The association between levels of urinary heavy metals and oxidative stress in residents living near an incinerator

• Main Authors: Chih-Fei Chen, 陳志飛
• Other Authors: Hsien-Wen Kuo
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/65049613499722132577

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 環境與職業衛生研究所 === 101 === Background/objectives: Incineration has been commonly used to treat the increasing municipal waste in Taiwan for a couple of decades. However, hazardous substances, such as dioxin, heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbon(PAH), are emitted from incinerators, threating health to residents living near incinerator. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of heavy metal and oxidative stress maker in urine. Materials and methods: We enrolled schoolchildren and their parents selected from two schools near the incinerator in Taichung as exposure groups. A control school located 10 km away from incinerator without specific pollution sources. Each participant completed a structured questionnaire and provided spot urine sample. Nine metals in the urine sample were analyzed using ICP-MS and 8-OHdG（8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine）was analyzed using ELISA kit. Results: There was no significant difference on demographic information and respiratory symptoms among schoolchildren between two groups. Arsenic, chromium and selenium levels in schoolchildren living near incinerator were significant higher than control group. However, urinary copper, lead and selenium levels measured for parents of control group were higher than two exposure groups. No significant difference on urinary 8-OHdG levels was found in schoolchildren and their parents between exposure and control groups. Except the leves of Cr and As, other urinary metal levels were not found association between schoolchildren and their parents between exposure and control groups. The multiple regression revealed that model, urinary 8-OHdG levels（ng/mL） were significantly associated with levels (μg/L）of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Se and Zn in parents after adjusted for covariates, but not in schoolchildren. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in urinary metals levels between the exposure group and the control group. However urinary 8-OHdG levels are significantly associated levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Se and Zn in adults. High proportion of urinary metal levels exceeding the reference values from foreign countries were found in Taiwanese population. It is vital to eliminate the metal exposure in order to reduce the potential health effects.