Environmental exposure to multiple chemical elements in Peruvian populations: a review of selected studies

Abstract

Background Population-based exposure assessments for heavy metals and metalloids (by governmental and private institutions) are common in Peru, but most studies generally focus on the analysis of a single chemical element, like lead or mercury, and lack an appropriate reference regarding the health impact on the exposed population. The complex/mixed chemical interactions within the human body have not yet been studied for all long-term health effects. Methods We reviewed laboratory results from five studies, between 2005-2013, that analysed multiple elements (between 13 and 17 chemical elements in each study) in spot urine samples from Peruvian communities considered exposed and not exposed. All laboratory analysis were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the Environmental Health Laboratory Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. Results Six chemical elements (total arsenic, caesium, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, and thallium) were present in almost all spot urine samples (>98% of participants), evidencing exposure (qualitative assessment). Exposure to other chemical elements like barium, cadmium, tungsten, antimony and uranium, varied among localities, while chemical elements like beryllium and platinum were rarely detected (<3% and <10% of participants, respectively) in spot urine samples. Most geometric means of urine concentration for total arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury are higher for the Peruvian locations than for national estimates in Canada and the United States, but not in all locations. Conclusion Comparing averages across different populations can be misleading but comparing periodic values from the same population in the future could evidence an exposure trend. Future studies are needed to develop reference levels for exposed Peruvian populations. This study highlights potential health risks from exposure to environmental chemical elements and can be the first step towards understanding and mitigating human exposure to heavy metals and metalloids for known exposed populations in Peru.