The Aral Sea disaster – human biomonitoring of Hg, As, HCB, DDE, and PCBs in children living in Aralsk and Akchi, Kazakhstan

Health consequences of the Urmia Lake crisis: the baseline study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Climate change may affect human health due to various mechanisms including overexposure to environmental pollution or dispersed particles. Lake Urmia (LU) drying in recent years has turned into a crisis with particle distribution as its main manifest. It is told that this crisis may affect the health of neighbouring residents. In this paper, we elaborate on a research protocol developed to assess the potential health consequences of LU drying (LUD) by investigating the distribution of physical and mental health conditions/disorders among residents of LU's surrounding provinces with different exposure levels to LUD outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The target population of this study is the residents of the LU basin from East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces of Iran. A total of 803 households and 2783 people are studied in 86 clusters. Cluster sampling is applied. The weighting of the samples is based on a satellite map of the density of suspended particles such that people living in areas with higher risk have a higher chance of selection. Various types of measurements are done in three major groups including self-reported health, clinical interview/examination and paraclinical assays.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

In this project, all procedures are in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ethics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Moreover, an informed consent letter is obtained from all participants included in the study. The results from this study will be disseminated in international journals and implemented in the primary care guidelines and national policy documents on managing the potential health consequences of LUD.

Fish and Seafood Safety: Human Exposure to Toxic Metals from the Aquatic Environment and Fish in Central Asia

Toxic metals that are released into aquatic environments from natural and anthropogenic sources are absorbed by aquatic organisms and may threaten the health of both aquatic organisms and humans. Despite this, there have been limited studies on the metal concentrations in fish and humans in Central Asia. This study summarizes the presence of the toxic metals arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in aquatic bodies, fish, and seafood products and conducts a risk assessment. While certain areas show a notable increase in fish and seafood consumption, the overall intake in Central Asia remains below recommended levels. However, in regions with high fish consumption, there is a potential for elevated exposure to toxic metals, especially Hg. The risk of exposure to toxic metals in fish and seafood in Central Asia emerges as a significant concern. Comprehensive monitoring, regulation, and remediation efforts are imperative to ensure the safety of water sources and food consumption in the region. Public awareness campaigns and the establishment of dietary guidelines play a crucial role in minimizing the health risks associated with consumption.

What are the challenges for implementing an "organic label" to camel milk?

Increasing demand for camel's milk worldwide occurred in the context of the development of the organic sector in agriculture. The implementation of an organic label for camel milk has never been established. However, the creation of such a label faces to important challenges that are investigated in the present paper. Indeed, although camel milk conveys the image of a "natural product" issued from remote places, the risk of being produced in contaminated areas (mining activities, oil extraction) cannot be neglected for grazing animals. Moreover, the management of veterinary drugs for prevention or curative treatment can lead to the presence of residues in milk, especially in camel species with different pharmacokinetics, although similar instructions than for cow milk are used. Moreover, the lack of international standards regarding both composition and hygienic rules, the risks of adulteration, and the necessity to use specific indicators or analytical procedures adapted to the behavior of camel milk, have to be taken in account in the establishment of the specifications for the camel milk producers through the world.

Biological (microfloral) factors of influence on cytogenetic stability during chemical mutagenesis

The article presents the results of a study of chromosomal mutations in residents living in the Aral Sea disaster zone. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of the combined effect of a chemical mutagen (nickel) and bacterial microflora on the level of chromosomal aberrations (CA) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. This study used classical methods of cell cultivation, methods for determining chromosomal aberrations, a cytomorphological method for assessing epithelial cells, and an atomic absorption method for determining trace elements in the blood. The article shows that with an increase of chemical agent in the blood, the number of cells with features of damage and cells with contamination by microflora increases. Both of these factors cause an increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. The article demonstrates how being exposed to a chemical factor increases chromosomal mutations, and also damages membrane components, which leads to a decrease in the barrier and protective function of the cell, and as a result also affects the level of chromosomal aberrations.

Crustacean Fauna of the Aral Sea and its Relation to Ichthyofauna During the Modern Regression Crisis and Efforts at Restoration

The regression and salinization of the Aral Sea, largely caused by water diversion for irrigation, is among the most severe ecological disasters of the 20th century, and has had severe health and economic consequences for the local population. Introductions of alien species to enhance commercial fisheries before the regression had already impacted the ecology of this system. Crustaceans made up about one-quarter of the original metazoan species and constituted the principal food for native and introduced fish. From 1960 on, crustaceans were recorded at numerous fixed sampling stations, including thanatocoenoses (dead animals from sediment cores). We use this previously unpublished information to document changes in species abundance and discuss their causes in the context of species interactions and changes to physical and chemical parameters. Competition from alien crustaceans led to declines in or even extinction of some native species, but eventually severe salinization became the main detriment, and resulted in the complete collapse of commercial fisheries. This seriously hurt a critical trade, which provided the principal protein source for the local population. We document how comparatively modest conservation efforts enabled the northern Small Aral Sea to partially recover and commercial fishing to resume.

Effects of a century of mining and industrial production on metal contamination of a model saline ecosystem, Great Salt Lake, Utah

Effects of mining and metals production have been reported in freshwater lake sediments from around the world but are rarely quantified in saline lake sediments, despite the importance of these lake ecosystems. Here we used dated sediment cores from Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA, a large saline lake adjacent to one of the world's largest copper mines, to measure historical changes in the deposition of 22 metals. Metal concentrations were low prior to the onset of mining in the catchment in 1860 CE. Concentrations of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury, and other metals began increasing in the late 1800s, with peaks in the 1950s, concomitant with enhanced mining and smelting activities. Sedimentary metal concentrations in the 1950s were 20-40-fold above background levels for copper, lead, silver, and molybdenum. Concentrations of most metals in surficial sediments have decreased 2-5-fold, reflecting: 1) storage and mineralization of sedimenting materials in a deep brine layer, thereby reducing metal transport to the sediments; 2) improved pollution control technologies, and; 3) reduction in mining activity beginning in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite reductions, concentrations of many metals in surficial sediments remain above acceptable contamination thresholds for aquatic ecosystems with migratory birds, and consumption advisories for mercury have been placed on three waterfowl species. The research also highlights that metal deposition in saline lakes is complicated by effects of hypersaline brines and deep-water anoxia in regulating sediment redox and release of metals to surface waters. Given the importance of saline lakes to migratory birds, metals contamination from mining and metals production should be a focus of saline lake remediation.

Pollution with trace elements and rare-earth metals in the lower course of Syr Darya River and Small Aral Sea, Kazakhstan

Over recent decades the Aral Sea has faced a major human-driven regression leading to environmental, economic and health impacts. Previous research has indicated that its region may be highly polluted yet there is little recent data to assess the scale or nature of the pollution. The present study investigated the concentration of elements for which the World Health Organization (WHO) has established guideline levels (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb) as well as 16 rare-earth elements (Ce, Eu, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sc, Sm, Dy, Ho, Lu, Tb, Tm, Y, Yb) in the Small Aral Sea (SAS) and its inflow, the Syr Darya River (SDR). The latter displayed increased levels of Al (mean 851 μg L^-1), As (35.8 μg L^-1), Cd (2.8 μg L^-1), Pb (10.1 μg L^-1) and U (4.9 μg L^-1), exceeding the guideline limits at selected sites. In the SAS these limits were exceeded at certain locations in the case of As and U. The total mean concentration of REEs in the SDR and SAS amounted to 22.6 and 61.7 μg L^-1, respectively, with Pr, Ce and Nd constituting the greatest share. The concentrations of B, Ba Cr, Cu, Se and Ni were below the WHO guideline levels at all studied sites while Sb and Hg were always below detection limits. This research provides an updated status on the levels of contamination of the surface waters in the ecological disaster zone of the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan.

Distribution and risk assessment of selected organochlorine pesticides in Kyzyl Kairat village from Kazakhstan

Concentrations of selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), i.e., 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), its metabolites (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), have been determined in 100 soil samples collected from a contaminated site centered around a former storehouse in the Kyzyl Kairat village, Almaty region, Kazakhstan, which constitutes an exemplary case example. The OCPs were observed in all analyzed soil samples, with predominance of α-HCH, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT. Total concentrations ranged from 1.38 to 11,100 μg kg(-1) with an average value of 1040 μg kg(-1) for DDT and its metabolites and 0.1 to 438 μg kg(-1) with an average value of 24 μg kg(-1) for HCHs. The observed concentrations of the OCPs were found to be in agreement with previous studies and are rationalized in terms of the possible degradation pathways of DDTs and HCHs. Spatial distribution patterns of OCPs are elucidated by contour maps. Observed concentrations of the OCPs were used to evaluate the cancer risk to humans via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation of soil particles. The cancer risk mainly occurs from ingestion, whereas dermal exposure contributes to a minor extent to the total cancer risk. The risk associated with inhalation was found to be negligible. The total cancer risk for the studied OCPs were found to be p,p'-DDT ˃ p,p'-DDE ˃ p,p'-DDD ˃ α-HCH ˃ β-HCH ˃ γ-HCH.

A study on toxic and essential elements in rice from the Republic of Kazakhstan: comparing the level of contamination in rice from the European Community

Selected toxic elements (total As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sr, U and V) and essential elements (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in unpolished and milled rice collected from Kazakhstan and milled rice from Spain and Portugal to evaluate the potential health risk to the population. Arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, arsenobetaine, dimethylarsinate and monomethilarsonate) were analyzed using HPLC-IC-MS. From 146 samples analyzed, none of them exceeded the maximum limit set by the European Legislation for Cd or Pb or values recommended by the Codex Alimentarius. Concentrations of Sr, U and V were below LOD and those of Hg, Pb, Co and Cr between <LOD and 0.54 mg/kg (highest concentration of Cr) in milled rice. Portuguese rice samples contained the highest mean concentration of As, Hg, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn. The highest mean of arsenobetaine (0.001 mg/kg), dimethylarsinate (0.27 mg/kg) and monomethilarsonate (0.02 mg/kg) was found in Spanish rice and that of arsenite (0.30 mg/kg) in Kazakh rice. Inorganic As in samples from Kazakhstan was above the ML (0.2 mg/kg) proposed by FAO/WHO, but in seven samples from Spain and in four from Portugal were above the limit. The estimated weekly intake of total or inorganic As(III, V), Cd, Hg and Pb for rice consumption by Kazakh, Spanish and Portuguese adults and children was lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intake established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the European Food Safety Authority.

Levels and trends of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in camel milk (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius) from Kazakhstan

To date, despite the fact it represents a very important part of the national dairy production, no data are available concerning the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in camel milk from the Republic of Kazakhstan. Selected PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs were measured in pools of milk from camels (n=15) located in various places of Kazakhstan (Almaty, Atyrau, Aralsk, Shymkent) and sampled at two different seasons for two different species (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius). Non-dioxin-like (NDL-)PCB concentrations (6.3±2.7 ng g(-1) fat, median 5.1 ng g(-1) fat, range 0.6-17.4 ng g(-1) fat) were far below the maximum value of 40 ng g(-1) fat proposed by the EU. Dioxin-like (DL-)PCB concentrations (1.7±0.7 ng g(-1) fat, median 1.5 ng g(-1) fat, range 0.3-4.2 ng g(-1) fat) and the NDL-PCB to DL-PCB ratio (4.3) were similar to what is reported in EU for cow-based dairy products. PCB 52 and PCB 101 appeared to be proportionally more present in Kazakh camel milk samples (>60% of the sum of the 6 indicator NDL-PCBs) than in European cow milk samples (<10% of the sum of the 6 indicator NDL-PCBs), indicating possible differences in the route of exposure to PCBs in Kazakhstan. PCB 105 and PCB 118 appeared to be present at higher concentrations in camel milk (>80% of the sum of the 12 DL-PCBs). PCB 105, PCB 118 and PCB 156 were the major congeners for DL-PCBs, accounting for 92% of the sum of concentrations of DL-PCBs (88% for Belgian cows). In terms of TEQ, PCB 126 and PCB 118 are the major contributors and represent, respectively, 80% and 14% of the DL-PCB TEQWHO05 concentrations. No significant interracial or geographical trends were observed for NDL- and DL-PCB profiles. However, concentrations of all DL-PCBs appeared to be significantly higher for samples collected in Atyrau region. 2,3,7,8-TCDD level (mean 0.08±0.07 pg g(-1) fat, median 0.08 pg g(-1) fat, range 0.00-0.18 pg g(-1) fat, 60%>LOQs) were very low for all samples and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF was the major contributor (27%) to the PCDD/F TEQWHO05. Considering the total TEQWHO05 (sum of DL-PCBs and PCDD/Fs), DL-PCB and PCDD/F contributed for 73% and 27%, respectively. A decrease of only 1% of the total TEQ was observed when using the TEFWHO05 scale instead of the TEFWHO98 scale. Two samples collected in the region of Atyrau exceeded the EU maximum level value of 6.00 pg TEQWHO98 g(-1) fat (6.4 pg TEQWHO05 g(-1) fat and 6.9 pg TEQWHO05 g(-1) fat). Both samples exceeded the EU action level for the sum of DL-PCBs. Based on the fact that camel milk is used to prepare popular traditional fermented drinks like shubat, this suggests that the human exposure in the Caspian Sea region of Atyrau should be expected to be higher than in the other regions studied here.

Health risks from large-scale water pollution: trends in Central Asia

Limited data on the pollution status of spatially extensive water systems constrain health-risk assessments at basin-scales. Using a recipient measurement approach in a terminal water body, we show that agricultural and industrial pollutants in groundwater-surface water systems of the Aral Sea Drainage Basin (covering the main part of Central Asia) yield cumulative health hazards above guideline values in downstream surface waters, due to high concentrations of copper, arsenic, nitrite, and to certain extent dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Considering these high-impact contaminants, we furthermore perform trend analyses of their upstream spatial-temporal distribution, investigating dominant large-scale spreading mechanisms. The ratio between parent DDT and its degradation products showed that discharges into or depositions onto surface waters are likely to be recent or ongoing. In river water, copper concentrations peak during the spring season, after thawing and snow melt. High spatial variability of arsenic concentrations in river water could reflect its local presence in the top soil of nearby agricultural fields. Overall, groundwaters were associated with much higher health risks than surface waters. Health risks can therefore increase considerably, if the downstream population must switch to groundwater-based drinking water supplies during surface water shortage. Arid regions are generally vulnerable to this problem due to ongoing irrigation expansion and climate changes.

What have we learned? A review of the literature on children's health and the environment in the Aral Sea area

Objectives

To review the published literature examining the impacts of the Aral Sea disaster on children’s health.

Methods

A systematic review of the English language literature.

Results

The literature search uncovered 26 peer-reviewed articles and four major reports published between 1994 and 2008. Anemia, diarrheal diseases, and high body burdens of toxic contaminants were identified as being among the significant health problems for children. These problems are associated either directly with the environmental disaster or indirectly via the deterioration of the region’s economy and social and health care services. While links between persistent organic pollutant exposures and body burdens are clear, health impacts remain poorly understood. No clear evidence for the link between dust exposure and respiratory function was identified.

Conclusion

While important questions about the nature of the child health and environment relationships remain to be answered, the literature unequivocally illustrates the seriousness of the public health tragedy and provides sufficient evidence to justify immediate action. Regrettably, international awareness of the crisis continues to be poor, and the level of action addressing the situation is wholly inadequate.

Combining data sets of organochlorines (OCs) in human plasma for the Russian Arctic

As part of AMAP's human circumpolar study of POPs, an international effort was initiated to extend coverage to communities across the Russian Arctic. Two additional laboratories were invited to join the analytical component of this effort, resulting in four participating analytical centres. Although quality assurance measures were put in place, and the level of performance of the laboratories was generally acceptable, deficiencies in the analytical protocols used were recognized subsequent to the collection and analyses of the plasma specimens. The current paper describes the criteria employed to critically appraise the four data bases and guide their integration into a single data set. Summary statistics are presented for plasma concentrations of major PCBs, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, beta-HCH, and HCB for communities/regions across the arctic/subarctic Russian continent, and for one community located in the Aral Sea area of Uzbekistan (a control group). Highly exposed people were identified in the coastal communities of Chukotka, which appears mainly related to marine mammal intake, but recent pesticide use is also suspected. Other communities with intermediate levels of PCBs had relatively elevated beta-HCH, p,p'-DDT and HCB concentrations and low DDE/DDT ratios (<10), suggesting recent pesticide use.

Baden-Wuerttemberg Environmental Health Survey (BW-EHS) from 1996 to 2003: toxic metals in blood and urine of children

The environmental health surveillance system in the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (South Germany), among others, was implemented to monitor pollutant exposures and their temporal and regional trends in children at the age of about 10 years. The investigations were performed in two larger cities, one small city and one rural area. Between 1996 and 2003, in total 5470 children were investigated in consideration of environmental health parameters in four cross-sectional studies. The data presented here cover the results of the determination of the internal load with toxic metals. The median values observed in the investigation in 2002/03 were: 4.6 microg/l urine for arsenic, less than 0.2 microg/l urine for mercury, 20.7 microg/l blood for lead, and 0.25 microg/l blood for cadmium. From 1996 to 2003, mercury concentrations showed a substantial decrease (-0.027 microg/l/year) and lead levels also decreased (-0.25 microg/l/year), whereas arsenic and cadmium levels did not change significantly over time. There was no consistent difference in the mean internal load of the metals between the four investigation areas. Important factors influencing the measured concentrations were consumption of fish in the last 48 h, which had an impact on arsenic (factor 2), and amalgam fillings, which accounted for an increase in mercury (factor 4.6). In the 2002/03 study period, levels above the limit of health concern for children (German HBM values) were found in about 0.5% of the lead measurements (maximum value 180 microg/l blood) and in about 0.2% of the mercury measurements (maximum value 8.2 microg/l urine). In conclusion, this environmental health survey generates objective data on secular trends and regional differences and provides insight into probable sources of toxic metal exposure in children.

Part 2. Environmental Factors And Individual Features In System Of Evaluation Of Human Genome Instability. Additional Capability Of The Test The Technique For Cytogenetic Analysis

The publication is the 2-nd and the last part of the review analyzing modern trends of the researches in micronuclear test on human blood lymphocytes, cultivated with cytochalasin B. using data of literature and own results the opportunities of application of the test for study association between parameters of genome instability and genetic polymorphism, adaptive response to gamma-irradiation and emotional stress expression are considered. The analysis of additional capability of the test - frequencies of cells with nuclear buds and nucleoplasmic bridge are presents. Finally, results of the international researches on harmonization of the data of the test and guidelines for evaluation genotoxicity of chemical compounds in vitro are described.

Perspectives of micronuclear test in human lymphocytes cultivated in cytogenetic block conditions. Part 1: Cell proliferation

Cultivation of human blood lymphocytes under the conditions of cytokinetic block with cytochalasin B creates unique opportunity to analyze the total spectrum of the changes describing genome instability. The main task of the present publication is the analysis of a modern state, opportunities and outlooks of the micronuclear test on human blood lymphocytes. The special attention is given those directions of researches which are rather seldom present in the literature - to laws of cellular proliferation, to existence of physiological conditionality and genetic predisposition to development of effects of genome instability; to effects of emotional stress and the adaptive response to action of ionizing irradiation, etc. The material is presented in 2 consecutive publications. It is finished with discussion of methodical features of statement of culture, results of the microscopic analysis and ideology of creation of the conclusions of the study.