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Michelsen-Correa S, Martin CF, Kirk AB. Evaluation of Fetal Exposures to Metals and Metalloids through Meconium Analyses: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041975. [PMID: 33670707 PMCID: PMC7922990 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper surveys the existing scientific literature on metals concentrations in meconium. We examine some 32 papers that analyzed meconium for aluminum, arsenic, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, lead, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, lead, antimony, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc. Because of the lack of detail in the statistics it is not possible to do a rigorous meta-analysis. What stands out is that almost every study had subjects with seemingly large amounts of at least one of the metals. The significance of metals in meconium is not clear beyond an indication of exposure although some studies have correlated metals in meconium to a number of adverse outcomes. A number of outstanding questions have been identified that, if resolved, would greatly increase the utility of meconium analysis for assessment of long-term gestational metals exposures. Among these are questions of the developmental and long-term significance of metals detected in meconium, the kinetics and interactions among metals in maternal and fetal compartments and questions on best methods for meconium analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephani Michelsen-Correa
- AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow Hosted by EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Washington, DC 20004, USA;
| | - Clyde F. Martin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea B. Kirk
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA;
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Wu H, Yang F, Li H, Li Q, Zhang F, Ba Y, Cui L, Sun L, Lv T, Wang N, Zhu J. Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment of agricultural soil near a smelter in an industrial city in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2020; 30:174-186. [PMID: 30810352 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1584666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To assess heavy metal pollution and human health risk, a total of 28 topsoil samples were collected during four seasons from seven agricultural soil sites near a famous smelter in Jiyuan, China. The maximum concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr were 26.00, 2601.00, 3.29, 65.00, 410.00, 156.30, 54.80, and 73.60 mg kg-1, respectively. Compared with the sampling site nearest to the smelter, the concentrations of six metals at the farthest site were decreased significantly (P < 0.05). All sites were heavily contaminated, with Nemerow index (P) >3.0, and all sites had very high ecological risks related to Cd and Hg. The non-carcinogenic risk for children (based on combined exposure to the eight metals) was above the safety level. The carcinogenic risk of As for adults (8.98 × 10-6) and children (1.49 × 10-5) exceeded the acceptable level (1 × 10-6). Results suggest a serious health risk in the polluted areas, particularly for children.Abbreviation Cd: Cadmium; Pb: Lead; Hg: Mercury; As: Arsenic; Zn: Zinc; Cu: Copper; Ni: Nickel; Cr: Chromium; P: Nemerow index; RI: Potential ecological risk index; Ei: Monomial potential ecological risk of a specific heavy metal; HI: non-carcinogenic hazard index; CR: Carcinogenic risk; TN: Total nitrogen; TP: Total phosphorus; OM: Organic matter; MC: Moisture content; ADD: Average daily dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Wu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hongping Li
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingbo Li
- Zhejiang Biosan Biochemical Technologies Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fengli Zhang
- Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Yue Ba
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Liuxin Cui
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lianglong Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Tianchen Lv
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Yapici G, Can G, Kiziler AR, Aydemir B, Timur IH, Kaypmaz A. Lead and cadmium exposure in children living around a coal-mining area in Yatağan, Turkey. Toxicol Ind Health 2016; 22:357-62. [PMID: 17120535 DOI: 10.1177/0748233706071740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The study was designed to determine asymptomatic lead poisoning prevalence and cadmium exposure of preschool children living in a coal-mining area in Yatağan, Mugla, Turkey. The research was conducted between May and June 2002. The study included 236 children (53.4% female and 46.6% male) who were identified among the healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, using a systematic sampling method, from the records of the local medical centre of Yatağan. Assessments of the levels of blood lead and cadmium were performed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, in the Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty. The mean age of females and males were 49±18 and 43±19 months, respectively. The mean blood lead level was 33.8±15.6 μg/dL in females and 38.8±16.0 μg/dL in males. The mean blood lead level of the males was significantly higher than the females ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant negative correlation between blood lead level and age in both sex groups ( r=-0.367, P< 0.001). The blood lead level was found to be > 10 μg/dL in 95.7% and > 20 μg/dL in 87.6% of all children. The mean blood cadmium level of all children was 1.31±0.72 mg/dL. The blood cadmium level was found to be >0.5 μg/dL, which is considered to be toxic, in 85% of all children. The difference in blood cadmium levels between sexes was not significant. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between blood cadmium level and age of all children ( r=-0.382, P<0.001). Although it is not possible to understand from this study what proportion of the biological lead and cadmium burden results from mining waste and what proportion comes from other sources, such as paint and gasoline residue deposited in soil and air, these results do indicate that asymptomatic lead poisoning and cadmium exposure are significant problems in children living in the Yatağan area. In conclusion, environmental lead measurements (house dust, soil, drinking water and air) must be performed, the results must be compared with the normal limits, and precautions must be taken if necessary in the Yatağan area. Future public health research efforts should focus on reducing the excessive levels of lead and cadmium in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulcin Yapici
- Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
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Hubbs-Tait L, Nation JR, Krebs NF, Bellinger DC. Neurotoxicants, Micronutrients, and Social Environments. Psychol Sci Public Interest 2016; 6:57-121. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-1006.2005.00024.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY—Systematic research evaluating the separate and interacting impacts of neurotoxicants, micronutrients, and social environments on children's cognition and behavior has only recently been initiated. Years of extensive human epidemiologic and animal experimental research document the deleterious impact of lead and other metals on the nervous system. However, discrepancies among human studies and between animal and human studies underscore the importance of variations in child nutrition as well as social and behavioral aspects of children's environments that mitigate or exacerbate the effects of neurotoxicants. In this monograph, we review existing research on the impact of neurotoxic metals, nutrients, and social environments and interactions across the three domains. We examine the literature on lead, mercury, manganese, and cadmium in terms of dispersal, epidemiology, experimental animal studies, effects of social environments, and effects of nutrition. Research documenting the negative impact of lead on cognition and behavior influenced reductions by the Center for Disease Control in child lead-screening guidelines from 30 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) in 1975 to 25 μg/dL in 1985 and to 10 μg/dL in 1991. A further reduction is currently being considered. Experimental animal research documents lead's alteration of glutamate-neurotransmitter (particularly N-methyl-D-aspartate) activity vital to learning and memory. In addition, lead induces changes in cholinergic and dopaminergic activity. Elevated lead concentrations in the blood are more common among children living in poverty and there is some evidence that socioeconomic status influences associations between lead and child outcomes. Micronutrients that influence the effects of lead include iron and zinc. Research documenting the negative impact of mercury on children (as well as adults) has resulted in a reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day (μg/kg/day). In animal studies, mercury interferes with glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic activity. Although evidence for interactions of mercury with children's social contexts is minimal, researchers are examining interactions of mercury with several nutrients. Research on the effects of cadmium and manganese on child cognition and behavior is just beginning. Experimental animal research links cadmium to learning deficits, manganese to behaviors characteristic of Parkinson's disease, and both to altered dopaminergic functioning. We close our review with a discussion of policy implications, and we recommend interdisciplinary research that will enable us to bridge gaps within and across domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hubbs-Tait
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University
| | | | - Nancy F. Krebs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine
| | - David C. Bellinger
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health; and Children's Hospital Boston
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Douay F, Pelfrêne A, Planque J, Fourrier H, Richard A, Roussel H, Girondelot B. Assessment of potential health risk for inhabitants living near a former lead smelter. Part 1: metal concentrations in soils, agricultural crops, and homegrown vegetables. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:3665-80. [PMID: 22886627 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2818-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Soil contamination by metals engenders important environmental and health problems in northern France where a smelter (Metaleurop Nord) was in activity for more than a century. This study aims to look at the long-term effects of the smelter after its closedown by combining data on the degree of soil contamination and the quality of the crops grown (agricultural crops and homegrown vegetables) in these soils for a better assessment of the local population's exposure to Cd, Pb, and Zn. Seven years after the Metaleurop Nord closedown, (1) the agricultural and urban topsoils were strongly contaminated by Cd, Pb, and Zn; (2) the kitchen garden topsoils were even more polluted than the agricultural soils, with great variability in metal concentrations within the gardens studied; (3) a high proportion of the agricultural crops for foodstuffs did not conform with the European legislation; (4) for feedstuffs, most samples did not exceed the Cd and Pb legislation limits, indicating that feedstuffs may be an opportunity for most agricultural produce; and (5) a high proportion of the vegetables produced in the kitchen gardens did not conform with the European foodstuff legislation. The high contamination level of the soils studied continues to be a risk for the environment and the population's health. A further investigation (part 2) assesses the associated potential health risk for local inhabitants through consumption of homegrown vegetables and ingestion of soil particles by estimating the site-specific human health assessment criteria for Cd and Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Douay
- Université Lille Nord de France, 59000 Lille, France
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Horváth E, Oszlánczi G, Máté Z, Szabó A, Kozma G, Sápi A, Kónya Z, Paulik E, Nagymajtényi L, Papp A. Nervous system effects of dissolved and nanoparticulate cadmium in rats in subacute exposure. J Appl Toxicol 2011; 31:471-6. [PMID: 21351111 DOI: 10.1002/jat.1664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Revised: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edina Horváth
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - Gábor Oszlánczi
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Máté
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - Andrea Szabó
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - Gábor Kozma
- Department of Applied Chemistry; University of Szeged Faculty of Science and Informatics; H-6720; Szeged; Rerrich Béla tér 1.; Hungary
| | - András Sápi
- Department of Applied Chemistry; University of Szeged Faculty of Science and Informatics; H-6720; Szeged; Rerrich Béla tér 1.; Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kónya
- Department of Applied Chemistry; University of Szeged Faculty of Science and Informatics; H-6720; Szeged; Rerrich Béla tér 1.; Hungary
| | - Edit Paulik
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - László Nagymajtényi
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
| | - András Papp
- Department of Public Health; University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine; H-6720; Szeged; Dóm tér 10.; Hungary
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Koriem KMM, Farrag ARH, Badawy MA, El-Toumy SA. Role of some Egyptian medicinal plants against liver and kidney toxicity induced by cadmium chloride. Toxicol Mech Methods 2009; 19:524-34. [DOI: 10.1080/15376510903121145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Link B, Gabrio T, Piechotowski I, Zöllner I, Schwenk M. Baden-Wuerttemberg Environmental Health Survey (BW-EHS) from 1996 to 2003: toxic metals in blood and urine of children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2007; 210:357-71. [PMID: 17353148 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2007.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The environmental health surveillance system in the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (South Germany), among others, was implemented to monitor pollutant exposures and their temporal and regional trends in children at the age of about 10 years. The investigations were performed in two larger cities, one small city and one rural area. Between 1996 and 2003, in total 5470 children were investigated in consideration of environmental health parameters in four cross-sectional studies. The data presented here cover the results of the determination of the internal load with toxic metals. The median values observed in the investigation in 2002/03 were: 4.6 microg/l urine for arsenic, less than 0.2 microg/l urine for mercury, 20.7 microg/l blood for lead, and 0.25 microg/l blood for cadmium. From 1996 to 2003, mercury concentrations showed a substantial decrease (-0.027 microg/l/year) and lead levels also decreased (-0.25 microg/l/year), whereas arsenic and cadmium levels did not change significantly over time. There was no consistent difference in the mean internal load of the metals between the four investigation areas. Important factors influencing the measured concentrations were consumption of fish in the last 48 h, which had an impact on arsenic (factor 2), and amalgam fillings, which accounted for an increase in mercury (factor 4.6). In the 2002/03 study period, levels above the limit of health concern for children (German HBM values) were found in about 0.5% of the lead measurements (maximum value 180 microg/l blood) and in about 0.2% of the mercury measurements (maximum value 8.2 microg/l urine). In conclusion, this environmental health survey generates objective data on secular trends and regional differences and provides insight into probable sources of toxic metal exposure in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Link
- District Government Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg State Health Office (Landesgesundheitsamt), Wiederholdstr. 15, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Bi X, Feng X, Yang Y, Qiu G, Li G, Li F, Liu T, Fu Z, Jin Z. Environmental contamination of heavy metals from zinc smelting areas in Hezhang County, western Guizhou, China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2006; 32:883-90. [PMID: 16806473 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2006.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2006] [Revised: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 05/17/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Total heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) concentrations were evaluated in smelting waste, soil, crop and moss samples collected from the Hezhang artisanal zinc smelting areas, Guizhou, China. Soil samples from the cornfield near the smelting sites contained extremely high Cd (5.8-74 mg kg(-1)), Pb (60-14,000 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (260-16,000 mg kg(-1)) concentrations. Elevated heavy metal concentrations were also found in corn plants and total Pb (0.80-1.5 mg kg(-1)) and Cd (0.05-0.76 mg kg(-1)) concentrations in corn grain have totally or partially exceeded the national guidance limits for foodstuff. Thus, the soil-to-crop transfer of heavy metals might pose a potential health risk to the local residents. Similar to the high heavy metal levels in soil and corn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in moss samples collected from the smelting sites ranged from 10 to 110, 10 to 55, 26 to 51, 400 to 1200 and 330 to 1100 mg kg(-1), respectively, exhibiting a local spatial pattern of metals deposition from the atmosphere. Based on examination of Zn/Cd and Pb/Cd ratios of the analyzed samples, we have distinguished between the flue gas dust derived and smelting waste derived metals in different environmental compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, PR China
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de Burbure C, Buchet JP, Leroyer A, Nisse C, Haguenoer JM, Mutti A, Smerhovsky Z, Cikrt M, Trzcinka-Ochocka M, Razniewska G, Jakubowski M, Bernard A. Renal and neurologic effects of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in children: evidence of early effects and multiple interactions at environmental exposure levels. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:584-90. [PMID: 16581550 PMCID: PMC1440785 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic are common environmental pollutants in industrialized countries, but their combined impact on children's health is little known. We studied their effects on two main targets, the renal and dopaminergic systems, in > 800 children during a cross-sectional European survey. Control and exposed children were recruited from those living around historical nonferrous smelters in France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Children provided blood and urine samples for the determination of the metals and sensitive renal or neurologic biomarkers. Serum concentrations of creatinine, cystatin C, and beta2-microglobulin were negatively correlated with blood lead levels (PbB), suggesting an early renal hyperfiltration that averaged 7% in the upper quartile of PbB levels (> 55 microg/L; mean, 78.4 microg/L). The urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein, Clara cell protein, and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase was associated mainly with cadmium levels in blood or urine and with urinary mercury. All four metals influenced the dopaminergic markers serum prolactin and urinary homovanillic acid, with complex interactions brought to light. Heavy metals polluting the environment can cause subtle effects on children's renal and dopaminergic systems without clear evidence of a threshold, which reinforces the need to control and regulate potential sources of contamination by heavy metals. Key words: arsenic, biomarkers, cadmium, dopaminergic, heavy metals, interactions, lead, mercury, renal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire de Burbure
- Unit of Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
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de Burbure C, Buchet JP, Bernard A, Leroyer A, Nisse C, Haguenoer JM, Bergamaschi E, Mutti A. Biomarkers of renal effects in children and adults with low environmental exposure to heavy metals. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2003; 66:783-798. [PMID: 12746126 DOI: 10.1080/15287390306384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The health effects of chronic exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury are widely documented, yet few data exist about the renal impact of low environmental exposure to these metals, particularly in children. The aim of this study was to assess renal parameters in children and adults living in an environment known for its past heavy metal contamination around two nonferrous smelters in northern France (Noyelles-Godault and Auby) and to compare their results with age and gender-matched controls living in neighboring municipalities with unpolluted soil (total: 400 children, 600 adults, sex ratio = 1). The integrity of renal function was assessed by measuring the urinary excretion levels of total protein, albumin, transferrin, beta(2)-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, brush border antigen, and the enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). The mean blood concentrations of lead (Pb-B, children </=42.2 micro/L, adults </=71.3. micro/L) and of cadmium (Cd-B, children </=0.52 microg/L, adults 0.86 microg/L) were all relatively low, indicating a low uptake of these heavy metals from the environment despite relatively high levels in soil (between 100 and 1700 ppm for lead and 0.7 to 233 ppm for cadmium). Pb-B levels were, however, significantly increased in boys, girls, and women--but not men--living in the polluted area. Boys, men, and women living in the polluted area had also on average higher Cd-B levels. The concentrations of mercury in urine (Hg-U) were by contrast similar in control and exposed groups. None of the renal parameters studied showed a significant difference between control and exposed groups. The influence of heavy metals on renal parameters was further assessed by stepwise multiple regression, testing Pb-B, Cd-B, Hg-U, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), urinary creatinine levels, and area of residence as predictors in both children and adults, including first-order metal interaction terms, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption in adults. The only positive correlation was found between the urinary excretion of NAG activity (standardized for BMI and urinary creatinine) and Cd-B levels when taking the whole children population, indicating that even low cadmium burdens may produce subtle effects on the proximal tubule in children, although deleterious consequences are unlikely should exposure not increase. However, in the absence of other positive findings even after studying the smaller subgroups with higher levels of heavy metals, these results are clearly indicative of the minimal renal impact of living around nonferrous smelters that are currently complying with pollution regulations, even when soil contamination is still high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire de Burbure
- Unit of Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Papp A, Nagymajtényi L, Dési I. A study on electrophysiological effects of subchronic cadmium treatment in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2003; 13:181-186. [PMID: 21782653 DOI: 10.1016/s1382-6689(02)00160-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2002] [Accepted: 12/10/2002] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Male Wistar rats were treated for 4, 8 and 12 weeks with 3.5, 7.0 or 14.0 mg/kg cadmium (in the form of cadmium chloride) by gavage. Changes induced in certain electrophysiological parameters-electrocorticogram frequency; latency and duration of cortical sensory evoked potentials; conduction velocity and relative and absolute refractory periods of a peripheral nerve-were analyzed. On the electrocorticogram, increased frequency was seen. Lengthened latency and duration of the cortical evoked potentials, as well as lowered conduction velocity and increased refractory periods in the peripheral nerve, were observed. These changes seemed to increase with the dose and the treatment time and were statistically significant mainly in the highest dose groups following 12 weeks of treatment. The results show that subchronic, low-level exposure by cadmium affects the rat's spontaneous and evoked bioelectric activity and point at the possible consequences in exposed humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Papp
- Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 10, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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