Levels of tin and organotin compounds in human urine samples from Iowa, United States

Abstract

Exposure to tin in the general US population is near ubiquitous, as determined using urinary tin levels measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Urinary tin levels are associated with chronic health outcomes, such as diabetes; however, it is unclear if these associations are due to the presence of inorganic and organic forms of tin in urine. To address this knowledge gap, levels of total tin and several organotin compounds (OTCs) were measured in convenience urine samples from pregnant women and adults from Iowa, United States. Total tin and OTC levels in urine samples were quantified using ICP-MS and gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection (GC-PFPD), respectively. ICP-MS detected tin in almost all urine samples from both study populations. Low levels of dibutyltin were detected in two out of fifty human urine samples. Importantly, storage of urine samples in plastic containers, but not HNO 3 -pretreated glass vials drastically reduced the recoveries of OTCs, in particular, tributyltin. Although their detection frequency is low, exposures to OTC should be considered when studying associations between human exposures to tin compounds and adverse health outcomes; however, urinary OTC levels measured in banked urine samples may not be suitable as biomarkers of OTC exposure.

Obesity II: Establishing causal links between chemical exposures and obesity

“…However, in a small cohort (55 individuals) of Danish women, significant levels of TBT were not identified in a study conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) [391]. Significantly, it was recently shown that plastic specimen containers of the type universally used in such studies were strong binders of TBT and other organotins, markedly reducing organotin recovery during analysis [392]. Therefore, previous studies of organotin levels in human specimens, including the NTP study, probably substantially underestimated TBT levels because they used plastic blood and specimen containers during processing and analysis.…”

Navigating challenges and solutions for metal-halide and carbon-based electrodes in perovskite solar cells (NCS-MCEPSC): An environmental approach

“…The health impacts of Sn are less explored than those of Pb despite Sn's environmental prevalence. No safe exposure level for Sn has been established, with its inorganic forms known to inhibit the absorption of essential minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium due to inefficient absorption and fast excretion [ 113 ]. Acute exposure to Sn can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea [ 114 ], and long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and obesity [ 115 ].…”

“…Acute exposure to Sn can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea [ 114 ], and long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and obesity [ 115 ]. Sn is mainly eliminated through urine, and its toxicity varies by age and compound form, with organic Sn compounds potentially disrupting endocrine and renal functions [ 113 , 116 ].…”

Transgenerational Effects and Mechanisms of Tributyltin Exposure on Neurodevelopment in the Male Offspring of Rats

“…Tributyltin, a component of marine antifouling paint, can be enriched in the human body through the food chain, posing a threat to human health. , Tributyltin pollution is an important problem in some coastal areas. − Butyltin in seafood from the Polish Baltic Sea coast is as high as 1132 ng Sn/g dw . In humans, median levels of total tin and organotin compounds detected in urine samples of pregnant women and adults in Iowa, USA, were 0.20 ng/mL and 0.57 ng/mL, respectively . Tributyltin has even been detected in the placentas of newborns at an average of 0.32 ng/g fresh body weight in Finland and Denmark. , …”