Biological monitoring of arsenic, lead and cadmium in occupationally and environmentally exposed pregnant women.
Lead and cadmium in blood (B-Pb and B-Cd, respectively) and arsenic in urine (U-As) were analyzed three times during pregnancy for women living around a metal smelter and women living in a reference town. The B-Pb levels were significantly higher in the smelter town. In the women of both towns, the B-Pb levels increased during pregnancy. Women who were employed at the smelter had higher B-Pb levels than women in the surrounding area. There were no significant differences in the B-Cd levels between the smelter and reference towns, except for non- and ex-smokers at the onset of pregnancy. No difference between the two areas was seen among the smokers, whose cadmium levels were twice those of non- and ex-smokers. There were no significant differences in the U-As levels, which were comparable with previously reported values in Sweden.
Lagerkvist
B J
BJ
Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Söderberg
H A
HA
Nordberg
G F
GF
Ekesrydh
S
S
Englyst
V
V
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000652:urine*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D001151:Arsenic