The applicability of fingernail lead and cadmium levels as subchronic exposure biomarkers for preschool children

Author(s)

Oliveira, A. S. ^[1] ; Costa, E. A. C. ^[2] ; Pereira, E. C. ^[1] ; Freitas, M. A. S. ^[3] ; Freire, B. M. ^[4] ; Batista, B. L. ^[4] ; Luz, M. S. ^[3] ; Olympio, K. P. K. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Saude Publ, Dept Saude Ambiental, Av Dr Arnaldo 715, BR-01246904 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Engn Modelagem & Ciendas Sodais Aplicadas, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Pesquisas Tecnol Estado Sao Paulo SA, Ctr Tecnol Met & Mat, Lab Proc Met, Av Prof Almeida Prado 532, Cidade Univ, BR-05508901 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 758, MAR 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Preschool children are exposed daily to metals in their homes and at daycare centers (DCC). Metal exposure and health effects are associated even at low levels, and children comprise a group of public health concern. Nail metals have been studied for exposure biomonitoring and compared to other biological media. The aim of this study was to explore the applicability of preschool fingernail lead and cadmium as subchronic exposure biomarkers. Nail lead and cadmium levels (NLL and NCL) of 602 preschool children (age: 1-4 years) who attended 21 DCC in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2013 were analyzed. Results were compared against blood lead and cadmium levels (BLL and BCL) found in a previous study. Inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses were performed for both samples. DCC and metal contaminated sites (MCS) were georeferencing. Logistic regression tests were applied to verify associations between nail metal levels and risk factors (sex, age, maternal education, secondary smoking, DCC geographic district, vehicle flow density, relative altitude and distance between DCC and nearest MCS) (p < 0.05). BLL was stratified by exposure level (low: <5 mu g.dL(-1); high: >13.9 mu g.dL(-1); medium: >= 5 mu g.dL(-1) and <= 13.9 mu g.dL(-1)) and also tested the associations in order to verify if nail lead levels are affected by exposure intensity defined by blood metals concentrations. Radius distance and relative altitude of DCC to nearest MCS were associated with high NLL and NCL. Abnormal appearance of nails was associated with high NLL and low NCL. Lead and cadmium exposure magnitude had no significant impact on NLL. NLL should only be used for initial screening, and when financial resources are scarce, especially in areas located near contaminated sites. Preschool children were co-exposed to both lead and cadmium, reinforcing the need for broader studies evaluating exposure to environmental pollutants for more than one chemical element. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/13076-0 - Lead exposure in São Paulo: blood levels in preschool children and risk factors associated
• Grantee: Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/14392-9 - Living and working conditions of youths inserted in the informal and household productive arrangement of jewelry and fashion jewelry from the exposome perspective
• Grantee: Elizeu Chiodi Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 12/21840-4 - Exposure to nonessential metals in São Paulo: blood levels in preschool children and associated risk factors
• Grantee: Maria Regina Alves Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/23272-0 - Lead exposure in São Paulo: blood levels in preschool children and risk factors associated
• Grantee: Maria Regina Alves Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants