Influence of Environmental and Dietary Exposures on Trace Metals and Organochlorine Pollutants Accumulation Among the Residents of a Major Industrial Harbour (Fos-sur-Mer, France)

Background and aim. – We investigated whether residents who lived closer to the core of one of the largest industrial zone in Europe (Fos-sur-Mer, France) had higher serum or urine levels of trace metals (Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Mercury, Nickel, Lead and Vanadium) and organochlorine indicators (NDL-PCBs, DL-PCBs and PCDD/Fs) than people who lived out of the industrial core zone (Saint-Martin-de-Crau, France). Methods. –The INDEX cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2016. We collected blood samples from 138 people (80 in the exposed area and 58 in the control area), which were included using a stratified random sampling method and selected with strict criteria (e.g., 30–65 years old, living in the area for at least 3 years, not working in the industrial sector, non-smoker). Biomonitoring indicators were calculated using single-pollutant multivariate linear regression models (using substitution when censored data were under 15% and Tobit models alternatively), adjusting for personal physiological, social, dietary, housing characteristics and leisure activities. We also measured these pollutants in samples of lichens (Xanthoria parietina) and atmospheric particles (PM2.5). Results. – Living close to the core industrial zone was significantly associated with an increase in blood levels of lead (adjusted geometric mean = 17.2 [15.8-18.7] vs 15.1 [13.7–16.7] µg.g-1 creatinine, p<0.05). We reported that behaviours that involved environmental exposures (i.e., gardening, dietary history of consumption of vegetables, eggs, poultry, and local seafood) were significantly associated with an increase in some organochlorine and trace metals urine/serum levels amongst residents of the industrial port zone compared to the residents of the control area. Conclusions. - These results brought interesting clues, in complement to national programs, regarding the exposure to trace metals of residents living in a major industrial european harbor. Keywords - Industrial pollution - Biomonitoring - Heavy metals - PCBs – Dioxines - Dietary habits