Bioaccumulation of Toxic Metals in Children Exposed to Urban Pollution and to Cement Plant Emissions

Abstract

Cement plants located in urban areas can increase health risk. Although children are particularly vulnerable, biomonitoring studies are lacking. Toenail concentration of 24 metals was measured in 366 children (6-10 years), who live and attend school in a city hosting a cement plant. Living addresses and schools were geocoded and attributed to exposed or control areas, according to modeled ground concentrations of PM 10 generated by the cement plant. Air levels of PM 10 and NO 2 were monitored. PM 10 levels were higher in the exposed, than in the control area. The highest mean PM 10 concentration was recorded close to the cement plant. Conversely, the highest NO 2 concentration was in the control area, where vehicular traffic and home heating were the prevalent sources of pollutants. Exposed children had higher concentrations of Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and Arsenic (As) than controls. These concentrations correlated each other, indicating a common source. Toenail Barium (Ba) concentration was higher in the control-than in the exposed area. The location of the attended school was a predictor of Cd, Hg, Ni, Ba concentrations, after adjusting for confounders. In conclusion, children living and attending school in an urban area exposed to cement plant emissions show a chronic bioaccumulation of toxic metals, and a significant exposure to PM 10 pollution. Cement plants located in populous urban areas seem therefore harmful, and primary prevention policies to protect children health are needed.

Microcystin-LR Combined with Cadmium Exposures and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Case–Control Study in Central China

“…33 MC-LR and Cd coexist widely in the aquatic ecosystem with the aggravation of environmental pollution and the continuous discharge of industrial, agricultural, and domestic sewage. 14,15 However, to our knowledge, there is no report on the negative effects of MC-LR combined with Cd exposure on humans. We observed a positive additive interaction between MC-LR and Cd exposures in humans, which indicates that MC-LR combined with Cd synergistically increases the CKD risk.…”

“…Chronic exposure to Cd is associated with a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), causing kidney damage. , Previous studies also indicate that Cd in blood, urine, or diet can increase CKD risk. , However, multiple sources of exposure often occur simultaneously in the environment. Studies have shown that Cd and cyanobacterial blooms widely coexist in aquatic ecosystems. , …”

“…Studies have shown that Cd and cyanobacterial blooms widely coexist in aquatic ecosystems. 14,15 Cyanobacterial blooms and their secondary metabolites microcystins (MCs) occur worldwide and are becoming a major emerging public health threat. 16,17 In China, MCs pollution is widespread and severe.…”

Enhanced Natural Attenuation of Groundwater Cr(VI) Pollution Using Electron Donors: Yeast Extract vs. Polyhydroxybutyrate

“…It is surrounded by a residential area and extends along the Adriatic coast in a south–east direction for 7 km, close to the coast. In support of these considerations regarding the critical qualities of the study area, a recent study by Di Ciaula [ 31 ] demonstrated the bioaccumulation of Hg, Ni, Cd and As in children living nearby.…”

The concentration of cadmium and lead in the solid and finely dispersed phases of snow and hair of the population of Gorny Altai

“…Кадмий и свинец относятся к числу металлов первого класса токсичности. Их широкое распространение в окружающей среде объясняется выбросами от сжигания жидкого и твердого топлива [2,3], бытовых отходов [4], от продуктов износа автомобильного транспорта [5], строительных и электробытовых материалов [6,7]. Указанные источники выбросов кадмия и свинца универсальны как для больших, так и для малых городов, поэтому необходима локальная оценка их присутствия в окружающей среде всех субъектов Российской Федерации.…”