Iodine-129 in human thyroids and seaweed in China

The concentrations of 129I and the ratios of 129I/127I in normal human thyroids collected in Tianjin, China, and some seaweed samples from the Chinese coast were determined by neutron activation analysis. The mean 129I/127I ratio in these thyroids was found to be 1.13 x 10(-9), which is two orders of magnitude higher than the level of the pre-nuclear era, but one order of magnitude lower than the level in Europe in the post-nuclear era. There is no significant difference between the ratio of 129I/127I in the thyroids for the post-nuclear era from China and other areas, which are considered not to have been directly exposed to 129I emission from a nuclear source, such as Chile, Taiwan and Tokyo. The mean 129I/127I ratio in seaweed from the Chinese coast is 2.35 x 10(-10), approximately two orders of magnitude higher than in seaweed collected in the pre-nuclear age, and similar to that from locations without direct exposure to the emission from nuclear installations, influenced only by global fallout. This indicates that the 129I level in China is within the global fallout background level.     

Level and source of 129I of environmental samples in Xi'an region, China

Iodine-129 is widely used as a tracer in various environmental practices such as monitoring of nuclear environmental safety, seawater exchange and transport, geochemical cycle of stable iodine and dating of geological events. The spatial distribution of ¹²⁹I concentration varies significantly on global scale because of anthropogenic input from nuclear activities coupled with scarcity of data on environmental ¹²⁹I variability in many parts of the world including Asia. Here we report new data on ¹²⁹I and ¹²⁷I concentrations in soil, vegetation, river water and precipitation collected from Xi'an area, China. The results indicate values for environmental ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratios in the investigated area range from 1.1 × 10^− 10 to 43.5 × 10^− 10 with a mean of 20.6 × 10^− 10, which is 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than the ratios observed in Europe, but comparable with those observed in the locations far from direct effect of point release sources and at similar latitude. The main source of ¹²⁹I in the investigated area is attributed to the global fallout of both atmospheric nuclear weapons testing and long distance dispersion of fuel reprocessing releases.     

Iodine-129 in soils from Northern Ukraine and the retrospective dosimetry of the iodine-131 exposure after the Chernobyl accident

Forty-eight soil profiles down to a depth of 40 cm were taken in Russia and Ukraine in 1995 and 1997, respectively, in order to investigate the feasibility of retrospective dosimetry of the 131I exposure after the Chernobyl accident via the long-lived 129I. The sampling sites covered areas almost not affected by fallout from the Chernobyl accident such as Moscow/Russia and the Zhitomir district in Ukraine as well as the highly contaminated Korosten and Narodici districts in Ukraine. 129I was analyzed by radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). 127I was measured for some profiles by RNAA or ion chromatography (IC). The results for 127I demonstrated large differences in the capabilities of the soils to store iodine over long time spans. The depth profiles of 129I and of 137Cs showed large differences in the migration behavior between the two nuclides but also for each nuclide among the different sampling sites. Though it cannot be quantified how much 129I and 137Cs was lost out of the soil columns into deeper depths, the inventories in the columns were taken as proxies for the total inventories. For 129I, these inventories were at least three orders of magnitude higher than a pre-nuclear value of 0.084+/-0.017 mBq m(-2) derived from a soil profile taken in 1939 in Lutovinovo/Russia. From the samples from Moscow and Zhitomir, a pre-Chernobyl 129I inventory of (44+/-24) mBq m(-2) was determined, limiting the feasibility of 129I retrospective dosimetry to areas where the 129I inventories exceed 100 mBq m(-2). Higher average 129I inventories in the Korosten and Narodici districts of 130 and 848 mBq m(-2), respectively, allowed determination of the 129I fallout due to the Chernobyl accident. Based on the total 129I inventories and on literature data for the atomic ratio of 129I/131I=13.6+/-2.8 for the Chernobyl emissions and on aggregated dose coefficients for 131I, the thyroid exposure due to 131I after the Chernobyl accident was estimated for the inhabitants of four villages in the Korosten and of three villages in the Narodici districts. The limitations and uncertainties of the 129I retrospective dosimetry are discussed.     

Factors controlling mobility of 127I and 129I species in an acidic groundwater plume at the Savannah River Site

In order to quantify changes in iodine speciation and to assess factors controlling the distribution and mobility of iodine at an iodine-129 (¹²⁹I) contaminated site located at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS), spatial distributions and transformation of ¹²⁹I and stable iodine (¹²⁷I) species in groundwater were investigated along a gradient in redox potential (654 to 360 mV), organic carbon concentration (5 to 60 μmol L^− 1), and pH (pH 3.2 to 6.8). Total ¹²⁹I concentration in groundwater was 8.6 ± 2.8 Bq L^− 1 immediately downstream of a former waste seepage basin (well FSB-95DR), and decreased with distance from the seepage basin. ¹²⁷I concentration decreased similarly to that of ¹²⁹I. Elevated concentrations of ¹²⁷I or ¹²⁹I were not detected in groundwater collected from wells located outside of the mixed waste plume of this area. At FSB-95DR, the majority (55-86%) of iodine existed as iodide for both ¹²⁷I and ¹²⁹I. Then, as the iodide move down gradient, some of it transformed into iodate and organo-iodine. Considering that iodate has a higher K_d value than iodide, we hypothesize that the production of iodate in groundwater resulted in the removal of iodine from the groundwater and consequently decreased concentrations of ¹²⁷I and ¹²⁹I in downstream areas. Significant amounts of organo-iodine species (30-82% of the total iodine) were also observed at upstream wells, including those outside the mixed waste plume. Concentrations of groundwater iodide decreased at a faster rate than organo-iodine along the transect from the seepage basin. We concluded that removal of iodine from the groundwater through the formation of high molecular weight organo-iodine species is complicated by the release of other more mobile organo-iodine species in the groundwater.     

Swan thyroid glands and river algae as indicators of iodine-125 and iodine-131 in the River Trent and its tributaries

Some mute swans have been found to have higher levels of radio-iodine in their thyroids than farm and wildlife animals. In the East Midlands of the U.K., elevated levels were confined to swans inhabiting major rivers like the Trent and Soar where the highest values occurred in thyroids collected downstream from sewage and water reclamation works. Comparing the concentrations of 125I and 131I in blanket weed, which is a food source of the swan, and river water samples collected from above, below and in such effluents, showed that radio-iodine enters the river via these routes. The environmental pathway is sewage effluent--(water reclamation)--river water--river weed--swan. The radioactivity originates from the widespread use of radio-iodine in hospitals and analytical laboratories where much of the liquid and soluble waste is discarded into the sewage drain system. With a simple counting assembly consisting of a heavily shielded thin NaI(Tl) crystal detector attached to a 2-channel scaler-timer it was possible to check large numbers of swan thyroid glands. Although relatively high count rates were frequently obtained the levels of radio-iodine in thyroids were too low to affect the health and well-being of the swan.     

129I in Swedish rivers: distribution and sources

We analyzed the concentration of 129I in the water of 26 rivers covering most of the runoff from Sweden, with the aim of assessing current contamination levels, distribution patterns and potential sources in freshwater systems of northern Europe. The results show relatively high values (up to 1.4 x 10(9) atoms l(-1)), steeply decreasing levels with increasing latitude and a positive correlation with Cl concentration and other chemical parameters. The 129I concentrations observed in south Sweden are probably the highest ever recorded in rivers without any direct discharge from a nuclear installation. The strong latitudinal dependence suggests a northward dilution and possibly depletion of the isotope and a transport from a source located to the south. The most plausible source of the 129I in the studied rivers is atmospheric fallout of 129I emitted either by atmospheric discharges from the nuclear reprocessing facilities at Sellafield (England) and La Hague (France) or by volatilization from seawater contaminated by the same sources. The question is now whether and at what rate the 129I concentration in Nordic watersheds will increase further if discharges from nuclear reprocessing continue.     

Anthropogenic I in the atmosphere: Overview over major sources, transport processes and deposition pattern

Wet and, to a lesser extent, dry deposition of atmospheric ¹²⁹I are known to represent the dominating processes responsible for ¹²⁹I in continental environmental samples that are remote from ¹²⁹I sources and not directly influenced by any liquid ¹²⁹I release of nuclear installations. Up to now, however, little is known about the major emitters and the related global deposition pattern of ¹²⁹I.In this work an overview over major sources of ¹²⁹I is given, and hitherto unknown time-dependent releases from these were estimated. Total gaseous ¹²⁹I releases from the US and former Soviet reprocessing facilities Hanford, Savannah River, Mayak, Seversk and Zheleznogorsk were found to have been 0.53, 0.27, 1.05, 0.23 and 0.14 TBq, respectively. These facilities were thus identified as major airborne ¹²⁹I emitters.The global deposition pattern due to the ¹²⁹I released, depending on geographic latitude and longitude, and on time was studied using a box model describing the global atmospheric transport and deposition of ¹²⁹I. The model predictions are compared to ¹²⁹I concentrations measured by means of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) in water samples that were collected from various lakes in Asia, Africa, America and New Zealand, and to published values.As a result, both pattern and temporal evolution of ¹²⁹I deposition values measured in and calculated for different types of environmental samples are, in general, in good agreement. This supports our estimate on atmospheric ¹²⁹I releases and the considered substantial transport and deposition mechanisms in our model calculations.     

129I measurements in lake water for an estimate of regional 129I depositions

Estimates of (129)I depositions from (129)I releases of reprocessing plants are so far based on measurements of soil and rain water samples. Because (129)I concentrations in these samples show a highly temporal and spatial variability, the (129)I deposition values deduced from single measurements cannot be seen as representative for a larger area. Here it is proposed to use lake water as an archive for former (129)I depositions, to overcome these limitations. If the limnological parameters of any lake are known, the local (129)I deposition flux can be deduced which is temporally averaged over the flushing time, and spatially averaged over the catchment area of the lake. Samples were collected from various European lakes and from Lake Baikal (Russia). The (129)I concentration in these samples was measured by means of accelerator mass spectrometry, and values between 0.3 and 8.1x10(8) at/l were obtained. Deduced (129)I deposition fluxes averaged over the flushing times of the lakes range from 0.3 to 9.3x10(12) at/m(2) y. The (129)I deposition fluence measured for Lake Baikal is attributed predominantly to releases from the former Soviet reprocessing facilities Chelyabinsk, Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk, while the (129)I deposition fluxes deduced for all other lakes are attributed to releases from the European reprocessing activities at Sellafield, Marcoule and La Hague.     

Relative influence of 129I sources in a sediment core from the Kattegat area

The depth profiles of the (129)I concentration and the (129)I/(127)I ratio in a surface sediment core from the Kattegat area have been analyzed in order to obtain information about the different sources of (129)I in that core. Therefore, a mathematical model that relates the measured values to the available emission data from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants and nuclear weapons tests has been applied. Results show that the reprocessing plants at La Hague and Sellafield are the main sources of (129)I in the sediment. Results about the transfer from the release points at the reprocessing plants to the sampling zone agree with other literature data. The model calculates quite fast the sedimentation of (129)I in the sampling place, probably attached to organic matter. Finally, an estimation of approximately 89 kg of (129)I released by Sellafield between 1952 and 1968 has been obtained from the model.     

Iodine-129 and caesium-137 in Chernobyl contaminated soil and their chemical fractionation

Soil samples from areas in Belarus, Russia and Sweden contaminated by the Chernobyl accident were analysed for (129)I by radiochemical neutron activation analysis, as well as for 137Cs by gamma-spectrometry. The atomic ratio of (129)I/137Cs in the upper layer of the examined soil cores ranged from 0.10 to 0.30, with an average of 0.18, and no correlation between (129)I/137Cs ratio and the distance from Chernobyl reactor to sampling location was observed. It seems feasible to use the (129)I/137Cs ratio to reconstruct the deposition pattern of 131I in these areas. The association of (129)I and 137Cs in the Chernobyl soil and Irish Sea sediment was investigated by a sequential extraction method. Similar speciation of (129)I in the Chernobyl soil and Irish Sea sediment was found. Approximately 70% of (129)I is bound to oxides and organic matter, and 10-20% is in the readily available phase, while most of the 137Cs (73%) in Chernobyl soil remains in the extraction residue.     

129I/(127)I as a new environmental tracer or geochronometer for biogeochemical or hydrodynamic processes in the hydrosphere and geosphere: the central role of organo-iodine

Iodine is a biophilic element, with several short-lived isotopes (e.g. (131)I, t(1/2)=8 days), one long-lived isotope, (129)I (t(1/2)=15.6 million years) and one stable isotope, (127)I. The inventory of (129)I in surface environments has been overwhelmed by anthropogenic releases over the past 50 years. Iodine and its isotopes are important for a number of reasons: (1) The largest fraction of the short-term and long-term dose from accidental releases and fallout from atomic bomb tests was from iodine isotopes. (2) (129)I is one of the two long-lived nuclides with highest mobility in stored radioactive waste. (3) (129)I could provide the scientific community with a new geochemical tracer and new geochronological applications in environmental science. (4) A better assessment of iodine deficiency disorders, mineralization in exploration geochemistry, and the transfer of volatile organic greenhouse-active and ozone-destroying iodine species from the oceans to the atmosphere is needed. One of the most promising future applications for the (129)I/(127)I ratio is not only as a new geochronometer, but also as a new source tracer for terrestrial organic matter with ages of 50 years or less. This is especially attractive, since radiocarbon can be, at times, an ambiguous chronometer for the 50-year time-scale, whereas (129)I concentrations during this time are overwhelming previous levels by orders of magnitude. Iodine is to a significant extent involved in the cycle of organic matter in all surface environments. Its biophilic nature is demonstrated by a relative enrichment of iodine in seaweed and dissolved macromolecular organic matter. Because of the close coupling of iodine and organic carbon cycles, our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of the processes regulating iodination reactions in aquatic systems is still limited. The binding of iodine by organic matter has the potential to modify the transport, bioavailability and transfer of iodine isotopes to man. Equilibration times for (129)I in many reservoirs are likely long enough that (129)I could be used as a new source tracer for organic matter of terrestrial origin, and as a geochronometer. Current tracer applications of (129)I are limited by our knowledge of the effects of UV-radiation, microbial activity and geochemical redox conditions on organo-I compounds and overall iodine speciation. The biogeochemical behavior of iodine and its isotopes appears to be different in North America and European waters, possibly due to climatic, source and speciation differences.     

Distribution of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in riverine and coastal environments in South and Southeast Asia

This paper reports the result of sewage pollution monitoring conducted in South and Southeast Asia during 1998-2003 using linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) as molecular tracers of sewage contamination. Eighty-nine water samples collected from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan (Tokyo), and 161 surface sediment samples collected from Tokyo, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and India were analyzed for alkylbenzenes. The concentration range of SigmaLABs in river water particles in Southeast Asia (<0.005-0.913 microg/L) was comparable to or higher than those found in Tokyo (<0.005-0.638 microg/L). I/E ratios (a ratio of internal to external isomers of LABs) in tropical Asian waters were close to the value of LABs in raw sewage ( approximately 1) and much lower than those in secondary effluents (3-5). This suggests that untreated or inadequately treated sewage is discharged into the water. SigmaLABs concentrations in sediments from South and Southeast Asia ranged from <0.002-42.6 microg/g-dry with the highest concentration occurring at several populous cities. Low I/E ratios of the sediments with high SigmaLABs concentrations suggest a heavy load of untreated sewage. Clearly in view of the current data and evidence of the implications of sewage pollution, this paper highlights the necessity of the continuation of water treatment system improvement in tropical Asia.     

Radio-iodine in thyroid glands of swans, farm animals and humans, also in algae and river water from the Thames Valley, England

A highly sensitive counting system has been used to measure radio-iodine in environmental samples from the Thames Valley. Iodine-125 and occasionally iodine-131 have been found in the thyroid glands of most of the swans that have died on the River Thames, the River Wey and the Grand Union Canal, and in algae and water samples from the Thames and many of its tributaries. The presence of this activity is ascribed to the waste discarded into the drainage system by hospitals and research laboratories, reaching the rivers via the effluent from sewage treatment works. The Thames is used as a source of drinking water, particularly in London and its western approaches. Weed and water samples collected from river water abstraction points, reservoirs, tap water supplies, and animal water troughs fed from this supply all contained low levels of iodine-125. The drinking water route can account for the iodine-125 found in the thyroids of farm animals from west Surrey and in a few people living in London. The amounts found constitute a trivial radiation dose to man and animals as they are far below the acceptable limit of exposure for man.     

Industrial clusters in Denmark: Theory and empirical evidence

Abstract.  This article tests the hypothesis that two industrial clusters exist in Jutland, Denmark. The article first discusses the theory of agglomeration economies in relation to industrial clusters, particularly with respect to spillover effects as a positive technological externality. Different methodological approaches to the identification of these effects are examined. In the light of this discussion, the article investigates the performance of two Danish industrial clusters that are frequently identified and examined in the literature. Little evidence is found to support claims concerning the existence and performance of the two clusters, raising wider doubts about cluster-based industrial policy.     

Struvite precipitation thermodynamics in source-separated urine

Struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4).6H(2)O) precipitation eliminates phosphate efficiently from urine, a small but highly concentrated stream in the total flux of domestic wastewater. Precipitation experiments with hydrolysed urine evaluated the solubility product of struvite. The stored and fully hydrolysed urine had an ionic strength of between 0.33 and 0.56M and required the estimation of activity coefficients. From our data, we identified the Davies approximation with the two constants A=0.509 and B=0.3 as agreeing best with our laboratory results. The standard solubility product K(s)(0)=f(1)[NH4(+)]f(2)[Mg2+]f(3)[PO(4)(3-)] ([ ]=concentration of the species; f(x)=corresponding activity coefficient) of struvite in urine was found to be 10(-13.26+/-0.057) at 25 degrees C and the enthalpy of struvite formation DeltaH was 22.6(+/-1.1) kJmol(-1). The equilibrium calculations required the following dissolved complexes: [MgCO(3)](aq), [MgHCO(3)](+), [MgPO(4)](-), [NH4HPO4and [NaHPO(4)](-) and to a lesser extent [MgSO(4)](aq) and [NH(4)SO(4)](-). Organic complexes do not seem to influence the solubility product substantially. For practical purposes, a conditional solubility product K(s)(cond)=[Mg(aq)].[NH(4)(+)+NH(3)].[P(ortho)]=10(-7.57)M(3) was derived to calculate struvite solubility in urine at 25 degrees C, pH=9.0 and ionic strength I=0.4M directly from measured concentrations.     

Heavy incense burning in temples promotes exposure risk from airborne PMs and carcinogenic PAHs

We present the mechanistic-based exposure and risk models, appraised with reported empirical data, to assess how the human exposure to airborne particulate matters (PMs) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during heavy incense burning episodes in temples. The models integrate size-dependent PM levels inside a temple from a published exploratory study associated with a human expiratory tract (HRT) model taking into account the personal exposure levels and size distributions in the HRT. The probabilistic exposure profiles of total-PAH levels inside a temple and internal PAHs doses are characterized by a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model with the reconstructed dose-response relationships based on an empirical three-parameter Hill equation model, describing PAHs toxicity for DNA adducts formation and lung tumor incidence responses in human white blood cells and lung. Results show that the alveolar-interstitial (AI) region has a lower mass median diameter (0.29 microm) than that in extrathoracic (ET(1), 0.37 microm), brochial (BB, 0.36 microm) and bronchiolar (bb, 0.32 microm) regions. The 50% probability (risk=0.5) of exceeding the DNA adducts frequency (DA(f)) ratio of 1.28 (95% CI: 0.55-2.40) and 1.78 (95% CI: 0.84-2.95) for external exposure of B[a]P and B[a]P(eq), respectively. The 10% (risk=0.1) probability or more of human affected by lung tumor is approximately 7.62x10(-5)% (95% CI: 3.39x10(-5)-1.71x10(-4)%) and 3.87x10(-4)% (95% CI: 1.72x10(-4)-8.69x10(-4)%) for internal exposure of B[a]P and B[a]P(eq), respectively. Our results implicate that exposure to smoke emitted from heavy incense burning may promote lung cancer risk. Our study provides a quantitative basis for objective risk prediction of heavy incense burning exposure in temples and for evaluating the effectiveness of management.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in children living in city and rural residences in Denmark

AIMS: The present study aims to assess the biological uptake in children of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured as 1-hydroxypyrene in urine from children living in city and rural residences. METHODS: 103 children living in Copenhagen and 101 children living in rural residences of Denmark collected urine samples Monday to Friday morning. Each day, the family filled in a printed diary that included questions about the time and activity patterns of the child. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of the excreted 1-hydroxypyrene level. RESULTS: During the week, the children excreted on average 0.07 [95% CI: 0.01-0.41] micromol urinary 1-hydroxypyrene per mol creatinine. Children living in urban residences excreted 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01-0.05] micromol more 1-hydroxypyrene than children living in rural residences. This was confirmed in the multiple regression analysis showing a 29% (95% CI: 2-64%) higher excretion among urban children than rural children. Moreover, the regression analysis showed that for each hour per day spent outside the children excreted 58% (1.58 [1.22-2.03]) more 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that children living in urban residences are more exposed to PAH than children living in rural residences. Time spent outdoors increased the excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene, which was most evident among urban children. Higher concentrations of ambient air pollution in urban areas may explain this finding. No influence of environmental tobacco smoke, cooking habits, and heating facilities was detected.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in children living in city and rural residences in Denmark

AIMS: The present study aims to assess the biological uptake in children of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured as 1-hydroxypyrene in urine from children living in city and rural residences. METHODS: 103 children living in Copenhagen and 101 children living in rural residences of Denmark collected urine samples Monday to Friday morning. Each day, the family filled in a printed diary that included questions about the time and activity patterns of the child. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of the excreted 1-hydroxypyrene level. RESULTS: During the week, the children excreted on average 0.07 [95% CI: 0.01-0.41] mumol urinary 1-hydroxypyrene per mol creatinine. Children living in urban residences excreted 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01-0.05] mumol more 1-hydroxypyrene than children living in rural residences. This was confirmed in the multiple regression analysis showing a 29% (95% CI: 2-64%) higher excretion among urban children than rural children. Moreover, the regression analysis showed that for each hour per day spent outside the children excreted 58% (1.58 [1.22-2.03]) more 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that children living in urban residences are more exposed to PAH than children living in rural residences. Time spent outdoors increased the excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene, which was most evident among urban children. Higher concentrations of ambient air pollution in urban areas may explain this finding. No influence of environmental tobacco smoke, cooking habits, and heating facilities was detected.     

Environmental exposure to lead in a population of adults living in northern France: lead burden levels and their determinants

As part of the assessment of a site in northern France polluted by metals from two smelters (in particular, lead, cadmium and mercury), a cross-sectional study was carried out which intended to estimate the levels of the lead burden of the adult population living on the site and the factors associated with these levels. The exposed zone included 10 municipalities in the Nord-Pas de Calais region, located in the vicinity of two non-ferrous metal smelters. The soils in these municipalities contained between 100 and 1700 ppm of lead. The non-polluted zone contained 20 municipalities from the same region, drawn randomly from those in the region of comparable size but free from any industrial lead exposure. The adult study population (301 men and 300 women) was stratified according to age, sex, employment status and exposure level. The inclusion criteria required subjects who were aged between 20 and 50 years and had been living in the exposed zone for at least 8 years; the exclusion criteria were pregnancy, cancer, kidney disease and diabetes. No more than 10% of the subjects participating could work at one of the two smelters. Data collection took place at home; visiting nurses interviewed subjects to complete a questionnaire and also took blood samples. The lead assay was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The geometric mean of the blood-lead levels was 74 microg/l, 95% CI = 69-80 among men and 49 microg/l, 95% CI = 46-53 among women. Blood-lead levels exceeding 100 microg/l were found among 30% of men and 12% of women. Several factors were associated with variation of the mean blood-lead level: the blood-lead level was significantly higher among the men for subjects living less than 1 km from the smelters (geometric mean x 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1-1.6), for those who drink alcoholic beverages (x 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0-1.2 for consumption of 30 g/day), those who smoke (x 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.3 for 20 cigarettes/day), and for subjects with occupational exposure; among the women, for subjects living less than 1 km from the smelters (geometric mean x 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2-1.7), for those who drink alcohol (x 1.1, 95% CI = 1.1-1.2 for a daily consumption of 10 g), and for women living in a building constructed before 1948 (x 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.4).     

Urban population exposure to lead and cadmium in east and south-east Asia

Information is still scarce for many Asian countries on general population exposure to two potentially toxic heavy metals of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The present review on publications from this study group is intended to provide an overview of the non-occupational exposure to Pb and Cd among general populations in east and south-east Asia. During the period of 1991-1998, surveys were conducted in four cities in south-east Asia, five cities in mainland China, and two cities each in Japan and Korea. Peripheral blood, morning spot urine and 24-h food duplicate samples were collected from 20-50 non-smoking adult women in each survey site. The samples were digested by heating in the presence of mineral acids, and then analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the metals in blood (Pb-B and Cd-B), in urine (Pb-U and Cd-U), and in food duplicate (Pb-F and Cd-F). Measures were subjected to statistical analysis with an assumption of log-normal distribution. Pb-B, Pb-U and Pb-F levels varied substantially among the 11 urban sites; GM distributed in ranges of 32-65 microg/l for Pb-B, 2.1-7.5 microg/g cr (creatinine) for Pb-U, and 7-32 microg/day for Pb-F. The same was also the case for Cd exposure parameters, the distribution ranges being 0.5-1.8 microg/l for Cd-B, 1.2-3.1 microg/g cr for Cd-U, and 5-32 microg/day for Cd-F. It appeared that the exposure to Pb and Cd was highest in Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo + Kyoto, respectively, and lowest in Tokyo + Kyoto and in Manila. Additional surveys in Japan showed that Pb exposure was even lower in rural areas than in Tokyo + Kyoto. When compared with the values reported in the literature, Pb exposure levels among Asian populations appear to be similar to the levels in Europe and in the United States, whereas Cd exposure seems to be higher in Asia than in Europe. The contribution of the dietary route in Pb absorption was variable and was inversely related to the extent of air pollution, whereas Cd uptake was almost exclusively via the dietary route with little contribution of the respiratory route.