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Biomonitoring of Lead, Cadmium, Total Mercury, and Methylmercury Levels in Maternal Blood and in Umbilical Cord Blood at Birth in South Korea

Author

Listed:
  • Yu-Mi Kim

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Jin-Young Chung

    (Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Hyun Sook An

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ilsin Christian Hospital, 48724 Busan, Korea)

  • Sung Yong Park

    (New-born Obstetrics Clinic, 49340 Busan, Korea)

  • Byoung-Gwon Kim

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Jong Woon Bae

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Myoungseok Han

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Yeon Jean Cho

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

  • Young-Seoub Hong

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 49201 Busan, Korea)

Abstract

With rising concerns of heavy metal exposure in pregnancy and early childhood, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between the lead, cadmium, mercury, and methylmercury blood levels in pregnancy and neonatal period. The study population included 104 mothers and their children pairs who completed both baseline maternal blood sampling at the second trimester and umbilical cord blood sampling at birth. The geometric mean maternal blood levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and methylmercury at the second trimester were 1.02 ± 1.39 µg/dL, 0.61 ± 1.51 µg/L, 2.97 ± 1.45 µg/L, and 2.39 ± 1.45 µg/L, respectively, and in the newborns, these levels at birth were 0.71 ± 1.42 µg/dL, 0.01 ± 5.31 µg/L, 4.44 ± 1.49 µg/L, and 3.67 ± 1.51 µg/L, respectively. The mean ratios of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and methylmercury levels in the newborns to those in the mothers were 0.72, 0.04, 1.76, and 1.81, respectively. The levels of most heavy metals in pregnant women and infants were higher in this study than in studies from industrialized western countries. The placenta appears to protect fetuses from cadmium; however, total mercury and methylmercury were able to cross the placenta and accumulate in fetuses.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Mi Kim & Jin-Young Chung & Hyun Sook An & Sung Yong Park & Byoung-Gwon Kim & Jong Woon Bae & Myoungseok Han & Yeon Jean Cho & Young-Seoub Hong, 2015. "Biomonitoring of Lead, Cadmium, Total Mercury, and Methylmercury Levels in Maternal Blood and in Umbilical Cord Blood at Birth in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-12, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:10:p:13482-13493:d:57780
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sabrina Llop & Karin Engström & Ferran Ballester & Elisa Franforte & Ayman Alhamdow & Federica Pisa & Janja Snoj Tratnik & Datja Mazej & Mario Murcia & Marisa Rebagliato & Mariona Bustamante & Jordi S, 2014. "Polymorphisms in ABC Transporter Genes and Concentrations of Mercury in Newborns – Evidence from Two Mediterranean Birth Cohorts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-9, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Keith Schofield, 2017. "The Metal Neurotoxins: An Important Role in Current Human Neural Epidemics?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Jungil Choi & Ju Young Chang & Jeana Hong & Sue Shin & Jeong Su Park & Sohee Oh, 2017. "Low-Level Toxic Metal Exposure in Healthy Weaning-Age Infants: Association with Growth, Dietary Intake, and Iron Deficiency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Tingfei Gu & Xiaoqian Jia & Huifeng Shi & Xiaoli Gong & Jinxi Ma & Zhihang Gan & Zhixin Yu & Zhiwen Li & Yuan Wei, 2022. "An Evaluation of Exposure to 18 Toxic and/or Essential Trace Elements Exposure in Maternal and Cord Plasma during Pregnancy at Advanced Maternal Age," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Keith Schofield, 2019. "An Important Need to Monitor from an Early Age the Neurotoxins in the Blood or by an Equivalent Biomarker," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-14, September.

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