Blood levels of metallic chemical element exposure patterns and associated factors in a population living in an Industrial District in Brazil.

AIM: to estimate the level of metallic chemical elements in the population living in the Steel company vicinity in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and estimate the association between exposure to the Steel company and the blood metals concentrations patterns. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 463 individuals aged 18+ years old residing 1+ years in the Steel company vicinity. Mg, Be, Co, Ba, Ni, Cd, Al, and Pb were assessed in blood by DRC-ICP-MS. Metallic chemical element concentration patterns were obtained by exploratory factor analysis in the studied population. Exposure was set as the distance (Km) from each participant's residence to the Steel company in Santa Cruz, georeferenced by GPS. The outcome was set as the positive factor loadings in the factor analysis, including Mg and Be (Factor-1), Co, Ba, and Ni (Factor-2), Cd, Al, and Pb (Factor-4). Crude and adjusted OR, and their respective 95 %CI, were estimated to explore associations between independent variables and the exposures to metallic elements positively associated with the factors using polychotomous logistic regression. RESULTS: A reduction of 19 % was found between each km distance from the residence and the Steel company and P50 concentration of Cd, Al, and Pb (ORP50=0.81; 95 %CI:0.67-0.97), after adjusting by age, sex, and smoking. No statistically significant associations were observed for the distance from residences and the Steel company, after adjusting for age, gender, having a domestic vegetable garden and chewing gum for Mg and Be concentrations (Factor-1) (ORP50=0.84; 95 %CI:0.70-1.01; ORP75=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.34); nor for Co, Ba and Ni (Factor-2) blood concentrations(ORP50=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.33; ORP75=1.03; 95 %CI:0.84-1.26), in the adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For each Km distance from residences to the Steel company, a 19 % reduction in the risk of Cd, Al, and Pb blood concentration was observed in the population living in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Geochemistry and the optics of geospatial analysis as a preposition of water quality on a macroscale.

The water treatment depends exclusively on the identification of residues containing toxic chemical elements accumulated in NPs (nanoparticles), and ultrafine particles sourced from waste piles located at old, abandoned sulfuric acid factories containing phosphogypsum requires global attention. The general objective of this study is to quantify and analyze the hazardous chemical elements present in the leachate of waste from deactivated sulfuric acid factories, coupled in NPs and ultrafine particles, in the port region of the city of Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Corresponding images from the Sentinel-3B OLCI satellite, taken in the same general vicinity, detected the levels of absorption coefficient of Detritus and Gelbstoff (ADG443_NN) in 443 m-1, chlorophyll-a (CHL_NN (m-3)), and total suspended matter (TSM_NN (g m-3) at 72 points on the marine coast of the port region. The results of inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) demonstrate that the leaching occurring in waste piles at the port area of Imbituba was the likely source of hazardous chemical elements (e.g., Mg, Sr, Nd, and Pr) in the environment. These leachates were formed due to the presence of coal pyrite and Fe-acid sulfates in said waste piles. The mobility of hazardous chemical elements potentiates changes in the marine ecosystem, in relation to ADG443_NN (m-1), CHL_NN (m-3), and TSM NN (g m-3), with values greater than 20 g m-3 found in 2021 and 2022. This indicated changes in the natural conditions of the marine ecosystem up to 30 km from the coast in the Atlantic Ocean, justifying public initiatives for water treatment on a global scale.

Levels of organic pollutants and metals/metalloids in infant formula marketed in Brazil: Risks to early-life health.

Infant formula intake is recommended to ensure comprehensive nutritional and caloric fulfillment when exclusive breastfeeding is not possible. However, similarly to breast milk, infant formulas may also contain pollutants capable of inducing endocrine-disrupting and neurotoxic effects. Thus, considering the sensitivity of their developing physiological systems and that infants have heightened susceptibility to environmental influences, this study was aimed at assessing the contents of essential elements, and inorganic and organic pollutants in infant formulas marketed in Brazil. Additionally, health risk assessments for selected contaminants were also performed. Measured contents of essential elements (Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, Se, and Zn) were congruent with label information. Nevertheless, some toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Ni, and Al) were also detected. Notably, in the upper-bound scenario, Pb and Cd surpassed established threshold values when comparing the estimated daily intake (EDI) and tolerable daily intake (TDI - 3.57 and 0.36 µg/kg bw, respectively). Bisphenol P (BPP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) were frequently detected (84 % detection rate both) with elevated contents (BPP median = 4.28 ng/g and BBP median = 0.24 ng/g). Furthermore, a positive correlation (0.41) was observed between BPP and BBP, implying a potential co-occurrence within packaging materials. Methyl-paraben also correlated positively with BBP (0.57), showing a detection rate of 53 %. The cumulative PBDE contents ranged from 0.33 to 1.62 ng/g, with BDE-154 and BDE-47 the dominant congeners. When comparing EDI values with TDIs, all organic pollutants remained below the thresholds across all exposure scenarios. Moreover, non-carcinogenic risks were below the threshold (HQ > 1) when dividing the EDIs by the respective reference doses for chronic exposure. While the current findings may suggest that infant formula intake poses no immediate risk in terms of the evaluated chemicals, it remains imperative to conduct further research to safeguard the health of infants considering other chemicals, as well as their potential cumulative effects.

Determination of the most informative chemical elements for discrimination of rice samples according to the producing region.

Several approaches to assess the authenticity of food products have been developed, given that fraudulent products may impact consumers' confidence, affect commercial trades and lead to health risks. This paper proposes an approach to identify the chemical elements that optimally discriminate rice samples according to their producing region in the South of Brazil, the largest rice producer outside Asia. A combinatorial procedure on the concentration of 26 elements determined using inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and liquid chromatography hyphenated with ICP-MS from 640 rice samples was coupled with Support Vector Machine. The assessed elements included nonmetal and metal elements of 3 types of rice collected from 5 rice-producing regions. The framework selected Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mo, Cd, Cs, As, Rb, Se, and iAs as the most informative elements for tracking samples' origin. The concentration of such elements is strongly affected by fertilization procedures and soil composition.

Evaluation of the concentrations of elements at trace level in the Serinhaem River estuary, Bahia, Brazil, using chemometric tools.

The Serinhaém River estuary is located in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Pratigi, in the State of Bahia, Brazil, which is recognized for being a relatively well-preserved environment. In this work, the levels of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were determined to evaluate the behavior of these chemical elements through geochemical parameters. Eighty-one sediment samples were collected in five sediment cores along the estuarine region. The results of the composition of the Serinhaém river basin showed high levels of Fe, Al, and Mn in the sediment samples. By using Principal Component Analysis, it was observed that 55.8% of the elements have a significant correlation with Fe, Al, and Mn, which may have the same origin or be associated with Fe and Mn oxy-hydroxides, and aluminosilicates. Although Cr, As, and V are correlated with Fe, Mn, and Al, their concentrations are above those established by NOAA, suggesting adverse effects on biota. Barium concentrations increased toward the outfall, where it meets the Camamu Bay, which is naturally enriched with this element. It was also possible to observe that along with the vertical profile, there were no variations in the concentrations of the elements, while along the estuary, it was possible to verify that the cores differ from each other. The estuary of the Serinhaém River can be considered to be influenced relatively little by human activities, and its concentrations can be considered as a base level for this coastal region.

Differences in mineral concentrations on hooves of horses, mules and donkeys / Diferenças nas concentrações de minerais nos cascos deequinos, muares e asininos

This study aimed to measure the concentrations of minerals in different regions and pigmentation of horses hooves, mules and donkeys. A total of 20 Crioulo horses, 20 mules and 20 Pega donkeys were used. They formed two groups: pigmented (dark) or non-pigmented (bright) hooves. All animals were unshod and with adequate foot conformation. Females were nonpregnant and without foal and no animals were in training. Samples were collected from the hooves of all limbs in the regions of wall, sole and frog. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; sodium and potassium concentrations were determined by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Among the groups it was observed that the wall, sole and frog of donkeys hooves presented higher concentrations of sodium and calcium and with the exception of the frog that also obtained higher levels of copper in this species. Mules had lower concentrations of zinc in the wall and the horses had higher concentrations of potassium and zinc in the sole and higher magnesium in the frog and wall. There was no difference (P>0.05) in concentrations regarding the pigmentation of the hooves. The different regions of the hooves in each group presented similar concentrations of minerals and it was regardless of the pigmentation. The mineral concentrations may be related to desirable functional properties of the donkeys hooves. Pigmented and non-pigmented hooves have similar concentrations of minerals.(AU)

O objetivo desse trabalho foi mensurar os teores de minerais nas diferentes regiões e pigmentações dos cascos de equinos, muares e asininos. Utilizaram-se 20 equinos da raça Crioula, 20 muares e 20 asininos da raça Pêga. Formaram-se dois grupos conforme os cascos pigmentados (escuros) e não pigmentados (claros). Todos os animais estavam desferrados e com adequada conformação podal e as fêmeas estavam não gestantes e sem potro ao pé e nenhum animal estava em treinamento. Amostras foram coletadas dos cascos de todos os membros nas regiões de parede, sola e ranilha. As concentrações de cálcio, magnésio, cobre, ferro e zinco foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e as concentrações de sódio e potássio foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica. Entre os grupos observou-se que a parede, sola e ranilha nos asininos apresentaram maiores valores de sódio e cálcio e, exceto para a ranilha, também obteve-se maiores teores de cobre nesta espécie. Os muares apresentaram menores teores de zinco na parede e, os equinos, maiores teores de potássio e zinco na sola e ranilha e de magnésio na ranilha e parede. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) nos teores dos minerais quanto à pigmentação dos cascos. As diferentes regiões dos cascos em cada grupo apresentaram teores similares de minerais e este independeu da pigmentação. As variações dos teores de minerais entre os grupos podem estar relacionados a propriedades funcionais desejáveis dos cascos dos asininos. Cascos pigmentados e não pigmentados apresentam teores similares dos minerais.(AU)

Differences in mineral concentrations on hooves of horses, mules and donkeys / Diferenças nas concentrações de minerais nos cascos de equinos, muares e asininos

This study aimed to measure the concentrations of minerals in different regions and pigmentation of horses' hooves, mules and donkeys. A total of 20 Crioulo horses, 20 mules and 20 Pega donkeys were used. They formed two groups: pigmented (dark) or non-pigmented (bright) hooves. All animals were unshod and with adequate foot conformation. Females were non-pregnant and without foal and no animals were in training. Samples were collected from the hooves of all limbs in the regions of wall, sole and frog. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; sodium and potassium concentrations were determined by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Among the groups it was observed that the wall, sole and frog of donkeys' hooves presented higher concentrations of sodium and calcium and with the exception of the frog that also obtained higher levels of copper in this species. Mules had lower concentrations of zinc in the wall and the horses had higher concentrations of potassium and zinc in the sole and higher magnesium in the frog and wall. There was no difference (P>0.05) in concentrations regarding the pigmentation of the hooves. The different regions of the hooves in each group presented similar concentrations of minerals and it was regardless of the pigmentation. The mineral concentrations may be related to desirable functional properties of the donkeys' hooves. Pigmented and non-pigmented hooves have similar concentrations of minerals.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi mensurar os teores de minerais nas diferentes regiões e pigmentações dos cascos de equinos, muares e asininos. Utilizaram-se 20 equinos da raça Crioula, 20 muares e 20 asininos da raça Pêga. Formaram-se dois grupos conforme os cascos pigmentados (escuros) e não pigmentados (claros). Todos os animais estavam desferrados e com adequada conformação podal e as fêmeas estavam não gestantes e sem potro ao pé e nenhum animal estava em treinamento. Amostras foram coletadas dos cascos de todos os membros nas regiões de parede, sola e ranilha. As concentrações de cálcio, magnésio, cobre, ferro e zinco foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e as concentrações de sódio e potássio foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica. Entre os grupos observou-se que a parede, sola e ranilha nos asininos apresentaram maiores valores de sódio e cálcio e, exceto para a ranilha, também obteve-se maiores teores de cobre nesta espécie. Os muares apresentaram menores teores de zinco na parede e, os equinos, maiores teores de potássio e zinco na sola e ranilha e de magnésio na ranilha e parede. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) nos teores dos minerais quanto à pigmentação dos cascos. As diferentes regiões dos cascos em cada grupo apresentaram teores similares de minerais e este independeu da pigmentação. As variações dos teores de minerais entre os grupos podem estar relacionados a propriedades funcionais desejáveis dos cascos dos asininos. Cascos pigmentados e não pigmentados apresentam teores similares dos minerais.

Differences in mineral concentrations on hooves of horses, mules and donkeys / Diferenças nas concentrações de minerais nos cascos deequinos, muares e asininos

This study aimed to measure the concentrations of minerals in different regions and pigmentation of horses’ hooves, mules and donkeys. A total of 20 Crioulo horses, 20 mules and 20 Pega donkeys were used. They formed two groups: pigmented (dark) or non-pigmented (bright) hooves. All animals were unshod and with adequate foot conformation. Females were nonpregnant and without foal and no animals were in training. Samples were collected from the hooves of all limbs in the regions of wall, sole and frog. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; sodium and potassium concentrations were determined by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Among the groups it was observed that the wall, sole and frog of donkeys’ hooves presented higher concentrations of sodium and calcium and with the exception of the frog that also obtained higher levels of copper in this species. Mules had lower concentrations of zinc in the wall and the horses had higher concentrations of potassium and zinc in the sole and higher magnesium in the frog and wall. There was no difference (P>0.05) in concentrations regarding the pigmentation of the hooves. The different regions of the hooves in each group presented similar concentrations of minerals and it was regardless of the pigmentation. The mineral concentrations may be related to desirable functional properties of the donkeys’ hooves. Pigmented and non-pigmented hooves have similar concentrations of minerals.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi mensurar os teores de minerais nas diferentes regiões e pigmentações dos cascos de equinos, muares e asininos. Utilizaram-se 20 equinos da raça Crioula, 20 muares e 20 asininos da raça Pêga. Formaram-se dois grupos conforme os cascos pigmentados (escuros) e não pigmentados (claros). Todos os animais estavam desferrados e com adequada conformação podal e as fêmeas estavam não gestantes e sem potro ao pé e nenhum animal estava em treinamento. Amostras foram coletadas dos cascos de todos os membros nas regiões de parede, sola e ranilha. As concentrações de cálcio, magnésio, cobre, ferro e zinco foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e as concentrações de sódio e potássio foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica. Entre os grupos observou-se que a parede, sola e ranilha nos asininos apresentaram maiores valores de sódio e cálcio e, exceto para a ranilha, também obteve-se maiores teores de cobre nesta espécie. Os muares apresentaram menores teores de zinco na parede e, os equinos, maiores teores de potássio e zinco na sola e ranilha e de magnésio na ranilha e parede. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) nos teores dos minerais quanto à pigmentação dos cascos. As diferentes regiões dos cascos em cada grupo apresentaram teores similares de minerais e este independeu da pigmentação. As variações dos teores de minerais entre os grupos podem estar relacionados a propriedades funcionais desejáveis dos cascos dos asininos. Cascos pigmentados e não pigmentados apresentam teores similares dos minerais.

Efeitos tóxicos de alguns contaminantes inorgânicos à saúde depacientes submetidos à hemodiálise. / Toxic effects of inorganic contaminants on the health of patients treated with hemodialysis.

A doença renal crônica é o resultado de lesões progressivas irreversíveis. As principais causas desse quadro são a hipertensão e a diabetes. O tratamento de hemodiálise aumentou significantemente a expectativa de vida desses pacientes, que consomem individualmente um volume de água que varia entre 15.000 a 30.000 litros por ano. Até o inicio da década de 1970, a água indicada para a hemodiálise era aquela que atendia aos critérios de potabilidade. Isso levou a uma série de incidentes devido à presença de alguns elementos inorgânicos tóxicos. A presente revisão discute os efeitos deletérios em pacientes renais dos elementos tóxicos inorgânicos, em especial:o alumínio, arsênio, bismuto, cádmio, cálcio, o chumbo, cloro, cobre, flúor, magnésio, mercúrio, prata, sódio, potássio, e o zinco. Esses elementos inorgânicos foram escolhidos por serem comumente encontrados na água e serem relevantes do ponto de vista da saúde humana. Os pacientes com doença renal em estágios avançados tem maior risco de contrair doenças como câncer, doenças cardiovasculares, anemia, incremento da falência renal, doenças ósseas, alterações no metabolismo da glicose e aumento da resistência dos tecidos à insulina, distúrbios de memória, confusão mental, depressão do sistema imunológico, disfunções enzimáticas, entre outras. A literatura demonstra ainda uma grande carência de estudos relativos à exposição a estes elementos por populações em tratamento de diálise.

The chronic renal disease is the result of irreversible gradual injuries. The main causes of this illness are the hypertension and diabetes. The use of hemodialysis significantly increased the life expectancy of these patients, who individually consume a volume of water that varies between 15,000 and 30,000 liters per year. Until the beginningof 1970?s, the water indicated for hemodialysis was the same considered safe for drinking, which caused a series of incidents involving water contamination with toxic inorganic elements. This revision covers the deleterious effects of toxic inorganic elements, especially the following ones: aluminum, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, magnesium, mercury, silver, sodium, potassium, lead, and zinc. These eleents have been chosen because they are usually found in water and are relevant from the human health point of view. The patients with renal illness atadvanced stage have greater risk to contract illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, anemia, increase in renal damage, bone diseases, alterations in the metabolism of glucose and increase of tissue resistance to insulin, memory disturbances, mental confusion, impairment of immune system, enzymatic dysfunction, and others. The literature shows very few studies about the effects of these compounds in populations in hemodialys treatment.

Relationship between chemical properties of the soil and the occurrence of Bacillus thuringiensis / Relação entre as características químicas do solo e a ocorrência de Bacillus thuringiensis

The soil and other substrates such as mushroom compounds are the main sources of new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates for Integrated Pest Management programs. This study describes the relationship between chemical properties of the soil (pH, OM, P3+, K1+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H1++Al3+, B3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+) and the occurrence of Bt in Brazil. A total of 1,197 bacterial colonies were obtained, being 512 of them identified as Bt. The Bt index (iBt), which is the relation between Bt colonies and bacterial counts ranged from 0.18 to 0.86. The iBt may be expressed with the formula: iBt= -0.4 + 0.6Ca2+ + 0.07Cu2+ + 0.009Fe2+ - 0.53Mg2+ -0.12Mn2+ + 1.26Zn2+. A cluster of samples with fewer colonies and a high negative correlation (antagonism) between Mn2+ and Ca2+; Mg2+ and Ca2+; Mg2+ and Zn2+; Mn2+ and Zn2+ and a high positive correlation (synergism) between Mn2+ and Mg2+; Zn2+ and Ca2+ was observed. The relationship between these elements and their effect on the Bt presence are discussed.(AU)

O solo e outros substratos, como restos vegetais são as principais fontes de obtenção de isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) para programas de Manejo Integrado de Pragas. Este estudo descreve uma investigação sobre a relação entre algumas propriedades químicas do solo (pH, MO, P3+, K1+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H1+ + Al3+, B3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ e Zn2+) e a ocorrência de Bt em solos do Brasil. Entre 1197 colônias bacterianas, 512 foram identificados como Bt. O índice de Bt (iBt), que é a relação entre o número de colônias de Bt e de colônias bacterianas, variou de 0,18 a 0,86. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o iBt pode ser representado pelo iBt da fórmula = -0,.4 + 0,6Ca2+ + 0,07Cu2+ + 0,009Fe2+ - 0,53Mg2+ -0,12Mn2+ + 1,26Zn2+. Observou-se o agrupamento das amostras com poucas colônias; uma correlação negativa elevada (antagonismo) entre Mn2+ e Ca2+, Mg2+ e Ca2+, Mg2+ e Zn2+, Mn2+ e Zn2+; uma correlação positiva elevada (sinergismo) entre Mn2+ e Mg2+, Zn2+ e Ca2+. A relação entre esses elementos e o efeito dessa relação na presença de Bt são discutidos.(AU)

Relationship between chemical properties of the soil and the occurrence of Bacillus thuringiensis / Relação entre as características químicas do solo e a ocorrência de Bacillus thuringiensis

The soil and other substrates such as mushroom compounds are the main sources of new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates for Integrated Pest Management programs. This study describes the relationship between chemical properties of the soil (pH, OM, P3+, K1+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H1++Al3+, B3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+) and the occurrence of Bt in Brazil. A total of 1,197 bacterial colonies were obtained, being 512 of them identified as Bt. The Bt index (iBt), which is the relation between Bt colonies and bacterial counts ranged from 0.18 to 0.86. The iBt may be expressed with the formula: iBt= -0.4 + 0.6Ca2+ + 0.07Cu2+ + 0.009Fe2+ - 0.53Mg2+ -0.12Mn2+ + 1.26Zn2+. A cluster of samples with fewer colonies and a high negative correlation (antagonism) between Mn2+ and Ca2+; Mg2+ and Ca2+; Mg2+ and Zn2+; Mn2+ and Zn2+ and a high positive correlation (synergism) between Mn2+ and Mg2+; Zn2+ and Ca2+ was observed. The relationship between these elements and their effect on the Bt presence are discussed.

O solo e outros substratos, como restos vegetais são as principais fontes de obtenção de isolados de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) para programas de Manejo Integrado de Pragas. Este estudo descreve uma investigação sobre a relação entre algumas propriedades químicas do solo (pH, MO, P3+, K1+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H1+ + Al3+, B3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+ e Zn2+) e a ocorrência de Bt em solos do Brasil. Entre 1197 colônias bacterianas, 512 foram identificados como Bt. O índice de Bt (iBt), que é a relação entre o número de colônias de Bt e de colônias bacterianas, variou de 0,18 a 0,86. Os dados obtidos mostraram que o iBt pode ser representado pelo iBt da fórmula = -0,.4 + 0,6Ca2+ + 0,07Cu2+ + 0,009Fe2+ - 0,53Mg2+ -0,12Mn2+ + 1,26Zn2+. Observou-se o agrupamento das amostras com poucas colônias; uma correlação negativa elevada (antagonismo) entre Mn2+ e Ca2+, Mg2+ e Ca2+, Mg2+ e Zn2+, Mn2+ e Zn2+; uma correlação positiva elevada (sinergismo) entre Mn2+ e Mg2+, Zn2+ e Ca2+. A relação entre esses elementos e o efeito dessa relação na presença de Bt são discutidos.