Internal and external tetrachloroethene exposure of persons living in differently polluted areas of Northrhine-Westphalia (Germany).

An epidemiological study was performed to measure the internal and external tetrachloroethene exposure of persons living in two differently polluted areas of Northrhine-Westphalia (Germany). Tetrachloroethene concentrations were determined in venous blood samples of 5- to 7-year-old children (n = 81) and 55-year-old women (n = 91) living in Essen, an industrial city located in the Ruhr area. 103 children und 131 women of the same age living in Borken, a small town north of the Ruhr area, served as reference group. Outdoor air samples were collected on passive samplers (sampling period: 4 weeks) from 70 measurement points per study area (about 2 km2, mean distance 100 m). In the course of a year these measurements were repeated three times to cover seasonal variations. Parallel to the outdoor measurement periods, indoor air concentrations were determined in the homes of those women from Essen and Borken, who donored a blood sample. Tetrachloroethene levels in blood were generally low with a geometric mean of 0.05 microgram/L in women and 0.021 microgram/L in children. Nevertheless, children and women living in the industrial area were found to have significantly higher tetrachloroethene levels in blood than those of the reference group. In both study areas blood levels of women exceeded those of children by a factor of 2. Participants living in the neighbourhood of a dry-cleaning shop had distinctly elevated blood levels. The same applied to persons who stored dry-cleaned clothes at home. Like the internal exposure, external exposure was also higher in Essen than in Borken. In both areas tetrachloroethene concentrations indoors exceeded those outdoors. Outdoor tetrachloroethence concentrations were significantly increased during the cold season, while the opposite was true for indoor levels. The correlation between indoor and outdoor exposure was found to be significant, while those between blood levels and outdoor exposure became only significant when people living next to a dry-cleaning shop were excluded. No significant relationship was observed between blood and indoor tetrachlorethene levels. It is concluded that the higher tetrachloroethene blood levels of the urban population result from the higher atmospheric concentrations in industrial areas with tetrachloroethene emitting sources like metal and textile industry. The fact that indoor air tetrachloroethene levels exceeded those outdoors can only be explained by the presence of additional indoor sources. Provided that women spend on average more time indoors than children the higher indoor air concentrations may be the reason for the higher blood tetrachloroethene levels found in women. Persons living near a dry-cleaning shop or storing dry-cleaned clothes at home showed a higher internal and external exposure to tetrachloroethene than other persons. In individual cases it can by far exceed the average exposure of the general population, so that health impairments can not be generally excluded.

[Lead and cadmium content in deciduous teeth of children of Stolberg and other cities of North-Rhine-Westphalia: a chronological trend 1968-1993]. / Blei- und Cadmiumgehalte in Milchschneidezähnen von Kindern aus Stolberg und anderen Städten Nordrhein-Westfalens: Entwicklungstrend 1968-1993.

The levels of lead and cadmium were determined in deciduous teeth (incisors only) of children living in Stolberg and some other cities located in North-Rhine-Westfalia, Germany. The Stolberg children were born in 1968-1973 (group 1; n = 103) and 1982/1983 (group 2; n = 103). The other children (n = 109) were born between 1979 and 1986. All teeth were analysed within the same analytical series by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results show that the average levels of lead and cadmium in milk teeth have decreased significantly in the time period from 1970 to 1990. Considering the Stolberg children the fall of tooth lead was about 50% and the fall of tooth cadmium was about 60%. Children from other cities show a comparable decrease of tooth lead and tooth cadmium. The results indicate that a significant decrease of the lead body burden and cadmium body burden of children and probably also of the general population of Germany has occurred during the last years.

Long-term mercury excretion in urine after removal of amalgam fillings.

The long-term urinary mercury excretion was determined in 17 28- to 55-year-old persons before and at varying times (up to 14 months) after removal of all (4-24) dental amalgam fillings. Before removal the urinary mercury excretion correlated with the number of amalgam fillings. In the immediate post-removal phase (up to 6 days after removal) a mean increase of 30% was observed. Within 12 months the geometric mean of the mercury excretion was reduced by a factor of 5 from 1.44 micrograms/g (range: 0.57-4.38 micrograms/g) to 0.36 microgram/g (range: 0.13-0.88 microgram/g). After cessation of exposure to dental amalgam the mean half-life was 95 days. These results show that the release of mercury from dental amalgam contributes predominantly to the mercury exposure of non-occupationally exposed persons. The exposure from amalgam fillings thus exceeds the exposure from food, air and beverages. Within 12 months after removal of all amalgam fillings the participants showed substantially lower urinary mercury levels which were comparable to those found in subjects who have never had dental amalgam fillings. A relationship between the urinary mercury excretion and adverse effects was not found. Differences in the frequency of effects between the pre- and the post-removal phase were not observed.

Internal lead and cadmium exposure in 6-year-old children from western and eastern Germany.

Lead and cadmium levels in blood and deciduous teeth (shed incisors only) of 6-year-old German children were determined in 1991 in a large epidemiological study carried out in rural and urban areas of western Germany (Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, Borken) and eastern Germany (Leipzig, Halle, Magdeburg, Osterburg, Gardelelegen, Salzwedel). In total, blood lead and cadmium levels of 2311 German children and tooth lead and cadmium levels of 790 German children were analyzed. Blood lead levels were generally low in all study areas with geometric means between 39.3 micrograms/l and 50.8 micrograms/l in the western German and between 42.3 micrograms/l and 68.1 micrograms/l in the eastern German study areas. The mean blood lead level of Turkish children (n = 213) living in the western German study areas was 50.1 micrograms/l and thus 5.6 micrograms/l higher than the overall geometric mean of the western German children. The higher exposure may be explained by a higher oral uptake from food and different living conditions. These children were excluded from multiple regression analysis because they were all living in the western study areas. The mean tooth lead levels ranged between 1.50 and 1.74 micrograms/g in the western and between 1.51 micrograms/g and 2.72 micrograms/g in the eastern study areas. Thus, they show a distribution pattern similar to blood. Blood and tooth lead levels were higher in urban than in rural areas and higher in the eastern German than in the western German study areas. With regard to the blood and tooth cadmium concentrations, no significant differences between the study areas could be found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Heavy metal pollution of soil and garden products of Stolberg home gardens and lead and cadmium pollution of small farms in Stolberg]. / Untersuchungen zur Schwermetallbelastung von Böden und Gartenprodukten aus Stolberger Hausgärten und zur Blei- und Cadmiumbelastung von Kleingärtnern aus Stolberg.

Cadmium, lead and zinc were determined in garden soils and vegetable products from private gardens located in a lead/zinc smelter area (Stolberg, Germany). At the same time lead and cadmium were measured in blood and urine samples collected from 90 garden owners. Inspite of extraordinary high levels of cadmium and lead in garden soils and vegetables, blood lead, blood cadmium and urine cadmium levels were not or only slightly elevated in the gardeners when compared to a reference group of subjects from the same area who did not consume home-grown vegetables and fruits. The results show that high levels of pollutants in soil and vegetables are not necessarily associated with an increased burden of pollutants in the human body, and that the transfer of pollutants from soil to humans might have been overestimated in some cases. Moreover, the results underline the preventive character of the guideline values presently applied with respect to the evaluation of soil contaminants.

[Mercury exposure of the population. IV. Mercury exposure of male dentists, female dentists and dental aides]. / Untersuchungen zur Quecksilberbelastung der Bevölkerung. IV. Quecksilberbelastung von Zahnärzten, Zahnärztinnen und Zahnarzthelferinnen.

Urinary mercury levels were determined in 22 dentists and 46 dental nurses and assistants working in 15 private dental offices in West-Germany. For comparison, urinary mercury levels of 29 subjects without occupational mercury exposure were studied. On average, urinary mercury in dental personnel was higher than in the reference group. Individual mercury levels, however, were all significantly below present occupational exposure limits. Urinary mercury was significantly correlated with the number of amalgam fillings in dental personnel as well as in the reference group. Following administration of Dimaval a significant increase of mercury excretion was observed in both groups. Regarding total exposure to mercury in dental personnel, the contribution of mercury exposure from the occupational environment is of the same order of magnitude as their exposure from their own amalgam fillings. Dental nurses were found to be more exposed than dentists. This finding seems to be related predominantly to the larger number of amalgam fillings in dental nurses.

[The mercury exposure of the population. III. Mercury mobilisation by DMPS (Dimaval) in subjects with and without amalgam fillings]. / Untersuchungen zur Quecksilberbelastung der Bevölkerung. III. Quecksilbermobilisation durch DMPS (Dimaval) bei Personen mit und ohne Amalgamfüllungen.

The urinary excretion of mercury (per 24 h) was determined in 29 subjects before and after application of DMPS (2.3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid, 300 mg per os). A 6-7 fold increase of mercury excretion was noted after application of DMPS. Subjects with amalgam fillings excreted significantly more mercury before as well as after application of DMPS than subjects without amalgam fillings. Urinary mercury excretion was significantly correlated with the number of amalgam fillings. About 50% of the variance of urinary mercury can be explained by the number of amalgam fillings. The results show that the release of mercury from amalgam fillings represents the main source of mercury exposure in subjects with amalgam fillings.

[Exposure to mercury in the population. II. Mercury release from amalgam fillings]. / Untersuchungen zur Quecksilberbelastung der Bevölkerung. II. Quecksilberfreisetzung aus Amalgamfüllungen.

Urinary levels of mercury (HgU) were measured in 93 males and females aged 18-63 years. Subjects with amalgam fillings (n = 72) had, on average, significantly higher levels of mercury in urine (mean = 0.57 microgram Hg/l and 0.79 microgram Hg/g creatinine, respectively) than subjects without amalgam fillings (n = 21; mean = 0.18 micrograms Hg/l and 0.24 microgram Hg/g creatinine, respectively). Urinary mercury excretion was significantly correlated with the number of amalgam surfaces (log HgU (microgram/l) vs. number of amalgam fillings: r = 0.435, P less than 0.001; log HgU (microgram/g creatinine) vs. number of amalgam fillings: r = 0.575, p less than 0.001). The results indicate that internal mercury exposure from amalgam fillings is, on average, higher than internal exposure to mercury from food and other sources.

[Exposure to mercury in the population. I. Mercury concentrations in the urine of normal subjects]. / Untersuchungen zur Quecksilberbelastung der Bevölkerung. I. Quecksilberkonzentrationen im Urin bei Normalpersonen.

The levels of mercury were determined in 24 h urine samples collected from 703 subjects (age 1-79 years) living in the Eastern part of the Ruhr area (West-Germany). The mean HgU level was 0.75 micrograms/l (range less than 0.1-19.3 micrograms/l) and the mean HgU level standardized for creatinine was 0.64 micrograms/g creatinine (range: less than 0.1-27.4 micrograms/g creatinine). The mean mercury excretion per 24 h was 0.48 micrograms in subjects less than 18 years and 0.99 micrograms in subjects greater than 18 years. Females were found to have, on average, higher HgU levels and also a higher excretion of mercury per 24 h than males. Subjects greater than 18 years had significantly higher HgU levels than subjects less than 18 years of age. The effect of age was found to be substantially more pronounced in females than in males. Smoking did not affect the urinary mercury excretion.

[Lead and cadmium burden of children in Stolberg]. / Untersuchungen zur Blei- und Cadmiumbelastung von Kindern aus Stolberg.

In 1989, blood lead and blood cadmium levels were determined in 229 children (age 6-7 years) living at Stolberg (West Germany). The area of Stolberg is heavily polluted by lead and other toxic metals due to emissions from a large primary lead smelter. The mean blood lead level was 6.3 micrograms/dl (range 2.6-15.5 micrograms/dl) and the mean blood cadmium level was 0.14 microgram/l (range less than 0.1-0.5 microgram/l). The blood lead levels were affected by the following factors: living in the central urban area with high lead levels in dust fall-out; living in a family of foreigners; involuntary inhalation of smoke at home; living in a family with a family member employed in the lead industry. Children from foreign families also had higher blood cadmium levels than children from German families. However, inhalation of tobacco smoke did not affect the blood cadmium levels. In total, there has been a significant decline of blood lead and blood cadmium levels among children from the Stolberg area since 1982.

[Blood lead and blood cadmium concentrations in 55-66-year-old women fron different areas of Nordrhein-Westfalen--chronological trends during 1982-1988]. / Blutblei- und Blutcadmiumkonzentrationen bei 55-66jährigen Frauen aus verschiedenen Gebieten Nordrhein-Westfalens--Entwicklungstrends 1982-1988.

Blood lead levels were determined in 3098 55-66 year-old women living in different areas of Northrhine-Westphalia (F.R.G.). Blood cadmium levels were determined in a subgroup of 2538 women. The studies were performed between 1982 and 1988. The results show that there has been a further fall of blood lead levels in the general population of West-Germany since the CEC blood lead surveys of 1979 and 1981. A comparable reduction of blood cadmium was not noted. Residents of large urban agglomerations had, on average, slightly higher blood lead levels than residents of small cities located in rural areas (+0.2-0.5 microgram/dl). With regard to blood cadmium, no differences were seen. Smokers were found to have, on average, 3-4 times higher blood cadmium levels than non-smokers. Blood lead was also elevated in smokers when compared to non-smokers. The highest blood lead levels recorded were in the range of 15-30 micrograms/dl. The data further suggest that lead mobilization during conditions of bone demineralization, e.g. in cases of osteoporosis, does not result in toxic blood lead levels in postmenopausal women.

[Lead and cadmium content in deciduous incisors of children from Duisburg and Gummersbach--developing trend 1976-1988]. / Blei- und Cadmiumgehalte in Milchschneidezähnen von Kindern aus Duisburg und Gummersbach--Entwicklungstrend 1976-1988.

Shed deciduous teeth (incisors only) were collected from children (n = 199) living in Duisburg and Gummersbach (F.R.G.) in 1976 and 1988. The teeth were analysed for lead and cadmium. Considering all teeth, there was a significant of tooth lead and tooth cadmium from 1976 to 1988. The reduction was between -40 and -50% for tooth lead and -45% for tooth cadmium. Regarding tooth lead, the reduction was more pronounced in children from Duisburg, an area heavily polluted by lead and other heavy metals due to the presence of large iron and steel plants and a large lead-/zinc smelter. Teeth from the upper jaw were found to have higher lead and calcium concentrations than teeth from the lower jaw. Moreover, it was found that central incisors had higher lead and cadmium concentrations than lateral incisors. Even after the effects of jaw and tooth type had been allowed for, the reduction of tooth lead and tooth cadmium could be demonstrated. Children living in pre-war houses were found to have higher tooth lead and tooth cadmium levels than children living in post-war houses. The higher lead and cadmium burden of children living in old houses seems to be related to a higher degree of exposure to lead and cadmium via drinking water resulting from the release of these metals from old zinc-plated steel water pipes. In total, our results indicate that there has been a significant decrease of lead and cadmium exposure in West-German children since the mid-70s. The reduction of tooth lead levels parallels the decrease of blood and bone lead levels, which has been observed in previous studies.

[Exposure of children to benzene and other motor vehicle emissions]. / Belastung von Kindern durch Benzol und andere verkehrsbedingte Immissionen.

The concentrations of benzene, toluene, and lead and the percentage of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) were measured in the venous blood of 48 children living in a central urban area with high traffic density (Cologne, FRG). The same parameters were also evaluated in a reference group of children (n = 72) living in a small city located in a rural area of West-Germany (Borken, Münsterland). The above named parameters could be quantitated in all blood samples. The children living in the central urban area had, on average, significantly higher concentrations of benzene, toluene, lead, and COHb in blood than the children of the reference group. The blood benzene concentrations were, on average, 71% and the toluene concentrations 56% higher in the urban children when compared to the reference group. The median values of the urban group/reference group were: benzene, 115/70 ng/l; toluene, 545/370 ng/l; lead, 5.2/4.7 micrograms/dl; COHb, 0.9/0.6%. It is concluded that the higher levels of benzene, toluene, lead, and COHb found in the blood of the urban children result from the higher atmospheric concentrations of these pollutants generally found in central urban areas with high traffic density.

Exposure to lead and cadmium of children living in different areas of north-west Germany: results of biological monitoring studies 1982-1986.

Between 1982 and 1986 several surveys were carried out to determine the levels of lead and cadmium in blood, urine, and shed deciduous teeth (incisors only) of children living in rural, suburban, urban, and industrial areas of North-West Germany. Blood lead (PbB) and blood cadmium (CdB) were measured in about 4000 children. In rural, suburban and urban areas the median PbB levels vary between 5.5 and 7 micrograms/dl, with 98th percentiles varying between 10 and 13 micrograms/dl. The median CdB levels are between 0.1 and 0.2 microgram/dl, with 95th percentiles between 0.3 and 0.4 microgram/l. Children from urban areas have significantly higher PbB levels than children from rural and suburban areas. Regarding CdB no differences could be detected. Children living in areas around lead and zinc smelters, particularly those living very close to the smelters, have substantially increased PbB and CdB levels. Children from lead worker families also have substantially increased PbB and CdB levels. The lead levels in shed milk teeth (PbT) were determined in about 3000 children. In rural, suburban and urban areas the median PbT levels are between 2 and 3 micrograms/g, with 95th percentiles between 4 and 7 micrograms/g. Children from urban areas have significantly higher PbT levels than children from rural and suburban areas. The highest PbT levels (on a group basis) are in children from nonferrous smelter areas. The median levels of lead in urine (PbU) are between 6 and 10 micrograms/g creatinine, with 95th percentiles between 20 and 30 micrograms/g creatinine. Children from polluted areas have higher PbU levels than children from less polluted areas. The median levels of cadmium in urine (CdU) are in the order of 0.1 microgram/g creatinine, with 95th percentiles being in the range of 0.5 and 1.0 microgram/g creatinine. Girls have higher CdU levels than boys. There are no differences between groups of children from different areas. Children from lead worker families have higher PbU and CdU levels than otherwise comparable children. The results of the present studies indicate a further decrease of PbB in children from North-West Germany since the CEC blood lead campaigns carried out in 1979 and 1981. The decrease of lead exposure also seems to be reflected by a decrease of tooth lead levels.

Cadmium in kidney cortex of inhabitants of North-West Germany: its relationship to age, sex, smoking and environmental pollution by cadmium.

The cadmium concentration in kidney cortex (CdKc) was determined in 388 deceased persons, who at the time of death had lived in the cities of Düsseldorf and Duisburg, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), and surrounding areas. The average CdKc concentration was found to be 17.1 micrograms/g wet weight. Individual values range from less than 0.4 to 94.3 micrograms/g wet weight. The CdKc levels rapidly increase during the first decades of life. At the age of about 40 years, a plateau phase is reached. At high ages (greater than 70 years), the CdKc levels tend to decrease. Cigarette smokers have significantly higher CdKc concentrations than non-smokers. The increase of CdKc depends on the number of cigarettes smoked. Cigar and pipe smokers have slightly increased CdKc levels compared to non-smokers. Non-smokers who had spent the major part of their life in the area of Duisburg, a cadmium-polluted area, have, on the average, significantly higher CdKc levels than non-smokers from the less-polluted surrounding areas. In smokers the residential factor is masked by the effect of cigarette smoking.

Environmental exposure to cadmium and renal function of elderly women living in cadmium-polluted areas of the Federal Republic of Germany.

An epidemiological study was performed to assess whether environmental pollution by cadmium as found in cadmium-polluted areas of the Federal Republic of Germany is associated with an increased prevalence of biological signs of kidney dysfunction in population groups non-occupationally exposed to heavy metals. The study was run in two industrial areas known to be highly contaminated by cadmium, lead and other heavy metals, viz. Stolberg and Duisburg. Düsseldorf was selected as a reference area. As a study population we selected 65- and 66-year-old women (n = 286) who had spent the major part of their lives in one of these areas. The average cadmium levels in blood (CdB) and urine (CdU) revealed significant differences in exposure to cadmium in the order Stolberg greater than Duisburg greater than Düsseldorf. Serum creatinine levels were, on average, significantly higher in the Stolberg group than in the Duisburg and Düsseldorf groups. However, with respect to the urinary excretion of low molecular weight proteins (beta 2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein), albuminuria, total proteinuria, aminoaciduria, phosphaturia and some other biological findings, no significant differences between the study populations were noted. Similarly, the prevalence of clinically-confirmed hypertension as well as the relative frequency of hypertensive subjects (systolic greater than or equal to 160 and/or diastolic greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg) did not differ significantly among the three study groups. There was no exposure-response relationship between CdU and tubular proteinuria in the range of the CdU-levels found (0.1 to 5.2 micrograms/g creatinine). However, albuminuria tended to be increased at CdU levels greater than 2 micrograms/g creatinine.

Levels of cadmium and lead in blood in relation to smoking, sex, occupation, and other factors in an adult population of the FRG.

Levels of cadmium (CdB) and lead (PbB) were determined in the blood of 579 60-65 year-old residents of Cologne and two small cities near Cologne. CdB-levels in cigarette smokers are on the average 3-4 times higher than in non-smokers (geometric means: non-smokers, 0.44 micrograms/l; less than or equal to 10 cigarettes/d, 1.16 micrograms/l; greater than 10 cigarettes/d, 1.85 micrograms/l). The results indicate that, with regard to the internal dose, cadmium exposure via smoking may contribute even more than does exposure via food. PbB-levels (geometric mean: 8.49 micrograms/100 ml; range: 2.9-30.3 micrograms/100 ml) are in the acceptable range as defined by the CEC reference values. Male smokers have on the average slightly higher PbB-levels than male non-smokers. In women PbB-levels are on the average lower than in men.

Lead in deciduous teeth of children living in a non-ferrous smelter area and a rural area of the FRG.

Lead concentrations were measured in the deciduous teeth (incisors) of 302 children living in a lead-smelter area in the FRG (Stolberg, Rheinland) and of 86 children living in a nonpolluted rural area (Gummersbach, Bergisches Land). Blood lead levels were determined in 83 of the children living in the lead-smelter area. On average, tooth lead levels of children living in the smelter area (mean: 6.0 microgram/g; range: 1.49-38.5 microgram/g) were significantly higher than those of children living in the rural area (mean: 3.9 microgram/g; range: 1.6-9.4 microgram/g). Blood lead levels were 6.8-33.8 microgram/100 ml (mean: 14.3 microgram/100 ml). Children of lead-workers had on average higher tooth lead and blood lead levels than children of people who were not lead-workers. Tooth lead levels increased with increasing duration of residence in the lead-smelter area and with the degree of local environmental pollution by lead, as indicated by the lead content of the atmospheric dust fall-out around the children's homes. The correlation coefficient of tooth lead vs blood lead was 0.47. The intra-individual variability of tooth lead levels was low (r = 0.86), and tooth lead levels of brothers and sisters were similar (r = 0.75), suggesting that tooth lead may be used as a representative and reliable indicator of long-term lead exposure.