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Beauchemin S, Avramescu ML, Levesque C, Rasmussen PE. Carcinogenic metal(loid)s in house dust compared to soil: Concentrations and gastric bioaccessibility. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 255:119175. [PMID: 38768886 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
As a sink and a source of chemicals, house dust represents a relevant medium to assess indoor exposure to metal(loid)s via incidental ingestion or inhalation. However, nationally representative indoor data are scarce. Results from the Canadian House Dust Study (CHDS, 2007-2010; n = 1025) provide nationally representative mean, median and 95th percentile concentrations for 38 elements in typical urban house dust, along with their gastric bioaccessibility. Total concentrations (median/95th percentile) of carcinogenic metal(loid)s in Canadian house dust (μg g-1) are as follows: As (9.0/40), Be (0.4/0.9), Cd (3.5/17), Co (5.6/19), Cr (99/214), Ni (62/322) and Pb (100/760). Total As and Pb concentrations in house dust exceed residential soil guidelines for the protection of human health in about one-third of Canadian homes. Percent bioaccessibilities (median) are: Cd (65%) > Pb (63%) > Be ∼ Ni (36%) > Co (35%) > As (20%) > Cr (15%). Lead, Cd and Co concentrations are significantly greater in older houses (< 1976). Data from two pilot studies (n = 66 + 51) further demonstrate the distinct geochemistry of house dust compared to soils, notably enrichment of carcinogenic metal(loid)s and their increased bioaccessibility. These results provide essential baseline values to refine risk assessment and inform on health risk at contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Beauchemin
- Environmental Health Research Science Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0K9.
| | - Mary-Luyza Avramescu
- Environmental Health Research Science Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0K9
| | - Christine Levesque
- Environmental Health Research Science Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0K9
| | - Pat E Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Research Science Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0K9; Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5
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2
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Bellocci M, Defourny SVP, Melai V, Scortichini G, Salini R, Di Bernardo G, Lomellini L, Coccaro A, Damiano A, Merola C, Petrini A. Comparative analysis of rare earth elements concentrations in domestic dogs and Apennine wolves of Central Italy: Influence of biological, nutritional, and lifestyle factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170358. [PMID: 38272074 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are strategical elements playing a crucial role in the industry, especially in producing high-tech materials. Therefore, REEs are new contaminants of emerging concerns. However, due to the lack of exposure data on REE occurrence in environmental matrices, especially in European countries, it is still tricky to establish environmental background levels to assess the ecotoxicological risk related to REEs exposure. The present study aimed to evaluate the liver concentrations of REEs in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus) living in the Abruzzo region, Italy. Moreover, for the scope of the present study, the dog's group was divided according to their sex, age, lifestyle, and diet. Wolves were categorized concerning their sex and genetic characteristics. Liver samples from dogs and wolves were collected during diagnostic necropsies from carcasses, sample mineralization was performed by a microwave digestion system with a single reaction chamber, and simultaneous determination of the presence of REEs was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS) using standard mode for all rare earth elements except scandium (Sc) which was acquired in kinetic energy discrimination (KED) mode. Hepatic concentrations of REEs were statistically significantly higher in wolves compared to dogs. Moreover, significant differences in REEs concentrations arose also from the genetic type of wolf, since "pure wolves" had higher liver concentrations of REEs compared to wolf-dog hybrids. Female and adult dogs also showed elevated REEs compared to male and juvenile dogs, while no significant differences were demonstrated for dogs' diet and lifestyle. The results of the present study confirm the exposure of domestic and wild carnivores to REEs, showing also the ability of REEs to accumulate in carnivore livers, suggesting the potential role of this species as an alternative bioindicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Bellocci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Sabrina V P Defourny
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Valeria Melai
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giampiero Scortichini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Romolo Salini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Bernardo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Laura Lomellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Coccaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonella Damiano
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmine Merola
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Antonio Petrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Harris RA, Blondin-Brosseau M, Levesque C, Rasmussen PE, Beauchemin S, Austin JW. Viable Clostridium botulinum spores not detected in the household dust of major Canadian cities. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e154. [PMID: 37675600 PMCID: PMC10548537 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823001474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum causes infant botulism by colonising the intestines and producing botulinum neurotoxin in situ. Previous reports have linked infant botulism cases to C. botulinum spores in household dust, yet the baseline incidence of C. botulinum spores in residential households is currently unknown. Vacuum cleaner dust from 963 households in 13 major Canadian cities was tested for C. botulinum using a novel real-time PCR assay directed against all known subtypes of the botulinum neurotoxin gene. None of the samples tested positive for C. botulinum. Analysis of a random subset of samples by MALDI Biotyper revealed that the most common anaerobic bacterial isolates were of the genus Clostridium and the most common species recovered overall was Clostridium perfringens. Dust that was spiked with C. botulinum spores of each toxin type successfully produced positive real-time PCR reactions. These control experiments indicate that this is a viable method for the detection of C. botulinum spores in household dust. We make several recommendations for future work that may help discover a common environmental source of C. botulinum spores that could lead to effective preventative measures for this rare but deadly childhood disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christine Levesque
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Pat E. Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne Beauchemin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John W. Austin
- Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Rasmussen PE, Kubwabo C, Gardner HD, Levesque C, Beauchemin S. Relationships between House Characteristics and Exposures to Metal(loid)s and Synthetic Organic Contaminants Evaluated Using Settled Indoor Dust. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10329. [PMID: 36011971 PMCID: PMC9408639 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates associations between house characteristics and chemical contaminants in house dust, collected under the nationally representative Canadian House Dust Study (2007−2010). Vacuum samples (<80 µm fraction) were analysed for over 200 synthetic organic compounds and metal(loid)s. Spearman rank correlations between contaminant concentrations in dust and presence of children and pets, types of flooring, heating styles and other characteristics suggested a number of indoor sources, pointing to future research directions. Numerous synthetic organics were significantly associated with reported use of room deodorizers and with the presence of cats in the home. Hardwood flooring, which is a manufactured wood product, emerged as a source of metal(loid)s, phthalates, organophosphate flame retardants/plasticizers, and obsolete organochlorine pesticides such as ∑DDT (but not halogenated flame retardants). Many metal(loid)s were significantly correlated with flame-retardant compounds used in building materials and heating systems. Components of heating appliances and heat distribution systems appeared to contribute heat-resistant chemicals and alloys to settled dust. Carpets displayed a dual role as both a source and repository of dust-borne contaminants. Contaminant loadings (<80 µm fraction) were significantly elevated in heavily carpeted homes, particularly those located near industry. Depending on the chemical (and its source), the results show that increased dust mass loading may enrich or dilute chemical concentrations in dust. Research is needed to improve the characterisation of hidden indoor sources such as flame retardants used in building materials and heating systems, or undisclosed ingredients used in common household products, such as air fresheners and products used for companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat E. Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A7, Canada
| | - Cariton Kubwabo
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - H. David Gardner
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A7, Canada
| | - Christine Levesque
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Suzanne Beauchemin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECS Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
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Determination of Total Mercury and Carbon in a National Baseline Study of Urban House Dust. GEOSCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is one of the top ten chemicals of concern for public health, according to the World Health Organization. This study investigates Hg concentrations in house dust collected from urban single family homes, to better understand typical indoor residential exposures. Using direct solid sample analysis, total Hg and carbon (TC) were determined in the <80 µm fraction of settled dust samples collected under the Canadian House Dust Study. Hg concentrations displayed a log-normal distribution with median/geomean of 0.68/0.70 mg/kg (n = 995). A small subset (<1%) of homes exhibited anomalously high dust Hg concentrations (>9.0 mg/kg). A comparison of Hg concentrations in fresh dust and household vacuum dust collected from the same homes indicated no significant difference in the two sampling methods. Total carbon concentrations displayed a median/geomean of 29.3/28.5% (n = 1011). A significant correlation between total Hg and TC in house dust (p < 0.00001) reflects the association between Hg and organic carbon previously observed in soil and sediments. The results of this study indicate a 10-fold enrichment in house dust compared with the average background concentrations reported for soil and sediments (0.07 mg/kg). The observed enrichment is attributable to Hg emissions from indoor sources and/or Hg carried home from occupational sources.
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Rasmussen PE, Levesque C, Butler O, Chénier M, Gardner HD. Selection of metric for indoor-outdoor source apportionment of metals in PM 2.5 : mg/kg versus ng/m 3. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12924. [PMID: 34418165 PMCID: PMC9292266 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Trends in the elemental composition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) collected from indoor, outdoor, and personal microenvironments were investigated using two metrics: ng/m3 and mg/kg. Pearson correlations that were positive using one metric commonly disappeared or flipped to become negative when the other metric was applied to the same dataset. For example, the correlation between Mo and S in the outdoor microenvironment was positive using ng/m3 (p < 0.05) but negative using mg/kg (p < 0.05). In general, elemental concentrations (mg/kg) within PM2.5 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as PM2.5 concentrations (µg/m3 ) increased-a dilution effect that was observed in all microenvironments and seasons. An exception was S: in the outdoor microenvironment, the correlation between wt% S and PM2.5 flipped from negative in the winter (p < 0.01) to positive (p < 0.01) in the summer, whereas in the indoor microenvironment, this correlation was negative year-round (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses using mg/kg indicated that elemental associations may arise from Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide sorption processes that occur as particles age, with or without the presence of a common anthropogenic source. Application of mass-normalized concentration metrics (mg/kg or wt%), enabled by careful gravimetric analysis, revealed new evidence of the importance of indoor sources of elements in PM2.5 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat E. Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Science and Research BureauHealthy Environments and Consumer Safety BranchHealth CanadaOttawaONCanada
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Christine Levesque
- Environmental Health Science and Research BureauHealthy Environments and Consumer Safety BranchHealth CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | | | - Marc Chénier
- Environmental Health Science and Research BureauHealthy Environments and Consumer Safety BranchHealth CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | - H. David Gardner
- Environmental Health Science and Research BureauHealthy Environments and Consumer Safety BranchHealth CanadaOttawaONCanada
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
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7
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Jayawardene I, Paradis JF, Bélisle S, Poddalgoda D, Macey K. Multi-elemental determination of metals, metalloids and rare earth element concentrations in whole blood from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2009-2011. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021; 68:126830. [PMID: 34500310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of Government of Canada's Chemical Management Plan, substances containing aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), cerium (Ce), chromium (Cr), germanium (Ge), lanthanum (La), lithium (Li), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), tellurium (Te), titanium (Ti) and yttrium (Y) were identified as priorities for risk assessment. Generating exposure estimates from all routes of exposure from multiple sources using a traditional approach for these elements can be challenging. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) data would allow for direct and more precise assessment of the internal concentrations from all routes and all sources of exposure. There are no Canadian or North American population-level whole blood HBM data for the elements listed above. Therefore, this is the first biomonitoring project carried out to determine the concentrations of these elements from a nationally representative sample of Canadians. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to generate whole blood concentrations for Al, Bi, Ce, Cr, Ge, La, Li. Nd, Pr, Te, Ti and Y in the Canadian population using biobank samples from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) cycle 2 (2009-2011) for use in characterizing exposure in screening assessments and for establishing baseline concentrations to determine how exposures are changing over time. METHODS The sample analysis was conducted by ICP-MS. A rigorous quality control and quality assurance process was implemented in order to generate data with high accuracy and precision while measuring low concentrations and minimizing possible inadvertent contamination. RESULTS Of the elements analysed, the whole blood concentrations (μg/L) of Al, Ce, Cr, Ge, La, Nd, Pr, Te, Ti and Y in the Canadian population aged 3-79 years were below their respective method reporting limit (MRL). Two elements, Bi and Li were detected in 5 % and 66 % of the Canadian population. The median Li concentration was 0.47 μg/L. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide information on concentrations of these elements in the Canadian population which can be utilized to characterize exposure in screening assessments and there by the potential for harm to human health. In addition, this study provides baseline HBM data which can be used as a comparative HBM dataset for other populations with similar exposure patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-François Paradis
- Health Products Laboratory Longueuil, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, Longueuil, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bélisle
- Health Products Laboratory Longueuil, Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch, Health Canada, Longueuil, QC, Canada
| | - Devika Poddalgoda
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kristin Macey
- Existing Substances Risk Assessment Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Bourliva A, Aidona E, Papadopoulou L, Ferreira da Silva E, Patinha C. Levels, oral bioaccessibility and health risk of sand-bound potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in public playgrounds: Exploring magnetic properties as a pollution proxy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118122. [PMID: 34500396 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Children in urban environments are exposed to potential harmful elements (PHEs) through variable exposure media. Playing activities in outdoor playgrounds have been considered of high concern due to children's exposure to sand-bound PHEs through unintentional or intentional sand ingestion. Furthermore, the affinity of magnetic particles with dust-bound PHEs in playgrounds has been reported. In this study, playground sands (PG sands) from public playgrounds in the city of Thessaloniki, N. Greece were sampled and the levels, the contamination degree, oral bioaccessibility and exposure assessment of PHEs were evaluated. In addition, low-cost and fast magnetic measurements (i.e. mass specific magnetic susceptibility, χlf) were explored as potential pollution and health risk proxies. Mineralogically, siliceous PG sands dominated, while morphologically angular magnetic particles and Fe-rich "spherules" of anthropogenic origin were revealed and verified by enhanced χlf values. The average total elemental contents exhibited a descending order of Mn > Ba > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co > As > Sn > Bi > Cd, however only Cd, Bi, Pb, Cr, As and Zn were presented anthropogenically enhanced. Notable increase on PHEs levels and finer sand fractions were observed with continuous sand use. Anthropogenically derived elements (i.e. Cd and Pb with high Igeo values) exhibited higher bioaccessible fractions in PG sands and considered easily soluble in gastric fluids through ingestion. However, increased risks were found for specific PHEs (especially Pb) only in a worst case exposure scenario of an intentional sand ingestion (pica disorder). Statistical analysis results revealed a linkage of anthropogenic components with sand-bound magnetic particles. Moreover, the recorded high affinity of Pb contents (in an enhanced magnetized sub-set of PG sands) and bioaccessible Cd fractions with χlf provide a preliminary indication on the successful applicability of low-cost and fast magnetic measurements in high impacted playground environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bourliva
- Department of Geophysics, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece.
| | - E Aidona
- Department of Geophysics, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - L Papadopoulou
- Department of Mineralogy-Petrology-Economic Geology, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - E Ferreira da Silva
- GeoBioTec, Department of Geoscience, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - C Patinha
- GeoBioTec, Department of Geoscience, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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Kelepertzis E, Chrastný V, Botsou F, Sigala E, Kypritidou Z, Komárek M, Skordas K, Argyraki A. Tracing the sources of bioaccessible metal(loid)s in urban environments: A multidisciplinary approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144827. [PMID: 33529817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the links between sources of magnetic particles and bioaccessibility of metal(loids) in environmental sampling media is crucial for better evaluating human health risks, although relevant information in the scientific literature is scarce. Here, soil, road and house dust samples from a heavy industrial area in Greece were characterized in a multidisciplinary study combining magnetic measurements, SEM/EDS analyses, bioaccessibility measurements and Pb isotopic analyses of bioaccessible Pb. The oral and inhalable bioaccessible fractions of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were assessed by applying simulated gastric and lung solutions. SEM/EDS analysis revealed the abundant presence of anthropogenic Fe-containing spherules of industrial origin in all sampling media, often containing minor contents of Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn. The inhalation bioaccessibility (%) in all environmental compartments was higher than the oral one for most elements analyzed in the present study. Clear associations between magnetic susceptibility and bioaccessible amounts of most of analyzed elements were encountered for the soil and road dust. The isotopic analyses of bioaccessible Pb showed that there are significant differences in the isotopic ratios between total and bioaccessible Pb. We conclude that Pb solubilized by the simulated gastric and lung extractions is principally anthropogenic, representing a mixture of industrial Pb and Pb related to the past usage of leaded petrol. Low values of 206Pb/207Pb were accompanied by high bioaccessible contents of Cd, Pb and Zn indicating that anthropogenic (mostly industrial) sources exert influence on the bioaccessible forms of these metals. Coupling magnetic and bioaccessibility measurements with stable isotopic technique of bioaccessible Pb is more reliable for determining Pb and other metal sources with high oral and inhalation bioaccessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstratios Kelepertzis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece.
| | - Vladislav Chrastný
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Fotini Botsou
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Sigala
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Zacharenia Kypritidou
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Komárek
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Konstantinos Skordas
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
| | - Ariadne Argyraki
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
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10
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Gaberšek M, Gosar M. Towards a holistic approach to the geochemistry of solid inorganic particles in the urban environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:144214. [PMID: 33373784 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM) has a major impact on the biogeochemical cycles of chemical elements in the urban environment. Anthropogenic-derived PM emissions are the cause of some of the most severe environmental and health problems. The presented study aims to improve our knowledge of PM dynamics by introducing a multi-media, multi-analytical and multi-elemental holistic approach to geochemical studies of inorganic PM in the urban environment. The importance of the holistic approach is highlighted and its application in a case study of Maribor (Slovenia) is presented. The chemical composition and individual particulate characteristics of street, attic and household dust were determined and compared with the characteristics of airborne PM, and PM deposited in snow, together with the chemical composition of the soil. We found that the mineralogical and chemical composition and the individual solid particle characteristics of the studied media differ considerably. Nevertheless, minerals of geogenic origin are present in all media. The highest levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in all media, except household dust, are typical for industrial areas. Street dust primarily reflects the influence of winter road maintenance and industrial activities, while characteristics of household dust are predominantly influenced by indoor activities and properties of dwellings. The comparison of the chemical composition of attic and street dust indicates that emissions of As, Cd, Pb, S and Zn were higher in the past. The characterisation of airborne PM and PM deposited in snow is essential for the identification of the most recent sources of PTE-bearing particles. Several industrial sources and the fate of some particle types in the environment have been determined based on the findings of the SEM/EDS analyses. This study confirms that various environmental media are carriers of diverse geochemical information and highlights the importance of a holistic approach in geochemistry of PM in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gaberšek
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Mateja Gosar
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Glorennec P, Shendell DG, Rasmussen PE, Waeber R, Egeghy P, Azuma K, Pelfrêne A, Le Bot B, Esteve W, Perouel G, Joly VP, Noack Y, Delannoy M, Keirsbulck M, Mandin C. Toward setting public health guidelines for chemicals in indoor settled dust? INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:112-115. [PMID: 33043543 PMCID: PMC8972142 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12722] [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: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Indoor settled dust may result in substantial human exposure to chemicals, especially by ingestion following hand-to-mouth or hand-to-object-to-mouth contact. As with other environmental media related to exposure, dust may thus be subject to regulation. An international scientific workshop was convened in Paris in September 2019 firstly to assess the relevance for public health of setting guidelines for indoor settled dust, and secondly to discuss scientific and technical challenges related to such guidelines. The main discussions and conclusions, with consensus achieved, are reported herein. Discussions concerned general considerations, objectives and definitions, relevance for a health-based guideline, units of measure, and finally derivation of the guideline. These points should be addressed when considering an indoor settled dust guideline as part of a policy to reduce exposure indoors to a given chemical or group of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Glorennec
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), Rennes, France
| | - Derek G. Shendell
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- New Jersey Safe Schools Program, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Pat E. Rasmussen
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Waeber
- Consumer Protection Directorate, Federal Office of Public Health, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Egeghy
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kenichi Azuma
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Behavioral Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osakasayama, Japan
| | - Aurélie Pelfrêne
- ULR 4515, Laboratoire Génie Civil et géo-Environnement (LGCgE), Yncréa Hauts-de-France, Lille, France
| | - Barbara Le Bot
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), Rennes, France
| | - Williams Esteve
- Département Métrologie des Polluants, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Guillaume Perouel
- Agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (Anses), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Valérie Pernelet Joly
- Agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (Anses), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Yves Noack
- CNRS, IRD, INRAe, Collège de France, CEREGE, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | - Marion Keirsbulck
- Agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (Anses), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Corinne Mandin
- Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB), Health and Comfort Department, French Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI), University of Paris-Est, Paris, France
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Zhou H, Chun X, Lü C, He J, Du D. Geochemical characteristics of rare earth elements in windowsill dust in Baotou, China: influence of the smelting industry on levels and composition. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:2398-2405. [PMID: 33237075 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00273a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Smelting is one of the main sources of rare earth elements (REEs) in large scale smelting regions that have been neglected before. To provide experimental evidence on the influence of smelting processes on REEs in windowsill dust, this study investigated the concentration, chemical fractions, and spatial distribution of 14 REEs in windowsill dust and assessed the possible influence of smelting processes on the geochemical behavior of these REEs. A total of 46 windowsill dust samples were collected from different locations in Baotou, a typical industrial city for large-scale smelting. The fractions of REEs were analyzed by Tessier sequential extraction analysis. The enrichment factor (EF) was adopted to assess the contribution of anthropogenic emissions of REEs. The loess-normalized REE patterns of windowsill dust are similar to those of the iron ore of the Bayan Obo mine, but differ from those of the local soil. The concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and ∑REEs in the residual fraction and total digestion decrease gradually with the increase in distance from the smelter in the downwind direction. These results suggested that the accumulation and fractionation of REEs in windowsill dust are considerably influenced by smelting. The emission of smelting is the main source of REEs for windowsill dust in Baotou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Zhou
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Mongolian Plateau Environment and Global Change, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China and Inner Mongolia Repair Engineering Laboratory of Wetland Eco-environment System, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China and College of Geographical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China
| | - Xi Chun
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Mongolian Plateau Environment and Global Change, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China and Inner Mongolia Repair Engineering Laboratory of Wetland Eco-environment System, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China and College of Geographical Sciences, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China
| | - Changwei Lü
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Jiang He
- School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Dagula Du
- Environmental Monitoring Center of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot 010011, China
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13
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Nielsen CC, Gascon M, Osornio-Vargas AR, Shier C, Guttman DS, Becker AB, Azad MB, Sears MR, Lefebvre DL, Moraes TJ, Turvey SE, Subbarao P, Takaro TK, Brook JR, Scott JA, Mandhane PJ, Tun HM, Kozyrskyj AL. Natural environments in the urban context and gut microbiota in infants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 142:105881. [PMID: 32610248 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The biodiversity hypothesis that contact with natural environments (e.g. native vegetation) and biodiversity, through the influence of environmental microbes, may be beneficial for human commensal microbiota has been insufficiently tested. We aimed to study the association between living near natural environments in the urban context, and gut microbiota diversity and composition in young infants. Based on data linkage between the unique Urban Primary Land and Vegetation Inventory (uPLVI) for the city of Edmonton and 355 infants in the CHILD Cohort Study, infant exposure to natural environments (any and specific types, yes/no) was determined within 500 m and 1000 m of their home residence. Gut microbiota composition and diversity at age 4 months was assessed in infant fecal samples. Adjusted for covariates, we observed a reduced odds of high microbial alpha-diversity in the gut of infants exposed to any natural environment within 500 m [Shannon index aOR (95%CI) = 0.63 (0.40, 0.98) and Simpson index = 0.63 (0.41, 0.98)]. In stratified analyses, these associations remained only among infants not breastfed or living with household pets. When doubly stratifying by these variables, the reduced likelihood of high alpha-diversity was present only among infants who were not breastfed and lived with household pets [9% of the study population, Shannon index = 0.07 (0.01, 0.49) and Simpson index = 0.11 (0.02, 0.66)]. Differences in beta-diversity was also seen (p = 0.04) with proximity to a nature space in not breastfed and pets-exposed infants. No associations were observed among infants who were fully formula-fed but without pets at home. When families and their pets had close access to a natural environment, Verrucomicrobiales colonization was reduced in the gut microbiota of formula-fed infants, the abundance of Clostridiales was depleted, whereas the abundance of Enterobacteriales was enriched. Our double-stratified results indicate that proximity to a natural environment plus pet ownership has the capacity to alter the gut microbiota of formula-fed infants. Further research is needed to replicate and better interpret these results, as well as to understand their health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene C Nielsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; inVIVO Planetary Health, Canada
| | - Mireia Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Alvaro R Osornio-Vargas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; inVIVO Planetary Health, Canada
| | - Catherine Shier
- Urban Form and Corporate Strategic Development, City Planning, City of Edmonton, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David S Guttman
- Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Allan B Becker
- Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Meghan B Azad
- Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Malcolm R Sears
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Diana L Lefebvre
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- Department of Pediatrics, Child & Family Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Padmaja Subbarao
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tim K Takaro
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Brook
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James A Scott
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Piush J Mandhane
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Hein M Tun
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; inVIVO Planetary Health, Canada.
| | - Anita L Kozyrskyj
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, AB, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, AB, Canada; inVIVO Planetary Health, Canada.
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14
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Kastury F, Ritch S, Rasmussen PE, Juhasz AL. Influence of household smoking habits on inhalation bioaccessibility of trace elements and light rare earth elements in Canadian house dust. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114132. [PMID: 32179218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, total concentration and inhalation bioaccessibility (dissolution in simulated biological solution) of trace elements (TE) and rare earth elements (REE) were assessed in PM10 from Canadian house dust samples with smoking (n = 25) and non-smoking (n = 25) status. Compared to the natural background concentrations in Canadian soils, median Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations in PM10 were 10-23 fold higher, while median La, Ce and Pr concentrations were 1.6-2.4 fold higher. Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05) indicated no difference between the median TE concentrations based on the smoking status of the household; however, median REE concentrations were significantly higher in the PM10 of smoking households. Additionally, Cd and Ni were positively correlated (Spearman r, p < 0.05) to La, Ce and Nd in smoking households, suggesting that tobacco combustion may have contributed REE in the PM10 of these households. Median inhalation-ingestion bioaccessibility assay outcomes of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) was higher in the non-smoking households when compared to smoking households (Mann Whitney test, α = 0.05), suggesting that tobacco combustion products may be associated with less soluble species of As and Pb. Although REE bioaccessibility was negligible in simulated lung epithelial fluid regardless of the smoking status of the household, bioaccessibility in the lung-gastric phase was 23.6-27.6% in the smoking household and 34.7-36.7% in the non-smoking households, indicating a significantly lower REE dissolution in PM10 of smoking households. In contrast, between 17 and 21.9% bioaccessibility of REE was observed when artificial lysosomal fluid was used, where the outcome was not significantly affected by the smoking status. This study indicates that despite a higher median REE concentration in the PM10 of smoking households, inhalation bioaccessibility may be significantly influenced by the mineralogy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Kastury
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, SA, 5095, Australia.
| | - Susie Ritch
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, SA, 5095, Australia
| | - Pat E Rasmussen
- Exposure and Biomonitoring Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, HECSB, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Albert L Juhasz
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, SA, 5095, Australia
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