Lead, Arsenic, and Manganese Metal Mixture Exposures: Focus on Biomarkers of Effect

Abstract

Summary The increasing exposure of human populations to excessive levels of metals continues to represent a matter of public health concern. Several biomarkers have been studied and proposed for the detection of adverse health effects induced by lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and manganese (Mn); however, these studies have relied on exposures to each single metal, which fails to replicate real-life exposure scenarios. These 3 metals are commonly detected in different environmental, occupational and food contexts and they share common neurotoxic effects, which are progressive and once clinically apparent may be irreversible. Thus, chronic exposure to low levels of a mixture of these metals represents an additive risk of toxicity. Building upon their shared mechanisms of toxicity, such as oxidative stress, interference with neurotransmitters and effects on hematopoietic system, we address putative biomarkers, which may be assist in assessing onset of neurological diseases associated with exposure to this metal mixture.

Manganese exposure through drinking water during pregnancy and size at birth: A prospective cohort study

“…The identification and validation of exposure biomarkers is needed when assessing a doseresponse relationship for the demonstration of cause and effect relationships (Smith et al 2007;Andrade et al 2015) concentrations in drinking water and erythrocytes is in line with earlier findings (Wasserman et al 2006;Mora et al 2014). Most likely, the association may be influenced by the variable intake and uptake of Mn via water and food, and the strict homeostatic control of Mn in the body (Finley et al 2003;Ljung et al 2009).…”

“…In epidemiological studies, Mn-levels in drinking water and in biological samples (i.e. blood, urine, hair, saliva, toenails, and deciduous teeth) have been used as biomarkers of exposure (Gunier et al 2014;Andrade et al 2015). The Mn concentrations in the blood (i.e., whole blood, erythrocyte, plasma, or serum) and in urine are used as biomarkers of exposure in occupational and population-based studies (Smith et al 2007;Zheng et al 2011).…”

Arsenic and Environmental Health: State of the Science and Future Research Opportunities

“…Elucidating arsenic-related health outcomes from environmental exposure is confounded by co-exposure to other agents such as lead, cadmium, fluoride, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides ( Andrade et al 2015 ; Estrada-Capetillo et al 2014 ; Flora et al 2014 ; Huang et al 2013 ). For example, groundwater with high concentrations of arsenic often naturally contains high concentrations of fluoride ( Amini et al 2008 ).…”

Kinetic study of lead (Pb2+) removal from battery manufacturing wastewater using bagasse biochar as biosorbent

“…Lead (Pb 2+ ) is one of the most toxic HMs, as lowest concentration in drinking water may cause serious problems to the nervous and reproductive system, kidney, liver, brain and bony tissues (Renner 2010;Andrade et al 2015). The recommended concentration level of by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is 0.015 and 0.05 mg l −1 in drinking and wastewater, respectively (Salmani et al 2017;Gil et al 2018).…”