Urinary Arsenic Excretion as a Biomarker of Arsenic Exposure in Children

Abstract

Urinary arsenic concentration has been used generally for the determination of exposure, but much concern has been raised over the most appropriate expression for urinary arsenic levels. In this study, we examined the influence of various adjustments of expressing urinary arsenic data. All children who were less than 72 mo of age and who were potty trained were invited to participate in the present study. Urine, soil, and dust samples were collected, and arsenic measurements were made. The geometric mean of speciated urinary arsenic among children who provided first-voided urine samples on 2 consecutive mornings was 8.6 microg/l (geometric standard deviation = 1.7, n = 289). Speciated urinary arsenic was related significantly to soil arsenic in bare areas (p < .0005). Use of a single urine sample versus the average of two first-voided urine samples collected on 2 consecutive mornings did not significantly alter the relationship between environmental arsenic and urinary arsenic levels. Furthermore, none of the adjustments to urinary concentration improved the strength of correlation between urinary arsenic and soil arsenic levels. Concentration adjustments may not be necessary for urinary arsenic levels obtained from young children who provide first-void samples in the morning.

Arsenic levels in immigrant children from countries at risk of consuming arsenic polluted water compared to children from Barcelona

“…Normal As levels in urine vary from 5 to 40 μg per day (reference, 1.5 L urine per day). We decided not to adjust the As levels in urine to creatinine values, as it has been proved to be influenced by many factors (i.e., age, sex, race/ethnicity, diet, exercise) and it could therefore complicate the study, as other researchers previously reported (Hwang et al 1997;Barr et al 2005;Gamble and Liu 2005;Steinmaus et The differences between native and immigrant children were significant regarding to MMA (p = 0.008) and DMA (p = 0.006), not significant regarding total As in urine and hair and marginally significant regarding to total As in nails (p = 0.065).The differences between native and immigrant children from Bangladesh were significant regarding to MMA (p = 0.031) and DMA (p = 0.009) and total As in nails (p = 0.006). Parentheses: values of the standard deviation.…”

Comparison of organophosphorus pesticide metabolite levels in single and multiple daily urine samples collected from preschool children in Washington State

“…However, this assumption has not been validated, and no clear standards exist for correction for urine volume, contaminant excretion, dilution, or time between exposure and void (Hwang et al, 1997).…”

Children's Exposure Assessment: A Review of Factors Influencing Children's Exposure, and the Data Available to Characterize and Assess That Exposure

“…Biomarker data have been collected for children to evaluate environmental exposures to lead (56), benzene (57), arsenic (58), chromium (59)(60)(61), and pesticides (62,63). Most recently, the Minnesota NHEXAS children's pesticide exposure study collected urine samples from children on three alternate days and analyzed them for metabolites of chlorpyrifos, malathion, atrazine, and diazinon.…”