Urinary arsenic, cadmium, manganese, nickel, and vanadium levels of schoolchildren in the vicinity of the industrialised area of Asaluyeh, Iran

Abstract

Asaluyeh is one of the most heavily industrialised areas in the world where gas, petrochemical, and many downstream industries are located. This study aims to survey the biomonitoring of four metals and one metalloid in children living in the vicinity of Asaluyeh area. To do this, we analysed the creatinine-adjusted urinary levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) in 184 elementary schoolchildren (99 boys and 85 girls) living in Asaluyeh and compared them with a reference population. The comparisons were done for two seasons (spring and fall). The results showed that in the case area (Asaluyeh), the levels of As, V, Mn, and Ni were significantly higher and that of Cd was not significantly higher than the reference city for both seasons. The mean concentration of metal(loid)s in Asaluyeh (case) and Sadabad (reference) area as μg g creatinine was As 2.90 and 2.24, V 0.06 and 0.03, Mn 0.28 and 0.25, Ni 0.54 and 0.29, and Cd 0.31 and 0.28 in spring and As 3.08 and 2.28, V 0.07 and 0.03, Mn 0.30 and 0.26, Ni 0.91 and 0.30, and Cd 0.36 and 0.31 in the fall. Seasonal variations played a key role in determining urinary metal(loid) concentration, as we saw the significant level of As, Cd, V, and Ni in fall than in spring. With regard to the impact of gender on the absorption and accumulation of urinary metal(loid)s, boys showed higher levels of the studied elements, especially for As, than girls as outdoor activities are more popular among boys. Due to the values being lower than those reported in literature, more research is needed on various population groups and other exposure sources in order to judge whether living in the vicinity of the gas and petrochemical industries in Asaluyeh is a threat to nearby residents.

Toxic heavy metals and nutrient concentration in the milk of goat herds in two Iranian industrial and non-industrial zones

“…Although metals such as iron, copper, and manganese are essential elements in the body, in large quantities, they cause toxicity. The metal of chromium, lead, and nickel is listed in the priority list of hazardous substances by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (Kafaei et al 2017;Ahmad et al 2017). Heavy metals accumulate in various tissues of the body and can affect the central nervous system or cause other diseases such as impaired intelligence, behavioral impairment, and cardiovascular and renal disease (Christoforidis and Stamatis 2009).…”

“…Asaluyeh industrial zone is a busy area in terms of petrochemical, gas, and downstream industries as well as loading and unloading on land and sea located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf (southern Iran). Many studies have been published on metal pollution of the Asaluyeh area (Kafaei et al 2017;Safari et al 2018). According to the weather conditions of the Asaluyeh area, goats are an important part of the livestock industry and play a vital role in the social-economic structure of rural areas.…”

Tracing of Heavy Metals Embedded in Indoor Dust Particles from the Industrial City of Asaluyeh, South of Iran

“…Asaluyeh, located on the northern shore of the Persian Gulf, is one of the most highly industrialized cities in Iran, due to the operation of several oil refineries, petrochemical industries and the Pars Special Energy Economic Zone (PSEEZ). The gas and petrochemical industries release a large amount of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals [33,34]. Previous study in Asaluyeh examined the concentrations of PTEs and mineralogy of 43 street dust samples collected from industrial and urban areas in summer [35].…”

Demographic predictors of urinary arsenic in a low-income predominantly Hispanic pregnancy cohort in Los Angeles

“…Individuals are most commonly exposed to inorganic As (iAs) via drinking and staple foods, such as rice [12][13][14][15]. However, living in urban industrial environments can also contribute to exposure [16,17]. Socially and economically disadvantaged communities tend to be disproportionately burdened by environmental contaminants and may be concentrated in closer proximity to possible industrial sources of As, such as toxic waste sites, legacy contamination, and dense roadway networks [18][19][20][21].…”