Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Heavy metal exposure has adverse effects on the growth and development of preschool children

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) in the PM2.5 and blood and physical growth, and development parameters including birth length and weight, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), head circumference, and chest circumference in preschool children from Guiyu (e-waste exposure area) and Haojiang (the reference area). A total of 470 preschool children from Guiyu and Haojiang located in southeast coast of China were recruited and required to undergo physical examination and blood tests during the study period. Birth length and weight were obtained by birth records and questionnaire. Pb and Cd in both PM2.5 and blood were significantly higher in Guiyu than Haojiang. Remarkably, the children of Guiyu had significantly lower birth weight and length, BMI, and chest circumference when compare to their peers from the reference area (all p value < 0.05). Spearman correlation analyses showed that blood Pb was negatively correlated with height (r = −0.130, p < 0.001), weight (r = −0.169, p < 0.001), BMI (r = −0.100, p < 0.05), head circumference (r = −0.095, p < 0.05), and chest circumference (r = −0.112, p < 0.05). After adjustment for the potential confounders in further linear regression analyses, blood Pb was negatively associated with height (β = −0.066, p < 0.05), weight (β = −0.119, p < 0.001), head circumference (β = −0.123, p < 0.01), and chest circumference (β = −0.104, p < 0.05), respectively. No significant association between blood Cd, Cr, or Mn was found with any of our developmental outcomes. Taken together, lead exposure limits or delays the growth and development of preschool children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anh, H. Q., Nam, V. D., Tri, T. M., Ha, N. M., Ngoc, N. T., Mai, P., et al. (2017). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products, indoor dust, sediment and fish from informal e-waste recycling sites in Vietnam: A comprehensive assessment of contamination, accumulation pattern, emissions, and human exposure. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 39, 935–954.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batterman, S., Su, F. C., Jia, C., Naidoo, R. N., Robins, T., & Naik, I. (2011). Manganese and lead in children’s blood and airborne particulate matter in Durban, South Africa. Science of the Total Environment, 409, 1058–1068.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Betts, K. S. (2012). CDC updates guidelines for children’s lead exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120, a268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloem, M. (2007). The 2006 WHO child growth standards. BMJ, 334, 705–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breivik, K., Armitage, J. M., Wania, F., & Jones, K. C. (2014). Tracking the global generation and exports of e-waste. Do existing estimates add up? Environmental Science and Technology, 48, 8735–8743.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Claus, H. B., Schnaas, L., Ettinger, A. S., Schwartz, J., Lamadrid-Figueroa, H., Hernandez-Avila, M., et al. (2012). Associations of early childhood manganese and lead coexposure with neurodevelopment. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120, 126–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Onis, M., Blossner, M., Borghi, E., Morris, R., & Frongillo, E. A. (2004). Methodology for estimating regional and global trends of child malnutrition. International Journal of Epidemiology, 33, 1260–1270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Onis, M., Garza, C., Onyango, A. W., & Borghi, E. (2007). Comparison of the WHO child growth standards and the CDC 2000 growth charts. Journal of Nutrition, 137, 144–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, W. J., & Wong, M. H. (2006). Atmospheric levels and cytotoxicity of PAHs and heavy metals in TSP and PM2.5 at an electronic waste recycling site in southeast China. Atmospheric Environment, 40, 6945–6955.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duran, P., Merker, A., Briceno, G., Colon, E., Line, D., Abad, V., et al. (2016). Colombian reference growth curves for height, weight, body mass index and head circumference. Acta Paediatrica, 105, e116–e125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eum, J. H., Cheong, H. K., Ha, E. H., Ha, M., Kim, Y., Hong, Y. C., et al. (2014). Maternal blood manganese level and birth weight: A MOCEH birth cohort study. Environmental Health, 13, 31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleisch, A. F., Burns, J. S., Williams, P. L., Lee, M. M., Sergeyev, O., Korrick, S. A., et al. (2013). Blood lead levels and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations in peripubertal boys. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121, 854–858.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujimori, T., & Takigami, H. (2014). Pollution distribution of heavy metals in surface soil at an informal electronic-waste recycling site. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 36, 159–168.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, S., Hong, J., Yu, Z., Wang, J., Yang, G., Sheng, G., et al. (2011). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface soils from e-waste recycling areas and industrial areas in South China: Concentration levels, congener profile, and inventory. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 30, 2688–2696.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gavidia, T., Brune, M. N., McCarty, K. M., Pronczuk, J., Etzel, R., Neira, M., et al. (2011). Children’s environmental health—From knowledge to action. Lancet, 377, 1134–1136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, K., Goldizen, F. C., Sly, P. D., Brune, M., Neira, M., van den Berg, M., et al. (2013). Health consequences of exposure to e-waste: A systematic review. Lancet Global Health, 1, e350–e361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heacock, M., Kelly, C. B., Asante, K. A., Birnbaum, L. S., Bergman, A. L., Brune, M. N., et al. (2016). E-waste and harm to vulnerable populations: A growing global problem. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124, 550–555.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hruba, F., Stromberg, U., Cerna, M., Chen, C., Harari, F., Harari, R., et al. (2012). Blood cadmium, mercury, and lead in children: An international comparison of cities in six European countries, and China, Ecuador, and Morocco. Environment International, 41, 29–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsueh, Y. M., Lee, C. Y., Chien, S. N., Chen, W. J., Shiue, H. S., Huang, S. R., et al. (2017). Association of blood heavy metals with developmental delays and health status in children. Scientific Reports, 7, 43608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, H., Shih, R., Rothenberg, S., & Schwartz, B. S. (2007). The epidemiology of lead toxicity in adults: Measuring dose and consideration of other methodologic issues. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115, 455–462.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huo, X., Peng, L., Xu, X., Zheng, L., Qiu, B., Qi, Z., et al. (2007). Elevated blood lead levels of children in Guiyu, an Electronic waste recycling town in China. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115, 1113–1117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ivanovic, D. M., Leiva, B. P., Perez, H. T., Olivares, M. G., Diaz, N. S., Urrutia, M. S., et al. (2004). Head size and intelligence, learning, nutritional status and brain development. Head, IQ, learning, nutrition and brain. Neuropsychologia, 42, 1118–1131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KutllovciZogaj, D., Krasniqi, S., Elezaj, I., Ramadani, N., Gjergji, T., Zogaj, D., et al. (2014). Correlation between blood lead level and hemoglobin level in Mitrovica children. Medical Archives, 68, 324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamas, G. A., Navas-Acien, A., Mark, D. B., & Lee, K. L. (2016). Heavy metals, cardiovascular disease, and the unexpected benefits of chelation therapy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 67, 2411–2418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leith, S. J., & Carpenter, D. O. (2012). Special vulnerability of children to environmental exposures. Reviews on Environmental Health, 27, 151–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Ji, C., Zong, X., & Zhang, Y. (2009). Height and weight standardized growth charts for Chinese children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, 47, 487–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, H. S., Lee, H. H., Kim, T. H., & Lee, B. R. (2016). Relationship between heavy metal exposure and bone mineral density in Korean adult. Journal of Bone Metabolism, 23, 223–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, S., Ren, G., Zeng, X., Yu, Z., Sheng, G., & Fu, J. (2017). Polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxylated metabolites in the serum of e-waste dismantling workers from eastern China. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9958-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, H. G., Zeng, H., Tao, S., & Zeng, E. Y. (2010). Environmental and human exposure to persistent halogenated compounds derived from e-waste in China. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29, 1237–1247.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connell, E., Feldt, R., & Stickler, G. (1965). Head circumference mental retardation and growth failure. Pediatrics, 36, 62–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogunseitan, O. A., Schoenung, J. M., Saphores, J. D., & Shapiro, A. A. (2009). Science and regulation. The electronics revolution: From e-wonderland to e-wasteland. Science, 326, 670–671.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rollins, J. D., Collins, J. S., & Holden, K. R. (2010). United States head circumference growth reference charts: Birth to 21 years. The Journal of Pediatrics, 156(907–913), 911–913.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schell, L. M., Denham, M., Stark, A. D., Parsons, P. J., & Schulte, E. E. (2009). Growth of infants’ length, weight, head and arm circumferences in relation to low levels of blood lead measured serially. American Journal of Human Biology, 21, 180–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silventoinen, K., Kaprio, J., Dunkel, L., & Yokoyama, Y. (2012). Genetic and environmental influences on chest circumference during infancy: A longitudinal study of Japanese twins. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 26, 553–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tellez-Plaza, M., Navas-Acien, A., Menke, A., Crainiceanu, C. M., Pastor-Barriuso, R., & Guallar, E. (2012). Cadmium exposure and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the U.S. general population. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120, 1017–1022.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari, R. R., Saha, A., Sathwara, N. G., & Parikh, J. R. (2012). Blood chromium levels of children working in gem-polishing industries in India. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 28, 170–173.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF. (2001). The state of the world’s children. Early childhood development: The key to a full and productive life. https://www.unicef.org/dprk/ecd.pdf. Accessed March 15, 2014.

  • United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). (2008). Agency for toxic substances and disease registry case studies in environmental medicine (CSEM): Cadmium toxicity. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/cadmium/docs/cadmium.pdf. Accessed May 12, 2008.

  • United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). (2017). Agency for toxic substances and disease registry case studies in environmental medicine (CSEM): Lead toxicity. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/lead/docs/CSEM-Lead_toxicity_508.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2017.

  • Wang, Z., Zhang, B., & Guan, D. (2016). Take responsibility for electronic-waste disposal. Nature, 536, 23–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, A. L., Sutton, A. J., & Beardsmore, C. S. (2005). Are ethnic differences in lung function explained by chest size? Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 90, F423–F428.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Widmer, R., Oswald-Krapf, H., Sinha-Khetriwal, D., Schnellmann, M., & Boni, H. (2005). Global perspectives on e-waste. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 25, 436–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, M., Schulz, C., & Schwenk, M. (2006). Revised and new reference values for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in blood or urine of children: Basis for validation of human biomonitoring data in environmental medicine. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 209, 301–305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, K., Xu, X., Liu, J., Guo, Y., Li, Y., & Huo, X. (2010). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in umbilical cord blood and relevant factors in neonates from Guiyu, China. Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 813–819.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, X., Hu, J., Chen, P., Chen, D., Huang, W., Peng, P., et al. (2014). Spatial and temporal variation, source profile, and formation mechanisms of PCDD/FS in the atmosphere of an e-waste recycling area, south China. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 33, 500–507.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X., Chen, X., Zhang, J., Guo, P., Fu, T., Dai, Y., et al. (2015a). Decreased blood hepatitis B surface antibody levels linked to e-waste lead exposure in preschool children. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 298, 122–128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X., Liao, W., Lin, Y., Dai, Y., Shi, Z., & Huo, X. (2017). Blood concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and their association with biomarkers of DNA oxidative damage in preschool children living in an e-waste recycling area. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9997-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X., Liu, J., Huang, C., Lu, F., Chiung, Y. M., & Huo, X. (2015b). Association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lead co-exposure with child physical growth and development in an e-waste recycling town. Chemosphere, 139, 295–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H., Huo, X., Yekeen, T. A., Zheng, Q., Zheng, M., & Xu, X. (2013). Effects of lead and cadmium exposure from electronic waste on child physical growth. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20, 4441–4447.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yekeen, T. A., Xu, X., Zhang, Y., Wu, Y., Kim, S., Reponen, T., et al. (2016). Assessment of health risk of trace metal pollution in surface soil and road dust from e-waste recycling area in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23, 17511–17524.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., Xu, X., Boezen, H. M., & Huo, X. (2016a). Children with health impairments by heavy metals in an e-waste recycling area. Chemosphere, 148, 408–415.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., Xu, X., Boezen, H. M., Vonk, J. M., Wu, W., & Huo, X. (2017a). Decreased lung function with mediation of blood parameters linked to e-waste lead and cadmium exposure in preschool children. Environmental Pollution, 230, 838–848.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., Xu, X., Zhang, Y., Li, W., & Huo, X. (2017b). Chest circumference and birth weight are good predictors of lung function in preschool children from an e-waste recycling area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 22613–22621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., Xu, X., Zheng, X., Reponen, T., Chen, A., & Huo, X. (2016b). Heavy metals in PM2.5 and in blood, and children’s respiratory symptoms and asthma from an e-waste recycling area. Environmental Pollution, 210, 346–353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Schnoor, J. L., & Zeng, E. Y. (2012). E-waste recycling: Where does it go from here? Environmental Science and Technology, 46, 10861–10867.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, G., Xu, X., Li, B., Wu, K., Yekeen, T. A., & Huo, X. (2013). Association between lung function in school children and exposure to three transition metals from an e-waste recycling area. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 23, 67–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all the recruited children and their guardians for their invaluable involvement and support. We acknowledge the constructive comments of the anonymous reviewers. This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (21377077, 21577084) and a research grant of Xinxiang Medical University (No. 300/505233).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Xiang Zeng and Xijin Xu have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China

    Xiang Zeng & Xijin Xu

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China

    Xiang Zeng & Weidong Wu

  3. Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 1 Hanzeplein, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Xiang Zeng

  4. Key Laboratory in Environmental Exposure and Health of Guangzhou and Guangdong, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China

    Qilin Qin, Kai Ye & Xia Huo

Authors
  1. Xiang Zeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xijin Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qilin Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kai Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Weidong Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xia Huo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xia Huo.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 67 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zeng, X., Xu, X., Qin, Q. et al. Heavy metal exposure has adverse effects on the growth and development of preschool children. Environ Geochem Health 41, 309–321 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0114-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0114-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation