Levels, Spatial Distribution, and Impact Factors of Heavy Metals in the Hair of Metropolitan Residents in China and Human Health Implications

Abstract

Chronic exposure to low levels of heavy metals threatens human health. However, few studies evaluated the health effects and spatial distributions of chronic exposure to heavy metals in metropolitan residents throughout mainland China using unified sampling methods and evaluation indicators at the national level. Here, the concentrations and spatial distributions of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Sb, Pb, and Hg) in the hair of 1202 metropolitan residents from mainland China were analyzed, and differences in age and sex were evaluated. Most target metals exhibited higher concentrations in the hair of residents from South Central China. Generally, male hair had higher As and Se concentrations, whereas female hair had higher Cd and Pb levels (p < 0.05). A significant pairwise correlation existed between most metals in hair, especially Cd–Pb (r = 0.638, p < 0.05). The Se/heavy metal molar ratio is used as an indicator to assess the detoxification ability. The results demonstrated that protecting metropolitan residents in South Central China from heavy metals in their daily life is crucial, particularly for Hg, Pb, and Cr with Se/(Hg, Pb, or Cr) molar ratios < 1. This is the first study to comprehensively consider the antagonistic effects of Se and heavy metals using the molar ratio of Se/heavy metals to evaluate health implications and propose health management policies for metropolitan residents in China.

Trends and Challenges Regarding the Source-Specific Health Risk of PM2.5-Bound Metals in a Chinese Megacity from 2014 to 2020

“…2,3 Most heavy metal elements (e.g., Pb, Cd, and Cr) have carcinogenic or potential carcinogenic effects. 4,5 Metal elements enriched in PM 2.5 particles enter the human body and deposit in various ways, resulting in functional dysfunction and irreversible damage to the human body. Certain heavy metals also have a critical importance in catalyzing atmospheric photochemical oxidation processes leading to secondary atmospheric pollutant formation, 6,7 some of which are also believed to be toxic to human health.…”

“…PM 2.5 has been a long-standing concern with respect to the corresponding increased risk of cardiopulmonary-related mortality and morbidity, particularly in terms of cancer incidence . Metal elements are important constituents of PM 2.5 and play a critical role in the observed health risks. , Most heavy metal elements (e.g., Pb, Cd, and Cr) have carcinogenic or potential carcinogenic effects. , Metal elements enriched in PM 2.5 particles enter the human body and deposit in various ways, resulting in functional dysfunction and irreversible damage to the human body. Certain heavy metals also have a critical importance in catalyzing atmospheric photochemical oxidation processes leading to secondary atmospheric pollutant formation, , some of which are also believed to be toxic to human health. , …”

Mixed Heavy Metals Stress Induces Global Iron Starvation as Revealed by System Level Multi-Omic Analyses

“…From 1972 to 2017, heavy metal pollution in surface waters shifted from single metal to multiple metal pollution. Heavy metal pollution is not only detrimental to human [9], animal [10,11], and plant health [12], it also has the potential to disrupt the natural cycling of elements via impacts on microbial activity. For example, a meta-analysis performed by Aponte et al (2020) found that individual heavy metal contaminants linearly decreased the activities of key soil microbial enzymes, particularly those involved in carbon and sulfur cycling.…”

Effects on grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) induced by waterborne lead exposure and the association with alteration of microbiota in the intestine and water

“…Additionally, organisms can become enriched with HMs, which thereby threatens the normal reproduction and survival of fish and shrimp in the water (Rajeshkumar & Li, 2018; Wu & Yang, 2010). Recently, South China has faced considerable challenges due to HM contamination, especially of lead (Pb) (Zheng et al, 2021). Because aquaculture is the leading economic industry in South China, further investigations on the relationship among Pb, cultured water bodies and cultured fish will benefit and improve this industry.…”

“…16S rRNA, Ctenopharyngodon idella, intestinal barrier, intestinal microbiota, lead HM contamination, especially of lead (Pb) (Zheng et al, 2021).…”