Exposição potencial a baixas doses de cromo por via oral e mortalidade por câncer de estômago na população do interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Potential oral exposure to low-dose chromium and stomach cancer mortality in the population in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil / Exposición potencial a bajas dosis de cromo por vía oral y mortalidad por cáncer de estómago en la población del interior del estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Resumo: Concentrações de cromo total entre 0,45 e 110µg/L têm sido detectadas, no Sistema Aquífero Bauru (SAB) no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, excedendo, algumas vezes, o padrão de qualidade adotado pela legislação brasileira, que é de 50μg/L. Segundo a Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB), parte do cromo é composta pela forma hexavalente [Cr(VI)], que apresenta controversas evidências quanto à carcinogenicidade por via oral. Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito da exposição ao Cr(VI) em baixas doses na mortalidade por câncer gástrico da população entre 15 e 75 anos ou mais, que consumiu água do SAB, no período entre 2004 e 2015. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico em 326 municípios situados no Planalto Ocidental Paulista e que usam água do SAB. As associações foram estimadas pelo modelo de regressão linear, utilizando-se indicadores de exposição ao cromo (proxy) e razão de mortalidade padronizada (RMP) para as neoplasias gástricas como variável resposta. O Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM) foi empregado para controlar possíveis diferenças socioeconômicas da população investigada. A RMP estimada para o câncer gástrico correspondeu a 79% dos óbitos esperados, sendo que o risco foi menor nos municípios que têm água tratada pela Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo (SABESP), com especial atenção para a população feminina (β = -0,146; IC95%: -0,270; -0,021; p = 0,022). Embora os dados da pesquisa sejam limitados, em 77 (23,6%) dos municípios avaliados, houve aumento do risco de câncer gástrico. Dentre esses, quase 70% se abastecem de manancial subterrâneo, associado às bacias hidrográficas com anomalias geoquímicas de Cr(VI).

Abstract: Total chromium concentrations from 0.45 to 110µg/L have been detected in the Bauru Water Table in the São Paulo State, Brazil, sometimes exceeding the quality threshold adopted by Brazilian legislation, which is 50μg/L. According to the São Paulo State Environmental Company (CETESB), part of the chromium consists of the hexavalent form [Cr(VI)], which presents controversial evidence as to carcinogenicity by the oral route. This article aims to evaluate the effect of exposure to low-dose Cr(VI) on gastric cancer mortality in the population 15 to 75 years and older who consumed water from the Bauru Water Table from 2004 to 2015. An ecological study was performed in 326 municipalities situated in the Western São Paulo High Plain and that used water from the Bauru Water Table. The associations were estimated via linear regression, using indicators of exposure to chromium (proxy) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for gastric neoplasms as the response variable. The Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) was used to control for possible socioeconomic differences in the target population. The estimated SMR for gastric cancer corresponded to 79% of the expected deaths, and the risk was lower in municipalities that have water treated by the São Paulo State Basic Sanitation Company (SABESP), with special attention to the female population (β = -0.146; 95%CI: -0.270; -0.021; p = 0.022). Although the research data are limited, 77 (23.6%) of the municipalities evaluated reveal an increase in the risk of gastric cancer. Among these, nearly 70% are supplied by water tables associated with river basins with geochemical Cr(VI) anomalies.

Resumen: Concentraciones de cromo total entre 0,45 y 110µg/L han sido detectadas en el Sistema Acuífero Bauru (SAB) en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil, excediendo algunas veces el patrón de calidad adoptado por la legislación brasileña, que es de 50μg/L. Según la Compañía Ambiental del Estado de São Paulo (CETESB), parte del cromo está compuesto por la forma hexavalente [Cr(VI)], que presenta controvertidas evidencias respecto a la carcinogenicidad por vía oral. Este artículo tiene como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la exposición al Cr(VI) en bajas dosis en la mortalidad por cáncer gástrico de la población entre 15 y 75 años o más, que consumió agua del SAB, en el período entre 2004 y 2015. Se realizó un estudio ecológico en 326 municipios situados en el Planalto Occidental Paulista y que usan agua del SAB. Las asociaciones fueron estimadas por el modelo de regresión lineal, utilizándose indicadores de exposición al cromo (proxy) y razón de mortalidad estandarizada (RMP) para las neoplasias gástricas como variable de respuesta. El Índice de Desarrollo Humano Municipal (IDHM) se empleó para controlar posibles diferencias socioeconómicas de la población investigada. La RMP estimada para el cáncer gástrico correspondió a un 79% de los óbitos esperados, siendo que el riesgo fue menor en los municipios que tienen agua tratada por la Compañía de Saneamiento Básico del Estado de São Paulo (SABESP), con especial atención para la población femenina (β = -0,146; IC95%: -0,270; -0,021; p = 0,022). A pesar de que los datos de la investigación sean limitados, en 77 (23,6%) de los municipios evaluados hubo un aumento del riesgo de cáncer gástrico. Entre estos, casi un 70% se abastecen de manantial subterráneo, asociado a las cuencas hidrográficas con anomalías geoquímicas de Cr(VI).

Cadmium, lead and mercury in the blood of workers from recycling sorting facilities in São Paulo, Brazil.

Approximately 600,000 people work as recycling material collectors in Brazil and few studies evaluate the health risks involved in this occupation. The objective was to evaluate the blood levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) among workers from recycling sorting facilities (RSF) in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, compare the results with a non-occupationally exposed population, and identify factors associated with higher blood metal levels. Four RSF were selected and 226 collectors were examined for their blood metal levels and associated factors. The mean concentration of Cd (arithmetic mean - AM: 0.47µgL-1; geometric mean - GM: 0.34µgL-1) was almost four times higher than those found in a reference study. The generalized linear model (GLM) indicated that the "RSF where the collectors work", "work in another occupation", and "smoking" were statistically significant predictors of blood Cd levels. The Pb mean concentration (AM: 39.13µgL-1; GM: 34.11µgL-1) was also higher than the observed in the reference study (about 1.4 times) and its associated factors in the GLM were "the RSF where the collectors work", "sex", "smoking", "age" and "meat consumption". The Hg mean concentration (AM: 1.46µgL-1; GM: 0.94µgL-1) was not significantly higher than the reference population and its associated factors were "previous work in other RSF", "fish consumption" and "years of work in the current RSF". This study indicates that recycling material collectors have higher blood Cd and Pb levels compared to the general population.

Cadmium, lead and mercury in the blood of workers from recycling sorting facilities in São Paulo, Brazil / Níveis sanguíneos de cádmio, chumbo e mercúrio em trabalhadores de centros de reciclagem em São Paulo, Brasil / Cadmio, plomo y mercurio en sangre de trabajadores de plantas de reciclaje en São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract: Approximately 600,000 people work as recycling material collectors in Brazil and few studies evaluate the health risks involved in this occupation. The objective was to evaluate the blood levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) among workers from recycling sorting facilities (RSF) in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, compare the results with a non-occupationally exposed population, and identify factors associated with higher blood metal levels. Four RSF were selected and 226 collectors were examined for their blood metal levels and associated factors. The mean concentration of Cd (arithmetic mean - AM: 0.47µgL-1; geometric mean - GM: 0.34µgL-1) was almost four times higher than those found in a reference study. The generalized linear model (GLM) indicated that the "RSF where the collectors work", "work in another occupation", and "smoking" were statistically significant predictors of blood Cd levels. The Pb mean concentration (AM: 39.13µgL-1; GM: 34.11µgL-1) was also higher than the observed in the reference study (about 1.4 times) and its associated factors in the GLM were "the RSF where the collectors work", "sex", "smoking", "age" and "meat consumption". The Hg mean concentration (AM: 1.46µgL-1; GM: 0.94µgL-1) was not significantly higher than the reference population and its associated factors were "previous work in other RSF", "fish consumption" and "years of work in the current RSF". This study indicates that recycling material collectors have higher blood Cd and Pb levels compared to the general population.

Resumo: Cerca de 600 mil brasileiros trabalham na coleta e separação de materiais recicláveis, mas há poucos estudos que avaliam os riscos de saúde envolvidos nessa ocupação. O estudo teve como objetivos avaliar os níveis sanguíneos de cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb) e mercúrio (Hg) em trabalhadores de centros de reciclagem na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, além de comparar os resultados com uma população sem exposição ocupacional e identificar fatores associados com níveis elevados desses metais pesados no sangue. Foram selecionados quatro centros de reciclagem, e 226 trabalhadores foram testados para os níveis sanguíneos dos metais e fatores associados. As concentrações médias de Cd (média aritmética - MA: 0,47µgL-1; média geométrica - MG: 0,34µgL-1) eram quase quatro vezes mais altas que aquelas encontradas em um estudo de referência. De acordo como o modelo linear generalizado (MLG), os fatores "centro de reciclagem onde o indivíduo trabalha", "trabalho em outra ocupação" e "tabagismo" apareceram como preditores estatisticamente significativos de níveis mais altos de Cd. As concentrações médias de Pb (MA: 39,13µgL-1; MG: 34,11µgL-1) também eram mais altas (cerca de 1,4 vezes) que no estudo de referência e os fatores associados no MLG eram "centro de reciclagem onde o indivíduo trabalha", "sexo", "tabagismo", "idade" e "consumo de carne". As concentrações médias de Hg (MA: 1,46µgL-1; MG: 0,94µgL-1) não eram significativamente mais altas que na população de referência, e os fatores associados eram "trabalho prévio em outro centro de reciclagem", "consumo de peixe" e "anos de trabalho no centro de reciclagem atual". O estudo indica que os trabalhadores de reciclagem apresentam níveis sanguíneos mais elevados de Cd e Pb, comparado com os níveis na população geral.

Resumen: Alrededor de 600.000 personas trabajan como recolectores de materiales para reciclar en Brasil, además de existir pocos estudios que evalúen los riesgos de salud implicados en esta ocupación. El objetivo fue evaluar los niveles de cadmio en sangre (Cd), plomo (Pb) y mercurio (Hg) entre los trabajadores de plantas de reciclaje (RSF por sus siglas en inglés), en la región metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil, comparando los resultados con la población no expuesta ocupacionalmente, e identificando los factores asociados con niveles más altos de metal en la sangre. Se seleccionaron 4 plantas de reciclaje y se examinaron a 226 recolectores para analizar los niveles de metales en sangre y sus factores asociados. La concentración media de Cd (media aritmética - MA: 0,47µgL-1; media geométrica - MG: 0,34µgL-1) fue casi cuatro veces mayor que la que se encontró en el estudio de referencia. El modelo lineal generalizado (GLM) indicó que las "las RSF donde trabajan los recolectores", "trabajo en otra ocupación", y "fumador" fueron predictores significativos estadísticamente de los niveles de Cd en sangre. La concentración media de Pb (MA: 39,13µgL-1; MG: 34,11µgL-1) también fue mayor que la observada en el estudio de referencia (sobre 1,4 veces) y los factores asociados en el GLM fueron: "las RSF donde trabajan los recolectores", "sexo", "fumador", "edad" y "consumo de carne". La concentración media de Hg (MA: 1,46µgL-1; MG: 0,94µgL-1) no fue significativamente mayor que en la población de referencia y los factores asociados fueron "trabajo previo en otra RSF", "consumo de pescado" y "años de trabajo en la actual RSF". Este estudio indica que los recolectores de material reciclable tienen niveles más altos en sangre de Cd y Pb, si se comparan con la población general.

Trace element levels in blood and associated factors in adults living in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil.

This study evaluated blood arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) levels in a group of residents (n=374) in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (MASP) and investigated the association between trace element levels in blood and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Trace elements were measured in specimens by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Geometric means were 3.6µg/L, 0.13µg/L, 23.9µg/L, 1.4µg/L, 999µg/L, and 12.5µg/L for As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, and Mn, respectively. As, Pb and Hg levels were associated with education level. Men presented higher blood lead levels (PbB) and lower blood copper levels (CuB) than women. Fish consumption was primarily related to increased blood Hg levels (HgB). Smokers exhibited 1.8 times more blood cadmium levels (CdB) than non-smokers. Only 4% of the study samples exceeded the Pb reference values for the MASP population, and 12% had Hg levels higher than the German HBM-I value (5µg/L for adults).The study group showed slightly higher exposure to As, Hg and Mn and lower Cd than those of European and North American studies.

Organochlorine pesticides levels and associated factors in a group of blood donors in São Paulo, Brazil.

The use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) is a worldwide public health concern given that high levels of these compounds in humans and animals can lead to serious health problems. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of 15 organochlorine pesticides in the serum of 547 blood donors in the São Paulo metropolitan region (SPMR) in 2009 and to investigate factors associated with higher levels of these compounds. The OCPs were determined by gas chromatography with micro electron capture detection. Multiple ordinal logistic regression models were employed to determine the factors associated with higher levels. Only ß-HCH and p,p'-DDE had a significant number of samples above the limit of quantification. Factors associated with higher levels of ß-HCH were age within 26 to 35 years (OR = 3.1 [1.05-9.09]), age within 36 to 45 years (OR = 18.27 [6.89-48.91]), and female gender (OR = 0.44 [0.24-0.82] for men). p,p'-DDE levels were associated with age within 26 to 35 years (OR = 2.65 [1.20-3.45]), age within 36 to 45 years (OR = 4.59 [2.64-7.92]), female gender (OR = 0.86 [0.43-0.94] for men), and previous work with pesticides (OR = 2.88 [1.22-6.84]). Lower levels of p,p'-DDE were associated with an income of 3 to 5 minimum wages (OR = 0.38 [0.19-0.75]) and with intake of foods from animal origin up to twice a week (OR = 0.15 [0.03-0.72]) and more than twice a week (OR = 0.10 [0.02-0.47]). The results of this study indicate that the study group was not exposed to high levels of OCPs.

Projeto-piloto do primeiro inquérito nacional de populações expostas a substâncias químicas, 2008-2009 / Pilot study of the first national survey of populations exposed to chemicals, 2008-2009 / Proyecto piloto de la primera encuesta nacional de poblaciones expuestas a substancias químicas, 2008-2009

Para viabilizar a futura realização de um Inquérito Nacional de Populações Expostas a Substâncias Químicas, executou-se um projeto-piloto para examinar a exequibilidade, testar e adequar metodologias e estabelecer parcerias. Foram realizados três estudos de corte transversal, respectivamente, com doadores de sangue residentes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo-SP, conscritos do Exército Brasileiro e crianças escolares residentes no município do Rio de Janeiro-RJ, mediante aplicação de questionários e coleta de material biológico (sangue venoso e capilar, unha e cabelo) para análise de metais e compostos organoclorados persistentes. Concluiu-se que é viável a realização de um Inquérito Nacional, embora a estratégia de obtenção das amostras biológicas deva ser definida para cada subgrupo da população. Recomenda-se aproveitar as estruturas de serviços existentes para obtenção de amostras, utilizar matrizes tradicionais para maior comparabilidade e garantir sua realização periódica.

To enable the future establishment of a National Survey of Populations Exposed to Chemical Substances, a pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility, to test and adjust methodologies, and to establish partnerships. Three cross-sectional studies were performed: with blood donors residents in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazilian army conscripts and schoolchildren living in the city of Rio de Janeiro, by applying a questionnaire and collecting biological material (capillary and venous blood, nail and hair) for the analysis of metals and persistent organochlorine compounds. We concluded that it is feasible to carry out a National Survey, but the strategy for obtaining the biological samples must be set for each sub-group of the population. Moreover, it is recommended to take advantage of the structures of existing services for obtaining samples to maintain the comparability and ensure their periodicity.

Para hacer viable la futura realización de una Encuesta Nacional de Poblaciones Expuestas a Sustancias Químicas, se ejecutó un proyecto piloto para examinar la posibilidad de ejecutar, probar y adecuar metodologías y establecer colaboraciones. Se realizaron tres estudios de corte transversal, respectivamente, con donantes de sangre residentes en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo-SP, conscriptos del Ejército Brasileño y niños escolares residentes en el municipio de Rio de Janeiro-RJ, mediante aplicación de cuestionarios y colecta de material biológico (sangre venosa y capilar, uña y pelo) para análisis de metales y compuestos organoclorados persistentes. Se concluye que es viable la realización de una Encuesta Nacional, aunque la estrategia para la obtención de las muestras biológicas deba ser definida para cada subgrupo de la población. Se recomienda aprovechar las estructuras de servicios existentes para obtener las muestras, utilizar matrices tradicionales para una mejor comparación y garantizar su realización periódica.

Reference values for lead, cadmium and mercury in the blood of adults from the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Human biomonitoring is an important tool for the evaluation of environmental exposure to contaminants. The data that are obtained from these studies might be compared to appropriate reference values (RVs) in a specific population. The RVs were derived from the rounded values of the upper limit of the 95th confidence interval of the 95th percentile for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in blood from adults in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo (MASP), Brazil to investigate the association between blood metals and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Blood samples from 653 nonsmoking blood donors without occupational exposure to the studied metals were collected in 2006. Our evaluations distinguished a younger group (18-39 years) and an older group (40-65 years). RVs in the younger group were 60 µgPb/L and 4 µgHg/L for men and 47 µgPb/L and 4 µgHg/L for women. RVs in the older group were 80 µgPb/L and 5 µgHg/L for men and 63 µgPb/L and 6 µgHg/L for women. The RV for Cd was 0.6 µg/L for adults aged 18-65 years. Pb and Cd levels demonstrated a significant association with sex and age. Male blood contained 50% more Pb, and the older group exhibited 23% more Pb. Fish consumption and amalgam fillings were primarily related to Hg levels. RVs for lead were similar to the Czech Republic and Germany but higher than the US population. The RV for Cd in Brazil was well below the RVs of these countries. The RVs for Hg in Brazil were similar to the US but higher than Germany and the Czech Republic.

[Concepts and determination of reference values for human biomonitoring of environmental contaminants]. / Conceitos e derivação de valores de referência para biomonitorização humana de contaminantes ambientais.

Human biomonitoring (HBM) of environmental contaminants plays an important role in estimating exposure and evaluating risk, and thus it has been increasingly applied in the environmental field. The results of HBM must be compared with reference values (RV). The term 'reference values' has always been related to the interpretation of clinical laboratory tests. For physicians, RV indicate 'normal values' or 'limits of normal'; in turn, toxicologists prefer the terms 'background values' or 'baseline values' to refer to the presence of contaminants in biological fluids. This discrepancy leads to the discussion concerning which should be the population selected to determine RV. Whereas clinical chemistry employs an altered health state as the main exclusion criterion to select a reference population (that is, a 'healthy' population would be selected), in environmental toxicology the exclusion criterion is the abnormal exposure to xenobiotics. Therefore, the choice of population to determine RV is based on the very purpose of the RV to be determined. The present paper discusses the concepts and methodology used to determine RV for biomarkers of chemical environmental contaminants.

Conceitos e derivação de valores de referência para biomonitorização humana de contaminantes ambientais / Concepts and determination of reference values for human biomonitoring of environmental contaminants

Human biomonitoring (HBM) of environmental contaminants plays an important role in estimating exposure and evaluating risk, and thus it has been increasingly applied in the environmental field. The results of HBM must be compared with reference values (RV). The term "reference values" has always been related to the interpretation of clinical laboratory tests. For physicians, RV indicate "normal values" or "limits of normal"; in turn, toxicologists prefer the terms "background values" or "baseline values" to refer to the presence of contaminants in biological fluids. This discrepancy leads to the discussion concerning which should be the population selected to determine RV. Whereas clinical chemistry employs an altered health state as the main exclusion criterion to select a reference population (that is, a "healthy" population would be selected), in environmental toxicology the exclusion criterion is the abnormal exposure to xenobiotics. Therefore, the choice of population to determine RV is based on the very purpose of the RV to be determined. The present paper discusses the concepts and methodology used to determine RV for biomarkers of chemical environmental contaminants.

Valores de referência para chumbo, cádmio e mercúrio em população adulta da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo / Reference values for lead, cadmium and mercury in blood of adults from the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo

O uso de biomarcadores para avaliar a exposição da população humana a contaminantes ambientais, a biomonitorização humana (BH), fornece uma relação direta entre exposição à substância química e a dose interna. Os resultados da BH da população geral devem ser comparados com valores de referência (VR), obtidos de um grupo definido da população geral e derivados por método estatístico. Esses VR, em geral, determinam o limite superior da exposição basal. O objetivo deste estudo foi derivar VR de chumbo, cádmio e mercúrio em sangue para a população adulta da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP), e verificar associação entre os níveis desses metais no sangue e variáveis sócio-demográficas e de estilo de vida. Foram coletadas amostras de doadores de sangue em 9 postos de coleta em 2006, que residiam na RMSP, não fumantes e sem exposição ocupacional aos metais estudados. Informações sobre as variáveis de interesse foram obtidas por meio de questionário. Os VR derivados correspondem ao limite superior do IC95% do P95, e foram para homens de 18 a 39 anos 59,73 g/L para Pb, 0,41 g/L para Cd e 4,30 g/L para Hg; para mulheres 47,09 g/L para Pb, 0,48 g/L para Cd e 3,71 g/L para Hg. Para homens de 40 a 65 anos 79,84 g/L para Pb, 0,35 g/L para Cd e 5,10 g/L para Hg; para mulheres 63,10 g/L para Pb, 0,44 g/L para Cd e 6,10 g/L para Hg. Os VR de chumbo mostraram-se inferiores aos derivados para a população de Londrina (Brasil), foram semelhantes aos da República Checa e Alemanha, mas superiores aos do estudo populacional dos EUA (NHANES). Os VR de Cd foram bem inferiores aos das populações desses países, cujos valores estão acima de 1 g/L. Os VR de Hg foram semelhantes aos dos EUA e superiores aos da Alemanha e República Checa. Os níveis de Pb e Cd em sangue apresentaram associação significativa com sexo e faixa etária. Homens apresentaram 50% mais chumbo em sangue, e indivíduos entre 40 e 65 anos apresentaram 23% mais chumbo em relação aos de 18 a 39 anos...

The use of biomarkers to assess the exposure of humans to environmental contaminants, human biomonitoring (HB), provides a direct relationship between chemical exposure and internal dose. The results of the HB of the general population should be compared with reference values (RV) obtained in a defined group of the general population and derived by statistical methods. These RV generally determine the upper limit of the exposure baseline. The aim of this study was to derive RV for lead, cadmium and mercury in blood of adults from the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP) (Brazil), and to investigate the association between blood metals and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Samples from blood donors were collected in 9 blood centers in 2006, they were residents in the MASP, non smokers, and without any occupational exposure to the studied metals. Information about variables of interest was obtained by questionnaire. The RV derived for men aged 18 to 39 years were 59,73 g/L for Pb, 0,41 g/L for Cd e 4,30 g/L for Hg; for women 47,09 g/L for Pb, 0,48 g/L for Cd and 3,71 g/L for Hg. For men aged 40 and 65 years 79,84 g/L for Pb, 0,35 g/L for Cd and 5,10 g/L for Hg; for women 63,10 g/L for Pb, 0,44 g/L for Cd and 6,10 g/L for Hg. The RV for lead appeared to be lower than those derived for the population of Londrina (Brazil), were similar to the Czech Republic and Germany, but higher than the one observed in a study of the U.S. population (NHANES). Conversely, RV for Cd were well below of those from these countries, which have values above 1 g/L. The RV for Hg were similar to the U.S and higher than the value in Germany and in the Czech Republic. The levels of Pb and Cd in blood showed a significant association with sex and age. Men had 50% more lead in blood, and individuals between 40 and 65 years old showed 23% more lead than those in 18 to 39 years old. The variable most related to the levels of Hg was fish consumption...

Biomonitoring method for the simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for assessment of environmental exposure.

The aim of this work is to propose a biomonitoring method for the simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in whole blood by simultaneous electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for assessment of environmental levels. A volume of 200 microL of whole blood was diluted in 500 microL of 0.2% (wv(-1)) Triton) X-100+2.0% (vv(-1)) HNO3. Trichloroacetic acid was added for protein precipitation and the supernatant analyzed. A mixture of 250 microg W+200 microg Rh as permanent and 2.0% (wv(-1)) NH4H2PO4 as co-injected modifiers were used. Characteristic masses and limits of detections (n=20, 3s) for Cd and Pb were 1.26 and 33 pg and 0.026 microg L(-1) and 0.65 microg L(-1), respectively. Repeatability ranged from 1.8 to 6.8% for Cd and 1.2 to 1.7% for Pb. The trueness of method was checked by the analysis of three Reference Materials: Lyphocheck Whole Blood Metals Control level 1 and Seronorm Trace Elements in Whole Blood levels 1 and 2. The found concentrations presented no statistical differences at the 95% confidence level. Blood samples from 40 volunteers without occupational exposure were analyzed and the concentrations ranged from 0.13 to 0.71 microg L(-1) (0.32+/-0.19 microg L(-1)) for Cd and 9.3 to 56.7 microg L(-1) (25.1+/-10.8 microgL(-1)) for Pb.

Avaliaçäo da contaminaçäo por mercúrio em peixes do Alto Pantanal / Evaluation of mercury fish contamination in Alto Pantanal

Para avaliar a contaminaçäo por mercúrio em peixes do Alto Pantanal, foram analisadas 74 amostras de peixes piscívoros das espécies Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (cachara), Pirinanpus pirinanpu (barbado), Serrasalmus spp. (piranha), Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (pintado), Salminus maxillosus (dourado), Hemisorubin plathyrhynchos ( jurupoca) e Surubin lima (jurupensém). Também foram analisadas amostras de sedimento e de material particulado em suspensäo na água. As amostras foram coletadas no ano de 2000. As determinaçöes de mercúrio total foram feitas por espectrofotometria de absorçäo atômica sem chama utilizando-se gerador de vapor frio VGA 77 da Varias® acoplado a um espectrofotômetro Varian® 220. As concentraçöes de mercúrio total nas amostras de peixe variaram de 0,02 ug/g (piranha) a 0,80 ug/g (cachara). As concentraçöes de mercúrio em piranhas variaram de 0,02 ug/g a 0,50 ug/g com média de 0,16 ug/g (+-) 0,12. A área CBA 2 (baías do rio Cuiabá, regiäo próxima de Baräo de Melgaço) foi a que teve as concentraçöes mais elevadas em relaçäo às áreas BNG 1 (rio Bento Gomes, Poconé) (p=0,003), PAG 3 (rio Paraguai, Taiamä e Descalvado) (p=0,002) e PAG 5 (rio Paraguai, confluência com rio Cuiabá) (p<0,001), mas näo houve diferença entre CBA 2 e PAG 4 (rio Canafisto, baía do Alegre e rio Alegre). O teste de Spearman apontou correlaçäo entre mercúrio em piranhas e mercúrio em material particulado em suspensäo (p=0,561, p<0,001), e entre mercúrio em piranhas e mercúrio em sedimento da camada 0-10 cm, mercúrio em sedimento 0-10 cm e mercúrio em material particulado em suspensäo, e mercúrio em sedimento 0-10 cm e concentraçäo de matéria orgânica. As concentraçöes de mercúrio em peixes ficaram abaixo do limite máximo tolerável de mercúrio em peixes predadores, de 1 ug/g, estabelecido no Brasil. Em regiöes näo contaminadas, peixes de água doce apresentam teores de Hg de até 0,2 ug/g, 33 por cento das amostras ficaram acima desse valor. Segundo a legislaçäo brasileira, o pescado analisado näo está impróprio para consumo humano, mas evidenciou-se um processo de contaminaçäo que deve ser melhor estudado quanto aos fatores ambientais determinantes. É importante o monitoramento da regiäo, já que estudos indicam que níveis abaixo de 1 ug/g já podem causar alteraçöes importantes na saúde, dependendo da quantidade de peixe consumido.

Avaliaçäo toxico-epidemiológica da exposiçäo ambiental da populaçäo infantil do município de Cubatäo (Säo Paulo, Brasil) ao fluoreto / Toxico-epidemiological evaluation of environmental exposure of the infantilee population in Cubatäo District (Säo Paulo, Brazil) to fluoride

Foram analisadas, no período de outubro a dezembro de 1983, amostras de urina de 271 crianças, com idades variando de 4 a 5 anos, matriculadas em Escolas de Educaçäo Infantil (EMEIs) de Cubatäo, a fim de se determinar a concentraçäo do íon fluoreto (F) urinário. As análises foram processadas separadamente; por escola, visando-se correlacionar entre sí os níveis de exposiçäo ambiental aos fluoretos dos diferentes grupos populacionais tomados, pelo fato de as fontes emissoras do agente químico se localizarem a distâncias distintas das EMEIs e estas refletirem as áreas de moradia das crianças. Os valores médios de fluorúria variaram de 0,23 mg/L na EMEI- Estado do Rio de Janeiro I (Cota 200) a 1,26 mg/L na EMEI-Jardim Casqueiro (Jardim Casqueiro). A variaçäo dos valores individuais foi de 0,12 mg/L na EMEI- Estado do Rio de janeiro I a 2,60 mg/L na EMEI- Jardim Casqueiro. Os resultados säo amplamente discutidos