Assessing Risk of Exposure to Nickel by Environmental Air Pollution in Nova Scotia by Analyzing Toenail Nickel Content

摘要

Environmental air exposure to nickel (Ni) has been associated with a range of negative impacts on health. Ni has been identified as toxic and a possible human carcinogen. Ni exists in air by natural and human influenced processes. Though this heavy metal is potentially harmful to health it is not commonly measured in air. It has been previously assessed as a component of fine particulate matter (PM_(2.5)) which is a more commonly measured air pollutant. This project seeks to explore the association of Ni in air with PM_(2.5) in order to identify the potential for PM_(2.5) as a proxy measure for Ni exposure. It will also identify the relationship with Ni in the body, as estimated by toenail Ni content. To explore these objectives the Pearson correlation between air Ni and PM_(2.5) will be performed to identify the appropriateness of PM_(2.5) as a proxy indicator for Ni exposure from air pollution. Further, linear regression will be used to examine the relationship with PM_(2.5) in air and Ni in the body. Environmental (geology, precipitation, and urban development) and individual variables (smoking, tap water Ni, and body composition) will be included in the analysis as co-variables. Some studies have shown that PM_(2.5) is correlated with Ni in air and thus will be an appropriate indicator. The relationship between Ni in toenails and PM_(2.5) is expected to be positive and to improve with the addition of co-variables. The findings of this study will result in a greater understanding of the relationship of PM_(2.5) and Ni in air and Ni in the body.