A Follow-up Study on the Concentration Change of Heavy Metals in Urine of Residents 3 Years After the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill

摘要

Background: In the baseline study, which was conducted 1.5 years after the Hebei Spirit oil spill, we found a significant relationship between the levels of heavy metals and exposure to the oil spill (including clean-up activities and distance from their homes to the spillage site). Aims: We performed an analysis of urinary cadmium and urinary mercury of residents 3 years after the oil spill exposure to assess changes or recovery in levels of heavy metals. Methods: The participants of the study were 270 residents who were highly exposed to the oil spill, and they all participated in both the baseline and the follow-up survey. Results: Even 3 years after the oil spill, the levels of cadmium were significantly associated with the total days of clean-up work after the oil spill. The levels of mercury were significantly related to the distance from the incident site to their residences. As time passed, the concentration of cadmium decreased; however, the mercury levels increased. Conclusions: As the existing levels of heavy metals in residents who were heavily affected by the accident relates to the Hebei Spirit oil spill exposure, we need to continuously investigate and follow up on their health.