Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and TSH status in newborns from Southern Spain

Objective

To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in male newborns.

Methods

Exposure to 17 OCPs was analyzed in 220 placentas from a male birth cohort in Southern Spain, and TSH was measured in the umbilical cord blood. OCP concentrations were quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between pesticide exposure and neonatal TSH levels, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Newborn boys with higher exposure to endrin in placenta had higher odds of TSH cord blood levels ≥ 5 mU/L (80th percentile) (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.01, 4.18; p = 0.05), whereas higher prenatal exposure to endosulfan-sulfate was associated with lower odds of TSH ≥ 5 mU/L (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.77; p = 0.008). A marginally significant negative association was found between TSH and hexachlorobenzene levels (β = − 0.15; 95% CI = − 0.31, 0.02; p = 0.09), and exposure to p,p′-DDE showed a marginally-significant higher odds of TSH ≥ 5 mU/L (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.83; p = 0.09). No association was found between TSH and the remaining pesticides.

Conclusions

Early exposure to certain environmental chemicals with endocrine-disruption activity may interfere with neonatal thyroid hormone status; however, the pattern of interference is not yet clearly elucidated.     

Blood pressure of 8-14 year old children in relation to traffic noise at home — Results of the German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV)

Objectives

The German Environment Agency carried out its fourth German Environmental Survey (GerES IV) from 2003 to 2006, which was especially for children. 1048 children, 8-14 years of age, were randomly selected from all over Germany. The sample is representative of children in this age group living in Germany with respect to gender, community size, and region.

Methods

Blood pressure was measured under standardized conditions at clinical study centers. During home visits the children and their parents were asked about leisure activities, housing conditions and environmental factors, including traffic exposure of their homes. Orientating short-term noise measurements were carried out in front of the children's (bed-) room to validate the subjective ratings of the traffic volume (categories: no street, low, moderately, high/extremely high).

Results

With respect to the subjective rating of “type of street” (traffic volume) the lowest blood pressure readings were found in children whose room was facing a street with ‘low traffic’. The highest readings were found in the group where the children's rooms were facing a street with a ‘high or extremely high traffic’ volume. The difference between the two groups was 1.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.1 to 3.5, p = 0.036) for systolic and 1.0 mm Hg (95% CI: − 0.4 to 2.4, p = 0.148) for diastolic blood pressure. With respect to the short-term noise measurements, significant blood pressure increases of 1.0 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.6, p = 0.004) and 0.6 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.1 to 1.2, p = 0.025), respectively, were found per 10 dB(A) increment of the noise level.

Conclusions

The results show that road traffic noise at home is a stressor that could affect children's blood pressure.     

Changing blood lead levels and DNA damage (comet assay) among immigrant women in Taiwan

Background

International marriage has had a rapid growth in recent years in Taiwan. However, little is known about the blood lead levels and DNA damage levels among immigrant women from resource-limited countries.

Objective

This study (a) explored differences between immigrant women and native women in demographic characteristics, blood lead levels, and DNA damage levels, and (b) identified risk factors that are associated with blood lead concentrations and DNA damage levels after immigration.

Methods

We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic status from (a) 71 immigrant women who had resettled in 2006 in Taichung, Taiwan and (b) 83 native women who live in the same area. Each study participant provided blood samples for lead and metal measurements, complete blood count examination, and the comet assay to measure degree of DNA damage.

Results

Immigrant women had higher mean blood lead concentration (2.23 ± 1.63 vs. 1.63 ± 1.00 μg/dl; p = 0.04) and lower mean blood zinc level (6.22 ± 2.22 vs. 6.89 ± 2.44 mg/l; p = 0.07) than native women. Resettlement time was a determinant to decrease blood lead and DNA damage levels among immigrants in Taiwan. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant association between blood lead level and DNA damage, while zinc had a protective effect.

Conclusions

Public health agencies should focus on primary prevention and providing screening programs for this vulnerable population. An immigrant women's cohort should been established to follow-up and improve for elevated lead exposure families.     

Heavy metal exposure in patients suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity

Background

Risks from electromagnetic devices are of considerable concern. Electrohypersensitive (EHS) persons attribute a variety of rather unspecific symptoms to the exposure to electromagnetic fields. The pathophysiology of EHS is unknown and therapy remains a challenge.

Objectives

Heavy metal load has been discussed as a potential factor in the symptomatology of EHS patients. The main objective of the study was to test the hypothesis of a link between EHS and heavy metal exposure.

Methods

We measured lead, mercury and cadmium concentrations in the blood of 132 patients (n = 42 males and n = 90 females) and 101 controls (n = 34 males and n = 67 females).

Results

Our results show that heavy metal load is of no concern in most cases of EHS but might play a role in exceptional cases.

Conclusions

The data do not support the general advice to heavy metal detoxification in EHS.     

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and missed abortion in early pregnancy in a Chinese population

Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during incomplete burning of fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco products. High PAH exposure has been associated with low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth, but little is known about its impact on adverse outcomes in early pregnancy such as in-utero fetal death.

Objectives

To examine associations between exposure to PAHs and missed abortion in which the embryo has died but a miscarriage has not yet occurred during early pregnancy in a Chinese population in Tianjin.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted from April to November, 2007 in Tianjin, China. Cases experienced a missed abortion while controls underwent elective abortions before 14 weeks of pregnancy. Eighty-one cases were recruited from four hospitals, with the same number of controls matched on hospital, maternal age (± 8 years), gravidity (1 or >1), and gestational age (± 30 days). Two maternal measures of PAH exposures were obtained based on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) DNA adducts in 1) aborted tissues and 2) maternal blood (for a subset of subjects). In addition, proxy measures for PAH exposures from different sources were derived from maternal interviews.

Results

In conditional logistic regression analyses, we estimated more than 4-fold increase in risk of having experienced a missed abortion in women with above the median levels of blood BaP-DNA adducts (adjusted OR = 4.27; 95% CI, 1.41-12.99); but no increase with adduct levels in aborted tissues (adjusted OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.37-1.54). BaP-DNA adduct levels in maternal blood and aborted tissues were poorly correlated (r = − 0.12; n = 102). Missed abortion risk also was higher among women reporting traffic congestion near the residence, commuting by walking, and performing regular cooking activities during pregnancy.

Conclusion

High levels of maternal PAH exposures may contribute to an increased risk of experiencing a missed abortion during early pregnancy.     

Blood lead level and its relationship to certain essential elements in the children aged 0 to 14 years from Beijing, China

Objective

To investigate blood lead level and its relationship to copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron in the children aged 0 to 14 years old from Beijing, China.

Methods

We classified 3181 children into one of the four groups: Group A (n = 783, < 1 year old); Group B (n = 1538, 1-3 years old); Group C (n = 443, 3-7 years old); and, Group D (n = 417, 7-14 years old). All these metal elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results

The blood lead level was 0.207 ± 0.105 μmol/L. There was a significant gender difference for zinc (P < 0.05) in Group C, and there was also a significant gender difference for copper (P < 0.05) and lead (P < 0.05) in Group D. Controlling for gender and age, we observed that there was a negative correlation of lead with zinc (r = − 0.052, P < 0.01), magnesium (r = − 0.042, P < 0.05) and iron (r = − 0.031, P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, in the children aged 1-7 years old, we also found there was a negative linear correlation of lead with zinc, magnesium and iron, respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Blood lead level in children from Beijing was markedly decreased. And deficiency of zinc, magnesium and iron is related to the elevated blood lead level in the children aged 1-7 years.     

Risk of limb birth defects and mother's home proximity to cornfields

Background

Although previous studies have linked proximity to crops and birth defects, they lacked individual-level exposure data and none was based on using planted area instead of linear proximity to crops as the exposure metric. We studied birth defects in relation to the area of corn or soybeans within 500 m of the mother's residence.

Methods

We selected all singleton births from rural areas conceived during the 2000-2004 spring-summer months (n = 48,216). We determined whether the area with corn or soybeans around the home was associated with birth defects using multiple unconditional logistic regression.

Results

We found that limb birth defects (ICD-9-CM 754.5, 755) increased in relation to cornfields (Adjusted OR = 1.22; 95 % CI = 1.01, 1.47 per additional 10 ha planted with corn within 500 m). None of the birth defect types studied was associated with soybeans.

Conclusions

In the Midwest, a significant and expanding proportion of the population is now living in close proximity to cornfields. Our results suggest that additional studies should be conducted to identify which factor(s) associated with cornfields are behind the observed increase in limb birth defects.     

Health impacts associated with the implementation of a national petrol-lead phase-out program (PLPOP): evidence from Taiwan between 1981 and 2007

Background and objective

In 1981, a petrol-lead phase-out program (PLPOP) was launched in Taiwan for the abatement of environmental lead emissions. The present study was set out to examine whether the reduction of environmental lead emissions would result in the decrease in mortality rates of various diseases based on national data between 1981 and 2007.

Method

The national mortality data were obtained from the Office of Statistics of the Taiwan Department of Health (Taiwan DOH). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on 2000 WHO world standard population. Gasoline consumptions were obtained from the Bureau of Energy.

Results

The mean blood lead levels (BLLs) had decreased dramatically from approximately 20.14 μg/dl in the leaded petrol phase to 3 μg/dl or lower in the unleaded petrol phase. From 1981 to 2007, the mortality (per 100,000 people) was decreased from 146.2 to 43.8 for cerebrovascular disease, from 85.3 to 44.4 for heart disease, from 35.4 to 6.6 for hypertensive disease, from 21.3 to 17.3 for nephrosis, and from 810.2 to 491.6 for all causes. By taking the confounders (including economic growth rate, per capita income, tobacco consumption, and medical resources) into account, the decreases in SMRs for all causes, cerebrovascular disease, and nephrosis were found to be highly correlated with the decrease in petrol lead emissions (p-values = 0.001, < 0.001, 0.020, respectively).

Conclusion

Our results clearly show that the implementation of the PLPOP was associated with a decline in mortality rates in several diseases that have been associated with lead exposure, even after adjustment for a number of relevant confounders.     

Lead in saliva from lead-exposed and unexposed children

Introduction

Whole blood is used for diagnosis of lead exposure. A non-invasive method to obtain samples for the biomonitoring of lead contamination has become a necessity. This study 1) compares the lead content in whole saliva samples (Pb-saliva) of children from a city with no reported lead contamination (Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil) and children of a region notoriously contaminated with lead (Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil), and 2) correlates Pb-saliva with the lead content in the enamel microbiopsy samples (Pb-enamel) in the case of these two populations.

Methods

From a population of our previous study that had included 247 children (4- to 6-year-old) from Ribeirão Preto, and 26 children from Bauru, Pb-saliva was analyzed in 125 children from Ribeirão Preto and 19 children from Bauru by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). To correlate Pb-saliva with Pb-enamel, we used Pb-enamel data obtained in our previous study. The Mann-Whitney test was employed to compare the Pb-saliva data of the two cities. Pb-saliva and Pb-enamel values were then Log₁₀ transformed to normalize data, and Pb-saliva and Pb-enamel were correlated using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results

Median Pb-saliva from the Ribeirão Preto population (1.64 μg/L) and the Bauru population (5.85 μg/L) were statistically different (p < 0.0001). Pearson's correlation coefficient for Log₁₀ Pb-saliva versus Log₁₀ Pb-enamel was 0.15 (p = 0.08) for Ribeirão Preto and 0.38 (p = 0.11) for Bauru.

Conclusions

A clear relationship between Pb-saliva and environmental contamination by lead is shown. Further studies on Pb-saliva should be undertaken to elucidate the usefulness of saliva as a biomarker of lead exposure, particularly in children.     

Exposures to PM₂.₅ components and heart rate variability in taxi drivers around the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Background

Carbonaceous and metallic components of particles have been shown to play a role in particles' effects on cardiac autonomic function as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Previously we reported the association of HRV with marked changes in traffic-related particulate air pollution around the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in a panel of taxi drivers.

Objective

We further investigated the relationship between exposures to the carbonaceous and metallic components of traffic-related particles and HRV in the same population.

Methods

Repeated measurements of in-car exposures to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5), carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides were conducted in a group of 14 taxi drivers for one work shift in four study periods around the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The quantities of organic/elemental carbons and 27 elements of the in-car PM_2.5 mass were determined laboratorially. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the impact of exposures to different PM_2.5 components on HRV while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Taxi drivers' exposures to in-car PM_2.5 and its components showed dramatic changes across the four study periods around the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Differences in associations of in-car PM_2.5 components with HRV were found. An interquartile range (IQR: 917.9 ng/m³) increase in calcium was associated with a 5.48 millisecond [ms, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71, 10.24] increase in standard deviations of normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals, while an IQR (4.1 ng/m³) increase in nickel was associated with a 1.53 ms (95% CI: 0.14, 2.92) increase in SDNN index. Additionally, a decline of 8.11 ms (95% CI: − 15.26, − 0.97) in SDNN per IQR (481.4 ng/m³) increase in iron was also found.

Conclusion

The results support associations of PM_2.5 metallic components with HRV in younger healthy individuals. Future studies are needed to clarify the interaction among different PM_2.5 components or the role of PM_2.5 mixtures.     

Community response to environmental noise and the impact on cardiovascular risk score

Objective

The objective of our study was to investigate and evaluate the relationship between road traffic noise and cardiovascular risk.

Methods

The study sample (n = 659; 36.9% male, 63.1% female university students, mean age 22.83 ± 1.58 years) included a group exposed to road traffic noise (n = 280, L_eq,24 h = 67 ± 2 dB(A)) and a control group (n = 379, L_eq,24 h = 58.7 ± 6 dB(A)). Subjective response was determined by a validated noise annoyance questionnaire. The ten year risk of developing a coronary heart disease event was quantified as an evaluation of cardiovascular risk (SCORE60, Framingham 10-year risk estimation and projection to the age of 60, relative risk SCORE chart).

Results

Cardiovascular risk scores were significantly higher in the exposed group based on the Framingham scores projected to the age of 60, SCORE60 (AOR = 2.72 (95% CI = 1.21-6.15)) and the relative risk SCORE chart (AOR = 2.81 (1.46-5.41)).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the association between road traffic noise and cardiovascular risk.     

Blood total mercury and fish consumption in the Korean general population in KNHANES III, 2005

Objectives

The obejective of this study was to assess the association between the blood total mercury concentration and fish consumption in the Korean general adult population using a representative sample.

Methods

We studied the blood mercury concentration in a representative sample of 1,749 Koreans who were included in the Third Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES III) performed in 2005, and compared it with the frequency of fish consumption collected during the nutrition survey of KNHANES III.

Results

The geometric means of the blood mercury levels in female subjects (n = 890), male subjects (n = 859), and all participants (n = 1,749) representing adult Koreans aged ≥ 20 years were 3.70 μg/L [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.46-3.94 μg/L], 4.70 μg/L (95% CI, 4.38-5.02 μg/L), and 4.15 μg/L (95% CI, 3.93-4.38 μg/L), respectively. The geometric mean of the blood mercury level was significantly higher in the high-fish-consumption group (4.38 μg/L; more than once a week) than in the low-consumption group (3.71 μg/L: less than once a week), but the intergroup difference of 18% was less than that in Western countries. Among the nine listed individual types of fish and shellfish, there was a general trend for the blood mercury level to increase with the consumption frequency of squid, clam, salted seafood, and mackerel. The proportion of Korean women aged 20-49 years having blood mercury levels of at least 5.8 μg/L was 27.7% (150/542) in our study.

Conclusions

The blood mercury level in a representative sample of the Korean adult population was found to be associated with fish consumption in both men and women. However, a high consumption of fish increased the blood mercury level by only 18%.     

Relationship between the presence of newborn and the house dust endotoxin

Background

Exposure to house dust endotoxin induces of airways' inflammation. Endotoxin are produced by the Gram-negative bacteria, which are released into the stools and could contaminate domestic environment.

Objective

The newborn could contaminate his mattress by endotoxin.

Methods

The dusts of mattress and carpets of 97 newborn' dwellings were sampled at birth and after six months of life. Samplings were made in the bedroom from the baby and in the second place where the baby spent the longer time. The endotoxin concentration was measured by a quantitative Limulus assay and the bacterial contamination was evaluated using 3 selective agar media.

Results

Endotoxin concentration at birth was positively associated with the presence of both sibling and the number of inhabitants (p < 0.01). At 6 months of life, the endotoxin concentration raised significantly not only in the mattresses (from a median of 17.6 (ranges: 0.4-346.7) to 79.6 (3.8-518.8) EU/mg) (p < 0.0001), but also in the dust from the second place where the baby is sleeping (from 20.4 (0.8-226.3) to 101.8 (6.5-634.3) EU/mg) (p < 0.001). Importantly, there was no change in endotoxin concentration from the carpets dust, and the environmental dwelling characteristics remained unchanged. The total bacterial contamination was also positively associated with endotoxin concentration in newborn mattress at birth (p < 0.01) and showed a significant increase at 6 months of life of the newborn (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The newborn is a significant source of house dust's endotoxin.     

1-Hydroxypyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene as biomarkers of exposure to PAH in various environmental exposure situations

Objective

To evaluate the utility of urinary 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OH-B[a]P) as a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in various environmental exposure scenarios alongside the more usually studied 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-Pyr).

Methods

Two groups of 15 and 10 non smoking, healthy men and women, were exposed for approximately 6 h to ambient air at two outdoor locations close to metallurgical industries, and at one indoor location in an urban setting. Atmospheric measurements of 16 “priority” PAHs were carried out during each exposure. Urinary 1-OH-Pyr and 3-OH-B[a]P were also analysed, samples being taken the morning before exposure, at the end of exposure, then 4 and 15 h after the end of exposure. Urinary 1-OH-Pyr and 3-OH-B[a]P were analysed using high performance liquid chromatograph with fluorescence detection. Limits of detection (LOD) were 0.092 nmol/L and 0.28 pmol/L for 1-OH-Pyr and 3-OH-B[a]P respectively.

Results

Average ambient air concentrations varied from 0.27 to 2.87 ng/m³ for pyrene, 0.04 to 1.20 ng/m³ for B[a]P, and from 70.0 to 910.6 ng/m³ for the sum of the 16 PAH (ΣPAHs). Concentrations of 1-OH-Pyr were not correlated with atmospheric concentrations of PAHs to which subjects were exposed, nor with the concentrations of 3-OH-B[a]P. Nearly 80% of measurements of 3-OH-B[a]P were lower than the LOD and no relationship between atmospheric concentrations and urinary metabolites was observable. However, the percentage of post-exposure values of 3-OH-B[a]P greater than the LOD increased significantly with the median of atmospheric concentrations of Pyr, B[a]P and ΣPAH at the different sites (test of linear trend, p < 0.02 in all cases).

Conclusion

Although we used very sensitive techniques for the measurements of urinary metabolites, especially for 3-OH-B[a]P, neither 1-OH-Pyr nor 3-OH-B[a]P were an unequivocal biomarker of exposure to atmospheric PAHs in environmental exposure scenarios relevant to the general population. It would be interesting to investigate other urinary monohydroxy PAH metabolites in this context.     

Whole blood mercury and selenium concentrations in a selected Austrian population: does gender matter?

Background

Data on mercury exposure of the Austrian population were inadequate. This study was performed to determine the causal factors underlying mercury exposure and selenium concentrations, and to estimate the gender-related health impacts.

Methodology

Venous blood samples of 78 women and 81 men were drawn at the Austrian Red Cross, Vienna. Mercury contents in acid-digested whole blood samples were measured after amalgam enrichment by CV-AAS, and selenium by AAS (heated quartz-cell) after hydrid formation.

Results

The average total mercury blood content of Austrians was low (2.38 ± 1.55 μgL^− 1; N = 152). Mercury and selenium concentrations were not different between the genders (P > 0.05) but we observed discrepancies regarding the causal factors. Mercury levels in men were influenced not only by fish consumption but also by age, education level, and amalgam fillings, whereas in women, only the diet (fish/seafood, red wine consumption) determined blood mercury (P < 0.05). Moreover, only the males indicated a depressive effect of dental amalgam on hematocrit (P < 0.05). Regarding selenium, age and alcohol consumption led to lower concentrations in men, whereas a high-level education had the opposite effect; no determinant was found for women. For the whole study group, a significant effect of chronic disease on selenium levels could be detected (P < 0.05). 18% of women and 13% of men showed marginal selenium deficiency (blood selenium < 65 μgL^− 1). Selenium and mercury concentrations were not correlated.

Conclusions

Our results indicate the need to evaluate and integrate gender-related findings in metal toxicology and trace element research, because different causal factors require different preventive measures to reduce mercury exposure and the risk of low selenium concentrations. Future research is needed on the gender- and age-related differences in fish/seafood consumption habits, the modifications of mercury toxicokinetics through sex hormones, the selenium supply in Austria, and the clinical relevance of a low selenium status.     

Association between blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) and inattention-hyperactivity and neurocognitive profiles in school-aged Korean children

Objectives

The association between low blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) and the inattention-hyperactivity symptoms and neurocognitive profiles of school-aged Korean children was investigated.

Methods

We measured blood lead levels in 256 Korean children aged 8-10 years. Teachers completed the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (T-ARS)-IV to assess inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Parents completed the Korean version of the Learning Disability Evaluation Scale (K-LDES). Children performed neurocognitive tests [The Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Children's Color Trails Test, and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT)].

Results

A linear regression analysis indicated that the blood lead concentrations were associated with the inattention scores [B = 4.8, S.E. = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5-8.0], the hyperactivity subscores (3.1, 1.4, 0.3-5.9), and the total score (7.9, 2.9, 2.1-13.6) on the T-ARS; the number of omission errors on the CPT (20.6, 7.1, 6.5-34.6); the listening (−1.4, 0.7, −2.8 to −0.1), reading (−2.1, 0.7, −3.4 to −0.7), writing (−2.0, 0.7, −3.4 to −0.6), spelling (−2.2, 0.7, −3.7 to −0.7), and calculating (−1.8, 0.7, −3.1 to −0.4) scores on the K-LDES; and the color-word score on the SCWT (−6.7, 3.4, −13.3 to −0.1). A logistic regression analysis indicated that the probability of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms was increased with higher blood lead levels in boys with an odds ratio of 2.768 [B = 1.018, S.E. = 0.487, p = 0.036, 95% CI: 1.066-7.187].

Conclusion

This study suggests that even low blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) are associated with inattentive and hyperactivity symptoms and learning difficulties in school-aged children.     

The effect of particle size on cardiovascular disorders--the smaller the worse

Background

Previous studies observed associations between airborne particles and cardio-vascular disease. Questions, however, remain as to which size of the inhalable particles (coarse, fine, or ultrafine) exerts the most significant impact on health.

Methods

For this retrospective study, data of the total number of 23,741 emergency service calls, registered between February 2002 and January 2003 in the City of Leipzig, were analysed, identifying 5326 as being related to cardiovascular incidences. Simultaneous particle exposure was determined for the particle sizes classes < 100 nm (UFP), < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and < 10 μm (PM10). We used a time resolution of 1 day for both parameters, emergency calls and exposure.

Results

Within the group of cardiovascular diseases, the diagnostic category of hypertensive crisis showed a significant association with particle exposure. The significant effect on hypertensive crisis was found for particles with a size of < 100 nm in diameter and starting with a lag of 2 days after exposure. No consistent influence could be observed for PM2.5 and PM10. The Odds Ratios on hypertensive crisis were significant for the particle size < 100 nm in diameter from day 2 post exposure OR = 1.06 (95%CI: 1.02-1.10, p = 0.002) up to day 7 OR = 1.05 (95%CI 1.02-1.09, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Ultrafine particles affect cardiovascular disease adversely, particularly hypertensive crises. Their effect is significant compared with PM2.5 and PM10. It appears necessary, from a public health point of view, to consider regulating this type of particles using appropriate measurands as particle number.     

Mercury exposure in female artisanal small-scale gold miners (ASGM) in Mongolia: An analysis of human biomonitoring (HBM) data from 2008

Background

Many poor in developing countries have turned to artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in an attempt to improve their situation. However, the mercury used to extract gold from ore is discharged in vaporized form into the environment, where it poses a hazard for human health.

Methods

As part of an environmental epidemiological study in Mongolia—to evaluate the burden of environmental mercury contamination—urine, blood and hair samples were collected from residents of areas with or without mercury contamination. A total of 200 blood, urine and hair samples were analyzed for mercury and divided into three subgroups according to mercury content: (1) occupational exposure (high/medium); (2) environmental exposure (low); and (3) no exposure. Internal mercury distributions of the subgroups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test. The Chi-square test and likelihood ratio proportion were used to compare the findings with threshold limits.

Results

The highest values and greatest differences were seen in the urine samples (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The occupational group showing the highest exposure with a median mercury level of 4.36 μg/l (control group: 0.10 μg/l, p < 0.001), 7.18 μg/g creatinine and 12 results above the threshold limit HBM I (Human Biomonitoring I). Even participants from the low-exposure subgroup showed elevated mercury levels (median 2.88 μg/l urine and 2.98 μg/g creatinine, p < 0.001), with 10 individuals above the HBM I threshold limits.

Discussion

The body burden resulting from the use of mercury in artisanal gold mining is high not only in the miners themselves, an increased mercury hazard was also found for inhabitants of mining areas who were not actively involved in mining. Public health support measures are urgently needed to alleviate the situation.     

Predictors of noise annoyance in noisy and quiet urban streets

Objectives

Although noise annoyance is a major public health problem in urban areas, there is a lack of published data on predictors for noise annoyance in acoustically different urban environments. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of various factors on noise annoyance in noisy and quiet urban streets.

Methods

Equivalent noise levels [Leq (dBA)] were measured during day, evening and night times in all of the streets of a central Belgrade municipality. Based on 24-hour noise levels, the streets were denoted as noisy (24-hour Leq over 65 dBA), or quiet (24-hour Leq under 55 dBA). A cross-sectional study was performed on 1954 adult residents (768 men and 1186 women), aged 18-80 years. Noise annoyance was estimated using a self-report five-graded scale. In both areas, two multivariate logistic regression models were fitted: the first one with nighttime noise indicators and the other one with parameters for 24-hour noise exposure.

Results

In noisy streets, the relevant predictors of high annoyance were: the orientation of living room/bedroom toward the street, noise annoyance at workplace, and noise sensitivity. Significant acoustical factors for high noise annoyance were: nighttime noise level [OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00-1.04 (per decibel)], nighttime heavy traffic [OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 1.00-1.02 (per vehicle)]; or day-evening-night noise level (Lden) [OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.00-1.07 (per decibel)]. In quiet streets, the significant predictors were: noise sensitivity, the time spent at home daily, light vehicles at nighttime or heavy vehicles at daytime.

Conclusions

Our study identified subjective noise sensitivity as a common annoyance predictor, regardless of noise exposure. Noise levels were important indicators of annoyance only in noisy streets, both for nighttime and 24-hour exposure. We propose that noise sensitivity is the most relevant personal trait for future studies and that nighttime noise levels might be as good as Lden in predicting annoyance in noisy urban areas.