Biomonitoring of 20 elements in urine of children. Levels and predictors of exposure. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roca, Marta; Sánchez, Alfredo; Pérez, Rosa; Pardo, Olga; Yusà, Vicent
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 144(2016)
• Page Start: 1698
• Page End: 1705
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Elements -- Biomonitoring -- Urine -- Children; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.10.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The levels of 20 elements in the urine of one hundred twenty children (Ages 6–11) from an agricultural and an urban area of Valencia Region, Spain, were assessed. The seven essential elements analysed (Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se, V, Zn) presented average concentrations (geometric mean) ranging from 0.22 µg L −1 to 63 µg L −1 (except Zn with 525 µg L −1 ). Eight out of the 13 toxic elements determined (As, Ba, Cd, Cs, Ni, Pb, Tl, Hg) had frequencies of detection of 100%, with geometric mean concentrations from 0.17 µg L −1 (Cd) to 33.6 µg L −1 (As). About 18% of children revealed urinary levels of total As higher than the normal range of 100 µg L −1 accepted by the ATSDR. The urine analysis was combined with a survey to evaluate variations between subgroups and potential predictors of metal exposure in children population. For socio-demographic variables, age was the main exposure determinant for the majority of selected elements (p < 0.05–0.001), with higher concentrations in younger children (6–8 years). Significant differences were also obtained between the rural and urban area studied for As, Co, Cs, Se, U and Hg, with higher levels in children living in the urban area. In relation to diet, statistically significant higher levels of Hg (p < 0.01, median = 1 µg g −1 creatinine) and Se (p < 0.05, median = 60.3 µg g −1 creatinine) were obtained for children with elevated fish consumption, and lower levels of Cd, Ni, Se and V were found (p < 0.05–0.01) in children with high consumption of dairy products. Highlights: The levels of 20 elements in urine of school children from Spain were assessed. Levels of As (33.684 µg L −1 ) were higher than in other studies in Europe and USA. The average levels for Cd (0.177 µg L −1 ) were below the health-based guidance values. The levels of urinary Hg (0.737 µg L −1 ) were about twice those found in the USA. More health-related human biomonitoring values are required for risk assessment.