Analysis of settled dust with X-ray Fluorescence for exposure assessment of metals in the province of Brescia, Italy

Zacco, Annalisa; Resola, Sergio; Lucchini, Roberto; Albini, Elisa; Zimmerman, Neil J.; Guazzetti, Stefano; Bontempi, Elza

doi:10.1039/b906430c

Cited by 32 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…More detailed information on the study areas were published previously (Lucchini et al, 2007, 2012). Environmental levels of Mn and other metals have been thoroughly characterized in the study regions, showing that levels of Mn are significantly higher in Valcamonica compared to the Garda Lake reference area for airborne particles (Borgese et al 2011, 2012), deposited outdoor dust (Zacco et al 2009), indoor house and attic dust (Pavilonis, submitted), soil (Borgese et al, 2013), and locally cultivated leafy vegetables (Ferri et al 2012). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurofunctional dopaminergic impairment in elderly after lifetime exposure to manganese

et al. 2014

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Background Manganese (Mn) is an essential element that can become neurotoxic through various exposure windows over the lifespan. While there is clear evidence of Mn neurotoxicity in pediatric and adult occupational populations, little is known about effects in the elderly who may exhibit enhanced susceptibilities due to compromised physiology compared to younger adults. In the province of Brescia, Italy, the Valcamonica area has been the site of three ferroalloy plants operating from 1902 to 2001. Metal emissions of Mn and to a lesser extent lead (Pb) have impacted the surrounding environment, where a high prevalence of Parkinsonism was previously observed. This study aimed to assess neurocognitive and motor functions in healthy elderly subjects residing for most of their lifetime in Valcamonica or in a reference area unimpacted by ferroalloy plant activity. Methods Subjects were enrolled for extensive neurobehavioral assessment of motor, cognitive and sensory functions. Exposure was assessed with 24hour personal air sampling for PM10 airborne particles, surface soil and tap water measurement at individual households, Mn levels in blood and urine and Pb in blood. Dose-response relationships between exposure indicators and biomarkers and health outcomes were analyzed with Generalized (linear and logistic) Additive Models (GAM). Results A total of 255 subjects (55% women) were examined; most (52.9%) were within the 65–70 years age class. Average airborne Mn was 26.41 ng/m3 (median 18.42) in Valcamonica and 20.96 ng/m3 (median 17.62) in the reference area. Average Mn in surface soil was 1026 ppm (median 923) in Valcamonica and 421 ppm (median 410) in the reference area. Manganese in drinking water was below the LDL of 1 µg/L. The GAM analysis showed significant association between airborne Mn (p=0.0237) and the motor coordination tests of the Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. The calculation of the Benchmark Dose using this dose response relationship yielded a lower level confidence interval of 22.7 ng/m3 (median 26.4). For the odor identification score of the Sniffin Stick test, an association was observed with soil Mn (p=0.0006) and with a significant interaction with blood Pb (p=0.0856). Significant dose-responses resulted also for the Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices with the distance from exposure point source (p=0.0025) and Mn in soil (p=0.09), and for the Trail Making test, with urinary Mn (p=0.0074). Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were associated with air (p=0.061) and urinary (p=0.003) Mn, and with blood Pb (p=0.0303). In most of these associations age played a significant role as an effect modifier. Conclusion Lifelong exposure to Mn was significantly associated with changes in odor discrimination, motor coordination, cognitive abilities and serum PRL levels. These effects are consistent with the hypothesis of a specific mechanism of toxicity of Mn on the dopaminergic system. Lead co-exposure, even at very low levels, can further enhance Mn toxicity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurofunctional dopaminergic impairment in elderly after lifetime exposure to manganese

et al. 2014

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“…Subjects were provided verbal and written description of the study and requirements, and in turn provided written consent to participate as approved by the Ethical Committee of the Public Health Agency of Brescia, Italy. Recruitment and enrolment procedures of participants are described in a separate publication [19]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Metals in Soil and Salad in the Proximity of Historical Ferroalloy Emission

Ferri

Donna

Smith

et al. 2012

JEP

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Emissions of manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) from ferro-alloy operations has taken place in Valcamonica, a pre-Alp valley in the province of Brescia, Italy, for about a century until 2001. Metal concentrations were measured in the soil of local home gardens and in the cultivated vegetables. Soil analysis was carried out using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer in both surface soil and at 10 cm depth. A subset of soil samples (n = 23) additionally was analysed using the modified BCR sequential extraction method and ICP-OES for intercalibration with XRF (XRF Mn = 1.33 * total OES Mn – 71.8; R = 0.830, p < 0.0001). Samples of salads (Lactuca sativa and Chichorium spp.) were analyzed with a Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) technique. Vegetable and soil metal measurements were performed in 59 home gardens of Valcamonica, and compared with 23 gardens from the Garda Lake reference area. Results indicate significantly higher levels of soil Mn (median 986 ppm vs 416 ppm), Pb (median 46.1 ppm vs 30.2 ppm), Fe (median 19,800 ppm vs 13,100 ppm) in the Valcamonica compared to the reference area. Surface soil levels of all metals were significantly higher in surface soil compared to deeper soil, consistent with atmospheric deposition. Significantly higher levels of metals were shown also in lettuce from Valcamonica for Mn (median 53.6 ppm vs 30.2) and Fe (median 153 vs 118). Metals in Chichorium spp. did not differ between the two areas. Surface soil metal levels declined with increasing distance from the closest ferroalloy plant, consistent with plant emissions as the source of elevated soil metal levels. A correlation between Mn concentrations in soil and lettuce was also observed. These data show that historic ferroalloy plant activity, which ended nearly a decade before this study, has contributed to the persistence of increased Mn levels in locally grown vegetables. Further research is needed to assess whether this increase can lead to adverse effects in humans and plants especially for Mn, an essential element that can be toxic in humans when exceeding the homeostatic ranges.

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“…Mn is always present in wines in small quantities from different soil compositions (<1 mg/L) [2]. Legal limitation for Mn concentration in wine is not defined, but control of its content is important because Mn is considered a dangerous element for neurological human functions [22].…”

Section: Txrf Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of trace elements in Italian wines by means of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Dalipi

Borgese

Zacco

et al. 2015

International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

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Analysis of settled dust with X-ray Fluorescence for exposure assessment of metals in the province of Brescia, Italy

Cited by 32 publications

References 26 publications

Neurofunctional dopaminergic impairment in elderly after lifetime exposure to manganese

Neurofunctional dopaminergic impairment in elderly after lifetime exposure to manganese

Heavy Metals in Soil and Salad in the Proximity of Historical Ferroalloy Emission

Determination of trace elements in Italian wines by means of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

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