Human Biologic Monitoring based on blood donations to the NationalBlood Services: example of comparing an industrial area with a general population in Israel

Abstract

The ambient exposure does not always reflect the internal levels of pollution absorbed in the body. While human biomonitoring (HBM) could provide a valid estimate of exposure extent, it is usually an expensive and a heavily manpowered enterprise. Using samples collected during blood donations for HMB may provide a more efficient platform for a routine biomonitoring. The current study is aimed to explore the feasibility of using the national blood banking system for the purposes of HBM, to compare between residents of a suspected polluted area in northern Israel (Haifa Bay) to the rest of the country. Specifically, we will assemble a geographically representative sample of blood donors residing in the study area and match them with the general population, to testfor four industry or traffic-related metals: Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr). Furthermore, we will measure the association between biomarkers and ambient environmental exposures. Samples of whole blood from donors will be tested in the Laboratory of Public Health Services managed by the Ministry of Health. The information on donors' biomarkers levels will be linked with the air pollution and meteorological data assessed at the location of the blood collection sites (short-term exposure) and donors' permanent address (long-term exposure), as recorded by both the monitoring stations spread throughout Israel and the satellite-based exposure models. The information collected in this study could lead to environmental regulations within Haifa Bay area aimed to prevent exposure to high levels of hazardous chemicals.