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Reference values of urinary chromium in Italy
P Apostoli1, G Maranelli, P G Duca
1Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università di Brescia, Italy.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|January 1, 1997
Summary
This study established new reference values for urinary chromium (U-Cr) in Italy, revealing significantly lower levels than previously reported. These findings highlight the impact of improved analytical methods on human biomonitoring data.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Biomonitoring
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Assessing reference values for urinary chromium (U-Cr) is crucial for human biomonitoring.
- Previous studies indicated declining U-Cr levels in the Italian population over decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine current reference values for U-Cr in the Italian population.
- To investigate factors influencing U-Cr levels, such as sex, age, and geographical area.
Main Methods:
- A polycentric study involving 890 subjects across eight Italian regions.
- Urinary chromium measured using Electrothermic atomization-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETA-AAS).
- Statistical analysis included median values, geometric mean, and multiple regression after logarithmic transformation.
Main Results:
- The estimated geometric mean for U-Cr was 0.08 microgram/l, with a 95th percentile of 0.24 microgram/l.
- Geographical area and sex were significant factors influencing U-Cr levels.
- U-Cr levels were notably lower in subjects from Bari and Venice compared to other areas.
Conclusions:
- Current U-Cr reference values are lower than historical data, continuing a downward trend.
- Improvements in analytical instrumentation and pre-analytical factor control are likely reasons for the decline.
- Further toxicological studies are recommended to reassess the significance of current biological limit values for chromium.