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Milk and Dairy Products Intake Is Associated with Low Levels of Lead (Pb) in Workers highly Exposed to the Metal

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Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal, frequently associated with occupational exposure, due to its widespread use in industry and several studies have shown high Pb levels in workers occupationally exposed to the metal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of milk and dairy products (MDP) on Pb levels in blood (B-Pb), plasma (P-Pb), and urine (U-Pb), in workers from automotive battery industries in Brazil. The study included 237 male workers; information concerning diet and lifestyle were gathered through a questionnaire, and B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were determined by ICP-MS. Mean B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were 21 ± 12, 0.62 ± 0.73 μg/dL, and 39 ± 47 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Forty three percent of participants declared consuming ≤3 portions/week of MDP (classified as low-MDP intake), while 57% of individuals had >3portions/week of MDP (high-MDP intake). B-Pb and P-Pb were correlated with working time (r s  = 0.21; r s  = 0.20; p < 0.010). Multivariable linear regressions showed a significant influence of MDP intake on B-Pb (β = −0.10; p = 0.012) and P-Pb (β = −0.16; p < 0.010), while no significance was seen on U-Pb. Our results suggest that MDP consumption may modulate Pb levels in individuals highly exposed to the metal; these findings may be due to the Pb-Ca interactions, since the adverse effects of Pb are partially based on its interference with Ca metabolism and proper Ca supplementation may help to reduce the adverse health effects induced by Pb exposure.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP; Grant No.2013/06033-8; Scholarships Nos. 2014/24981-3, 2015/04786-4, and 2015/07277-3) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, CEP, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil

    Willian Robert Gomes, Paula Pícoli Devóz & Fernando Barbosa Jr.

  2. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marília Ladeira Araújo

  3. Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Avenida dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-580, Brazil

    Bruno Lemos Batista

  4. Department of Biosciences, Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim, 136, Santos, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil

    Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos

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  1. Willian Robert Gomes
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  2. Paula Pícoli Devóz
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Correspondence to Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos.

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Research Involving Human Participants

This study was approved by Ethics Committee of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (form CEP/FCFRP 039/2013).

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Gomes, W.R., Devóz, P.P., Araújo, M.L. et al. Milk and Dairy Products Intake Is Associated with Low Levels of Lead (Pb) in Workers highly Exposed to the Metal. Biol Trace Elem Res 178, 29–35 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0913-y

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