Features of the Elemental Composition of Whole Blood in Children’s Population of the Western Ural

Abstract

Introduction. The element composition of blood is the most relevant index in biomonitoring studies to assess public health risks. The authors determined the elemental composition of the whole blood in 100 the unexposed children residing in the West Ural region using the ICP-MS method and standard biomonitoring methodology of the World Health Organization (WHO). This study allows for improving the comparability and reliability of the analysis results, as well as to supplement information on human biomonitoring for various territories of the Russian Federation. A comparative assessment of the contents of vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, strontium, cadmium, thallium and lead with reference concentrations used in national programs for human biomonitoring (BMC) of European countries and the United States was made. Material and methods. The authors determined mass concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Tl, and Pb by ICP-MS in conformity with Methodical Guidelines 4.1. 3230-14 (FR.1.31.2014.17064) developed by the authors. The article contains setting parameters for quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (Agilent 7500cx), the optimal sample preparation scheme for eliminating the “matrix” effect. The operating mode of the mass spectrometer with a response/collision cell to mitigate interferences and the choice of internal standards is justified. The sample preparation of whole blood was made by acid dissolution followed by centrifugation. The detection limits (LOD) for each element are calculated. Results. The results are presented in the form of basic statistics: minimum and maximum values, arithmetic mean (AM), geometric mean (GM), 5, 50, 95 percentiles and interpreted in accordance with modern international requirements. The geometric mean (GM) of element content in blood amounted to 0.11 µg/l (V); 5.34 µg/l (Cr); 13.1 µg/l (Mn); 3.15 µg/l (Ni); 854.7 µg/l (Сu); 4655.0 µg/l (Zn); 0.13 µg/l (As); 84.97 µg/l (Se); 28.0 µg/l (Sr); 0.28 µg/l (Сd); 0.05 µg/l (Tl); 18.63 µg/l (Pb). The validity of the results was confirmed by means of SERONORM TM Whole Blood L2 standard samples (Norway). The results of the study relied upon the 95 percentile (P95) can be used as approximate reference data as a basis for assessing the risk associated with exposure to metals. Conclusion. Regional differences from levels found in other Europe countries (Italy, Norway) and the USA included higher concentrations of Mn, Cr and Ni and lower levels of Cu, Zn and Se in blood of children in the rural areas of the West Ural region. The optimal method for determining the content of essential and toxic elements in blood by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma has been substantiated and recommended for practical use (MG 4.1. 3230-14, FR.1.31.2014.17064).

Problems of environmental pollution with heavy metals in the Russian Federation

“…Metals are known to be part of the structure of biological macromolecules, ensuring their normal functioning [47]. However, a number of metals (molybdenum, nickel, copper, chromium, cobalt, manganese and zinc), having an effect on living organisms, reveal mutagenic and carcinogenic activity [48]. In order to determine the mechanism of this negative impact of the specified number of metals on the human body, numerous studies of the effect of metals on the properties of nucleic acids have been carried out.…”