Unraveling the impact of chronic exposure to metal pollution through human gallstones

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2018-05, Vol.624, p.1031-1040
• Main Authors: Parviainen, Annika, Marchesi, Claudio, Suárez-Grau, Juan Manuel, Garrido, Carlos J., Pérez-López, Rafael, Nieto, José Miguel, Cobo-Cárdenas, Gema
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gallstone; Human biomineralization; Massive sulfide deposit; Metal exposure; Pigment stone
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.224

This study aims to explore the impact of chronic metal exposure derived from persistent pollution from mining activity using human gallstones as proxies. The samples were obtained from patients residing in geologically and environmentally contrasting areas in the Province of Huelva, SW Spain, allowing for the evaluation of the regional effect of metal pollution. The study group resides in the Iberian Pyrite Belt characterized by natural and anthropogenic metal pollution from mining activities, whereas the control group resides in the Ossa Morena Zone famous for its natural parks. A total of 68 gallstones were first classified based on their phase composition and structure and subsequently their chemical composition was studied using solution Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The metal concentrations increased in the cholesterol-rich gallstones from pure, to mixed and composite cholesterol stones along with the increasing amount of minor phases, such as bilirubinate, carbonate, and phosphate. These cholesterol stones did not show an evident enrichment tendency. On the contrary, pigment stones, composed of bilirubinate, carbonate, and phosphate phases, were rich in a variety of elements and the regional comparison showed that the pigment stones from the study area were enriched in sulfide-associated metal(loid)s, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, As, Ag, Sb, and Pb with respect to the control group. Inhalation of polluted airborne particulate matter is considered as one of the main exposure routes among the residents of the study area. Additionally, consumption of local water and locally produced food products such as fruit and vegetables and dermal contact may be possible sources of exposure, but no direct connection was observed. [Display omitted] •Patient-based study explored the impact of chronic metal exposure on gallstones.•Gallstones from geologically contrasting areas were analyzed for chemical content.•The study group exhibited enrichment in sulfide-associated metal(loid)s.•Pigment stones in the study group were enriched in Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, As, Ag, Sb and Pb.•Possible metal exposure was attributed to inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact.