Biomonitoring human urinary levels of 26 metal elements in multi-race coexistence region of Xinjiang, China

Abstract

The human biological monitoring of metals (metalloids) is of importance, which concentrations could indicate a wide range of health related information. Reference values (RVs) of metals (metalloids) in specific matix of populations are critically required when performing a statistical evaluation accurately. Recent studies show that RVs of metals (metalloids) are influenced by many multiple factors, including lifestyle, diet, dissimilar environment, location, as well as race. However, it is virtually absent across many nations/regions, especially multi-race coexistence regions. The aim of the work was to establish RVs of metals (metalloids) in urine of adult in Xinjiang, China. Totally 178 urine samples from healthy volunteers were collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer or optical emission spectrometer (ICP-MS/OES). RVs of 26 metals (metalloids) in urine for adult of Xinjiang, China were then established. Effects of race, gender and age on RVs were investigated using partial least squares discriminant analysis and student T-test. The result demonstrated that above factors showed mild influence for the establishment of RVs. The RVs derived from total 178 urine adult samples (Han and Uygur half of each) can be applied for different race, gender and age periods. Moreover, it was observed that three metals (metalloids), As, Sc and Ba significantly varied between some subgroups. The established RVs will be valuable for future health or environmental evaluation, and can serve as a theoretical reference for RVs establishment in multi-race coexistence region.