Exposure of the Portuguese population to metals and metalloids: results from a national study

Abstract

Metals and metalloids are elements present in the environment that can originate from natural and anthropogenic sources. However, exposure to some of these elements can cause adverse health effects due to their toxicological potential. As such, it is important to assess their levels in the human body, which can be done through human biomonitoring. Several studies assessed these elements’ levels in the Portuguese population, but were mainly focused on hotspots or specific groups. As such, the aim of this work was to assess the exposure to metals and metalloids in the Portuguese population using samples collected in the study "Exposure of the Portuguese Population to Environmental Chemicals: a study nested in INSEF 2015" (INSEF-ExpoQuim). INSEF-ExpoQuim was an epidemiologic study including 297 participants aged 28-39 years, living in Portugal for ≥ 12 months and able to follow an interview in Portuguese. Fieldwork was developed between June 2019 and February 2020 following the guidelines of the HBM4EU project. First morning urine samples were collected along with data on sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions and residential history, habits/lifestyle, nutrition, health, occupation and substance specific information. Total concentrations of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. As, Cu, Mo, Se and Zn were detected in the majority of the samples analysed, while Mn was detected in around half and Pb, Co and Ni were detected in less than half. Results will be presented, including a description of the biomarkers’ levels in the Portuguese population. This study is the first developed in Portugal to provide an assessment of the exposure at a national level and its results may support the development and implementation of policy measures aimed at minimizing exposure and improving the population’s health.