An Integrated Health Risk Assessment Approach to the Study of Mining Sites Contaminated With Arsenic and Lead (original) (raw)
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DNA damage in blood cells from children exposed to arsenic and lead in a mining area*1
Environmental Research, 2003
In this work, we studied the frequency of DNA damage in children living in Villa de la Paz, Mexico, a mining site contaminated with arsenic and lead. DNA damage in blood cells was assessed using the Comet assay, and the results were compared to those found in children living in a less exposed town (Matehuala). In Villa de la Paz, high concentrations of arsenic and lead in surface soil and household dust were found. All of the soil samples had concentrations above 100 mg/kg of arsenic, and 58% of the samples were higher than 400 mg/kg of lead (these concentrations are used as intervention guidelines by the United States Environmental Protection Agency). In agreement with the environmental results, urinary arsenic in children living in Villa de la Paz (geometric mean 136 mg/g creatinine) was significantly higher than that found in children living in Matehuala (34 mg/g creatinine). Blood lead levels were also significantly higher in children from Villa de la Paz (11.6 mg/dL) than in children from Matehuala (8.3 mg/dL). The results of the Comet assay showed that the tail length and the tail moment in children living in Villa de la Paz were higher than those observed for children in Matehuala (Po0:05). Taking all the data into account, our study has shown increased DNA damage in children exposed to arsenic and lead in the mining site of Villa de la Paz. r
DNA damage in blood cells from children exposed to arsenic and lead in a mining area
Environmental Research, 2003
In this work, we studied the frequency of DNA damage in children living in Villa de la Paz, Mexico, a mining site contaminated with arsenic and lead. DNA damage in blood cells was assessed using the Comet assay, and the results were compared to those found in children living in a less exposed town (Matehuala). In Villa de la Paz, high concentrations of arsenic and lead in surface soil and household dust were found. All of the soil samples had concentrations above 100 mg/kg of arsenic, and 58% of the samples were higher than 400 mg/kg of lead (these concentrations are used as intervention guidelines by the United States Environmental Protection Agency). In agreement with the environmental results, urinary arsenic in children living in Villa de la Paz (geometric mean 136 mg/g creatinine) was significantly higher than that found in children living in Matehuala (34 mg/g creatinine). Blood lead levels were also significantly higher in children from Villa de la Paz (11.6 mg/dL) than in children from Matehuala (8.3 mg/dL). The results of the Comet assay showed that the tail length and the tail moment in children living in Villa de la Paz were higher than those observed for children in Matehuala (Po0:05). Taking all the data into account, our study has shown increased DNA damage in children exposed to arsenic and lead in the mining site of Villa de la Paz.
Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, 2008
DNA damage and DNA repair ability by means of the comet assay and the hydrogen peroxide challenge in lymphocytes from 65 children exposed simultaneously to As and Pb in Region Lagunera, Mexico. The first exposure scenario was concerned with natural As contamination in drinking water affecting all children, particularly those attending the schools farthest from (Gomez Palacio) and closest to the smelter (Pedro Garcia). The second scenario related to additional Pb and As soil and dust contamination in the schools located in the smelter vicinity (Heroe de Nacozari and Pedro Garcia). Most children (93%) had As in urine (AsU) above 50 μg/L and 65% had blood Pb (PbB) above 10 μg/dL. The highest AsU median levels were observed in the school farthest from the smelter, whereas the highest PbB values were observed in the closest school. DNA damage and a decreased repair ability observed in children attending the schools were more severe than those reported for healthy Mexican children. However, the multivariate analysis did not show significant associations between DNA basal damage and PbB or AsU. Lymphocytes from 58% of the children did not respond to the peroxide challenge, and those had a more severe basal DNA damage. DNA repair capacity showed a slowed response and was negatively associated with AsU. Thus, in addition to reduced exposure, further studies are needed to ascertain if the deficiency in DNA repair is transient or if children are already displaying a mutator phenotype and are at risk of developing cancer.
Environmental Research, 2006
The objective of this study was to assess the levels of soil contamination and child exposure in areas next to a primary smelter (arsenic–copper metallurgical) located in the community of Morales in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. In Morales, 90% of the soil samples studied in this work were above 400 mg/kg of lead, and above 100 mg/kg of arsenic, which are guidelines recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bioaccessibility of these metals was studied in vitro in 10 soil samples; the median values of bioaccessibility obtained in these samples were 46.5% and 32.5% for arsenic and lead. Since the concentrations of arsenic and lead in soil were above normal values, and taking into account the bioaccessibility results, exposure to these metals was evaluated in children. Regarding lead, children aged 3–6 years had the highest mean blood lead levels; furthermore, 90% of them had concentrations above 10 μg/dl (CDC's action level). Total urinary arsenic was higher in children aged 8–9 yr; however, the percentage of children with concentrations above 50 μg/g creatinine (CDC's action level) or 100 μg/g creatinine (World Health Organization [WHO] action level) was similar among different age groups. Using the EPAs integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model for lead in children (IEUBK), we estimated that 87% of the total lead in blood is obtained from the soil/dust pathway. The exposure dose to arsenic, estimated for the children living in Morales using Monte Carlo analysis and the arsenic concentrations found in soil, was above the EPA's reference dose. With all these results, it is evident that studies are needed in order to identify adverse health effects in children living in Morales; nevertheless, it is more important to develop a risk reduction program as soon as possible.
An integrated health risk assessment of indigenous children exposed to arsenic in Sonora, Mexico
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 2018
Exposure to inorganic arsenic (InAs) through drinking water, even at low to moderate concentrations, is a global public health problem. The objectives of this study were to estimate the risk ratio (HQ), cancer risk (R), and DNA damage (comet assay) of children from three indigenous Yaqui populations located in southern Sonora, Mexico, who were exposed to InAs through drinking water. A cross-sectional study was employed, and analysis of InAs in water and urine was performed via HPLC/ICP-MS. InAs levels in drinking water from P otam, V ıcam, and C ocorit were 108.2, 36.0, and 6.2 mg/L ¡1 respectively. Children from P otam had arsenic concentrations in urine of 107.1 mg As L ¡1 compared with 40.3 mg As L ¡1 for the children of C ocorit. The HQ values for the children of P otam, V ıcam, and C ocorit were 16.64, 6.02, and 0.94, while the R values were 9.4E-04, 3.5E-04, and 5.7E-05, respectively. Children with the highest arsenic exposure had significantly increased DNA damage (OTM = 14.4 vs. 4.3) [p < 0.0005] which positively correlated with urinary arsenic levels (r D 0.56, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, children of P otam and V ıcam are at significant risk of developing chronic diseases and cancers associated with chronic exposure to this metalloid.
Biomonitoring of a Population Residing Near to Mine Tailings in Guanajuato, Mexico
Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental, 2020
Some metals present in residues coming from mining activities can damage DNA. A preliminary evaluation was carried out to determine the genotoxic effects on a resident population from a mining area in Xichú, Guanajuato, Mexico. Blood lead levels (BLL), and arsenic levels in urine (AsU), were measured as biomarkers of exposure. Hematological damage was evaluated trough hematocrit, hemoglobin and activity of enzyme delta-aminolevulinic dehydratase (δ-ALAD). DNA damage in blood cells was evaluated by comet assay. BLL (7.5 ± 1.2 and 7.9 ± 3.3 μg/dL) and AsU (25.2 ± 15.8 and 18.3 ± 18.4 μg/g creatinine) were found in children and adults, respectively. Of the children and adults, 100 and 91.7 %, respectively had levels of enzyme activity below 20 U/L erythrocytes. Regarding DNA damage, the children showed an Olive tail moment of 5.0 ± 1.6 and a tail length of 40.9 ± 4.9 μm, of similar magnitude than adults (4.6 ± 1.0 and 41.8 ± 5.9 μm, respectively). In conclusion, this preliminary study describes the health risk scenario of population near the mine, nevertheless, more studies are needed in the area. Palabras clave: plomo, arsénico, genotoxicidad, jales mineros RESUMEN Algunos metales presentes en residuos provenientes de actividades mineras pueden dañar al ADN. Se llevó a cabo una evaluación preliminar para determinar efectos genotóxicos en población residente de un área minera en Xichú, Guanajuato, México. Los niveles de plomo en sangre (PbS) y los niveles de Arsénico en orina (AsO) fueron
Soil Contamination and Alternatives for Sustainable Development, 2018
The mining industry has generated different sources of pollution and effects in human and ecosystem health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect in gradient of the biological activity of the soil derived from the contamination by lead and arsenic. A linear transect was conducted from the tailings in Villa de la Paz to a reference site 10 km away against wind direction and runoff. The parameters that were analyzed in the soil samples included As, Pb, pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity, soil respiration, and soil enzymes. As concentrations ranged from 4.7 to 463.2 mg/kg, while those of lead ranged from 171.7 to 2319.0 mg/kg. The changes in the physicochemical parameters and in the biological activity of the soil were stronger within the first 100 m of distance from the tailings. The pattern of inhibition of biological activity was: urease>β-glucosidase>arylsulfatase> dehydrogenase>phosphatase>respiration. Strong negative relationships were observed among biological activities and arsenic (from 86.5 to 96%). Metals and covariables jointly explain the 89.2% of variability of the effect in the biological activities. This study provides a field baseline that could be part of a long-term monitoring and remediation program.
Studies on the bioavailability of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn and Cd of impacted soils; the As bioaccessibility in the edible parts of carrots, beets and quinoa growing in these polluted soils thought "in vitro" gastrointestinal process; the As speciation both in the edible parts of vegetables and in their gastrointestinal extracts have been performed. Elemental analysis and As speciation has been performed by ICP-MS and HG-AAS; and LC-ICP-MS, respectively. The high As contents in the interchangeable and oxidized fractions of soil may be responsible for the high As species content in these high consume vegetables. Arsenic recovery after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was of 98, 90 and 40% for carrots, beets and quinoa, respectively; with no significant transformation of original As species. These studies provide a clearer understanding of the impact that As and other contaminant elements may present in the population of this high polluted Chilean region.
Biomonitoring of metal in children living in a mine tailings zone in Southern Mexico: A pilot study
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2010
Accumulation of metals in soil represents a health risk for individuals living near mining areas, especially for children who have a higher susceptibility to metal related diseases. The Taxco mining district in Southern Mexico was one of the largest Mexican metal producers of silver and gold, among other metals. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate metal exposure on children aged 6-11 years living in and around the Taxco mine tailings zone. Lead in blood (PbB) was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Urine arsenic (AsU) was measured by hydride generation AAS, urinary Hg (HgU) by flow injection cold vapor atomic absorption, and urinary concentration of other metals such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), strontium (Sr), and iron (Fe) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Fifty samples were analyzed for PbB, AsU, and HgU, and 35 samples for the other metals. The mean concentration ± SD for each metal was: PbB, 9.4 ± 3.3 g/dL; NiU, 75.4 ± 30.7 g/L; BaU, 18.4 ± 4.1 g/L; MnU, 5.2 ± 0.7 g/L; CuU, 29.6 ± 6.8 g/L; AsU, 16.5 ± 8.3 g/L; HgU, 0.7 ± 0.86 g/L; CdU, 4.7 ± 2.7 g/L; CrU, 15.1 ± 4.45 g/L; CoU, 18.3 ± 9.7 g/L; SrU, 49.2 ± 30.7 g/L; ZnU, 628.4 ± 438.9 g/L; FeU, 30.5 ± 17.7 g/L; and MoU, 52.1 ± 29.3 g/L. Results of this exploratory study show that children residing in the mining area of Taxco were environmentally exposed to several metals and a high percentage of these children had levels of Ni, Ba, Mn, Cr, Co, Cd, As, Hg, and Pb above reference values. Thus, further studies are needed to assess the effects of simultaneous exposure to toxic metals in children residing in mining areas.
Arsenic exposure assessment of children living in a lead mining area in Southeastern Brazil
Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 2010
Avaliação da exposição de crianças ao arsênio em área de mineração de chumbo na Região Sudeste do Brasil Abstract Environmental contamination by arsenic compounds in the Ribeira River Valley, São Paulo, Brazil has already been observed. Lead mining and refining activities had been carried on since late colonial times and finished recently, at the end of 1995. The source of As in the region is known to be mainly from arsenopirite geological presence in the lead ore. Chronic exposure to arsenic compounds may cause peripheral vascular disorders, hyperpigmentation, hiperkeratosis and cancer of the skin, bladder, lung, liver and other internal organs. The purpose of this study was to assess children exposure to arsenic from environmental sources in the region. Urine samples from children between 7 to 14 years old were collected at the following