Thallium Concentrations Research Articles

Associations of urinary heavy metals with age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan: A cross-sectional study in U.S. women

Female reproductive timing and lifespan, with a close relation to long-term health outcomes, have been altered in U.S. women over the past decades. However, epidemiologic evidence of the potential causes was lacking. On the basis of 1981 naturally postmenopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2020, this study aimed to investigate the associations of urinary heavy metals with age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive lifespan. Multivariate generalized linear regression and addictive models were used for single metal exposure analysis, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were employed for mixed exposures. In the fully adjusted model, higher urinary antimony concentration was associated with earlier age at menarche of 0.137 years, while higher concentrations of cadmium, cesium, lead, antimony, and thallium were associated with delayed age at menopause of 0.396–0.687 years. Additionally, urinary barium, cesium, lead, antimony, and thallium levels were associated with longer reproductive lifespan ranging between 0.277 and 0.713 years. Both WQS and BKMR models showed significantly positive associations of metal mixtures with age at menopause (β: 0.667, 95 % CI: 0.120–1.213) and reproductive lifespan (β: 0.686, 95 % CI: 0.092–1.280), with cadmium and lead identified as principal contributors. In conclusion, heavy metal exposures were associated with reproductive timing and lifespan of U.S. women, highlighting the need for further prevention and intervention strategies.

Attempted Self-Harm with Elemental Thallium Purchased Online: Case Report with Analytical Confirmation

IntroductionThallium is a highly toxic metal, with most publications demonstrating poisoning from thallium salts. We report on a patient with elevated serum and urine thallium concentrations from an intentional ingestion of elemental thallium purchased from the internet for self-harm.Case ReportThe regional poison center was contacted about an 18-year-old man who ingested a fragment from a 100-gram bar reported to be elemental thallium. Serial serum and urine thallium concentrations were obtained. Prussian blue was started on hospital day (HD) 2. A metal fragment was seen on abdominal x-ray and removed via colonoscopy on HD3. The ingested fragment was analyzed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and found to be 87.0% elemental thallium. The initial serum thallium concentration obtained on HD1 was 423.5 mcg/L (reference range < 5.1 mcg/L), which subsequently decreased to 4.5 mcg/L, 29 days after the ingestion. An initial random urine thallium concentration obtained on HD 3 was 1850.5 mcg/g creatinine (reference range < 0.4 mcg/g creatinine). The patient remained hospitalized for 23 days and, when seen in follow-up, had not developed any signs or symptoms of thallium toxicity.DiscussionElemental thallium ingestion is a rare toxicologic exposure, with limited published clinical and analytical experience to guide management. This case report describes a patient with ingestion of elemental thallium who developed elevated serum and urine thallium concentrations and was treated with Prussian blue. Despite having elevated serum and urine thallium concentrations consistent with previous fatal exposures, more evidence is needed to understand the differences between elemental thallium and thallium salts.

Ecotoxicity of thallium to two soil animal species with different niches and modification by organic materials

Soil thallium (Tl) contamination is of major public concern but little is known about soil Tl ecological toxicity or potential ecological remediation strategies. Here, two soil animal species with different ecological niches, Folsomia candida and Enchytraeus crypticus, were used to test Tl toxicity and modification by exogenous organic materials (i.e. maize straw and biochar). The endpoints of Tl ecotoxicity to F. candida and E. crypticus were studied at two biological levels, i.e., the individual (body Tl concentrations) and the population (survival, reproduction, and growth). Thallium concentrations in F. candida and E. crypticus increased with increasing soil Tl concentration, and their survival and reproduction rates decreased with increasing soil Tl concentration. The LC50 value of Tl effects on F. candida mortality (28 d) was 24.0 mg kg−1 and the EC50 value of reproduction inhibition was 6.51 mg kg−1. The corresponding values were 4.15 mg kg−1 and 2.31 mg kg−1 respectively for E. crypticus showing higher sensitivity to soil Tl than F. candida. These effective values are comparable to or much lower than the environmental Tl concentrations in field soils, suggesting high potential ecological risk. Both biochar and straw can decrease animal body Tl concentrations in different ways, i.e. reducing Tl availability or offering clean food sources, and addition of exogenous organic materials clearly mitigated Tl ecotoxicity in highly polluted soil. The results highlight the potential Tl ecological risk to soil animals and the potential use of organic materials to control the toxicity.

Measurement of the sodium and iodine scintillation quenching factors across multiple NaI(Tl) detectors to identify systematics

The amount of light produced by nuclear recoils in scintillating targets is strongly quenched compared to that produced by electrons. A precise understanding of the quenching factor is particularly interesting for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMP) searches and coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) measurements since both rely on nuclear recoils, whereas energy calibrations are more readily accessible from electron recoils. There is a wide variation among the current measurements of the quenching factor in sodium iodide (NaI) crystals, especially below 10 keV, the energy region of interest for dark matter and CEνNS studies. A better understanding of the quenching factor in NaI(Tl) is of particular interest for resolving the decades-old puzzle in the field of dark matter between the null results of most WIMP searches and the claim for dark matter detection by the DAMA/LIBRA collaboration. In this work, we measured sodium and iodine quenching factors for five small NaI(Tl) crystals grown with similar thallium concentrations and growth procedures. Unlike previous experiments, multiple crystals were tested, with measurements made in the same experimental setup to control systematic effects. The quenching factors agree in all crystals we investigated, and both sodium and iodine quenching factors are smaller than those reported by DAMA/LIBRA. The dominant systematic effect was due to the electron equivalent energy calibration originating from the nonproportional behavior of the NaI(Tl) light yield at lower energies, potentially the cause for the discrepancies among the previous measurements. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Heavy metal concentrations and clinical symptoms in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia related to cigarette smoking

In our study, blood concentrations of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) and urine concentrations of thallium (Tl) were measured together with related symptoms of heavy metal poisoning in cigarette smoking volunteers diagnosed with schizophrenia, in cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in the control group of non-smokers and not diagnosed with schizophrenia volunteers. Our study was performed on 171 volunteers divided into the following subgroups: patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with at least 1 year of continuous cigarette smoking experience (56 participants), cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia with at least one year of continuous smoking experience (58), and control group (not diagnosed with schizophrenia and non-smoking volunteers) (57). Smoking durations of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia and cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia are not similar (p = 0.431). Blood Pb, As, and Cd concentrations and urine Tl concentrations were the highest in the subgroup of cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed by the subgroup of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the control group. Only blood Pb concentrations were significantly higher (probability value p < 0.05) in the group of cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia (5.16 μg/dL), comparing to the group of cigarette smokers diagnosed with schizophrenia (3.83 μg/dL) and to the control group (3.43 μg/dL). Blood Cd and As concentrations and urine Tl concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cigarette smokers not diagnosed with schizophrenia than in the control group. The results revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) in the cigarette smokers in the schizophrenia diagnosed group between blood Pb, blood As, and urine Tl concentrations and the duration of cigarette smoking.

Associations of toxic metals and their mixture with hyperuricemia in Chinese rural older adults.

Previous studies have related single toxic metals (TMs) to hyperuricemia (HUA) among the general population, however, the association of the TM mixture with HUA, especially in older adults, remains poorly understood. We aimed to examine the relationships between individual TMs and their mixture and HUA in Chinese rural older adults. This study consisted of 2075 rural older adults aged 60years or over. Blood concentrations of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cesium (Cs), gallium (Ga), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), thallium (Tl), and uranium (U) were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The associations of single TMs with HUA were assessed using logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, and the association of TM mixture with HUA was explored using the elastic net with environmental risk score (ENET-ERS), quantile g-computation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models, respectively. Adjusted logistic regression model showed that Cs (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.37-1.99) and Pb (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.28-1.67) were positively related to HUA, andRCS model exhibited a positive linear association of Cs and Pb with HUA. ENET-ERS and QGC models quantified a positive correlation between the TM mixture and the odds of HUA, with estimated ORs of 1.15 (95% CI 1.11-1.19) and 1.84 (95% CI 1.37-2.47), respectively, and Cs and Pb had the most weight. BKMR model demonstrated a significant linear association between the TM mixture and increased odds of HUA, with the posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) of both Cs and Pb being 1.00. Moreover, we observed a positive interaction between Cs and Pb on HUA. The TM mixture is associated with increased odds of HUA in rural older adults, which may mainly be driven by Cs and Pb. Subsequent studies are warranted to confirm these findings and clarify the mechanisms linking multiple TMs with HUA.

MEASUREMENT OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS, AND TOXIC METALS IN THE BLOOD OF HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) AT PUNTA SAN JUAN, PERU USING DRIED BLOOD SPOTS.

The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) population at the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area in Peru is considered critical to the long-term sustainability of this endangered species in Peru. Exposure of the rookery to environmental toxicants is a mounting concern because of regional growth of industries and human populations. Whole blood samples were collected from 30 free-ranging penguins in 2011 as part of a broader population health monitoring program. Dried blood spots (DBS) containing 50 µl of blood were prepared and analyzed to assess exposure to five groups of environmental contaminants. Concentrations of elements arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury, selenium, and thallium were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Persistent organic pollutant concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze organochlorine pesticides (OCP; p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, t-nonachlor, and oxychlordane), polychlorinated biphenyls (congeners 138 and 153), and polybrominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyl-153 and polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners 47 and 99). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results revealed low levels of exposure to these selected contaminants, at levels not considered to be of concern for wildlife health. DBS methodology was considered effective in a field-based setting for quantification of whole blood concentrations of environmental contaminants in penguins.

Associations between plasma metal/metalloid mixtures and the risk of central obesity: A prospective cohort study of Chinese adults

Central obesity has increased rapidly over the past decade and posed a substantial disease burden worldwide. Exposure to metals/metalloids has been acknowledged to be involved in the development of central obesity through regulation of cortisol, insulin resistance, and glucocorticoid receptor reduction. Despite the importance, it is lack of prospective study which comprehensively evaluate the relations between multiple metals exposure and central obesity. We explored the prospective associations of plasma metal concentrations with central obesity in a prospective study of the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort. The present study included 2127 participants with a 6.87-year mean follow-up duration. We measured 23 plasma metal/metalloid concentrations at baseline. The associations between metals and incident central obesity were examined utilizing the Cox proportional hazard regression in single and multiple metals models. Additionally, we applied elastic net (ENET), Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), plasma metal score (PMS), and quantile-based g-computation (Qgcomp) models to explore the joint associations of metal mixtures with central obesity. After adjusting potential confounders, we found significant associations of plasma manganese (Mn) and thallium (Tl) concentrations with a higher risk of central obesity, whereas plasma rubidium (Rb) concentration was associated with a lower risk of central obesity both in single and multiple metals models (all FDR <0.05). The ENET and Qqcomp models verified similar metals (Mn, Rb, and Tl) as important predictors for central obesity. The results of both BKMR model and PMS suggested cumulative exposure to metal mixtures was associated with a higher risk of central obesity. Our findings suggested that co-exposure to metals was associated with a higher risk of central obesity. This study expands our knowledge that the management of metals/metalloids exposure may be beneficial for the prevention of new-onset central obesity, which may subsequently alleviate the disease burden of late-life health outcomes.

Enhanced thallium removal from zinc sulfate solutions using Lead(II) addition

Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) solutions with high thallium (Tl) concentrations induce cathode corrosion during Zn electrodeposition. Existing Tl extraction methods consume excessive Zn and often result in incomplete removal. This research introduces an optimized technique that incorporates lead(II) (Pb(II)) to form a Pb–Tl compound during Zn cementation. An initial thermodynamic analysis of Tl–Pb–Zn–H2O system reveals challenges in fully substituting Tl using just Zn powder due to minimal potential differences. However, with Pb(II) integration, this potential difference can be boosted to 312 mV. Experimental findings demonstrate that using solely Zn powder, even at 50 times the theoretical quantity, achieved a Tl extraction efficiency of only 50.32%. By adjusting the ratio of Pb(II) to Tl(I) to 1:1, this efficiency soared to 98.93%, while the required Zn powder amount was reduced by 20 times. Using Back Scanning Electron Microscopy (BSEM), deposits of Tl and Pb on Zn powder were confirmed, with elemental distributions perfectly aligned. Tests on ZnSO4 solutions with a Zn2+ ion concentration of 60 g/L still resulted in a 94.07% Tl extraction rate. When applied to actual ZnSO4 electrolytes from a Zn smelting process, the extraction rate remained high at 92.02%. Overall, this research underlines the superior Tl extraction capability of Pb(II) enhanced method over conventional procedures.

New insights into the key role of node I in thallium accumulation in seed of coix (Coix lacryma-jobi L.)

The mechanisms underlying the distribution of many toxic metal(loid)s in shoots and metal(loid) transport to grains have been well documented in the quest for food safety but there remains a lack of knowledge on thallium (Tl) accumulation in food crops. Here, field investigations combined with a glasshouse pot experiment were conducted to investigate the characteristics of Tl distribution and accumulation in coix, a major food crop in south Guizhou province, China, and the role of node I in restricting Tl transport to the seed. Fourteen percent of coix seed samples collected from the Lanmuchang Tl-As-Hg mine contained higher Tl concentrations than the recommended limit for foods and feedstuffs in Germany (0.5 mg kg−1), with the highest exceedance rate of the metal(loid)s determined, when grown in soils surrounding the mine with a very high Tl concentration of 0.07–89.5 mg kg−1 and a general low pH of 4.19–6.48. Thallium concentrations were higher in coix nodes than in internodes, followed by roots and grains. The Tl translocation factors from node I to grains were 0.01–0.21 and were the lowest of any translocation factors between different tissues. Node I is therefore the key tissue restricting Tl transport to coix grains. Thallium was localized mainly in the diffuse vascular bundles (DVBs) in node I. The co-localization of Tl and sulfur in the DVBs and Tl contamination-induced phytochelatin (PC) accumulation indicate that Tl storage in the DVBs involving complexation with PCs in node I is an important process in Tl accumulation in coix grains. Moreover, the area of DVBs in node I increased with increasing soil Tl pollution level, providing more channels for Tl transport to the panicles and grains and thereby acting as a key factor restricting Tl transport to the grains. These results provide new insights into the key role of node I in Tl accumulation in coix grains and indicate key points to minimize Tl accumulation in grains for food safety.

Relationship of individual and mixed urinary metals exposure with liver function in the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) of Zhejiang Province

BackgroundHeavy metals have been reported to affect liver function. However, there is currently little and inconsistent knowledge about the effects of combined and individual urinary metals on specific parameters of liver function in the general population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate their associations. MethodsThis study involved 807 general population from the China National Human Biomonitoring of Zhejiang Province 2017–2018. Concentrations of urinary metals, including Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Nickle (Ni), Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), Molybdenum (Mo), Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl) and Lead (Pb) were measured. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total bilirubin (TBIL) as liver function biomarkers. Multivariable linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were employed to explore the associations of urinary metals with liver function biomarkers. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender and age, excluding smokers and drinkers for sensitivity analysis. ResultsBoth statistical models indicated that urinary metals were positively associated with ALT and AST, while negatively with TP, ALB, DBIL and TBIL. In the WQS analysis, each quartile increase in the ln-transformed levels of metal mixtures was associated with 4.11 IU/L (95% CI: 1.07, 7.15) higher ALT and 3.00 IU/L (95% CI: 1.75, 4.25) higher AST, as well as, with 0.67 g/L (95% CI: 1.24, −0.11) lower TP, 0.74 g/L (95% CI: 1.09, −0.39) lower ALB, 0.38 μmol/L (95% CI: 0.67, −0.09) lower DBIL, and 1.56 μmol/L (95% CI: 2.22, −0.90) lower TBIL. The association between urinary metals and ALT was primarily driven by Cd (55.8%), Cr contributed the most to the association with AST (20.2%) and TBIL (45.2%), while the association with TP was primarily driven by Ni (38.2%), the association with ALB was primarily driven by As (32.8%), and the association with DBIL was primarily driven by Pb (30.9%). The associations between urinary metals and liver function might differ by sex and age. ConclusionUrinary metals were significantly associated with liver function parameters. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between heavy metals and liver function.

New constraints on fluid chemistry and elemental mobility during hydrothermal alteration from thallium isotope systematics of the battle mountain district, North-central Nevada

The Battle Mountain area is a major porphyry style Au (–Cu) district in northern Nevada, forming one end of the Battle Mountain-Eureka mineral trend. This trend, along with several others in the north-central Nevada region, hosts some of the world's most prolific gold mineralization, which is oftentimes associated with a suite of trace elements including arsenic, antimony, tungsten, and thallium and can be related to or overprinted by hydrothermal alteration. However, determining the extent of control hydrothermal fluids exert on some of the deposits in the region has been difficult to ascertain. One of the associated trace metals in the region, thallium (Tl), is a highly incompatible element and, as such, dominantly resides in the continental crust, where it can be easily remobilized during hydrothermal alteration. While previous work has demonstrated the effects of hydrothermal alteration on Tl distribution and fractionation, the controls responsible for the observed Tl fractionation during hydrothermal alteration are still poorly characterized but may provide insight into fluid behavior. Here, we present new Tl isotope composition and concentration data for a suite of 54 mineral separates obtained from 43 samples from the Battle Mountain area, which range from unaltered intrusive igneous rocks through varying types and degrees of hydrothermally altered rocks.Measured Tl concentrations vary by more than an order of magnitude, from below detection limit (0.2 ppm in this study) to 2.0 ppm, while ε205Tl ranges between −5.0 and +2.2 (ε205Tl is the deviation of the 205Tl/203Tl isotope ratio of a sample from a standard in parts per 104). Thallium concentrations correlate positively with whole-rock potassium (K), thus show strong increases during K alteration, and demonstrate significantly lower ε205Tl values within K-altered samples. Conversely, during later, overprinting Na–Ca alteration, both K and Tl are removed, resulting in a noted decrease in Tl concentrations coupled with a shift to significantly higher ε205Tl values. It appears that during hydrothermal alteration, 203Tl is more easily (re)mobilized and (re)distributed, which reflects: 1) a first-order hydrothermal alteration control that relates to the transport of Tl during the formation of a new, metasomatic mineral assemblage (particularly the breakdown and/or formation of K-bearing minerals) and 2) a second-order mineralogical control, relating to inter-mineral equilibrium, which also results in a small fractionation effect.

Determination of thallium in water samples via solid sampling HR-CS GF AAS after preconcentration on chromatographic paper

A method for determining thallium in water samples via solid sampling high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS HR-CS GF AAS) after preconcentration using chromatographic filter paper as a solid support was proposed. The effects of pH, stirring time, and sample volume in the analyte preconcentration step were studied. The presence of potential interferences in the sample and the type of masking agent were also examined. In the proposed procedure, the sample was placed in contact with the solid phase in a polypropylene tube, and after stirring for 3 min, thallium determination was performed via HR-CS GF AAS directly on chromatographic filter paper. A preconcentration factor of 55, a precision of 9.4% (n = 10; 10 μg L−1), a limit of detection of 0.018 μg L−1, and a limit of quantification of 0.059 μg L−1 were achieved. Analyte addition and recovery tests were performed, and the results ranged from 91% to 110%. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing a water reference material. The procedure was used to determine thallium in water samples collected in Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil. The results were compared with those obtained using inductively coupled plasma‒mass spectrometry (ICP‒MS). Thallium concentrations in the analyzed samples ranged from <0.059 to 0.80 μg L−1.

Pulse shape analysis of LiI:Tl crystal scintillators

The LiI:Tl crystal is a candidate for thermal neutron measurements and rare event searches due to the advantage of the lithium and iodide isotopes in its composition. This study shows the pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability of thermal neutron irradiation. Particle discrimination is essential for improving neutron measurement and rare event searches to reduce unwanted backgrounds. To investigate the pulse-shape characteristics of LiI:Tl crystals with different radiations, digital analysis of pulse shape has been considered. The raw pulses were fitted with a suitable pulse form. The fitted pulses were studied in both the time and frequency domains which improve the Figure-of-Merit over the charge comparison methods. Our results show the change of PSD for LiI:Tl crystals with different Thallium concentrations. The surface effect is discussed, and other related scintillation characteristics were also studied.

Evaluation of Radioactivity and Heavy Metals Content in a Basalt Aggregate for Concrete from Sicily, Southern Italy: A Case Study

In the present paper, an investigation on the natural and anthropic radioactivity and heavy metals content in a basalt aggregate for concrete from Sicily, Southern Italy, was performed as a case study. In particular, the evaluation of the specific activity of radium-226, thorium-232, potassium-40 and caesium-137 radionuclides was performed by using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometry, together with the estimation of several indexes developed to evaluate the radiological risk for the population related to radiation exposure, i.e., the alpha index (Iα), the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed γ-dose rate (D) and the annual effective dose equivalent outdoor (AEDEout) and indoor (AEDEin). Moreover, measurements of the average heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, antimony, thallium and zinc) concentrations in the analyzed sample were performed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Furthermore, with the aim to investigate any possible chemical pollution, the Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were assessed. Finally, the identification of the source of the aforementioned radioisotopes of natural origin was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thus identifying the major mineralogical phases present in the investigated basalt aggregate for concrete.

Determining the plants to be used in monitoring the change in thallium concentrations in the air

Determining the plants to be used in monitoring the change in thallium concentrations in the air

Short-term toxicity studies of thallium (I) sulfate administered in drinking water to Sprague Dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice.

Thallium is a heavy metal that is known to induce a broad spectrum of adverse health effects in humans including alopecia, neurotoxicity, and mortality following high dose acute poisoning events. Widespread human exposure to thallium may occur via consumption of contaminated drinking water; limited toxicity data are available to evaluate the corresponding public health risk. To address this data gap, the Division of Translational Toxicology conducted short-term toxicity studies of a monovalent thallium salt, thallium (I) sulfate. Thallium (I) sulfate was administered via dosed drinking water to time-mated Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley® SD®) rats (F0 dams) and their offspring (F1) from gestation day (GD) 6 until up to postnatal day (PND) 28 at concentrations of 0, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50mg/L, and adult male and female B6C3F1/N mice for up to 2 weeks at concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, or 100mg/L. Rat dams in the 50mg/L exposure group were removed during gestation, and dams and offspring in the 25mg/L exposure group were removed on or before PND 0 due to overt toxicity. Exposure to thallium (I) sulfate at concentrations ≤12.5mg/L did not impact F0 dam body weights, maintenance of pregnancy, littering parameters, or F1 survival (PND 4-28). However, in F1 pups, exposure to 12.5mg/L thallium (I) sulfate resulted in decreased body weight gains relative to control rats and onset of whole-body alopecia. Measurement of thallium concentrations in dam plasma, amniotic fluid, fetuses (GD 18), and pup plasma (PND 4) indicated marked maternal transfer of thallium to offspring during gestation and lactation. Mice exposed to 100mg/L thallium (I) sulfate were removed early due to overt toxicity, and mice exposed to ≥25mg/L exhibited exposure concentration-related decreases in body weight. Lowest-observed-effect levels of 12.5mg/L (rats) and 25mg/L (mice) were determined based on the increased incidence of clinical signs of alopecia in F1 rat pups and significantly decreased body weights for both rats and mice.

Levels and determinants of urinary and blood metals in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Tuscany (Italy).

Natural sources and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the widespread presence of heavy metals in the environment in the volcanic and geothermal area of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Italy). This study evaluates the extent of the population exposure to metals and describes the major individual and environmental determinants. A human biomonitoring survey was carried out to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), antimony (Sb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), and manganese (Mn). The associations between socio-demographics, lifestyle, diet, environmental exposure, and metal concentrations were evaluated using multiple log-linear regression models, adjusted for urinary creatinine. A total of 2034 urine and blood samples were collected. Adjusted geometric averages were higher in women (except for blood Hg) and younger subjects (except for Tl and Cd). Smoking was associated with Cd, As, and V. Some dietary habits (rice, fish, and wine consumption) were associated with As, Hg, Co, and Ni. Amalgam dental fillings and contact lenses were associated with Hg levels, piercing with As, Co, and Ni. Among environmental determinants, urinary As levels were higher in subjects using the aqueduct water for drinking/cooking. The consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables was associated with Hg, Tl, and Co. Exposure to geothermal plant emissions was associated only with Tl.

Examining of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Hookah Smokers.

Hookah smoking has been spreading around the world, especially among young adults. The current study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals and elements and clinical symptoms in hookah users in comparison with non-users. To the best of our knowledge, the present study represents the first scientific contribution indicating levels of several heavy metals and elements in urine and blood in hookah users and non-users as well as evaluating clinical symptoms. This research was implemented in Iran among 100 males divided into two groups (50/group): control and hookah users. Heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, arsenic, thallium, zinc, and copper) in blood and urine samples was assayed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Duration of hookah use was 7.06 ± 4.57years. The mean ± SD of lead, arsenic, and thallium concentrations was 3.77 ± 2.22, 8.50 ± 4.34, and 4.22 ± 2.69μg/L. The mean levels of blood for lead, arsenic, and urinary thallium in hookah users are significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The most frequent clinical symptoms in hookah smokers were constipation and fatigue. Findings from this study might guide the development of policies to regulate hookah smoking and prevent adverse health effects associated with hookah smoking.

Postmortem reference concentrations of elements in blood and urine

To establish postmortem reference concentrations of elements. Fatal intoxications, both accidental and intentional, are a global issue. In the western world intoxications with pharmaceuticals dominate, but in other parts of the world other substances are more common. Intoxication with elemental compounds is generally considered to be uncommon. In a forensic setting, elemental intoxications are of great importance when investigating both accidental, suicidal, and homicidal deaths. Arsenic, for example, is a classical poison which also has relevance in the modern era. Unlike for pharmaceuticals, postmortem reference concentrations for elements are scarce. For many elements it is therefore unknown if, and to what extent, they are affected by postmortem redistribution. The current study presents normal postmortem reference concentrations of 68 elements in femoral blood and urine. In addition, possible sources of error such as contamination from collection tubes, preservative potassium fluoride solution and storage time are evaluated. Paired blood and urine samples from 120 cases of death by suicidal hanging in Sweden were collected. 20 cases from each of the six local units of forensic medicine were used to account for possible regional differences. Additionally, the included cases reflected both short and long storage times. To account for possible elemental contamination from collection tubes and the added potassium fluoride solution, multiple batches of tubes and multiple samples of potassium fluoride solution were also analysed. Concentrations of elements were determined by double focusing sector field ICP-MS. Key descriptive statistics for all 68 elements are provided (including mean, median and percentiles) in blood and urine. Forensic highlights include blood concentrations of total arsenic (mean: 4.25 μg/g), thallium (mean: 0.14 μg/g) and antimony (mean: 14.82 μg/g). For several elements in blood and urine ( n = 24 and n = 25, respectively) a majority of elemental concentrations were below the limit of detection. The contribution of contamination from collection tubes were minor compared to the overall mean elemental concentrations in both blood and urine. Though the added solution of potassium fluoride contained a large assortment of elements, given the small amounts of this solution added to samples, the overall contribution is minor for most elements relative to the overall mean. However, there was a significant difference between samples with short and long storage time for 22 elements in blood and 17 elements in urine. These differences reflected both increases and decreases in concentration. Relative to antemortem elemental concentrations the postmortem concentrations show both increases and decreases. Of special note are markedly higher concentrations for several elements in blood (such as cadmium, chromium, manganese and antimony) compared to several antemortem populations. In general, it can be assumed the phenomenon of postmortem redistribution is as large for elements as it is for drugs and other substances. When evaluating individual concentrations, it is important to be aware of potential sources of contamination and the potential influence of storage time. Concentrations indicating overexposure must be evaluated together with autopsy findings and case circumstances to form a holistic view of the case as a whole. The present study provides an important tool when evaluating postmortem elemental concentrations. It fills a needed gap between large antemortem population studies and postmortem case reports or small case series of elemental intoxications. Together with the forensic autopsy and circumstantial information the present references will aid in diagnosing cases of potential elemental overexposure.