Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and healthy life expectancy loss, ranking first in causing the global burden of disease. In addition to the traditional CVD risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, environmental chemical pollutants may also play a role in the development of CVD. This paper summarizes the evidence regarding the relation of exposures to metal or metalloid and persistent organic pollutants with risk for CVD and introduces the research progress in the relation between the exposures to two environmental chemical pollutants and CVD risk. The study aims to provide scientific evidence for the effective prevention of CVD through the management of chemical pollutants in environment.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Persistent Organic Pollutants ; Metalloids ; Hypertension ; Environmental Pollutants

OBJECTIVETo establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) method for determination of 30 trace elements including As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ni, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Mn, Pb, Sr, Tl, V, Ge, Mo, Nb, Ti, W, Te, Se, Zr, In, Sb, Hg, Ce, La, and Sm in human blood.

METHODThe blood samples were analyzed by ICP-MS after diluted 1/10 with 0.01% Triton-X-100 and 0.5% nitric acid solution. Y, Rh and Lu were selected as internal standard in order to correct the matrix interference of Cr, As, Se, and Hg by a hex pole-based collision-reaction cell. Other elements were determined with standard method. The limits of detection, precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated. The accuracy was validated by the determination of the whole blood reference material.

RESULTSAll the 30 trace elements have good linearity in their determination range, with the correlation coefficient > 0.9999. The limits of detection of the 30 trace elements were in the range of 1.19 - 2.15 µg/L and the intra-precision and inter-precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) were less than 14.3% (except Hg RSD < 21.2%, and Ni RSD < 15.4%). The spiked recovery for all elements fell within 59.3% - 119.2%. Among the 13 whole blood reference materials, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Cd, Te, and Pb (1.45, 1.19, 18.40, 0.18, 1.57, 591.00, 2.97, 61.00, 0.35, 1.86, and 9.70 µg/L respectively) fell within the acceptable range and the detection results of Hg (0.59 µg/L) and Mo (1.59 µg/L) were slightly beyond the range.

CONCLUSIONThis method was simple, fast and effective. It can be used to monitor the multi-elementary concentration in human blood.

Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Metalloids ; blood ; Metals ; blood ; Trace Elements ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to metal and metalloid and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies.

METHODSThe data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods.

RESULTS(1) There were 39 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to metal and metalloid for 15 years, which showed that there were 2.6 accidents occurred each year. Thirteen chemicals were reported to cause poisoning directly with 609 workers poisoned and 32 workers died. On average, there were 15.6 workers poisoned and 0.8 workers died of poisoning in each accident. The total poisoning rate was 52.9%, and the total mortality was 5.3%. The average poisoning age was (29.2 +/- 9.08) years old and the average death age was (32.3 +/- 9.9) years old. (2) The number of accidents related to metal and metalloid had been rising since 1997, and 43.6% of the accidents were caused by hydrogen arsenide. (3) The accidents mainly occurred in manufacture and chemical industry and easily occurred in some jobs, such as cleanout and porterage. (4) The main causes of the accidents were poor ventilation (22.5%), lack of personal protection equipment (19.8%), lack of safety education (19.8%), and lack of safety work practice (15.3%).

CONCLUSION(1) The accidents related to hydrogen arsenide and arsenide should be highly emphasized. (2) It is important to strengthen the safety education and personal protection.

Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Metalloids ; poisoning ; Metals ; poisoning ; Young Adult

In 2020, the mass concentration of PM_2.5 in Shijiazhuang urban area was(80.30±71.43)μg/m³. The Spearman correlation analysis between metals and metalloids showed that Sb with Cd, Pb, Ni, Se, Cd with Pb, Ni, Se, Pb with Ni, Se, Ni with Se, and Se with Tl were positively correlated, with a coefficient greater than 0.5. The main sources of metals and metalloids of PM_2.5 were traffic emissions, fuel combustion, metal smelting and dust. The HQ values of Pb, Hg and Mn for each population were less than 1, with lower non-carcinogenic risk. The R values of carcinogenic risk of Ni and Cd in each population were less than 1×10^-6, which could be acceptable risk level for the population. The R values of carcinogenic risk of As and Cr in different populations were between 1×10^-6 and 1×10^-4, with potential carcinogenic risk, particularly higher in adult males.
Adult ; Cadmium ; Carcinogens/analysis* ; Dust/analysis* ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Lead ; Male ; Metalloids/analysis* ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) exposure in shooting ranges has been reduced by various measures such as jacketed ammunition and lead-free primers. Nevertheless, this may lead to exposure to other metals, potentially resulting in adverse health effects. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 35 subjects from seven different shooting ranges were studied: four shooting instructors, 10 police officers, 15 Special Forces, and six maintenance staff members. Metals and metalloids were determined in blood and urine by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The concentrations of most elements did not differ significantly between groups or compared to reference values, except for Sb and Pt in urine and Pb in blood. Mean values for Sb were considerably higher in urine from the Special Forces (0.34 μg/L), the maintenance staff (0.13 μg/L), and shooting instructors (0.32 μg/L) compared to the police officers before shooting (0.06 μg/L) and a Belgian reference value (0.04 μg/L). For Pt, the Special Forces showed higher mean urinary concentrations (0.078 μg/L) compared to a Belgian reference value (<0.061 μg/L). Mean values for blood lead were markedly higher in the Special Forces (3.9 μg/dL), maintenance staff (5.7 μg/dL), and instructors (11.7 μg/dL) compared to police officers (1.4 μg/dL). One instructor exceeded the biological exposure index for blood Pb (38.8 μg/dL). CONCLUSION: Since both Pb and Sb were found to be higher in shooting range employees, especially among frequent shooters, it is advisable to provide appropriate protective equipment, education, and medical follow-up for shooting range personnel in addition to careful choice of ammunition.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Environmental Monitoring ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Metalloids ; Metals ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Police ; Reference Values ; Spectrum Analysis

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Anti-Retroviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metalloids ; blood ; Metals ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

This study was performed to assess the nutritional status and hair mineral content of children with behavioral problems and compare the values with a gender, age-matched control group. The subjects were recruited from S elementary school children in Seoul, Korea. Students scored higher than 60 points were diagnosed with behavioral problems according to the Korean-Child Behavior Checklist. Nutritional assessment of the two groups (behavior problem group: male n=15, female n=24; 9.6+/-1.6 years, control group: male n=16, female n=18; 9.5+/-1.9 years) was performed using a nutritional survey and by measuring hair mineral contents. In the results, food frequency questionnaire analysis showed that the intakes of anchovy (P<0.05), soybean curb (P<0.01), radish (P<0.05), bean sprouts (P<0.05), spinach (P<0.05), carrot (P<0.05), pumpkin (P<0.05), lettuce (P<0.05), cabbage (P<0.01), apple (P<0.05), and milk (P<0.01) were higher in the control group than the behavior problem group, whereas intakes of ramyeon (P<0.05), cookies (P<0.05), and coke (P<0.01) were higher in the behavior problem group than the control group. Intakes of most nutrients such as plant-derived protein (P<0.05), fiber (P<0.05), plant-derived calcium (P<0.05), phosphorus (P<0.05), plant-derived iron (P<0.05), vitamin B2 (P<0.05), vitamin B6 (P<0.05), vitamin C (P<0.01), vitamin E (P<0.05), and folate (P<0.05) were significantly higher in the control group than the behavior problem group. Hair analysis showed that the levels of arsenic (P<0.05), mercury (P<0.001), uranium (P<0.05), iron (P<0.001), boron (P<0.01), and germanium (P<0.001) were lower, but the levels of phosphate (P<0.05), chromium (P<0.001), sodium (P<0.05), and sulfur (P<0.001) were higher in the behavior problem group than the control group. Conclusively, behavioral problems constitute a complicated condition in which nutritional factors may play major roles. However, it is still under investigation as to whether or not modification of dietary habits or nutritional supplementation can improve children's behavior, since symptoms require a broad understanding of the environmental and genetic interactions.
Arsenic ; Ascorbic Acid ; Boron ; Brassica ; Calcium ; Checklist ; Child ; Chromium ; Coke ; Cucurbita ; Daucus carota ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Germanium ; Hair ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea ; Lettuce ; Male ; Milk ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Phosphorus ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Raphanus ; Riboflavin ; Sodium ; Soybeans ; Spinacia oleracea ; Sulfur ; Uranium ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

China is rich in antimony, boron, and vanadium mineral resources, which have been detected in environmental water bodies and drinking water. During the revision process of the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2006)", research and evaluation are focused on three indicators: antimony, boron and vanadium. Vanadium is added and the limit value of boron is adjusted. This study reviews and discusses the technical contents related to the revision of the antimony, boron and vanadium, including the environmental presence levels, exposure status, health effects, and the revision of the standard limits of these three indicators. Suggestions are also made for the implementation of this standard.
Humans ; Antimony ; Boron/analysis* ; China ; Drinking Water ; Vanadium ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

Since Mycobacterium Leprae was founded by Dr. Armauer Hansen in 1873, leprosy was proven to infectious disease by a germ not from hereditaty, from a cause, or from sin. For it has no definite method of treatment, made a conclusion at the 1st international leprosy association meeting at Berlin in 1897, isolation is the only way to prevent the disease. So all country started to built a leprosarium and isolated the leprosy patients. Various methods and drugs were used for leprosy treatment including potassium iodide, arsenic, antimony, copper, sera, vaccines and aniline dyes and then X-ray, radium, electric current till 1925. Chaulmoogra oil was introduced to western world in 1854 by Dr. FJ Mouat and used for the leprosy treatment drug. Dr RM Wilson in Kwangju Leprosy Hospital started to use Chaulmoogra oil since 1909 and reported the results of it at JAMA in 1923. But it was replaced to sulfones in 1940'. Mordern treatment started in 1937 when Parke-Davis co. synthesized promin But promin is expensive and have to injection. Then Dapsone delivered from promin and it could be used per oral. Dr. RM Wilson In Aeyang Hospsoital (former Kwangju leposy hospial) started to use Dapson in 1946 with his son Dr. J Wilson. And it was the first episode to use DDS in Korea. When Dr. Cochraine came and visited all the leprosy centers in Korea in 1955 he noticed that some hospital like Aeyangwon and St. Nazarus used DDS but not other hospital. DDS was adopted as main drug of choice in Carville, Loisiana but noticed dapsone resistant bacilli and then WHO recommended the MDT from 1981.
Antimony ; Arsenic ; Berlin ; Coloring Agents ; Communicable Diseases ; Copper ; Dapsone ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Leprosy* ; Mycobacterium leprae ; Potassium Iodide ; Radium ; Sulfones ; Vaccines ; Western World

Humans ; Tellurium ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnostic imaging* ; Perfusion