Biomonitoring of Exposure to Metals in a Population Residing in an Industrial Area in Brazil: A Feasibility Study

Élida Campos, Carmen Freire, Fernando Barbosa, Cristina Lemos, Valéria Saraceni, Rosalina J. Koifman, Rafael do Nascimento Pinheiro and Ilce Ferreira da Silva
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Élida Campos: Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
Carmen Freire: Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
Fernando Barbosa: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil
Cristina Lemos: Superintendence of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-901, Brazil
Valéria Saraceni: Superintendence of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-901, Brazil
Rosalina J. Koifman: Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
Rafael do Nascimento Pinheiro: Superintendence of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-901, Brazil
Ilce Ferreira da Silva: Department of Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Health, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Background: Industries are sources of environmental pollutants. However, there are few human biomonitoring (HBM) studies in the vicinity of industrial areas. Thus, we evaluate the feasibility of conducting an HBM study to assess exposure to metals in an industrial area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted near a steel factory. Adults (exposed = 775; controls = 775) were randomly selected and sex-matched. Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire and a 24 h dietary recall. Blood samples were collected to analyze metal concentrations, blood count, biochemical parameters, and thyroid hormones. The feasibility of the survey was assessed following guidelines. The descriptive analysis was performed for the first 250 participants (pilot study). Results: Adjustments were made to the survey execution, including age-matching, fieldwork team, questionnaire, blood collection, and research awareness. The complete questionnaire was answered by ≥97% of participants; metals were measured in ≥98% and clinical parameters in ≥89%, except thyroid hormones (13–44%). The average age and family income were of 50 years and USD 575/month, respectively. The participants had equal distribution among sexes: 50% had a medium education level, and 59% were nonwhite. Conclusion: This preliminary HBM study demonstrates feasibility for the total population, with results indicating representativeness of the target population.

Keywords: survey; human biomonitoring; feasibility; toxic metals; steel industry; Brazil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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