Despite regulatory actions, lead (Pb) exposure remains a major environmental health concern worldwide due to its widespread occurrence and potential adverse effects. The aims of this study were to explore internal Pb exposure in EU citizens, identify its main sociodemographic determinants, and investigate temporal variations over the last decades. Blood Pb data from a total of 17,790 individuals from 9 biomonitoring studies conducted between 2003 and 2019 in four European countries [Belgium (FLEHS I-IV), teenagers and adults; Czech Republic (SZU), children and adults; Spain (BIOAMBIENT.ES), adults; Germany (ESB, GerES IV and V), with all three age groups] were used. The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) harmonized and integrated the different datasets. Linear mixed-model analyses were performed to explore exposure determinants related to Pb concentrations. All participants showed detectable blood Pb concentrations, with an overall mean concentration (± standard deviation) of 20.6 (± 16.7) µg/L. In multivariable analyses, older age at recruitment, smoking habit and residence in more urbanized areas were associated with higher Pb levels, whereas more recent sampling year and higher educational level with lower concentrations. After pooled analysis of individual data, no significant differences were found in the Pb levels of the European citizens studied, probably due to the heterogeneity of the studies included. Collaborative efforts between public health agencies, environmental regulators and communities must continue to monitor trends, explore emerging sources of exposure and refine strategies to ensure sustained progress in reducing Pb levels and protecting the health of European population.

• Klíčová slova
• Blood, Europe, HBM4EU, Human biomonitoring, Lead, Regulation policies,
• MeSH
• biologický monitoring MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• olovo * krev   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sociodemografické faktory MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• olovo * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Exposure to toxic trace elements, which include metals and metalloids, can induce adverse health effects, including life-threatening diseases. Conversely, essential trace elements are vital for bodily functions, yet their excessive (or inadequate) intake may pose health risks. Therefore, identifying levels and determinants of exposure to trace elements is crucial for safeguarding human health. METHODS: The present study analyzed urinary concentrations of 14 trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, thallium, and zinc) and their exposure determinants in 711 individuals, spanning from children to young adults from a Central European population from the Czech Republic. Multivariate linear regression and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA were used to investigate exposure determinants. Estimates of 95th percentile concentrations and confidence intervals were carried out to establish reference values (RV95). The study also assessed the percentage of population exceeding health-based guidance values (GVs) to gauge health risks. RESULTS: Young adults showed elevated toxic element concentrations, whereas children exhibited higher concentrations of essential elements. Mercury concentrations were associated with both dental amalgam filling count and seafood intake; arsenic concentrations were associated with seafood, rice, and mushroom consumption. Mushroom consumption also influenced lead concentrations. Sex differences were found for cadmium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt. Between 17.9% and 25% of the participants exceeded recommended GV for arsenic, while 2.4% to 2.8% exceeded GV for cadmium. Only one participant exceeded the GV for mercury, and none exceeded GVs for chromium and thallium. Essential trace elements' GVs were surpassed by 38% to 68.5% participants for zinc, 1.3% to 1.8% for molybdenum, and 0.2% to 0.3% for selenium. IMPACT: The present study examines trace element exposure in a Central European population from the Czech Republic, unveiling elevated exposure levels of toxic elements in young adults and essential elements in children. It elucidates key determinants of trace element exposure, including dietary and lifestyle indicators as well as dental amalgam fillings. Additionally, the study establishes novel reference values and a comparison with established health-based human biomonitoring guidance values, which are crucial for public health decision-making. This comprehensive biomonitoring study provides essential data to inform public health policies and interventions.

• Klíčová slova
• Heavy metals, Human biomonitoring, Human exposure, Trace elements, Urine,
• MeSH
• biologický monitoring * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• polokovy * moč   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• stopové prvky * moč   MeSH
• těžké kovy * moč   MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polokovy * MeSH
• stopové prvky * MeSH
• těžké kovy * MeSH

Monitoring of body burden of toxic elements is usually based on analysis of concentration of particular elements in blood, urine and/or hair. Analysis of these matrices, however, predominantly reflects short- or medium-term exposure to trace elements or pollutants. In this work, urinary stones were investigated as a matrix for monitoring long-term exposure to toxic and essential elements. A total of 431 samples of urinary calculi were subjected to mineralogical and elemental analysis by infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The effect of mineralogical composition of the stones and other parameters such as sex, age and geographical location on contents of trace and minor elements is presented. Our results demonstrate the applicability of such approach and confirm that the analysis of urinary calculi can be helpful in providing complementary information on human exposure to trace metals and their excretion. Analysis of whewellite stones (calcium oxalate monohydrate) with content of phosphorus <0.6 % has been proved to be a promising tool for biomonitoring of trace and minor elements.

• Klíčová slova
• Biomonitoring, Exposure, Trace elements, Urinary stones, Urolithiasis,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• močové kameny chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• šťavelan vápenatý analýza   MeSH
• stopové prvky analýza   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• šťavelan vápenatý MeSH
• stopové prvky MeSH
• whewellite MeSH Prohlížeč