Biomonitoring of Arsenic in Urine and Saliva of Children Playing on Playgrounds Constructed from Chromated Copper Arsenate-Treated Wood

Abstract

Children may be exposed to arsenic during contact with structures treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). A high frequency of hand-to-mouth activity may increase their risk of ingesting arsenic. Previous work showed that arsenic concentrations in the hand-wash samples of children playing on CCA playgrounds were four times higher than those playing on non-CCA playgrounds. It is not clear whether playing on CCA playgrounds results in elevated overall exposure to arsenic. The objective of this study was to perform arsenic biomonitoring in children to determine whether playing on CCA-treated playgrounds substantially contributes to their overall exposure to arsenic. One hundred and twenty five saliva samples from 61 children and 101 urine samples from 45 children were collected after children played on 8 CCA and 8 non-CCA playgrounds. Arsenic speciation analysis was conducted using high performance liquid chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The arsenic species detected in the urine and saliva samples from children playing on CCA and non-CCA playgrounds were similar. Dimethylarsinic acid and arsenobetaine were the main arsenic species found in urine samples. The sum of inorganic trivalent and pentavalent arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid in urine was 15 +/- 28 microg/L in the CCA group and 12 +/- 23 microg/L in the non-CCA group (p = 0.60). The sum of these species in saliva was 1.1 +/- 2.1 microg/L in the CCA group and 1.4 +/- 1.1 microg/L in the non-CCA group (p = 0.32). These results show that there is no significant difference in the concentration or speciation of arsenic between the samples from children playing on CCA and non-CCA playgrounds. Contact with CCA playgrounds is not likely to significantly contribute to the overall arsenic exposure in children; other sources such as dietary arsenic may be a main contributor to their overall exposure.

Evaluation of the Association between Arsenic and Diabetes: A National Toxicology Program Workshop Review

“…Also, the time period of exposure captured by hair and nail measurements depends on the specific segments collected and analyzed. Other target tissues (e.g., urothelial cells) and buccal and saliva samples have also been suggested (Bartolotta et al 2011; Hernández-Zavala et al 2008; Lew et al 2010). Although these emerging biomarkers deserve additional attention, a more expanded knowledge of toxicokinetic data and information on correlations with existing biomarkers and intake doses is needed before they are adopted for use in research.…”

Arsenic speciation in saliva of acute promyelocytic leukemia patients undergoing arsenic trioxide treatment

“…Salivary glands have high blood flow, and chemicals and their metabolites in blood can be distributed in saliva through passive diffusion, active transport, and ultrafiltration [42–45]. Our previous efforts showed that As III and its metabolites are present in saliva in populations who were chronically exposed to arsenic via drinking water or from chromated copper arsenate treated wood in playgrounds [23–25]. No attention has been paid to arsenic speciation in human saliva in clinical settings, in which APL patients were acutely exposed to high doses of As III via intravenous infusion.…”

Total arsenic and speciation analysis of saliva and urine samples from individuals living in a chronic arsenicosis area in China

“…c Correlation of TAs between urine and saliva (r = 0.794, P < 0.01, n = 70) total arsenic concentration were: iAs85%, MMA7%, and DMA4%. Subsequently, Lew et al, [23] analyzed arsenic species in saliva collected from 61 children who played on chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and non-CCA playgrounds also found that iAs was the most excreted arsenic compound.…”