BACKGROUND: Mercury is a pollutant of global concern. To protect human health and environment from mercury pollution, the Minamata Convention on mercury entered into force in 2017. OBJECTIVES: To support a future effectiveness evaluation of the convention, this study assesses worldwide and regional time trends of total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk across different population sub-groups in the last half-century prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention. This study also provides an overview of the epidemiological literature showing evidence of associations between mercury exposure (in terms of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk) and human health. METHODS: We searched electronic databases to identify articles published prior to June 14, 2017 and reported total mercury levels in any of three biological matrices (whole blood, cord blood, or breast milk) and/or associations with human health. Temporal trends of total mercury levels in the selected biological matrices across different population sub-groups were estimated using a linear fit of the log-transformed data. In parallel, statistical methods were employed to assess any possible effect of sources of inhomogeneity (i.e. study and population characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, source of exposure, sampling period, and geographical region) in the collected studies. Furthermore, a summary of significant and relevant associations between mercury exposure and human health conditions in children and adults was prepared. FINDINGS: We found significant declines in total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk between 1966 and 2015. A regional overview of total mercury levels in whole blood, cord blood, and breast milk suggests the highest levels in South America, followed by Africa or Asia whereas the population groups from Europe or North America displayed the lowest levels of total mercury in the selected biological matrices. We observed conclusive consistent associations of mercury exposure with selected health conditions, especially neurodevelopment and neurotoxicity in children and adults. For several other health conditions, reported findings in the collected studies do not support conclusive associations. We also found that several studies demonstrated significant associations between mercury exposure below the USEPA reference level and various health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a worldwide and regional overview of trends in total mercury levels in human blood and breast milk and associated health risks prior to entry-into-force of the Minamata Convention and calls for further epidemiological investigations from across the globe to fully understand the health implications of mercury exposure.

• Klíčová slova
• Human health, Mercury blood levels, Mercury breast milk levels, Mercury exposure, Worldwide trends,
• MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mateřské mléko chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• neurotoxické syndromy epidemiologie   MeSH
• rtuť krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
• rtuť MeSH

This article is directed to determining concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are sorbed to solid particles in the air. Pollution sources were identified on the basis of the ratio of benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiPe) to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Because various important information is lost by determining the simple ratio of concentrations, least squares linear regression (classic ordinary least squares regression), reduced major axis, orthogonal regression, and Kendall-Theil robust diagnostics were utilized for identification. Statistical evaluation using all aforementioned methods demonstrated different ratios of the monitored PAHs in the intervals examined during warmer and colder periods. Analogous outputs were provided by comparing gradients of the emission factors acquired from the measured concentrations of BghiPe and BaP in motor vehicle exhaust gases. Based on these outputs, it was possible plausibly to state that the influence of burning organic fuels in heating stoves is prevalent in colder periods whereas in warmer periods transport was the exclusive source because other sources of PAH emissions were not found in the examined locations.

• Klíčová slova
• Air pollution, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Pollution sources, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Regression, Transport,
• MeSH
• benzopyren analýza   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• lineární modely MeSH
• metoda nejmenších čtverců MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• perylen analogy a deriváty   analýza   MeSH
• pevné částice analýza   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky analýza   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• urbanizace MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 1,12-benzoperylene MeSH Prohlížeč
• benzopyren MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• perylen MeSH
• pevné částice MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky MeSH
• výfukové emise vozidel MeSH

Since 1991 a human biomonitoring network has been established in the Czech Republic as part of the Environmental Health Monitoring System, which was set out by the Government Resolution. During the last quarter-century, important data was obtained to characterize exposure to both children and adult populations to significant toxic substances from the environment, to development trends over time, to establish reference values and compare them with existing health-related values. Moreover, the saturation of population with several essential substances as selenium, zinc, copper or iodine has also been monitored. Development of analytical and statistical methods led to increase the capacity building, improvement of QA/QC in analytical laboratories and interpretation of results. The obtained results are translated to policy actions and are used in health risk assessment processes at local and national levels.

• Klíčová slova
• Czech Republic, General population, Human biomonitoring, Time trends,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   krev   moč   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mateřské mléko chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vlasy, chlupy chemie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH

We examined the effect of individual environmental factors on the current spruce tree growth assessed from a repeated country-level statistical landscape (incl. forest) survey in the Czech Republic. An extensive set of variables related to tree size, competition, site characteristics including soil texture, chemistry, N deposition and climate was tested within a random-effect model to explain growth in the conditions of dominantly managed forest ecosystems. The current spruce basal area increment was assessed from two consecutive landscape surveys conducted in 2008/2009 and six years later in 2014/2015. Tree size, age and competition within forest stands were found to be the dominant explanatory variables, whereas the expression of site characteristics, environmental and climatic drives was weaker. The significant site variables affecting growth included soil C/N ratio and soil exchangeable acidity (pH KCl; positive response) reflecting soil chemistry, long-term N-deposition (averaged since 1975) in combination with soil texture (clay content) and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), a drought index expressing moisture conditions. Sensitivity of growth to N-deposition was positive, although weak. SPI was positively related to and significant in explaining tree growth when expressed for the growth season. Except SPI, no significant relation of growth was determined to altitude-related variables (temperature, growth season length). We identified the current spruce growth optimum at elevations about 800ma.s.l. or higher in the conditions of the country. This suggests that at lower elevations, limitation by a more pronounced water deficit dominates, whereas direct temperature limitation may concern the less frequent higher elevations. The mixed linear model of spruce tree growth explained 55 and 65% of the variability with fixed and random effects included, respectively, and provided new insights on the current spruce tree growth and factors affecting it within the environmental gradients of the country.

• Klíčová slova
• Drought, Environmental change, Managed forest, N-deposition, Norway spruce, Tree increment,
• MeSH
• dusík analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• multivariační analýza MeSH
• nadmořská výška MeSH
• období sucha MeSH
• podnebí * MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• regresní analýza MeSH
• smrk růst a vývoj   MeSH
• teoretické modely * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dusík MeSH
• půda MeSH

The primary goal of this work was to distinguish between soil pollution from long-range and local transport of atmospheric pollutants using soil magnetometry supported by geochemical analyses. The study area was located in the Izery region of Poland (within the "Black Triangle" region, which is the nickname for one of Europe's most polluted areas, where Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic meet). One site of the study area was situated in the Forest Glade and was exposed to anthropogenic pollution from a former glasswork. The second site of the study area was located on a neighboring hill (Granicznik) of which the western, northwestern and southwestern parts of the slope were exposed to the long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants from the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. Magnetic susceptibility was measured on the soil surface and in the soil samples using a MS2 Bartington meter equipped with MS2D and MS2C sensors, respectively. Using soil magnetometry, it was possible to discriminate between long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants and anthropogenic pollution related to the former glasswork located in the Forest Glade. Additionally, using MS2C measurements and geochemical analyses of sixteen trace elements, it was possible to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic origins of a soil magnetic susceptibility signal. Our results indicate that the Forest Glade site is characterized by relatively significant anthropogenic translocation of topsoil horizons, presence of artefacts, more hot spots, very high spatial variability, and higher nugget effect than on the Granicznik Hill.

• Klíčová slova
• Geostatistics, Long-range transport of atmospheric pollutants, Soil magnetometry, Soil pollution, Trace elements,
• MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch analýza   MeSH
• magnetometrie * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• stopové prvky analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Německo MeSH
• Polsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch MeSH
• půda MeSH
• stopové prvky MeSH

The serum samples from the years 1970-1990 archived at the temperature of -20°C in the biobank primarily intended for serological survey performed in the CR since 1960 were pooled and analyzed for DDT, its metabolites, HCB, HCHs, and indicator PCB congeners using up-to-date GC/MS/MS methods to retrospectively assess health risks according to current health guidelines. Samples were pooled based on the decade of sampling, age, gender, and three geographical areas; in adults, one pooled samples consisted of ten and in children of twenty individual samples. Altogether 233 pooled samples were analyzed. For all organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), significant downward trends were observed in the period 1970-1990 (p<0.001). The levels of HCB exceeded the Biomonitoring Equivalent (BE) value. The hazard quotient (HQ) in Prague and Ostrava during the 1970s and 1980s was about 40 and in the 1990s it had dropped to about five. In Uherské Hradiště, the HQ in 1975 was one order of magnitude higher (about 170), and had decreased to approximately 12 by 1987. For both HCB and the DDT sum, the BE-related carcinogenic risk of actual concentrations in the past exceeded significantly the individually accepted cancer risk level of 10(-4). The levels of the main PCB congeners in the 1970s through 1990s revealed an upward time trend in all analyzed strata. The highest concentrations were found in the serum of residents from the hot-spot area Uherské Hradiště. Critical PCB sum concentration levels (700ng/g lipid for vulnerable population groups and 1800ng/g lipid for other population groups) were substantially exceeded with an increasing time trend. PCB sum had exceeded HBM II values of 7μg/L of serum since 1980 in all age strata. In conclusion, the body burden of the Czech general population relative to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the period 1970 through 1990 significantly exceeded currently existing health based limit values. The past exposure might adversely affect the health status of the Czech population.

• Klíčová slova
• Archived serum samples, Czech Republic, Organochlorine pesticides, Polychlorinated biphenyls, Risk assessment,
• MeSH
• chlorované uhlovodíky krev   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí krev   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• pesticidy krev   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorované uhlovodíky MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
• pesticidy MeSH

Field crops represent one of the highest contributions to dietary metal exposure. The aim of this study was to develop specific regression models for the uptake of metals into various field crops and to compare the usability of other available models. We analysed samples of potato, hop, maize, barley, wheat, rape seed, and grass from 66 agricultural sites. The influence of measured soil concentrations and soil factors (pH, organic carbon, content of silt and clay) on the plant concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn was evaluated. Bioconcentration factors (BCF) and plant-specific metal models (PSMM) developed from multivariate regressions were calculated. The explained variability of the models was from 19 to 64% and correlations between measured and predicted concentrations were between 0.43 and 0.90. The developed hop and rapeseed models are new in this field. Available models from literature showed inaccurate results, except for Cd; the modelling efficiency was mostly around zero. The use of interaction terms between parameters can significantly improve plant-specific models.

• Klíčová slova
• Field crops, Heavy metals, Linear regression, Plant uptake, Prediction models,
• MeSH
• Brassica rapa chemie   MeSH
• kontaminace potravin MeSH
• kukuřice setá chemie   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• multivariační analýza MeSH
• pšenice chemie   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• regresní analýza MeSH
• teoretické modely * MeSH
• těžké kovy analýza   MeSH
• zemědělské plodiny chemie   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky znečišťující půdu MeSH
• půda MeSH
• těžké kovy MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Phthalates and their metabolites are classified as endocrine modulators. They affect the hormonal balance in both children and adults. The aim of this publication was to compare the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in selected populations of the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), and Hungary (HU) in relation to the sources of phthalate exposure identified by means of questionnaire (personal care products, floor and wall coverings, plastic toys, and some kinds of foods). METHODS: Data were obtained through the twin projects COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) and DEMOCOPHES (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) from 2009 to 2012. The target groups were children aged 6-11 years old and their mothers up to 45 years of age. The metabolites of phthalates (monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-cyclohexyl phthalate (MCHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5OXO-MEHP)) were analysed in first morning urine samples. After enzymatic glucuronide cleavage, the urine sample analyses were performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) in one laboratory that qualified in the External Quality Assessment exercises organised by COPHES. RESULTS: Significant differences in phthalate exposure between countries were revealed for children only but not for mothers. The concentrations of 5-OH-MEHP (P<0.001), 5OXO-MEHP (P<0.001), and their sum (P<0.001) were the highest in SK compared to CZ and HU. The health based guidance values for the sum of DEHP metabolites 5-OH MEHP and 5OXO-MEHP established by the German Commission for biomonitoring of 300 µg/L and 500 µg/L for women adults and children, respectively, were only exceeded in one mother and three boys. A significant difference was also found for MEP (P=0.0149), with the highest concentrations detected in HU. In all countries, the increasing frequency of using personal care products significantly elevated the concentrations of MEP. CONCLUSION: Some differences were observed between countries in the concentrations of individual urinary phthalate metabolites in children. However, the questionnaire results give no direct explanation for the differences between the countries except the variation in using personal care products.

• Klíčová slova
• Czech Republic, DEMOCOPHES, Hungary, Slovakia, Urinary phthalate metabolites,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie s elektrosprejovou ionizací MeSH
• interpretace statistických dat MeSH
• kouření epidemiologie   MeSH
• kyseliny ftalové metabolismus   moč   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí metabolismus   moč   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Maďarsko MeSH
• Slovenská republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyseliny ftalové MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH

In 2011 and 2012, the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects performed the first ever harmonized human biomonitoring survey in 17 European countries. In more than 1800 mother-child pairs, individual lifestyle data were collected and cadmium, cotinine and certain phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Total mercury was determined in hair samples. While the main goal of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects was to develop and test harmonized protocols and procedures, the goal of the current paper is to investigate whether the observed differences in biomarker values among the countries implementing DEMOCOPHES can be interpreted using information from external databases on environmental quality and lifestyle. In general, 13 countries having implemented DEMOCOPHES provided high-quality data from external sources that were relevant for interpretation purposes. However, some data were not available for reporting or were not in line with predefined specifications. Therefore, only part of the external information could be included in the statistical analyses. Nonetheless, there was a highly significant correlation between national levels of fish consumption and mercury in hair, the strength of antismoking legislation was significantly related to urinary cotinine levels, and we were able to show indications that also urinary cadmium levels were associated with environmental quality and food quality. These results again show the potential of biomonitoring data to provide added value for (the evaluation of) evidence-informed policy making.

• Klíčová slova
• COPHES, DEMOCOPHES, External exposure data, Human biomonitoring, Interpretation,
• MeSH
• biologické markery analýza   moč   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• interpretace statistických dat MeSH
• kadmium analýza   moč   MeSH
• kotinin moč   MeSH
• kouření zákonodárství a právo   moč   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí analýza   moč   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• městské obyvatelstvo statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• potrava z moře (živočišná) statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky normy   MeSH
• rtuť analýza   moč   MeSH
• venkovské obyvatelstvo statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vládní regulace MeSH
• vlasy, chlupy chemie   MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• kadmium MeSH
• kotinin MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí MeSH
• rtuť MeSH

Environmental contamination by mercury carries serious risks to the biosphere. Urban agglomerations burdened with traffic are characterized by substantial dust levels, including high concentrations of pollutants bound to particulate matter. In this research, the content of particulate mercury in street dust was investigated in relation to the season and traffic intensity. In total, 80 street dust samples were collected in the centre of Brno (Czech Republic) in which total and bioaccessible mercury contents were determined. Total mercury content in the samples ranged from 0.03 to 2.67 mg/kg. The content of bioaccessible mercury was below the limit of quantification in all samples. Thus, street dust did not increase the daily mercury intake by the population in studied area. A clear trend of mercury accumulation in street dust depending on traffic intensity in the investigated streets was not observed over the whole year.

• MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• nebezpečné látky analýza   MeSH
• prach analýza   MeSH
• roční období * MeSH
• rtuť analýza   MeSH
• spektrofotometrie atomová MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí analýza   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nebezpečné látky MeSH
• prach MeSH
• rtuť MeSH