The health hazards of potentially toxic metals in the daily diets of adults and children from a mining and smelting region (Hezhang County) in southwestern China

Abstract

Toxic metals accumulated in the human body are predominantly absorbed by the digestive tract in non-occupationally exposed populations. In the current study, we collected plowed soil samples, and investigated the varied food compositions in a mining and smelting area in southwestern China, to measure the concentrations of ten potentially toxic metals-As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn. We collected information on the daily intakes of these metals to assess the health risks associated with their exposure among children and adults. The urine concentrations of the metals were also measured to obtain data on the amounts present in the body. The results showed that the hazard indexes (HIs) of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Sr were all larger than 1, for both adults and children; the Zn and Cu values were comparatively higher in children. The intake of staple foods of the region posed the greatest health risk, while drinking water only posed risks clearly associated with As exposure. The urine samples of local residents contained larger amounts of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, confirming the hazards in the health risk assessment. Obvious differences in the urine metal concentrations between men and women were confirmed. In conclusion, higher concentrations of metals in the surface soil and rain water were the predominant cause of elevated exposure through home-grown crops and produce to accumulate in local residents' bodies.

Long-term metal exposure changes gut microbiota of residents surrounding a mining and smelting area

“…This is the first time that greater shifts in male microbiome have been demonstrated, and there is unconformity with previous views based on the physical characteristics of women 44 . The lower metal burdens of women living in the contaminated site were proven in the authors' previous study 31 ; this could be the most important reason for the variation of the bacteria in the intestinal tract. The Different living habits (smoking and drinking) and work categories (farming and smelting) between men and females may contribute to this difference.…”

“…Because production and marketing principally occur locally, contaminated crops, vegetables, and animal foodstuff cause mineral metal accumulations in the bodies of local residents within the region 29,30 . In a previous study by the authors, exposure levels and the harmful health effects of multiple metals in local subjects were reported 31 . However, the effect of multiple metals on the human microbiome is still unclear.…”

Dietary lead modulates the mouse intestinal microbiome: Subacute exposure to lead acetate and lead contaminated soil

“…Lead compounds such as Pb oxide, carbonate, sulfate, and sulfide have been identified as the primary Pb species in soil collected near a Pb smelter no longer in operation where Pb levels ranged from 1100 to 5300 mg/kg ( Scheckel and Ryan, 2004 ). Environmental Pb contamination can cause serious long-term health effects, especially in children who are primarily at risk of Pb exposure through soil and dust contact ( Lanphear et al, 1998 ; Ryan et al, 2004 ; Schmitt et al, 1979 ; Shao et al, 2018 ; Thornton et al, 1990 ). The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model (IEUBK; Hogan et al, 1998 , Laidlaw et al, 2017 ; USEPA, 1994 ) and more recent Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS) Multimedia IEUBK model characterize the major role of these Pb exposure routes ( Zartarian et al, 2017 ).…”

Environmental and health risks of metal-contaminated soil in the former tannery area of Hazaribagh, Dhaka

“…However, anthropogenic activities, especially over the past few decades, have been documented as the key contributor to increased concentrations of heavy metals in soil and water. Chemical industries, tanneries, mining and smelting, iron and steel industries, agriculture, waste disposal, battery recycling and oil refining have been responsible for emissions of heavy metals to various environmental compartments [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…Recent studies have revealed that 90% of heavy metal intake in the human body is attributed to the consumption of plants [4,17]. Excessive exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body can result in acute and chronic health problems including cardiovascular disease, bone damage, kidney dysfunction, cancer as well as gastrointestinal, muscular, reproductive, neurological and genetic damages [1,6,18].…”