Simultaneous determination of heavy metal pollution in commercial traditional Chinese medicines in China

A rapid and accurate method of quantifying heavy metal pollution in commercial traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) is described. The method uses modified wet digestion for sample preparation and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for detecting the content of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). The determination limits of the method were 0.001, 0.002, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001 mg/kg for Cu, Cd, As, Pb and Hg, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of heavy metal pollution in 50 different commercial TCMs in a total of 250 samples. Heavy metal contents in the samples investigated were found at different levels. The level of As did not exceed the legal limit stated in the China pharmacopoeia 2010, whereas Cu, Cd, Pb and Hg were above permitted levels in some samples.     

Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil by Jatropha curcas

This study employed Jatropha curcas (bioenergy crop plant) to assist in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated field soils. Analyses were conducted on the concentrations of the individual metals in the soil and in the plants, and their differences over the growth periods of the plants were determined. The calculation of plant biomass after 2 years yielded the total amount of each metal that was removed from the soil. In terms of the absorption of heavy metal contaminants by the roots and their transfer to aerial plant parts, Cd, Ni, and Zn exhibited the greatest ease of absorption, whereas Cu, Cr, and Pb interacted strongly with the root cells and remained in the roots of the plants. J. curcas showed the best absorption capability for Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn. This study pioneered the concept of combining both bioremediation and afforestation by J. curcas, demonstrated at a field scale.     

Spatial eco-risk assessment and prediction of heavy metal pollution in surface soil: a preliminary assessment of an urban area from a developing country

This study was conducted to investigate the total concentrations of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn), evaluate potential ecological risks, and predict the heavy metal contamination of surface soil in Klang District (Malaysia). Iron (Fe) was discovered as the highest while Cadmium (Cd) was the lowest heavy metal concentration in the surface soil of Klang district. Based on the data collected, the mean values for potential ecological risk index of single elements decreased from cadmium to chromium. Predicted fixed numbers of years were 11 and 21 for Cd accumulations at accelerated and uniform modes, respectively.     

The eco-toxic effects of pesticide and heavy metal mixtures towards earthworms in soil

Earthworms are the key soil organisms, contribute to many positive ecological services that could be degraded by pesticides and other soil pollutants such as heavy metals. Chemicals usually occur as mixtures in the environmental systems which can lead synergistic effects. The assessment and characterization of soil pollutants that effects risks are very difficult due to the complexity of soil matrix, poor understanding about the fate and effects of chemical combinations like pesticide and metal mixtures in terrestrial systems, and scarcity of toxicological data on mixtures of pollutants. In this review we summarized the current studies on individual and joint effects of pesticides and metals on earthworms and indicate the mixture that cause the synergistic interactions. The review explores the methods and models used previously to evaluate the toxicity of chemical mixtures, and suggests the perspective approaches for a better knowledge of combine effects as well as research methods The summarized report indicates that pesticide and metal mixtures at all organization levels affect the earthworms negatively. Whereas, the combined pollution generated by mixtures of pesticides and metal ions could induce the DNA damage, disruption in enzyme activities, reduction in individual survival, production and growth rate, change in individual behavior such as feeding rate, and decrease in the total earthworm community biomass and density. Among the pesticides organophosphates were identified the most toxic pesticides causing the synergistic effects. The findings indicate the scarcity of toxicological data concerning the assessment of pesticide and metal mixtures at genome level; while the mechanisms causing synergism were still not sufficiently explored.     

Soil respiration,ATP content,and Photobacterium toxicity test as indicators of metal pollution in soil

The effects of heavy metal deposition from four different metalworks on soil respiration, ATP content, and toxicity to Photobacterium phosphoreum were examined. Soil samples were collected along a transect through the pollution gradients. Vegetation and soil types were homogeneous throughout the transects. Soil respiration was measured as CO₂ production in closed bottles using an IR-gas analyzer. The ATP content was measured with a bioluminometric assay after trichloracetic acid extraction of soil. The toxicities of distilled water extracts of soil samples were evaluated by the standard P. phosphoreum toxicity test and the metal content of these water extracts was measured as the bioavailable fraction of the heavy metal pollution in the soil. Soil respiration and ATP content were strongly affected by the heavy metal content in the soil. The correlation between the methods was high. The P. phosphoreum procedure can be used to estimate the toxicity of soils heavily polluted by metals. However, soil respiration and ATP content appear to be more sensitive indicators of soil pollution. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc..     

丹芪偏瘫胶囊重金属的含量测定

目的：对丹芪偏瘫胶囊的5种重金属（Pb、Cd、Cu、As、Hg）含量进行含量测定。方法：采用微波消解法对样品进行处理,通过原子吸收法（AAS）进行测定。结果：10批丹芪偏瘫胶囊的重金属含量均符合要求。结论：微波消解-原子吸收法能准确测定丹芪偏瘫胶囊中重金属的含量。     

Assessment of environmental contamination using feathers of Bubulcus ibis L., as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution, Pakistan

Concentrations of metals such as Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the feathers of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from three breeding colonies in the Punjab province, Pakistan. The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Pb and Mn were significantly different between the three study sites (River Chenab, River Ravi and Rawal Lake Reservoir). The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe and Mn were significantly greater at the River Chenab heronry and Cr, Co, Zn, and Pb concentrations at the River Ravi heronry. The feathers of cattle egrets collected from the Rawal Lake Reservoir heronry were least contaminated. Multivariate statistical methods viz., Factor Analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (FA/PCA); Hierarchical Cluster analyses (HACA), and Correlation Analyses identified relatively similar associations of metals and their sources of input. Metals such as Ca, Mg, and K were related with natural input from parent rock material whereas trace metals viz., Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, and Zn were associated mainly with anthropogenic processes. Metals such as Fe, Mn, and Li were either correlated with natural input or with anthropogenic activities. Concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr were well above the threshold level that can cause adverse effects in birds and pose menace to the cattle egrets population in Pakistan. The study suggested that the feathers of cattle egret could be used as a bio-monitor of the local heavy metals contamination.     

Applications of autometallography to heavy metal toxicology

Application of autometallography (AMG) to histological material from humans and animals exposed to gold, silver and mercury has made it possible to localize these heavy metals at light and electron microscopic levels. Because of high sensitivity of the technique, traces of the three metals have been demonstrated in tissues and cells that had previously not been suspected of containing metals. A chelatable pool of zinc in the synaptic vesicles of the zinc-positive neurones can be demonstrated by AMG in the brain. The well defined staining pattern can be used to estimate volumes of cortical subdivisions. Volumetric studies based on autometallographic differentiation of cortical regions have provided valuable information about the effects of different toxicants. AMG can be combined with new quantitative methods, such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) and laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA), to enhance detection of AMG metal catalysts with these techniques.     

Mercury contamination of heavy metal collection containers

We investigated discordant urinary mercury testing results from 2 patients with potential mercury exposures. Two patients had mercury levels of 634 and > 1,000 micrograms/L respectively. Although repeat 24 h urine mercury levels were elevated, spot urines were negative. Investigation revealed that technical HCl with high mercury content had been added to the 24 h urine collection containers. Subsequently, 20 hospitals were contacted to determine their heavy metals testing procedure and to analyze the acid used for mercury. Most hospitals contacted used acid in the preparation of their urine heavy metal collection containers. Of 13 HCl samples tested, 5 had low levels of mercury and 1 had heavy mercury content. Acid added to heavy metal collection containers should be of high purity grade to avoid mercury contamination of samples.     

Cell biology of heavy metal toxicity in vascular tissue

Cadmium and lead are heavy metals that have been shown to induce vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis in experimental animals. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which cadmium and lead induce vascular toxicity. The toxicity was investigated using a culture system of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Cadmium destroys the monolayer of endothelial cells and the cytotoxicity is protected by zinc and copper without metallothionein induction. On the other hand, lead does not exhibit cytotoxicity but inhibits the repair of endothelial monolayers after wounding by a lower response to endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor mediated by suppression of the synthesis of perlecan, a large heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In addition, cadmium and lead reduce endothelial fibrinolytic activity by induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 synthesis and by inhibition of tissue-type plasminogen activator, respectively. In vascular smooth muscle cells, cadmium and lead can promote their proliferation and influence proteoglycan synthesis and fibrinolysis in different manners. These results indicate that cadmium and lead have specific toxicities in the proliferation, fibrinolysis, and extracellular matrix formation of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.     

山葡萄藤重金属残留量的测定

目的： 对10批山葡萄藤药材重金属残留量进行测定。方法：依据2015年版《中华人民共和国药典》通则铅、镉、砷、汞、铜测定法项下,对铅、镉、砷、汞铜的残留量进行了测定。结果：铅、镉、砷、汞、铜5种重金属元素检测方法经方法学考察,结果合理有效,标准曲线的线性相关系数均大于0.997,平均加样回收率分别为91.65%、107.48%、91.17%、93.51%、107.64%。10批样品的重金属残留量均在限度范围内。结论：本研究中所用的山葡萄藤药材重金属及有害元素污染程度较低,安全性相对较好。     

ICP-AES法测定胰酶中重金属元素

目的:建立一种快速稳定的测定胰酶重金属元素的方法。方法:采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定胰酶中铅(Pb)、铬(Cd)、镉(Cr)、砷(As)、汞(Hg)5种元素。结果:采用湿法 HNO_3-H_2O_2对试样进行消解,同时测定胰酶中 Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Hg 5种元素的含量,其检出限分别为0.0102,0.0009,0,001,0.028,0.004 mg·L~(-1),元素回收率在98.0%～103.0%之间,RSD(n=10)为0.5%～1.6%。结论:所建立的用于胰酶中重金属检测的元素分析方法其准确度和精密度都符合要求,应用本方法测定实际样品,结果令人满意。     

N-Acetylcysteine therapy of acute heavy metal poisoning in mice

Therapy of acute heavy metal poisoning is currently limited to a group of moderately toxic drugs containing sulfhydryl groups. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) was used in these studies to determine if this sulfhydryl containing amino acid would reduce the overall mortality of a group of heavy metal compounds. D-Penicillamine and dimercaprol (BAL) were also used for comparison. Groups of at least 100 mice (28 g) were injected subcutaneously with 2-190 mg/kg of copper, arsenic, thallium or cadmium for LD50 determinations. Other groups were injected 30-60 min later with NAC (200 mg/kg), d-penicillamine (50 mg/kg), or BAL (10 mg/kg), and mortality was monitored for 2 weeks. The LD50 for each treatment group was determined by regression analysis of log-probit transformed data. In arsenite treatment group the survival time was lengthened in NAC-treated animals although the LD50 was not significantly changed. BAL was only slightly more effective than NAC. The mortality in animals given copper and treated with NAC was almost eliminated, except at the highest doses. BAL provided the greatest protection, whereas d-penicillamine produced the least. The LD50 of copper was significantly changed from 60.5 mg/kg in control groups to 139 mg/kg in NAC-treated groups, and to 150 mg/kg and 91 mg/kg in BAL and d-penicillamine-treated groups. NAC and BAL were totally ineffective in the treatment of thallium and cadmium poisoning.     

Combined toxicity of heavy metal mixtures in liver cells

With rapid industrialization, China is now facing great challenges in heavy metal contamination in the environment. Human exposure to heavy metals through air, water and food commonly involves a mixture consisting of multiple heavy metals. In this study, eight common heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni) that cause environmental contamination were selected to investigate the combined toxicity of different heavy metal mixtures in HL7702 cells. Toxicity (24 h LC₅₀) of each individual metal on the cells ranked Hg > Cr = Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni > Mn > Pb; toxicity of the different mixtures ranked: M5 > M3PbHgCd > M5+Mn > M5+Cu > M2CdNi > M4A > M8‐Mn > M8 > M5+Zn > M4B > M8‐Cr > M8‐Zn > M8‐Cu > M8‐Pb > M8‐Cd > M8‐Hg > M8‐Ni > M3PbHgNi > M3CuZnMn. The cytotoxicity data of individual metals were successfully used to build the additive models of two‐ to eight‐component metal mixtures. The comparison between additive model and combination model or partly additive model was useful to evaluate the combined effects in mixture. Synergistic, antagonistic or additive effects of the toxicity were observed in different mixtures. These results suggest that the combined effects should be considered in the risk assessment of heavy metal co‐exposure, and more comprehensive investigations on the combined effects of different heavy metal mixtures are needed in the future. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial distribution of total and bioavailable heavy metal contents in soil from agricultural,residential, and industrial areas in Sudan

The current work aims at determining and assessing the total and bioavailable concentrations of some heavy metals, besides some properties, in soil samples from agricultural, industrial, and residential areas in Sudan. The GIS maps show similar trend of all examined metals in Marawi (the Northern state) area and different trends in other areas. Cluster analysis of the total contents of heavy metals shows the classification of 18 locations in Alhasahisa area in one group while the rest of locations from the three examined areas scattered in other nine groups with high variations.     

不同产地丹参药材的重金属含量比较研究

目的 比较不同产地丹参药材中重金属铅、镉、砷、汞和钢的含量.方法 采用原子吸收分光光度法测定丹参药材中铅、镉、钢的含量,原子荧充分光光度法测定丹参药材中砷、汞的含量.结果 丹参药材中重金属含量以安徽产地的稍高,线性范围内,各元素的平均加样回收率90%～110%.结论 丹参药材的重金属含量与产地土质结构关来较大,省区产地...     

Ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments of the Luan River source water

Distribution and characteristics of heavy metals enrichment in sediment were surveyed including the bio-available form analyzed for assessment of the Luan River source water quality. The approaches of sediment quality guidelines (SQG), risk assessment code and Hakanson potential ecological risk index were used for the ecological risk assessment. According to SQG, The results show that in animal bodies, Hg at the sampling site of Wuliehexia was 1.39 mg/kg, Cr at Sandaohezi was 152.37 mg/kg and Cu at Hanjiaying was 178.61 mg/kg exceeding the severe effect screening level. There were 90% of sampling sites of Cr and Pb and 50% sites of Cu exceeded the lowest effect screening level. At Boluonuo and Wuliehexia, the exchangeable and carbonate fractions for above 50% of sites were at high risk levels and that for above 30% of sites at Xiahenan and Wulieheshang were also at high risk levels. Other sites were at medium risk level. Compared to soil background values of China, Hg and Cd showed very strong ecological risk, and the seven heavy metals of Hg, Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Zn at ecological risk levels were in the descending order. The results could give insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision-making for water source security.     

5种中药重金属的检测研究

目的:探讨紫外分光光度法在监测中药重金属含量中的应用.方法:采用紫外分光光度法测定桔梗、丹参、党参、川芎、地龙重金属的含量.结果:对照品重金属的检测浓度在0～5μg·ml-1,质量浓度范围内与吸收度呈良好线性关系(r=0.9993);平均回收率为98.46%,RSD=1.49%(n=6);桔梗、丹参、党参的重金属含量为25.60、27.12、24.44μg·g-1;川芎、地龙的重金属含量偏高,分别为47.38、50.56μg·g-1.结论:紫外分分光光度法可用于检测中药重金属的含量.