Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders are constantly increasing on a global scale. Some elements like heavy metals are known to be neurotoxic. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the neurobehavioral effect of the exposure to trace elements including lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium and their interactions among 299 schoolchildren residing in the heavily polluted Taranto area in Italy. Whole blood, urine and hair were collected for metal analyses, while the Child Behavior Checklist and the Social Responsiveness Scale, administered to the main teacher and the mothers were considered to identify behavioral problems in children. Blood lead mainly influenced social problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing and total problems. Urinary arsenic showed an impact on anxiety and depression, somatic problems, attention problems and rule breaking behavior. A significant interaction between lead and arsenic was observed, with a synergistic effect of the two metals increasing the risk of attention problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and total problems. Overall, we were able to test that higher blood lead, urinary arsenic concentrations and their interaction increase the risk of neurobehavioral problems. This is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s priority list of hazardous substances where arsenic and lead are ranked as first and second respectively.

Details

Title
The effects of the exposure to neurotoxic elements on Italian schoolchildren behavior
Author
Renzetti Stefano 1 ; Cagna Giuseppa 2 ; Calza Stefano 3 ; Conversano Michele 4 ; Fedrighi Chiara 2 ; Forte, Giovanni 5 ; Giorgino Augusto 4 ; Guazzetti Stefano 6 ; Majorani Costanza 7 ; Oppini Manuela 2 ; Peli, Marco 8 ; Petrucci, Francesco 5 ; Pino, Anna 5 ; Placidi Donatella 2 ; Senofonte Oreste 5 ; Zoni Silvia 2 ; Alimonti Alessandro 5 ; Lucchini, Roberto G 9 

 University of Brescia, Department of Occupational Health, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846); University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846) 
 University of Brescia, Department of Occupational Health, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846) 
 University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846) 
 ASL, Department of Public Health, Taranto, Italy (GRID:grid.432296.8) (ISNI:0000 0004 1758 687X) 
 Italian National Institute of Health, Department of Environment and Health, Rome, Italy (GRID:grid.416651.1) (ISNI:0000 0000 9120 6856) 
 University of Brescia, Department of Occupational Health, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846); Azienda USL IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Department of Public Health, Reggio Emilia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) 
 National Centre for Chemicals, Cosmetics and Consumer Protection, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy (GRID:grid.416651.1) (ISNI:0000 0000 9120 6856) 
 University of Brescia, Department of Occupational Health, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846); University of Brescia, Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846) 
 University of Brescia, Department of Occupational Health, Brescia, Italy (GRID:grid.7637.5) (ISNI:0000000417571846); Florida International University, Miami, USA (GRID:grid.65456.34) (ISNI:0000 0001 2110 1845) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2524565070
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.