Selenium-rich food potentially useful to control mercury levels among Afro-Colombians: Towards an intercultural intervention. / Alimentos ricos en selenio potencialmente útiles para controlar los niveles de mercurio entre afrocolombianos: hacia una intervención intercultural

INTRODUCTION: Diet-based interventions may be a culturally acceptable option to decrease mercury levels and thus prevent the adverse effects of this metal on population health. Selenium is an element present in Colombian geology that can act as a chelator, decreasing mercury concentrations in the human body. OBJECTIVE: To identify potentially useful selenium-rich foods to control the effects of mercury exposure among Afro-Colombians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 320 individuals from five municipalities of Chocó. They were asked about the frequency of consumption of selenium-rich foods, and their association with mercury concentrations in hair was estimated with multiple robust regression. RESULTS: Guava, whole wheat flour, strawberries, cow liver, spinach and yeast extract were the foods with higher consumption. Walnuts, whole wheat flour, and yeast extract were identified in multiple robust regression as foods to consider in future interventions. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that the banana juice, the pineapple colada, the borojó (Borojoa patinoi) sorbet, the cucas, and the enyucado are basic elements for a culturally acceptable intervention.

Introducción: Las intervenciones basadas en la dieta pueden ser una opción culturalmente aceptable para disminuir los niveles de mercurio y prevenir los efectos adversos de este metal en la salud de la población. El selenio es un elemento presente en la geología colombiana que puede actuar como quelante, disminuyendo las concentraciones de mercurio en el cuerpo humano. Objetivo: Identificar los alimentos ricos en selenio potencialmente útiles para controlar los efectos de la exposición a mercurio entre afrocolombianos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 320 individuos de cinco municipios del departamento del Chocó. Se les preguntó sobre la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos ricos en selenio y su asociación con las concentraciones de mercurio en cabello fue estimada con regresión múltiple robusta. Resultados: La guayaba, la harina de trigo integral, las fresas, el hígado de vaca, la espinaca y el extracto de levadura fueron los alimentos de mayor consumo. Las nueces, la harina de trigo integral y el extracto de levadura fueron identificados en regresión múltiple robusta como alimentos por considerar en futuras intervenciones. Conclusiones: Se propone que el jugo de plátano, la piña colada, el sorbete de borojó (Borojoa patinoi), las cucas, el enyucado y la sábida de plátano primitivo maduro son elementos básicos para una intervención culturalmente aceptable.

Selenium-rich food potentially useful to control mercury levels among Afro-Colombians: Towards an intercultural intervention

Introduction. Diet-based interventions may be a culturally acceptable option to decrease mercury levels and thus prevent the adverse effects of this metal on population health. Selenium is an element present in Colombian geology that can act as a chelator, decreasing mercury concentrations in the human body. Objective. To identify potentially useful selenium-rich foods to control the effects of mercury exposure among Afro-Colombians. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 320 individuals from five municipalities of Chocó. They were asked about the frequency of consumption of selenium-rich foods, and their association with mercury concentrations in hair was estimated with multiple robust regression. Results. Guava, whole wheat flour, strawberries, cow liver, spinach and yeast extract were the foods with higher consumption. Walnuts, whole wheat flour, and yeast extract were identified in multiple robust regression as foods to consider in future interventions. Conclusion. It is proposed that the banana juice, the pineapple colada, the borojó (Borojoa patinoi) sorbet, the cucas, and the enyucado are basic elements for a culturally acceptable intervention.

Introducción. Las intervenciones basadas en la dieta pueden ser una opción culturalmente aceptable para disminuir los niveles de mercurio y prevenir los efectos adversos de este metal en la salud de la población. El selenio es un elemento presente en la geología colombiana que puede actuar como quelante, disminuyendo las concentraciones de mercurio en el cuerpo humano. Objetivo. Identificar los alimentos ricos en selenio potencialmente útiles para controlar los efectos de la exposición a mercurio entre afrocolombianos. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal con 320 individuos de cinco municipios del departamento del Chocó. Se les preguntó sobre la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos ricos en selenio y su asociación con las concentraciones de mercurio en cabello fue estimada con regresión múltiple robusta. Resultados. La guayaba, la harina de trigo integral, las fresas, el hígado de vaca, la espinaca y el extracto de levadura fueron los alimentos de mayor consumo. Las nueces, la harina de trigo integral y el extracto de levadura fueron identificados en regresión múltiple robusta como alimentos por considerar en futuras intervenciones. Conclusiones. Se propone que el jugo de plátano, la piña colada, el sorbete de borojó (Borojoa patinoi), las cucas, el enyucado y la sábida de plátano primitivo maduro son elementos básicos para una intervención culturalmente aceptable.

Micronuclei, Pesticides, and Element Mixtures in Mining Contexts: The Hormetic Effect of Selenium.

The contexts where there are mining and agriculture activities are potential sources of risk to human health due to contamination by chemical mixtures. These contexts are frequent in several Colombian regions. This study explored the potential association between the frequency of micronuclei and pesticides and elements in regions with ferronickel (Montelibano, Córdoba) and gold (Nechí, Antioquia) mining, and a closed native mercury mine (Aranzazu, Caldas), with an emphasis in the potential effect of selenium as a potential chelator. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 247 individuals. Sociodemographic, occupational, and toxicological variables were ascertained. Blood and urine samples were taken for pesticide analysis (5 organophosphates, 4 organochlorines, and 3 carbamates), 68 elements were quantified in hair, and micronuclei were quantified in lymphocytes. The mixtures of elements were grouped through principal component analysis. Prevalence ratios were estimated with robust variance Poisson regressions to explore associations. Interactions of selenium with toxic elements were explored. The highest concentrations of elements were in the active mines. The potentially most toxic chemical mixture was observed in the ferronickel mine. Pesticides were detected in a low proportion of participants (<2.5%), except paraoxon-methyl in blood (27.55%) in Montelibano and paraoxon-ethyl in blood (18.81%) in Aranzazu. The frequency of micronuclei was similar in the three mining contexts, with means between 4 to 7 (p = 0.1298). There was great heterogeneity in the exposure to pesticides and elements. The "hormetic effect" of selenium was described, in which, at low doses, it acts as a chelator in Montelibano and Aranzazu, and at high doses, it can enhance the toxic effects of other elements, maybe as in Nechí. Selenium can serve as a protective agent, but it requires adaptation to the available concentrations in each region to avoid its toxic effects.

Factors Associated with High Mercury Levels in Women and Girls from The Mojana Region, Colombia, 2013-2015.

Women are primarily exposed to mercury through the consumption of fish contaminated by gold mining activities. The main systems affected are the central nervous and renal systems, although effects on the reproductive system have also been found. Objective: To explore the relationship between mercury levels in women and their possible sources of contamination. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2015 with women residing in 11 municipalities in La Mojana, Colombia, using non-random sampling. Standardized instruments were used to identify sociodemographic characteristics, mercury use, mining-related activities, water and fish consumption, and other factors. Blood, urine, and hair samples were taken to quantify mercury levels. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with elevated mercury values in the participants' samples. A total of 428 women were included, with an average age of 36.7 ± 16.7 years, 3.3% of whom were pregnant at the time of the survey and 8.4% of whom were exposed occupationally. High levels of mercury were present in 62.8% of the women, in any one of the three samples processed. Those exposed occupationally and environmentally had similar values (p = 0.821). Frequency of fish consumption and source of drinking water were associated with higher levels of mercury (p < 0.05).

Oxidative stress and repetitive element methylation changes in artisanal gold miners occupationally exposed to mercury.

Mercury (Hg) exposure is a public health concern due to its persistence in the environment and its high toxicity. Such toxicity has been associated with the generation of oxidative stress in occupationally exposed subjects, such as artisanal gold miners. In this study, we characterize occupational exposure to Hg by measuring blood, urine and hair levels, and investigate oxidative stress and DNA methylation associated with gold mining. To do this, samples from 53 miners and 36 controls were assessed. We show higher levels of oxidative stress marker 8-OHdG in the miners. Differences in LINE1 and Alu(Yb8) DNA methylation between gold miners and control group are present in peripheral blood leukocytes. LINE1 methylation is positively correlated with 8-OHdG levels, while XRCC1 and LINE1 methylation are positively correlated with Hg levels. These results suggest an effect of Hg on oxidative stress and DNA methylation in gold miners that may have an impact on miners' health.

Quantification of cell-free DNA for evaluating genotoxic damage from occupational exposure to car paints.

BACKGROUND: For several years, cell-free DNA has been emerging as an important biomarker for non-invasive diagnostic in a wide range of clinical conditions and diseases. The limited information available on the genotoxic effects associated with occupational exposure to car paints, as well as the fact that up-to-date there are not reports about cell-free DNA measurements for assessing this condition, led us to evaluate the DNA damage caused by the occupational exposure to organic solvents contained in car paints, through the quantification of the cell-free DNA and the comet assay, in a sample of 33 individuals taken from 10 automobile paint shops located in Bogota DC, Colombia. RESULTS: By applying the two methods, cell-free DNA and comet assay, we found a significant increase in the extent of DNA damage in the exposed individuals compared with the non-exposed ones within the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide useful information about the cell-free DNA levels in this type of exposure and can be considered as a support tool that contributes to the diagnosis of genotoxic damage in individuals occupationally exposed to car paints.

[State of supply services for industrial hygiene and safety in Colombia]. / Estado de la oferta técnica de servicios de higiene y seguridad industrial, Colombia, 2010.

INTRODUCTION: Institutions that supply occupational health services must offer services that are reliable and of high quality across the spectrum of industrial hygiene and safety needs. OBJECTIVE: Services for occupational health were identified at several institutions, and the technical quality and reliability of these services were compared in different regions of Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study identified the services available for industrial hygiene and safety in 15 cities of Colombia. A survey was conducted in 192 institutions offering such services and a statistical analysis of these results was undertaken. This sample was taken from a nationwide list of institutions purportedly licensed for this activity. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent (61) of the evaluated institutions provided hygiene services, and 48% (93) provided safety services. The range of health services was provided on a subcontract basis both for professional personnel and the equipment. Six institutions in the area of industrial hygiene and 1 in the area of industrial security were supplying services with pending or suspended institutional licenses. CONCLUSION: Deficiencies in the quality, infrastructure and levels of automation were identified at institutions that supply services of hygiene and industrial security. The resulting recommendatios are that the Ministry of the Social Protection fortifies mechanisms for (1) the evaluation and control of the supplied services, and (2) verify that the institutional activity is in accordance with current and valid licensing.

Estado de la oferta técnica de servicios de higiene y seguridad industrial, Colombia, 2010 / State of supply services for industrial hygiene and safety in Colombia

Introducción. Las instituciones prestadoras de servicios de prevención de riesgos laborales tienen la función de ofrecer servicios técnicos y confiables en salud ocupacional, seguridad e higiene industrial. Objetivo. Identificar la oferta de servicios existentes respecto a la prevención de riesgos laborales (parte de higiene y seguridad industrial), considerando sus características técnicas y de calidad, en diferentes regiones del país. Materiales y métodos. Corresponde a un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal (2009-2010) de cobertura nacional (15 ciudades) para identificar la oferta de servicios de higiene y seguridad industrial. Se obtuvo un listado nacional de instituciones con licencia para prestar este tipo de servicios, se seleccionó una muestra de 192 instituciones, se aplicó una encuesta y se hizo el análisis estadístico de la información. Resultados. Sesenta y una (31,77 %) de las instituciones evaluadas prestan servicios de higiene y, 93 (48,44 %), de seguridad industrial. El estudio evidenció una oferta de servicios de higiene basada en la subcontratación. Se encontró que 6 (6,52 %) instituciones en el área de higiene industrial y 1 (0,52 %) en el área de seguridad industrial, no contaban con licencia vigente para la prestación del servicio. Conclusión. Se identificaron deficiencias en la calidad, condiciones de infraestructura y tecnificación de las instituciones que ofrecen servicios de higiene y seguridad industrial. Es necesario que el Ministerio de la Protección Social fortalezca los mecanismos para la evaluación y control de los servicios ofrecidos y revise la forma en que hoy se expiden las licencias que autorizan la prestación de estos servicios.

Introduction. Institutions that supply occupational health services must offer services that are reliable and of high quality across the spectrum of industrial hygiene and safety needs. Objective. Services for occupational health were identified at several institutions, and the technical quality and reliability of these services were compared in different regions of Colombia. Materials and methods. This descriptive study identified the services available for industrial hygiene and safety in 15 cities of Colombia. A survey was conducted in 192 institutions offering such services and a statistical analysis of these results was undertaken. This sample was taken from a nationwide list of institutions purportedly licensed for this activity. Results. Thirty-two percent (61) of the evaluated institutions provided hygiene services, and 48% (93) provided safety services. The range of health services was provided on a subcontract basis both for professional personnel and the equipment. Six institutions in the area of industrial hygiene and 1 in the area of industrial security were supplying services with pending or suspended institutional licenses. Conclusion. Deficiencies in the quality, infrastructure and levels of automation were identified at institutions that supply services of hygiene and industrial security. The resulting recommendatios are that the Ministry of the Social Protection fortifies mechanisms for (1) the evaluation and control of the supplied services, and (2) verify that the institutional activity is in accordance with current and valid licensing.