Human predisposition to cognitive impairment and its relation with environmental exposure to potentially toxic elements.

New lines of evidence suggest that less than 10% of neurodegenerative diseases have a strict genetic aetiology and other factors may be prevalent. Environmental exposures to potentially toxic elements appear to be a risk factor for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and sclerosis diseases. This study proposes a multidisciplinary approach combining neurosciences, psychology and environmental sciences while integrating socio-economic, neuropsychological, environmental and health data. We present the preliminary results of a neuropsychological assessment carried out in elderly residents of the industrial city of Estarreja. A battery of cognitive tests and a personal questionnaire were administered to the participants. Multivariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify potential relationships between the cognitive status of the participants and environmental exposure to potentially toxic elements. The results suggest a relationship between urinary PTEs levels and the incidence of cognitive disorders. They also point towards water consumption habits and profession as relevant factors of exposure. Linear regression models show that aluminium (R 2 = 38%), cadmium (R 2 = 11%) and zinc (R 2 = 6%) are good predictors of the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination cognitive test. Median contents (µg/l) in groundwater are above admissible levels for drinking water for aluminium (371), iron (860), manganese (250), and zinc (305). While the World Health Organization does not provide health-based reference values for aluminium, results obtained from this study suggest that it may have an important role in the cognitive status of the elderly. Urine proved to be a suitable biomarker of exposure both to elements with low and high excretion rates.

Heavy Metals of Santiago Island (Cape Verde) Alluvial Deposits: Baseline Value Maps and Human Health Risk Assessment.

The chemical composition of surface geological materials may cause metabolic changes and promote endemic diseases (e.g., oncological, gastrointestinal, neurological or cardiovascular diseases). The results of a geochemical survey is presented following the guidelines proposed by the International Project IGCP 259 performed on the alluvium of Santiago Island (Cape Verde) and focused on public health issues. Geochemical mapping is the base knowledge needed to determine critical contents of potential toxic elements and the potentially harmful regions in the planet. This work presents maps of baseline values of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) in Santiago alluvium and the assessment of their human health risks. According to the results the Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and V baseline values are above the Canadian guidelines for stream sediments (for any proposal use) and for soils (for agricultural and residential proposal uses) and also above the target values of Dutch guidelines. Hazard indexes (HI) were calculated for children and adults. For children (HI) are higher than 1 for Co, Cr and Mn, indicating potential non-carcinogenic risk. For the other elements and for adults there is no potential non-carcinogenic risk. Cancer risk was calculated for Cd, Cr and Ni exposures, for adults and children, and the results are only slightly higher than the carcinogenic target risk of 1 × 10-6 for adults exposed to Cr by inhalation. However, these results may be underestimated because alluvial contaminants may be indirectly ingested by groundwater and by crop and vegetables consumption.