1
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Chen CY, Evers DC. Global mercury impact synthesis: Processes in the Southern Hemisphere. AMBIO 2023; 52:827-832. [PMID: 36917434 PMCID: PMC10073386 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Celia Y. Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - David C. Evers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME USA
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2
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Li ML, Kwon SY, Poulin BA, Tsui MTK, Motta LC, Cho M. Internal Dynamics and Metabolism of Mercury in Biota: A Review of Insights from Mercury Stable Isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9182-9195. [PMID: 35723432 PMCID: PMC9261262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring mercury (Hg) levels in biota is considered an important objective for the effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention. While many studies have characterized Hg levels in organisms at multiple spatiotemporal scales, concentration analyses alone often cannot provide sufficient information on the Hg exposure sources and internal processes occurring within biota. Here, we review the decadal scientific progress of using Hg isotopes to understand internal processes that modify the speciation, transport, and fate of Hg within biota. Mercury stable isotopes have emerged as a powerful tool for assessing Hg sources and biogeochemical processes in natural environments. A better understanding of the tissue location and internal mechanisms leading to Hg isotope change is key to assessing its use for biomonitoring. We synthesize the current understanding and uncertainties of internal processes leading to Hg isotope fractionation in a variety of biota, in a sequence of better to less studied organisms (i.e., birds, marine mammals, humans, fish, plankton, and invertebrates). This review discusses the opportunities and challenges of using certain forms of biota for Hg source monitoring and the need to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms that control the accumulation, distribution, and toxicity of Hg in biota by coupling new techniques with Hg stable isotopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ling Li
- School
of Marine Science and Policy, University
of Delaware, 201 Robinson Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro,
Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
- Institute
for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, 85 Songdogwahak-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon 21983, South Korea
| | - Brett A. Poulin
- Department
of Environmental Toxicology, University
of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School
of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Laura C. Motta
- Department
of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, 359 Natural Sciences Complex, Buffalo, New York 14260-3000, United States
| | - Moonkyoung Cho
- Division
of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro,
Nam-Gu, Pohang 37673, South Korea
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3
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Morante-Carballo F, Montalván-Burbano N, Aguilar-Aguilar M, Carrión-Mero P. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138156. [PMID: 35805816 PMCID: PMC9266635 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mineral resource exploitation is one of the activities that contribute to economic growth and the development of society. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is one of these activities. Unfortunately, there is no clear consensus to define ASM. However, its importance is relevant in that it represents, in some cases, the only employment alternative for millions of people, although it also significantly impacts the environment. This work aims to investigate the scientific information related to ASM through a bibliometric analysis and, in addition, to define the new lines that are tending to this field. The study comprises three phases of work: (i) data collection, (ii) data processing and software selection, and (iii) data interpretation. The results reflect that the study on ASM developed intensively from 2010 to the present. In general terms, the research addressed focuses on four interrelated lines: (i) social conditioning factors of ASM, (ii) environmental impacts generated by ASM, (iii) mercury contamination and its implication on health and the environment, and (iv) ASM as a livelihood. The work also defines that geotourism in artisanal mining areas is a significant trend of the last decade, explicitly focusing on the conservation and use of the geological and mining heritage and, in addition, the promotion of sustainable development of ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Morante-Carballo
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas (FCNM), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador
- Geo-Recursos y Aplicaciones (GIGA), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador
- Correspondence: (F.M.-C.); (M.A.-A.)
| | - Néstor Montalván-Burbano
- Department of Economy and Business, University of Almería, Carr. Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almeria, Spain;
- Centro de Investigaciones y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador;
| | - Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar
- Centro de Investigaciones y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador;
- Correspondence: (F.M.-C.); (M.A.-A.)
| | - Paúl Carrión-Mero
- Centro de Investigaciones y Proyectos Aplicados a las Ciencias de la Tierra (CIPAT), ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador;
- Facultad de Ingeniería en Ciencias de la Tierra, Campus Gustavo Galindo, ESPOL Polytechnic University, Guayaquil 09015863, Ecuador
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4
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Queipo-Abad S, Pedrero Z, Marchán-Moreno C, El Hanafi K, Bérail S, Corns WT, Cherel Y, Bustamante P, Amouroux D. New insights into the biomineralization of mercury selenide nanoparticles through stable isotope analysis in giant petrel tissues. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 425:127922. [PMID: 34894503 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Tiemannite (HgSe) is considered the end-product of methylmercury (MeHg) demethylation in vertebrates. The biomineralization of HgSe nanoparticles (NPs) is understood to be an efficient MeHg detoxification mechanism; however, the process has not yet been fully elucidated. In order to contribute to the understanding of complex Hg metabolism and HgSe NPs formation, the Hg isotopic signatures of 40 samples of 11 giant petrels were measured. This seabird species is one of the largest avian scavengers in the Southern Ocean, highly exposed to MeHg through their diet, reaching Hg concentrations in the liver up to more than 900 µg g-1. This work constitutes the first species-specific isotopic measurement (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) of HgSe NPs in seabirds and the largest characterization of this compound in biota. Similar δ202Hg values specifically associated to HgSe (δ202HgHgSe) and tissues (δ202Hgbulk) dominated by inorganic Hg species were found, suggesting that no isotopic fractionation is induced during the biomineralization step from the precursor (demethylated) species. In contrast, the largest variations between δ202Hgbulk and δ202HgHgSe were observed in muscle and brain tissues. This could be attributed to the higher fraction of Hg present as MeHg in these tissues. Hg-biomolecules screening highlights the importance of the isotopic characterization of these (unknown) complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Queipo-Abad
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Zoyne Pedrero
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France.
| | - Claudia Marchán-Moreno
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Khouloud El Hanafi
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Sylvain Bérail
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France
| | - Warren T Corns
- PS Analytical, Arthur House, Crayfields Industrial Estate, Main Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 3HP, UK
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Amouroux
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux, Pau, France
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5
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Koenigsmark F, Weinhouse C, Berky AJ, Morales AM, Ortiz EJ, Pierce EM, Pan WK, Hsu-Kim H. Efficacy of Hair Total Mercury Content as a Biomarker of Methylmercury Exposure to Communities in the Area of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:13350. [PMID: 34948962 PMCID: PMC8707462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Total mercury content (THg) in hair is an accepted biomarker for chronic dietary methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. In artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities, the validity of this biomarker is questioned because of the potential for contamination from inorganic mercury. As mining communities may have both inorganic and organic mercury exposures, the efficacy of the hair-THg biomarker needs to be evaluated, particularly as nations begin population exposure assessments under their commitments to the Minamata Convention. We sought to validate the efficacy of hair THg for public health monitoring of MeHg exposures for populations living in ASGM communities. We quantified both THg and MeHg contents in hair from a representative subset of participants (N = 287) in a large, population-level mercury exposure assessment in the ASGM region in Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru. We compared population MeHg-THg correlations and %MeHg values with demographic variables including community location, sex, occupation, and nativity. We observed that hair MeHg-THg correlations were high (r > 0.7) for all communities, regardless of location or nativity. Specifically, for individuals within ASGM communities, 81% (121 of 150 total) had hair THg predominantly in the form of MeHg (i.e., >66% of THg) and reflective of dietary exposure to mercury. Furthermore, for individuals with hair THg exceeding the U.S. EPA threshold (1.0 μg/g), 88 out of 106 (83%) had MeHg as the predominant form. As a result, had urine THg solely been used for mercury exposure monitoring, approximately 59% of the ASGM population would have been misclassified as having low mercury exposure. Our results support the use of hair THg for monitoring of MeHg exposure of populations in ASGM settings where alternative biomarkers of MeHg exposure are not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye Koenigsmark
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
| | - Caren Weinhouse
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | - Axel J. Berky
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Ana Maria Morales
- Centro Nacional de Salud Intercultural, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Ministerio de Salud, Cápac Yupanqui 1400-Jesus María, Lima 15027, Peru;
| | - Ernesto J. Ortiz
- Duke Global Health Innovation Center, Duke University, 310 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701, USA;
| | - Eric M. Pierce
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA;
| | - William K. Pan
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, 310 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
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6
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Saim AK. Mercury (Hg) use and pollution assessment of ASGM in Ghana: challenges and strategies towards Hg reduction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:61919-61928. [PMID: 34550522 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16532-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reduction or possible elimination of Hg from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is one of the main goals of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which has been signed by many countries involved in ASGM, including Ghana. This article provides a recent overview of ASGM gold production and Hg use in Ghana. In addition, in order to highlight the impacts of Hg use in Ghana, a review was conducted on research studies investigating Hg pollution in waterbodies, soils, fish, and humans caused by ASGM over the past two decades. The continued use of Hg in Ghana's growing ASGM sector has resulted in reportedly high Hg levels found in water, sediments, crops, and miners, which exceed international guidelines. A subsequent ASGM ban and increased monitoring of illegal mining activities in Ghana have not ultimately been successful at significantly reducing Hg use and its associated impacts caused by rampant use in the country. Moreover, Hg alternatives in the ASGM sector are limited in Ghana, with little funding, support, education, and training in place to promote their implementation. As gold produced by ASGM continues to increase annually, clear policy reforms targeting Hg use are vitally needed, as well as efficient strategies to remediate Hg-contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Kwasi Saim
- Minerals Engineering Department, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana.
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7
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Ovadje L, Calys-Tagoe BN, Clarke E, Basu N. Registration status, mercury exposure biomarkers, and neuropsychological assessment of artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) from the Western Region of Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111639. [PMID: 34245732 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector is estimated to be the largest anthropogenic source of mercury pollution worldwide, and not surprisingly human exposures in this sector are amongst the highest of all population groups. While formalization of the sector has been proposed as a solution to help improve health and safety within ASGM sites, there are few empirical studies in support of this notion. The objective of this study was to assess if individuals working in ASGM sites that are registered have reduced mercury exposures and better neuropsychological scores than workers from unregistered sites. To achieve this objective, we studied biological samples (urine, hair) and survey data from a study of 404 ASGM workers (of which, 295 worked in registered ASGM sites) conducted in Tarkwa (Ghana) in 2014. Between miners working in registered and unregistered sites, there were few differences in socio-demographic characteristics. Median urinary mercury concentration (specific gravity-corrected) among those from unregistered mines was nearly 3-fold higher than those from the registered mines (18.5 versus 6.6 μg/L), and in the overall population the median concentration was 10.0 μg/L, and ranged from 0.3 to 2499 μg/L. Mercury biomarkers varied across ASGM work categories (e.g., those who burned or amalgamated had the highest) and users of personal protective equipment. Nearly 30% of the study population indicated having some challenges concerning, for example, reduced appetite, hair loss, or excess salivation. Ataxia and rigidity of gait were absent in most of the participants, and for those with slight, moderate, or marked responses, there were no differences between miners from registered and unregistered sites, across work groups, as well as in reference to mercury biomarker measures. For the pencil tapping, Frostig, matchbox, and Wechsler tests, no striking differences were found though a correlation was found between urinary mercury levels and matchbox scores among those who amalgamate and burn, and scores were similar to past studies using the same tests in ASGM sites. We believe this is the first study to compare mercury exposures and neuropsychological test results between miners from registered and unregistered ASGM sites. In doing so, the research findings provide the necessary evidence for stakeholders and parties of the Minamata Convention considering various response options to help fulfill their obligations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Ovadje
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, USA
| | | | - Edith Clarke
- Occupational Health Unit, Ghana Health Service, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, USA; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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8
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Yang S, Wang B, Qin C, Yin R, Li P, Liu J, Point D, Maurice L, Sonke JE, Zhang L, Feng X. Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis Provides New Insights for Tracking Human Monomethylmercury Exposure Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12493-12503. [PMID: 34468125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Monomethylmercury (MMHg) exposure can induce adverse neurodevelopmental effects in humans and is a global environmental health concern. Human exposure to MMHg occurs predominately through the consumption of fishery foods and rice in Asia, but it is challenging to quantify these two exposure sources. Here, we innovatively utilized MMHg compound-specific stable isotope analyses (MMHg-CSIA) of the hair to quantify the human MMHg sources in coastal and inland areas, where fishery foods and rice are routinely consumed. Our data showed that the fishery foods and rice end members had distinct Δ199HgMMHg values in both coastal and inland areas. The Δ199HgMMHg values of the human hair were comparable to those of fishery foods but not those of rice. Positive shifts in the δ202HgMMHg values of the hair from diet were observed in the study areas. Additionally, significant differences in δ202Hg versus Δ199Hg were detected between MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) in the human hair but not in fishery foods and rice. A binary mixing model was developed to estimate the human MMHg exposures from fishery foods and rice using Δ199HgMMHg data. The model results suggested that human MMHg exposures were dominated (>80%) by fishery food consumption and were less affected by rice consumption in both the coastal and inland areas. This study demonstrated that the MMHg-CSIA method can provide unique information for tracking human MMHg exposure sources by excluding the deviations from dietary surveys, individual MMHg absorption/demethylation efficiencies, and the confounding effects of IHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongyang Qin
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - 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
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9
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Santa Rios A, Fobil J, Basu N. Methylmercury Measurements in Dried Blood Spots from Electronic Waste Workers Sampled from Agbogbloshie, Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2183-2188. [PMID: 34010481 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Biomonitoring methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is problematic in resource-limited settings and with difficult-to-access populations where traditional biomarker approaches present logistical, economic, and ethical issues. The present study aimed to validate the use of dried blood spots (DBS) to assess MeHg exposure in a real-world contaminated field setting. Whole-blood and DBS samples were collected from electronic waste workers (n = 20) from Agbogbloshie (Ghana) in 2017, and DBS were also artificially created in the laboratory using the field-collected blood. Whole-blood MeHg concentrations averaged 0.84 µg/L, which was not different from levels measured in the corresponding DBS samples (field-collected or artificially created). Whole-blood MeHg comprised 61% of the blood total Hg concentrations. Linear regression analysis revealed no differences in MeHg concentrations between whole-blood samples and field-collected DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.94) and between field and laboratory DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.96). The MeHg content in DBS punch blanks averaged 0.86 pg and thus was not of concern. These findings indicate that DBS are a suitable tool for assessing MeHg exposure in real-world environmental settings that may be heavily contaminated. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2183-2188. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Santa Rios
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada
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10
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Santa-Rios A, Barst BD, Tejeda-Benitez L, Palacios-Torres Y, Baumgartner J, Basu N. Dried blood spots to characterize mercury speciation and exposure in a Colombian artisanal and small-scale gold mining community. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 266:129001. [PMID: 33248726 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector uses the most mercury (Hg) worldwide. Despite health concerns associated with high Hg exposures in these communities, ASGM sites are often situated in resource limited and remote regions which challenge traditional human biomonitoring approaches. To help overcome such challenges, here we report on the development of a high-quality method to characterize chemical speciation of Hg in dried blood spots (DBS), and then apply this method to assess Hg exposures in people sampled from an ASGM community (Pueblito Mejia) and a nearby town (Barranco de Loba) in Colombia. We collected DBS and urine samples from 35 individuals in 2018, and used these to assess occupational (DBS inorganic Hg (InHg) and urine total Hg (THg) measures) and environmental (DBS methylmercury (MeHg) measures) exposure of participants to different forms of Hg. The accuracy and precision of the DBS-based measures generally met assay performance guideline. In study participants, the mean concentrations of DBS MeHg, InHg, and THg, and urine THg were 1.9, 4.1, 6.0, and 3.1 μg/L, respectively. For 37% of the participants, DBS THg values exceeded the 5 μg/L 'alert level' proposed by the German HBM Commission. About 60% of the blood Hg was in the InHg form thus exemplifying a need to speciate Hg in blood sampled from ASGM sites to better understand the contributions of environmental and occupational exposure sources. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using DBS for Hg speciation exposure assessments in remote and resource-limited areas such as ASGM communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Santa-Rios
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Benjamin D Barst
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, United States
| | - Lesly Tejeda-Benitez
- Grupo de investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Toxicológicas y Ambientales, Campus de Zaragocilla, Universidad de Cartagena, 130015, Colombia
| | - Yuber Palacios-Torres
- Grupo de Toxicología Ambiental y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Tecnológica del Choco "Diego Luis Cordoba", Quibdo, Choco, A.A. 292, Colombia
| | - Jill Baumgartner
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada.
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11
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Enrico M, Balcom P, Johnston DT, Foriel J, Sunderland EM. Simultaneous combustion preparation for mercury isotope analysis and detection of total mercury using a direct mercury analyzer. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1154:338327. [PMID: 33736793 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) stable isotope signatures are widely used to understand Hg cycling in the environment. Sample preparation methods for determining Hg isotope ratios by CV-MC-ICP-MS vary widely among laboratory facilities and sample types. Here, we present a novel and rapid method for preparing solid samples prior to determining Hg isotope composition. We use a direct Hg analyzer (that measures total Hg) for sample combustion, amalgamation and analysis. During the thermal release of Hg from the amalgamator and following detection, the analyte gas enters a trapping solution consisting of 10% HCl/BrCl (5:1, vol/vol). We find Hg blank values are less than 1% of the Hg introduced during sample analysis, Hg detection is not altered by modifying the system, and more than 90% of the introduced Hg is recovered in the trapping solution. Hg isotope results are statistically indistinguishable from accepted values for previously published certified reference materials and uncertainty of 2σ (0.05-0.12‰) is similar to the solution standard RM8610 (2σ = 0.09‰). This new method allows for solid sample preparation for Hg isotope analysis in under 15 min. It has the additional advantage of minimizing use of sample mass during simultaneous detection and preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Enrico
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Prentiss Balcom
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David T Johnston
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Julien Foriel
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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12
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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. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 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] [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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13
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Galeano-Páez C, Espitia-Pérez P, Jimenez-Vidal L, Pastor-Sierra K, Salcedo-Arteaga S, Hoyos-Giraldo LS, Gioda A, Saint'Pierre TD, García SC, Brango H, Espitia-Pérez L. Dietary exposure to mercury and its relation to cytogenetic instability in populations from "La Mojana" region, northern Colombia. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 265:129066. [PMID: 33293049 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fish consumption and chronic exposure to low doses of mercury (Hg) seems to activate several molecular mechanisms leading to carcinogenic and/or teratogenic processes. However, Hg genotoxic effects on humans are not completely described. In the present study, we assessed cytogenetic damage in isolated human peripheral lymphocytes using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN-Cyt), micronucleus formation with anti-kinetochore antibody (CREST staining), levels of total Hg in hair (T-Hg), fish consumption, and estimated Hg dose. The study comprised 39 non-exposed, and 73 residents from La Mojana region, an area with a well-documented Hg contamination. Data showed a significant increase in micronuclei (MNBN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), and necrotic and apoptotic cell frequencies in residents of "La Mojana." The overall mean T-Hg level in hair for exposed residents was 1.12 ± 0.94 mg kg-1 and 0.15 ± 0.05 in individuals from the reference area. Approximately 40% of analyzed individuals showed T-Hg levels that exceeded US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reference dose. Increased T-Hg levels in hair were related to increased MNBN frequencies and high fish consumption. Other cellular markers, such as necrotic and apoptotic cell frequencies, were also correlated with high fish intake and T-Hg contents. Results of the CREST staining demonstrated that in vivo exposure to Hg induces genetic instability by chromosome fragment loss (clastogenic). Additionally, a high average intake of some fish species, particularly with carnivorous habits like Caquetaia kraussii, Hoplias malabaricus, and Sorubin cuspicaudus, seems to increase MNBN frequencies significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Galeano-Páez
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Pedro Espitia-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia.
| | - Luisa Jimenez-Vidal
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Karina Pastor-Sierra
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Shirley Salcedo-Arteaga
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Luz Stella Hoyos-Giraldo
- Departamento de Biología, Grupo de Investigación en Genética Toxicológica y Citogenética, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas de La Educación, Universidad Del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia
| | - Adriana Gioda
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Dillenburg Saint'Pierre
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Solange Cristina García
- Laboratório de Toxicologia (LATOX), Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Hugo Brango
- Departamento de Matemáticas y Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia
| | - Lyda Espitia-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica y Biología Molecular, Universidad Del Sinú, Montería, Córdoba, Colombia.
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14
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Tsui MTK, Blum JD, Kwon SY. Review of stable mercury isotopes in ecology and biogeochemistry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 716:135386. [PMID: 31839301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to the advent of cold vapor-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CV-MC-ICP-MS) in the past two decades, many research groups studying mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry have integrated stable Hg isotopes into their research. Currently, >200 studies using this technique have been published and this has greatly enhanced our understanding of the Hg biogeochemical cycle beyond what Hg concentration and speciation analyses alone can provide. These studies are largely divided into two groups: (i) controlled experiments investigating fractionation of Hg isotopes and refining tools of isotopic analyses, and (ii) studies of natural variations of Hg isotopes. It is now known that Hg isotopes undergo both mass dependent fractionation (MDF; reported as the ratio of mass 202Hg to 198Hg) and mass independent fractionation (MIF), with MIF occurring at odd masses (199Hg, 201Hg) to a larger magnitude and at even masses (200Hg, 204Hg) to a much smaller magnitude. The two types of MIF are controlled by different photochemical processes. The range of isotopic variations of MDF, odd-MIF, and even-MIF are now well documented in a diverse set of environmental samples, and researchers are continuing to explore how the field of Hg isotope biogeochemistry can be further developed and taken to the next level of understanding. One application that has received considerable attention is the use of Hg isotopes to examine the environmental controls on the production and degradation of methylmercury (MeHg), the most toxic and bioaccumulative form of Hg. Since MeHg is efficiently assimilated and biomagnified along food chains, MeHg has the potential to be a robust ecological tracer. In this review, we give an updated overview of the field of Hg isotopes and focus on how Hg isotopes of MeHg can be used to address fundamental ecological questions, including energy transfer across ecosystem interfaces and as a tracer for animal movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA.
| | - Joel D Blum
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
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15
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McSorley EM, van Wijngaarden E, Yeates AJ, Spence T, Mulhern MS, Harrington D, Thurston SW, Love T, Jusko TA, Allsopp PJ, Conway MC, Davidson PW, Myers GJ, Watson GE, Shamlaye CF, Strain JJ. Methylmercury and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with immune dysregulation in young adults from the Seychelles child development study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109072. [PMID: 32007747 PMCID: PMC7213642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to the environmental toxicant mercury (Hg) has been associated with immune dysregulation, including autoimmune disease, but few human studies have examined methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from fish consumption. OBJECTIVES We examined associations between MeHg exposure and biological markers of autoimmunity and inflammation while adjusting for long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). METHOD At age 19 years, hair total Hg (Y19Hg), LCPUFA status, a panel of 13 antinuclear antibodies (ANA), total serum immunoglobulins (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM and serum markers of inflammation (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), IFN-γ, TNF-α) were measured in the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) Main Cohort (n = 497). Multivariable regression models investigated the association between Y19Hg and biomarkers, adjusting for prenatal total hair Hg (MatHg) and other relevant covariates, and with and without adjustment for LCPUFA. RESULTS With each 1 ppm increase in Y19Hg (mean 10.23 (SD 6.02) ppm) we observed a 4% increased odds in a positive Combined ANA following adjustment for the n6:n3 LCPUFA ratio (β = 0.036, 95%; CI: 0.001, 0.073). IgM was negatively associated with Y19Hg (β = -0.016, 95%CI: 0.016, -0.002) in models adjusted for n-3, n-6 LCPUFA and when separately adjusted for the n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio. No associations were observed with MatHg. Total n-3 LCPUFA status was associated with reduced odds of a positive anti-ribonuclear protein (RNP) A. The n-3 LCPUFA were negatively associated with IL-6, IL-10, CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α and positively with TNF-α:IL-10. There were positive associations between the n-6:n-3 ratio and IL-6, IL-10, CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α and a negative association with TNF-α:IL-10. DISCUSSION The Y19Hg exposure was associated with higher ANA and lower IgM albeit only following adjustment for the n-3 LCPUFA or the n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio. The clinical significance of these findings is unclear, but warrant follow up at an older age to determine any relationship to the onset of autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeir M McSorley
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Alison J Yeates
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Toni Spence
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Maria S Mulhern
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Donald Harrington
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sally W Thurston
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Tanzy Love
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Todd A Jusko
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Philip J Allsopp
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Marie C Conway
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Philip W Davidson
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Gary J Myers
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Gene E Watson
- The School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | - J J Strain
- The Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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16
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Feingold BJ, Berky A, Hsu-Kim H, Rojas Jurado E, Pan WK. Population-based dietary exposure to mercury through fish consumption in the Southern Peruvian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:108720. [PMID: 31627842 PMCID: PMC8299663 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mercury exposure related to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has raised environmental and public health concerns globally. Exposure to mercury, a potent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in fish, is especially of concern to women of childbearing age (WCBA) and children in high-fish consuming populations. In Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru, an Amazon region with naturally occurring mercury and high ASGM activity, there is significant exposure concern among the mainly riverine, fish-consuming communities. The objective of this study was to conduct the first assessment of mercury exposure in a population-based sample of MDD, identify factors associated with elevated levels and compare the relationship between fish consumption and hair total mercury (H-THg) among persons living in ASGM affected and non-ASGM affected watersheds. METHODS Hair samples and household demographic surveys, including a module on fish consumption, were collected from 723 participants across 46 communities within 10 km of the Interoceanic Highway in MDD, who were previously enrolled in the first population-based study in MDD spanning areas affected and unaffected by ASGM. H-THg concentration (natural log transformed) was evaluated for association with independent demographic variables through multilevel multivariate regression models accounting for clustering among households and communities. Samples from canned fish available at local stores were also tested for total mercury. RESULTS Fish consumption (diversity and total consumed) varied spatially along the highway. 269 participants (37.2%) had elevated H-THg (>2.2 μg/g; median 1.60 μg/g; mean 2.24 μg/g), including 42.7% of WCBA and 20.0% of children under 5. Overall, H-THg was higher among people living in ASGM-affected areas. H-THg concentrations were strongly associated with fish consumption; however, in the multivariate models, household consumption of high trophic level fish was associated with elevated H-THg only in communities located in the ASGM-impacted watersheds. Similarly, the relationship between living in a household engaged in economic activities of fishing or Brazil nut harvesting was associated with higher H-THg, but only among households in the ASGM-affected area. In the non-ASGM affected areas, we observed a positive relationship between household daily fruit consumption and H-THg that was not observed in ASGM-affected areas. CONCLUSION Diet, residential location, and occupation are strong predictors of mercury exposure in Madre de Dios, Peru. Canned fish may represent a previously overlooked source of dietary Hg exposure in the region. In accordance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the significant environmental health concern of mercury exposure in ASGM areas demands policy and programmatic attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth J Feingold
- University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, USA; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, 5 University Place, Albany, NY, USA.
| | - Axel Berky
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | | | - William K Pan
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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17
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Schudel G, Kaplan R, Adler Miserendino R, Veiga MM, Velasquez-López PC, Guimarães JRD, Bergquist BA. Mercury isotopic signatures of tailings from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in southwestern Ecuador. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:301-310. [PMID: 31181517 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is currently one of the largest anthropogenic sources of mercury (Hg) to the atmosphere and a significant source to downstream terrestrial aquatic systems. Given the potential toxicity of Hg when it is released to aquatic ecosystems, both scientific and regulatory communities have interest in the development of tools and methods for understanding the fate and transport of Hg in the environment. Although Hg isotopes are applied extensively to trace other anthropogenic point sources of Hg in aquatic ecosystems, few studies have used isotopic analyses to investigate the downstream impacts of ASGM. Furthermore, these studies are currently limited by relatively sparse Hg isotopic analyses on ASGM materials. In this study, ASGM samples from Portovelo-Zaruma (Ecuador), representing various stages of the processing of low-grade gold-bearing ores, were analyzed for Hg concentrations and stable isotope ratios. These data were used to assess the isotopic variability of the ASGM endmember and confirm the results of prior isotopic analyses of ASGM materials and downstream sediments from Portovelo-Zaruma. While the Hg concentrations of the ASGM samples varied significantly, isotopic analyses revealed a limited range of signatures that was characterized by relatively heavy mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) with little to no significant mass-independent fractionation (MIF). The signatures of ASGM samples analyzed in this study matched well with previously reported ASGM samples from Portovelo-Zaruma as well as downstream sediments (for up to 120 km). Furthermore, the overall Hg isotopic compositions of potential ASGM endmembers are distinct from typical compositions observed in freshwater ecosystems (e.g., from soil erosion, atmospheric deposition), allowing Hg isotopes to be a powerful tool in tracing downstream Hg contamination from ASGM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Schudel
- University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, 22 Russell Street, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Kaplan
- University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, 22 Russell Street, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Adler Miserendino
- University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, 22 Russell Street, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada; Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore 21205-2103, MD, USA
| | - Marcello M Veiga
- University of British Columbia, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, Vancouver, BC V6T IZ4, Canada
| | - P Colon Velasquez-López
- Universidad Tecnica de Machala, Avenida Paquisha Km 5,5 via Pasaje-Machala, Machala, El Oro, Ecuador
| | - Jean Remy Davée Guimarães
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Inst. de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Bloco G, CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil
| | - Bridget A Bergquist
- University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, 22 Russell Street, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada.
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18
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Vascular Dysfunction Induced by Mercury Exposure. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102435. [PMID: 31100949 PMCID: PMC6566353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) causes severe damage to the central nervous system, and there is increasing evidence of the association between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, hemorrhage, and edema in the brain, but not in other organs of patients with acute MeHg intoxication. These observations suggest that MeHg possibly causes blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. MeHg penetrates the BBB into the brain parenchyma via active transport systems, mainly the l-type amino acid transporter 1, on endothelial cell membranes. Recently, exposure to mercury has significantly increased. Numerous reports suggest that long-term low-level MeHg exposure can impair endothelial function and increase the risks of cardiovascular disease. The most widely reported mechanism of MeHg toxicity is oxidative stress and related pathways, such as neuroinflammation. BBB dysfunction has been suggested by both in vitro and in vivo models of MeHg intoxication. Therapy targeted at both maintaining the BBB and suppressing oxidative stress may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for MeHg intoxication. This paper reviews studies on the relationship between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, with a special emphasis on the BBB.
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19
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Basu N, Horvat M, Evers DC, Zastenskaya I, Weihe P, Tempowski J. A State-of-the-Science Review of Mercury Biomarkers in Human Populations Worldwide between 2000 and 2018. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:106001. [PMID: 30407086 PMCID: PMC6371716 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Minamata Convention on Mercury provided a mandate for action against global mercury pollution. However, our knowledge of mercury exposures is limited because there are many regions and subpopulations with little or no data. OBJECTIVE We aimed to increase worldwide understanding of human exposures to mercury by collecting, collating, and analyzing mercury concentrations in biomarker samples reported in the published scientific literature. METHOD A systematic search of the peer-reviewed scientific literature was performed using three databases. A priori search strategy, eligibility criteria, and data extraction steps were used to identify relevant studies. RESULTS We collected 424,858 mercury biomarker measurements from 335,991 individuals represented in 312 articles from 75 countries. General background populations with insignificant exposures have blood, hair, and urine mercury levels that generally fall under [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively. We identified four populations of concern: a) Arctic populations who consume fish and marine mammals; b) tropical riverine communities (especially Amazonian) who consume fish and in some cases may be exposed to mining; c) coastal and/or small-island communities who substantially depend on seafood; and d) individuals who either work or reside among artisanal and small-scale gold mining sites. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that all populations worldwide are exposed to some amount of mercury and that there is great variability in exposures within and across countries and regions. There remain many geographic regions and subpopulations with limited data, thus hindering evidence-based decision making. This type of information is critical in helping understand exposures, particularly in light of certain stipulations in the Minamata Convention on Mercury. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3904.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, Maine, USA
| | - Irina Zastenskaya
- European Centre for Environment and Health, World Health Organization, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, Denmark
- Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, Denmark
| | - Joanna Tempowski
- Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Grigg ARC, Kretzschmar R, Gilli RS, Wiederhold JG. Mercury isotope signatures of digests and sequential extracts from industrially contaminated soils and sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 636:1344-1354. [PMID: 29913595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental mercury (Hg) pollution is a matter of global concern. Mercury speciation controls its environmental behaviour, and stable isotope ratios can potentially trace Hg movement through environmental compartments. Here we investigated Hg in industrially contaminated soils and sediments (Visp, Valais, Switzerland) using concentration and stable isotope analysis (CV-MC-ICP-MS) of total digests, and a four-step sequential extraction procedure. The sequential extraction employed (1) water (labile Hg species), (2) NaOH or Na4P2O7 (organically-bound Hg), (3) hydroxylamine-HCl (Hg bound to Mn and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides), and (4) aqua regia (residual Hg pools). The majority of Hg was extracted in step 4 and up to 36% in step 2. Mercury bound to organic matter was the dominant source of Hg in water, NaOH and Na4P2O7 extracts. Sulfides and colloidal oxide minerals were possible additional sources of Hg in some samples. The inconsistent comparative performance of NaOH and Na4P2O7 extractions showed that these classical extractants may not extract Hg exclusively from the organically-bound pool. Samples taken at the industrial facility displayed the greatest isotopic variation (δ202Hg: -0.80‰ ± 0.14‰ to 0.25‰ ± 0.13‰, Δ199Hg: -0.10‰ ± 0.03‰ to 0.02‰ ± 0.03‰; all 2SD) whereas downstream of the facility there was much less variation around average values of δ202Hg = -0.47‰ ± 0.11‰ and Δ199Hg = -0.05‰ ± 0.03‰ (1SD, n = 19). We interpret the difference as the result of homogenisation by mixing of canal sediments containing Hg from the various sources at the industrial facility with preservation of the mixed industrial Hg signature downstream. In contrast to previous findings, Hg isotopes in the sequential extracts were largely similar to one another (2SD < 0.14‰), likely demonstrating that the Hg speciation was similar among the extracts. Our results reveal that Hg resides in relatively stable soil pools which record an averaged isotope signature of the industrial sources, potentially facilitating source tracing studies with Hg isotope signatures at larger spatial scales further downstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R C Grigg
- Soil Chemistry Group, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, CHN, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Environmental Geochemistry Group, Department of Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ruben Kretzschmar
- Soil Chemistry Group, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, CHN, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robin S Gilli
- Soil Chemistry Group, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, CHN, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan G Wiederhold
- Environmental Geochemistry Group, Department of Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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21
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Ma L, Evans RD, Wang W, Georg RB. In vivo fractionation of mercury isotopes in tissues of a mammalian carnivore (Neovison vison). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 627:1228-1233. [PMID: 30857087 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of isotope ratios to trace Hg contamination sources in environmental compartments is now generally accepted. However, for biota and especially for mammals, it is still unknown if and/or how Hg isotopes fractionate in vivo and which tissue is most representative of the source(s) of contamination. We measured fractionation of Hg in mink (Neovison vison) tissues (fur, brain, blood, liver, kidney) collected during a controlled feeding experiment where captive mink were fed differing amounts of methylmercury. There was no significant effect of dietary MeHg concentrations on Hg fractionation in most tissues. Net fractionation of Hg, i.e., fractionation corrected for diet (δ202Hgtissue-δ202Hgdiet) was observed in all tissues with the greatest net fractionation occurring in the mink liver (-1.39‰) and kidney (-0.95‰). Less net fractionation, occurred in the brain (-0.12‰), blood (0.38‰) and fur (0.30‰). In the absence of brain tissue, fur is a suitable proxy which is readily obtainable and can be non-lethally collected. In these mink, it appears that biochemical processes such as demethylation, contribute to significant fractionation of Hg in the liver and kidney, but not as much in the brain and fur, where transport of Hg via thiol-containing complexes may be more important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Ma
- Environment & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R Douglas Evans
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Wei Wang
- School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - R Bastian Georg
- Water Quality Centre, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
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22
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Du B, Feng X, Li P, Yin R, Yu B, Sonke JE, Guinot B, Anderson CWN, Maurice L. Use of Mercury Isotopes to Quantify Mercury Exposure Sources in Inland Populations, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5407-5416. [PMID: 29649864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) isotopic compositions in hair and dietary sources from Wanshan (WS) Hg mining area, Guiyang (GY) urban area, and Changshun (CS) rural area were determined to identify the major Hg exposure sources of local residents. Rice and vegetables displayed low δ202Hg and small negative to zero Δ199Hg, and are isotopically distinguishable from fish which showed relatively higher δ202Hg and positive Δ199Hg. Distinct isotopic signatures were also observed for human hair from the three areas. Shifts of 2 to 3‰ in δ202Hg between hair and dietary sources confirmed mass dependent fractionation of Hg isotopes occurs during metabolic processes. Near zero Δ199Hg of hair from WS and CS suggested rice is the major exposure source. Positive Δ199Hg of hair from GY was likely caused by consumption of fish. A binary mixing model based on Δ199Hg showed that rice and fish consumption accounted for 59% and 41% of dietary Hg source for GY residents, respectively, whereas rice is the major source for WS and CS residents. The model output was validated by calculation of probable daily intake of Hg. Our study suggests that Hg isotopes can be a useful tracer for quantifying exposure sources and understanding metabolic processes of Hg in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Ping Li
- 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
| | - Ben Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081 , China
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD , Université Paul Sabatier , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
| | - Benjamin Guinot
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Laboratoire d'Aérologie (LA) , Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
| | - Christopher W N Anderson
- Soil and Earth Sciences, Institute of Natural Resources , Massey University , Palmerston North , 4442 , New Zealand
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), CNRS, IRD , Université Paul Sabatier , 14 Avenue Edouard-Belin , 31400 Toulouse , France
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Li P, Du B, Maurice L, Laffont L, Lagane C, Point D, Sonke JE, Yin R, Lin CJ, Feng X. Mercury Isotope Signatures of Methylmercury in Rice Samples from the Wanshan Mercury Mining Area, China: Environmental Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:12321-12328. [PMID: 28958148 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Rice consumption is the primary pathway of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure for residents in mercury-mining areas of Guizhou Province, China. In this study, compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of MeHg was performed on rice samples collected in the Wanshan mercury mining area. An enrichment of 2.25‰ in total Hg (THg) δ202Hg was observed between rice and human hair, and THg Δ199Hg in hair was 0.12‰ higher than the value in rice. Rice and human hair samples in this study show distinct Hg isotope signatures compared to those of fish and human hair of fish consumers collected in China and other areas. Distinct Hg isotope signatures were observed between IHg and MeHg in rice samples (in mean ± standard deviation: δ202HgIHg at -2.30‰ ± 0.49‰, Δ199HgIHg at -0.08‰ ± 0.04‰, n = 7; δ202HgMeHg at -0.80‰ ± 0.25‰, Δ199HgMeHg at 0.08‰ ± 0.04‰, n = 7). Using a binary mixing model, it is estimated that the atmospheric Hg contributed 31% ± 16% of IHg and 17% ± 11% of THg in the rice samples and the IHg in soil caused by past mining activities contributed to the remaining Hg. This study demonstrated that Hg stable isotopes are good tracers of human MeHg exposure to fish and rice consumption, and the isotope data can be used for identifying the sources of IHg and MeHg in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Buyun Du
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, China
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Laure Laffont
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Christelle Lagane
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS , 31400 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Che-Jen Lin
- Center for Advances in Water and Air Quality, Lamar University , Beaumont, Texas 77710, United States
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24
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Elemental hair analysis: A review of procedures and applications. Anal Chim Acta 2017; 992:1-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Salazar-Camacho C, Salas-Moreno M, Marrugo-Madrid S, Marrugo-Negrete J, Díez S. Dietary human exposure to mercury in two artisanal small-scale gold mining communities of northwestern Colombia. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 107:47-54. [PMID: 28658634 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest anthropogenic source of mercury pollution worldwide, posing a grave threat to human health. The present study identifies current levels of mercury in the human population from mining areas of the Chocó Department, Colombia, through total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) measurements in human hair. Mercury exposure of the local population was assessed in two towns affected by ASGM and was related to different variables of interest. Concentrations of THg in human hair ranged from 0.06 to 17.54ppm and the mean value for the subjects under study was 2.48ppm. Men had significantly higher levels than women in both towns (3.29ppm vs. 0.77ppm). Fish consumption was related to a marked increase of THg in hair, with mean values close to five times higher in frequent fish consumers (5-7 times/week) than in non-fish consumers (4.80ppm vs. 0.90ppm). A multiple linear regression model was fitted successfully (R=0.671) and reveals that gender, fish consumption and location of residence were significant indicators of Hg levels in hair, while no significant relationship was found for age. Approximately 60% of subjects tested had THg levels that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference dose of 1.0ppm, while 25% surpassed that of the World Health Organization (2.2ppm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Salazar-Camacho
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, A.A. 292 Quibdó, Colombia
| | - Manuel Salas-Moreno
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, A.A. 292 Quibdó, Colombia
| | - Siday Marrugo-Madrid
- University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Management, Montería, Colombia
| | - José Marrugo-Negrete
- University of Córdoba, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Water, Applied and Environmental Chemistry Group, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Management, Montería, Colombia.
| | - Sergi Díez
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDÆA-CSIC, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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26
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Rothenberg SE, Yin R, Hurley JP, Krabbenhoft DP, Ismawati Y, Hong C, Donohue A. Stable Mercury Isotopes in Polished Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Hair from Rice Consumers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6480-6488. [PMID: 28482656 PMCID: PMC5464010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) isotopic signatures were characterized in polished rice samples from China, U.S., and Indonesia (n = 45). Hg isotopes were also analyzed in paired hair samples for participants from China (n = 21). For the latter, we also quantified the proportion of methylmercury intake through rice (range: 31-100%), and the weekly servings of fish meals (range: 0-5.6 servings/weekly). For these participants, 29% (n = 6) never ingested fish, 52% (n = 11) ingested fish < twice/weekly, and 19% (n = 4) ingested fish ≥ twice/weekly. In rice and hair, both mass-dependent fractionation (MDF, reported as δ202Hg) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF, reported as Δ199Hg) of Hg isotopes were observed. Compared to rice, hair δ202Hg values were enriched on average (±1 standard deviation) by 1.9 ± 0.61‰, although the range was wide (range: 0.45‰, 3.0‰). Hair Δ199Hg was significantly inversely associated with %methylmercury intake from rice (Spearman's rho = -0.61, p < 0.01, n = 21), i.e., as the proportion of methylmercury intake from rice increased, MIF decreased. Additionally, hair Δ199Hg was significantly higher for participants ingesting fish ≥ twice/weekly compared to those who did not ingest fish or ingested fish < twice/weekly (ANOVA, p < 0.05, n = 21); Overall, results suggest that Hg isotopes (especially MIF) in human hair can be used to distinguish methylmercury intake from rice versus fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Rothenberg
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
- E-mail: ,
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State
Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - James P. Hurley
- Environmental
Chemistry and Technology Program, University
of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin−Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - David P. Krabbenhoft
- U.S. Geological
Survey, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, United States
| | - Yuyun Ismawati
- BaliFokus Foundation, Mandalawangi No. 5, Jalan Tukad Tegalwangi, Denpasar 80223, Bali, Indonesia
- Medical
Research-International Health Center for International Health, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chuan Hong
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Alexis Donohue
- Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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27
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Ha E, Basu N, Bose-O'Reilly S, Dórea JG, McSorley E, Sakamoto M, Chan HM. Current progress on understanding the impact of mercury on human health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 152:419-433. [PMID: 27444821 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury pollution and its impacts on human health is of global concern. The authors of this paper were members of the Plenary Panel on Human Health in the 12th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant held in Korea in June 2015. The Panel was asked by the conference organizers to address two questions: what is the current understanding of the impacts of mercury exposure on human health and what information is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention in lowering exposure and preventing adverse effects. The authors conducted a critical review of the literature published since January 2012 and discussed the current state-of-knowledge in the following areas: environmental exposure and/or risk assessment; kinetics and biomonitoring; effects on children development; effects on adult general populations; effects on artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM); effects on dental workers; risk of ethylmercury in thimerosal-containing vaccines; interactions with nutrients; genetic determinants and; risk communication and management. Knowledge gaps in each area were identified and recommendations for future research were made. The Panel concluded that more knowledge synthesis efforts are needed to translate the research results into management tools for health professionals and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhee Ha
- Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, South Korea
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Canada
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- University Hospital Munich, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Germany; University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology (UMIT), Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, Austria
| | - José G Dórea
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Emeir McSorley
- Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, Ulster University, United Kingdom
| | - Mineshi Sakamoto
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Japan
| | - Hing Man Chan
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
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Mercury Exposure Assessment and Spatial Distribution in A Ghanaian Small-Scale Gold Mining Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:10755-82. [PMID: 26340636 PMCID: PMC4586641 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120910755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is utilized worldwide in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and may pose a risk for miners and mining communities. While a number of studies have characterized mercury in ASGM communities, most have focused on a single media and few have taken a holistic approach. Here, a multiple media exposure assessment and cross-sectional study of mercury was conducted in 2010 through 2012 in northeast Ghana with a small-scale gold mining community, Kejetia, a subsistence farming community, Gorogo, and an urban ASGM gold refinery in Bolgatanga. The objective was to assess mercury in a range of human (urine and hair) and ecological (household soil, sediment, fish, and ore) samples to increase understanding of mercury exposure pathways. All participants were interviewed on demographics, occupational and medical histories, and household characteristics. Participants included 90 women of childbearing age and 97 adults from Kejetia and 75 adults from Gorogo. Median total specific gravity-adjusted urinary, hair, and household soil mercury were significantly higher in Kejetia miners (5.18 µg/L, 0.967 µg/g, and 3.77 µg/g, respectively) than Kejetia non-miners (1.18 µg/L, 0.419 µg/g, and 2.00 µg/g, respectively) and Gorogo participants (0.154 µg/L, 0.181 µg/g, and 0.039 µg/g) in 2011. Sediment, fish, and ore Hg concentrations were below guideline values. Median soil mercury from the Bolgatanga refinery was very high (54.6 µg/g). Estimated mean mercury ingestion for Kejetia adults from soil and dust exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference dose (0.3 µg Hg/kg·day) for pica (0.409 µg Hg/kg·day) and geophagy (20.5 µg Hg/kg·day) scenarios. Most participants with elevated urinary and household soil mercury were miners, but some non-miners approached and exceeded guideline values, suggesting a health risk for non-mining residents living within these communities.
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An Investigation of Organic and Inorganic Mercury Exposure and Blood Pressure in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:10020-38. [PMID: 26308023 PMCID: PMC4555326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120810020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing concern about the cardiovascular effects of mercury (Hg) exposure, and that organic methylmercury and inorganic Hg2+ may affect the cardiovascular system and blood pressure differentially. In small-scale gold mining communities where inorganic, elemental Hg exposures are high, little is known about the effects of Hg on blood pressure. In 2011, we assessed the relationship between Hg exposure and blood pressure (BP) in a cross-sectional study of adults from a small-scale gold mining community, Kejetia, and subsistence farming community, Gorogo, in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Participants’ resting heart rate and BP were measured, and hair and urine samples were provided to serve as biomarkers of organic and inorganic Hg exposure, respectively. Participants included 70 miners and 26 non-miners from Kejetia and 75 non-miners from Gorogo. Total specific gravity-adjusted urinary and hair Hg was higher among Kejetia miners than Kejetia non-miners and Gorogo participants (median urinary Hg: 5.17, 1.18, and 0.154 µg/L, respectively; hair Hg: 0.945, 0.419, and 0.181 µg/g, respectively). Hypertension was prevalent in 17.7% of Kejetia and 21.3% of Gorogo participants. Urinary and hair Hg were not significantly associated with systolic or diastolic BP for Kejetia or Gorogo participants while adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Although our results follow trends seen in other studies, the associations were not of statistical significance. Given the unique study population and high exposures to inorganic Hg, the work contained here will help increase our understanding of the cardiovascular effects of Hg.
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30
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Basu N, Clarke E, Green A, Calys-Tagoe B, Chan L, Dzodzomenyo M, Fobil J, Long RN, Neitzel RL, Obiri S, Odei E, Ovadje L, Quansah R, Rajaee M, Wilson ML. Integrated assessment of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Ghana--part 1: human health review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:5143-76. [PMID: 25985314 PMCID: PMC4454960 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120505143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This report is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an IA framework was utilized to analyze economic, social, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with pertinent stakeholders. The current analysis focuses on the health of ASGM miners and community members, and synthesizes extant data from the literature as well as co-authors' recent findings regarding the causes, status, trends, and consequences of ASGM in Ghana. The results provide evidence from across multiple Ghanaian ASGM sites that document relatively high exposures to mercury and other heavy metals, occupational injuries and noise exposure. The work also reviews limited data on psychosocial health, nutrition, cardiovascular and respiratory health, sexual health, and water and sanitation. Taken together, the findings provide a thorough overview of human health issues in Ghanaian ASGM communities. Though more research is needed to further elucidate the relationships between ASGM and health outcomes, the existing research on plausible health consequences of ASGM should guide policies and actions to better address the unique challenges of ASGM in Ghana and potentially elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, CINE Building Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | | | - Allyson Green
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | | | - Laurie Chan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Mawuli Dzodzomenyo
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon Boundary, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon Boundary, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Rachel N Long
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Richard L Neitzel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Samuel Obiri
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana.
| | | | - Lauretta Ovadje
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Reginald Quansah
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon Boundary, Accra, Ghana.
- Noguchi Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon Boundary, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Mozhgon Rajaee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Mark L Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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