Chromium exposure and germinal embryonal carcinoma: first two cases and review of the literature

Regulations for chromium emissions to the aquatic environment in Europe and elsewhere

Chromium is a controversial element, since it has been classified as essential trace element, to chemically and biologically inert compound, to potent intoxicator. Concerns have been risen for chromium effects on human and aquatic life because chromium has been accused for genotoxicity and carcinogenesis. Metals and their ions or complexes (and thus chromium substances) are included in the indicative list of main pollutants (Annex VIII of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)). Biological effects of chromium are strongly depended on chromium speciation. No universal Cr^III or Cr^VI discharge limits to the aquatic environment have been suggested by the EU. International bodies within the EU, such as the Helsinki Commission and the Oslo-Paris Convention, have issued recommendations on chromium discharge levels. National Cr^VI and Cr^III discharge limits vary in each EU Member State with respect to the receiving water body (marine water, lake, river, sewer system). The maximum discharge limit to the aquatic environment in EU is 1 and 5 mg L^-1 for Cr^VI and Cr^total, respectively. The present work summarizes EU legislation, with respect to the discharge limits to the aquatic environment for Cr^VI and Cr^III. EU national limits that are currently effective are presented and compared to the limits in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Asia, USA, Latin America and South Africa. It is wise that future perspective of chromium policy should differentiate between Cr^III and Cr^VI discharge limits to the aquatic environment, as analytical techniques become more sensitive and chromium speciation specific, and environmental awareness rises.

Rapid Cr(VI) reduction and immobilization in contaminated soil by mechanochemical treatment with calcium polysulfide

Mechanochemical treatment with calcium polysulfide (CPS) was applied to remediate the Cr(VI) contaminated soil. The effects of parameters including milling speed, milling time, ball to powder ratio (BPR) and dosage of CPS were investigated. The effectiveness of mechanical treatment with or without CPS is estimated by analyzing the leachable fraction of Cr(VI). The results show that mechanochemical treatment with CPS can decrease and immobilize Cr in soil more quickly and efficiently with comparison to the case without additive. Under a milling speed of 500 rpm, milling time of 2 h, BPR of 9 and CPS dosage of 3%, the Cr(VI) leaching concentration significantly decreased from 115 mg L^-1 to 0.51 mg L^-1, much lower than the regulatory limit of 5 mg L^-1. Additionally, XPS results demonstrated that Cr(VI) can be converted into Cr(III) during ball milling with CPS. The high Cr(VI) removal and Cr immobilization capacity makes mechanochemical treatment a great potential in field remediation.

The crosstalk between trace elements with DNA damage response, repair, and oxidative stress in cancer

DNA damage response (DDR) is a regulatory system responsible for maintaining genome integrity and stability, which can sense and transduce DNA damage signals. The severity of damage appears to determine DDRs, which can include damage repair, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Furthermore, defective components in DNA damage and repair machinery are an underlying cause for the development and progression of various types of cancers. Increasing evidence indicates that there is an association between trace elements and DDR/repair mechanisms. In fact, trace elements seem to affect mediators of DDR. Besides, it has been revealed that oxidative stress (OS) and trace elements are associated with cancer development. In this review, we discuss the role of some critical trace elements in the risk of cancer. In addition, we provide a brief introduction on DDR and OS in cancer. Finally, we will further review the interactions between some important trace elements including selenium, zinc, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic, and DDR, and OS in cancer.

Application of linear mixed-effects model with LASSO to identify metal components associated with cardiac autonomic responses among welders: a repeated measures study

Background

Environmental and occupational exposure to metals is ubiquitous worldwide, and understanding the hazardous metal components in this complex mixture is essential for environmental and occupational regulations.

Objective

To identify hazardous components from metal mixtures that are associated with alterations in cardiac autonomic responses.

Methods

Urinary concentrations of 16 types of metals were examined and ‘acceleration capacity’ (AC) and ‘deceleration capacity’ (DC), indicators of cardiac autonomic effects, were quantified from ECG recordings among 54 welders. We fitted linear mixed-effects models with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to identify metal components that are associated with AC and DC. The Bayesian Information Criterion was used as the criterion for model selection procedures.

Results

Mercury and chromium were selected for DC analysis, whereas mercury, chromium and manganese were selected for AC analysis through the LASSO approach. When we fitted the linear mixed-effects models with ‘selected’ metal components only, the effect of mercury remained significant. Every 1 µg/L increase in urinary mercury was associated with −0.58 ms (−1.03, –0.13) changes in DC and 0.67 ms (0.25, 1.10) changes in AC.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that exposure to several metals is associated with impaired cardiac autonomic functions. Our findings should be replicated in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects in Exfoliated Buccal and Nasal Cells of Chromium and Cobalt Exposed Electroplaters

Results of a number of studies indicate that electroplaters have increased cancer risks as a consequence of exposure to genotoxic metals such as chromium (VI) and nickel. These effects may be due to induction of damage of the genetic material which plays a key role in the etiology of cancer, and it was found that workers in galvanization factories exhibited increased levels of DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate genetic stability in workers of a bright plating factory who are exposed to chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co). Exfoliated cells were collected from the buccal and nasal mucosa of workers (n = 42) and matched controls (n = 43) and analyzed for induction of micronuclei (MN) which are formed as a consequence of chromosomal aberrations. In addition, other nuclear anomalies namely nuclear buds (Nbuds) which are formed as a consequence of gene amplification and markers indicating different stages of cell death (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, and pyknosis) were also assessed. No evidence was noted for induction of MN, but significantly increased rates of Nbuds in cells from both, buccal and nasal mucosa, were found. Parameters which are indicative for cytotoxic effects were more pronounced in nasal cells and rose with duration of employment period. Overall, our findings indicated that no apparent chromosomal damage occurred in bright electroplaters. However, data demonstrated that acute cytotoxic effects may lead to inflammations and/or lesions in epithelia of the respiratory tract of the workers.

Developmental and interactive effects of arsenic and chromium to developing Ambystoma maculatum embryos: Toxicity, teratogenicity, and whole-body concentrations

Anthropogenic activity has contributed to elevated environmental concentrations of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr). The spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, may be useful for identifying developmental effects produced by exposure to these contaminants as adults breed and larvae develop in water that may contain As or Cr. Three sample sets among 700 developing larvae were exposed to a range of As, Cr, or 2.5:1 mixture of As:Cr concentrations, respectively. From these 700 larvae, samples containing approximately 24 larvae showed different patterns of whole-body As and Cr from individual and mixture exposure. Whole-body As concentrations were 20.27 and 45.4 µg/g dry weight for larvae exposed to 20 mg/L As and 25:10 mg/L As:Cr, respectively, while whole-body Cr concentrations were 24.8 and 22 µg/g dry weight for larvae exposed to 20 mg/L Cr and 25:10 As:Cr, respectively. Observed malformations included edema, tail kinking, facial deformities, and abnormal bending. Twelve-day lethal concentrations for As and Cr in Ambystoma maculatum larvae were 261.17 mg/L and 71.93 mg/L, respectively, while 12-d effective concentrations to induce malformations were 158.82 and 26.05 mg/L, giving teratogenic indices of 1.64 and 2.76 for individual metal exposure. Exposure to a mixture of As and Cr resulted in a response addition and yielded lower lethal and effective concentration values with a teratogenic index of 2.78, indicating that these contaminants are developmentally toxic at lower concentrations when exposed as a mixture. Data demonstrate that As and Cr affect development of amphibian larvae, and that Ambystoma maculatum may be a useful indicator of environmental toxicity for these metals.

Toxicology of metals and metalloids: Promising issues for future studies in environmental health and toxicology

The function and behavior of chemical elements in ecosystems and in human health probably comprise one of the most studied issues and a theme of great interest and fascination in science. Hot topics are emerging on an annual basis in this field. Bearing this in mind, some promising themes to explore in the field of metals and metalloids in the environment and in toxicology are highlighted and briefly discussed herein.

Assessment of selected metals in the ambient air PM10 in urban sites of Bangkok (Thailand)

Estimating the atmospheric concentrations of PM10-bounded selected metals in urban air is crucial for evaluating adverse health impacts. In the current study, a combination of measurements and multivariate statistical tools was used to investigate the influence of anthropogenic activities on variations in the contents of 18 metals (i.e., Al, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, Ba, La, Ce and Pb) in ambient air. The concentrations of PM10-bounded metals were measured simultaneously at eight air quality observatory sites during a half-year period at heavily trafficked roads and in urban residential zones in Bangkok, Thailand. Although the daily average concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn and Fe were almost equivalent to those of other urban cities around the world, the contents of the majority of the selected metals were much lower than the existing ambient air quality guidelines and standard limit values. The sequence of average values of selected metals followed the order of Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Mn > Ba > V > Sb > Ni > As > Cr > Cd > Se > Ce > La > Co > Sc. The probability distribution function (PDF) plots showed sharp symmetrical bell-shaped curves in V and Cr, indicating that crustal emissions are the predominant sources of these two elements in PM10. The comparatively low coefficients of divergence (COD) that were found in the majority of samples highlight that site-specific effects are of minor importance. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 37.74, 13.51 and 11.32 % of the total variances represent crustal emissions, vehicular exhausts and the wear and tear of brakes and tires, respectively.

Biomonitoring of the environmental genotoxic potential of emissions from a complex of ceramic industries in Monte Carmelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, using Tradescantia pallida

The micronucleus (MN) test and analysis of heavy metal biological accumulation in Tradescantia pallida (T. pallida) were bioassays used to assess the genotoxic potential of emissions from a complex of ceramic industries into the atmosphere in a city in Brazil that is considered a national reference source for roof tile production. The ceramic industry emission-exposed T. pallida plants were biomonitored during the dry season, in June, July, and August 2013. In addition to the contaminated monitoring site, a reference site in a peri-urban area was utilized, for comparative purposes. Genotoxicity assessments were determined monthly, while heavy metal bioaccumulation was measured at the end of the total exposure period. The MN frequency was significantly greater in T. pallida plants exposed in the ceramic industry emission monitored area compared to the reference site, and highest MN rates were observed in July and August. With respect to heavy metal bioaccumulation in T. pallida leaves, cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) concentrations were significantly higher in plants at the ceramic industry emission monitoring site. Thus, in relation to the parameters assessed, T. pallida was found to be sensitive to atmospheric contamination by heavy metals attributed to ceramic products emissions generated by the ceramic industry, confirming that this plant species may be employed as a reference organism in biomonitoring studies.

Systematic Review of Chromium and Nickel Exposure During Pregnancy and Impact on Child Outcomes

Some forms of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) are toxic, especially with chronic elevated exposure, and certain forms such as hexavalent chromium or nickel carbonyl were labeled as carcinogens. Since both metals are naturally occurring, and used in industrial processes, individuals may be exposed through ingestion of contaminated food or water, inhalation, or dermal contact. This study focused on the impact of toxic forms of Cr and Ni during pregnancy and outcomes in newborn and young children. A systematic literature review following "The Navigation Guide" was applied, and 16 reports that satisfied the inclusion criteria were scored. Six papers studied birth weight, prematurity, or gestational age: one found an association between Ni and small for gestational age, while another linked Ni with low birth weight; however, four reported no marked associations. Of six studies that examined birth defects, three found no significant associations; one noted an association between Ni and neural tube defects; one showed an association between Ni and structural birth defects; and one reported a weak effect for Cr exposure and musculoskeletal defects. In the remaining four studies, weak associations were found for hexavalent Cr and neuroblastoma, Ni and autism spectrum disorder, Cr and Ni and DNA damage, and Cr and lymphocyte damage. Among the studies that were rated as good for execution and reliability, there was weak evidence of an association between Ni and autism spectrum disorder and small for gestational age, but no significant association between Cr and a child outcome.

Exploring the potential interference of estuarine sediment contaminants with the DNA repair capacity of human hepatoma cells

Estuaries may be reservoirs of a wide variety of pollutants, including mutagenic and carcinogenic substances that may impact on the ecosystem and human health. A previous study showed that exposure of human hepatoma (HepG2) cells to extracts from sediment samples collected in two areas (urban/industrial and riverine/agricultural) of an impacted estuary (Sado, Portugal), produced differential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Those effects were found to be consistent with levels and nature of sediment contamination. The present study aimed at evaluating whether the mixtures of contaminants contained in those extracts were able to modulate DNA repair capacity of HepG2 cells. The residual level of DNA damage was measured by the comet assay in cells exposed for 24 or 48 h to different extracts, after a short preexposure to a challenging concentration range of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), as a model alkylating agent. The results suggested that the mixture of contaminants present in the tested samples, besides a potential direct effect on the DNA molecule, may also interfere with DNA repair mechanisms in HepG2 cells, thus impairing their ability to deal with genotoxic stress and, possibly, facilitating accumulation of mutations. Humans are environmentally/occupationally exposed to mixtures rather than to single chemicals. Thus, the observation that estuarine contaminants induce direct and indirect DNA strand breakage in human cells, the latter through the impairment of DNA repair, raises additional concerns regarding potential hazards from exposure and the need to further explore these endpoints in the context of environmental risk assessment.