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Lead and Arsenic Levels in Women with Different Body Mass Composition

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) levels in biological fluids were associated to the body composition in a group of reproductive-age women. Voluntary childbearing-age women (n = 107) were divided into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI: weight/height2 (kg/m2): low weight (BMI<18.5 kg/m2), normal \( \left( {{\text{BMI}} > 19\kern1.5pt<\kern1.5pt24.9\,{{\text{kg}} \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{\text{kg}} {{{\text{m}}^{\text{2}}}}}} \right.} {{{\text{m}}^{\text{2}}}}}} \right) \), and overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2). Body composition and fat mass percentage were determined by the isotopic dilution method utilizing deuterated water. Blood lead concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and urinary arsenic (AsU) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The type and frequency of food consumption and lifestyle-related factors were also registered. Most women had \( {\text{PbB}}\,{\text{levels}} > 2\kern1.5pt<\kern1.5pt10\,{\mu{{\text{ g}}} \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {\mu{{\text{ g}}} {\text{dL}}}} \right.} {\text{dL}}} \), and only 2.6% had AsU concentrations above 50 μg/L. The levels of these toxic elements were not found to be associated with the fat mass percentage.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Research Contract No. 13245/R0 and the excellent technical work of Ms. Paola Pismante.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Regulation, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, INTA, University of Chile, Macul, 5540, Santiago, Chile

    Ana Maria Ronco, Yareni Gutierrez, Gabriela Salazar & Miguel N. Llanos

  2. Department of Metrology, Chilean Commission of Nuclear Energy, CCHEN, La Reina, Santiago, Chile

    Nuri Gras & Luis Muñoz

  3. Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, INTA, University of Chile, Macul, 5540, Santiago, Chile

    Ana Maria Ronco

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  1. Ana Maria Ronco
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  2. Yareni Gutierrez
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  3. Nuri Gras
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  4. Luis Muñoz
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  5. Gabriela Salazar
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  6. Miguel N. Llanos
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Correspondence to Ana Maria Ronco.

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Ronco, A.M., Gutierrez, Y., Gras, N. et al. Lead and Arsenic Levels in Women with Different Body Mass Composition. Biol Trace Elem Res 136, 269–278 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8546-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8546-z

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