Integrated probabilistic risk assessment in sites contaminated with arsenic and lead by long-term mining liabilities in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Mining environmental liabilities (MEL) in San Luis Potosi are the result of more than 450 years of mining activity, which has contaminated the soil mainly with arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in several areas. Risk assessments are used to estimate the possibility of the occurrence of adverse effects on human health or on ecological receptors; and the most accessible way of performing them is through probabilistic estimates such as the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) model. Therefore, the aim of this study was to carry out an Integrated Probabilistic Environmental Risk Assessment (IPERA) for the estimation of health risks in infants and rodents. The mean concentrations of As and Pb in soil were significantly higher (p<0.05) in all contaminated sites than in their respective reference sites. Villa de la Paz was the site with the highest mean concentration of As (1374 mg/kg), while Charcas was the one with the highest level of Pb (12,929 mg/kg). The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was calculated and Villa de la Paz had the highest values of As in both rodents (11.994) and children (39.32), and Charcas showed the highest values of Pb in both (24.971 and 31.668 for rodents and children respectively). The cumulative hazard Index (HI) reveals there is a very significant health risk due to As and Pb exposure for both rodents and children in contaminated areas of these mining communities.

Probabilistic human health risk assessment associated with fluoride and arsenic co-occurrence in drinking water from the metropolitan area of San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

A major public health concern in Mexico is the natural contamination of groundwater with fluoride and arsenic. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the magnitude of human health risk after determining fluoride and arsenic concentrations in groundwater samples (n = 50) from the Metropolitan area of the city of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Fluoride levels in water were determined via a potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode. Arsenic concentrations in water samples were determined with an Atomic Absorption technique. Subsequently, a probabilistic health risk assessment was developed (Monte Carlo Analysis). Fluoride levels in water ranged from 0.20 to 3.50 mg/L. For arsenic, the mean level found in the assessed water samples was 15.5 ± 5.50 µg/L (range: 2.50-30.0 µg/L). In addition, when the probabilistic health risk assessment was completed, a mean HI (cumulative hazardous index) of higher than 1 was detected, indicating a high NCR (non-carcinogenic risk) for children and adults. According to the results found in this study, exposure protection campaigns are imperative in the Metropolitan area of the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to successfully diminish exposure to arsenic and fluoride and, as a consequence, decrease the NCR in the population living in that region of Mexico.

Assessment of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in soil samples near an electric capacitor manufacturing industry in Morelos, Mexico.

In Mexico, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were principally used as heat transfer chemicals in electric transformers and capacitors as well as hydraulic fluids and lubricants in heavy electrical equipment since the early 1940s. However, although PCBs have been banned in Mexico, their past and present improper disposal has resulted in environmental contamination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the PCBs levels in soil samples in the immediate area of an electric capacitor manufacturing industry, which was established several years ago in Alpuyeca, Morelos, Mexico. To confirm the presence of PCBs, surface soil samples (1-5 cm in depth) were collected from the vicinity of the industry. We determined the concentrations of 40 PCB congeners in soil samples using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The total PCBs levels in the soil samples ranged from 6.2 to 108460.6 µg kg(-1). Moreover, when we analyzed the results of the congeners (non-dioxin-like PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs), the levels of non-dioxin-like PCB congeners ranged from 5.7 to 103469 µg kg(-1) and the levels of dioxin-like PCB congeners ranged from 0.5 to 4992 µg kg(-1). Considering that soil is an important pathway of exposure in humans, analysis of PCBs levels in blood (as a biomarker of exposure) is necessary in individuals living in Alpuyeca, Morelos.

Atherogenic Index of Plasma: Novel Predictive Biomarker for Cardiovascular Illnesses.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important cause of mortality globally. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization have declared that a precise and quick recognition of susceptible individuals to develop CVD is imperative to combat those illnesses. Additionally, developing countries need affordable alternatives to effectively prognosticate cardiovascular events. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess well-established clinical prognostic markers in Mexican women to identify affordable, specific, and useful tools to predict cardiovascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed including 340 healthy women. Anthropometric and clinical measurements were acquired from all enrolled individuals. Also, a blood sample of each participant women was obtained to complete biochemical analyses (triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) determinations. Finally, with anthropometric, clinical and biochemical determinations, atherogenic indices (Framingham risk score, Castelli's risk index, and atherogenic index of plasma) were estimated. RESULTS: A mean value of 6.5 ± 7.2 was detected for the Framingham risk score, 3.7 ± 1.3 for Castelli's risk index, and 0.12 ± 0.22 for the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Circulating mean ADMA and FABP4 levels found in assessed women were 0.68 ± 0.34 mmol/L and 20.3 ± 16.6 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, strong positive relationships (p <0.05) between AIP and serum FABP4 and ADMA concentrations were detected after adjustment by traditional CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, AIP could be recommended as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis of CVD events in developing countries.