The association of expired nitric oxide with occupational particulate metal exposure

Toxicologic studies have shown that soluble transition metals in residual oil fly ash (ROFA) can induce pulmonary injury. In this study, we investigated the association between the fractional concentration of expired nitric oxide (FENO) and exposure to metal constituents of particulate matter with an aerodynamic mass median diameter < or =2.5 microm (PM2.5) in boilermakers exposed to ROFA and metal fume. Metals investigated included vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, and lead. Subjects were monitored for 5 consecutive days during boiler repair overhauls in 1999 (n=20) and 2000 (n=14). In 1999, we found a significant inverse association between log-transformed FENO and PM2.5 metal concentrations. LogFENO changed by -0.03 (95% CI: -0.04, -0.01), -0.56 (95% CI: -0.88, -0.24), -0.09 (95% CI: -0.16, -0.02), and -0.04 (95% CI: -0.07, -0.02) per microg/m3 of PM2.5 vanadium, chromium, manganese, and nickel, respectively. In 2000, no significant associations were observed, most likely due to exposure misclassification resulting from the use of respirators. The inverse association between PM2.5 metal exposure and FENO in subjects with limited respirator usage suggests that soluble transition metals might be partially responsible for the adverse pulmonary responses seen in workers exposed to ROFA.     

Biliary and urinary excretion of metals in humans

Fifteen metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, inorganic mercury, organic mercury, iron, manganese, magnesium, chromium, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, tin, and aluminum) were determined in the hepatic bile and urine collected simultaneously from three Japanese individuals (2 males, 1 female). The presence of these metals was classified as follows: hepatic biliary concentrations were higher than urinary concentrations (lead, arsenic, and iron); urinary concentrations were higher than hepatic biliary concentrations (cadmium, inorganic mercury, tin, cobalt, magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc, and nickel); hepatic biliary concentrations were almost equal to urinary concentrations (manganese and organic mercury); and relationship between hepatic biliary and urinary concentrations changed occasionally (aluminum). Eight essential metals (iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, chromium, copper, nickel, and cobalt) were detected at considerable concentrations in hepatic bile. Accounting for the daily flow volume of hepatic bile and the reabsorption of these metals, the supplementation of these metals should occur during treatment of diseases accompanied by loss of hepatic bile.     

大学生尿液金属水平与肺功能的关系

  目的  探讨大学生金属内暴露水平与肺功能的相关性，为开展金属暴露与肺功能损伤的相关研究提供依据。  方法  以2017—2018年在华北理工大学曹妃甸校区招募的45名符合标准的大学生为研究对象，分别于春、夏、秋、冬季进行问卷随访调查和健康体检，测量肺功能参数[用力肺活量(FVC)、1 s用力呼气容积(FEV1)、最大呼气流量(PEF)、FEV1/FVC和用力呼气流量(FEF_25~75)]，同时采集晨尿样本。尿液中15种金属含量使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP/MS)检测; 采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较不同季节尿液中金属含量的差异; 运用线性混合效应模型分析尿液中金属组分暴露浓度与肺功能之间的相关性。  结果  尿液15种金属元素中，铬、铁、镍、铜、锌、砷、硒、钼、镉、锑、铅在4个季节的含量差异均有统计学意义(H=9.79~20.61，P值均 < 0.05)。5项肺功能参数在4个季节的差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为61.72，45.30，47.61，25.47，35.13，P值均 < 0.05)。线性混合效应模型分析结果显示，尿液中钒、锰、铁、钴、镍和锑含量与FEV1呈负性相关(B值分别为0.202，0.192，0.181，0.154，0.131，0.283);尿液中铝、钒、锰、铁、钴、镍、锌、镉和锑的含量与FVC呈负性相关(B值分别为0.252，0.290，0.292，0.271，0.201，0.180，0.171，0.163，0.381);尿液中锰和锑的含量与PEF呈负相关(B值分别为0.291，0.354)(P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  大学生尿液中多种金属含量的增加与肺功能水平下降有关，金属元素的长期暴露有可能造成肺功能的损害，应加强对环境金属污染的控制。     

Urinary metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biomarkers in boilermakers exposed to metal fume and residual oil fly ash

BACKGROUND: Boilermakers are occupationally exposed to known carcinogens. METHODS: The association of urinary 1-hydroxy-pyrene (1-OHP), a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, with biomarkers of metal exposure (vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, and lead) in boilermakers exposed to metal fume from welding and dust particulates from residual oil fly ash (ROFA) was examined. A repeated measures cohort study was conducted during the overhaul of an oil-fired boiler. Twice-daily urine samples were obtained for 5 days and analyzed for cotinine, 1-OHP, and metals. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to model the multivariate relationship of 1-OHP to the explanatory variables. RESULTS: Metal and 1-OHP levels were determined for 165 urine samples from 20 boilermakers and these levels increased during the workweek. However, the 1-OHP level was not significantly associated with any individual metal level at any time point. CONCLUSION: This suggests that boilermakers were occupationally exposed to PAH and metals, but 1-OHP as a PAH biomarker was unable to serve as a surrogate marker of metal exposure for the metals measured in this study.     

Hygienic estimation of the levels of chemical substances in the soil of the Orengurg region

Soil pollution has been comprehensively assessed in the agroindustrial region and its sources were defined. The results of ecological and hygienic assessment of natural and anthropogenic soil pollution suggest that there are increased concentrations of boron, chromium, nickel, and lead and deficient levels of iodine throughout the territory. There are higher levels of metal accumulation in the soil of the Eastern area. Soil pollution with lead, zinc, copper, tin, manganese, chromium, and nickel was higher in the urban area than in rural one, that with vanadium was higher in the rural area. The following 4 types of correlating associations of metals in the soil were identified: cobalt--nickel--chromium; copper--zinc; baron--zirconium; vanadium--manganese--boron.     

Biological monitoring of metals and organic substances in hazardous-waste incineration workers

OBJECTIVES: To determine blood and urine concentrations of a number of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous-waste incinerator (HWI) 1 year after regular operations in the facility, and to compare these concentrations with the baseline levels. METHODS: The employees were divided into three groups according to their workplaces. Plasma analyses of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) and polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and urinary analyses of 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) were carried out. The blood concentrations of beryllium, manganese, mercury and lead, and the urine levels of cadmium, chromium, nickel and vanadium were also determined. RESULTS: The current plasma HCB, PCB and PCDD/F levels, and the urine levels of chlorophenols (CLPs) and 1-HP did not show significant differences between workplace groups or the baseline concentrations. Moreover, no significant differences between metal levels could be observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The lack of differences between the current levels of metals and organic substances and the respective baseline concentrations, together with the absence of differences depending on the workplace indicate that the potential exposure of HWI workers to the analyzed compounds was insignificant. According to these results, 1 year of potential exposure to the above metals and organic substances would not mean any specific health problem for the workers at the HWI.     

Positive Association between Endothelium–Platelet Microparticles and Urinary Concentration of Lead and Cadmium in Adolescents and Young Adults

(1) Background: In previous research, higher levels of urine heavy metals, especially lead and cadmium, have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, there is no information linking exposure to heavy metal to endothelial and platelet microparticles (EMPs and PMPs), particularly in the younger population, which are novel biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction. (2) Methods: From a nationwide database, which was incepted in 1992–2000, screening for renal health among Taiwanese school children, a total of 789 subjects were recruited. Cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the association between serum EMPs/PMPs and urine iron, nickel, copper, cadmium, lead, chromium, manganese, and zinc levels in the adolescent and young adult population. (3) Results: After we adjusted the conventional cardiovascular risk factors, CD31+/CD42a− and CD31+/CD42a+ counts, in subjects’ serum, respective markers of EMP and PMP displayed a significant positive dose-response relationship with urinary lead and cadmium levels. Higher quartiles of urine lead and cadmium levels were associated with an increased risk of higher EMPs/PMPs (≥75th percentile) in a multivariate logistic regression model. (4) Conclusion: Higher urinary lead and cadmium concentrations are strongly associated with endothelium–platelet microparticles in this adolescent and young adult population, which could help explain, in part, the mechanism through which heavy metal exposure results in cardiotoxicity.     

Monitoring of occupational exposure in manufacturing of stainless steel constructions. Part I: Chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium in the workplace air of stainless steel welders.

Exposure to workplace airborne pollutants was examined in a group of 20 workers dealing mainly with welding, polishing, drilling and assembling of stainless steel constructions. Airborne particulate matter (APM) collected using both personal and stationary samplers was analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality assurance procedures of both sampling and analytical stages are described. Of the elements determined, results are presented for chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium. The median values of element concentrations exceeded the maximum admissible limits for workplace pollutants only for chromium, while for nickel the limit was exceeded in several individual cases. Sampling of hair, nails, blood, urine and saliva to be used for biological monitoring of the exposed and control groups is also described.     

Assessment of Atmospheric Metal Pollution in the Urban Area of Mexico City,Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus benjamina</Emphasis> as Biomonitor

Concentrations of vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, antimony, and lead were measured in Ficus benjamina leaves from the Mexico City urban area in order to assess their enrichment against background values. The instrumental analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and the analytical method was tested using two certified reference materials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (1547 Peach Leaves and 1573a Tomato Leaves). Enrichment factors were calculated, i.e., total to background concentration ratio, for each metal. Low enrichments of vanadium, cobalt, nickel, and copper (≈2), and mild enrichments of chromium and zinc (4.4, 4.5 respectively) were found in the entire area; oppositely, high enrichments were assessed for antimony (28.6) and lead (17.2). However, results indicate that metal concentrations strongly depend on the specific urban sub-area. Increments of metals were attributed to natural, vehicular, and industrial sources.     

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to fine particulates

Residual oil fly ash (ROFA) is a chemically complex mixture of compounds, including metals that are potentially carcinogenic because of their ability to cause oxidative injury. In this study, we investigated the association between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic mass median diameter 相似文献   

Heavy metal pollution among autoworkers. II. Cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, and nickel.

Garages and auto-repair workshops may be polluted with other heavy metals besides lead. Blood of autoworkers with high lead content was analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper manganese, nickel, ALAD activity and carboxyhaemoglobin level. Cadmium and copper levels in blood of autoworkers were comparable with those of the control subjects while chroimium and nickel levels were significantly higher (P less than 0-01 for both metals), and scattered raised values of manganese were found. There was no significant mutual correlation between levels of various heavy metals determined in whole blood. High copper levels were slightly related to decreasing ALAD activity (P less than 0-1). Nineteen per cent of autoworkers were found to have an abnormally blood level of carboxyhaemoglobin. The amount of particulate heavy metal in autoworkshop air was not related to biochemical abnormalities found in the autoworkers. Various sources of pollution of these heavy metals in autoworkshops are discussed.     

Heavy metal pollution among autoworkers. II. Cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, and nickel.

Garages and auto-repair workshops may be polluted with other heavy metals besides lead. Blood of autoworkers with high lead content was analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper manganese, nickel, ALAD activity and carboxyhaemoglobin level. Cadmium and copper levels in blood of autoworkers were comparable with those of the control subjects while chroimium and nickel levels were significantly higher (P less than 0-01 for both metals), and scattered raised values of manganese were found. There was no significant mutual correlation between levels of various heavy metals determined in whole blood. High copper levels were slightly related to decreasing ALAD activity (P less than 0-1). Nineteen per cent of autoworkers were found to have an abnormally blood level of carboxyhaemoglobin. The amount of particulate heavy metal in autoworkshop air was not related to biochemical abnormalities found in the autoworkers. Various sources of pollution of these heavy metals in autoworkshops are discussed.     

厨房空气中烹调油烟有害成分的测定和分析

目的研究3种类型民用燃料燃烧的烹调油烟中气态污染物（SO2、NO2、CO、CO2）及颗粒物（PM2.5、PM10）的污染状况,并分析PM2.5、PM10中8种金属元素（铅、铬、铜、镉、锰、锌、铁、汞）和两种多环芳烃（菲、苯并[a]芘）的含量。方法采用气体检测仪检测SO2、NO2、CO、CO2值;采用称重法分析PM25和PM10的质量浓度,石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法定量检测PM25和PM10中铅、铬、铜、镉,火焰原子吸收分光光度法定量检测PM2.5和PM10中锰、锌、铁,冷原子吸收法定量检测PM2,和PM10中汞,高效液相色谱法定量检测PM2,和PM10中菲、苯并[a]芘浓度。结果SO2、NO2、CO、CO2及PM2.5、PM10的浓度均超过室内空气质量标准规定的浓度限值,其中超标倍数较大的分别是天然气的CO2（5．2）,液化石油气的NO2（11．1）,蜂窝煤的SO2（12．4）、CO（16．5）;天然气的PM2.5、PM10超标倍数分别是117．0、145．5。PM2.5、PM10的金属成分分析结果显示锰、锌、铁含量较高,铅、铜次之,铬、镉、汞含量最低;PM2.5、PM10的多环芳烃类有机成分菲、苯并[a]芘含量均较高。结论3种类型燃料燃烧产生的烹调油烟中气态污染物及颗粒物污染严重,不同类型燃料产生的污染物污染状况不同,PM2.5、PM10中金属元素及多环芳烃类有机成分污染水平较高,烹调油烟可能是居室内空气污染主要来源,且污染程度严重。     

The association of particulate air metal concentrations with heart rate variability

Numerous studies show an association between particulate air pollution and adverse health effects. Particulate matter is a complex mixture of elemental carbon, ammonium, sulfates, nitrates, organic components, and metals. The mechanisms of action of particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 micro m in mean aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)), as well as the constituents responsible for the observed cardiopulmonary health effects, have not been identified. In this study we focused on the association between the metallic component of PM(2.5) and cardiac autonomic function based on standard heart rate variability (HRV) measures in an epidemiologic study of boilermakers. Thirty-nine male boilermakers were monitored throughout a work shift. Each subject wore an ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitor and a personal monitor to measure PM(2.5). We used mixed-effects models to regress heart rate and SDNN index (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal) on PM(2.5) and six metals (vanadium, nickel, chromium, lead, copper, and manganese). There were statistically significant mean increases in the SDNN index of 11.30 msec and 3.98 msec for every 1 micro g/m(3) increase in the lead and vanadium concentrations, respectively, after adjusting for mean heart rate, age, and smoking status. Small changes in mean heart rate were seen with all exposure metrics. The results of this study suggest an association between exposure to airborne metals and significant alterations in cardiac autonomic function. These results extend our understanding of the adverse health effects of the metals component of ambient PM(2.5).     

Determination of toxic metals in blood by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

An application of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the analysis of various toxic metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, chromium, nickel, vanadium) in whole blood was studied, and two techniques for sample preparation (vacuum drying and nitric acid combustion) were compared. The acid combustion method appeared to be superior on the basis of the accuracy and precision of the determinations. The tungsten-target X-ray tube was suitable for determining manganese, nickel, and vanadium, the lowest limits of detection being 0.021 mug/ml, 0.035 mug/ml and 0.017 mug/ml, respectively, and the precisions being between 4.25 and 6.92%. The sensitivity and reproducibility for lead, cadmium, and chromium were unsatisfactory. A comparison between the recoveries of X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption analyses demonstrated that the X-ray method is suitable for determining manganese, vandium, nickel, cadmium, and lead. The poor sensitivity of the X-ray method, however, restricts its practical use. For vandium the results obtained by X-ray fluorescence were superior to those measured by a colorimetric method. No significant differences were observed between the results of single component and multicomponent analyses at the metal concentrations usual in physiological and toxicological cases.     

交通警察尿金属谱与血脂水平的关联性分析

目的 在交通警察中探讨23种尿金属与血脂水平的关联性。方法 采用横断面研究设计,在185名交通警察中（56名内勤人员,129名外勤人员）分析尿金属对血脂水平的影响。对研究对象进行职业健康检查。尿金属浓度采用电感耦合等离子体质谱联用仪检测。结果 外勤组甘油三酯（TG）、高密度和低密度脂蛋白均高于内勤组（P＜0.001,P＜0.001和P = 0.036）。外勤组铝、钛、钒、铬、锰、铁、钴、镍、铜、锌、砷、硒、铷、锶、钼、镉、锡、锑、钨、铊、铅和铀浓度均高于内勤组,差异有统计学意义（所有P＜0.05）。校正年龄、性别、吸烟、吸烟包年、饮酒、锻炼、工龄、工种、BMI和尿肌酐后,尿铜与TG、尿钴与总胆固醇（TC）的关联性有统计学意义（β = 0.16, 95%CI 0.05～0.28, P = 0.007和β = 0.05, 95%CI 0.01～0.10, P = 0.009）,且在校正了其他金属后,此关联仍有统计学意义。此外,校正辅助变量后,尿铜与血脂异常正相关。结论 尿铜和尿钴分别与TG和TC水平升高有关,表明金属对交通警察血脂代谢具有调节作用。     

贵州省苗族人群尿金属与糖尿病及其相关指标的关联性分析

目的 探讨苗族人群尿金属暴露与空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白及糖尿病的关联性。方法 通过多阶段分层抽样调查贵州省苗族30～79 岁之间的居民共3 724人，采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法检测尿液金属（砷、镉、镉、钴、铁、汞、锂、钼、铅、锶、钒和锌）浓度。采用最小二乘法回归、稀疏偏最小二乘法回归分析单金属与多金属暴露和空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白之间的关联。采用logistic回归分析尿液金属与糖尿病之间的关联并构建糖尿病预测模型。结果 在稀疏偏最小二乘法模型中，铬（β: 0.328, 95%CI:0.207～0.444）、锌（β: 0.102, 95%CI: 0.047～0.175）与空腹血糖呈正相关，铁（β: - 0.129, 95%CI: - 0.196～- 0.06）、钼（β: - 0.061, 95%CI: - 0.116～- 0.016）、铅（β: - 0.053, 95%CI: - 0.088～- 0.013）、钒（β: - 0.133, 95%CI: - 0.197～- 0.081）与空腹血糖呈负相关；铬（β:0.252, 95%CI: 0.165～0.332）、锌（β: 0.058, 95%CI: 0.018～0.108）与糖化血红蛋白呈正相关，铁（β: - 0.107, 95%CI: - 0.155～- 0.057）、铅（β: - 0.034, 95%CI: - 0.062～- 0.003）、钒（β: - 0.095, 95%CI: - 0.139～- 0.053）与糖化血红蛋白呈负相关。基于年龄、甘油三酯、收缩压、肌酐清除率、糖尿病家族史、尿铬、尿铁、尿钒和尿锌的独立危险因素，建立预测糖尿病风险的列线图模型，并对该模型进行验证，该模型受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.787。结论 多金属暴露，尤其是铬、铁、钒、锌，与苗族人群空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白及糖尿病有关，这支持了金属暴露在糖尿病发生发展中的发挥作用的观点。     

Metal Contamination of Vegetables Grown on Soils Irrigated with Untreated Municipal Effluent

Metals in soils and vegetables irrigated with untreated municipal/industrial effluent, from four cities of Pakistan (Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas) were assessed. The cadmium, copper, lead and chromium concentrations in the municipal/industrial effluent from all sites were above the recommended permissible limits. Similarly, cadmium, lead and nickel concentrations in almost all the soil samples were above the recommended permissible limits with chromium higher than the recommended permissible limits in 62% soils and copper higher in 26%. Cadmium and chromium concentrations were above the recommended permissible limits in all the examined vegetables and lead was exceeded in 90% of vegetables.     

Levels of metals and organic substances in blood and urine of workers at a new hazardous waste incinerator

Objective: To assess baseline concentrations of a number of metals and organic compounds in blood and urine of 28 workers employed at a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI), before operation of the plant. Methods: Plasma analyses of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were carried out. The urinary levels of 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol (DCPs), 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCPs) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), as well as those of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) were also measured. Beryllium (Be), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) concentrations were determined in total blood, while the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V) were measured in urine. Results: The levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene were under their respective detection limits. The concentrations of HCB, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in plasma of the HWI workers, chlorophenols (CLPs) and 1-HP urinary concentrations, as well as those of metals in blood and urine are shown. PCDD/F concentrations in plasma of the new HWI workers ranged between 13.4 and 84.0 pg international toxic equivalents (I-TEQ)/g lipid, with a geometric mean value of 24.4 pg I-TEQ/g lipid. Discussion: PCDD/F levels, as well as the concentrations of PCBs were of the same order of magnitude as those recently obtained for non-occupationally exposed populations of Catalonia (Spain). No significant gender differences were found for the levels of HCB, PCBs and PCDD/Fs. Although the present results showed a notable variability in the levels of CLPs, geometric mean values of these compounds were similar or even lower than those considered as potential reference values. Metal concentrations in blood and urine were also of the same order of magnitude than previously reported metal levels in the same area. Conclusion: The present results should be useful in future surveys in which internal exposure of the HWI workers will be determined. Received: 26 June 2000 / Accepted: 10 October 2000     

Effects of waste water sediments on the levels of heavy metals ion the soil and plants

Field small-plot experiments studied the effects of sediments of waste water from Saransk disposal systems. The content of toxic heavy metals (lead, arsenic, and cadmium) in the waste-water sediments, was shown to be not greater than their maximum permissible concentrations (32, 2, and 10 mg per kg of dried soil, respectively). With the use of waste-water sediments, the content of manganese, copper, tin, nickel, vanadium, beryllium, cobalt, iron, and chromium was found to correspond to their baseline level in the soil and plants.