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Aluminium was measured in 2580 samples of 15 food groups and dietary exposure was estimated. Samples were purchased and analysed during 2010 to 2014. High aluminium levels were found in jellyfish (mean 4862 mg/kg), laver (mean 455.2 mg/kg) and fried twisted cruller (mean 392.4 mg/kg). Dietary exposure to aluminium was estimated for Zhejiang residents. The average dietary exposure to aluminium via 15 food groups in Zhejiang Province was 1.15 mg/kg bw/week, which is below the provisional tolerable weekly intake of 2 mg/kg bw /week. Jellyfish is the main Al contributor, providing 37.6% of the daily intake via these 15 food groups. This study provided new information on aluminium levels and assessment of aluminium (Al) dietary exposure in Zhejiang Province of China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To evaluate the body burdens of heavy metals and explore the impact of environmental metal exposure on ribosomal DNA (rDNA) or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (CN) variation in school-age children living near a municipal waste incinerator (MWI), we conducted a follow-up study in 2019. A total of 146 sixth-grade children from a primary school located 1.2 km away from the MWI were recruited for our study. Metals, including vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb), were determined by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method. Real-time qPCR was used to measure the rDNA and mtDNA CN. The blood metal levels followed this order: Zn > Cu > Se > Pb > Mn > Sb > As > Ni > Cd > Co > Cr > Sn > V > Tl. Blood Cr level was significantly correlated with 18 S, 2.5 S, and 45 S CN (β = −0.25, −0.22, −0.26, p < 0.05); Ni was correlated with 5 S (β = −0.36, p < 0.01); Cu was correlated with 28 S, 18 S, and 5.8 S (β = −0.24, −0.24, −0.23, p < 0.05); while Zn was correlated with 18 S, 5.8 S, and 45 S (β = −0.28, −0.32, −0.26, p < 0.05). In conclusion, school-age children living near the MWI had lower blood metal levels compared to children recruited in 2013, while rDNA CN loss was found to be correlated to several heavy metals in these children. [Display omitted] • Children living around MWIs may not suffer considerable long-term accumulation of heavy metals. • Blood Cr was correlated with 18 S, 2.5 S, and 45 S CN. • Blood Cu was correlated with 28 S, 18 S, and 5.8 S CN. • Blood Zn was correlated with 18 S, 5.8 S, and 45 S CN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of methylmercury (MMC) and total mercury (TMC) in marine fishes (five species) frequently consumed in the coastal areas of Zhejiang province, China, was determined. The method of high-performance liquid chromatography–atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) with the microwave-assisted extraction was used for the MMC determination. TMC was analysed by a direct mercury analyser. MMC and TMC concentrations in five fish species ranged from 53 to 158 µg kg−1 and 60 to 172 µg kg−1, respectively. The proportion of MMC levels in TMC was greater than 80%. The highest MMC and TMC levels were found in Hairtail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tinfoil manufacturing and electronic waste (e-waste) recycling remain rudimentary processes in Zhejing Province, China, which could account for elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) and health impacts on children. We assessed the potential health risks of lead in tinfoil manufacturing and e-waste recycling areas. 329 children in total aged 11–12 who lived in a tinfoil manufacturing area (Lanxi), an e-waste recycling area (Luqiao) and a reference area (Chun''an) were studied. Lead levels in children''s blood were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, serum calcium, δ-Aminolaevulinic acid (δ-ALA) and intelligence quotient (IQ) were also measured. Geometric mean of BLLs in Lanxi, Luqiao and Chun''an were 8.11μg/dL, 6.97μg/dL, and 2.78μg/dL respectively, with 35.1%, 38.9% and 0% of children who had BLLs above 10μg/dL. The BLLs in exposed areas were much higher than those in the control area. Lanxi children had higher creatinine and calcium than Chun''an children, and Luqiao children had higher δ-ALA and lower calcium than Chun''an children. No significant differences of IQ were observed between Lanxi, Luqiao and Chun''an, however a negative relationship between BLLs and IQ was shown for the study children. The results indicated that lead pollution from e-waste recycling and tinfoil processing appears to be a potential serious threat to children''s health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]