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Health-related reference intervals for heavy metals in non-exposed young adults
Chiara Di Resta1, Francesco Paleari1, Assunta Naclerio1
1Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
Objectives:
Heavy metals (HMs) concentrations vary with living environments, diet, and personal habits. This study aims to establish health-related reference intervals (RIs) for selected HMs in healthy, non-occupationally exposed young adults living in an urban environment.
Methods:
The Uni4Me study enrolled 154 healthy university volunteers (median age: 23 years) to assess the concentrations of seven HMs (lead, nickel, cadmium, zinc, chromium, cobalt, and mercury) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-EOS). CLSI guidelines were followed to estimate the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as RIs.
Results:
Most metals were detected at low concentrations. Zinc showed consistent physiological levels in all participants. Mercury and chromium were the most frequently detected, indicating potential environmental or dietary exposure.
Conclusions:
This study defines baseline values for HMs in an urban, healthy, young adult population. These results may support future biomonitoring efforts and public health initiatives targeting subclinical exposure in non-occupationally exposed populations.
