Levy L S, Jones K, Cocker J, Assem F L, Capleton A C
Institute of Environment and Health, Cranfield University, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT, UK.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2007 May;210(3-4):387-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2007.01.032. Epub 2007 Mar 2.
The use of biomarkers is now an accepted measure of chemical uptake (possibly exposure) in risk assessment. However, information on background exposures and biomarker concentrations of many environmental chemicals in the general UK population is limited. This study aims to determine reference ranges for eleven biomarkers of chemical exposure, measurable in urine, within the general adult UK population. The study will involve 400 volunteers throughout the UK and is currently underway. Described here is a pilot study, carried out during August and September 2005 to test the study methodology. The initial results of the postal survey and urinary concentrations for cadmium (UCd) and mercury (UHg) are reported. A total of 78 individuals were recruited by post from the UK Electoral Register, to take part in the pilot study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and provide a urine sample. The overall response rate was 16%, of which 60.3% were female and 39.7% male. Those living in suburban areas accounted for 60% of respondents, current smokers 12.8% and vegetarians 1.3%. Levels of UCd were higher in females compared to males and smoking status influenced levels; smokers displayed higher levels of UCd than individuals who had previously smoked or who had never smoked. The mean, median and range of UHg was 1.12, 0.55 (<limit of detection (LD)-13.46) microg/g creatinine, respectively. This pilot study shows that postal sampling may be a useful and cost effective method for carrying out biomonitoring studies using urine as the matrix.
在风险评估中，生物标志物的使用现已成为衡量化学物质摄取（可能是暴露）的一种公认方法。然而，关于英国普通人群中许多环境化学物质的背景暴露和生物标志物浓度的信息有限。本研究旨在确定英国普通成年人群中可在尿液中测量的11种化学暴露生物标志物的参考范围。该研究将涉及全英国的400名志愿者，目前正在进行中。本文描述的是一项试点研究，于2005年8月和9月开展，以测试研究方法。报告了邮政调查的初步结果以及镉（UCd）和汞（UHg）的尿浓度。通过从英国选民登记册邮寄招募了总共78个人参与试点研究。参与者被要求填写一份问卷并提供一份尿液样本。总体回复率为16%，其中女性占60.3%，男性占39.7%。居住在郊区的人占受访者的60%，当前吸烟者占12.8%，素食者占1.3%。女性的UCd水平高于男性，吸烟状况会影响其水平；吸烟者的UCd水平高于曾经吸烟或从未吸烟的人。UHg的均值、中位数和范围分别为1.12、0.55（<检测限（LD）-13.46）微克/克肌酐。这项试点研究表明，邮政抽样可能是一种有用且具有成本效益的方法，可用于以尿液为基质进行生物监测研究。
