Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye

Year 2023, Volume: 27 Issue: 5, 2087 - 2094, 28.06.2025

Esma Söylemez Yeşilçimen , Eren Özçağlı , Eylem Funda Göktaş , Fulya Kurekci Gülden Zehra Omurtag

Abstract

Human biomonitoring (HBM) studies are carried out to examine the effects of environmental pollutants on human health and to identify risks to public health, with the increasing awareness of environmental pollution around the world. The aim of our study is to determine the level of trace elements and to perform preliminary human biomonitoring of a healthy urban population in Türkiye. For this purpose, healthy individuals living in the same region and not known to have occupational or any other exposures were included in the study. Element levels from serum/blood of volunteers were determined. In this study, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze in order to determine the multi elements in a more precise way with an improved analytical quality of results. According to our study’s results, Mn and As (p<0.05) were found statistically significant with age. Smoking had an effect on Cd levels (p<0.01) and there were significant differences between males and females for only Zn (p<0.05). The results of our study provided more information on the reference values of Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As elements of the Turkish population and reported the influences of age, gender and smoking habits on trace element profiles.

Keywords

Biomonitoring trace elements ICP-MS blood serum

References

  • [1] Fu Z, Xi S. The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2020; 30(3):167-176. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2019.1701594
  • [2] Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. Exp Suppl. 2012; 101:133-64. https://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-7643-8340-4_6
  • [3] Mengistu DA. Public health implications of heavy metals in foods and drinking water in Ethiopia (2016 to 2020): systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2021; 2114 (21) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12189-3
  • [4] Morales ME, Derbes RS, Ade CM, Ortego JC, Stark J, Deininger PL, Roy-Engel AM. Heavy Metal Exposure Influences Double Strand Break DNA Repair Outcomes. PLoS One. 2016, 11;11(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151367
  • [5] Wang J, Fang Z, Gao J, Sun L, Wang Y, Liu Y, Gooneratne R. Comparative Study of Cytotoxicity, DNA Damage and Oxidative Stress Induced by Heavy Metals Cd(II), Hg(II) and Cr(III) in Yeast. Curr Microbiol. 2021; 78:1856–1863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-021-02454-4
  • [6] Kayaaltı Z, Yavuz I, Soylemez E, Bacaksız A, Tutkun E, Sayal A, Soylemezoğlu T. Evaluation of DNA damage using 3 comet assay parameters in workers occupationally exposed to lead. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2015; 70(3):120-5. https://doi:10.1080/19338244.2013.787964
  • [7] Soylemez E, Kayaaltı Z, Kaya-Akyüzlü D, Tutkun E, Soylemezoğlu T. Evaluation of relationship between lymphocyte DNA damages and blood arsenic levels in silver mining workers using alkaline comet assay. Marmara Pharmaceutical Journal. 2017; 21(3): 530-536. https://doi:10.12991/marupj.311818
  • [8] International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Vol. Volumes 1–42. Lyons, France: IARC; 1987. Overall Evaluation of Carcinogenicity: An updating of Monographs; p. 230-232.
  • [9] Haines DA, Saravanabhavan G, Werry K, Khoury C. An overview of human biomonitoring of environmental chemicals in the Canadian Health Measures Survey: 2007-2019. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017; 220(2 Pt A):13-28. https://doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.08.002
  • [10] Heitland P, Köster HD. Human biomonitoring of 73 elements in blood, serum, erythrocytes and urine. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2021; 64:126706. https://doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126706
  • [11] Saravanabhavan G, Werry K, Walker M, Haines D, Malowany M, Khoury C. Human biomonitoring reference values for metals and trace elements in blood and urine derived from the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007-2013. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017; 220(2 Pt A):189-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.10.006
  • [12] Al-Saleh I. Reference values for heavy metals in the urine and blood of Saudi women derived from two human biomonitoring studies. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2020; 225:113473. https://doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113473
  • [13] Nisse C, Tagne-Fotso R, Howsam M, Richeval C, Labat L, Leroyer A. Blood and urinary levels of metals and metalloids in the general adult population of Northern France: the IMEPOGE study, 2008-2010. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017; 220:341–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.09.020
  • [14] Alimonti A, Bocca B, Mattei D, Pino A. Programme for Biomonitoring the Italian Population Exposure (PROBE): Internal Dose of Metals, Rapporti ISTISAN 11/9, 2011.
  • [15] Snoj Tratnik J, Falnoga I, Mazej D, Kocman D, Fajon V, Jagodic M, et al. Results of the first national human biomonitoring in Slovenia: trace elements in men and lactating women, predictors of exposure and reference values. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2019; 222:563–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.02.008
  • [16] Averina M, Hervig T, Huber S, Kjær M, Kristoffersen EK, Bolann B. Environmental pollutants in blood donors: the multicentre Norwegian donor study. Transfus Med. 2020; 30(3):201–209. https://doi.org/10.1111/tme.12662
  • [17] Zhang LL, Lu L, Pan YJ, Ding CG, Xu DY, Huang CF. Baseline blood levels of manganese, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in residents of Beijing suburb. Environ Res. 2015; 140:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.03.008
  • [18] Bárány E, Bergdahl IA, Bratteby LE, Lundh T, Samuelson G, Schütz A, et al. Trace element levels in whole blood and serum from Swedish adolescents. Sci Total Environ. 2002; 286:129–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00970-6
  • [19] Goullé JP, Mahieu L, Castermant J, Neveu N, Bonneau L, Lainé G, et al. Metal and metalloid multi-elementary ICP-MS validation in whole blood, plasma, urine and hair: Reference values. Forensic Sci Int. 2005; 153(1):39-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.04.020
  • [20] Alshana U, Altun B, Ertaş N, Çakmak G, Kadioglu E, Hisarlı D, et al. Evaluation of low-to-moderate arsenic exposure, metabolism and skin lesions in a Turkish rural population exposed through drinking water. Chemosphere. 2022; 304:135277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135277
  • [21] Pino A, Chiarotti F, Calamandrei G, Gotti A, Karakitsios S, Handakas E, et al. Human biomonitoring data analysis for metals in an Italian adolescents cohort: An exposome approach. Environ Res. 2017; 159:344-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.012
  • [22] Chantada-Vázquez MP, Herbello-Hermelo P, Bermejo-Barrera P, Moreda-Piñeiro A. Discrete sampling based-flow injection as an introduction system in ICP-MS for the direct analysis of low volume human serum samples. Talanta. 2019; 199:220-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2019.02.050
  • [23] Komarova T, McKeating D, Perkins AV, Tinggi U. Trace Element Analysis in Whole Blood and Plasma for Reference Levels in a Selected Queensland Population, Australia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2021; 18:2652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052652
  • [24] Heitland P, Köster HD. Biomonitoring of 37 trace elements in blood samples from inhabitants of northern Germany by ICP–MS. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2006; 20(4):253–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2006.08.001
  • [25] Stojsavljević A, Jagodić J, Vujotić L, Borković-Mitić S, Rašić-Milutinović Z, Jovanović D, Gavrović-Jankulović M, Manojlović D. Reference values for trace essential elements in the whole blood and serum samples of the adult Serbian population: Significance of selenium deficiency. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2019; 27:1397–1405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06936-8
  • [26] Kim HJ, Lim HS, Lee KR, Choi MH, Kang NM, Lee CH, Oh EJ, Park HK. Determination of Trace Metal Levels in the General Population of Korea. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2017; 14:702. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070702
  • [27] Bocca B, Madeddu R, Asara Y, Tolu P, Marchal JA, Forte G. Assessment of reference ranges for blood Cu, Mn, Se and Zn in a selected Italian population. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2011; 25:19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.12.004
  • [28] Rocha GH, Steinbach C, Munhoz JR, Madia MA, Faria JK, Hoeltgebaum D, Barbosa F Jr, Batista BL, Souza VC, Nerilo SB, Bando E, Mossini SA, Nishiyama P. Trace metal levels in serum and urine of a population in Southern Brazil. J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol. 2016; 35:61–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2015.12.005
  • [29] Forrer R, Gautschi K, Lutz H. Simultaneous measurement of the trace elements Al, As, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Se, Sr, and Zn in human serum and their reference ranges by ICP-MS. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2001; 80(1):77-93. https://doi:10.1385/BTER:80:1:77. PMID: 11393312
  • [30] Lee JW, Lee CK, Moon CS, Choi IJ, Lee KJ, Yi SM, Jang BK, Yoon BJ, Kim DS, Peak D. Korea National survey for environmental pollutants in the human body 2008: Heavy metals in the blood or urine of the Korean population. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health. 2012; 215:449–457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.01.002
  • [31] Nunes JA, Batista BL, Rodrigues JL, Caldas NM, Neto JA, Barbosa F Jr. A simple method based on ICP-MS for estimation of background levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and selenium in blood of the Brazilian population. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health A. 2010; 73:878–887. https://doi:10.1080/15287391003744807
  • [32] Clark NA, Teschke K, Rideout K, Copes R. Trace element levels in adults from the west coast of Canada and associations with age, gender, diet, activities, and levels of other trace elements. Chemosphere. 2007; 70:155–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.06.038
  • [33] Baldwin M, Mergler D, Larribe F, Belanger S, Tardif R, Bilodeau L, et al. Bioindicator and exposure data for a population based study of manganese. Neurotoxicology. 1999; 20:343–353.
  • [34] Chia SE, Ong CN, Chua LH, Ho LM, Tay SK. Comparison of zinc concentrations in blood and seminal plasma and the various sperm parameters between fertile and infertile men. J. Androl. 2000; 21:53–57. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1939-4640.2000.tb03275.x
  • [35] Fallah A, Mohammad-Hasani A, Colagar AH. Zinc is an Essential Element for Male Fertility: A Review of Zn Roles in Men's Health, Germination, Sperm Quality, and Fertilization. J. Reprod. Infertil. 2018; 19(2):69-81.
  • [36] Finley JW, Johnson PE, Johnson LAK. Sex affects manganese absorption and retention by humans from a diet adequate in manganese. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1994; 60:949–955. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/60.6.949
  • [37] Meltzer HM, Brantsæter AL, Borch-Iohnsen B, Ellingsen DG, Alexander J, Thomassen Y, et al. Low iron stores are related to higher blood concentrations of manganese, cobalt and cadmium in non-smoking Norwegian women in the HUNT 2 study. Environ. Res. 2010; 110:497–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2010.03.006
  • [38] Zhang LL, Lu L, Pan YJ, Ding CG, Xu DY, Huang CF, Pan XF, Zheng W. Baseline blood levels of manganese, lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in residents of Beijing suburb. Environ. Res. 2015; 140:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.03.008
  • [39] Satarug S, Baker JR, Reilly PE, Moore MR, Williams DJ. Cadmium levels in the lung, liver, kidney cortex, and urine samples from Australians without occupational exposure to metals. Arch. Environ. Health. 2002; 57(1):69–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890209602919
  • [40] Satarug S, Moore MR. Adverse health effects of chronic exposure to low-level cadmium in foodstuffs and cigarette smoke. Environ. Health Perspect. 2004; 112:1099–1103. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6751
  • [41] Forte G, Madeddu R, Tolu P, Asara Y, Marchal JA, Bocca B. Reference intervals for blood Cd and Pb in the general population of Sardinia (Italy). Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health. 2011; 214:102–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.09.006
  • [42] El-Agha O, Gökmen İG. Smoking habits and cadmium intake in Turkey. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2002; 88:31–43. https://doi.org/10.1385/bter:88:1:31
  • [43] Smereczański NM, Brzóska MM. Current Levels of Environmental Exposure to Cadmium in Industrialized Countries as a Risk Factor for Kidney Damage in the General Population: A Comprehensive Review of Available Data. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023; 24:8413. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098413
  • [44] Alimonti A, Bocca B, Mannella E, Petrucci F, Zennaro F, Cotichini R, D’Ippolito C, Agresti A, Caimi S, Forte G. Assessment of reference values for selected elements in a healthy urban population. Ann. Ist. Super. Sanita. 2005; 41:181–187.
  • [45] Ashley-Martin J, Fisher M, Belanger P, Mihai Cirtiu C, Arbuckle TE. Biomonitoring of inorganic arsenic species in pregnancy. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-022-00457-2
  • [46] Orloff K, Mistry K, Metcalf S. Biomonitoring for Environmental Exposures to Arsenic. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health B. 2009; 12(7):509–524. https://doi.org
There are 46 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Pharmaceutical Toxicology
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Esma Söylemez Yeşilçimen 0000-0002-6309-7546

Eren Özçağlı 0000-0003-3472-1693

Eylem Funda Göktaş 0000-0002-1813-9188

Fulya Kurekci 0000-0002-6872-8781

Gülden Zehra Omurtag 0000-0002-2018-9619

Publication Date June 28, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 27 Issue: 5

Cite

APA Söylemez Yeşilçimen, E., Özçağlı, E., Göktaş, E. F., Kurekci, F., et al. (2025). Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 27(5), 2087-2094.
AMA Söylemez Yeşilçimen E, Özçağlı E, Göktaş EF, Kurekci F, Omurtag GZ. Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye. J. Res. Pharm. July 2025;27(5):2087-2094.
Chicago Söylemez Yeşilçimen, Esma, Eren Özçağlı, Eylem Funda Göktaş, Fulya Kurekci, and Gülden Zehra Omurtag. “Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27, no. 5 (July 2025): 2087-94.
EndNote Söylemez Yeşilçimen E, Özçağlı E, Göktaş EF, Kurekci F, Omurtag GZ (July 1, 2025) Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27 5 2087–2094.
IEEE E. Söylemez Yeşilçimen, E. Özçağlı, E. F. Göktaş, F. Kurekci, and G. Z. Omurtag, “Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 2087–2094, 2025.
ISNAD Söylemez Yeşilçimen, Esma et al. “Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27/5 (July 2025), 2087-2094.
JAMA Söylemez Yeşilçimen E, Özçağlı E, Göktaş EF, Kurekci F, Omurtag GZ. Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;27:2087–2094.
MLA Söylemez Yeşilçimen, Esma et al. “Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 27, no. 5, 2025, pp. 2087-94.
Vancouver Söylemez Yeşilçimen E, Özçağlı E, Göktaş EF, Kurekci F, Omurtag GZ. Human Biomonitoring of Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd and As) Level in a Healthy Urban Population in Türkiye. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;27(5):2087-94.