Metal Exposure in Arica, Chile: Examining Toxic Elements / Análisis de exposición a metales en Arica, Chile: niveles de elementos tóxicos

BACKGROUND: Bioaccumulation of toxic metals in the population is associated with adverse health effects. Although some elements are essential for humans, high levels of exposure can be dangerous. OBJECTIVE: To describe the levels of Inorganic Arsenic (AsIn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), and Mercury (Hg) in urine, and Lead (Pb) in blood in the population of Arica, Chile. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive study. Beneficiaries of the Health Surveillance Program of Law 20.590 in sites of higher risk of exposure in the commune of Arica were considered eligible. The results of biological samples to measure their concentrations of AsIn, Cd, Cr, Hg in urine, and Pb in blood between August 2016 and May 2021 are described. RESULTS: 9520 samples from a population with a mean age of 40.5 years were studied. 4.21% of the adult population and 6.57% of the children had AsIn values above 35 μg/L, while at least 95 % of the total samples had levels below 33 μg/L. At least 90 % of the samples had Cd levels below 1.1 μg/L, and 8.44 % had Cd levels above 2 μg/L, higher in males (11.67%). There were no values above the reference in children. 99.77% and 99.33% had Cr and Pb values below the reference limit, respectively (using the lowest reference range established by Chile Ministry of Health (MINSAL) < 5 μg/L). Children did not present risk values for Cr, and 0.16% presented Pb concentrations between 5-10 μg/dL. All samples presented Hg concentrations below risk levels (< 10 μg/L). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a small percentage of the samples analyzed in the beneficiary population of Arica register metal concentration levels above national reference levels established by MINSAL, mainly AsIn, Cd, and Pb. It is essential to continue biomonitoring to reduce and prevent exposure to these metals, which can have harmful effects on human health.

ANTECEDENTES: La bioacumulación de metales en la población está asociada a efectos adversos y pueden ser peligrosos. OBJETIVO: Describir los niveles de Arsénico Inorgánico (AsIn), Cadmio (Cd), Cromo (Cr), Mercurio (Hg) y Plomo (Pb) en la población de Arica, Chile. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo. Se incluyeron todas las personas beneficiarias del Programa de Vigilancia de Salud de la Ley 20.590 en sitios de riesgo de mayor exposición en la comuna de Arica entre agosto 2016 y mayo 2021. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 9.520 muestras provenientes de una población con una edad media de 40.5 años. 4.21% de la población adulta y el 6.57% de los niños presentaron valores de AsIn superiores a 35 μg/L y al menos el 95% de las muestras totales tenía niveles inferiores a 33 μg/L. Más del 90 % de las muestras tuvieron niveles de Cd menores a 1.1 μg/L y un 8.44% registró niveles de Cd superiores 2 μg/L. El 99.77% y 99.33% exhibieron valores normales de Cr y Pb, respectivamente. Todas las muestras presentaron concentraciones de Hg por debajo de los niveles de riesgo (< 10 μg/L). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados sugieren que un porcentaje pequeño de la población de Arica registra niveles de concentración de metales por sobre niveles de referencia nacional establecidos por el Ministerio de Salud de Chile, principalmente de AsIn, Cd y Pb. Es importante continuar con la vigilancia para reducir y prevenir la exposición a estos metales, que pueden generar efectos nocivos en la salud humana.

Associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure in residents of Asian countries

BACKGROUND@#Previous studies have suggested that exposures to heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium) may be associated with differences in blood pressure. However, the findings of these studies have been inconsistent. This study was performed to examine the associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure among residents of four Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam).@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study examined 1899 adults in four Asian countries. Urinary concentrations of heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A questionnaire survey was administered regarding individual characteristics. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were performed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured after a short rest. Multiple linear regression models were applied to investigate associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index.@*RESULTS@#The geometric means of the urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium were 84.6, 0.885, 2.09, and 16.5 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The urinary arsenic concentrations were slightly higher than those typically reported in non-polluted populations, while urinary cadmium, lead, and selenium concentrations were equivalent or slightly lower. The urinary lead concentrations were positively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but urinary selenium concentrations were negatively associated with them.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Variations in the urinary concentrations of lead and selenium were associated with blood pressure at low levels of exposure/intake.

Níveis de cádmio em sangue e urina dos habitantes do entorno de uma reserva ecológica no Pantanal Mato-grossense / Levels of cadmium in blood and urine of inhabitants in the vicinity of an ecological reserve in the Pantanal

A poluição ambiental e seus potenciais efeitos sobre os diversos organismos e ecossistemas se apresentam como grandes temas da saúde pública na atualidade, incluindo-se nessa discussão os níveis de exposição aos xenobióticos. Os metais se encontram entre os principais poluentes ambientais, cuja relevância se baseia em características peculiares tais como persistência no ambiente, alto potencial tóxico e propriedade de bioacumulação. O cádmio é um dos metais com maior potencial de causar impacto ao ambiente e a saúde humana. Este metal ganha importância não somente por sua ocorrência natural, mas também por sua utilização em vários ramos produtivos, sua capacidade de contaminação do meio ambiente e por seus possíveis efeitos sobre os organismos vivos. Os objetivos desse estudo foram: determinar a concentração de cádmio no sangue (Cd-S) e cádmio na urina (Cd-U) da população estudada; comparar os níveis de cádmio no sangue e na urina com valores de referência apresentados na literatura; verificar a existência de correlação entre os níveis de cádmio no sangue e na urina; relacionar a concentração do metal com variáveis sócio-econômicas, caracterizando possíveis fatores de risco. O estudo ocorreu no entorno da Estância Ecológica SESC Pantanal, no município de Poconé. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da aplicação de um questionário padronizado fundamentado para o conhecimento das variáveis sócio-economicas e fatores de risco para a exposição ao metal. Coletou-se o sangue total e urina da população cujo universo amostral foi de cento e vinte e um sujeitos. A metodologia para a determinação do cádmio nos fluidos biológicos foi a espectrometria de absoro atômica eletrotérmica, enquanto que o programa estatístico SPSS foi utilizado para a análise dos dados.

Environmental pollution and its potential effects on various organisms and ecosystems are presented as major public health issues today, including discussion about exposure levels to xenobiotics. Metals are among the major environmental pollutants. These chemicals have relevance depending on the existence of features such as persistence in the environment, property and high toxic potential for bioaccumulation. Cadmium has a great potential to impact the environment and human health. This metal becomes important not only for its natural occurrence, but also for its use in various production areas. Cadmium can cause environmental contamination and effects on living organisms. The objectives of this study was: to determine the concentration of cadmium in blood (Cd-S) and cadmium in urine (Cd-U) of the study population to compare the levels of cadmium in blood and urine to the values given in literature: check the correlation between the levels of cadmium inblood and urine; correlate metal concentration with socio-economic variables, characterizing the possible risk factors. The study took place in the vicinity of the SESC Pantanal Resort, in the municipality of Poconé. Data collection was performedby applying a standardized questionnaire based to knowledge of the socio-economic variables and risk factors for exposure to the metal. Whole blood and urine samples were collected from one hundred and twenty-one subjects. The methodology for the determination of cadmium in biological fluids was the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows. The cadmium mean was 0.57 +- 0.21 ¦Ìg L-1 for total blood and 0.45 +- 0.32 ¦Ìg L-1 for urine. The Cd-S showed no significant variance compared to the benchmark used for comparison (0.6 ¦Ìg L-1), however,...

Cadmium-exposed population in Mae Sot District, Tak Province: 1. Prevalence of high urinary cadmium levels in the adults.

BACKGROUND: In Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand, the paddy fields receiving irrigation from the two creeks and crops grown in the areas were found to contain markedly elevated cadmium levels during the surveys in 2001-2004. OBJECTIVE: The present report carried out a survey in 2004 to determine urinary cadmium, a good index of excessive cadmium exposure and body burden, among the exposed residents aged 15 years and older in these contaminated areas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Morning urine samples were collected from the subjects and then kept frozen until cadmium analysis. Urinary cadmium was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry and urinary creatinine was determined using a method of reaction with picric acid at alkaline pH and colorimetry. RESULTS: Of the 7,697 persons surveyed, only 45.6% had urinary cadmium levels < 2 microg/g creatinine. About 4.9% were between 5 and 10 microg/g creatinine and 2.3% had cadmium concentrations > 10. The urinary cadmium level was greater among women than men and increased with increasing age. Smokers were more likely to have high urinary cadmium than non-smokers. Persons who mainly consumed rice grown locally in the contaminated areas had higher urinary cadmium than those who did not. CONCLUSION: Persons who had high urinary cadmium levels and might have cadmium-induced toxic effects should be screened for early detection of chronic cadmium toxicity. Smoking cessation programs should be one component of preventive action beneficial for the study population. The production of rice and other crops for human consumption should be prohibited to prevent further accumulation of cadmium in the body of the exposed population.

Can dietary intervention reduce heavy metals load and improve neurobehavioral problems in children?

Heavy metal exposure is a threatening health hazard especially among children. It is reported to affect physical and neurobehavioral health status. Cairo is reported to have high levels of heavy metal pollution specially lead and cadmium. Foods, mainly proteins, milk, vegetables and fruits with its high content of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins C, A and B complex are reported to have a protective role against heavy metal absorption and intoxication. Children with inadequate intake of these food items are at higher risk for heavy metals load with its associated health hazards. Egyptian children specially those from lower social and economical levels were reported to receive unbalanced inadequate diet resulting in several nutritional deficiencies including iron, zinc, vitamin A, C, B complex and calcium deficiencies. Is to test the hypothesis that dietary intervention supplying diet rich in protein, milk, vegetables and fruits to children with unhealthy nutritional habits can reduce the heavy metal load in their body and hence improve the associated neurobehavioral problems. 30 children [18 boys and 12 girls] were selected from the obesity clinic, NRC, age range was 11-14 years. They all reported to receive unbalanced diet that consists mainly of fats, sugars and carbohydrates. Full clinical examination, 24-hour dietary recall, BMI, neurobehavioral assessment and urine analysis for determination of lead, cadmium and aluminum levels using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer, were performed for all children, at the beginning and 2 months after following a healthy diet rich in protein, milk, fresh vegetables and fruits. Mean urine levels for lead, cadmium and aluminum levels were, 47.2 +/- 6.5, 12.8 +/- 1.4, 9.8 +/- 1.5 microgram/liter respectively at the beginning of the study. After 2 months of changing the diet the levels were 38 +/- 6.9, 9.4 +/- 1.2 and 9.6 +/- 1.6 microgram/Liter. p value was significant at [0.001] level for lead and cadmium, but non significant for aluminum. Our recorded levels are considered higher than recorded reference values. As for the neurobehavioral variables mean scores for aggression, mood, lethargy and concentration were 12.8 +/- 2.1, 8,3 +/- 1.2, 13.5 +/- 1.6 and 7.7 +/- 1.2 before the diet change. While after 2 months of diet change the scores were 10.1 +/- 1.19, 11.6 +/- 1.3, 9.4 +/- 1.7 and 12.6 +/- 1.4. Significant changes were recorded [p<0.001] for all neurobehavioral variables. Significant correlation was found between lead level, and aggression, mood and concentration scores, between cadmium level, and lethargy and concentration, and between aluminum levels, and concentration scores. Changing the dietary pattern to be rich in milk, protein, fresh vegetables and fruits helps to reduce heavy metals burden and improve neurobehavioral symptoms

Evaluation of intercellular adhesion molecule - 1 [ICAM-1] and other risk factors in tobacco smokers with chronic H C V. infection

Based on the idea that the adhesion molecules have becoming one of the most important therapeutic strategies in the medicine, our aim in this study was to elucidate the role played by these molecules in pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection and on the other hand, this work is a trial to find to what extent can the bad habits of smoking aggravate the disease state, and finally to find a hope how modulation of adhesion molecules expression can aid in treating or controlling the wide spread of HCV infection in Egypt. In trial to assess the state of ICAM-1 in chronic hepatitis C, we were not able to neglect the deleterious effects of heavy elements cadmium and lead which are added to the body among other thousands of toxic materials contained in tobacco smoker. Eighty subjects enrolled in this study were properly selected from tropical medicine department and those attending the outpatient clinic between December 1999 and September 200I, they were classified into 4 groups: group I [control group] comprised 20 apparently healthy persons, non smoker with negative tests throughout for any viral hepatitis; group II included 20 non smoker, with chronic hepatitis C infection [positive anti-HCV by ELISA and positive PCR for HCV-RNA]; group III included 20 healthy normal smokers show no evidence for any viral hepatitis tests; and group IV included 20 smoker with chronic hepatitis C infection. All subjects were subjected to full history taking especially that concerning the smoking burden, clinical examinations and abdominal ultrasonography and routine laboratory investigations e.g. liver function test and complete blood picture and HBs antigen to exclude hepatitis B infection for all the patients ICAM-1 was assayed in plasma using ELISA technique also cadmium and lead were assayed in whole blood and urine using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and urine cotinine was measured by radioimmunoassay. Significant rise was recorded in the level of ICAM-1 in hepatitis C patients as compared to control. The effects of cadmium and lead were obvious, in the fact that they evoked more rise in the level of ICAM-1 in smoking hepatitis patients as compared to controls or non-smokers. Levels of ICAM-1, were significantly correlated with serum enzymes and urinary cotinine. Also the concentration of heavy elements in urine and blood correlated significantly with urinary cotinine. Urinary cotinine was chosen as a marker of smoking burden Finally, the idea of advent of specific mono clonal antibodies against adhesion molecules for purposes of control of their mediating inflammatory and metastatic effects, was discussed. To our opinion, this procedure, would be associated with deleterious systemic unavoidable effect, but the idea needs be considered and tried employing more advanced and sophisticated techniques

Urinary excretion of copper and zinc among cigarette smokers

The urinary levels of cadmium [Cd], zinc [Zn] and copper [CU] were measured among eleven adult male non-smokers and thirty-eight adult male cigarette smokers to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the urinary excretion of Zn and Cu in relation to urinary Cd level. The cigarette smokers were classified into two groups according to the level of urinary Cd. The first group contained thirteen cases with urinary Cd levels within the normal range of non-smokers and the urinary levels of both Zn and Cu were observed also within the same range. The second group contained twenty-five cases with elevated urinary Cd levels. The latter was further subdivided into two subgroups according to the urinary levels of Zn and Cu. The results suggested that urinary Cd at a certain level may be accompanied by increased urinary excretion of both Zn and Cu among cigarette smokers

Elevated serum cadmium among workers of Assiut Cement Factory: source, assessment and toxicological studty

The present study was conducted on 72 male workers of Assiut Cement Factory complaining of some renal troubles together with 30 healthy controls. Significant increase in the level of serum and urinary cadmium was observed among those workers. Other renal variables including B2-microglabulin [B2-MG] and N-acetyl Beta-glucosaminidase [NAG] were also significantly increased denoting renal impairment. An interesting finding in this study was the elevation of serum calcium and serum alkaline phosphatase among the workers compared with controls. The levels of these bioindices were correlated with the level of serum and urinary cadmium. Dose response relations were observed between B2-MG and NAG and urinary cadmium. The source of cadmium was searched for including the waste products of the factory and its surroundings and the drinking water. Water of the well supplying the factory proved to be the main source of pollution among the workers

Disfunçäo renal e exposiçäo ambiental a chumbo e cádmio / Renal dysfunction and enviromental pollution with lead and cadmium

Uma fundiçäo de chumbo, em funcionamento na cidade de Santo Amaro da Purificaçäo, BA, desde 1960, polui intensamente o ambiente com chumbo (Pb) e cádmio (Cd). Em 1991, realizou-se um estudo de prevalência de disfunsäo renal, em 344 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 20 e 50 anos, residentes em um raio de 500 m a partir da chaminé da fábrica. Numa área sem exposiçäo industrial foram estudados 81 indivíduos. Os indicadores de exposiçäo utilizados foram chumbo no sangue (PbS) e cádmio na urina (CdU). Disfunçäo renal foi investigada por N-acetil-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), proteinúria, ácido úrico e creatinina séricos. Quanto aos indicadores de efeito, os resultados encontrados näo diferem significantemente nas duas áreas estudadas. Os indivíduos residentes em Santo amaro da Purificaçäo, com exposiçäo ambiental e ocupacional, mostraram médias de PbS e CdU superiores àqueles com exposiçäo apenas ambiental. Os indicadores de efeito näo mostram diferenças entre estes grupos

Monitorizaçäo biológica de trabalhadores expostos ao cádmio / Biological control of workers exposed to cadmium

A exposiçäo ocupacional ainda é pouco conhecida, especialmente no que se refere aos indicadores biológicos de exposiçäo. Nesta revisäo bibliográfica säo discutidos os parâmetros indicadores de absorçäo (cádmio na urina e no sangue) e os indicadores de efeito sobre a saúde do trabalhador (proteínas de baixo e de alto peso molecular). Säo considerados como indicadores adequados a determinaçäo do cádmio na urina, a determinaçäo da B2 - microglobulina e da proteína ligada ao retinol, ambos na urina

Contaminación ambiental por cadmio en una ciudad metalúrgica / Environmental contamination by cadmium in a metallurgic town

En La Oroya, ciudad de 40 000 habitantes localizada a 3 800 m sobre el nivel del mar, en los Andes centrales del Perú, se encuentra un centro metalúrgico cuya fundición es fuente de contaminación ambiental com plomo, arsénico, zinc y cadmio, entre otros elementos. Se han detectado cifras altas de contaminación con cadmio a una distancia de 10 km de la fundición. En el hombre, los efectos de la exposición a los compuestos de cadmio producen transtornos renales y respiratorios, además de causar cierto tipo de osteomalacia. El estudio de 40 trabajadores no expuestos ocupacionalmente al cadmio pero que residían en La Oroya, reveló que la concentración media de cadmio en la orina era de 4micron-g/1, con valores extremos de 2 y 8 micron-g/1. Las cifras de proteína beta 2 microglobulina variaron de 0,5 a 1mg/1, si bien no se demonstraron toxicidad renal, alteración de la función ventilatoria pulmonar, ni signos radiográficos de osteomalacia. Estos resultados se discuten y se comparan con los obtenidos por otros investigadores en diferentes países. se destaca, por último, la necesidad de realizar estudios epidemiológicos de mayor amplitud entre los residentes de La Oroya, así como investigaciones sobre las tierras de cultivo y los productos agrícolas de la zona

Limites biológicos em higiene e medicina do trabalho

O controle biológico de trabalhadores expostos a agentes químicos agressivos coloca o médico do trabalho frente a uma série de problemas conjunturais e estruturais de difícil soluçäo. A partir de pesquisa onde foram analisadas urina de 58 soldadores para determinaçäo de concentraçäo de Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Ni säo discutidas as dificuldades da execuçäo deste controle, incluindo aspectos ambientais. Conclui-se pela importância das avaliaçöes biológicas, mas ressaltando a prioridade para as medidas ambientais de controle dos agentes químicos