-
The Science of the Total Environment Feb 2024The trace elements present in breast milk play a vital role in the growth and development of infants. Nevertheless, numerous studies have reported the presence of toxic...
The trace elements present in breast milk play a vital role in the growth and development of infants. Nevertheless, numerous studies have reported the presence of toxic metal contamination in breast milk from various countries and regions, which poses potential risks to breastfed infants. This article aimed to investigate the characteristics of trace elements in breast milk and explore the relationship between breast milk and diet in Dalian, a coastal city in northeastern China. Breast milk samples and representative local food samples were collected from Dalian for research. The results revealed that 57 % of breast milk samples significantly exceeded the WHO safety limit (0.6 μg/L) for arsenic, with a measured mean value of 0.96 μg/L. Moreover, the levels of chromium (mean value: 2.63 μg/L) in 34 % of breast milk samples exceed the WHO recommended safety level (chromium: 1.5 μg/L). Aquatic foods accounted for 60 % to 90 % of the total intake of arsenic, cadmium, vanadium, mercury, and lead. The Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated strong positive correlations among breast milk metal elements, including copper-zinc (r = 0.68) and nickel‑chromium (r = 0.89). Furthermore, the food-to-milk accumulation factors (FMAF) of strontium, nickel, arsenic, vanadium, cadmium, and mercury were relatively low (median values <0.005). While the FMAF values for chromium and lead were higher, with median values of 0.038 and 0.07, respectively. The results indicated potential risks of the toxic metal arsenic in breast milk from Dalian, China for breastfed infants. Therefore, continuous monitoring of breast milk for toxic metals and foodborne contamination is necessary.
Topics: Infant; Female; Humans; Cadmium; Arsenic; Milk, Human; Nickel; Trace Elements; Vanadium; Mercury; Chromium; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Arsenic Poisoning; Eating; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 37977390
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168515 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2023Mercury is an element with potential risk to fish and those who consume it. Thus, this study aimed to determine the levels of total mercury (THg), carry out a health...
Mercury is an element with potential risk to fish and those who consume it. Thus, this study aimed to determine the levels of total mercury (THg), carry out a health risk assessment related to the consumption of the freshwater stingrays , and determine the physical and chemical properties of the water where stingrays occur. Stingrays of the species were obtained from the Amazon River, and samples of the animals' musculature were collected to determine THg levels. Risk assessment was conducted using pre-established formulas of estimated monthly intake (EMI), maximum monthly intake rate (IRmm), and hazard quotient (HQ). Three population scenarios were evaluated, considering both sexes and differences between rural and urban areas. There was no relationship between weight and THg concentration nor between total length and THg concentration. Higher EMI values were observed in rural children; for the IRmm, male children had the lowest consumption levels. For the hazard quotient, there was a similarity between the three age groups when comparing the male and female sexes. In addition, the representatives of the rural area always had lower values than the urban area. Freshwater stingrays, like other elasmobranchs, can be crucial animal species because they act as sentinels in studies that assess harmful chemicals like mercury.
Topics: Animals; Child; Male; Humans; Female; Mercury; Skates, Fish; Brazil; Fishes; Fresh Water; Risk Assessment; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 37947548
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216990 -
Analytica Chimica Acta Oct 2023Although there are many drugs used for the treatment of mercury poisoning, it is remains confused that pathological symptoms associated with Hg-induced oxidative stress....
Although there are many drugs used for the treatment of mercury poisoning, it is remains confused that pathological symptoms associated with Hg-induced oxidative stress. It is reported that SO can be generated as the anti-oxidant, and plays an important role in maintaining redox balance in cells. There has not yet been a study to precisely track the changes in SO during mercury ion poisoning. We developed a novel dual-response fluorescence probe (CY-SPH) for respective or successive determination of Hg and SO in neutral aqueous media. The nucleophilic addition of HSO toward CY-SPH caused a significant fluorescence enhancement at 455 nm while the Hg -triggered desulfurization of CY-SPH to the final phenolic product (CY-OH) elicited a markedly enhanced emission at 760 nm, allowing for two-color visualization of Hg and SO with good selectivity (detection limit: 67.2 nM for Hg and 34.7 nM for SO). Moreover, CY-OH could undergo further nucleophilic addition reaction with HSO and resulted in a decrease in emission at 760 nm and an increase in emission at 438 nm, enabling the ratiometric determination of SO with better sensitivity (detection limit, 3.50 nM). Significantly, CY-SPH can monitor the endogenous SO fluctuations upon mercury exposure by means of confocal fluorescence imaging, which may prove valuable for deciphering the relationship between SO levels and the mercury induced oxidative stress. We anticipated that this research will promote to understand the functions of SO under the oxidative stress by Hg.
Topics: Humans; Fluorescent Dyes; HeLa Cells; Benzylidene Compounds; Mercury
PubMed: 37827682
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341786 -
Journal of Environmental Pathology,... 2024Heavy metal toxicity poses a serious danger to the environment and its inhabitants on a global scale. The harmful heavy metals that are not necessary but are still...
Heavy metal toxicity poses a serious danger to the environment and its inhabitants on a global scale. The harmful heavy metals that are not necessary but are still dangerous, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are frequently linked to pollution and the resulting health problems. Despite several gross ill effects, toxic heavy metals have been found to show beneficial biological activity when applied at very low or trace levels. This article aims to collate such investigations conducted during the last two decades with trace levels of cadmium, mercury and arsenic toxicity against animal systems. There are a total of 13 pre-clinical works demonstrating the protective or beneficial effect of mercury, cadmium and arsenic at trace levels. Such literature reports with lead could not be found. From the outcome of the current literature investigation it is evident that, trace levels of toxic heavy metals namely arsenic, cadmium and mercury possess remarkable protective and beneficial effects chiefly on growth, developmental and reproductive parameters against animal systems pre-clinically, in contrast to their known toxic effects-operated by multiple mechanisms which provided some empirical support for further understanding of the outranged biological functions of the heavy metals. Further mechanistic works on this sphere may pave the way for a better understanding of the protective role of toxic heavy metals for the accomplishment of animals including humans.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Arsenic; Cadmium; Metals, Heavy; Mercury; Heavy Metal Poisoning
PubMed: 37824371
DOI: 10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2023049292 -
Turkish Archives of Pediatrics Oct 2023Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin,...
OBJECTIVE
Mercury poisoning is a condition with multiple-organ dysfunction that has effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, skin, lungs, and kidneys. It can be fatal or may result in sequelae such as neurological disturbances, if treated late or left untreated. The endocrinological effects of mercury exposure are not well-known. We aimed to evaluate patients with mercury poisoning.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 6 cases of mercury poisoning from 3 families were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data were recorded.
RESULTS
Thyroid dysfunction was presented as high thyroid hormones and normal thyrotropin level (unsuppressed) in 5 cases (83.3%). On the other hand, pheochromocytoma-like syndrome was detected in 5 cases (83.3%) with hypertension. The 4 cases were the first to use methimazole for mercury poisoning due to tachycardia and hypertension despite antihypertensive treatment due to catecholamine excess and thyroid dysfunction. Hyponatremia was detected in 3 cases (50%).
CONCLUSION
Mercury poisoning is difficult to diagnose because it is rare and presents with nonspecific physical and laboratory findings. Early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment are essential in order to prevent sequelae. Mercury poisoning should be considered in patients with unexplained hypertension and tachycardia suggesting the involvement of thyroid hormones and catecholamines.
PubMed: 37818842
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2023.23150 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Environmental factors, including exposure to toxic metals,... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Environmental factors, including exposure to toxic metals, such as lead, chromium, cadmium, aluminium, copper, arsenic and mercury, have been suggested to play a significant role in the development and progression of this neoplasia. In particular, the bioaccumulation of toxic metals can play a significant role in colorectal cancer by regulating biological phenomenon associated to both cancer occurrence and progression, such as cell death and proliferation. Also, frequently these metals can induce DNA mutations in well-known oncogenes. This review provides a critical analysis of the current evidence, highlighting the need for further research to fully grasp the complex interplay between toxic metal bioaccumulation and colorectal cancer. Understanding the contribution of toxic metals to colorectal cancer occurrence and progression is essential for the development of targeted preventive strategies and social interventions, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of this disease.
Topics: Humans; Bioaccumulation; Metals; Arsenic; Cadmium; Mercury; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Colorectal Neoplasms; Metals, Heavy
PubMed: 37813250
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167667 -
International Journal of Occupational... Nov 2023This study aims to present a case of acute mercuric chloride poisoning at a potentially lethal dose treated with the antidote - 2,3-dimercapto- 1-propanesulfonic acid...
This study aims to present a case of acute mercuric chloride poisoning at a potentially lethal dose treated with the antidote - 2,3-dimercapto- 1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) combined with CytoSorb. A 21-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and suspected gastrointestinal bleeding after taking 5000 mg of mercuric chloride for suicidal purposes. Due to the patient deteriorating general condition and multiple organ damage, on the third day she was transported to the Clinic of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (CAaIC), Łódź, Poland. Laboratory tests confirmed features of acute kidney injury and high mercury levels in the blood (1051 μg/l) and urine (22 960 μg/l) - DMPS therapy and CRRT combined with CytoSorb were instituted. Due to nervous system complaints (headache, dizziness), a lumbosacral puncture was performed - the mercury concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 5.45 μg/l. During a colonoscopy, significant diagnostic abnormalities revealed features of colonic mucosal necrosis. The treatment resulted in a decrease in subjective complaints, decreased mercury levels in biological material, and improved parenchymal organ function. On the 15th day of therapy, the patient was transferred to the primary care center for further treatment. The case confirms the possibility of improvement of patient condition following ingestion of a potentially lethal dose (5 g) as a result of the initiation of appropriate therapy even on the third day. The presence of mercury in CSF confirms that inorganic mercury compounds (mercuric chloride) can pass through the blood-brain barrier after oral ingestion. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):685-92.
Topics: Female; Humans; Young Adult; Acute Kidney Injury; Mercuric Chloride; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 37750691
DOI: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02235 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Nov 2023Smoking has been known to mankind for centuries, but it is only in recent decades that much attention has been paid to the harmfulness of this habit. Mercury inhalation...
Smoking has been known to mankind for centuries, but it is only in recent decades that much attention has been paid to the harmfulness of this habit. Mercury inhalation is particularly dangerous in this respect and smoking creates extremely favorable conditions for the emission and targeted delivery of this element into the lungs. Despite this fact, a lack of a clear method for estimating the exposure of tobacco consumers to mercury was identified. This work shows justification to transfer the approach of estimating food product consumers' exposure to estimate the exposure of combustible tobacco product consumers to this element. In addition, it was noted that researchers' attention is mainly focused on cigarettes, while the tobacco market has a wide range of combustible products. Therefore, in this work, the mercury content of cigars (8.45 ± 0.18-41.02 ± 0.20 μg/kg), pipe tobaccos (8.03 ± 0.52-25.48 ± 0.50 μg/kg), bidis (14.93 ± 0.47-31.79 ± 0.26 μg/kg) and cigarette tobaccos (14.22 ± 0.71-34.5 ± 1.4 μg/kg) was analyzed. This study demonstrates that smoking can contribute significant total mercury exposure to consumers', although it is unlikely to cause mercury poisoning regardless of other exposure sources.
Topics: Humans; Smokers; Mercury; Smoking; Tobacco Products; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
PubMed: 37739052
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114053 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Sep 2023Two siblings aged 5 and 15 years from Connecticut were hospitalized with petechial rash, oral mucositis, and severe thrombocytopenia approximately 10 days after they...
Two siblings aged 5 and 15 years from Connecticut were hospitalized with petechial rash, oral mucositis, and severe thrombocytopenia approximately 10 days after they played with a jar of elemental mercury they found in their home. Before the mercury exposure was disclosed, the siblings were treated with platelet transfusions, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for possible immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and antibiotics for possible infectious causes. When their conditions did not improve after 6 days, poison control facilitated further questioning about toxic exposures including mercury, testing for mercury, and chelation with dimercaptosuccinic acid. The older sibling soon recovered, but the younger child required a prolonged hospitalization for severe thrombocytopenia, ultimately receiving repeated doses of IVIG, steroids, and romiplostim, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist. Close collaboration among multiple agencies was required to identify the extent of mercury contamination, evaluate and treat the other family members, and decontaminate the home. These cases demonstrate the importance of ongoing public health outreach to promote early detection of elemental mercury toxicity, and the need to evaluate for environmental exposures when multiple close contacts experience similar signs and symptoms.
Topics: Child; Humans; Siblings; Connecticut; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Mercury Poisoning; Thrombocytopenia; Mercury
PubMed: 37733629
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7238a2 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Sep 2023The health hazard posed by Hg makes it imperative to develop a fast and convenient means for detecting Hg in water samples and living objects. While fluorescence sensing...
The health hazard posed by Hg makes it imperative to develop a fast and convenient means for detecting Hg in water samples and living objects. While fluorescence sensing technology is considered a promising candidate, the poor water solubility and fluorescence quenching in aqueous solutions of most existing probes limit their practical application. To overcome this, we developed a natural flavylium-inspired fluorescent probe with excellent water solubility. Our probe demonstrated outstanding performance of high sensitivity (LOD = 0.47 nM), fast response (<10 min), and great selectivity for Hg. Notably, we validated its applicability in real water, urine samples, and living cells. Furthermore, the probe was successfully applied to evaluate the effectiveness of antidotes for clinical Hg poisoning.
Topics: Antidotes; Fluorescent Dyes; Mercury; Fluorescence; Water
PubMed: 37639577
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c04537