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Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy

Author

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  • Fabrizio Minichilli

    (National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56100 Pisa, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Bianchi

    (National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56100 Pisa, Italy)

  • Anna Maria Ronchi

    (Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology, Maugeri Clinical Scientific Institutes, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Francesca Gorini

    (National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56100 Pisa, Italy)

  • Elisa Bustaffa

    (National Research Council—Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56100 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

Arsenic is ubiquitous and has a potentially adverse impact on human health. We compared the distribution of concentrations of urinary inorganic arsenic plus methylated forms (uc(iAs+MMA+DMA)) in four Italian areas with other international studies, and we assessed the relationship between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and various exposure factors. We conducted a human biomonitoring study on 271 subjects (132 men) aged 20–44, randomly sampled and stratified by area, gender, and age. Data on environmental and occupational exposure and dietary habits were collected through a questionnaire. Arsenic was speciated using chromatographic separation and inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Associations between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and exposure factors were evaluated using the geometric mean ratio (GMR) with a 90% confidence interval by stepwise multiple regression analysis. The 95th percentile value of uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) for the whole sample (86.28 µg/L) was higher than other national studies worldwide. A statistical significant correlation was found between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and occupational exposure (GMR: 2.68 [1.79–4.00]), GSTT gene (GMR: 0.68 [0.52–0.80]), consumption of tap water (GMR: 1.35 [1.02–1.77]), seafood (GMR: 1.44 [1.11–1.88]), whole milk (GMR: 1.34 [1.04–1.73]), and fruit/vegetables (GMR: 1.37 [1.03–1.82]). This study demonstrated the utility of uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) as a biomarker to assess environmental exposure. In a public health context, this information could be used to support remedial action, to prevent individuals from being further exposed to environmental arsenic sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabrizio Minichilli & Fabrizio Bianchi & Anna Maria Ronchi & Francesca Gorini & Elisa Bustaffa, 2018. "Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:299-:d:131040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David C. Dauphiné & Allan H. Smith & Yan Yuan & John R. Balmes & Michael N. Bates & Craig Steinmaus, 2013. "Case-Control Study of Arsenic in Drinking Water and Lung Cancer in California and Nevada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Qiang Zhang & Yongfang Li & Juan Liu & Da Wang & Quanmei Zheng & Guifan Sun, 2014. "Differences of Urinary Arsenic Metabolites and Methylation Capacity between Individuals with and without Skin Lesions in Inner Mongolia, Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elisa Bustaffa & Francesca Gorini & Fabrizio Bianchi & Fabrizio Minichilli, 2020. "Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-21, July.

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