Safety evaluation of metal exposure from commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria

The concentrations of ten metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn and Al) were measured in some commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the risk of exposure to metals from the use of these products. The metal concentrations in these products were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion of the samples. The measured concentrations of metals in the skin moisturizing creams ranged from <0.15 to 6.3 μg/g Cd, <0.02 to 17.5 μg/g Cu, 2.25 to 6.25 μg/g Cr, <0.25 to 124.3 μg/g Al, 0.2 to 7.3 μg/g Pb, <0.03 to 10.7 μg/g Ni, 17.3 to 372.0 μg/g Zn, <0.02 to 1.0 μg/g Co, 17.75 to 28.8 μg/g Mn, <0.1 to 89.8 μg/g Fe while the concentrations of metals in the skin-lightening products ranged from <0.15 to 16.5 μg/g Cd, <0.02 to 10.0 μg/g Cu, 4.25 to 8.0 μg/g Cr, <0.25 to 128.0 μg/g Al, 0.5 to 4.5 μg/g Pb, <0.03 to 1.65 μg/g Ni, 24.7 to 267.5 μg/g Zn, <0.02 to 2.5 μg/g for Co, 19.3 to 31.8 μg/g Mn, 9.5 to 211.63 μg/g Fe. In a significant number (>93%) of the samples investigated the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Co were below the specified limit, or the maximal limit for impurities in colour additives in cosmetics for external use. However, Cr was found at concentrations above the allergenic limit of 1 μg/g. The results also showed that skin-lightening creams contained higher concentrations of the studied metals than the moisturizing creams, except for Ni, which indicates that persons who uses skin-lightening creams in preference to moisturizing ones, are exposed to higher concentrations of metals.     

Levels of nickel and other potentially allergenic metals in Ni-tested commercial body creams

It is extensively well-known that Ni and other metals occurring as impurities in cosmetic products might give rise to contact dermatitis in subjects with pre-existing allergy. The present study on the content of 13 metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ir, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, and V) in moisturizing creams, labelled as “Ni-tested” (i.e., Ni content <100 ng g⁻¹) and available on the Italian market, provides a basis for assessing their safety for consumers. Quantification of metals was performed by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid digestion of products. The developed method had limits of quantification less than 0.8 ng g⁻¹ for all the elements; recovery was in the interval 88% (Cd, Co) to 110% (Hg), and precision was always under 7%. Nickel was present in all the products with levels between 17.5 and 153 ng g⁻¹; three skin creams were slightly above the concentration reported on the label. The other elements were at levels below 1 μg g⁻¹. The highest concentrations, in ng g⁻¹, of Co, Cr, Cu, and Mn were 222, 303, 51.2, and 59.9, respectively. Mean Cd, Pb, and V were below 5 ng g⁻¹, while Hg was absent in all the samples. Among the new emergent allergens, Ir and Rh were in traces or even undetectable, while Pt had levels of 2.65 and 6.28 ng g⁻¹ in two creams and Pd was equal to 1.07 ng g⁻¹ in one product. The overall results are below the sensitizing limit proposed for consumer products and, thus, probably have no significant toxicological effects. Nevertheless, some creams presented amounts of Co and Cr comparable to those of Ni and therefore they have to be monitored in consideration of their cross-reactivity as well.     

Speciation and distribution characteristics of heavy metals and pollution assessments in the sediments of Nashina Lake,Heilongjiang, China

Sediment core samples from Nashina Lake, Heilongjiang, China were collected using a gravity sampler. The cores were sliced horizontally at 1 cm each to determine the particle size, total concentrations and speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Total concentrations of heavy metals were extracted using an acid mixture (containing hydro fluoric acid, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid) and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. A sequential extraction procedure was employed to separate chemical species. Analysis of results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of Nashina Lake in descending order are Mn, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cd. The ratios of the average concentrations of four heavy metals (e.g.Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn) to their background values were >1; and those of Mn, Cd, and Pb were >1. Moreover, some toxic metals were mainly distributed in bioavailable fractions. For instance, both Cd and Mn were typically found in Acid-extractable species or Fe–Mn oxide species, and thus can be easily remobilized and enter the food chain. Finally, the analysis of geo-accumulation index showed that anthropogenic pollution levels of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn were low, but those of Pb and Cd were at the moderate level. As both Pb and Cd are toxic metals, it is highly necessary to prohibit their transformation and accumulation in the sediments.     

Trace metal dynamics in zooplankton from the Bay of Bengal during summer monsoon

Trace metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations in zooplankton from the mixed layer were investigated at 8 coastal and 20 offshore stations in the western Bay of Bengal during the summer monsoon of 2003. The ecotoxicological importance of trace metal uptake was apparent within the Bay of Bengal zooplankton. There was a distinct spatial heterogeneity of metals, with highest concentrations in the upwelling zones of the southeast coast, moderate concentrations in the cyclonic eddy of the northeast coast, and lowest concentrations in the open ocean warm gyre regions. The average trace metal concentrations (μg g^?1) in coastal zooplankton (Fe, 44894.1 ± 12198.2; Co, 46.2 ± 4.6; Ni, 62.8 ± 6.5; Cu, 84.9 ± 6.7; Zn, 7546.8 ± 1051.7; Cd, 46.2 ± 5.6; Pb, 19.2 ± 2.6) were higher than in offshore zooplankton (Fe, 3423.4 ± 681.6; Co, 19.5 ± 3.81; Ni, 25.3 ± 7.3; Cu, 29.4 ± 4.2; Zn, 502.3 ± 124.3; Cd, 14.3 ± 2.9; Pb, 3.2 ± 2.0). A comparison of average trace metal concentrations in zooplankton from the Bay of Bengal showed enrichment of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in coastal zooplankton may be related to metal absorption from primary producers, and differences in metal concentrations in phytoplankton from coastal waters (upwelling zone and cyclonic eddy) compared with offshore waters (warm gyre). Zooplankton showed a great capacity for accumulations of trace metals, with average concentration factors of 4 867 929 ± 569 971, 246 757 ± 51 321, 337 180 ± 125 725, 43 480 ± 11 212, 1 046 371 ± 110 286, 601 679 ± 213 949, and 15 420 ± 9201 for Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb with respect to dissolved concentrations in coastal and offshore waters of the Bay of Bengal. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.     

Comparison of Eleven Heavy Metals in Moringa Oleifera Lam. Products

Eleven heavy metals in various products of Moringa oleifera were analyzed to determine eleven heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, and Zn) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The products of M. oleifera were purchased in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. All products were digested with nitric acid solution before determining the concentrations of heavy metals. The recoveries of all heavy metals were found to be in the range of 99.89-103.05%. Several criteria such as linearity, limits of detection, limits of quantification, specificity, precision under repeatability conditions and intermediate precision reproducibility were evaluated. Results indicate that this method could be used in the laboratory for determination of eleven heavy metals in M. oleifera products with acceptable analytical performance. The results of analysis showed that the highest concentrations of As, Cr, Hg, and Mn were found in tea leaves while the highest concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found in leaf capsules. Continuous monitoring of heavy metals in M. oleifera products is crucial for consumer health.     

Evaluation of trace metals concentration and human health implication by indigenous edible fish species consumption from Meghna River in Bangladesh

This study is focused on the determination of trace metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Cd) concentrations of nine different indigenous fish species of Meghna River in Bangladesh to know the possible risk in human consumption. Fishes' wet muscles samples were analyzed to evaluate the level of trace metal concentrations. The concentrations (mg kg⁻¹ w/w) of the six selected trace metals were in the order Zn (1.42 ± 0.12) > Cr (1.31 ± 0.08) > Cu (0.92 ± 0.09) > Pb (0.54 ± 0.07) > Cd (0.51 ± 0.07) > As (0.47 ± 0.02). The results revealed that all the selected trace metals were below the maximum permissible limits recommended by the reference standards. The fish species may pose no risk with respect to the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI). Target hazard quotient (THQ) values for Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in all the fish species were <1.0, except for As which is dominantly organic in fishes. Both adults and children are vulnerable to carcinogenic health threat due to Cd exposure.     

Removal of heavy metals by conventional water treatment plants using poly aluminum chloride

In this study, trace heavy metals, such as aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were investigated in the water of the Karun River that enters the water treatment plants (WTP1 and WTP2) in Ahvaz City, Iran. Removal efficiency of these heavy metals was assessed in various units of WTP1 and WTP2, as well. For this purpose, water samples were collected from four different points of the WTP1 and WTP2, namely, the influent (raw water, RW), the effluent of the clarifier (clarifier effluent, CE), and the effluent of the filter (filter effluent, FE). A total of 72 water samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals using ICP-OES apparatus. The results indicated that all RW samples contain Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn within the US EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), except Al, Fe, Mn, and Sb that crossed the MCLs. High levels of Al (649.9 (±171.6) µg/L, 806.4 (±135.1) µg/L), Fe (484.95 (±127.05) µg/L, and 529.7 (±119.6) µg/L) were found in finished water of WTP1 and WTP2, respectively. Experimental results showed that level of all studied heavy metals except Al reduced in WTP1 and WTP2 effluent. From the observed data, it is found that effluent Al concentration was over influent Al concentration in both WTP1 and WTP2. It is concluded that using PACl as coagulant in WTP1 and WTP2 can increase concentration of aluminum.     

Assessment of environmental contamination using feathers of Bubulcus ibis L., as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution, Pakistan

Concentrations of metals such as Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the feathers of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from three breeding colonies in the Punjab province, Pakistan. The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Pb and Mn were significantly different between the three study sites (River Chenab, River Ravi and Rawal Lake Reservoir). The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe and Mn were significantly greater at the River Chenab heronry and Cr, Co, Zn, and Pb concentrations at the River Ravi heronry. The feathers of cattle egrets collected from the Rawal Lake Reservoir heronry were least contaminated. Multivariate statistical methods viz., Factor Analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (FA/PCA); Hierarchical Cluster analyses (HACA), and Correlation Analyses identified relatively similar associations of metals and their sources of input. Metals such as Ca, Mg, and K were related with natural input from parent rock material whereas trace metals viz., Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, and Zn were associated mainly with anthropogenic processes. Metals such as Fe, Mn, and Li were either correlated with natural input or with anthropogenic activities. Concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr were well above the threshold level that can cause adverse effects in birds and pose menace to the cattle egrets population in Pakistan. The study suggested that the feathers of cattle egret could be used as a bio-monitor of the local heavy metals contamination.     

Assessment of the phototoxic potential of cosmetic products.

The cosmetics are nontoxic or less toxic in perse but photoactivation may then sensitize and could produce additional phototoxicity. Phototoxicity assessment of ten different lipsticks and eight facial creams was conducted. Results revealed that six lipsticks and five facial creams generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced haemolysis and caused lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes (in vitro) under sunlight exposure. Seven creams and one lipstick were alkaline while one cream and two lipsticks were acidic. The test lipsticks and creams showed absorption in UV/visible range. The study demonstrated synergistic action of cosmetic products and sunlight. Therefore, sunlight exposure should be avoided after the use of photosensitive cosmetics.     

Distribution and ecological assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of the East Lake, China

Concentrations and risk assessment of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) were investigated in 106 samples of surface sediments from the East Lake, China in this study. The mean concentration of Zn was highest among the eight heavy metals (225 mg kg^?1), followed by As (191 mg kg^?1), Cr (145 mg kg^?1), Cu (55 mg kg^?1), Ni (27.1 mg kg^?1), Pb (7.93 mg kg^?1), Cd (0.94 mg kg^?1) and Hg (0.21 mg kg^?1). Niuchao Hu was less polluted by heavy metals compare to the other four lakelets of the East Lake. The correlations among these heavy metals and the results of principal component analysis indicated that the distribution of Cd, Pb and Hg was related to anthropogenic activities, whereas Cu, As and Cr were affected by the parent rocks. Zinc and Ni were influenced both by anthropogenic activities and parent rocks. Based on the Sediment Quality Guidelines, the results of toxicity assessment indicated that adverse effects caused by Cr and As would be expected frequently. Nickel, Zn, Cd and Hg may cause adverse effects occasionally and Cu and Pb may cause toxicity infrequently. Arsenic was found to have the highest acute toxicity by toxic units (TUs), followed by Cr, Ni, Zn, Hg, Cu, Cd and Pb. The potential ecological risk index analysis indicated that As, Cd and Hg had considerable or high ecological risk, whereas Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb had low ecological risk. The potential ecological risk index (RI) of the heavy metals in the surface sediments of East Lake was 483, indicating considerable ecological risk. Close attention should be paid to pollution of the heavy metals in East Lake, China.     

Study of the migration phenomena of specific metals in canned tomato paste before and after opening. Validation of a new quality indicator for opened cans

A method for the simultaneous determination of Cd–Pb, As–Cu, Cr–Ni and Fe–Mn in canned tomato paste samples by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was developed and validated. The validation procedure was conducted according to the terms of the European regulation for the official control of contaminants in foods. The validated method was applied for the determination of these metals and metalloids in 13 different tomato paste samples and the results showed that Cd content was higher than the maximum permissible value of 0.050 mg kg⁻¹ as proposed in European Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 concerning fresh fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, a new quality indicator was evaluated in order to provide information about tomato paste quality and the appropriate storage time of an opened canned tomato paste. Finally, a migration test was accomplished based on the calculation of mass balance and the comparison of the elemental content in canned tomato paste samples and in aseptic paper pack and it was proved that Fe and Pb were the main metals migrating in tomato paste samples.     

Multi-element method for determination of trace elements in sunscreens by ICP-AES

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric (ICP-AES) method was developed for multi-element analysis of sunscreen creams and lotions. The objective was the simultaneous determination of Ti (TiO₂ being is the only authorized inorganic UV filter in the European Union) and several minor, trace or toxic elements (Al, Zn, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb and B) in the final products. Two alternative pretreatment procedures were examined: (i) total acid digestion in closed pressurized vessels prior to sample introduction into the plasma and (ii) direct introduction of sample in the form of emulsified slurry. The latter was proved inefficient for several types of creamy samples due to their high viscosity and insolubility. Several acid mixtures were examined for wet digestion because of the complex and fatty matrix of creams and lotions. Plasma parameters like nebulizer argon gas flow rate and radiofrequency incident power were optimized in order to improve the atomization. The recovery of the proposed acid digestion method was evaluated using spiked samples. The calculated recoveries were 95.0% for Ti, 98.2% for Zn and 101.3% for Fe, and the detection limits were 0.2 μg g⁻¹ for Ti, 0.2 μg g⁻¹ for Zn and 0.5 μg g⁻¹ for Fe, respectively. Possible interference from the presence of Ti on the sensitivity of each analyte was examined. Finally the method was applied successfully to several commercial sun protection products and the results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry as reference method.     

Relative in vitro affinity of hepatic metallothionein for metals

The ability of selected metals (Ag, Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Tl and V) to displace Zn from Zn-metallothionein (Zn-MT) was quantitated. Of the metals tested Cd had the highest affinity for MT, with 1.33 microM displacing 50% of the 65Zn bound to MT (EC50), followed by Pb (1.46 microM), Cu (1.93 microM), Hg (3.93 microM), Zn (8.06 microM), Ag (10.4 microM), Ni (474 microM) and Co (880 microM). As, Ca and Mo had a limited ability to displace Zn from MT while Al, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Tl and V had no effect on Zn binding even at 1.0 mM.     

Assessment of lead in cosmetic products

There have been a number of recent reports in the media and on the internet about the presence of lead in brand-names lipsticks. This has drawn our attention to assess the safety of various cheap brands of cosmetics sold at 2-riyals stores in Saudi market that are imported from countries where safety regulations are poorly enforced as well as they lack perfect conditions for manufacturing. Lead contents were determined in 26 and eight different brands of lipsticks and eye shadows using the Zeeman atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled to graphite tube atomizer after an acid digestion procedure. Lead was detected in all the studied samples. The median (25th–75th percentile) lead content in 72 lipsticks samples was 0.73 (0.49–1.793) PPM wet wt. in the range of 0.27–3760 PPM wet wt. There were four brands of lipsticks with lead content above the FDA lead limit as impurities in color additives (20 PPM). The FDA does not set a limit for lead in lipstick. Three of them were extremely high points and considered outliers. The median (25th–75th percentile) lead contents in pressed powder eye shadow was 1.38 (0.944–1.854) PPM wet wt. (n = 22) in the range of 0.42–58.7 PPM wet wt. One brand was above 20 PPM the US FDA’s lead limit as impurities. The overall results indicate that lead in lipsticks and eye shadows are below the FDA lead limit as impurities and, thus, probably have no significant toxicological effects. Nevertheless, few brands had lead content above 20 PPM that might put consumers at the risk of lead poisoning. Lead is a cumulative, and applying lead-containing cosmetics several times a day or every day, can potentially add up to significant exposure levels. Pregnant and nursing mothers are vulnerable population because lead passes through placenta and human milk and affect fetus or infant’s developments. Our findings call for an immediate mandatory regular testing program to check lead and other toxic metals in lipsticks and other cosmetic products imported to Saudi Arabia in order to curtail their excess and safeguard consumer health.     

Determination of toxic element levels (lead and cadmium) in commonly used cosmetic products in Iran

Toxic elements are commonly used in cosmetic products for many reasons like coloring pigments or blocking ultraviolet light; however, the level of some metals exceed specific concentration which can cause serious safety issues. This study aims to evaluate the content of lead and cadmium in samples of sunscreen and foundation creams, most frequently used brands of cosmetic products, in Iran. Concentration of lead in the sunscreens and foundation creams was lower than that of USFDA standards. The content of cadmium was higher than Europe Union standard. Effort must be made to inform the users about the harmful consequences of cosmetics.     

Evaluation of trace metal and polychlorinated biphenyl levels in tea brands of different origin commercialized in Italy

The objectives of this study were to investigate the trace element (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr and Se) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) content of several commercially available brands of green and black tea marketed in Italy. The concentrations these chemicals were found to be variable and largely dependent upon the type and brand of analysed tea. The most abundant element among the essential elements was Fe, followed by Zn, Cu, Se, Ni and Cr, whereas Pb was the predominant among the tested nonessential elements followed by Hg and Cd. Assessment based on several available guidelines showed that element content were low, except for Hg and Ni. The PCBs concentrations were generally low, with a homologue profile dominated by low-chlorinated congeners, namely three- and tetra-PCBs accounting for more than 60% of the total residue. Apart from trace elements, this is the first study documenting in detail the concentrations and congener distribution of PCBs in tea samples of different origin.     

Concentration of Metallothionein in Major Organs of Rats after Administration of Various Metals

Concentration of Metallothionein in Major Organs of Rats afterAdministration of Various Metals. WAALKES, M. P., AND KLAASSEN,C. D. (1985) Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 5, 473–477. The effectof various metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn) at maximumtolerated doses on metallothionein (MT) concentrations in majororgans (brain, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas,spleen, stomach, and testes) of rats was measured by the Cd-radioassaytechnique. Zn produced the most dramatic changes in MT, increasingconcentrations 260-, 86-, 44-, and 14-fold over control forpancreas, intestine, liver, and kidney, respectively. Zn increasedMT in every organ examined except brain. Cd was also effectivein increasing MT levels, elevating concentrations in all organsexcept brain and testes. Testes was the only organ in whicha metal decreased MT levels, where Cd produced a 90% decrease.Cr, Fe, Pb, and Mn increased MT concentrations only in hepatictissue, while Hg and Ni increased MT in liver, kidney, and pancreas.Results indicate that Zn is the most effective inducer of MTsynthesis in several tissues and that liver appears to be themost responsive organ to increased MT synthesis following exposureto a number of metals     

Multivariate analysis combined with GIS to source identification of heavy metals in soils around an abandoned industrial area,Eastern China

Heavy metals in soils polluted by industrial production are a meaningful topic worldwide. The purpose of this study is to understand the pollution status and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils. The result can help decision-makers apportion possible soil heavy metals sources and formulate effective pollution control policies. In this paper, 155 soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected and analyzed for eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni) from an abandoned industrial area of Tong County, located in Jiangsu Province of Eastern China. The multivariate analysis (including I_geo, E_i/RI, EF, PCA, and CA) and geostatistics (GIS) were used to assess the enrichment level and pollution level of soil heavy metals and identify their sources. The results indicated that eight heavy metals in soils had moderate variations, with CVs ranging from 19.63 to 63.34 %. The pollution level of I_geo of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd~Zn > Cu > Hg~As~Pb~Cr~Ni. The enrichment level of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd > Zn > Hg > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cr. According to the E_i, except Cd and Hg were in the significant and moderate ecological risk levels respectively, other soil heavy metals were in the clean or light ecological risk levels, the level of potential ecological risk (RI) of the whole industrial area was moderate. Finally, the source identification of soil heavy metals indicated that Cd and Zn were primarily controlled by human activities, and Hg and Cu were controlled by natural and anthropogenic sources, and As, Pb, Cr, and Ni were mainly controlled by soil parent materials.     

Evaluation of urinary metal concentrations and sperm DNA damage in infertile men from an infertility clinic

This study aimed to examine associations between urinary metal concentrations and sperm DNA damage. Thirteen metals [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)] were detected in urine samples of 207 infertile men from an infertility clinic using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and also, sperm DNA damage (tail length, percent DNA tail, and tail distributed moment) were assessed using neutral comet assay. We found that urinary Hg and Ni were associated with increasing trends for tail length (both p for trend < 0.05), and that urinary Mn was associated with increasing trend for tail distributed moment (p for trend = 0.02). These associations did persist even when considering multiple metals. Our results suggest that environmental exposure to Hg, Mn, and Ni may be associated with increased sperm DNA damage.     

Chemical partitioning of fine particle-bound As,Cd, Cr,Ni, Co,Pb and assessment of associated cancer risk due to inhalation,ingestion and dermal exposure

The bioavailability and human health risks of As, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr and Cd in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) at an urban site on a National highway in Agra, India were investigated. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer was used for metal analysis in sequentially extracted samples to ascertain the highly mobile, reducible, bioavailable and immobile fractions of the metals. Cancer risk resulting from inhalation, dermal and ingestion exposure to each metal in these fractions was calculated according to US EPA models. The average mass concentration of PM_2.5 was 87.16?±?62.51?μg/m³. Cr, Ni and Pb were the most abundant metals. The results showed that Pb and Cr were higher in the mobile fraction. Cd and Co had high bioavailability. Ingestion is the major exposure pathway for all heavy metals except Cr to infants, children and adults followed by inhalation and dermal contact. The cumulative risk for Cr(VI) due to dermal and inhalation routes exceed the maximum acceptable limit for children of age 1–7?years, 8–15?years and adults when total concentration is considered, but the estimated risks are within the acceptable limit when the bioavailable, water soluble and mobile fraction are taken into account. Hence the study shows that children and adults living in the vicinity of this site are more susceptible, hence more attention should be paid to protect them from pollution hazards. The study indicates the importance of metal speciation in assessing associated human health risks.