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Decrease of internal exposure to chlororganic compounds and heavy metals in children in Baden-Württemberg between
1Baden-Württemberg State Health Office, Nordbahnhofstr. 135, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany. bernhard.link@rps.bwl.de
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Environmental pollutant levels in German children significantly decreased between 1996 and 2009. Blood and urine samples showed reduced concentrations of chlororganics like DDE and PCBs, and heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals pose risks to child health.
- Monitoring internal exposure levels in children is crucial for assessing environmental health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track temporal trends in internal concentrations of specific chlororganics and heavy metals in children over a 12-year period.
- To evaluate the impact of lifestyle factors, such as breastfeeding, on pollutant burdens.
- To assess the health implications of observed pollutant levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of blood and urine samples from 9- to 11-year-old pupils in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (1996/1997–2008/2009).
- Gas chromatography and ECD detection for chlororganics (DDE, HCB, PCBs).
- GC/MS for Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF).
- Graphite furnace and cold vapour AAS for blood lead and urine mercury, respectively.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases observed in median concentrations for DDE, HCB, and total PCBs (138, 153, 180) in blood.
- PCDD/PCDF levels in pooled blood samples were approximately halved.
- Median blood lead levels decreased from 23.6 to 15.9 μg/l.
- Median urine mercury levels fell below the limit of quantification, with a significant reduction in the 95th percentile.
- Breastfed children exhibited higher chlororganic burdens, particularly for PCBs and DDE.
Conclusions:
- Internal concentrations of persistent xenobiotics and heavy metals in children have substantially decreased over the study period.
- Observed levels are now considered unlikely to pose a significant risk to human health.
- Declining amalgam fillings influenced mercury levels, highlighting the impact of environmental interventions.
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