Platinum, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum and strontium in blood of urban women in nine countries.

BACKGROUND: There is little reliable information on human exposure to the metals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh), despite their use in enormous quantities in catalytic converters for automobile exhaust systems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate blood concentrations of Pt (B-Pt), Pd (B-Pd) and Rh (B-Rh) in women from six European and three non-European countries, and to identify potentially influential factors. In addition, molybdenum (Mo) and strontium (Sr) were analysed. METHODS: Blood from 248 women aged 47-61 was analysed by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry under strict quality control. RESULTS: The medians were: B-Pt 0.8 (range <0.6-5.2), B-Pd <5 (<5-9.3), B-Rh <0.4 (<0.4-3.6)ng/L and B-Mo 2.0 (0.2-16) and B-Sr 16.6 (3.5-49) µg/L. Two women with highly elevated B-Pt (242 and 60ng/L), previously cancer treated with cis-platinum, were not included in the data analysis. All elements varied geographically (2-3 times) (B-Pd P=0.05; all other elements P<0.001); variations within each area were generally 5-10 times. Traffic was not associated with increased concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: General population blood concentrations of Pt, Pd and Rh are within or below the single digit ng/L range, much lower than in most previous reports. This is probably due to improved analytical performance, allowing for more reliable information at ultra-trace levels. In general, Mo and Sr agreed with previously reported concentrations. All elements showed geographical and inter-individual variations, but no convincing relationships with self-reported traffic intensity were found. Pt from the antineoplastic drug cis-platinum is retained in the body for years.

Trace elements in the blood of institutionalized elderly in the Czech Republic.

Whole blood selenium, copper, zinc and manganese concentrations of 197 institutionalized senior citizens (46 males, 151 females) aged 61-100 years (mean age 83.6 years) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry from two localities in the Czech Republic (Prague and Teplice) from 2009 through 2011. Geometric means (GM) of whole blood selenium (B-Se), copper (B-Cu), zinc (B-Zn) and manganese (B-Mn) levels were 74.0 µg/l, 941.0 µg/l, 5898.0 µg/l and 10.9 µg/l, respectively. Gender-related differences were found with significantly higher B-Cu levels in women and significantly higher B-Zn levels in men. The percentage of seniors with B-Se levels lower than 56 µg/l (which is equivalent to the critical value of 45 µg/l of Se in serum (S-Se)) was 8.6%. A negative correlation between age and B-Se levels was found. B-Zn positively correlated with serum albumin and prealbumin whereas a negative correlation between age and B-Zn was observed. Seniors with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis had higher B-Cu and B-Mn levels, respectively, than those without these diagnoses. The elderly from Prague had significantly higher B-Mn concentrations than those from Teplice. We found no evidence of serious essential elements deficiencies or excesses in the seniors who participated in this study.

Human bio-monitoring study--toxic elements in blood of women.

The article describes bio-monitoring study concerning recent and long-term exposure of Czech women to toxic metals. Blood cadmium, mercury and lead levels were measured in groups of women with various life styles, etc., to have comparable results in the course of a long study period; a strong emphasis was laid on the quality control of the whole process during the study. Higher cadmium level was found in smokers compared to non-smokers, lower mercury level was found in the group of women who never eat fish. A slight increase of blood lead level with age was observed. No significant differences were found between localities in a given period. Our results do not differ from those gained in other European countries.

Mercury and methylmercury in hair of selected groups of Czech population.

As the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) in the environment is insignificant, hair can be used as a suitable matrix to estimate endogenous MeHg exposure. Avalidated analytical method with AMA 254 spectrometer was used for the determination of inorganic mercury and methylmercury species in the hair of dentists, workers in fish industry and professionally non-exposed adults. ANOVA and QC Expert software was used for statistical evaluation. The number of amalgam fillings in oral cavity, consumption of fish, gender, smoking habits and age of the subjects were taken into account. A significantly higher level of inorganic bound mercury (Hg(in)) was found in the hair of dentists. The number of amalgam fillings had a slightly significant effect on Hg(in); fish consumption had a significant influence on MeHg and slightly also on Hg(in). Other parameters were not significant.

Determination of mercury and methylmercury in hair of the Czech children's population.

The developed method for mercury speciation analysis has been validated and used for the biomonitoring study of mercury species in human hair. Statistical evaluation proved the reliability of simplified determination of inorganic mercury (difference between total mercury and methylmercury). The results of the validation showed that the method is very well suitable for the determination of both species of mercury in hair for biomonitoring purposes. Non-exposed schoolchildren from three areas in the western and central part of the Czech Republic were chosen as the target group. Tenth of a microgram per gram of the total mercury were generally found in the analyzed hair; values higher than 1 microg g(-1) were detected only exceptionally. Comparable results were obtained for two western areas and differed significantly from those for the third area located in the central part of the Czech Republic. In the areas examined, the mean methylmercury contents amounted to 23-46% of the total mercury in the hair. The results confirm an assumption that exposure to mercury does not pose a significant risk to the population in the Czech Republic.