The associations between metals/metalloids concentrations in blood plasma of Hong Kong residents and their seafood diet, smoking habit, body mass index and age

Abstract

The concentrations of metals/metalloids in blood plasma collected from 111 healthy residents (51 female, 60 male) in Hong Kong (obtained from the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, from March to April 2008) were quantified by means of a double-focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Results showed that concentrations of these toxic metals such as Hg, Cd, and Pb in Hong Kong residents were not serious when compared with other countries. Males accumulated significantly higher (p < 0.05 or 0.01) Fe (female 0.92 mg/L; male 1.28), Sn (0.44 μg/L; 0.60), Cr (0.77; 0.90), Hg (1.01; 1.73), and Pb (23.4; 31.6) than females. Smokers accumulated significantly higher (p < 0.05) Cd (smoker 0.27 μg/L; nonsmoker 0.17) and Pb (32.8; 17.6) than nonsmokers. Positive correlations were found between concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, with respect to seafood diet habit, body mass index (BMI), and age. More intensive studies involving more samples are needed before a more definite conclusion can be drawn, especially on the causal relationships between concentrations of metals/metalloids with dietary preference and lifestyle of the general public.

Oral bioaccessibility of toxic and essential elements in raw and cooked commercial seafood species available in European markets

“…digitata, this species can also be a good source of Sr and I, though the concentrations were higher in the newer leafs. Low Sr concentrations were also observed in fish and shellfish (Agusa et al, 2007;Guerin et al, 2011;Qin et al, 2015). Laminaria digitata…”

“…Mussel was the seafood species showing the highest Cd concentration, and populations where bivalves play a central role in the diet can be more exposed to toxicological effects associated with Cd (Amiard et al, 2008;Leufroy et al, 2012;Metian et al, 2009;Qin et al, 2015;Vandermeersch et al, 2015). High and low Cd contamination is associated to molluscs/algae and fish, respectively (Moreda-Pineiro et al, 2012).…”

Endophytic Paecilomyces formosus LHL10 Augments Glycine max L. Adaptation to Ni-Contamination through Affecting Endogenous Phytohormones and Oxidative Stress

“…Rapid industrialization has contributed to the increased heavy metal pollution in the environment ( Qin et al, 2015 ; Wu et al, 2015 ). Effluents from industry mix with rivers and drains, which enter the food chain through crops grown in contaminated water.…”

“…Effluents from industry mix with rivers and drains, which enter the food chain through crops grown in contaminated water. Consequently, by consuming contaminated foods, heavy metals accumulate in the human body and lead to severe health problems, including cardiac disorders, digestive disorders, and kidney, stomach, liver, and lung cancer ( Qin et al, 2015 ). Heavy metal pollutants in the soil are toxic and non-biodegradable and are thus extremely persistent and stable in the environment ( Wu et al, 2015 ).…”