Revised and new reference values for some trace elements in blood and urine for human biomonitoring in environmental medicine

AbstractObjectivesTrace elements (TEs) from natural and anthropogenic sources are ubiquitous. Essential or not, their relevance for human health and disease is constantly expanding. Biological monitoring is a widely integrated tool in risk assessment both in occupational and environmental settings. However, the determination of appropriate and accurate reference values in the (specific) population is a prerequisite for a correct interpretation of biomonitoring data. This study aimed at determining the reference distribution for TEs (Al, As, Sb, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, Sn, V, Zn) in the blood and/or plasma of the adult population in Belgium.MethodsBlood and plasma samples were analyzed for 178 males and 202 females, recruited according to an a priori selection procedure, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).ResultsReference values were established with high confidence for AsT, Cd, Cu, HgT, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sn, Se, Tl and Zn. Compared to previously published data in the Belgian population, a decreasing time trend is observed for Zn, Cd and Pb. Globally, the results also indicate that the current exposure levels to TEs in the Belgian population are similar to those from other recent national surveys.ConclusionsThese reference values and limits obtained through validated analytical and statistical methods will be useful for future occupational and/or environmental surveys. They will contribute to decision-making concerning both public health policies but also exposure assessments on an individual scale.

Download Full-text

High-accuracy IDMS analysis of trace elements in wheat flour for the provision of reference values to a proficiency testing scheme

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry ◽

10.1039/b504521e ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (10) ◽

pp. 1051 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Richard B. Myors ◽

Annette L. Nolan ◽

Shane Askew ◽

David L. Saxby ◽

Ruth Hearn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Proficiency Testing ◽

Wheat Flour ◽

Reference Values ◽

High Accuracy ◽

Proficiency Testing Scheme ◽

Testing Scheme

Download Full-text

Evaluation of sediment contamination by trace elements and the zooplankton community analysis in area affected by gold exploration in Southeast (SE) of the Iron Quadrangle, Alto Rio Doce, (MG) Brazil

Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia ◽

10.1590/s2179-975x2013000200006 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 150-157

Author(s):

Cláudia de Lima e Silva ◽

Adivane Terezinha da Costa ◽

Giovanni Guimarães Landa ◽

Herton Fabrício Camargos Fonseca ◽

Aléssio Silveira

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Reference Values ◽

Zooplankton Community ◽

Reference Value ◽

Community Analysis ◽

Major And Trace Elements ◽

Geochemical Composition ◽

Gold Exploration ◽

Local Reference ◽

High Concentrations

AIM: The aim was to verify the geochemical composition of sediments samples (riverbed and bank) and the relationship of the following elements: Al, As, Cd. Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn with the zooplankton community. METHODS: Bank and riverbed sediments were collected in four sampling points along the studied area, in June/2010 (dry season) and March/2011 (rainy season). Three types of analysis were performed: granulometric, mineralogical (by X-Ray diffractometer) and geochemical (by ICPOES), where for the last two types, only a fraction of silt/clay (<0.062 mm) was used, and the results were compared with the following reference values: Local Reference Value (Costa et al., 2010), Quality Reference Values (São Paulo, 2005), PEC and TEC values (MacDonald et al., 2000). For identification of the zooplankton community, riverbed and bank samples were collected in polyethylene bottles, suspended with deionized water (bank sample only), stained with Rose Bengal and preserved in formalin at 4%. RESULTS: As concentrations at Col sampled point were 18 times greater than the Local Reference Value (3.84 mg.kg-1). Cd concentrations were greater than the values established by the QRV (<0.5 mg.kg-1) and PEC (4.98 mg.kg-1) in almost all the sampled points, regarding seasonality. The following zooplanktonic species were identified: Arcella costata (Ehrenberg, 1847), Arcella discoides (Ehrenberg, 1843), Arcella vulgaris (Ehrenberg, 1830), Centropyxis aculeata (Ehrenberg, 1838), Centropyxis ecornis (Ehrenberg, 1841), Difflugia sp., Difflugia acuminata (Ehrenberg, 1838), Euglypha laevis (Perty, 1849), Trynema enchelys (Ehrenberg, 1938), Asplanchna priodonta (Gosse, 1850), and Bedelloida, with, approximately 81% belonging to the Protozoa group. CONCLUSIONS: The studied area, with the exception of the Tripuí point, was found to be impacted by historical gold exploration in the region, as well as by the growing urbanization. Within the elements considered to be the most toxic to the biota, As and Cd violated all their reference values. In spite of high concentrations of major and trace elements encountered at downstream points, testacea species were identified, suggesting that this group has the capacity to adapt to adverse situations.

Download Full-text