Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France
As many countries plan to resume mining for the energy transition, assessing the health impacts of past activities is crucial. This cross-sectional study investigated whether children living near four old mines in southern France were exposed to higher levels of arsenic and 15 other metal(loid)s com...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001782 |
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| author | Igor Pujalté Zeno Loi Alice Bernard Lionel Moulis Sophie Delpoux Jacques Gardon |
| author_facet | Igor Pujalté Zeno Loi Alice Bernard Lionel Moulis Sophie Delpoux Jacques Gardon |
| author_sort | Igor Pujalté |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As many countries plan to resume mining for the energy transition, assessing the health impacts of past activities is crucial. This cross-sectional study investigated whether children living near four old mines in southern France were exposed to higher levels of arsenic and 15 other metal(loid)s compared to those in unexposed areas. Arsenic, a prevalent contaminant, was used as an indicator to explore exposure in relation to children's lifestyles (housing, activities, diet) and their environments (soil, dust, water). The study included 240 children—138 from exposed areas and 102 from control areas. Urine samples were analyzed for inorganic arsenic, its metabolites, and other trace elements. No significant difference was found in average age, BMI, or parental education between groups. Urinary arsenic levels were similar for children living near mines and those in control areas (6.4 vs. 7.0 µg/g; p = 0.152). Proximity to mining sites did not increase arsenic exposure (r Pearson = 0.142). Instead, factors like age, seafood consumption, and environmental conditions were more influential. Children who ate seafood had higher arsenic levels in urine (p < 0.001). In a subgroup near mines, arsenic in soil and dust was significantly linked to increased exposure (p < 0.001). Overall, metal exposure levels were comparable to or lower than national averages. Access to clean water, mine closures, and health awareness likely kept exposure low. Ongoing biomonitoring is crucial for identifying and mitigating health risks in communities living near former mining areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ec6c750bc5ca4160a1ed2c3f0211b725 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj-art-ec6c750bc5ca4160a1ed2c3f0211b7252025-02-07T04:46:36ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-02-01291117842Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of FranceIgor Pujalté0Zeno Loi1Alice Bernard2Lionel Moulis3Sophie Delpoux4Jacques Gardon5Univ Montpellier, HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France; Corresponding author.University Hospital Center of Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, FranceUniversity Hospital Center of Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, FranceClinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, CHU Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, FranceUniv Montpellier, HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, FranceUniv Montpellier, HydroSciences Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, FranceAs many countries plan to resume mining for the energy transition, assessing the health impacts of past activities is crucial. This cross-sectional study investigated whether children living near four old mines in southern France were exposed to higher levels of arsenic and 15 other metal(loid)s compared to those in unexposed areas. Arsenic, a prevalent contaminant, was used as an indicator to explore exposure in relation to children's lifestyles (housing, activities, diet) and their environments (soil, dust, water). The study included 240 children—138 from exposed areas and 102 from control areas. Urine samples were analyzed for inorganic arsenic, its metabolites, and other trace elements. No significant difference was found in average age, BMI, or parental education between groups. Urinary arsenic levels were similar for children living near mines and those in control areas (6.4 vs. 7.0 µg/g; p = 0.152). Proximity to mining sites did not increase arsenic exposure (r Pearson = 0.142). Instead, factors like age, seafood consumption, and environmental conditions were more influential. Children who ate seafood had higher arsenic levels in urine (p < 0.001). In a subgroup near mines, arsenic in soil and dust was significantly linked to increased exposure (p < 0.001). Overall, metal exposure levels were comparable to or lower than national averages. Access to clean water, mine closures, and health awareness likely kept exposure low. Ongoing biomonitoring is crucial for identifying and mitigating health risks in communities living near former mining areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001782ArsenicMetal minesChildren’s exposureBiomonitoringEnvironment |
| spellingShingle | Igor Pujalté Zeno Loi Alice Bernard Lionel Moulis Sophie Delpoux Jacques Gardon Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Arsenic Metal mines Children’s exposure Biomonitoring Environment |
| title | Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France |
| title_full | Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France |
| title_fullStr | Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France |
| title_full_unstemmed | Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France |
| title_short | Arsenic and fifteen other metal (loid)s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of France |
| title_sort | arsenic and fifteen other metal loid s exposure of children living around old mines in the south of france |
| topic | Arsenic Metal mines Children’s exposure Biomonitoring Environment |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325001782 |
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