Browsing by Subject "Mercury"
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Item Analysis of Mercury Concentrations in Indiana Soil to Evaluate Patterns of Long-Term Atmospheric Mercury Deposition(2013-01-09) Crewe, Julie R.; Filippelli, Gabriel M.; Babbar-Sebens, Meghna; Risch, Martin R.Mercury (Hg) has proven to be a risk to the public, mainly through the consumption of fish. Because of this, many fish consumption advisories have been issued in Indiana. Although much is known about the global cycle of mercury, little is known about how local and regional emission sources of mercury impact local and regional mercury cycling. This study’s objective was to determine the scope of mercury concentration in central Indiana by using a broad grid of soil mercury measurements. Sampling was designed to capture the net retained mercury content in soils, and to determine whether spatial patterns in exist in soil mercury contents that could be related to emission sources of mercury and post-emission transport patterns from wind. Results from this study revealed significant differences in mercury concentrations for soils in central Indiana. The core of the study area, concentrated in the urban area of Indianapolis, exhibited soil mercury contents that were 20 times higher than values in the outskirts of the study area. The spatial pattern resembled a bulls-eye shape centered on Indianapolis, and with comparison to the reported Hg emission from local sources, including a coal-fired power plant, indicates a strong regional deposition signal linked to those emission sources but marked by wind-driven transport to the northeast. This effect of local emission sources resulting in local deposition indicates that limiting mercury emissions will have a net beneficial impact on local environmental quality and human health.Item Geochemical legacies and the future health of cities: A tale of two neurotoxins in urban soils(University of California Press, 2015) Filippelli, Gabriel M.; Risch, Martin; Laidlaw, Mark A. S.; Nichols, Deborah E.; Crewe, Julie; Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of ScienceThe past and future of cities are inextricably linked, a linkage that can be seen clearly in the long-term impacts of urban geochemical legacies. As loci of population as well as the means of employment and industry to support these populations, cities have a long history of co-locating contaminating practices and people, sometimes with negative implications for human health. Working at the intersection between environmental processes, communities, and human health is critical to grapple with environmental legacies and to support healthy, sustainable, and growing urban populations. An emerging area of environmental health research is to understand the impacts of chronic exposures and exposure mixtures—these impacts are poorly studied, yet may pose a significant threat to population health. Acute exposure to lead (Pb), a powerful neurotoxin to which children are particularly susceptible, has largely been eliminated in the U.S. and other countries through policy-based restrictions on leaded gasoline and lead-based paints. But the legacy of these sources remains in the form of surface soil Pb contamination, a common problem in cities and one that has only recently emerged as a widespread chronic exposure mechanism in cities. Some urban soils are also contaminated with another neurotoxin, mercury (Hg). The greatest human exposure to Hg is through fish consumption, so eating fish caught in urban areas presents risks for toxic Hg exposure. The potential double impact of chronic exposure to these two neurotoxins is pronounced in cities. Overall, there is a paradigmatic shift from reaction to and remediation of acute exposures towards a more nuanced understanding of the dynamic cycling of persistent environmental contaminants with resultant widespread and chronic exposure of inner-city dwellers, leading to chronic toxic illness and disability at substantial human and social cost.Item Heavy metals and neurodevelopment of children in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review(PLOS, 2022-03-31) Heng, Yi Yan; Asad, Iqra; Coleman, Bailey; Menard, Laura; Benki-Nugent, Sarah; Were, Faridah Hussein; Karr, Catherine J.; McHenry, Megan S.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: The presence of harmful environmental exposures, which disproportionately affects low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), contributes to >25% of deaths and diseases worldwide and detrimentally affects child neurodevelopment. Few resources succinctly summarize the existing literature on this topic. Our objective is to systematically review and characterize the evidence regarding the relationship between heavy metals and neurodevelopment of children in LMICs. Methods: We conducted a medical librarian-curated search on multiple online databases to identify articles that included individuals <18 years living in a LMIC, quantitatively measured exposure to a heavy metal (either prenatal or postnatal), and used a standardized measurement of neurodevelopment (i.e. cognitive, language, motor, and behavior). Reviews, editorials, or case studies were excluded. Results were analyzed qualitatively, and quality was assessed. Results: Of the 18,043 screened articles, 298 full-text articles were reviewed, and 100 articles met inclusion criteria. The included studies represented data from 19 LMICs, only one of which was classified as a low-income country. Ninety-four percent of postnatal lead and all postnatal manganese studies showed a negative association with metal exposure and neurodevelopment, which were the strongest relationships among the metals studied. Postnatal exposure of mercury was associated with poor neurodevelopment in only half of studies. Limited data on postnatal arsenic and cadmium suggests an association with worse neurodevelopment. Findings were mixed for prenatal arsenic and lead, although some evidence supports that the neurotoxicity of lead was amplified in the presence of manganese. Conclusions and potential impact: We found that lead and manganese appear to consistently have a detrimental effect on the neurodevelopment of children, and more evidence is needed for mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. Better characterization of these effects can motivate and inform prioritization of much needed international policies and programs to reduce heavy metal exposures for young children within LMICs.Item The impact of over 100 years of wildfires on mercury levels and accumulation rates in two lakes in southern California, USA(Springer, 2010-05-01) Rothenberg, Sarah E.; Kirby, Matthew E.; Bird, Broxton W.; DeRose, Margie B.; Lin, Chu-Ching; Feng, Xinbin; Ambrose, Richard F.; Jay, Jennifer A.In southern California, USA, wildfires may be an important source of mercury (Hg) to local watersheds. Hg levels and Hg accumulation rates were investigated in dated sediment cores from two southern California lakes, Big Bear Lake and Crystal Lake, located approximately 40-km apart. Between 1895 and 2006, fires were routinely minimized or suppressed around Big Bear Lake, while fires regularly subsumed the forest surrounding Crystal Lake. Mean Hg concentrations and mean Hg accumulation rates were significantly higher in Crystal Lake sediments compared to Big Bear Lake sediments (Hg levels: Crystal Lake 220 ± 93 ng g−1, Big Bear Lake 92 ± 26 ng g−1; Hg accumulation: Crystal Lake 790 ± 1,200 μg m−2 year−1, Big Bear 240 ± 54 μg m−2 year−1). In Crystal Lake, the ratio between post-1965 and pre-1865 Hg concentrations was 1.1, and several spikes in Hg levels occurred between 1910 and 1985. Given the remote location of the lake, the proximity of fires, and the lack of point sources within the region, these results suggested wildfires (rather than industrial sources) were a continuous source of Hg to Crystal Lake over the last 150 years.Item An investigation of modifying effects of metallothionein single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the association between mercury exposure and biomarker levels(2012-04) Wang, Yi; Goodrich, Jaclyn M.; Gillespie, Brenda; Werner, Robert; Basu, Niladri; Franzblau, AlfredBACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that several genes that mediate mercury metabolism are polymorphic in humans. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in metallothionein (MT) genes may underlie interindividual differences in mercury biomarker levels. We studied the potential modifying effects of MT SNPs on mercury exposure-biomarker relationships. METHODS: We measured total mercury in urine and hair samples of 515 dental professionals. We also surveyed occupational and personal exposures to dental amalgam and dietary fish consumption, from which daily methylmercury (MeHg) intake was estimated. Log-transformed urine and hair levels were modeled in multivariable linear regression separately against respective exposure surrogates, and the effect modification of 13 MT SNPs on exposure was investigated. RESULTS: The mean mercury levels in urine (1.06 µg/L) and hair (0.51 µg/g) were not significantly different from the U.S. general population (0.95 µg/L and 0.47 µg/g, respectively). The mean estimated daily MeHg intake was 0.084 µg/kg/day (range, 0-0.98 µg/kg/day), with 25% of study population intakes exceeding the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference dose of 0.1 µg/kg/day. Multivariate regression analysis showed that subjects with the MT1M (rs2270837) [corrected] AA genotype (n = 10) or the MT2A (rs10636) CC genotype (n = 42) had lower urinary mercury levels than did those with the MT1M or MT2A GG genotype (n = 329 and 251, respectively) after controlling for exposure and potential confounders. After controlling for MeHg intake, subjects with MT1A (rs8052394) GA and GG genotypes (n = 24) or the MT1M (rs9936741) TT genotype (n = 459) had lower hair mercury levels than did subjects with MT1A AA (n = 113) or MT1M TC and CC genotypes (n = 15), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that some MT genetic polymorphisms may influence mercury biomarker concentrations at levels of exposure relevant to the general population.Item Item MERCURY DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS AND STREAM SEDIMENTS OF CENTRAL INDIANA, USA(2009-09-03T13:46:08Z) Hatcher, Carrie; Filippelli, Gabriel M.; Licht, Kathy J.; Jacinthe, Pierre-AndreAn investigation of mercury (Hg) in soils and stream sediments was conducted to understand the impact of urbanization on Hg deposition and accumulation on the upper west fork of the White River watershed in central Indiana. Samples were collected to the north and east (i.e., downwind) of emission sources to understand the anthropogenic influences on Hg distribution in soil. Stream sediment sampling was designed to characterize the riverine particulate deposition of Hg through Indianapolis and to predict the potential for stream sediments with high Hg to become sources of methylmercury (MeHg). Spatial analysis revealed that soil Hg was elevated downwind of known industrial emission sites, indicating a local footprint of Hg deposition in central Indiana. Hg in streambank sediments was generally low in up-river sites to the northeast of Indianapolis, and increased markedly as the White River flowed through downtown, with high Hg persisting to downstream rural locations far to the south approximately 40 miles. The stream sediment results also revealed variations in total Hg (Hg(T)) as a function of local depositional sources, sub-watershed location, combined sewer outflows (CSOs), and impoundments along the White River. Low Hg values were recorded where the White River flow rate increased south of the 16th street dam at the confluence of the Fall Creek, where bankside industry and development confine the river. Three tributaries feeding into the White River were included in this study site, all having CSOs. Fall Creek and Pleasant Run have higher values of Hg with Lick Creek having lower values in comparison to the White River and other tributaries. The highest values occur right before confluences to the White River where the flow rate slows and drops sediment. Mercury values typically increased immediately downstream of dams and impoundments. Hg(T) deposition and transport processes pose a problem to anglers fishing south of Indianapolis who may not be aware of the potential dangers related to elevated stream sediment Hg values and the greater potential for MeHg production from these sediments.Item Methylmercury and elemental mercury differentially associate with blood pressure among dental professionals(2013-03) Goodrich, Jaclyn M.; Wang, Yi; Gillespie, Brenda; Werner, Robert; Franzblau, Alfred; Basu, NiladriMethylmercury-associated effects on the cardiovascular system have been documented though discrepancies exist, and most studied populations experience elevated methylmercury exposures. No paper has investigated the impact of low-level elemental (inorganic) mercury exposure on cardiovascular risk in humans. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the association between mercury exposure (methylmercury and elemental mercury) and blood pressure measures in a cohort of dental professionals that experience background exposures to both mercury forms. Dental professionals were recruited during the 2010 Michigan Dental Association Annual Convention. Mercury levels in hair and urine samples were analyzed as biomarkers of methylmercury and elemental mercury exposure, respectively. Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) was measured using an automated device. Distribution of mercury in hair (mean, range: 0.45, 0.02–5.18 μg/g) and urine (0.94, 0.03–5.54 μg/L) correspond well with the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Linear regression models revealed significant associations between diastolic blood pressure (adjusted for blood pressure medication use) and hair mercury (n = 262, p = 0.02). Urine mercury results opposed hair mercury in many ways. Notably, elemental mercury exposure was associated with a significant systolic blood pressure decrease (n = 262, p = 0.04) that was driven by the male population. Associations between blood pressure and two forms of mercury were found at exposure levels relevant to the general population, and associations varied according to type of mercury exposure and gender.Item Relationship of estimated dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish with peripheral nerve function after adjusting for mercury exposure(2013-06-01) Wang, Yi; Goodrich, Jaclyn M.; Werner, Robert; Gillespie, Brenda; Basu, Niladri; Franzblau, AlfredBACKGROUND: Some clinical studies have suggested that ingestion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has neuroprotective effects on peripheral nerve function. However, few epidemiological studies have examined the effect of dietary n-3 PUFA intake from fish consumption on peripheral nerve function, and none have controlled for co-occurrence of methylmercury exposure from fish consumption. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of estimated dietary n-3 PUFA intake on peripheral nerve function after adjusting for biomarkers of methylmercury and elemental mercury in a convenience sample of 515 dental professionals. METHODS: We measured sensory nerve conduction (peak latency and amplitude) of the median, ulnar and sural nerves and total mercury concentrations in hair and urine samples. We estimated daily intake (mg/day) of the total n-3 PUFA, n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) based on a self-administrated fish consumption frequency questionnaire. We also collected information on mercury exposure, demographics and other covariates. RESULTS: The estimated median intakes of total n-3 PUFA, n-3 EPA, and n-3 DHA were 447, 105, and 179 mg/day, respectively. The mean mercury concentrations in urine (1.05 μg/L) and hair (0.49 μg/g) were not significantly different from the US general population. We found no consistent association between n-3 PUFA intake and sensory nerve conduction after adjusting for mercury concentrations in hair and urine although some positive associations were observed with the sural nerve. CONCLUSIONS: In a convenience sample of dental professionals, we found little evidence suggesting that dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs from fish has any impact on peripheral nerve function after adjustment for methylmercury exposure from fish and elemental mercury exposure from dental amalgam.Item Serum mercury concentration and the risk of ischemic stroke: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Trace Element Study(Elsevier, 2018-08) Chen, Cheng; Xun, Pengcheng; McClure, Leslie A.; Brockman, John; MacDonald, Leslie; Cushman, Mary; Cai, Jianwen; Kamendulis, Lisa; Mackey, Jason; He, Ka; Neurology, School of MedicineBACKGROUND: Although biologically plausible, epidemiological evidence linking exposure to methylmercury with increased risk of ischemic stroke is limited. The effects of methylmercury may be modified by selenium, which is an anti-oxidant that often co-exists with mercury in fish. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between serum mercury levels with the incidence of ischemic stroke and to explore the possible effect modifications by serum selenium levels and demographic and geographic factors. METHODS: A case-cohort study was designed nested in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort, including 662 adjudicated incident cases of ischemic stroke and 2494 participants in a randomly selected sub-cohort. Serum mercury was measured using samples collected at recruitment. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Barlow-weighting method for the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: No statistically significant association was observed between serum mercury concentration and the incidence of ischemic stroke (the highest vs. lowest quintile of mercury levels: HR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.55-1.22; P for linear trend = 0.42). Sex (P for interaction = 0.06), but not serum selenium levels, modified the association; a more evident trend toward lower incidence of ischemic stroke with higher mercury levels was observed among women. CONCLUSION: This study does not support an association between mercury and the incidence of ischemic stroke within a population with low-to-moderate level of exposure. Further studies are needed to explore the possibility of mercury-induced ischemic stroke toxicity in other populations at higher exposure levels.