As one of the core elements of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey was conducted in 23 countries to generate EU-wide comparable HBM data. This survey has built on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies, referred to as the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies included a total of 10,795 participants of three age groups: (i) 3,576 children aged 6-12 years, (ii) 3,117 teenagers aged 12-18 years and (iii) 4,102 young adults aged 20-39 years. The participants were recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11-12 countries per age group, geographically distributed across Europe. Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and the substitute DINCH, halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), cadmium, bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, acrylamide, mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (total DON)), benzophenones and selected pesticides was assessed by measuring substance specific biomarkers subjected to stringent quality control programs for chemical analysis. For substance groups analyzed in different age groups higher average exposure levels were observed in the youngest age group, i.e., phthalates/DINCH in children versus teenagers, acrylamide and pesticides in children versus adults, benzophenones in teenagers versus adults. Many biomarkers in teenagers and adults varied significantly according to educational attainment, with higher exposure levels of bisphenols, phthalates, benzophenones, PAHs and acrylamide in participants (from households) with lower educational attainment, while teenagers from households with higher educational attainment have higher exposure levels for PFASs and arsenic. In children, a social gradient was only observed for the non-specific pyrethroid metabolite 3-PBA and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP), with higher levels in children from households with higher educational attainment. Geographical variations were seen for all exposure biomarkers. For 15 biomarkers, the available health-based HBM guidance values were exceeded with highest exceedance rates for toxicologically relevant arsenic in teenagers (40%), 3-PBA in children (36%), and between 11 and 14% for total DON, Σ (PFOA + PFNA + PFHxS + PFOS), bisphenol S and cadmium. The infrastructure and harmonized approach succeeded in obtaining comparable European wide internal exposure data for a prioritized set of 11 chemical groups. These data serve as a reference for comparison at the global level, provide a baseline to compare the efficacy of the European Commission's chemical strategy for sustainability and will give leverage to national policy makers for the implementation of targeted measures.
- MeSH
- akrylamidy MeSH
- arsen * analýza MeSH
- biologické markery MeSH
- biologický monitoring MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- fluorokarbony * analýza MeSH
- kadmium analýza MeSH
- látky znečišťující životní prostředí * analýza MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- pesticidy * analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Arsenic (As) concentrations and deposition fluxes were measured in snow and rime at 10 mountain-top sites near the borders between the Czech Republic and Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia during three consecutive winter seasons (2009-2011). Our study was performed at a time following several decades of sharply decreasing regional atmospheric pollution and following the 2006 implementation of stricter air quality standards across Europe. Our objective was to compare vertical and horizontal depositions of soluble and insoluble As forms throughout the Czech Republic and define a recent Central European As pollution gradient. Arsenic soluble in weak nitric acid contributed 83 to 85% to the total As deposition, with the remaining 17-15% bound to stable particulate forms. The highest As deposition rates were recorded in the eastern Czech Republic near the borders with Poland and Slovakia. Complementary hydrochemical monitoring in four mountain-slope catchments situated near selected main study sites revealed a further decrease in open-area As deposition by the end of 2018 in the east of the country. In contrast, spruce canopy throughfall flux did not change significantly between 2009-2011 and 2016-2018. The site-specific relative roles of coal-burning-derived and ore-smelting-derived atmospheric As are discussed.
- MeSH
- arsen * analýza MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- látky znečišťující vzduch * analýza MeSH
- lesy MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- roční období MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Evropa MeSH
- Německo MeSH
- Polsko MeSH
- Rakousko MeSH
- Slovenská republika MeSH
The release of soil arsenic (As) in an unsaturated zone under oxidative conditions and at two temperatures simulating the seasonal effect (15 °C and 23 °C) was studied in four cultivated soils from the Elbe River catchment (Czech Republic, Central Europe). The soils with a low geogenic As background contained from 10 to 50 µg.g-1 of As, mostly originating from atmospheric deposition in the past. The temperature effect on the stability of As in soils was studied in connection with the stability of hydrated iron (Fe) oxides and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), as essential binding partners of As in soils. The temperature impact on As release was related to the actual As binding in soil determined by the sequential leaching. With predominant As binding to amorphous and poorly crystalline Fe phases the higher temperature (23 °C) increased As release up to twice compare to 15 °C. In the soils with a low total Fe and the preferential As binding to well-crystallised Fe phases the temperature effect on As release was negligible. Unlike Fe, the release of DOC is strongly temperature dependent, therefore As mobilisation was controlled by the DOC concentration. A higher experimental temperature (23 °C) supported the formation of DOC and the consequent release of As and Fe into the soil solution.
- MeSH
- arsen * analýza MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu * analýza MeSH
- půda MeSH
- železo MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Natural ferric ochres that precipitate in streambeds at abandoned mining sites are natural scavengers of various metals and metalloids. Thus, their chemical and structural modification via microbial activity should be considered in evaluation of the risks emerging from probable spread of contamination at mining sites. Our results highlight the role of various aspergilli strains in this process via production of acidic metabolites that affect mobility and bioavailability of coprecipitated contaminants. The Mössbauer analysis revealed subtle structural changes of iron in ochres, while the elemental analysis of non-dissolved residues of ochres that were exposed to filamentous fungi suggest coinciding bioextraction of arsenic and antimony with extensive iron mobilisation. However, the zinc bioextraction by filamentous fungi is less likely dependent on iron leaching from ferric ochres. The strain specific bioextraction efficiency and subsequent bioaccumulation of mobilised metals resulted in distinct tolerance responses among the studied soil fungal strains. However, regardless the burden of bioextracted metal(loid)s on its activity, the Aspergillus niger strain has shown remarkable capability to decrease pH of its environment and, thus, bioextract significant and environmentally relevant amounts of potentially toxic elements from the natural ochres.
This review deals with speciation analysis of arsenic based on hydride generation and coupled with analytical atomic spectrometry. Three basic on-line approaches to speciation analysis of arsenic are defined: (a) selective hydride generation, (b) postcolumn hydride generation and (c) generation of methyl substituted arsanes. All of the approaches are discussed with the focus on the latest advances in those fields.
- MeSH
- arsen * analýza MeSH
- spektrální analýza metody MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Agaricus bisporus is the most commonly cultivated and consumed mushroom species. The aim of this study was to compare the profile of macro- and trace elements in A. bisporus fruit bodies produced commercially in 19 countries in 2018 and distributed worldwide (32 analyzed objects). Trace elements with unknown biological roles were also determined. The content of 36 elements (of 70 taken into account) revealed significant differences among the analyzed objects. Contents of Ca, K, Mg, Na and S varied in wide ranges of 425-2430, 12740-40940, 610-3240, 98-430 and 1030-2650 mg kg-1 dw, respectively. The fruit bodies were characterized by a generally similar content of trace elements with some clear exceptions. Rankings of the objects according to the decreased amount of macroelements, trace elements and all elements jointly, show that mushrooms are significantly diverse as regards the content of particular elements of the mentioned group. The analyzed fruit bodies displayed a relatively high content of Ca, Mo and Se, and a high K/Na ratio. Regardless of origin, A. bisporus did not constitute a source of significant levels of Al, Cd or rare earth elements. An increased level of As and Pb in mushrooms from several producers indicates a need for additional measures to reduce potential dietary exposures to these toxicants.
- MeSH
- Agaricus chemie MeSH
- arsen analýza MeSH
- celosvětové zdraví MeSH
- olovo analýza MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky * MeSH
- stopové prvky analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Extensive information is available on total arsenic in particulate matter (PM), but little is known about the relative contribution of each individual species. Recent studies often focus on inorganic arsenic as arsenite and arsenate, neglecting the organoarsenicals, i.e., methylarsine, dimethylarsine, and trimethylarsine or the corresponding oxidized forms methylarsonate, dimethylarsinate, and trimethylarsine oxide, although they were already first detected in PM in the mid-1970s. This work presents results from more than 300 daily PM10 and further size-resolved atmospheric PM samples in the size range from 15 nm to 10 μm collected in an urban environment in Austria during the course of a year. An ion-exchange-HPLC (with anion and cation exchange columns) and an ICPMS/MS system were used to study the seasonal variations of total arsenic and all species known to exist in PM. Inorganic arsenic was present in significant amounts in all samples with highest concentrations during winter, but also all organoarsenicals were detected throughout the year. We show that their contribution cannot be ignored, as particles smaller than <1 μm can contain up to 35% of the water+H2O2 extractable arsenic as methylated species, but only dimethylarsinate showed a clear seasonal trend throughout the year.
- MeSH
- arsen analýza MeSH
- peroxid vodíku MeSH
- pevné částice MeSH
- roční období MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Rakousko MeSH
The potential environmental hazards of risk elements in the area affected by the opencast coal mine and/or coal combustion for plants and animals was assessed by using a suite of laboratory bioaccessibility tests. The chosen sampling area was in the vicinity of the largest coal mine spoil in the Sokolov coal basin (Czech Republic). For an estimation of the oral bioaccessibility of the risk elements in soils, the physiologically based extraction tests were applied. Among the available methods for estimating the pulmonary bioaccessibility of elements, the Gamble's and Hatch's tests were chosen. The results showed elevated pseudo-total soil contents of As, Be, Cd, Cu, Pb, V, and Zn. Among these elements, only Cd showed substantial bioaccessibility for plants, as documented by the high Risk Assessment Code, reaching up to 47%, and the highest plant-availability, where the maximum Bioaccumulation Factor in plants reached up to 4.5. The simulated body fluids showed the highest bioaccessibility of Cd, but also substantial bioaccessible pools of As and Be, the elements frequently found at the brown coal mining and processing areas. For better understanding of the risk element bioaccessibility under the specific conditions, the released element pools should be related to the particular soil physicochemical parameters.
- MeSH
- arsen analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- biologická dostupnost MeSH
- kovy analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- rostliny metabolismus MeSH
- těžba uhlí * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The fate of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As in a horizontal subsurface flow-constructed wetland was studied. The concentrations of the risk elements in treated municipal wastewater, wetland sediments, and Phragmites australis biomass were determined. Most of the studied elements were removed from the wastewater with fair efficiencies. On the other hand, As was released to treated water in the wetland bed. The removal efficiencies obtained for the individual elements were as follows: 64.2, 48.7, 70.0, 93.9, 63.6, 63.8, and -236.2%, respectively. The concentrations measured in sediments were the highest for samples taken 1 m from the inflow zone. They were 4.11, 2.01, 6.01, 4.85, 3.39, 9.30, and 3.17 times higher as compared to the samples taken in the distance of 10 m. The pollutants were preferentially deposited at the front part of the wetland bed where anaerobic conditions predominated and sulfate reduction took place. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of the studied elements in the aboveground biomass (Phragmites australis) samples taken in the distances of 1, 5, and 10 m from the inflow zone. However, the concentrations measured in the belowground biomass samples were significantly higher for samples taken at the front part of the wetland bed. The individual element concentration ratios between the below- and aboveground biomass measured for samples taken 1 m from the inflow zone were 4.97, 5.97, 2.21, 1.58, 2.26, 5.70, and 2.66 for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and As, respectively.
- MeSH
- arsen * analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- biodegradace MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- čištění vody metody MeSH
- geologické sedimenty chemie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lipnicovité fyziologie MeSH
- mokřady * MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- následné studie MeSH
- odpadní voda chemie MeSH
- roční období MeSH
- těžké kovy * analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- vytvořené prostředí MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Banské profesie sú jednými z fyzicky najnáročnejších zamestnaná, medzi ktoré patria banský údržbár, predák, banský elektrikár, rubač, razič a ďalšie. Ťažobný priemysel v regióne Horná Nitra sa orientuje najmä na ťažbu hnedého uhlia a jeho spracovanie. V hnedom uhlí sa vyskytuje arzén (As) v auripigmente a realgare. Z toxikologického hľadiska je dôležité zamerať sa na arzén, pretože podľa Medzinárodnej agentúry pre výskum rakoviny je karcinogénom prvej skupiny. Jedným z najcitlivejších zariadení, ktorým je možne arzén v ľudskom tele monitorovať je Indukčne viazaná plazma s hmotnostnou spektrometriou. Súbor tvorilo 23 baníkov (fajčiar, nefajčiar) z hnedouhoľnej bane a 21 ľudí (fajčiar, nefajčiar) bez expozície arzénom v ich pracovnom alebo životnom prostredí. Skupina baníkov bola rozdelená, podľa typu banskej profesie. Biologický materiál bol analyzovaný pomocou Indukčne viazanej plazmy s hmotnostnou spektrometriou ThermoFischer XSeries 2 a meraným izotopom bol 75As. Koncentrácie arzénu v krvi a moči neboli vyššie ako biologická limitná hodnota. Čo mohlo byť spôsobené tým, že analýza celkového arzénu bola vykonaná niekoľko dní po ukončení práce v bani. Avšak, štatisticky významne vyššia koncentrácia arzénu bola v skupine baníkov nefajčiarov v porovnaní s kontrolnou skupinou nefajčiarov (p-value < 0,005). Zameraním sa na vykonávanú banskú profesiu, koncentrácie arzénu v moči boli vyššie v jednotlivých banských profesiách v porovnaní s kontrolnou skupinou. Z tohto dôvodu by sme nemali zabúdať na banské profesie a pravidelné biologické expozičné testy na arzén u baníkov.
The mining professions are one of the most physically demanding jobs. Into the group of mining professions we can include mining maintenance man, mine equipment operators, mine electricians, longwall move operators and other. The mining industry in region Horná Nitra is oriented mainly on mining and processing of brown coal. Arsenic (As) occurs in brown coal in auripigment and realgar. From the toxicological point of view, it is important to focus on arsenic. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer arsenic is a human carcinogen of Group I. Arsenic in the human body can be monitored by the most sensitive technique the Inductively coupled plasma with Mass spectrometry. The group consisted of 23 miners (smoker, non-smoker) from a brown coal mine and 21 people (smoker, non-smoker) without exposure to arsenic from their workplace or environment. The group of miners was divided according to the type of mining profession. The biological material was analyzed by Inductively coupled plasma with Mass spectrometry ThermoFischer XSeries 2. The measured isotope was 75As. The total blood and urinary arsenic concentrations were not higher than the biological limit value. What could be due to the fact that the analysis of total arsenic was done a few days after finishing the work in the mine. However, statistically significant higher total arsenic concentration was found in the non-smokers miners compared with the non-smokers control group (p-value < 0.005). By focusing on the mining professions, total urine arsenic concentrations were higher in the mining professions compared with the control group. For this reason, we should not forget the mining professions and regular biological exposure tests for arsenic in miners.
