Aims
Within the frame of the EU projects DEMOCOPHES and COPHES, a harmonized European human biomonitoring pilot study was set up involving 17 European countries. The biomonitoring study consisted in measuring in each participating country the level of some environmental pollutant biomarkers in children and their mothers. Here we present the results of cadmium and mercury levels in respectively the urine and hair of the Belgian participants.
Methods
From October 2011 until February 2012, 129 Belgian school children (6-11y) and their mothers (≤ 45y) living in urban and rural areas of Brussels were selected to provide morning urine, hair, and information on their life style, diet and home environment. Cadmium levels were measured in centrifuged and acidified urine by ICP-MS (LOQ=0.01µg/g), while total mercury was analyzed by FIMS on hydrolyzed hairs (LOQ=0.08µg/g).
Results
The geometric mean level for mercury in hair were 0.383µg/g and 0.204µg/g for respectively mothers and children. Cadmium in mother's and children's urine was detected at a geometric mean concentration of respectively 0.21 and 0.04µg/L. Cadmium was detected in 99.2% of mother's urines and 86.4% of children's urines while 95.3 and 80.3% of mother's and children's hair showed mercury levels higher than the LOQ.
Conclusions
The levels of mercury in hair and cadmium in urine were higher in mothers than in children. The cadmium levels were higher in the urban area in both mothers and their children, and boys had increased levels compared to girls. Fish consumption and amalgam fillings in mothers were determinants of hair mercury levels
