Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat: A Systematic Review

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury exposures are ubiquitous. These toxic elements have no physiological benefits, engendering interest in minimizing body burden. The physiological process of sweating has long been regarded as “cleansing” and of low risk. Reports of toxicant levels in sweat were sou...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2012, Vol.2012 (2012), p.101-110
Main Authors: Sears, Margaret E., Bray, Riina I., Kerr, Kathleen J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arsenic - blood
Arsenic - metabolism
Arsenic - urine
Body Burden
Cadmium
Cadmium - blood
Cadmium - metabolism
Cadmium - urine
Chemical elements
Chronic illnesses
Clinical outcomes
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Pollutants - blood
Environmental Pollutants - metabolism
Environmental Pollutants - urine
Hospitals
Humans
Lead - blood
Lead - metabolism
Lead - urine
Medical research
Mercury - blood
Mercury - metabolism
Mercury - urine
Metals, Heavy - blood
Metals, Heavy - metabolism
Metals, Heavy - urine
Nervous system
Potassium
Review
Skin
Sodium
Sweat - metabolism
Urine
Wood preservatives
Zinc
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:Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury exposures are ubiquitous. These toxic elements have no physiological benefits, engendering interest in minimizing body burden. The physiological process of sweating has long been regarded as “cleansing” and of low risk. Reports of toxicant levels in sweat were sought in Medline, Embase, Toxline, Biosis, and AMED as well as reference lists and grey literature, from inception to March 22, 2011. Of 122 records identified, 24 were included in evidence synthesis. Populations, and sweat collection methods and concentrations varied widely. In individuals with higher exposure or body burden, sweat generally exceeded plasma or urine concentrations, and dermal could match or surpass urinary daily excretion. Arsenic dermal excretion was severalfold higher in arsenic-exposed individuals than in unexposed controls. Cadmium was more concentrated in sweat than in blood plasma. Sweat lead was associated with high-molecular-weight molecules, and in an interventional study, levels were higher with endurance compared with intensive exercise. Mercury levels normalized with repeated saunas in a case report. Sweating deserves consideration for toxic element detoxification. Research including appropriately sized trials is needed to establish safe, effective therapeutic protocols.
ISSN:1687-9805
1687-9813
DOI:10.1155/2012/184745