title: Evaluation of atmospheric inputs as possible sources of antimony in pregnant women from urban areas.
abstract: Antimony and copper are common components of brake linings. The occurrence of these two metals in urban atmospheric aerosols has been related to vehicular use. Urine samples (n=466) taken during the 32nd week of pregnancy were analyzed for Sb and Cu in pregnant women from an urban area (Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain). The geometric mean levels were 0.28 and 13 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Positive significant associations between urine concentrations of Sb and seasonality, intensity of physical exercise, working activities and traffic intensity at their home streets were observed. Cu showed the same trends but without statistical significance. In both cases, the estimated dietary ingestion of these two metals was larger than the inhalation inputs but the difference was much higher for Cu than for Sb. While Sb has no dietary role, Cu is an essential element which is also incorporated into humans through diet. The results suggest that inhalation of atmospheric particles may also constitute a source of Sb in pregnant women and general population of urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fort
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Electronic address: joan.grimalt@idaea.csic.es.
authors.forename: Joan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grimalt
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Querol
authors.affiliation: Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital del Mar, Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Hospital del Mar, Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000965:Antimony / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000965:Antimony
keywords: Antimony; Atmospheric pollution; Copper; Physical activity; Pregnant women; Seasonal changes; Urban areas; Urine studies