Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal(oid)s in the Residents of Abandoned Mining District in Northern Cyprus (original) (raw)
Related papers
2009
Genetic modifications caused by chronic exposure to low levels of toxic metals may activate stress-signaling pathways, thus increasing cancer incidence among affected individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exposure to heavy metals and the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and DNA lesions in a chronically exposed population by using specific biomarkers. The study included 156 subjects divided into two major groups: exposed individuals (in a heavy metal contaminated region, Maramures, Romania) and non-exposed population, as control group (Cluj, Romania). We compared the results of two cytogenetic methods for the detection and quantification of DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations in normal human cells: Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis or Comet assay and Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus assay. The methods were performed on lymphocytes isolated from whole blood in density gradient. The basal DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations were evaluated, as well as the repair capacity of the supplementary lesions induced by genotoxic agents such as ionizing radiations. Our results showed a great interindividual variability in the basal level of the DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations, between and within the groups, the most affected being the heavy metals-exposed groups. Non-exposed subjects from rural area Cluj appeared to be more susceptible to the induction of supplementary DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations by irradiation. The most efficient repair capacity of the radio-induced DNA lesions was observed in the non-exposed Cluj urban group. Both cytogenetic assays (as tools for detection of DNA lesions and chromosomal aberrations) may be used in human biomonitoring studies as indicators of early biological effects induced by exposure to heavy metals. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2009; 25: 253-258.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health-part A-current Issues, 2012
Mining activities may affect the health of miners and communities living near mining sites, and these health effects may persist even when the mine is abandoned. During mining processes various toxic wastes are produced and released into the surrounding environment, resulting in contamination of air, drinking water, rivers, plants, and soils. In a geochemical sampling campaign undertaken in the Panasqueira Mine area of central Portugal, an anomalous distribution of several metals and arsenic (As) was identified in various environmental media. Several potentially harmful elements, including As, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se), were quantified in blood, urine, hair, and nails (toe and finger) from a group of individuals living near the Panasqueira Mine who were environmentally and occupationally exposed. A group with similar demographic characteristics without known exposure to mining activities was also compared. Genotoxicity was evaluated by means of T-cell receptor (TCR) mutation assay, and percentages of different lymphocyte subsets were selected as immunotoxicity biomarkers. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis showed elevated levels of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Pb in all biological samples taken from populations living close to the mine compared to controls. Genotoxic and immunotoxic differences were also observed. The results provide evidence of an elevated potential risk to the health of populations, with environmental and occupational exposures resulting from mining activities. Further, the results emphasize the need to implement preventive measures, remediation, and rehabilitation plans for the region.
Environment International
Previous studies investigating the exposure to metal(loid)s of populations living in the Panasqueira mine area of central Portugal found a higher internal dose of elements such as arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese, molybdenum and zinc in exposed individuals. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the extent of genotoxic damage caused by environmental and occupational exposure in individuals previously tested for metal(loid) levels in different biological matrices, and the possible modulating role of genetic polymorphisms involved in metabolism and DNA repair. T-cell receptor mutation assay, comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and chromosomal aberrations (CA) were performed in a group of 122 subjects working in the Panasqueira mine or living in the same region. The modifying effect of polymorphisms in GSTA2, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, XRCC1, APEX1, MPG, MUTYH, OGG1, PARP1, PARP4, ERCC1, ERCC4, and ERCC5 genes was investigated. Significant increases in the frequency of all biomarkers investigated were found in exposed groups, however those environmentally exposed were generally higher. Significant influences of polymorphisms were observed for GSTM1 deletion and OGG1 rs1052133 on CA frequencies, APEX1 rs1130409 on DNA damage, ERCC1 rs3212986 on DNA damage and CA frequency, and ERCC4 rs1800067 on MN and CA frequencies. Our results show that the metal(loid) contamination in the Panasqueira mine area induced genotoxic damage both in individuals working in the mine or living in the area. The observed effects are closely associated to the internal exposure dose, and are more evident in susceptible genotypes. The urgent intervention of authorities is required to protect exposed populations.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2016
Human beings working or living near an industrial site where toxic chemicals such as As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn and or their compounds are used or indiscriminately discharged into the environment, are constantly exposed to such chemicals via ingestion (drinking or eating), dermal contact or inhalation (breathing). However, in developing countries such as Ghana, limited data on levels of the aforementioned chemicals in whole blood and serum of human beings as a result of exposure to the aforementioned chemicals from mining communities and non-mining communities is preventing effective policy formulation to protect human health. Hence, this study was undertaken to measure the levels of the aforementioned toxic chemicals in whole blood and serum of 300 resident adults from mining (Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality Assembly (TNMA) and Prestea Huni Valley District (PHVD)) and non-mining (Cape Coast Metropolis) communities in Ghana, using neutron activation analysis (NAA). Blood samples were taken from 200 resident adults (105 males and 95 females) from mining and 100 resident adults (60 males and 40 males) from non-mining communities in the study area following the completion of an informed consent and the issuance of ethical clearance by the Ghana Health Service Ethical Committee. The mean concentrations for As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in whole blood of residents from mining communities were as follows: 38 ± 320 μg/L, 63 ± 0.23 μg/L, 303 ± 117 μg/L, 3300 ± 953, 195 ± 90 μg/L, 28 ± 14 μg/L and 1405 ± 458 μg/L, respectively; while the levels of measured toxic chemicals in the serum of resident adults from mining communities were as follows: 65 ± 14 μg/L, 358 ± 22 μg/l, 134 ± 12 μg/L, 3590 ± 254 μg/L, 401 ± 113 μg/L, 58 ± 5.8 μg/L and 49 ± 31 μg/L, respectively, for As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn and were found to have exceeded the permissible WHO guideline values.
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This study was carried out on blood samples collected from 200 residents each from Igbeta-Ewoama (Oil Producing Area) and Odi (Non-Oil Producing Area) both in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, to determine the blood levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and Selenium and also the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Blood samples were also analyzed for WBC, Hb, platelets, prothrombin time and serum concentrations of AST, ALT, albumin, ALP, bilirubin, gamma GT, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine. Residents in Igbeta-Ewoama had the highest blood levels of Mercury, Lead, Selenium, Cadmium, Chromium and 8-OHdG and they were all significantly different at p<0.05. Residents in Igbeta-Ewoama had the highest mean values of all the measured liver and kidney functions parameters with the exception of albumin, total protein, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. These values were all statistically different at P<0.05. There was significant difference in the levels of Hb, WBC and Platelet while the length of bleeding time was prolonged in the residents of Igbeta-Ewoama community. The findings of this study suggest that the probability of occurrence of diseases associated with metal toxicity and oxidative stress might be higher among residents in the oil producing area.
Cellular pathologies and genotoxic effects arising secondary to heavy metal exposure: A review
Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2019
Environmental pollution is significant and oftentimes hazardous in the areas, where mining, foundries and smelters and other metallurgical operations are located. Systematic research on the chronic effects of metals started during the past century; nevertheless, it is evident that even today, there are large gaps in knowledge regarding the assessment of the health effects caused by environmental and occupational exposures to these metals. Heavy metals induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing oxidative stress, make several repair-inhibiting cellular changes and alter the DNA repair processes. They favour the ‘false’ repairing of double-strand breaks (DSBs), propagate DNA mutations and induce carcinogenesis. A detailed literature search was performed using the MedLine/PubMed database. Depending on the mechanism of action, arsenicals can act as genotoxins, non-genotoxic agents and carcinogens. Cadmium can bind to proteins, reduce DNA repair, activate protein degra...
2017
Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the excess lifetime cancer risk of the exposure of children and adults population living in the vicinity of Dana steel limited dumpsite, Katsina state Nigeria to heavy metal contamination through ingestion, inhalation and dermal pathways. Soil samples were analyzed for Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The total cancer risk values due to ingestion and inhalation pathways in both adults and children were found to be above the requirement and were majorly contributed by Chromium (Cr). The excess lifetime cancer risk was found to have mean value of 9.66E-03(9660 out of 1 million) and 4.85E-05(49 out of 1 million) for adults and children respectively. These carcinogenic risk values were higher than acceptable value of 1.00E-06 (1 out of 1 million) for all population ages indicating significant risk to the populace.
International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2013
The 'Agios Philippos' lead-zinc mine in the Kirki region (NE Greece) is now closed, but its legacy of heavy metal contamination remains at the site. At present, management of the contaminated land is of major concern. The area is in a reclamation process and requires immediate remediation action, whereas human risks need to be carefully evaluated. In order to assess these risks, samples from around the mine were collected and analyzed and a scenario involving the oral, dermal, and inhaled doses of arsenic and heavy metals was formulated. A Monte Carlo approach was undertaken, in order to model the average daily dose and quantify the corresponding hazard index and cancer risk. A toxicological risk was associated with samples collected in the vicinity of the mine (floatation, mine tailings) and a pronounced carcinogenic risk for arsenic was evident at the broader occupational/environmental setting. These findings urge for immediate rehabilitation actions that will mitigate population exposures and promote long-term environmental safety in the area.