Manganese and lead in dust fall accumulation in elementary schools near a ferromanganese alloy plant.
Previous studies have shown elevated airborne manganese (Mn) in villages adjacent to a Mn alloy production plant in Brazil and negative associations between biomarkers of Mn and children's cognition and behavior. Since small Mn particles may be carried for long distances, we measured manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) dust fall accumulation in 15 elementary schools, located between 1.25 and 6.48km from the plant in the municipality of Simões Filho, Bahia, Brazil. Passive samplers (polyethylene Petri dishes) were set in interior and exterior environments. After 30 days, the samplers' content was solubilized with diluted nitric acid and Mn and Pb levels were analyzed by electrothermal absorption spectrometry. The overall geometric mean and range of Mn and Pb accumulation in dust fall (loading rates) were 1582μg Mn/m(2)/30 days (37-37,967) and 43.2μg Pb/m(2)/30 days (2.9-210.4). A logarithmic decrease in interior and exterior Mn loading rates was observed with distance from the ferro-manganese alloy plant. Multiple regression analyses of log-transformed Mn loading rate within the schools showed a positive association with Mn levels in outdoor dust, a negative association with distance from the plant; as well, wind direction (downwind>upwind) and school location (urban>rural) entered significantly into the model. For the interior school environments, located within a 2-km radius from the plant, loading rate was, on average, 190 times higher than the Mn levels reported by Gulson et al., (2014) in daycare centers in Sydney, Australia, using a similar method. Pb loading rates were not associated with distance from the plant and were lower than the rates observed in the same daycare centers in Sydney. Our findings suggest that a significant portion of the children in this town in Brazil may be exposed to airborne Mn at concentrations that may affect their neurodevelopment.
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: antomen@ufba.br.
José Antonio
JA
Menezes-Filho
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: karinefraga11@hotmail.com.
Karine O Fraga de
KOF
Souza
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: juuhrodrigues@icloud.com.
Juliana L Gomes
JLG
Rodrigues
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: nathalia-rib@hotmail.com.
Nathália Ribeiro Dos
NRD
Santos
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: matheusbandeira1@hotmail.com.
Matheus de Jesus
MJ
Bandeira
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: nglaikoin@hotmail.com.
Ng Lai
NL
Koin
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: sergiosprado.33@gmail.com.
Sérgio S do Prado
SSDP
Oliveira
Federal University of Bahia, College of Pharmacy, Laboratory of Toxicology, Avenue Barão Jeremoabo, s/n, Ondina, 40170-115 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Electronic address: leonor.godoy@ufba.br.
Ana Leonor P Campos
ALPC
Godoy
Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le bien-être, la santé, la société et l'environnement (CINBIOSE), Université du Québec à Montreal, Canada. Electronic address: mergler.donna@uqam.ca.
Donna
D
Mergler
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000497:Alloys; D001938:Brazil; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007501:Iron; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis*; D012574:Schools
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000497:Alloys; D004391:Dust; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D007501:Iron
Air pollution; Environmental contamination; Lead; Loading rate; Manganese; Settled dust