The influence of lifestyle choices (food, alcohol, smoking) on the blood concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg of newborns, adolescents and adults from Wallonia

AIM In the present study, we assessed (cord)blood concentrations of toxic metals (cadmium [Cd], total mercury [Hg], and lead [Pb] in a representative sample of different age groups (newborns, adolescents and adults) of the Walloon population in Belgium. We examined the associations of Cd, total Hg and Pb with habitual intakes of fish and alcohol and other possible determinants such as age, sex and smoking. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analysed blood concentrations of Cd, total Hg, and Pb in a sample of 284 newborns, 283 adolescents (aged 12-19) and 261 adults (aged 20-39) for the BMH-WAL survey (2019-2020) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The participants completed self-administered questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, diet, certain risk factors for chronic diseases, intake of food supplements, general environment, housing and life behaviors such as smoking. RESULTS Almost all participants had detectable concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb in whole (cord)blood, except for Cd in newborns (100%<LOQ) . The GM blood concentrations for adolescents and adults together were 0.16 μg/L for Cd, 0.75 μg/L for Hg, and 10.4 μg/L for Pb. Since tobacco is a major Cd source, the most significant partitioning criteria for blood Cd is typically the smoking status, but also age and gender show effects. Participants from all age categories who report fish consumption 4 days prior sampling (including mothers of newborns) show a median blood Hg level almost twice as high compared to people who do not. Significant partitioning factors evidenced in this study for blood Pb are age, gender and alcohol consumption, as already reported in other general population surveys. CONCLUSIONS Smoking and alcohol were confirmed determinants for Cd and Pb exposure respectively. We found that fish was a potentially important source of exposure to Hg in the Walloon population, including for newborns. Newborns are also already exposed to Hg and Pb, for Hg even to a higher extent than adults and adolescents.