Toxic Metal Exposure Research Articles

A Collaborative Approach to Assess Legacy Pollution in Communities Near a Lead-Acid Battery Smelter: The "Truth Fairy" Project.

Advocates for civil rights, environmental justice, and movements promoting social justice require data and may lack trust in public authorities, turning instead to academic scientists to help address their questions. Assessing historical exposure to toxic chemicals, especially in situations of a specific industrial source of pollution affecting a community, is critical for informing appropriate public health and policy responses. We describe a community-driven approach to integrate retrospective environmental hazard exposure assessment with community organizing to address concerns about the extent of exposure to toxic metals in a predominantly working-class, Latinx community living near a now-closed lead-acid battery smelter facility. Named the "Truth Fairy Project" by leaders of the community organization East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, this community-university partnership aimed to assess prenatal and early-life exposures to toxic metals through biomarkers of exposure in baby/deciduous teeth. This partnership integrated community mobilization with empirical research, informing residents about toxic metal exposures and improving the community's capacity to respond to a public health crisis.

Health risk assessments of arsenic and toxic heavy metal exposure in drinking water in northeast Iran

BackgroundArsenic and heavy metals are the main cause of water pollution and impact human health worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to assess the probable health risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk) for adults and children that are exposed to arsenic and toxic heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, and Hg) through ingestion and dermal contact with drinking water.MethodIn this study, chemical analysis and testing were conducted on 140 water samples taken from treated drinking water in Mashhad, Iran. The health risk assessments were evaluated using hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (CR).ResultsThe results of the HQ values of arsenic and heavy metals for combined pathways were below the safety level (HQ < 1) for adults, while the HI for children were higher than the safety limit in some stations. Likewise, Cr showed the highest average contribution of HItotal elements (55 to 71.2%) for adult and children population. The average values of total carcinogenic risk (TCR) through exposure to drinking water for children and adults were 1.33 × 10−4 and 7.38 × 10−5, respectively.ConclusionOverall, the CRtotal through exposure to drinking water for children and adults was borderline or higher than the safety level of US EPA risk, suggesting the probability of carcinogenic risk for the children and adults to the carcinogenic elements via ingestion and dermal routes. Therefore, appropriate purification improvement programs and control measures should be implemented to protect the health of the residents in this metropolitan city.

Predictors of toxic metal exposures among US women of reproductive age.

Background:Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are ubiquitous toxicants that may be especially harmful to unborn children. We therefore sought to identify temporal trends and predictors of toxic metal biomarkers among US women of reproductive age, including those who were pregnant and/or breastfeeding.Methods:Interviews and examinations were performed among a representative sample of women, aged 20 to 44 years, as part of the 2003-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. A range of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors were evaluated as predictors of urinary inorganic arsenic, urinary cadmium, blood mercury, and blood lead concentrations.Results:Levels of all four toxic metal biomarkers declined during the study period. Older age, racial/ethnic minorities, and a birthplace outside of the US were independently associated with higher toxic metal concentrations. Associations were similar for women who were pregnant or breastfeeding and those who were not.Conclusion:US women of reproductive age were exposed to lower levels of toxic metals in 2013-2014 compared to 2003-2004. However, because the long-term health effects of early life exposures are unclear, public health efforts to address toxic metals should pay particular attention to older, non-white, and foreign-born women if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Effects of Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium Co-exposure on Children’s Pulmonary Function

Accumulating evidence has shown that toxic metals exposure can have adverse effects on children, but the effects of blood Pb, Hg, and Cd co-exposure on pulmonary function in children remains to be clarified. This cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted in Wuxi City, China. A total of 221 healthy children free from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were recruited. The blood samples were collected while blood Pb, Hg, and Cd levels were determined. The forced vital capacity volume (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the 1s (FEV1) were measured. The associations between metals concentration and pulmonary function were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. The geometric means of the blood Pb, Hg, and Cd levels in our study were 37.27μg/L, 1.41μg/L, and 0.28μg/L, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, maternal education, annual family income, fish consumption, and second-hand smoking exposure, only the blood Pb levels were significantly negatively associated with the pulmonary function. In addition, a significantly positive interaction between blood Pb and blood Cd on pulmonary function were also detected. Although causal relationship cannot be confirmed in this study, at least higher levels of Pb in blood are associated with decreased pulmonary parameters in children.

Food Intake and Blood Levels of Mercury, Lead, and Cadmium Among Healthy Reproductive Aged Women (P18-024-19)

ObjectivesExposure to toxic metals mostly occurs via contaminated food intake. Though toxic metals adversely affect reproductive health, common food sources among reproductive aged women are less understood. We addressed this gap among healthy premenopausal women, residing in western New York, 2005–2007. MethodsWomen enrolled in the BioCycle Study (n = 249, mean age 27.4 years and body mass index [BMI] 24.1 kg/m2) completed a baseline food frequency questionnaire and provided blood samples to measure levels of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). We used linear regression to examine associations between food intake and log-transformed toxic metals, adjusted for age, BMI, race, smoking, physical activity, and intakes of total energy, protein, fat, and fiber. Models were adjusted for false discovery rate. ResultsTotal fish intake ≥ 1 serving per day was associated with 54.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 36.1, 75.9) higher Hg levels, compared to <1 serving. Specific fish intakes (i.e., canned tuna, fried fish, shellfish, white fish, and dark fish) were also associated with higher Hg levels. Though total meat intakes were not associated with Hg, intakes of lunch meat (28.1%), beef, pork, and lamb (21.0%), and chicken and turkey (43.5%) were associated with higher Hg levels, compared to no intake. Intakes of specific vegetables, including red pepper (17.4%), green beans (20.1%), summer (24.7%) and winter squash (19.3%), and garlic (18.5%) were associated with higher Hg. Total fruit intake ≥ 1 serving per day was also positively associated with Hg (18.7%, 95% CI 4.8, 34.5), compared to <1 serving, particularly with bananas (21.6%, >0 versus no intake). Compared to no intake, green pepper (11.8%) and cauliflower (9.9%) were positively associated with Pb, whereas apples were inversely associated with Pb (−14.6%). No associations were found between food intakes and Cd in our data. ConclusionsWe found that intakes of certain foods are related to a higher blood level of toxic metals among reproductive aged women with metals level typical of the US population. Given the nutritional values of these food items, further research on food preparations (e.g., washing, packing) to reduce toxic metals exposure is needed. Funding SourcesIntramural Research Program, DIPHR, NICHD.

Biomarkers of cadmium, lead and mercury exposure in relation with early biomarkers of renal dysfunction and diabetes: Results from a pilot study among aging Canadians

Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are known nephrotoxicants that have been associated with the risk of developing type-2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this pilot study was to explore relations between biomarkers of Cd, Pb and Hg exposure, early urinary biomarkers of renal dysfunction (kidney-injured molecule-1 (KIM-1), N-acetylglucosaminidase and retinol-binding protein (RBP)) and plasma biomarkers deemed predictive of the risk of developing T2D (adiponectin, leptin, branched-chain and aromatic amino acids), among 70 participants (age range: (46–87 yrs)) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) with normal glycemic control (glycated haemoglobin ≤ 6.5%) in all but four of them. Significant (p < 0.05) Spearman correlation coefficients were obtained between: plasma adiponectin and RBP (r = 0.42), urinary Cd (r = 0.32), blood Cd (r = 0.36); KIM-1 and CdU (r = 0.33) as well as HgU (r = 0.37); RBP and isoleucine (r = -0.28), leucine (r = -0.33), tyrosine (r = -0.3) and valine (r = -0.44); CdU and isoleucine and valine (r = -0.27 for both). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that some T2D-related biomarkers are confounders of associations between RBP and Hg or Cd biomarkers. Path analyses support a mediating effect of adiponectin on the relation between urinary Cd and RBP. Concluding, this pilot study originally investigated a comprehensive set of biomarkers on complex interactions between toxic metal exposure, renal function and T2D in a group of aging Canadians. Its findings warrant further investigation of longitudinal data in a greater number of participants.

Trace elements bound to airborne PM10 in a heavily industrialized site nearby Athens: Seasonal patterns, emission sources, health implications

Trace elements in PM10 samples were studied at Elefsis city, a heavily industrialized area of Greece. Seasonal samplings were carried out from December 2015 to August 2017. Concentration levels of 18 metal (loid)s were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Al, Ba and Zn were the most abundant elements with mean concentrations ranging between 1000 and 22 000 ng m−3, Fe and Sr between 100 and 1000 ng m−3, while Cr, V, Mn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Ga, Rb were detected in traces (<50 ng m−3) and As, Co, Cd, Cs and Tl in ultratrace concentrations (<2 ng m−3). PM10, Al, Fe, Zn and Ba showed a seasonal variation, with maximum concentrations prevailing during the cold period of the year. The source apportionment tools employed, comprising use of enrichment factors analysis, wind patterns and correlation analysis, revealed that the industrial zone located at the study area constitutes a significant hotspot in terms of trace elements emission in the air (e.g. Cd, Pb), due to the presence of activities including coal and/or fossil fuel combustion, ferrous and non-ferrous production, operation of smelters and municipal solid waste incineration. An estimation of the excess lifetime cancer risk due to toxic metals exposure via inhalation, revealed that 2 people out of 30 000 in Elefsis area are at risk of cancer development.

Anthropogenic atmospheric toxic metals emission inventory and its spatial characteristics in Guangdong province, China

Atmospheric toxic metals (TMs) may cause adverse effects on the environment and human health due to their bioavailability and toxicity. High-resolution TMs emission inventory is important input data for assessing human exposure risks, especially synergistic toxicity of multiple toxic metals. By using the latest city- and enterprise-level environment statistical data, an emission inventory of five TMs (Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cr) in Guangdong province for the year of 2014 was developed using a bottom-up approach. The total emissions of Hg, As, Pb, Cd and Cr in Guangdong were estimated as 17.70, 32.59, 411.34, 13.13, and 84.16 t, respectively. Major emission sources for each TM were different. Hg emissions were dominated by coal combustion (33%), fluorescent lamp (18%) and cement (17%). 78% of Hg emissions were in the form of Hg0, 19% of Hg2+, and only 3% of Hgp due to strict particulate matter control policies. Coal combustion (48%), nonferrous metal smelting (25%) and iron and steel industry (24%) were the major sources of As. Pb emissions primarily came from battery production (42%), iron and steel industry (21%) and gasoline combustion (17%). Cd and Cr emissions were dominated by nonferrous metal smelting (71%) and iron and steel industry (82%), respectively. Most of these TMs were emitted in the non-Pearl River Delta region, where the newly-built iron and steel industry, nonferrous metal smelting and cement production factories were intense. The uncertainties in the five TM emissions were high, due much to high uncertainties in TM emission factors and limited activity data. Thus, to improve the accuracy of these estimates, we recommend more field tests of TM emissions, especially for the industrial process sector. This study provides scientific support for formulating robust TMs control policies to alleviate the high risk of TMs exposure in Guangdong.

Potential Role of Metal Chelation to Prevent the Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes.

For decades, there has been epidemiologic evidence linking chronic toxic metal exposure with cardiovascular disease, suggesting a therapeutic role for metal chelation. Given the lack of compelling scientific evidence, however, the indications for metal chelation were never clearly defined. To determine the safety and efficacy of chelation therapy, the National Institutes of Health funded the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT). TACT was the first double-blind, randomized, controlled trial to demonstrate an improvement in cardiovascular outcomes with edetate disodium therapy in patients with prior myocardial infarction. The therapeutic benefit was striking among the prespecified subgroup of patients with diabetes. We review the published literature focusing on the atherogenic nature of diabetes, as well as available evidence from clinical trials, complete and in progress, of metal chelation with edetate disodium therapy in patients with diabetes. The TACT results support the concept that ubiquitous toxic metals such as lead and cadmium may be modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, particularly in patients with diabetes. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential mechanisms unifying the pathogenesis of atherogenic factors in diabetes with toxic metal exposure, and the potential role of metal chelation.

Arsenic-induced inflammation in workers.

Occupational and environmental exposures to metal and metalloids can result in neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Selenium (Se) is essential for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, T-lymphocytes and other immune mechanisms, while zinc (Zn) is a trace element essential for basic cell activities, including cell growth and differentiation. Arsenic (As) may lead to different types of immunosuppressive effects. This study consisted of 62 male workers, who had been exposed to arsenic for different durations and 73 non-exposed male workers (control group) with no history of occupational toxic metal exposure. Whole blood and serum samples were taken from each participant for immunological, toxicological and routine analysis during their annual periodical examination. Arsenic, selenium and zinc levels were determined by the ICP-MS and cytokines, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, sE-selectin and VCAM-1, were measured by ELISA. There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between control and As-exposed group in As (1.37 ± 0.42 vs. 4.27 ± 1.54µg/L) and Se levels (106.37 ± 48.04 vs. 74.70 ± 30.45µg/L). The changing levels of As, Zn and Se seems to affect the severity of inflammatory reactions based on IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels (r = 0.755, r = 0.679 and r = 0.617, respectively, for all p < 0.01). Selenium was found to have a suppressive effect on cytokines, as evidenced by Pearson correlations and regression analysis. These findings support the need to closely monitor Se levels in individuals exposed to arsenic and benefits for Se supplementation in the case of arsenic exposure, occupationally or environmentally.

Seasonal variation of heavy metals and metallothionein contents in Asian swamp eels, Monopterus albus (Zuiew, 1793) from Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia

BackgroundLevels of toxic metal exposure in indigenous inhabitants are key bioindicators of the severity of environmental contamination. This study measured the seasonal variation of heavy metals and metallothionein (MT) contents in Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus) from a paddy field situated in Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia, to identify prevalence, patterns and associations and togain insight on the suitability of MT as a biomarker for metal exposure.MethodsGill, muscle and liver tissues of M. albus (n = 50) sampled during the ploughing, seedling, growing and harvesting phases of rice growing were collected. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in these tissues were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. MT from each sample was isolated and purified, and subsequently quantitated using UV spectrophotometry. Associations between metal and MT concentrations, season and tissue type were evaluated using Pearson correlation and ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD analysis.ResultsZn was present in higher quantities in gill and liver tissues, while Cu levels were elevated solely in liver. Patterns of non-essential metal accumulation were varied: Cd was detected in low concentrations in all tissues, while Pb and Ni were abundant in gill tissues across all seasons. MT concentration in liver tissue was consistently higher than that found in muscle or gill tissue, except during the growing phase. Moreover, significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed for Cd, Ni, and Zn when MT was employed as metal exposure biomarker. However, no significant association was found between high Pb and Ni levels and MT concentration in gill tissue.Variation of bioaccumulation rates of heavy metals among the different tissues was observed. Some of these metal concentration differences were found to be associated with MT concentration and, by extension, to its high metal-binding capacity.ConclusionsSignificant liver MT-Zn, MT-Cd, and MT-Ni correlations found in this study emphasised the role of metallothionein as a biomarker for exposure of zinc, cadmium and nickel metals in M. albus.

Edetate Disodium-Based Treatment in a Patient With Diabetes and Critical Limb Ischemia After Unsuccessful Peripheral Arterial Revascularizations: A Case Report.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive form of atherosclerosis that affects the lower extremities, particularly in patients with diabetes. Critical limb ischemia (CLI), the end-stage manifestation of this disease, is associated with an increased risk of chronic leg ulcerations, infections, amputations, and mortality. At presentation, 30% of CLI patients require amputation, and 25% will die within 1 year (1). Toxic metal exposure, particularly to cadmium, has been associated with an increased risk of vascular disease in epidemiological studies and PAD severity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (2–4). Toxic metals are ubiquitous and can induce increased oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation (4). Similarly, chronic cadmium exposure has been found to play a role in the acceleration of vascular disease in animal models (5,6). Edetate disodium is a chelating agent with high affinity for lead and cadmium (7). The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) demonstrated that edetate disodium–based chelation reduced cardiovascular events, especially in patients with diabetes after myocardial infarction (8,9). An 81-year-old man with a 35-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes, a 20 pack-year smoking history (quit date October 2001), atrial fibrillation, and CAD requiring coronary artery bypass in 2001 presented to the vascular service. His medications at baseline included sotalol, rivaroxaban, pentoxifylline, clopidogrel, aspirin, insulin, pregabalin, and atorvastatin. His baseline serum creatinine was 0.77 mg/dL, and his BMI was 22 kg/m2. He had progressive CLI with nonhealing ulcers and pain unimproved by medical therapy. Noninvasive tests demonstrated abnormal ankle-brachial indices bilaterally. Lower-extremity angiography revealed total occlusions of the left external iliac artery, left superficial femoral artery, distal right …

Ecological passportization of urban population in the Northwest Russia

The paper presents important criteria for human health estimation in urbanized industrial areas. On the contrary, environmental and economic conditions are successfully identified on the basis of population’ elemental status. Cause-effect relations between micro and macro element consumption (lack or abundance) and public health in North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation have been established using the open press sources. Data capturing and visualization are made. Spatial digital maps presenting element consumption for non-personalized groups as well as their main disorders are obtained. The environmental situation in urbanized regions should be used to make future modeling possible for the purposes of a green economy. The paper demonstrates there al picture of availability of macro and micro elements, their lack or abundance. Maximum disease cases per 1000 people appear in the Republic of Karelia, and minimum is in the Leningradskaya Oblast. In practice, mercury abundance is a stimulating agent for most disorders of different origin, which primarily, for example, neoplasms and leukemia. Monitoring and correction of chronic toxic metal exposure at the individual and population levels can significantly reduce expenses on educational and medical services, increase labor efficiency.

Personality and plasticity in neophobia levels vary with anthropogenic disturbance but not toxic metal exposure in urban great tits: Urban disturbance, metal pollution and neophobia

Animal personalities, as defined by repeatable among individual differences in behavior, can vary across urbanization gradients. However, how urbanization affects personalities remains incompletely understood, especially because different urban stressors could affect personality traits in opposing ways, whereas most previous studies have considered only one urban disturbance factor. For instance, novel habitat features could favor reduced neophobia, whereas exposure to pollutants could increase risk sensitivity through neurotoxic or hormonal effects. To address this contingency, we studied object neophobia in four urban populations of great tits (Parus major) that vary in exposure to metal pollution and anthropogenic disturbance, as quantified by proximity to roads and pathways. We measured the return latency of incubating females when flushed from the nest and presented with up to two different novel objects, allowing quantification of behavioral repeatability and plasticity. To separate neophobia from sensitivity to disturbance, we also conducted baseline trials, in which females were flushed but no object was presented. We additionally measured exploration behavior and aggression (hissing) during nest defense, to explore whether suites of behaviors covary with urbanization, and examined whether neophobia affects reproductive success. Sensitivity to disturbance and neophobia were repeatable, and thus represent personality traits. Moreover, females occupying territories near roads and pathways had shorter return latencies during novel object but not baseline trials, suggesting a specific reduction in neophobia in disturbed areas. Plasticity in neophobia also increased with disturbance level. In contrast, metal exposure did not affect neophobia or sensitivity to disturbance, despite negatively correlating with exploration behavior. Neophobia correlated with exploration behavior, but not aggression or reproductive success. Results suggest that shifts in personality types in urbanized areas might involve specific reductions in neophobia, rather than general reductions in sensitivity to disturbance, and unexpectedly indicate no effect of toxic metals on risk sensitivity.

Effects of lead, mercury, aluminium and manganese co-exposure on the serum BDNF concentration of pre-school children in Taizhou, China

Previous studies have shown that toxic metal exposure can have adverse effects on the nervous system of children, but the toxicology of metal co-exposure on neurodevelopment remains to be clarified. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in nervous system development, but the possible effects of metal co-exposure on the serum BDNF concentrations of children remain unknown. A total of 561 children living in Taizhou City, China were recruited to participate in our cross-sectional multicenter survey. We measured their blood Pb, Hg, Al and Mn levels and serum BDNF concentrations as well as determined their associations in the total and within sex subgroups. The geometric means of the blood Pb, Hg, Al and Mn levels in all the participants were 67.18 μg/L, 1.01 μg/L, 52.03 μg/L and 18.26 μg/L, respectively. The serum BDNF concentration in children was 19.45 ng/mL. After adjusting for confounders, the blood Pb levels were significantly negatively associated with the serum BDNF concentrations in all the subjects and boys but not in girls. In addition, a significantly negative interaction between blood Pb and blood Hg and a positive interaction between blood Pb and blood Al on serum BDNF concentrations were also observed in boys but not in girls. Our findings highlight the toxic effects of metal co-exposure on serum BDNF levels in pre-school children and indicate that these effects might differ by gender, which suggest that special attention should be paid to the sex-specific effects of metal exposure.

Prenatal lead exposure and elevated blood pressure in children

Growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures can influence blood pressure over the course of a lifetime. Exposure to toxic metals, such as lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), has been associated with increased blood pressure in adults, but few studies have examined the impacts of in utero and early life toxic metals exposure on blood pressure in childhood. As subclinical vascular changes are thought to begin early in life, it is possible that in utero toxic metals exposure may play a role in blood pressure homeostasis. In the ongoing New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we investigated whether in utero exposure to Pb and As was associated with measures of blood pressure in a total of 323 young children (mean age 5.5 years, SD 0.4). Pb and As were measured in maternal toenail samples collected at ~28 weeks gestation (n = 257) and/or 6 weeks postpartum (n = 285), which represent exposures ~6 to 12 months prior to collection and therefore reflect the early prenatal and late prenatal exposures, respectively. Five measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were averaged for each child using a standardized technique. In linear regression analyses, where log2-transformed prenatal toenail Pb and As were modeled jointly and adjusted for child age, sex, height, weight and maternal smoking during pregnancy, we observed that a doubling of maternal prenatal toenail Pb was associated with statistically significant increases in child SBP (β: 0.58 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.11). We did not observe any association of prenatal or postpartum As, or postpartum Pb, with SBP or DBP. Exploratory sex-stratified analyses suggest that associations of prenatal Pb with BP may be stronger among boys (SBP β: 0.72 mm Hg: 95% CI: −0.01, 1.44; DBP β: 0.37; 95% CI: −0.09, 0.84), compared to girls (SBP β: 0.48 mm Hg: 95% CI: −0.31, 1.26; DBP β: −0.05; 95% CI: −0.52, 0.41), though tests for interaction did not reach statistical significance (p-interaction SBP = 0.059; DBP = 0.057). Our preliminary results suggest that in utero toxic metals exposures may be associated with early life increases in blood pressure in children, which could have consequences for long-term health.

Multiple metal exposures and metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies suggest toxic metals are linked with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while experimental studies indicate nutritionally essential metals are involved in the metabolism of macronutrients and defense against oxidative stress. ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate how essential and toxic metals are cross-sectionally related to metabolic syndrome, a clustering of cardiometabolic conditions. MethodsUsing data from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 1088), we characterized metal concentrations as measured in spot urine (arsenic, cadmium, and inorganic/elemental mercury), whole blood (manganese, lead, methylmercury, and selenium), and serum (copper and zinc) samples. Principal component analysis was performed to derive patterns of exposures. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2009 Joint Scientific Statement as the presence of ≥ 3 of the following conditions: high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high fasting glucose, and abdominal obesity. ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, prevalence ratios for metabolic syndrome comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles were 1.41 (95% CI: 1.18–1.67) for the arsenic-inorganic/elemental mercury pattern, 0.95 (0.78–1.16) for the methylmercury-manganese pattern, 0.73 (0.57–0.94) for the cadmium-lead pattern, 0.91 (0.76–1.10) for the copper pattern, and 1.36 (1.13–1.63) for the selenium-zinc pattern. The positive associations observed for the arsenic-inorganic/elemental mercury pattern were due to an elevated prevalence of high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides among those with greater exposures. Associations for the selenium-zinc pattern were driven by a positive relationship with high triglycerides. Greater lead-cadmium co-exposures were related to a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity. ConclusionsThese cross-sectional findings suggest both toxic and essential metal exposures may contribute to cardiometabolic health, but need to be confirmed with prospective data.

Prenatal Lead Exposure and Elevated Blood Pressure in Children

Growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures can influence blood pressure over the course of a lifetime. Exposure to toxic metals has been associated with increased blood pressure in adults, but few studies have examined the impacts of in utero and early life toxic metals exposure on blood pressure in childhood. As subclinical vascular changes are thought to begin early in life, it is possible that in utero toxic metals exposure may play a role in blood pressure homeostasis. As part of the ongoing New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we investigated the association between in utero Pb exposure and early childhood measures of blood pressure in 287 children at 5 years of age. Pb was measured in maternal toenail samples collected at 28 weeks gestation and 6 weeks postpartum, which represent exposures ~6 to 9 months prior to collection and therefore reflect the early prenatal and late prenatal exposures, respectively. Blood pressure was assessed as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) and pulse rate, for which 3 to 5 measurements of each were recorded and averaged. In preliminary linear regression analyses, adjusted for child age, sex, height, and weight, we observed that a doubling of maternal prenatal toenail Pb was associated with statistically significant increases in child SBP (0.88 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.13, 1.62), MAP (0.57 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.10) and PP (0.59 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.01, 1.16). Exploratory analyses stratified by sex suggest that these effects may be stronger among boys, particularly for SBP and MAP. Our preliminary results begin to suggest that in utero Pb exposure may be associated with early life cardiovascular effects in children, which could have consequences for long-term health.

Toxic Metals Exposure Biomarkers among Children Living near Battery Recycling Industry

The last active lead-acid battery recycler located west of the Mississippi River is located in a low-income, primarily Hispanic community in eastern Los Angeles County. This secondary lead smelter ...

Serum Lead Level in Children with Acute Leukemia

Background: Lead toxicity is one of the most frequently reported unintentional toxic heavy metal exposures and the leading cause of single metal toxicity in children. Lead has no known beneficial function in human metabolism, rather its exposure has various detrimental effect on child health. Lead exposure causes activation of several cellular and molecular processer in leukemic cells so the purpose of the study was to measure serum concentration of lead in newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.Methodology: The study group consisted of newly diagnosed ALL patients ranging from 2 to 12 years who were admitted at the Department of Pediatrics in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), from February 2013 to January 2014 and age and sex matched healthy children’s were selected as controls. Serum measurements for lead were performed by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of Atomic Energy Centre Ramna, Dhaka.Results: The ALL group composed of 30 patients and 33 healthy children in the control group. There was no significant difference in the age (p=0.781) and sex (p=0.572) of the two groups. The mean serum lead level of ALL patient group (234.8±162.9 μg/L) was significantly higher than that of the control group (23.6±12.6 μg/L). There was significant difference of serum lead level in children with ALL and control group (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Serum lead (PB) level was significantly raised in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.Bangladesh J Child Health 2018; VOL 42 (1) :26-29