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,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Increased wildfire activity increases the demands on fire rescue services and firefighters' contact with harmful chemicals. This study aimed to determine firefighters' exposure to toxic metal(loid)s and its association with the lipid profile. CELSPAC-FIREexpo study participants (including 110 firefighters) provided urine and blood samples to quantify urinary levels of metal(loid)s (arsenic, cadmium (Cd), mercury, and lead (Pb)), and serum lipid biomarkers (cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TG)). The associations were investigated by using multiple linear regression and Bayesian weighted quantile sum (BWQS) regression. Higher levels of Pb were observed in firefighters. Pb was positively associated with CHOL and TG. Cd was negatively associated with HDL. In the BWQS model, the mixture of metal(loid)s was associated positively with CHOL (β = 14.75, 95% CrI = 2.45-29.08), LDL (β = 15.14, 95% CrI = 3.39-29.35), and TG (β = 14.79, 95% CrI = 0.73-30.42), while negatively with HDL (β = -14.96, 95% CrI = -25.78 to -1.8). Pb emerged as a key component in a metal(loid) mixture. The results suggest that higher exposure to lead and the mixture of metal(loid)s is associated with the alteration of the lipid profile, which can result in an unfavorable cardiometabolic profile, especially in occupationally exposed firefighters.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles (BTs) are high-production volume chemicals as well as widely distributed emerging pollutants with potential health risk. However, information about human exposure to BTs and associated health outcomes is limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterise exposure to BTs among Czech men, including possible occupational exposure among firefighters, its predictors, and its associations with liver function, serum lipids and oxidative stress. METHODS: 165 participants (including 110 firefighters) provided urine and blood samples that were used to quantify the urinary levels of 8 BTs (high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), and 4 liver enzymes, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Linear regression was used to assess associations with population characteristics and biomarkers of liver function, serum lipids and oxidative stress. Regression models were adjusted for potential confounding variables and false discovery rate procedure was applied to account for multiplicity. RESULTS: The BTs ranged from undetected up to 46.8 ng/mL. 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole was the most predominant compound (detection frequency 83%; median 1.95 ng/mL). 1-methyl-benzotriazole (1M-BTR) was measured in human samples for the first time, with a detection frequency 77% and median 1.75 ng/mL. Professional firefighters had lower urinary 1M-BTR compared to non-firefighters. Urinary 1M-BTR was associated with levels of γ-glutamyl transferase (β = - 17.54%; 95% CI: - 26.127, - 7.962). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate BT exposure in Central Europe, including potentially exposed firefighters. The findings showed a high prevalence of BTs in the study population, the relevance of 1M-BTR as a new biomarker of exposure, and an urgent need for further research into associated adverse health outcomes.

• Klíčová slova
• Benzothiazole, Benzotriazole, Human biomonitoring, Liver function, Oxidative stress, Serum lipids,
• MeSH
• 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosin moč   krev   MeSH
• benzothiazoly * MeSH
• biologické markery * krev   moč   MeSH
• cholesterol krev   MeSH
• deoxyguanosin analogy a deriváty   moč   krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hasiči MeSH
• játra účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipidy krev   MeSH
• oxidační stres * účinky léků   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * analýza   MeSH
• triazoly * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosin MeSH
• benzothiazoly * MeSH
• benzotriazole MeSH Prohlížeč
• biologické markery * MeSH
• cholesterol MeSH
• deoxyguanosin MeSH
• lipidy MeSH
• triazoly * MeSH

The CELSPAC - FIREexpo biomonitoring study investigates the long-term effects of chemical exposure on firefighters' wellness and fitness. It aims to provide science-based measures to minimize the health risks of the firefighting occupation. Here, we present the study design, cohort profile, and first results with respect to internal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) levels in study participants. Participants (n = 166) were divided into three subcohorts: i) newly recruited firefighters, ii) professional firefighters with several years' experience, and iii) the control group. Participants underwent physical performance tests, provided information on their lifestyle and diet, and urine and blood samples 1-4 times within an 11-week period. 12 serum PFAS and 10 urinary hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) levels were determined using HPLC-MS/MS and compared between subcohorts and samplings. The association of internal exposure with reported lifestyles and occupational factors was investigated using Spearman's correlation, principal component analysis, and multivariate regression analysis. ΣPFAS levels in firefighters were significantly higher than in the control group and were mostly associated with the length of firefighting career, age, blood donation, and population size. 10.9 % and 7.6 % of measurements exceeded the HBM-I or HBM-II value for PFOS and PFOA, respectively. Urinary ΣPAH levels increased significantly after training with burning wooden pallets, but none of them exceeded the no observed genotoxic effect level. Firefighters' occupational exposure, its sources, and pathways, need to be systematically monitored and investigated on a long-term and individual basis. The CELSPAC - FIREexpo study helps to clarify the degree of occupational exposure to the given compounds and the subsequent risks to firefighters.

• Klíčová slova
• Cohort profile, Firefighters, HBM value, Human biomonitoring, Perfluoroalkyl substances, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
• MeSH
• biologický monitoring MeSH
• fluorokarbony * analýza   MeSH
• hasiči * MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * analýza   MeSH
• pracovní expozice * analýza   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fluorokarbony * MeSH
• látky znečišťující vzduch v pracovním prostředí * MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky * MeSH

Oxidative stress is an important toxicity and genotoxicity mechanism of many chronic adverse health outcomes. This study developed a sensitive extraction method for urine matrix (based on lyophilization, without the need for pre-cleaning by solid phase extraction), coupled to LC-MS/MS analysis of the biomarker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The methodology was validated in urine samples from a cohort of Spanish pregnant women collected during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, and urine samples collected within 24 h after delivery (n = 85). A detection and quantification limit of 0.01 and 0.05 μg/L, respectively, were established. The median 8-OHdG concentration was 2.18 μg/L (range 0.33-7.79); and the corresponding creatinine-adjusted concentrations ranged from 1.04 to 13.12 with median of 4.48 μg 8-OHdG/g creatinine. The concentrations of non-adjusted 8-OHdG significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the 3rd trimester and post-delivery urine samples when compared to the 1st trimester levels. 8-OHdG concentrations were further studied in placenta samples matching the same urine samples (n = 26), with a median value of 1.3 ng 8-OHdG/g of tissue. Placental 8-OHdG concentrations were correlated with urinary levels of non-adjusted 8-OHdG in the 3rd trimester. Considering the small cohort size, results must be interpreted with caution, however statistical analyses revealed elevated urinary non-adjusted 8-OHdG levels in the 1st trimester of mothers that delivered boys compared to those who delivered girls (p < 0.01). Increased urinary non-adjusted 8-OHdG concentrations at the time of delivery were significantly associated with clinical records (any type of clinical record during pregnancy; p < 0.05). The novel extraction and analytical method for the assessment of 8-OHdG is applicable for sensitive analysis of multiple analytes or biomarkers in urine matrix. This method could also be applied for other matrices such as blood or tissues. Our findings show that 8-OHdG in urine of pregnant women could predict oxidative stress in placenta and can be related to characteristics such as maternal obesity, mode of delivery and newborn sex.

• Klíčová slova
• 8-OHdG, Oxidative stress, Placenta, Pregnancy, Urine,
• MeSH
• 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosin MeSH
• biologické markery moč   MeSH
• chromatografie kapalinová metody   MeSH
• deoxyguanosin * moč   MeSH
• kreatinin moč   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• placenta MeSH
• poškození DNA MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie metody   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• těhotné ženy * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosin MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• deoxyguanosin * MeSH
• kreatinin MeSH