Geospatial Distributions of Lead Levels Found in Human Hair and Preterm Birth in San Francisco Neighborhoods

In San Francisco (SF), many environmental factors drive the unequal burden of preterm birth outcomes for communities of color. Here, we examine the association between human exposure to lead (Pb) and preterm birth (PTB) in 19 racially diverse SF zip codes. Pb concentrations were measured in 109 hair samples donated by 72 salons and barbershops in 2018–2019. Multi-method data collection included randomly selecting hair salons stratified by zip code, administering demographic surveys, and measuring Pb in hair samples as a biomarker of environmental exposure to heavy metals. Concentrations of Pb were measured by atomic emission spectrometry. Aggregate neighborhood Pb levels were linked to PTB and demographic data using STATA 16 SE (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA). Pb varied by zip code (p < 0.001) and correlated with PTB (p < 0.01). Increases in unadjusted Pb concentration predicted an increase in PTB (β = 0.003; p < 0.001) and after adjusting for poverty (β = 0.002; p < 0.001). Confidence intervals contained the null after further adjustment for African American/Black population density (p = 0.16), suggesting that race is more indicative of high rates of PTB than poverty. In conclusion, Pb was found in every hair sample collected from SF neighborhoods. The highest concentrations were found in predominately African American/Black and high poverty neighborhoods, necessitating public health guidelines to eliminate this environmental injustice.

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Determination of the trace element composition of human hair

Medical academic journal ◽

10.17816/maj43172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 23-32

Author(s):

S. S. Savinov ◽

N. A. Riadchikova ◽

T. M. Pikalova ◽

A. I. Drobyshev

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

Human Hair ◽

Atomic Emission ◽

Trace Element Composition ◽

Small Sample ◽

Element Composition ◽

Atomic Emission Spectrometry ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Hair Samples

Hair is one of the promising non-invasive samples for monitoring the trace element composition of the human body. But it is necessary to take into account the individual and subpopulation characteristics of sample donors. Inthis work, we experimentally studied the features of the analysis of human hair samples for the determination of trace elements by arc atomic emission spectrometry using a dry residue after acid mineralization. Validation was carried out by comparative analysis by the method used, as well as by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. It has been shown that the concentrations of Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, Zn in a set of 50samples from different donors obey the lognormal law, and therefore, the geometric mean (or median) is preferable as mean value. The content of Ca and Mg is higher in the female hair, while the content of Pb is higher in the male hair. Theconcentrations of Fe, Mn, and Pb are slightly higher in the hair of smokers than in non-smokers, but this difference is not statistically significant (probably due to the small sample size). Although the concentrations of several elements (including Mg, Mn, and P) differ in the hair of donors living in different regions of Russia, we failed to establish asignificant difference of this factor. Positive correlations were found between the contents of some elements, in particular, Mg/Ca, Al/Fe, Al/P, Cu/Fe, Cu/P, Fe/P, weaker relationships were found for Al/Cu, Ca/Mn, Cu/Pb, Mn/P.

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Membrane Pump Operation Synchronicity (Criticality) in Epidermal Cells: The Possibility of Quantifying the Level of Synchronization

International Journal of Negative Results ◽

10.14302/issn.2641-9181.ijnr-18-2226 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 12-19

Author(s):

V.I. Petukhov ◽

Е.V. Dmitriev ◽

L.Kh. Baumane ◽

A.V. Skalny ◽

Yu.N. Lobanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Power ◽

Atomic Emission ◽

Epidermal Cells ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Pump Operation ◽

Pair Correlations ◽

Membrane Pump ◽

Hair Samples ◽

Membrane Pumps ◽

P Type

The authors analyze the results of atomic emission spectrometry of hair samples for Al, Cd, Fe, Cr, Cu, Li, Pb, V, and Zn in 952 healthy subjects and 952 liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Using correlation analysis (Pearson) of the obtained data, the authors have found pair correlations between metal concentration values. According to the authors, criticality or synchronization (as a particular case of the critical state of the system) can be inherent in all ATP-dependent membrane pumps (P-type) controlling metal-ligand homeostasis in epidermal cells. A quantitative criterion (synchronization index) is proposed to measure the level of criticality (synchronization) in the functioning of membrane ATPases.

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Emergency Medical Services (EMS)Response and Transport Time for Stroke in an Urban African-American Population: Effect of Socio-demographics of the Patient’s ZIP Code

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.32.suppl_1.369-b ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 369-369

Author(s):

Jessica A Graus ◽

Jane C Khoury ◽

Edward C Jauch ◽

Rosie Miller ◽

Rashmi U Kothari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Public Assistance ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

American Population ◽

Time Data ◽

Transport Time ◽

African American Population ◽

Demographic Attributes ◽

Zip Code

P166 Introduction: Our hypothesis is that the total time between a 911 call and arrival at the Emergency Department (ED)(EMS time) varies by the socio-demographics of a stroke patient’s ZIP code, controlling for distance to the ED (EMS distance). This study considers an urban African-American (AA) population. Methods: We identified all hospitalized and autopsied strokes/TIAs between 1/1/93 and 6/30/93 for AA residents in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area. Address and timing of stroke and emergency care were abstracted from the medical chart. We obtained socio-demographic data for the ZIP code of residence from 1990 Census files: income, % AA, % on public assistance, and % below poverty. Location of residence and ED and estimation of EMS distance were calculated using ARCVIEW software. Linear regression was used for analysis. Results: Of 352 strokes, 268 occurred at home, 123 used EMS transport, and 81 had complete time data. Longer EMS time was associated with percent of the residents in the ZIP code on public assistance (p=.03), controlling for EMS distance (p=.02, Table). No other personal or socio-demographic attributes of the ZIP code were significant. Conclusion: ZIP codes with a higher percentage of residents on public assistance had significantly longer EMS times than ZIP codes with a lower percentage. Issues that may influence this relationship will be discussed.

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Importance of determining macro- and microelemental composition of blood in pregnant women with threat of preterm birth

Perm Medical Journal ◽

10.17816/pmj37173-78 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 73-78

Author(s):

N. Ya. Abdullaeva

Keyword(s):

Preterm Birth ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Atomic Emission ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Before And After

Aim. In order to establish the dependence of the threat preterm birth in pregnant women on the concentration of macro- and micronutrients, a comparative analysis of blood was carried out in 92 pregnant women aged 19 to 37 before and after treatment. Materials and methods. Quantitative elemental analysis of blood serum was performed for 8 elements: Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn, Se using the method of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP MS 7700e, Intertech. Corp., USA). Results. The conducted macro- and microelements content analysis revealed that during pregnancy, childbirth and perinatal period, a violation of their quantity is of no small importance. Conclusions. A reliably significant dependence of the threat of abortion, hypoxia, intrauterine growth retardation on the balance of macro- and microelements was noted.

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Вміст важких металів у шерсті корів північно-східної біогеохімічної зони

Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology ◽

10.15421/nvlvet7332 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (73) ◽

pp. 154-158

Author(s):

N.G. Grushanska

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Mineral Metabolism ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

Atomic Emission ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Noninvasive Methods ◽

Hair Samples ◽

The Status

The anthropogenic pollution of the environment in most cases connected with trace elements of heavy metals group. The effect of negative technogenic factors of the environment by interaction with the natural deficiency of essential microelements contributes to the appearing and spread of pathology of mineral metabolism among farm animals. The application of noninvasive methods for diagnosis of diseases of farm animals is a promising direction in veterinary medicine. The question of impact of the northern-eastern biogeochemical zone of Ukraine on the content of heavy metals in cows hair with consideration of lactation, keeping technology and colour hair samples is not researched enough. The research was conducted in the three farms of Chernihiv region (northern-eastern biogeochemical zone). The content of heavy metals was investigated by atomic emission spectrometry using Optima 210 DV. The materials the author’s own research to determine the status of the cow organism by noninvasive method in the northeastern biochemical zone of Ukraine concerning the content of heavy metals in different periods of lactation, keeping technology are introduced in the work. The content of Cadmium, Plumbum, Aluminum and Arsene in the hair of cows northeastern biogeochemical zone of Ukraine depending on the colour samples of hair (black, brown, white), keeping technology (loose, stable-pasture, stable) and period of lactation (55–65 days, 150–170 days) are investigated. The concentration of heavy metals in the hair of cows of the northeastern biogeochemical zone of Ukraine are: Cadmium – 0.03 ± 0.004 mg/kg, Plumbum – 0.70 ± 0.11 mg/kg, Aluminum – 16.78 ± 4.02 mg/kg, Arsene – 0.21 ± 0.05 mg/kg. In the hair of cows of the northeastern zone in 55–65 days of lactation the content of Cadmium is 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/kg, Plumbum – 0.83 ± 0.31 mg / kg, Aluminum – 15.79 ± 3.83 mg/kg, Arsene – 0.30 ± 0.14 mg/kg. In 150–170 days of lactation period the content of Cadmium is 0.04 ± 0.005 mg/kg, Plumbum – 1.25 ± 0.35 mg/kg, Aluminum – 22.34 ± 14.21 mg/kg and Arsene – 0.25 ± 0.07 mg/kg.

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Exploratory Analysis of COVID-19 Case Demographics in Gary, Indiana

Proceedings of IMPRS ◽

10.18060/24769 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Cameron Snapp ◽

Bill Trimoski ◽

Martin Brown ◽

Amy Han ◽

Tatiana Kostrominova

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Household Income ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Black Population ◽

Poverty Line ◽

Local Health ◽

Median Household Income ◽

Gary Indiana ◽

Black Populations ◽

Zip Code

Background and Hypothesis: Health disparities are prevalent in Black populations, and COVID-19 is not an exception. COVID-19 is a pandemic that has been confirmed in 3.8 million Americans and has caused 133,283 deaths in the US (4/20/2020). Recent literature suggests that minoritized and impoverished populations are more severely impacted by COVID-19. Gary, Indiana has a large Black population (80%), high number of residents living below the poverty line (34%), and high unemployment rate (20%). We hypothesized that Black individuals in Gary have a higher rate of positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths than non-Black individuals. Also, we hypothesized that income (median household income measured by zip code) is negatively correlated with COVID-19 deaths. Experimental Design and Project Methods:In collaboration with the Gary Health Department, we analyzed demographic data on all positive cases in the city from 4/16/2020 through 6/19/2020. Case data was de-identified with 16 dimensions including age, race, sex, ethnicity, hospitalization, death, and zip code. Data was analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test and regression analysis. Results: Positive cases and hospitalizations are 2-fold and 3-fold more frequent in the Black population compared to the non-Black population in Gary (p<0.0001, P<0.01, age and population-adjusted), respectively. Median household income of a zip code is exponentially and negatively correlated with COVID-19 related deaths in that zip code (R2=0.7450, p=0.0123). Conclusion and Potential Impact: In Gary, there is a clear health disparity of both income and race, specifically in the context of COVID-19. Health officials can utilize this data to reallocate resources to highly populated, low income, and predominantly Black neighborhoods. In addition, future predictive analysis could be beneficial in developing a model to predict COVID-19 prevalence and severity. Such a model would help local health departments prepare for a second Covid-19 wave, providing for better outcomes for at risk populations through resource allocation.

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