Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in contaminated paddy fields – A case study in Xiangtan City, southern China

Mercury exposure and its effects on fertility and pregnancy outcome

“…To achieve this, alternative energy technologies, as well as measures on Hg elimination from the environment, must be developed and implemented . Study of relevance between exposure of pregnant women to industrial air pollution with Hg in the United States and low birthweight in the offspring showed significantly positive odds ratios (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07) . In urbanized places where it is employed kerosene for cooking, aerial emission of pollutants, including heavy metals such as Hg, may affect household microenvironments, where women and children live daily.…”

“…To regulate the content of Hg in the soil, it is necessary to study its accumulation, distribution and sources. Soils of Chinese industrial regions have Hg content ranging from 310 to 3760 µg/kg . Mercury concentration in rice ranged from 10 to 40 µg/kg, and 43% of the samples exceeded the regulatory limit value (20 mg/kg) .…”

“…42 Study of relevance between exposure of pregnant women to industrial air pollution with Hg in the United States and low birthweight in the offspring showed significantly positive odds ratios (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07). 43,44 In urbanized places where it is employed kerosene for cooking, aerial emission of pollutants, including heavy metals such as Hg, may affect household microenvironments, where women and children live daily. Women using kerosene showed enhanced cord blood levels of Hg and further heavy metals, besides to reduced vitamins such as B6 and folates (P < 0.05), and moreover, they were associated with a reduced newborn weight at the birth, an evidence reported after the correct adjustment of potential confounders (β ± standard error (SE) = −0.326 ± 0.155; P = 0.040).…”

“…Women using kerosene showed enhanced cord blood levels of Hg and further heavy metals, besides to reduced vitamins such as B6 and folates (P < 0.05), and moreover, they were associated with a reduced newborn weight at the birth, an evidence reported after the correct adjustment of potential confounders (β ± standard error (SE) = −0.326 ± 0.155; P = 0.040). 44…”

“…[43][44][45] Mercury concentration in rice ranged from 10 to 40 µg/kg, and 43% of the samples exceeded the regulatory limit value (20 mg/kg). 44 In anaerobic soils, there are conditions for the production of Hg which accumulates in rice and enters the human body through food chains. A significant increase of Hg concentration is found in drainage waters compared to irrigation waters in the ploughing season, which indicates the need to reduce the Hg concentration during this period.…”