Urinary concentrations of heavy metals in pregnant women living near a petrochemical area according to the industrial activity

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116677
• Publication Date: 2023-07-14T06:40:11Z
• Authors: Xiruo Kou; Lucía Iglesias-Vá...; Martí Nadal; Josep Basora; Victoria Arija
• Keywords: Mercury; Heavy industry

The progressive industrialization has resulted in an increase heavy metal pollution the environment, which a dangerous impact on human health. Prenatal exposure to metals, even at very low concentrations, may be especially harmful pregnant women and their children. Different industrial activities can contribute specific area.1) To explore concentrations of metals urine samples women, 2) evaluate potential effect different Tarragona (Spain).Urinary levels four (nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb)) from 368 recruited ECLIPSES study were analyzed. Home addresses all industries potentially releasing geo-referenced. Buffer zones established within 1.5, 3, 5 km radius center each industry. Subsequently, number participants living out buffer zone was recorded.Urinary Ni Cd, but not those Hg Pb, obviously increased near most sites. After adjustment for co-variates, only Cd showed notable differences according activity. Compared outside buffer, 1.5 3 chemical industries, energy mineral processing industries.Among analyzed increasing trend urinary chemical, energy, mineral, industries. This highlights need develop legislative measures minimize exposure, by sensitive populations. Moreover, additive or synergistic effects co-exposure other air pollutants should disregarded.