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.

Estudio de metales urinarios y plomo en sangre: parámetros poblacionales en Antofagasta, 2018 / Urinary heavy metals and blood lead levels among residents of Antofagasta, Chile

Background: The presence of toxic metals in human populations is strongly associated with chronic diseases. Aim: To determine levels of lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury and inorganic arsenic (AsIn) in the general population aged over 5 years in Antofagasta, Chile. Material and Methods: People living in Urban Antofagasta for at least five years were considered eligible. Biological samples were obtained to measure heavy metals. Results: One thousand two hundred three participants with a median age of 43 years (656 women) were studied. Their mean time of residence in the city was 30 years, and 52% smoked. Eight percent of the adult population and 12% of children had AsIn values above 35 µg/L, while 75% of the population had levels below 21.9 µg/L. The other metals were below the risk levels defined by the health authority (10 µg/L for chromium, 10 µg/L for mercury, 2 µg/L for cadmium, 5 and 10 μg/dL for blood lead for children and adults, respectively). The factors associated with high levels of AsIn in adults were male sex, living more than 200 meters from monitoring points, and low schooling. In children, the associated variables were high intake of seafood products and having a caregiver with less than 8 years of schooling. Contrary to expectations, the greatest risk of presenting altered levels of the metals occurred in the population living more than 500 meters from the identified risk sources (90% of the population). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that all potential sources of exposure to AsIn should be evaluated, and surveillance actions should be established to reduce involuntary exposure to this metalloid.

Developments in determination of elements using ICP-MS in blood and urine / 法医学杂志

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the most common technique for elements analysis at present. ICP-MS with high sensitivity and wide linear range can be applied to multi-elements analysis in blood and urine. This paper reviews the common means of sample pretreatment (direct dilution method and wet digestion method), the method for correction of mass spectral interference and non-interference, the main influence factors of analysis results, and provides an outlook of the application of ICP-MS in forensic toxicological analysis.

The Effects of Wearing Protective Devices among Residents and Volunteers Participating in the Cleanup of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To assess the protective effects of wearing protective devices among the residents and volunteers who participated in the cleanup of the Hebei Spirit oil spill. METHODS: A total of 288 residents and 724 volunteers were surveyed about symptoms, whether they were wearing protective devices and potential confounding variables. The questionnaires were administered from the second to the sixth week following the accident. Spot urine samples were collected and analyzed for metabolites of 4 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 2 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 6 heavy metals. The association between the wearing of protective devices and various symptoms was assessed using a multiple logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables. A multiple generalized linear regression model adjusted for the covariates was used to test for a difference in least-square mean concentration of urinary biomarkers between residents who wore protective devices and those who did not. RESULTS: Thirty nine to 98% of the residents and 62-98% of volunteers wore protective devices. Levels of fatigue and fever were higher among residents not wearing masks than among those who did wear masks (odds ratio 4.5; 95% confidence interval 1.23-19.86). Urinary mercury levels were found to be significantly higher among residents not wearing work clothes or boots (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because the survey was not performed during the initial high-exposure period, no significant difference was found in metabolite levels between people who wore protective devices and those who did not, except for mercury, whose biological half-life is more than 6 weeks.