| 1. |
- Hruba, Frantiska, et al.
(författare)
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Blood cadmium, mercury, and lead in children : An international comparison of cities in six European countries, and China, Ecuador, and Morocco
- 2012
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Ingår i: Environment International. - Oxford : Elsevier. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 41, s. 29-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Children's blood-lead concentration (B-Pb) is well studied, but little is known about cadmium (B-Cd) and mercury (B-Hg), in particular for central Europe. Such information is necessary for risk assessment and management. Therefore, we here describe and compare B-Pb, B-Cd and B-Hg in children in six European, and three non-European cities, and identify determinants of these exposures. About 50 school children (7-14 years) from each city were recruited (totally 433) in 2007-2008. Interview and questionnaire data were obtained. A blood sample was analyzed: only two laboratories with strict quality control were used. The European cities showed only minor differences for B-Cd (geometric means 0.11-0.17 mu g/L) and B-Pb (14-20 mu g/L), but larger for B-Hg (0.12-0.94 mu g/L). Corresponding means for the non-European countries were 0.21-0.26, 32-71, and 0.3-3.2 mu g/L, respectively. For B-Cd in European samples, traffic intensity close to home was a statistically significant determinant, for B-Hg fish consumption and amalgam fillings, and for B-Pb sex (boys higher). This study shows that European city children's B-Cd and B-Pb vary only little between countries; B-Hg differs considerably, due to varying tooth restoration practices and fish intake. Traffic intensity seemed to be a determinant for B-Cd. The metal concentrations were low from a risk perspective but the chosen non-European cities showed higher concentrations than the cities in Europe. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Shirdel, Mariam, et al.
(författare)
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Passive personal air sampling of dust in a working environment : A pilot study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1545-9624 .- 1545-9632. ; 16:10, s. 675-684
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to make a preliminary evaluation of the University of North Carolina passive aerosol sampler (UNC sampler) for personal air sampling of particles. Nine personal air samplings of respirable fraction were conducted in an open-pit mine, with pairwise UNC samplers and a respirable cyclone mounted on the chest of workers. UNC samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to some extent energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Respirable cyclone filter samples were weighed. Correlations and particle elemental compositions were described. Microscopic imaging of the collection surface showed that the particles were heterogeneously deposited across the surface of the UNC sampler. Collected particles were shaped as gravel particles and the resulting particle size distribution in air showed a peak at ca. 3 µm aerodynamic diameter, similarly to what has previously been reported from the same mine. The elemental composition indicated mineral origin. All correlations between the airborne mass concentrations from UNC samplers and respirable cyclones (Pearson = 0.54 and Spearman = 0.43) and between pairs of parallel UNC samplers (Pearson = 0.55 and Spearman = 0.67) were weak. The UNC sampler mass concentrations were approximately 30 times higher than those measured with the respirable cyclone. In conclusion, the UNC sampler, when used for personal sampling in a mine, provides a reasonable particle size distribution and the deposited particles appeared to be of mineral origin and not from textile or skin but the approximately 30-fold overestimation of mass concentrations when comparing with respirable cyclone sampling indicates that further improvements are necessary. Positioning of the sampler may be critical and moving the UNC sampler from the chest to e.g. the top of a helmet might be an improvement. Grounding of the sampler in order to avoid static electricity might also be useful. The UNC sampler should continue to be researched for personal sampling, as passive sampling might become a useful alternative to more laborious sampling techniques.
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| 3. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A, et al.
(författare)
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Metallmätningar hos gravida kvinnor i Västerbotten : Rapport till Miljöövervakningsenheten, Naturvårdsverketkontrakt nr 215 0305
- 2006
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- I denna studie har vi 2003-04 undersökt koncentrationerna av kvicksilver, kadmiumoch bly i blod från 96 gravida kvinnor i Västerbotten. För kvicksilver har vi ävenundersökt koncentrationen i hår. Västerbotten har tidvis haft ett betydandekvicksilvernedfall. Dessutom är fritidsfiske, inte minst i insjöar och mindrevattendrag, en vanlig hobby. Det finns därför skäl att undersöka om gravida kvinnor iVästerbotten har högre kvicksilvernivåer än i andra delar av Sverige.Drygt 40% av kvinnorna brukade äta insjöfisk och drygt en fjärdedel hade ätitinsjöfisk senaste månaden. Detta är högre andelar än vad man sett på andra orter.Dock hade endast 3 kvinnor ätit sådana arter som Livsmedelsverket rekommenderargravida att undvika. Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i blod var 0,02-3,5 (median: 0,6)μg/L. Det mesta var i organisk form (0,0-3,2; median: 0,5 μg/L). För kadmium varkoncentrationen 0,04-2,5 (median: 0,14) μg/L och för bly 4-47 (median: 9) μg/L.Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i hår var 0,05-1,0 (median: 0,19) μg/g.De kvicksilverkoncentrationer vi fann var likvärdiga eller lägre än vad som tidigareuppmätts på andra orter i Sverige. Det är alltså inte så att gravida i Västerbotten harsärskilt höga kvicksilverkoncentrationer, trots det kvicksilvernedfall som förekommitoch den relativt höga konsumtionen av insjöfisk. Bly- och kadmiumkoncentrationernaär att betrakta som låga, vilket dock inte innebär att säkerhetsmarginalen till nivåerdär effekter konstaterats är särskilt stor.
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| 4. |
- Shirdel, Mariam, et al.
(författare)
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Choosing the number of images and image position when analysing the UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler for occupational exposure assessment
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1545-9624 .- 1545-9632. ; 15:11, s. 767-772
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The University of North Carolina passive aerosol sampler (UNC sampler) could be an alternative when measuring occupational dust exposure, but the time required for microscopic imaging of the sampler needs to be reduced to make it more attractive. The aims of this study were to 1) characterise the effect on precision when reducing imaging, in order to shorten analysis time and 2) assess if the position of the images makes a difference. Eighty-eight samplers were deployed in different locations of an open pit mine. Sixty images were captured for each UNC sampler, covering 51% of its collection surface, using scanning electron microscopy. Bootstrapped samples were generated with different image combinations, to assess the within-sampler coefficient of variation (CVws) for different numbers of images. In addition, the particle concentration relative to the distance from the centre of the sampler was studied. Reducing the number of images collected from the UNC sampler led to up to 8.3% CVws for ten images when calculating respirable fraction. As the overall CV has previously been assessed to 36%, the additional contribution becomes minimal, increasing the overall CV to 37%. The mean concentrations of the images were modestly related to distance from the centre of the sampler. The CVws changed from 8.26% to 8.13% for ten images when applying rules for the image collection based on distance. Thus, the benefit of these rules on the precision is small and the images can therefore be chosen at random. In conclusion, reducing the number of images analysed from 60 to 10, corresponding to a reduction of the imaged sampling area from 51% to 8.5%, results in a negligible loss in precision for respirable fraction dust measurements in occupational environments.
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| 5. |
- Sundkvist, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Time trends of cadmium, lead and mercury in the population of Northern Sweden 1990-2009 and blood levels of rhodium and platinum in 2009
- 2011
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background:Knowledge of time trends in burdens of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are important to evaluate effects of preventive actions. This has previously been monitored in northern Sweden in samples from 1990-1999. Alpha-1- microglobuline (A1M) in urine is a potential biomarker of tubular dysfunction, presumed to be effected by body burdens of cadmium. It is unknown if elements from catalytic converters, platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh) and palladium (Pd), cause human exposure.Objective:To continue the time trend series of body burdens of Cd, Pb and Hg and to quantify levels of Pt, Rh and Pd and alpha-1-microglobuline in samples from northern Sweden.Design:Biobanked blood samples from health screenings in the WHO MONICA-project in northern Sweden were analyzed for Cd, Pb and Hg, in two age-groups; 25-35 years and 50-60 years. In 2004, blood samples from 287 women were analysed and in 2009, blood samples from 150 men and 177 women were analyzed. Also, cadmium and A1M were analysed in urine for the 2004 and 2009 participants. Pt, Rh and Pd were analysed in blood for 26 women in ages 55-59 years from the 2009 screening.Results:There was a decline in blood levels of Pb in both men and women. Blood levels of Cd did not change over time. However, in women, levels of U-Cd were lower in 2009 as compared to 2004, also in never-smokers in the younger age-group. Due to use of erythrocytes in the previous report on data from 1990-99, body burdens of Hg could not be compared to previous data. A decrease from 2004 to 2009 was detected in B-Hg in women in the older age-group. Levels of Pd could not be quantified due to high uncertainty in the analysis. Blood levels of Pt and Rh were at levels of about one thousandth of the heavy metals. Levels of protein A1M in urine could not be compared over time, due to changes in analytical method. Levels of the protein were higher in the older age-group and men had higher levels than women in samples from 2009.Conclusion:The previously detected decline in body burdens of Pb continued from 1999 to 2009, while there is still no evident change in body burdens of Cd. We cannot evaluate the time trend of Hg body burdens after 1999 with these data. Levels of Pt and Rh are detectable. Surprisingly, men in the older age-group had higher levels than women of protein A1M. For Cd, there are indications of risk of adverse health effects at the reported levels. Efforts to reduce pollution and human exposure to all three heavy metals are important, but this is especially important for cadmium.
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| 6. |
- Wennberg, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Mercury concentrations in pregnant women in circumpolar Sweden (Kiruna)
- 2018
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- High exposure to mercury have been found in populations living in circumpolar areas, due to high consumption of sea food and accumulation of mercury closer to the north pole. The developing fetus is especially sensitive to effects of mercury. Exposure to mercury has previously been examined in pregnant women in Sweden, but not in pregnant women residing in Sweden north of the polar circle.In the years 2015-2016, mercury was measured in whole blood from 51 pregnant women living in the city of Kiruna in circumpolar Sweden, taking part in an international comparison between eight circumpolar countries. This report presents the Swedish results on mercury concentrations and associations with some exposure determinants. Also, compliance to dietary advice on fish consumption, appointed to fertile women, was examined.The median concentration of total-Hg in whole blood was 0.40 μg/L (min, max; <0.40, 1.88) among the 51 pregnant women in Kiruna. This is similar or lower compared to concentrations of mercury in pregnant women in other parts of Sweden. None of the women in the study had concentrations of mercury that are considered as dangerous.Mercury concentrations were associated with total fish consumption but not to consumption of predatory fish, known to be higher in mercury. All of the women in the study had knowledge about dietary advice on fish consumption. One woman exceeded the recommended consumption of predatory fish, limited due to risk of high mercury content, but this woman did not have high concentrations of mercury. While the vast majority of women thus followed the recommendations of not eating too much polluted fish, only 15 % of the women reported sufficient fish consumption to comply with the dietary advice (2-3 times/week).In conclusion, pregnant women in circumpolar Sweden have low exposure to mercury, and do not deviant from pregnant women in other parts of Sweden. Knowledge about dietary advice on fish consumption appointed to fertile women is very good. The public health concern though, is that pregnant women in circumpolar Sweden do not eat enough fish.
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| 7. |
- Wennberg, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Persistenta organiska miljöföroreningars halter i plasma i relation till kostfaktorer av betydelse för diabetesrisk
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Flera studier har visat på samband mellan halter av persistenta organiska miljöföroreningar (POPar) och ökad risk för diabetes typ 2, men endast ett fåtal av studierna är prospektiva. Det är då osäkert om POPar orsakar diabetes eller om sjukdomen i sig påverkar halter av POPar. Det är rimligt att det totala intaget av POPar är relaterat till mängden mat man äter och därmed skulle ett stort matintag både kunna leda till ett högt BMI och höga halter av POPar. Syftet med studien var att ta reda på hur vikt och BMI samt kostfaktorer av betydelse för diabetesrisk är kopplade till halter av POPar. Kan de samband som setts mellan POPar och diabetesrisk förklaras av att halter av POPar är kopplade till någon/några av dessa faktorer? Korrelationer mellan olika POPar och kostfaktorer (energiintag, energiprocent protein, fett och kolhydrater) samt BMI, vikt och skattat energibehov beräknades hos 845 deltagare i Västerbottens hälsoundersökningar. Halter jämfördes också för de med högst respektive lägst fysisk aktivitet på arbetet, då en hög fysisk aktivitet rimligen bör medföra ett högre energiintag. Positiva korrelationer kunde ses mellan DDE, HCB, lågklorerade PCBer (PCB-118 och 138) och BMI respektive vikt samt skattat energibehov. Korrelationerna var starkare för män jämfört med för kvinnor. Korrelationer mellan vikt respektive BMI och högklorerade PCBer (PCB-156, 170 och 180) var negativa för kvinnor, medan inga sådana korrelationerkunde ses för män. För energiintag eller energiprocent av protein, fett, respektive kolhydrater kunde endast ett fåtal svaga korrelationer ses. Det fanns inte någon signifikant skillnad i POP-halter mellan de med högst respektive lägst nivå av fysisk aktivitet på arbetet. Fynden angående samband mellan POPar och BMI stämmer relativt väl överens med resultat från tidigare studier. Vi har försökt finna ut om POP-koncentrationer är ett mått på stort matintag. Det enda som tyder på att det skulle kunna vara så är korrelationerna med skattat energibehov. Däremot ger inte självrapporterat energiintag stöd för detta, och inte heller en jämförelse av personer med samma BMI men olika fysisk aktivitetsnivå. Därmed är det fortfarande oklart om det samband som setts mellan halter av POPar och diabetesrisk kan förklaras av ett högre energiintag eller högre intag av protein- eller fettrika livsmedel. Alltså kvarstår möjligheten att POPar orsakar en ökad diabetesrisk.
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| 8. |
- Wennberg, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Time trends and exposure determinants of lead and cadmium in the adult population of northern Sweden 1990-2014
- 2017
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Ingår i: Environmental Research. - San Diego : Academic Press. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 159, s. 111-117
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: This study follows cadmium and lead concentrations in blood in the adult population in northern Sweden over 24 years.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Concentrations of lead and cadmium were measured in single whole blood samples (B-Pb and B-Cd) from 619 men and 926 women participating in the Northern Sweden WHO MONICA Study on one occasion 1990-2014. Associations with smoking and dietary factors were investigated. Consumption of moose meat was asked for in 2014.RESULTS: In the adult population in northern Sweden, the median B-Pb in 2014 was 11.0µg/L in young (25-35 years) men and 9.69µg/L in young women. In an older age-group (50-60 years), the median B-Pb was 15.1µg/L in men and 13.1µg/L in women. B-Pb decreased from 1990 to 2009, after which time no further decrease was observed. B-Pb was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. In never-smokers, positive associations were found between B-Pb and consumption of wine and brewed coffee (women only) in 2004-2014. Higher B-Pb with consumption of moose meat was demonstrated in men, but not in women. B-Cd was essentially stable over the whole period, but an increase in B-Cd, of 3% per year, was detected in never-smoking women between 2009 and 2014. In 2014, median B-Cd in never-smokers in the four groups was; 0.11µg/L in younger men, 0.15µg/L in younger women, 0.14µg/L in older men, and 0.21µg/L in older women. B-Cd was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. The only positive association between B-Cd and food items in 2004-2014 was with consumption of brewed coffee (men only).CONCLUSIONS: The lack of a decrease in B-Cd from 1990 to 2014 and the absence of a further decrease in B-Pb after 2009 are unsatisfactory considering the health risks these metals pose in the general population at current concentrations.
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