Trace element biomonitoring in hair and blood of occupationally unexposed population residing in polluted areas of East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions

Introduction: Eastern and North-Eastern regions of Kazakhstan are considered to be environmentally disadvantaged due to industrial pollution and activity of the former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. Ferrous metallurgy is represented by the world's largest ferroalloy plant located in Aksu. In addition to a ferroalloy plant, Aksu is the home for the largest thermal power plant in Kazakhstan. Objective: Biomonitoring of 31 hair and blood trace elements (Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, Cs, Co, Ce, Cr, Cu, Eu, Gd, Hf, In, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Pb, Sc, Sn, Tl, Th, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr) in non-occupationally exposed population residing in polluted areas of East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions. Methods: Five case groups, residing in the vicinity to the former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (Akzhar, Borodulikha, and Karaul) or in proximity to industrial plants (Aksu and Ust-Kamenogorsk) have been assessed vs. controls from a rural settlement in Kurchum. In total, 204 hair and blood samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The observed blood concentrations of trace elements were in agreement with earlier studies on residents of industrially polluted areas. Elevated levels of blood Ba, Mn, Pb, V, and Zn were detected in residents of Aksu and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The elemental composition of head hair was characterized by greater stability between the study sites. Conclusion: Residency near the former Semipalatinsk Test Site could be considered as safe, while the environmental status of industrial settlements appears to be rather adverse. © 2019 Elsevier Gmb

Young adults with high autistic-like traits displayed lower food variety and diet quality in childhood

This study explored the association between autistic-like traits in young adults and dietary intake in early childhood in the Gen2 Raine Study cohort. Data were available from 811 participants at years 1, 2 and 3 for the assessment of dietary intake, and at year 20 for measurement of autistic-like traits. Results showed as autistic-like traits increased, total food variety, core food variety and dairy variety decreased (p < 0.05), with a lower consumption of citrus fruits and yoghurt (both p = 0.04). As autistic-like traits increased, diet quality decreased, this trend was significant at 2 years (p = 0.024). Our results suggest that young adults with higher autistic-like traits were more likely to have had lower food variety and diet quality in early childhood