OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to evaluate whether blood cadmium (B-Cd), lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) in children differ regionally in 9 countries, and to identify factors correlating with exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors performed a cross-sectional study of children aged 7-14 years, living in 2007-2008 in urban, rural, or potentially polluted ("hot spot") areas (ca. 50 children from each area, in total 1363 children) in 6 European and 3 non-European countries. The authors analyzed Cd, Pb, and total Hg in blood and collected information on potential determinants of exposure through questionnaires. Regional differences in exposure levels were assessed within each country. RESULTS: Children living near industrial "hot-spots" had B-Cd 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4-1.9) times higher in the Czech Republic and 2.1 (95% CI:1.6-2.8) times higher in Poland, as compared to urban children in the same countries (geometric means [GM]: 0.13 μg/l and 0.15 μg/l, respectively). Correspondingly, B-Pb in the "hot spot" areas was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6-2.1) times higher than in urban areas in Slovakia and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.9-2.7) times higher in Poland (urban GM: 19.4 μg/l and 16.3 μg/l, respectively). In China and Morocco, rural children had significantly lower B-Pb than urban ones (urban GM: 64 μg/l and 71 μg/l, respectively), suggesting urban exposure from leaded petrol, water pipes and/or coal-burning. Hg "hot spot" areas in China had B-Hg 3.1 (95% CI: 2.7-3.5) times higher, and Ecuador 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2-1.9) times higher, as compared to urban areas (urban GM: 2.45 μg/l and 3.23 μg/l, respectively). Besides industrial exposure, traffic correlated with B-Cd; male sex, environmental tobacco smoke, and offal consumption with B-Pb; and fish consumption and amalgam fillings with B-Hg. However, these correlations could only marginally explain regional differences. CONCLUSIONS: These mainly European results indicate that some children experience about doubled exposures to toxic elements just because of where they live. These exposures are unsafe, identifiable, and preventable and therefore call for preventive actions. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):349-64.
BACKGROUND: There is little reliable information on human exposure to the metals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh), despite their use in enormous quantities in catalytic converters for automobile exhaust systems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate blood concentrations of Pt (B-Pt), Pd (B-Pd) and Rh (B-Rh) in women from six European and three non-European countries, and to identify potentially influential factors. In addition, molybdenum (Mo) and strontium (Sr) were analysed. METHODS: Blood from 248 women aged 47-61 was analysed by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry under strict quality control. RESULTS: The medians were: B-Pt 0.8 (range <0.6-5.2), B-Pd <5 (<5-9.3), B-Rh <0.4 (<0.4-3.6)ng/L and B-Mo 2.0 (0.2-16) and B-Sr 16.6 (3.5-49) μg/L. Two women with highly elevated B-Pt (242 and 60ng/L), previously cancer treated with cis-platinum, were not included in the data analysis. All elements varied geographically (2-3 times) (B-Pd P=0.05; all other elements P<0.001); variations within each area were generally 5-10 times. Traffic was not associated with increased concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: General population blood concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh are within or below the single digit ng/L range, much lower than in most previous reports. This is probably due to improved analytical performance, allowing for more reliable information at ultra-trace levels. In general, Mo and Sr agreed with previously reported concentrations. All elements showed geographical and inter-individual variations, but no convincing relationships with self-reported traffic intensity were found. Pt from the antineoplastic drug cis-platinum is retained in the body for years.
- MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molybden krev MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
- palladium krev MeSH
- platina krev MeSH
- rhodium krev MeSH
- stroncium krev MeSH
- těžké kovy krev MeSH
- velkoměsta MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- velkoměsta MeSH
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to make an international comparison of blood levels of cadmium (B-Cd), lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) of women in seven European, and three non-European cities, and to identify determinants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 50 women (age: 46-62) from each city were recruited (totally 480) in 2006-2009. Interview and questionnaire data were obtained. Blood samples were analysed in one laboratory to avoid interlaboratory variation. RESULTS: Between the European cities, the B-Pb and B-Cd results vary little (range of geometric means: 13.5-27.0 μg/l and 0.25-0.65 μg/l, respectively); the variation of B-Hg was larger (0.40-1.38 μg/l). Between the non-European cities the results for B-Pb, B-Cd and B-Hg were 19.2-68.0, 0.39-0.99 and 1.01-2.73 μg/l, respectively. Smoking was a statistically significant determinant for B-Cd, while fish and shellfish intakes contributed to B-Hg and B-Pb, amalgam fillings also contributed to B-Hg. CONCLUSIONS: The present results confirm the previous results from children; the exposure to lead and cadmium varies only little between different European cities suggesting that other factors than the living area are more important. The study also confirms the previous findings of higher cadmium and lead levels in some non-European cities. The geographical variation for mercury is significant.
- MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- kadmium krev MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- městské obyvatelstvo * MeSH
- nemoc vyvolaná prostředím krev epidemiologie MeSH
- olovo krev MeSH
- rtuť krev MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza MeSH
- zdraví žen * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Chorvatsko MeSH
- Ekvádor MeSH
- Maroko MeSH
- Polsko MeSH
- Slovenská republika MeSH
- Slovinsko MeSH
- Švédsko MeSH
The objective of the study was to determine some Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors in 174 Roma children and adolescents (88 males and 86 females) aged 7-18 in 3 Central Slovakian cities (44 from Zilina, 39 from Bansk, Bystrica and 91 from Rimavská Sobota). Venous blood samples were drawn in the morning, after a 12 hour overnight fast for biochemical analysis. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were determined enzymatically. HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) after selective precipitation lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated by the Friedewald Formula. Serum levels of apolipoproteins (apo A, apo B) were analyzed immunochemically. Concentration of lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] was analyzed by immunonephelometric method (Beckman-Coulter System). Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, waist and hip circumference were used to calculate the sum of the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR). Measured blood pressure (BP) was used to classify for hypertension. Significant differences were determined in serum levels of LDL-C (p < 0.05; by Tukey HSD test multiple comparison more significant difference was determined between Zilina and Rimavská Sobota p < 0.046), TG (p = 0.008), apo A (p < 0.001), Lp(a) (p = 0.042), WHR (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), sBP (p < 0.001) and dBP (p = 0.012) in Roma individuals of all locality groups. The Roma population from Rimavsk, Sobota had (in comparison to the examined populations) statistically higher values of TC, TG, LDL-C, lower HDL-C. The population showed significant relation of TG and stress at home (p = 0.03) and at school (p = 0.01), HDL-C and cigarette smoking (p = 0.004), apo A and cigarette smoking (p = 0.02) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.006), WHR and cigarette smoking (p = 0.02). Risk values of WHR, apo B and Lp(a) were mostly determined in Zilina's population (WHR significantly connected with family history CVD p = 0.03, cigarette smoking p = 0.02 and leisure time physical activity p < 0.001) and BMI, apo A and BP in Banská Bystrica. WHR was positively correlated to BP and negatively to HDL-C and TG only in Roma participants from Rimavská Sobota. BMI was positively correlated to systolic BP in populations from Banská Bystrica and Rimavská Sobota. The results of the study should improve the paediatric health treatment and prevention of CVD risk predictors for Roma from different cities.
- MeSH
- adipozita MeSH
- charakteristiky bydlení MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- financování organizované MeSH
- kardiovaskulární nemoci etnologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lipidy krev MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- Romové statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- životní styl MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- multicentrická studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
Background: Social inequalities have been shown to contribute to the risk of lung cancer in industrialized countries, but it is unclear whether they also play a role in former socialist countries of Europe. Methods: A case-control study involving 3,403 cases and 3,670 controls was conducted in Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia), Russia, and in the UK. Indicators of socioeconomic status, including education and white/blue collar occupation based on lifetime occupations were analysed as indicators of risk factors for lung cancer development, after adjustment for tobacco smoking and exposure to occupational carcinogens. Results: Both indicators of socioeconomic status: low education and blue collar occupations were found as significant risk factors for lung cancer in men. The odds ratio of lung cancer for blue collar occupations compared to white collar occupations was 1.37 (95% confidence interval 1.15–1.62), that for low education compared to high education (analysis restricted to Central European countries) was 1.35 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.77). No such effects were observed in women. Conclusions: The confirmation of the significant inverse association between the indicators of socioeconomic status and lung cancer risk in men may serve as a strong incentive for adoption of occupational and public health measures in lung cancer prevention.
- MeSH
- financování organizované MeSH
- kouření epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory plic MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- socioekonomické faktory MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- stupeň vzdělání MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Spojené království MeSH
- východní Evropa MeSH
Cieľ: V snahe minimalizovať riziko falošnej negativity sa dodnes odporúča realizovať odber vzorky krvi na skríning PKU až po dostatočnom príjme bielkovín na 4.-5. deň po narodení. Tento postup však v mnohých štátoch neplatí a skríning sa robí aj pri narodení – zvlášť pri skríningu robenom pomocou fluorometrického stanovovania koncentrácií fenylalanínu (Phe). Autori po vypracovaní metodiky stanovenia Phe mikrometodikou zo suchej kvapky krvi (DBS) sledovali trend jeho hodnôt u zdravých donosených novorodencov od narodenia až do 6. dňa (144 h). Metodika: Odber DBS bol vykonaný zo žilovej, resp. kapilárnej krvi pri jej odbere na iné vyšetrenia. Zaznamenávala sa hodina odberu od narodenia a množstvo vypitého mlieka (formula, materské mlieko) v deň odberu. Trend individuálnych koncentrácií Phe bol vyhodnotený k času od narodenia, množstvu a typu vypitého mlieka. Výsledky: Vo vyhodnotených 162 vzorkách Phe od 117 novorodencov nebola zistená jeho závislosť od doby po narodení, množstva vypitého mlieka, množstva vypitého materského mlieka a ani nulového príjmu potravy. Jedine množstvo vypitej formuly kravského mlieka významne pozitívne korelovalo s koncentráciami Phe. Záver: Okrem významnej pozitívnej korelácie koncentrácií Phe a množstva vypitej formuly umelej výživy sa nezistila závislosť týchto koncentrácií, stanovených fluorometricky, od času od narodenia a množstva vypitej potravy. Hoci chýba pozitívna kontrola (vzorka z PKU), dá sa predpokladať, že pri používaní fluorometrickej metodiky možno realizovať skríning PKU bez rizika úniku aj vo včasnejšom postnatálnom období.
Background: In order to minimize the risk of false negativity many guidelines for PKU newborn screening recommend to obtain the blood sample only after sufficient protein intake, e.g. 4th, or 5th day after birth. However, this recommendation is not universal and many screening centers provide PKU screening regardless the age, and food intake, namely when the screening is performed by fluorometric method. The authors followed the trend of dry blood spot (DBS) phenylalanine levels in healthy full term newborns since birth to 6th day of life in comparison to milk intake and time after birth. Methods: DBS samples were taken from venous or capillary blood during other laboratory tests. The time of blood sampling and amount of ingested milk (breast, or cow milk formula) were recorded. Results: One hundred sixty two DBS samples from 117 healthy full term newborns were evaluated. There was no statistical significance in trend of phenylalanine levels to time after birth, to total amount of ingested milk, namely breast milk. Statistically significant positive correlation of amount of ingested cow milk formula and DBS phenylalanine level was found. Conclusion: There were no positive correlations of fluorometric DBS phenylalanine levels to time after birth, food intake, and amount of ingested milk, except cow milk formula. Despite an absence of the „positive control“ (PKU positive) the fluorometric method seems to be the reliable for early PKU screening – before 4th day of life.
One-thousand eight-hundreds forty-five individuals were examined for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, 31.3 % prevalence of them being found by using the complement fixation test as a screening method. The determined total antibodies were present mainly in low titers which show evidence of past or latent infection. The acute stage of toxoplasmosis by the detection of specific IgM and IgA was diagnosed. The occurrence of acute toxoplasmosis in the healthy population is very low and presents only at 0.3 %. There was no significant difference between genders (p = 0.232), but significant differences in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis depending on age (p < 0.001) and regions (p = 0.007) were found.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- imunoglobulin A krev MeSH
- imunoglobulin M krev MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- komplement fixační testy MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- protilátky protozoální krev MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
- Toxoplasma imunologie MeSH
- toxoplazmóza epidemiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- environmentální politika MeSH
- hodnocení rizik MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoci dýchací soustavy MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- sociální odpovědnost * MeSH
- socioekonomické faktory MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- zdraví - znalosti, postoje, praxe * MeSH
- životní prostředí * MeSH
- znečištění ovzduší MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Evropa MeSH
- Slovenská republika MeSH
