Low-level lead exposure during development differentially affects neurobehavioral responses in male and female mouse offspring: A longitudinal study.

Early life low-level lead (Pb) exposure is still an alarming child health issue. To date, animal studies investigating the effects of low doses of Pb since early stages of life to adulthood are scarce. We investigated in a mouse model the behavioral effects of developmental exposure to low-level Pb yielding blood levels similar to those observed in child clinical literature. CD1 outbred mouse dams received Pb (25- or 100-ppm) via drinking water from two weeks pre-mating until the end of lactation. Offspring of both sexes underwent a longitudinal assessment of motor, socio-emotional, and cognitive endpoints from neonatal to adult stage. Pb levels were determined in several matrices (blood, brain and bone) up to six months after the end of exposure. We found that new born pups exposed to Pb have slightly altered motor patterns and reduced preference for the nest odor. Offspring of both sexes exposed to the lowest Pb dose showed diminished interest for social novelty stimuli as adults. Moreover, sex-dependent effects of Pb exposure were observed in the spatial learning and memory task, where males were selectively impaired. Finally, blood, brain and bone Pb levels were elevated in a dose dependent fashion up to six months after termination of exposure. We observed marked accumulation of Pb in bones, with higher Pb levels in 100-ppm exposed females than in males at 7 months of age. In conclusion, developmental Pb exposure caused mild alterations in early- and late-life behavioral domains, particularly involving olfactory and cognitive responses. These findings confirm the importance of animal models to understand how early chronic low-level lead exposure impacts on health in a life-course perspective.

Silica encapsulation of ZnO nanoparticles reduces their toxicity for cumulus cell-oocyte-complex expansion.

BACKGROUND: Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in many industrial and biomedical applications, hence their impact on occupational and public health has become a concern. In recent years, interest on the effect that exposure to NPs may exert on human reproduction has grown, however data are still scant. In the present work, we investigated whether different metal oxide NPs interfere with mouse cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) expansion. METHODS: Mouse COCs from pre-ovulatory follicles were cultured in vitro in the presence of various concentrations of two types of TiO2 NPs (JRC NM-103 and NM-104) and four types of ZnO NPs (JRC NM-110, NM-111, and in-house prepared uncoated and SiO2-coated NPs) and the organization of a muco-elastic extracellular matrix by cumulus cells during the process named cumulus expansion was investigated. RESULTS: We show that COC expansion was not affected by the presence of both types of TiO2 NPs at all tested doses, while ZnO NM-110 and NM-111 induced strong toxicity and inhibited COCs expansion at relatively low concentration. Medium conditioned by these NPs showed lower toxicity, suggesting that, beside ion release, inhibition of COC expansion also depends on NPs per se. To further elucidate this, we compared COC expansion in the presence of uncoated or SiO2-coated NPs. Differently from the uncoated NPs, SiO2-coated NPs underwent slower dissolution, were not internalized by the cells, and showed an overall lower toxicity. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that ZnO NPs, but not SiO2-coated ZnO NPs, affected the expression of genes fundamental for COC expansion. Dosimetry analysis revealed that the delivered-to-cell mass fractions for both NPs was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these results suggest that chemical composition, dissolution, and cell internalization are all responsible for the adverse effects of the tested NPs and support the importance of a tailored, safer-by-design production of NPs to reduce toxicity.

The effects of the exposure to neurotoxic elements on Italian schoolchildren behavior.

Neurodevelopmental disorders are constantly increasing on a global scale. Some elements like heavy metals are known to be neurotoxic. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the neurobehavioral effect of the exposure to trace elements including lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium and their interactions among 299 schoolchildren residing in the heavily polluted Taranto area in Italy. Whole blood, urine and hair were collected for metal analyses, while the Child Behavior Checklist and the Social Responsiveness Scale, administered to the main teacher and the mothers were considered to identify behavioral problems in children. Blood lead mainly influenced social problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing and total problems. Urinary arsenic showed an impact on anxiety and depression, somatic problems, attention problems and rule breaking behavior. A significant interaction between lead and arsenic was observed, with a synergistic effect of the two metals increasing the risk of attention problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and total problems. Overall, we were able to test that higher blood lead, urinary arsenic concentrations and their interaction increase the risk of neurobehavioral problems. This is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's priority list of hazardous substances where arsenic and lead are ranked as first and second respectively.

Children exposure to inorganic and organic arsenic metabolites: A cohort study in Northeast Italy.

The aim of this study was to provide urinary levels of total arsenic (TAs) and As species as arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenocholine (AsC), inorganic As (i.e., [As(III)+As(V)]), methylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in 7 year-old-children (n = 200) enrolled in the Northern Adriatic Cohort II (NACII), a prospective cohort in a coastal area of Northeast Italy. TAs was determined by sector field-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) and AsB, AsC, As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA by ion chromatography coupled to ICP-MS (IC-ICP-MS). The geometric mean (GM) for TAs was 12.9 µg/L and for [iAs + MMA + DMA] was 4.26 µg/L. The species AsB (GM of 5.09 µg/L) and DMA (GM of 3.20 µg/L) had the greatest percentage contribution to TAs levels; a greater percentage contribution from AsB is seen at TAs >10 µg/L and from DMA at TAs <10 µg/L. Urinary [iAs + MMA] levels were positively associated with [iAs + MMA + DMA] and DMA with AsB levels. Fish, shellfish and crustaceans consumption increased the AsB and TAs levels, while rice intake, mothers' education level and selenium (Se) concentration influenced the DMA concentration. Children have a high capacity to metabolize and detoxify the iAs because of the higher secondary methylation index (ratio DMA/MMA) with respect to primary methylation index (ratio MMA/iAs). In addition, the median level of [iAs + MMA + DMA] in the whole population of children was lower than the Biomonitoring Equivalent (BE) value for non-cancer endpoints. Also the Margin of Safety (MOS) value based on the population median was greater than 1, thus the exposure to the toxicologically relevant As species was not likely to be of concern.

Human biomonitoring to evaluate exposure to toxic and essential trace elements during pregnancy. Part B: Predictors of exposure.

Maternal exposure to toxic and essential trace elements represents a surrogate of exposure to the unborn child. Variables of exposure as sociodemographic, lifestyles and diet may contribute to different exposure of pregnant women to specific trace elements. Blood, urine and cord blood samples of 53 pregnant women of the HEALS-EXHES cohort, recruited in Reus (Catalonia, Spain) between 2016 and 2017, were analysed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn. Univariate and multivariate models were built in order to assess associations between element concentrations in each matrix, and variables obtained by questionnaires on mothers' characteristics and dietary habits. Results showed several significant associations between various variables and essential trace and toxic elements. Age was associated with higher levels of Cd and Pb in cord blood samples. Multiparous women showed lower levels of Cd in maternal blood and Pb in both maternal and cord blood than nulliparous women. Hispanic mothers presented higher levels of blood As and lower levels of blood Se compared to mothers of different ethnicity. Higher education level was associated with higher As and Hg concentrations in both maternal and cord blood samples. Higher annual income diminished the level of Pb in maternal blood. Smoking in pregnancy incremented the levels of Cd in mothers' blood. Alcohol consumption may affect the absorption of Cu, Mn and Zn. Supplementations with multivitamins, folic acid and iron showed effects on elements as Cr, Mn, Se and Zn. Regarding food group intake, bluefish incremented Pb levels, while canned fish and seafood affected levels of some elements as As, Hg, Cu and Se. Other elements such as Mn and Pb were influenced by the intake of different kinds of foods. The present results showed that some modifiable lifestyles and food intakes could be the target of interventions to help pregnant women to maintain suitable concentrations of essential elements and lower levels of toxic ones, and to improve consequently neonatal health outcomes.

Human biomonitoring of metals in workers at the waste-to-energy incinerator of Turin: An Italian longitudinal study.

Evidence of negative health effects of solid waste management is uncertain. Available reviews suggests the use of biomarkers in human biomonitoring (HBM) to detect low exposure levels. In September 2013, a waste-to-energy plant located in the Turin (Italy) went into operation. The SPoTT (acronym for Population health Surveillance in the Turin incinerator's area) monitoring program was set up to assess the potential health impact caused by the plant. The paper illustrates the results of HBM of metals in the workers before the plant went into operation and then at 1 year and 3 years. This study is one of the few focusing on workers with a longitudinal design (the first in Italy). Eighteen metals in urine and lead in blood were determined by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Information on participant habits and other characteristics that could potentially affect metals concentrations were collected via a structured questionnaire. Subjects were classified according to their work role at the facility: administrative staff workers (AW); plant workers (PW). Nonparametric methods were used to evaluate the changes in metals concentration over time. Comparison of the metals concentration in the samples taken at baseline and at the following two-time points shows a general decrease in levels: urinary concentration of beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), mercury (Hg), Ir, nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), and blood level of lead (Pb) among the PW and Ir and Pd among the AW were significantly lower at T2 versus baseline. A decrease was also recorded in arsenic (As) among the PW and in cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), and zinc (Zn) for both groups, whereas the levels of copper (Cu) and vanadium (V) remained unchanged over time. The downward trend remained also after taking confounding factors into account. The only exceptions were Mn, Pt, Sb among the PW: increase levels between T0 and T2 were recorded, which cannot be specifically attributable to the plant activity. The median urinary and blood concentrations of the metals were lower than those reported in the literature and were below the occupational reference values at all three-time points. Our results are consistent with those reported for the cohort of local residents and with the ambient air measurements.

Purine DNA Lesions at Different Oxygen Concentration in DNA Repair-Impaired Human Cells (EUE-siXPA).

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a DNA repair disease characterized by nucleotide excision repair (NER) malfunction, leading to photosensitivity and increased incidence of skin malignancies. The role of XP-A in NER pathways has been well studied while discrepancies associated with ROS levels and the role of radical species between normal and deficient XPA cell lines have been observed. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry we have determined the four 5',8-cyclopurines (cPu) lesions (i.e., 5'R-cdG, 5'S-cdG, 5'R-cdA and 5'S-cdA), 8-oxo-dA and 8-oxo-dG in wt (EUE-pBD650) and XPA-deficient (EUE-siXPA) human embryonic epithelial cell lines, under different oxygen tension (hyperoxic 21%, physioxic 5% and hypoxic 1%). The levels of Fe and Cu were also measured. The main findings of our study were: (i) the total amount of cPu (1.82-2.52 lesions/106 nucleotides) is the same order of magnitude as 8-oxo-Pu (3.10-4.11 lesions/106 nucleotides) in both cell types, (ii) the four cPu levels are similar in hyperoxic and physioxic conditions for both wt and deficient cell lines, whereas 8-oxo-Pu increases in all cases, (iii) both wt and deficient cell lines accumulated high levels of cPu under hypoxic compared to physioxic conditions, whereas the 8-oxo-Pu levels show an opposite trend, (iv) the diastereoisomeric ratios 5'R/5'S are independent of oxygen concentration being 0.29 for cdG and 2.69 for cdA for EUE-pBD650 (wt) and 0.32 for cdG and 2.94 for cdA for EUE-siXPA (deficient), (v) in deficient cell lines Fe levels were significantly higher. The data show for the first time the connection of oxygen concentration in cells with different DNA repair ability and the levels of different DNA lesions highlighting the significance of cPu. Membrane lipidomic data at 21% O2 indicated differences in the fatty acid contents between wild type and deficient cells, envisaging functional effects on membranes associated with the different repair capabilities, to be further investigated.

[Exposure assessment to air pollutants: dispersion models versus human biomonitoring]. / La valutazione dell'esposizione a contaminanti ambientali: modelli di dispersione e biomonitoraggio umano.

BACKGROUND: the assessment of individual exposure to toxicants in industrially contaminated areas is difficult when multiple productions are actively close to residential areas. Two thermoelectric power plants (one recently converted to coal) and a large harbour have been operating since the Sixties in the area of Civitavecchia (North of Rome, Lazio Region, Central Italy). Detailed exposure assessment of pollutants from industrial sources, heating (biomass combustion), and urban traffic were not available. OBJECTIVES: to assess the individual exposure of residents by using both dispersion models and human biomonitoring. DESIGN: cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: residents in the area of Civitavecchia since 2001 aged 35-69 years were enrolled and their addresses were geocoded. Exposure assessment to power plants emissions (PM10), traffic (NOx), harbour (PM10), and biomass burning (PM10) was performed at individual residential address using Lagrangian dispersion models. The "Ambiente e Biomarcatori a Civitavecchia" study (Environment and biomarkers in Civitavecchia - ABC study) made available urinary concentrations of metals (i.e., Cd, Pt, W, Pd, Hg, Tl, Cr, Pd, Ni, As) in a sample of residents, while information on personal characteristics, lifestyles, work history, clinical history, and use of drugs was collected by interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: for each metal, a linear regression analysis was implemented to study the association between its log-transformed values (adjusted for urinary creatinine) and the linear terms of the estimated pollutants concentrations, adjusted for age, gender, period, and other risk factors (i.e., educational level, smoking habit, alcohol, BMI). Geometric Mean Ratios (GMR) and the corresponding confidence intervals (95%CI) were computed. RESULTS: in the ABC sample of 1,141 residents (42% male, mean age 53.5 years, SD 9.7), there was a positive association between PM10 from power plants and urinary cadmium (Cd) (GMR: 1.12; 95%CI 1.00-1.25), traffic pollution (NOx) and platinum (Pt) (GMR: 1.17; 95%CI 1.00-1.38), PM10 from biomass burning and Cd (GMR: 1.14; 95%CI 1.05-1.24), and tungsten (W) (GMR: 1.19; 95%CI 1.03-1.37) and palladium (Pd) (GMR: 1.11; 95%CI 1.00-1.23). Other associations observed did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: although it may not be said that dispersion models can replace biomonitoring studies, they certainly represent an excellent tool for exposure assessment and, therefore, they may be used for the estimation of the individual exposure of populations living in industrially contaminated areas.

Human biomonitoring to evaluate exposure to toxic and essential trace elements during pregnancy. Part A. concentrations in maternal blood, urine and cord blood.

Exposures to toxic elements or deficiencies of essential elements during pregnancy may be associated to various birth complications or even diseases in early life. The aim of this paper was to assess the concentrations of selected toxic (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb) and essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Mn, Se and Zn) in blood and urine samples of delivering women at different periods of gestation and cord blood, as well as to evaluate the placental permeability for these elements. A total of 53 women participating in the HEALS-EXHES study were enrolled. In particular, 48 blood samples from 1st trimester of pregnancy, 40 blood samples at delivery, and 31 cord blood at delivery were collected. Moreover, mothers' urine were sampled at the 1st (53 samples), 2nd (53 samples) and 3rd trimester (49 samples) of pregnancy. Results showed that Hg and Mn levels in cord blood were about 2.0 times higher than in maternal blood, suggesting that these elements may be transferred from mother to fetus. The cord blood levels of As and Pb were lower (ca. the 65%) than those in maternal blood, showing that the placenta modulates the rate of transfer for these elements. Essential elements as Cu and Zn showed significantly lower levels in cord than in maternal blood suggesting that the transplacental transfer of these nutrients was very limited. In addition, correlation between paired maternal and cord blood samples for As, Hg and Pb was statistically significant indicating that the fetal body burden may reflect the maternal exposure. Cadmium, Co, Cr, Ni and Se levels did not show significant correlations between maternal and cord blood. Maternal urinary concentrations of trace elements, including As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Se and Zn decreased along pregnancy, which may cause variations in fetal exposure. The levels of toxic and essential elements in maternal blood and urine, as well as in cord blood, were for most elements at the lower end of the ranges found in the scientific literature not being of special concern for pregnant women and the unborn.

Neurocognitive impact of metal exposure and social stressors among schoolchildren in Taranto, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Metal exposure is a public health hazard due to neurocognitive effects starting in early life. Poor socio-economic status, adverse home and family environment can enhance the neurodevelopmental toxicity due to chemical exposure. Disadvantaged socio-economic conditions are generally higher in environmentally impacted areas although the combined effect of these two factors has not been sufficiently studied. METHODS: The effect of co-exposure to neurotoxic metals including arsenic, cadmium, manganese, mercury, lead, selenium, and to socio-economic stressors was assessed in a group of 299 children aged 6-12 years, residing at incremental distance from industrial emissions in Taranto, Italy. Exposure was assessed with biological monitoring and the distance between the home address and the exposure point source. Children's cognitive functions were examined using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Linear mixed models were chosen to assess the association between metal exposure, socio-economic status and neurocognitive outcomes. RESULTS: Urinary arsenic, cadmium and hair manganese resulted inversely related to the distance from the industrial emission source (ß - 0.04; 95% CI -0.06, - 0.01; ß - 0.02; 95% CI -0.05, - 0.001; ß - 0.02 95% CI -0.05, - 0.003) while the WISC intellectual quotient and its sub-scores (except processing speed index) showed a positive association with distance. Blood lead and urinary cadmium were negatively associated with the IQ total score and all sub-scores, although not reaching the significance level. Hair manganese and blood lead was positively associated with the CANTAB between errors of spatial working memory (ß 2.2; 95% CI 0.3, 3.9) and the reaction time of stop signal task (ß 0.05; 95% CI 0.02, 0.1) respectively. All the other CANTAB neurocognitive tests did not show to be significantly influenced by metal exposure. The highest socio-economic status showed about five points intellectual quotient more than the lowest level on average (ß 4.8; 95% CI 0.3, 9.6); the interaction term between blood lead and the socio-economic status showed a significant negative impact of lead on working memory at the lowest socio-economic status level (ß - 4.0; 95% CI -6.9, - 1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Metal exposure and the distance from industrial emission was associated with negative cognitive impacts in these children. Lead exposure had neurocognitive effect even at very low levels of blood lead concentration when socio-economic status is low, and this should further address the importance and prioritize preventive and regulatory interventions.

Urinary metabolites of organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in children from an Italian cohort (PHIME, Trieste).

Urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides from seven years old children of a birth cohort study (n=199; PHIME cohort of Trieste, Italy) have been measured. Six OP and two PYR metabolites have been investigated, 2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol (DEAMPY, pirimiphos metabolite) was the one found at higher concentrations, median 3.4 ng/mL specific gravity adjusted (SG adjusted), followed by 4-nitrophenol (PNP, median 1.4 ng/mL SG adjusted) and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY, median 0.36 ng/mL SG adjusted), parathion and chlorpyriphos metabolites, respectively. TCPY concentrations were low in comparison to other distributions of OP metabolites in children from other studies. Accordingly, the PHIME cohort showed a distinct OP metabolite distribution with high concentrations of pirimiphos and parathion. Another specific characteristic of this cohort was the high concentration of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-BPA, median 0.36 ng/mL SG adjusted), a general metabolite of PYR pesticides. Evaluation of anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics of children and families only showed a positive association between family educational level and urinary concentrations of DEAMPY metabolite (p<0.05), which could reflect distinct dietary habits depending on the educational level. Estimated daily intakes were evaluated, all studied metabolites were found within safe levels.

Human biomonitoring health surveillance for metals near a waste-to-energy incinerator: The 1-year post-operam study.

This human biomonitoring (HBM) follow-up survey, within the SPoTT project, assessed the temporal and spatial trends of exposure to 18 metals in a cohort living around the waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator of Turin (Italy) before (T0, 2013) and after 1-year of plant activity (T1, 2014). Urine of 380 adult individuals (186 exposed and 194 unexposed subjects, classified on fallout maps) were analyzed by sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry. A decrease trend of the majority of metals in all subjects indicates that the overall air quality of the studied sites was not significantly compromised, also in proximity of the WTE plant, as corroborated also by air monitoring data of the regional agency. The only relevant exception was the higher Cr levels found at T1 than T0 in exposed subjects, suggesting a possible contribution from the WTE plant. Chromium, Mn and Pt urine levels were also higher in the site far from the WTE, in relation to other sources as vehicular traffic, industrial and civil activities. Whilst, As and Cd were influenced by fish intake and tobacco smoke. A very small number of individuals at T1, equally distributed in both areas, exceeded the health-based guidance values and so, at current knowledge, living near the Turin incineration did not significantly influence the exposure status of the population.

Human biomonitoring data analysis for metals in an Italian adolescents cohort: An exposome approach.

The first Italian human biomonitoring survey (PROBE - PROgramme for Biomonitoring general population Exposure) considered a reference population of adolescents, aged 13-15 years, living in urban and rural areas and investigated their exposure to metals. The study was expanded up to 453 adolescents living in the same areas of Latium Region (Italy) and blood samples were analyzed for 19 metals (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ir, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Sb, Sn, Tl, V, and W) by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The exposure assessment was contextualized following an exposome approach that considered several determinants related to the subjects, available environmental parameters and geo-coding of residence address. To assess the influence of exposure determinants and modifiers on children biomarkers levels we used two independent methodologies. The first makes use of the so-called Environment-Wide Association Study (EWAS) methodology while the second was based on the application of a Generalized Liner Model (GLM) capturing co-exposures to pairs of key determinants. Based on our analysis, Hg and As were positively associated with dietary pathways (primarily linked to fish and to a lesser extent to milk consumption) while Cr showed a more complex interaction between co-exposure to different dietary pathways (milk and fish) coupled to proximity of residence to industrial activities. In addition to diet, socio-economic status of the mother revealed robust statistical associations with Cd, Ni and W biomonitoring levels in the respective children.

A survey on lifestyle and level of biomarkers of environmental exposure in residents in Civitavecchia (Italy).

BACKGROUND: The assessment of individual exposure to toxicants in industrially contaminated areas is difficult when multiple productions are active close to residential areas. Two thermoelectric power plants and a large harbor have been operating since the '60s in the area of Civitavecchia (North of Rome). METHODS: The ABC (Ambiente e Biomonitoraggio nell'area di Civitavecchia, Environment and Biomonitoring in Civitavecchia) program involved, in the period 2013-2014, residents in Civitavecchia and in the nearby municipalities (Santa Marinella, Allumiere, Tolfa and Tarquinia). They were randomly selected from the Municipal Register's data and their residence addresses were geocoded using GIS techniques. Biomonitoring of the following urinary metals, Sb, Be, Mo, Cd, Sn, W, Ir, Pt, Hg, Tl, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rh, Pd, As were performed. Glucose and lipid metabolism, liver, renal, and endocrine function were evaluated through blood laboratory tests. Tests of lung functionwere also carried out as well as saturometry (oxygen rate in the blood with an illuminated sensor placed on the fingertip), anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Information on individual characteristics, histories of exposure, such as the consumption of local food, occupational history, lifestyle and medical history were collected through a validated questionnaire. Samples of nails and hair were also collected. The biological material (blood, urine, nails and hair) was stored in a biobank for future analysis related to the possible mechanisms of biological damage. The study protocol received the approval of the local ethics committee. RESULTS: A total of 1177 residents were enrolled (58% female, 60% with a secondary or graduate school degree). No particular differences in metal concentrations based on the municipality of residence were observed. For arsenic, mercury, lead, and tungsten some differences between the two geographical areas were observed, probably due to different diet, lifestyle (e.g., alcohol consumption, smoking, use of jewelry and piercings, tattoos, physical activity, hormonal and mineral supplements, and drugs), and occupational exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The undergoing study on the association between biomarkers concentration and pollutants concentrations - estimated using a dispersion modeling approach, and adjusting for personal characteristics and concomitant other environmental exposure - could clarify the individual exposure of the residents in this industrial area.

Biomonitoring and exposure assessment of people living near or working at an Italian waste incinerator: methodology of the SPoTT study.

Only few studies on the health effect of waste incinerators were focused on human biomonitoring (HBM). Our aim is to describe a protocol for assessing early variation of selected items in a population group living close to a waste incinerator in Turin, Italy. A cohort of 394 subjects was randomly selected, among residents near the incinerator and residents far from it. To achieve this sample size, 765 subjects were contacted. The cohort was monitored before the start-up of the plant and will be followed up 1 and 3 years after, with measurements of respiratory function, selected blood and urine parameters including 19 metals, 17 congeners of PCDDs/Fs, 12 congeners of DL-PCBs, 30 congeners of NDL-PCBs, 11 OH-PAHs, specific hormones (T3, T4, TSH, cortisol and ACTH) and common health parameters. The same protocol is applied for plant workers and breeders living near the plant. Individual exposure to urban pollution and waste incinerator fallout were assessed through the use of mathematical models. Information on individual habits was assessed using a specific questionnaire. SPoTT is the first Italian study that adopts a longitudinal design of appropriate statistical power to assess health impacts of waste incinerator plants' emission. The initial results comparing the baseline to the first follow-up are due at the end of 2016.

Human biomonitoring of metals in adults living near a waste-to-energy incinerator in ante-operam phase: Focus on reference values and health-based assessments.

The human biomonitoring (HBM) of metals is a part of the ongoing project SPoTT for the longitudinal health surveillance of the population living near a waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator (Turin, Italy). The HBM of metals in the SPoTT population aimed to evaluate: i) reference values (RVs) before the WTE incinerator started operation; ii) differences in exposure by variables; iii) variations respect to other HBM studies; iv) exposure that exceeds the available health-based benchmarks as the Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs) for urine Cd and Human Biomonitoring (HBM-I and HBM-II) values for urine Hg, Tl, and blood Pb; v) risk assessment by generating hazard quotients (HQs) for the single metal and hazard index (HI) for the co-occurrence of metals. Eighteen metals in urine and Pb in blood were determined by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Metal concentrations were comparable with RVs reported in other countries, except for slightly higher As, Be, Ir, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Tl levels. Smoking was associated with Cd; age with Pb; drinking bottled water with As and Cd; consumption of fish with As and Hg; amalgams with Hg and Sn; dental restorations with Pd and Pt; use of jewelry with Co and Rh, and piercing with Ni. While HQs for urine Cd, Hg, Tl and blood Pb suggested that adverse effects were unlikely, the HQ value raised the question of whether additive interactions of these metals could produce health concern. The obtained HBM data can be an early warning for accumulations of metals and identification of subgroups at risk.

Toxic metals contained in cosmetics: a status report.

The persistence of metals in the environment and their natural occurrence in rocks, soil and water cause them to be present in the manufacture of pigments and other raw materials used in the cosmetic industry. Thus, people can be exposed to metals as trace contaminants in cosmetic products they daily use. Cosmetics may have multiple forms, uses and exposure scenarios, and metals contained in them can cause skin local problems but also systemic effects after their absorption via the skin or ingestion. Even this, cosmetics companies are not obliged to report on this kind of impurities and so consumers have no way of knowing about their own risk. This paper reviewed both the concentration of metals in different types of cosmetics manufactured and sold worldwide and the data on metals' dermal penetration and systemic toxicology. The eight metals of concern for this review were antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). This was because they are banned as intentional ingredients in cosmetics, have draft limits as potential impurities in cosmetics and are known as toxic.

Sub-Chronic Oral Exposure to Iridium (III) Chloride Hydrate in Female Wistar Rats: Distribution and Excretion of the Metal.

Iridium tissue distribution and excretion in female Wistar rats following oral exposure to iridium (III) chloride hydrate in drinking water (from 1 to 1000 ng/ml) in a sub-chronic oral study were determined. Samples of urine, feces, blood and organs (kidneys, liver, lung, spleen and brain) were collected at the end of exposure. The most prominent fractions of iridium were retained in kidney and spleen; smaller amounts were found in lungs, liver and brain. Iridium brain levels were lower than those observed in other tissues but this finding can support the hypothesis of iridium capability to cross the blood brain barrier. The iridium kidney levels rose significantly with the administered dose. At the highest dose, important amounts of the metal were found in serum, urine and feces. Iridium was predominantly excreted via feces with a significant linear correlation with the ingested dose, which is likely due to low intestinal absorption of the metal. However, at the higher doses iridium was also eliminated through urine. These findings may be useful to help in the understanding of the adverse health effects, particularly on the immune system, of iridium dispersed in the environment as well as in identifying appropriate biological indices of iridium exposure.

Differences in the location and activity of intestinal Crohn's disease lesions between adult and paediatric patients detected with MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively compare paediatric patients (PP) and adult patients (AP) affected by Crohn's disease (CD) in terms of the location and activity of intestinal lesions. METHODS: Forty-three children (mean age 15 years) and 43 adults (mean age 48 years) with proven CD underwent magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) to localise lesions and detect their activity in 9 segments of the small and large bowel. The results were analysed on a per patient and per segment basis. Ileo-colonoscopy was performed in all patients. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Involvement of terminal ileum was significantly different in the two groups: observed in 100 % of AP (43/43) versus 58 % (23/43) of PP (P < 0.0001). Conversely, the colon was diseased in 84 % of PP versus 64 % of AP. In particular, left colonic segments were significantly more involved in PP (descending colon 53 % versus 21 %, P < 0.01; rectum 67 % versus 23 %, P < 0.0001; sigmoid colon 56 % versus 37 %, not significant), whereas caecal involvement was equal in both groups. In children the maximal disease activity was found in left colonic segments, whereas in adults it was in the terminal ileum. CONCLUSIONS: MRE detected significant differences between the two populations, showing a more extensive and severe involvement of the left colon in children but the distal ileum in adults. KEY POINTS : • MRI is useful for assessing Crohn's disease in adult and paediatric patients. • Adult and paediatric patients show different intestinal involvement on MRI. • The distal ileum is maximally involved in adults vs. the left colon in children. • The causes of the severe left colonic disease in children are unknown. • The extensive colonic involvement in children has clinical-diagnostic implications.

Human biomonitoring for metals in Italian urban adolescents: data from Latium Region.

As a part of the activities of the first Italian human biomonitoring survey (PROBE - PROgramme for Biomonitoring general population Exposure), a reference population of adolescents, aged 13-15 years, was examined for their exposure to metals. The study included 252 adolescents living in urban areas, representative of Latium Region (Italy) and blood specimens were analyzed for metals (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ir, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Sb, Sn, Tl, U, V and W) by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results obtained will improve the knowledge about the body burden in adolescents and are tentative reference values for Italian young people as a basis for risk evaluation deriving from urban/environmental exposure to metals.