Impact of Heavy Metals Exposure on Lung Health in Peruvian Children: Preliminary results of a Cross-Sectional Study
Presenter Biography
PhD in Epidemiology student
Institution
OHSU
Program/Major
Epidemiology
Degree
PhD
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
4-4-2024 11:55 AM
Keywords
Heavy metals (HM), Lung function, Respiratory symptoms, Children, Artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM).
Abstract
Studies in adult populations show that chronic environmental exposure to heavy metals (HM) may induce oxidative stress and impaired immune response which can impair lung function. In Ecuador, decades of continuous artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities have resulted in HM contamination of the Puyango-Tumbes River, the main freshwater source for downstream communities living in Tumbes, Peru. Children, being in a critical stage of development and exhibiting different behavioral patterns than adults, may be particularly vulnerable to these exposures. However, research on the health effects of HM exposure in children within community settings remains limited.
We are conducting a cross-sectional study including Peruvian children aged 4-17 residing in the HM-polluted Puyango-Tumbes River watershed, and the Zarumilla region, which has no known HM exposure. Using purposeful sampling, we enrolled 400 participants and collected data on demographic and behavioral factors, respiratory symptoms, lung function, anemia prevalence, and gastrointestinal symptoms. We took hair samples and measured HM levels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our aim is to assess the association between HM exposure and adverse health outcomes, with a focus on lung function and respiratory symptoms.
Our study includes 400 children (mean age 10.3, SD 3.9), 53% are female, and 255 (64%) live in the polluted area. Eighty-four percent drink water from potentially polluted sources and 27% consume fish from the contaminated river. Hair samples from 299 children show elevated levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and zinc. Anemia prevalence is 11.5%. Respiratory symptoms are reported by 34% of children, with wheezing (15%) and nocturnal cough (28%) being the most frequent. Spirometry showed restrictive patterns in 22% of participants and obstructive patterns in 3%. Further analysis will be conducted to measure the association between these outcomes and HM exposure.
Impact of Heavy Metals Exposure on Lung Health in Peruvian Children: Preliminary results of a Cross-Sectional Study
Studies in adult populations show that chronic environmental exposure to heavy metals (HM) may induce oxidative stress and impaired immune response which can impair lung function. In Ecuador, decades of continuous artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities have resulted in HM contamination of the Puyango-Tumbes River, the main freshwater source for downstream communities living in Tumbes, Peru. Children, being in a critical stage of development and exhibiting different behavioral patterns than adults, may be particularly vulnerable to these exposures. However, research on the health effects of HM exposure in children within community settings remains limited.
We are conducting a cross-sectional study including Peruvian children aged 4-17 residing in the HM-polluted Puyango-Tumbes River watershed, and the Zarumilla region, which has no known HM exposure. Using purposeful sampling, we enrolled 400 participants and collected data on demographic and behavioral factors, respiratory symptoms, lung function, anemia prevalence, and gastrointestinal symptoms. We took hair samples and measured HM levels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our aim is to assess the association between HM exposure and adverse health outcomes, with a focus on lung function and respiratory symptoms.
Our study includes 400 children (mean age 10.3, SD 3.9), 53% are female, and 255 (64%) live in the polluted area. Eighty-four percent drink water from potentially polluted sources and 27% consume fish from the contaminated river. Hair samples from 299 children show elevated levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and zinc. Anemia prevalence is 11.5%. Respiratory symptoms are reported by 34% of children, with wheezing (15%) and nocturnal cough (28%) being the most frequent. Spirometry showed restrictive patterns in 22% of participants and obstructive patterns in 3%. Further analysis will be conducted to measure the association between these outcomes and HM exposure.