Domestic dogs as sentinels of children lead exposure: Multi-pathway identification and source apportionment based on isotope technique

A more scientific blood lead reference value urgently needs to be updated in China: From a national and international insight

Although blood lead levels (BLLs) in children have significantly decreased compared to two decades ago, incidents of lead poisoning and elevated BLLs among children continue to occur frequently. This trend suggests that China's current hygienic regulations are not sufficiently effective in managing children's lead exposure. This study analyzed the revision processes of blood lead reference values (BLRVs) in children from various countries, the current BLLs and their changing trends in China, potential sources of lead pollution and exposure, the requirements for managing and protecting children's health, as well as the national measures and strategies for lead emission management and control. The study also explored the necessity and urgency of updating China's BLRVs in children. Based on the specific conditions in China, a proposed BLRV of 50 μg/L was deemed more reasonable and was suggested for implementation, with the potential to yield substantial economic benefits through improved IQ outcomes should the updated BLRV be adopted.

Mortality and heavy metals environmental exposure: a study in dogs

Introduction

Dogs are human companions and share environmental conditions with their owners. Epidemiological studies have shown that dogs seem to be good sentinel animals for the association of diseases and/or mortality provoked by chronic exposure to heavy metals (Cd, Pb).

Methods

In the present work, we analyze the registered death cases and population from the National Canine Registry from 2020 to 2022, involving a dog population of 582,564 and 17,507 deaths. The mortality rate in male and not-purebred dogs is higher than in female and purebred dogs, respectively. The mortality cases were cross-referenced with the environmental pollution data relating to the concentration of Cd and Pb detected, between 2012 and 2022, in the various municipalities of the Liguria region. We then calculated SMR (Standardized Mortality Rate) throughout the region and found that mortality increases from the eastern to the western Ligurian coast.

Results and discussion

We observed that the most polluted areas present the highest SMRs (IRR = 1.36, 95%CI: from 1.31 to 1.41). Considering dog ages, we found that mortality in young dogs is not affected by pollution, while mortality in old dogs (10-20 years old) is heavily affected by it (IRR = 8.97, 95%CI from 8.09 to 9.93). In conclusion, the data suggest the importance of canine health and biomonitor studies and provide a basis for future research involving both animal and human health.