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Exposure to Toxic and Potentially Toxic Elements in Women of Childbearing Age in Developing Countries
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
E41014CRP
1284Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
21 July 2009Description
Rapid urbanization and industrialisation increase the risk of exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements such as lead, mercury and manganese in developing countries. In addition, drinking water and foods contain high levels of arsenic and mercury in many resource poor settings where undernutrition is common. For example, drinking water with high arsenic content is consumed widely in Bangladesh and India. Undernutrition and exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements have often been treated as separate issues. However, there is now increased concern about whether undernourished people are potentially more vulnerable to exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements. The overall aim of new CRP "Exposure to toxic and potentially toxic elements in women of childbearing age in developing countries" is to contribute to a better understanding of these issues by evaluating exposure in adult women with different nutritional status.
Rapid urbanization and industrialisation increase the risk of exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements such as lead, mercury and manganese in developing countries. In addition, drinking water and foods contain high levels of arsenic and mercury in many resource poor settings where undernutrition is common. For example, drinking water with high arsenic content is consumed widely in Bangladesh and India. Undernutrition and exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements have often been treated as separate issues. However, there is now increased concern about whether undernourished people are potentially more vulnerable to exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements. The overall aim of new CRP "Exposure to toxic and potentially toxic elements in women of childbearing age in developing countries" is to contribute to a better understanding of these issues by evaluating exposure in adult women with different nutritional status.
Objectives
To increase our understanding of exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements in women of child bearing age and to evaluate the potential association with nutritional status.
Specific objectives
To evaluate exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn) in women of reproductive age, classified as undernourished or “normal” based on body mass index (BMI).
To evaluate nutritional status of the same women by measuring body composition, using deuterium dilution technique.
Impact
The CRP contributed to improved understanding of the relationships between nutritional status and exposure to toxic elements in women living in contaminated area.
The CRP provided training to young scientists (1 PhD and 3 MSc students) in the application of stable isotope technique to assess body composition.
New collaborations were established between participating centres, and these have continued in a new CRP initiated in 2009: E4.10.15 Stable isotope technique to assess human milk intake in infants living in contaminated areas.
Relevance
The importance of biomonitoring of toxic and potentially toxic elements in humans is recognised internationally. This CRP has provided data on the exposure to toxic/potentially toxic elements in women of child bearing age living in contaminated areas and has evaluated the association with nutritional status.