Levels and determinants of urinary and blood metals in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Tuscany (Italy)

Natural sources and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the widespread presence of heavy metals in the environment in the volcanic and geothermal area of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Italy). This study evaluates the extent of the population exposure to metals and describes the major individual and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science and pollution research international 2023-03, Vol.30 (13), p.38319-38332
Main Authors: Nuvolone, Daniela, Aprea, Maria Cristina, Stoppa, Giorgia, Petri, Davide, Barbone, Fabio, Crocetti, Emanuele, Voller, Fabio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Aquatic Pollution
Arsenic - analysis
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Cadmium - analysis
Chromium - analysis
Cobalt
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Environment
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Health
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Humans
Manganese - analysis
Mercury - analysis
Metals, Heavy - urine
Nickel - analysis
Research Article
Thallium - analysis
Waste Water Technology
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Natural sources and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the widespread presence of heavy metals in the environment in the volcanic and geothermal area of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Italy). This study evaluates the extent of the population exposure to metals and describes the major individual and environmental determinants. A human biomonitoring survey was carried out to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), antimony (Sb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), and manganese (Mn). The associations between socio-demographics, lifestyle, diet, environmental exposure, and metal concentrations were evaluated using multiple log-linear regression models, adjusted for urinary creatinine. A total of 2034 urine and blood samples were collected. Adjusted geometric averages were higher in women (except for blood Hg) and younger subjects (except for Tl and Cd). Smoking was associated with Cd, As, and V. Some dietary habits (rice, fish, and wine consumption) were associated with As, Hg, Co, and Ni. Amalgam dental fillings and contact lenses were associated with Hg levels, piercing with As, Co, and Ni. Among environmental determinants, urinary As levels were higher in subjects using the aqueduct water for drinking/cooking. The consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables was associated with Hg, Tl, and Co. Exposure to geothermal plant emissions was associated only with Tl.
ISSN:1614-7499
1614-7499
DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-24953-y