive health: A systematic review. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 85:93-103. [PMID: 30831212 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidences from human and animal studies suggest that reproductive function may be affected by mercury. The aim of this review was to explore the mercury influence on human fertility. METHODS A systematic search was made in PubMED for papers published between 1975-2017, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS Increased mercury levels were associated with infertility or subfertility status. Further, infertile subjects with unexplained infertility showed higher levels of mercury in hair, blood and urine than fertile ones. Mercury exposure induced sperm DNA damage and abnormal sperm morphology and motility. Additionally, mercury levels were related with higher incidence of menstrual and hormonal disorders and increased rates of adverse reproductive outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our review showed that mercury negatively impacts human reproduction, affecting the reproductive and endocrine systems in both male and female. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the mercury-associated decline on fertility remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Carvalho Henriques
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Susana Loureiro
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do MAR (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Gerson AR, Cristol DA, Seewagen CL. Environmentally relevant methyl mercury exposure reduces the metabolic scope of a model songbird. Environ Pollut 2019; 246:790-796. [PMID: 30623835 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
For most birds, energy efficiency and conservation are paramount to balancing the competing demands of self-maintenance, reproduction, and other demanding life history stages. Yet the ability to maximize energy output for behaviors like predator escape and migration is often also critical. Environmental perturbations that affect energy metabolism may therefore have important consequences for fitness and survival. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global pollutant that has wide-ranging impacts on physiological systems, but its effects on the metabolism of birds and other vertebrates are poorly understood. We investigated dose-dependent effects of dietary MeHg on the body composition, basal and peak metabolic rates (BMR, PMR), and respiratory quotients (RQ) of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Dietary exposure levels (0.0, 0.1, or 0.6 ppm wet weight) were intended to reflect a range of mercury concentrations found in invertebrate prey of songbirds in areas contaminated by atmospheric deposition or point-source pollution. We found adiposity increased with MeHg exposure. BMR also increased with exposure while PMR decreased, together resulting in reduced metabolic scope in both MeHg-exposed treatments. There were differences in RQ among treatments that suggested a compromised ability of exposed birds to rapidly metabolize carbohydrates during exercise in a hop-hover wheel. The elevated BMR of exposed birds may have been due to energetic costs of depurating MeHg, whereas the reduced PMR could have been due to reduced oxygen carrying capacity and/or reduced glycolytic capacity. Our results suggest that environmentally relevant mercury exposure is capable of compromising the ability of songbirds to both budget and rapidly exert energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Gerson
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Daniel A Cristol
- Biology Department, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23187, USA
| | - Chad L Seewagen
- Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, USA; AKRF Inc., White Plains, NY, 10601, USA
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Sun Y, Li Y, Liu Z, Chen Q. Environmentally relevant concentrations of mercury exposure alter thyroid hormone levels and gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis of zebrafish larvae. Fish Physiol Biochem 2018; 44:1175-1183. [PMID: 29691693 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-018-0504-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most toxic heavy metals that can cause severe damage to fish. Studies have demonstrated that Hg has a specific affinity for the endocrine system, but little is known about the effects of Hg on thyroid endocrine system in fish. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 1, 4, and 16 μg/L Hg2+ (added as HgCl2) from 2 h post-fertilization (hpf) to 168 hpf. Thyroid hormone (TH) levels and mRNA expression levels of genes involved in the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were determined. The results showed that exposure to 16 μg/L Hg2+ increased the whole-body thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels. The transcription levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) and thyroid stimulating hormone (tshβ) were up-regulated by Hg2+ exposure. Analysis of the mRNA levels of genes related to thyroid development (hhex, nkx2.1, and pax8) and THs synthesis (nis and tg) revealed that exposure to higher Hg2+ concentrations markedly up-regulated hhex, nkx2.1, nis, and tg expression, while had no significant effect on the transcripts of pax8. For the transcription of two types of deiodinases (deio1 and deio2), deio1 showed no significant changes in all the treatments, whereas deio2 was significantly up-regulated in the 16 μg/L Hg2+ group. In addition, Hg2+ exposure up-regulated thyroid hormone receptor β (trβ) mRNA level, while the transcription of trα was not changed. Overall, our study indicated that environmentally relevant concentrations of Hg2+ exposure could alter TH levels and the transcription of related HPT-axis genes, disturbing the normal processes of TH metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Sun
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Yingwen Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Qiliang Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
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30
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Abass K, Huusko A, Knutsen HK, Nieminen P, Myllynen P, Meltzer HM, Vahakangas K, Rautio A. Quantitative estimation of mercury intake by toxicokinetic modelling based on total mercury levels in humans. Environ Int 2018; 114:1-11. [PMID: 29455008 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic metal that can be disseminated into the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Human exposure to the metal stems mainly from food, and more particularly from the consumption of fish and other seafoods. Examining dietary exposure and measuring mercury levels in body tissues are two ways of estimating exposure to mercury. In this study, we utilized a modelling system consisting of three linear toxicokinetic models for describing the fate of methyl mercury, inorganic mercury, and metallic mercury in the body, in order to estimate daily intake of mercury as measured through total mercury concentrations in the blood. We then compared the results stemming from our modelling system to those of the detailed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of the Norwegian Fish and Game (NFG) Study, a project that focused on dietary mercury exposure. The results indicate that toxicokinetic modelling based on blood levels gave higher daily intake values of mercury compared to those of the FFQ. Furthermore, the former had a wider range of estimates than the latter. The properties of the toxicokinetic model or limitations in the dietary exposure assessment could be posited as reasons for the differences between the respective methods. Moreover, the results may have been influenced by sources of mercury exposure that cannot be described as dietary, such as amalgam fillings.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Abass
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - A Huusko
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - H K Knutsen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - P Nieminen
- Medical Informatics and Statistics Research Group, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - P Myllynen
- Northern Laboratory Centre NordLab, Oulu FI-90220, Finland
| | - H M Meltzer
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - K Vahakangas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy/Toxicology, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - A Rautio
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
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31
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Pigatto PD, Costa A, Guzzi G. Are mercury and Alzheimer's disease linked? Sci Total Environ 2018; 613-614:1579-1580. [PMID: 28889904 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo D Pigatto
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Dermatologic Clinic, IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Costa
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation, Maggiore Hospital Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Guzzi
- Italian Association for Metals and Biocompatibility Research - A.I.R.M.E.B., Milan, Italy.
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Santos CSA, Blondel L, Sotillo A, Müller W, Stienen EWM, Boeckx P, Soares AMVM, Monteiro MS, Loureiro S, de Neve L, Lens L. Offspring Hg exposure relates to parental feeding strategies in a generalist bird with strong individual foraging specialization. Sci Total Environ 2017; 601-602:1315-1323. [PMID: 28605850 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Generalist species can potentially exploit a wide variety of resources, but at the individual level they often show a certain degree of foraging specialization. Specific foraging strategies, however, may increase exposure to environmental contaminants that can alter the cost-benefit balance of consuming particular food items. The Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) is known to opportunistically feed on a wide range of marine and terrestrial prey that differ in contaminant load, such as mercury (Hg) that strongly biomagnifies through the aquatic food web. The hypothesis tested in this study were: i) a predominant use of marine prey by females during egg-formation and by both parents during chick rearing increases the exposure to Hg during embryonic development and chick growth, and ii) this affects parental investment in clutch volume, chick growth and body condition. Total Hg burden and isotopic signatures of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were determined for eggs, down feathers, and primary feathers of L. fuscus chicks collected at a coastal colony in Belgium. As expected, eggs and feathers of chicks from parents with a stable isotope signature that suggested a predominantly marine diet had higher levels of Hg. The use of marine resources by females during the egg-formation period positively correlated to maternal investment in egg size, though entailing the cost of increased Hg-concentrations which in turn negatively affected clutch volume. Furthermore, it is shown that the use of chick down feathers is a suitable matrix to non-lethally estimate Hg concentrations in eggs. Contrary to our expectations, no relationship between Hg exposure and chick growth or chick body condition was found, which may be due the low concentrations found. We conclude that currently Hg contamination does not constitute a risk for development and condition of L. fuscus offspring at the levels currently observed at the Belgian coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia S A Santos
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal..
| | - Léa Blondel
- Redpath Museum, Biology Department, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke, Montréal, QC H3A 0C4, Canada
| | - Alejandro Sotillo
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of Biology - Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Eric W M Stienen
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Isotope Bioscience Laboratory (ISOFYS), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta S Monteiro
- Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Susana Loureiro
- Department of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Liesbeth de Neve
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Lens
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Pelcová P, Vičarová P, Ridošková A, Dočekalová H, Kopp R, Mareš J, Poštulková E. Prediction of mercury bioavailability to common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) using the diffusive gradient in thin film technique. Chemosphere 2017; 187:181-187. [PMID: 28846974 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The mercury bioaccumulation by common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) tissues (gills, skin, eyes, scales, muscle, brain, kidneys, liver, and spleen) and the capability of the diffusive gradient in thin film (DGT) technique to predict bioavailability of mercury for individual carp's tissues were evaluated. Carp and DGT units were exposed to increasing concentrations of mercury (Hg2+: 0 μg L-1, 0.5 μg L-1, 1.5 μg L-1 and 3.0 μg L-1) in fish tanks for 14 days. In the uncontaminated fish group, the highest mercury concentration was determined in the muscle tissues and, in fish groups exposed to mercury, the highest mercury concentration was determined in the detoxification (kidneys) and input (gills) organs. A strong and positive correlation between the rate of mercury uptake by the DGT technique and the rate of mercury accumulation by fish tissues (gills, skin, scales, and eyes) was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlína Pelcová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology, University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Petra Vičarová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Ridošková
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Dočekalová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radovan Kopp
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mareš
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Poštulková
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic
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Chakraborty P. Mercury exposure and Alzheimer's disease in India - An imminent threat? Sci Total Environ 2017; 589:232-235. [PMID: 28262357 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
India is an industrial giant with one of the fastest growing major economies in the world. Primary energy consumption in India is third after China and the USA. Greater energy production brings the burden of increasing emissions of mercury (Hg). India ranks second for Hg emissions. Rising atmospheric Hg release, high Hg evasion processes, and increasing monomethylmercury (highly neurotoxin) accumulations in marine food products increase the potential for human and ecosystem Hg exposure. Hg has been identified to increase the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are increasing reports of AD and dementia in different age groups in India. The relationship between increasing Hg exposure and increasing neurodegenerative disorder in India is not known. This commentary points to the need for better understanding of the relationship between Hg release and AD in India, and other countries, and how to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parthasarathi Chakraborty
- Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India.
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35
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Afrifa J, Essien-Baidoo S, Ephraim RKD, Nkrumah D, Dankyira DO. Reduced egfr, elevated urine protein and low level of personal protective equipment compliance among artisanal small scale gold miners at Bibiani-Ghana: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2017. [PMID: 28655297 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4517-z.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury is a toxic metal with its effects on human health ranging from acute to chronic in a very short time of exposure. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of direct human exposure to mercury. AIM To access the effect of mercury exposure on the renal function and level of personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance among small-scale gold miners in Bibiani District of the Western Region of Ghana METHOD: 110 consenting male gold miners were purposively recruited for this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information from the participants. Work place assessment and interviews were conducted. Urine samples were analysed for protein; blood was analysed for mercury and creatinine. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. RESULTS Of the 110 participants, 61(55.5%) exceeded the occupational exposure threshold (blood mercury <5μg/L). Urine protein (41.72±68.34, P<0.0001), serum creatinine (2.24±1.19, P<0.0001) and blood mercury (18.37±10.47, P<0.0001) were significantly elevated among the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. However, the exposed group had a significantly reduced eGFR (P<0.0001). There was a significant correlation (r=0.7338, p<0.0001) between blood mercury concentration and urine protein concentration. An increase in blood mercury correlated negatively (r = -0.8233, P<0.0001) with eGFR among the exposed group. High urine protein (P< 0.0001) and high serum creatinine (P< 0.0001) were significantly associated with increased mercury exposure. Increased mercury exposure was significantly associated with burning of amalgam (P=0.0196), sucking of excess mercury (P=0.0336), longer work duration (P=0.0314) and low educational background (P=0.0473). CONCLUSION Small scale miners at the Bibiani work site are exposed to excess mercury. Proteinuria and reduced eGFR is common in mine workers exposed to excess mercury. We found poor PPE compliance among the study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Afrifa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Essien-Baidoo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Richard K D Ephraim
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Daniel Nkrumah
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Daniel Osei Dankyira
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Afrifa J, Essien-Baidoo S, Ephraim RKD, Nkrumah D, Dankyira DO. Reduced egfr, elevated urine protein and low level of personal protective equipment compliance among artisanal small scale gold miners at Bibiani-Ghana: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:601. [PMID: 28655297 PMCID: PMC5488392 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4517-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mercury is a toxic metal with its effects on human health ranging from acute to chronic in a very short time of exposure. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the main source of direct human exposure to mercury. Aim To access the effect of mercury exposure on the renal function and level of personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance among small-scale gold miners in Bibiani District of the Western Region of Ghana Method 110 consenting male gold miners were purposively recruited for this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information from the participants. Work place assessment and interviews were conducted. Urine samples were analysed for protein; blood was analysed for mercury and creatinine. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Results Of the 110 participants, 61(55.5%) exceeded the occupational exposure threshold (blood mercury <5μg/L). Urine protein (41.72±68.34, P<0.0001), serum creatinine (2.24±1.19, P<0.0001) and blood mercury (18.37±10.47, P<0.0001) were significantly elevated among the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. However, the exposed group had a significantly reduced eGFR (P<0.0001). There was a significant correlation (r=0.7338, p<0.0001) between blood mercury concentration and urine protein concentration. An increase in blood mercury correlated negatively (r = −0.8233, P<0.0001) with eGFR among the exposed group. High urine protein (P< 0.0001) and high serum creatinine (P< 0.0001) were significantly associated with increased mercury exposure. Increased mercury exposure was significantly associated with burning of amalgam (P=0.0196), sucking of excess mercury (P=0.0336), longer work duration (P=0.0314) and low educational background (P=0.0473). Conclusion Small scale miners at the Bibiani work site are exposed to excess mercury. Proteinuria and reduced eGFR is common in mine workers exposed to excess mercury. We found poor PPE compliance among the study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Afrifa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Essien-Baidoo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Richard K D Ephraim
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Daniel Nkrumah
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Daniel Osei Dankyira
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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37
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Pavilonis B, Grassman J, Johnson G, Diaz Y, Caravanos J. Characterization and risk of exposure to elements from artisanal gold mining operations in the Bolivian Andes. Environ Res 2017; 154:1-9. [PMID: 27992737 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) offers low-skilled workers an opportunity to elevate themselves out of poverty. However, this industry operates with little to no pollution controls and the cost to the environment and human health can be large. The objectives of this study were to measure levels of arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in the environment and characterize health risks to miners and residents in an area with active ASGM operations. An exposure assessment was conducted at two different mining sites and a nearby village in the Bolivian Anders. The resulting measurements were then used to quantify cancerous and noncancerous health risks to children and adults working at and living near ASGM areas. Soil concentrations of As were well above background levels and showed great variations between the village and mining area. Mercury vapor levels at the two mining sites were approximately 30 times larger than the EPA reference concentration. The risk of developing non-cancerous health effects were primarily due to exposure to As and Hg. The probability of individuals developing cancer was considerably increased with adult miners having a probability of 1.3 out of 100. Cancer potential was driven by exposure to As, with de minimus cancer risk from all other elements. Based on the environmental characterization of elements in soils and Hg vapors, the risk of developing cancerous and non-cancerous health outcomes were above a level of concern based on EPA risk assessment guidance. Personal protective equipment was not worn by workers and Hg amalgam is commonly heated in workers' homes. Better education of the risks of ASGM is needed as well as simple controls to reduce exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Pavilonis
- City University of New York School of Public Health, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Jean Grassman
- City University of New York School of Public Health, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Glen Johnson
- City University of New York School of Public Health, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Yilmael Diaz
- City University of New York School of Public Health, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jack Caravanos
- City University of New York School of Public Health, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Taylor DL, Williamson PR. Mercury contamination in Southern New England coastal fisheries and dietary habits of recreational anglers and their families: Implications to human health and issuance of consumption advisories. Mar Pollut Bull 2017; 114:144-156. [PMID: 27595617 PMCID: PMC5219939 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.08.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (Hg) was measured in coastal fishes from Southern New England (RI, USA), and Hg exposure was estimated for anglers and family members that consumed these resources. Fish Hg was positively related to total length (n = 2028 across 7 fish species), and interspecies differences were evident among legally harvestable fish. Many recreational anglers and their families experienced excessively high Hg exposure rates, which was attributed to the enriched Hg content of frequently consumed fishes. Specifically, 51.5% of participants in this study had Hg exposures exceeding the US EPA reference dose, including 50.0% of women of childbearing years. These results are noteworthy given that Hg neurotoxicity occurs in adults and children from direct and prenatal low-dose exposure. Moreover, this study underscores the need for geographic-specific research that accounts for small-scale spatial variations in fish Hg and dietary habits of at-risk human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Taylor
- Roger Williams University, Department of Marine Biology, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809, USA.
| | - Patrick R Williamson
- Roger Williams University, Department of Marine Biology, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
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Khaled EM, Meguid NA, Bjørklund G, Gouda A, Bahary MH, Hashish A, Sallam NM, Chirumbolo S, El-Bana MA. Altered urinary porphyrins and mercury exposure as biomarkers for autism severity in Egyptian children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 2016; 31:1419-1426. [PMID: 27406246 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social, communication, and behavioral development. Recent evidence supported but also questioned the hypothetical role of compounds containing mercury (Hg) as contributors to the development of ASD. Specific alterations in the urinary excretion of porphyrin-containing ring catabolites have been associated with exposure to Hg in ASD patients. In the present study, the level of urinary porphyrins, as biomarkers of Hg toxicity in children with ASD, was evaluated, and its correlation with severity of the autistic behavior further explored. A total of 100 children was enrolled in the present study. They were classified into three groups: children with ASD (40), healthy controls (40), and healthy siblings of the ASD children (20). Children with ASD were diagnosed using DSM-IV-TR, ADI-R, and CARS tests. Urinary porphyrins were evaluated within the three groups using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after plasma evaluation of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in the same groups. Results showed that children with ASD had significantly higher levels of Hg, Pb, and the porphyrins pentacarboxyporphyrin, coproporphyrin, precoproporphyrin, uroporphyrins, and hexacarboxyporphyrin compared to healthy controls and healthy siblings of the ASD children. However, there was no significant statistical difference in the level of heptacarboxyporphyrin among the three groups, while a significant positive correlation between the levels of coproporphyrin and precoproporphyrin and autism severity was observed. Mothers of ASD children showed a higher percentage of dental amalgam restorations compared to the mothers of healthy controls suggesting that high Hg levels in children with ASD may relate to the increased exposure to Hg from maternal dental amalgam during pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that the ASD children in the present study had increased blood Hg and Pb levels compared with healthy control children indicating that disordered porphyrin metabolism might interfere with the pathology associated with the autistic neurologic phenotype. The present study indicates that coproporphyrin and precoproporhyrin may be utilized as possible biomarkers for heavy metal exposure and autism severity in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Khaled
- Department of Pediatric, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nagwa A Meguid
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Amr Gouda
- Department of Genetic Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Adel Hashish
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nermin M Sallam
- Department of Research on Children with Special Needs, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- University Laboratory of Medical Research, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mona A El-Bana
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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40
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Rivera SJ, Pacheco LF, Achá D, Molina CI, Miranda-Chumacero G. Low total mercury in Caiman yacare (Alligatoridae) as compared to carnivorous, and non-carnivorous fish consumed by Amazonian indigenous communities. Environ Pollut 2016; 218:366-371. [PMID: 27427172 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury contamination in the River Beni basin is an important health risk factor, primarily for indigenous communities that live along the river. Among them are the Tacana, living in their original territory with sustainable use of their natural resources, consuming fish, Caiman yacare, and other riverine resources as their main source of protein. To assess mercury exposure to Tacana people, total mercury (THg) was evaluated in the muscle of seven commercial fish, and Caiman yacare (yacare caiman) during 2007 and 2008. THg was extracted by acid digestion and concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean mercury concentrations in C. yacare was 0.21 ± 0.22 μg g-1Hg w.w. (wet weight), which is lower than expected given its high trophic level, and its long life-span. It is possible that mercury in C. yacare is accumulated in other organs, not included in this study; but it is also possible that physiological mechanisms are involved that help caimans get rid of ingested mercury, or simply that C. yacare's diverse diet reduces THg accumulation. Carnivorous fishes (Pygocentrus nattereri, Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum, Zungaro zungaro, Plagioscion squamosissimus, and Leiarius marmoratus) had the highest total mercury concentrations, ranging from 0.35 to 1.27 μg g-1Hg w.w. moreover, most were above the limit recommended by WHO (0.5 μg g-1Hg w.w.); except for Leiarius marmuratus, which presented a mean of 0.353 ± 0.322 μg g-1Hg w.w. The two non-carnivorous fish species (Prochilodus nigricans, and Piaractus brachypomus) present mean concentrations of 0.099 ± 0.027, and 0.041 ± 0.019 μg g-1Hg w.w., respectively. Finally, recommendations on the consumption habits of Tacana communities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Rivera
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape Conservation Program, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - L F Pacheco
- Colección Boliviana de Fauna, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - D Achá
- Unidad de Calidad Ambiental, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia.
| | - C I Molina
- Unidad de Calidad Ambiental, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia; Instituto de Ecología, Unidad de Limnología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - G Miranda-Chumacero
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape Conservation Program, La Paz, Bolivia; Instituto de Ecología, Unidad de Limnología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, P.O. Box 10077, La Paz, Bolivia
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Hu Y, Chen L, Wang C, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Shi R, Gao Y, Tian Y. Prenatal low-level mercury exposure and infant neurodevelopment at 12 months in rural northern China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:12050-12059. [PMID: 26965274 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6395-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although MeHg is a confirmed neurotoxin at sufficiently high dosages, the effect of prenatal low-level Hg exposure on infant neurodevelopment is still unknown. Four hundred ten mother-infant pairs were recruited in rural northern China from September 2010 to September 2012. We investigated maternal diet during pregnancy, collected maternal and umbilical blood samples, and tested infant neurodevelopment using Gesell developmental schedules (GDS) at the age of 1 year old. The geometric means (GM) of Hg exposure in maternal and umbilical blood were 0.72 and 1.2 μg/L, respectively. Positive associations between Hg levels and the frequency of total fish consumption were found (Spearman's correlation, r = 0.09 for maternal Hg, r = 0.14 for umbilical Hg, p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found a log-unit increase in umbilical blood Hg levels was associated with a 4.22-point (95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 0.77 to 7.67) increase in the adaptive domain and a 4.06-point (95 %CI 0.51 to 7.62) increase in the social domain. No significant association has been found between other domains and Hg levels in our study. In further analysis, we noticed the positive correlation between the developmental quotient (DQ) scores of the adaptive domain and frequencies of total fish consumption (p = 0.04). Our results failed to indicate the adverse effects between prenatal Hg exposure and infant neurodevelopment. However, given the low-level Hg exposure and its predominant source, the potential positive associations in our study may be attributed to the beneficial nutrients of fish consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Limei Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Caifeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijun Zhou
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, 200025, Shanghai, China.
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Kim KH, Kabir E, Jahan SA. A review on the distribution of Hg in the environment and its human health impacts. J Hazard Mater 2016; 306:376-385. [PMID: 26826963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury is a silent threat to the environment and human life. It has the potential to harm almost every organ and body system. Mercury compounds are classified in different chemical types such as elemental, inorganic, and organic forms. The most significant source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in humans and animals is the consumption of fish. Long-term exposure to mercury compounds from different sources (e.g., water, food, soil, and air) can lead to toxic effects on skin, cardiovascular, pulmonary, urinary, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. Mercury toxicity is found to pose more significant health hazards to certain occupational groups (e.g., goldminers and dental personnel). Because continuous exposure to mercury can be dangerous, it is desirable to re-evaluate the current reference (risk-free) values. This paper reviews the route of Hg exposure to humans, its human health impacts, the associated risk assessment, and treatment based on the recent findings from various studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hyun Kim
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ehsanul Kabir
- Dept. of Farm, Power & Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
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Kothari S, Kruse D, Karimi R, Silbernagel S, Gursoy N, Jaber R, Roppelt H, Awan R, Gold A, Meliker JR. High mercury seafood consumption associated with fatigue at specialty medical clinics on Long Island, NY. Prev Med Rep 2015; 2:798-802. [PMID: 26844152 PMCID: PMC4721310 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the association between seafood consumption and symptoms related to potential mercury toxicity in patients presenting to specialty medical clinics at Stony Brook Medical Center on Long Island, New York. We surveyed 118 patients from April-August 2012 about their seafood consumption patterns, specifically how frequently they were eating each type of fish, to assess mercury exposure. We also asked about symptoms associated with mercury toxicity including depression, fatigue, balance difficulties, or tingling around the mouth. Of the 118 adults surveyed, 14 consumed high mercury seafood (tuna steak, marlin, swordfish, or shark) at least weekly. This group was more likely to suffer from fatigue than other patients (p = 0.02). Logistic regression confirmed this association of fatigue with frequent high mercury fish consumption in both unadjusted analysis (OR = 5.53; 95% CI: 1.40-21.90) and analysis adjusted for age, race, sex, income, and clinic type (OR = 7.89; 95% CI: 1.63-38.15). No associations were observed between fish intake and depression, balance difficulties, or tingling around the mouth. Findings suggest that fatigue may be associated with eating high mercury fish but sample size is small. Larger studies are needed to determine whether fish intake patterns or blood mercury tests warrant consideration as part of the clinical work-up in coastal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Kothari
- Program in Public Health, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, United States
| | - Danielle Kruse
- Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY 11794, United States
- Corresponding author at: Stony Brook University School of Medicine, MS-II, Health Sciences Center, Level 3, Room 071, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8338, United States.Stony Brook University School of MedicineMS-IIHealth Sciences CenterStony Brook UniversityLevel 3Room 071Stony BrookNY11794-8338United States
| | - Roxanne Karimi
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, United States
- Consortium for Inter-Disciplinary Environmental Research, United States
| | - Susan Silbernagel
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Nurcan Gursoy
- Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY 11794, United States
| | - Raja Jaber
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY 11794, United States
| | - Heidi Roppelt
- Department of Rheumatology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY 11794, United States
| | - Rina Awan
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, United States
| | - Avram Gold
- Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, United States
| | - Jaymie R. Meliker
- Program in Public Health, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, United States
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY 11794, United States
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Nieminen P, Abass K, Vähäkanga K, Rautio A. Statistically Non-significant Papers in Environmental Health Studies included more Outcome Variables. Biomed Environ Sci 2015; 28:666-673. [PMID: 26464254 DOI: 10.3967/bes2015.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The number of analyzed outcome variables is important in the statistical analysis and interpretation of research findings. This study investigated published papers in the field of environmental health studies. We aimed to examine whether differences in the number of reported outcome variables exist between papers with non-significant findings compared to those with significant findings. Articles on the maternal exposure to mercury and child development were used as examples. METHODS Articles published between 1995 and 2013 focusing on the relationships between maternal exposure to mercury and child development were collected from Medline and Scopus. RESULTS Of 87 extracted papers, 73 used statistical significance testing and 38 (43.7%) of these reported 'non-significant' (P>0.05) findings. The median number of child development outcome variables in papers reporting 'significant' (n=35) and 'non-significant' (n=38) results was 4 versus 7, respectively (Mann-Whitney test P-value=0.014). An elevated number of outcome variables was especially found in papers reporting non-significant associations between maternal mercury and outcomes when mercury was the only analyzed exposure variable. CONCLUSION Authors often report analyzed health outcome variables based on their P-values rather than on stated primary research questions. Such a practice probably skews the research evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pentti Nieminen
- Medical Informatics and Statistics Group, University of Oulu, PO Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Khaled Abass
- Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland; Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Kirsi Vähäkanga
- School of Pharmacy/Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arja Rautio
- Centre for Arctic Medicine, Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
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Begam M, Sengupta M. Immunomodulation of intestinal macrophages by mercury involves oxidative damage and rise of pro-inflammatory cytokine release in the fresh water fish Channa punctatus Bloch. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2015; 45:378-385. [PMID: 25936688 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mercury and its compounds have been parts of widespread pollutants of the aquatic environment. The present study was designed to assess the effect of mercury on fish immune responses. Since the metal is absorbed by fish and passed up the food chain to other fish-eating species, it not only affects aquatic ecosystems but also humans through bioaccumulation. In the present study, it was found that innate immunity of the fresh water fish Channa punctatus Bloch. was significantly debilitated after a periods of exposure to a sub-lethal concentration of mercury (0.3 mg/L). After 7 days of exposure, phagocytosis, cell adhesion and intracellular killing activity were found to decrease significantly along with significant decreases in nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) production from macrophages as compared to the control group indicating intracellular damages. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 were found to be significantly more in mercury treated groups than that of control group indicating inflammatory damage. This included significant ultrastructural changes like fragmented epithelium, lesions in mucosal foldings, degenerated mitochondria, reduction in the number of goblet cells and disoriented microvilli as evident from transmission electron micrographs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriom Begam
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India
| | - Mahuya Sengupta
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India.
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Akbal A, Yılmaz H, Tutkun E, Köş DM. Aggravated neuromuscular symptoms of mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2014; 28:32-4. [PMID: 24210170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Revised: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Dental amalgam fillings are widely used all over the world. However, their mercury content can lead to various side effects and clinical problems. Acute or chronic mercury exposure can cause several side effects on the central nerve system, renal and hepatic functions, immune system, fetal development and it can play a role on exacerbation of neuromuscular diseases. In this case, we will present a patient with vacuolar myopathy whose symptoms were started and aggravated with her dental amalgam fillings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Akbal
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey.
| | - Hınç Yılmaz
- Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Engin Tutkun
- Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Durdu Mehmet Köş
- Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
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