Repository logo
 
Publication

Metal(loid) levels in biological matrices from human populations exposed to mining contamination - Panasqueira Mine (Portugal)

dc.contributor.authorCoelho, Patrícia Clara
dc.contributor.authorCosta, Solange
dc.contributor.authorSilva, Susana
dc.contributor.authorWalter, Alan
dc.contributor.authorRanville, James
dc.contributor.authorSousa, Ana
dc.contributor.authorCosta, Carla
dc.contributor.authorCoelho, Marta Isabel
dc.contributor.authorGarcía-Lestón, Julia
dc.contributor.authorPastorinho, M. Ramiro
dc.contributor.authorLaffon, Blanca
dc.contributor.authorPásaro Mendez, Eduardo
dc.contributor.authorHarrington, Chris
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Andrew
dc.contributor.authorTeixeira, João Paulo
dc.date.accessioned2013-02-08T14:47:05Z
dc.date.available2013-02-08T14:47:05Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractMining activities may affect the health of miners and communities living near mining sites, and these health effects may persist even when the mine is abandoned. During mining processes various toxic wastes are produced and released into the surrounding environment, resulting in contamination of air, drinking water, rivers, plants, and soils. In a geochemical sampling campaign undertaken in the Panasqueira Mine area of central Portugal, an anomalous distribution of several metals and arsenic (As) was identified in various environmental media. Several potentially harmful elements, including As, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se), were quantified in blood, urine, hair, and nails (toe and finger) from a group of individuals living near the Panasqueira Mine who were environmentally and occupationally exposed. A group with similar demographic characteristics without known exposure to mining activities was also compared. Genotoxicity was evaluated by means of T-cell receptor (TCR) mutation assay, and percentages of different lymphocyte subsets were selected as immunotoxicity biomarkers. Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis showed elevated levels of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Pb in all biological samples taken from populations living close to the mine compared to controls. Genotoxic and immunotoxic differences were also observed. The results provide evidence of an elevated potential risk to the health of populations, with environmental and occupational exposures resulting from mining activities. Further, the results emphasize the need to implement preventive measures, remediation, and rehabilitation plans for the region.por
dc.identifier.citationJ Toxicol Environ Health A. 2012;75(13-15):893-908por
dc.identifier.issn1528-7394
dc.identifier.otherdoi: 10.1080/15287394.2012.690705
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/1202
dc.language.isoengpor
dc.peerreviewedyespor
dc.publisherTaylor & Francispor
dc.relation.publisherversionhttp://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15287394.2012.690705?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmedpor
dc.subjectMining Contaminationpor
dc.subjectAr e Saúde Ocupacionalpor
dc.subjectBiological Matricespor
dc.subjectMetalspor
dc.titleMetal(loid) levels in biological matrices from human populations exposed to mining contamination - Panasqueira Mine (Portugal)por
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage908por
oaire.citation.startPage893por
oaire.citation.titleJournal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issuespor
oaire.citation.volume75(13-15)por
rcaap.rightsrestrictedAccesspor
rcaap.typearticlepor

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
2012 JTEH Minas.pdf
Size:
251.74 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: