Elevated titanium levels in Iraqi children with neurodevelopmental disorders echo findings in occupation soldiers.

Elevated titanium levels in Iraqi children with neurodevelopmental disorders echo findings in occupation soldiers.

Environmental monitoring and assessment (2014-12-03)

M Savabieasfahani, S Alaani, M Tafash, S Dastgiri, M Al-Sabbak

ABSTRACT

Anthropogenic release of pollutants into the environment is especially harmful to growing fetuses and young children. These populations are at an increased risk of damage because exposure to pollutants during critical periods of development can cause many impairments. Children's exposure to mixtures of metals could be responsible for the rising numbers of neurological disorders surfacing in Iraqi children. Titanium (Ti) and magnesium (Mg) are heavily used in war industries. Exposure to Ti and Mg has been linked to the dust in occupation soldiers' lungs. Hair samples of children in Hawija, Iraq (n = 13) contained significantly higher levels of Ti compared to Iranian children (n = 13) living near the Iraqi border (2080 ± 940 vs 707 ± 421 μg/kg, p < 0.0001). Magnesium was 1.7 times higher in Hawija children compared to Iranian children (115,763 ± 118,155 vs 67,650 ± 46,729 μg/kg). In samples from Hawija, Ti was 1.3 times higher in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (2198 ± 1108 vs 1942 ± 779 μg/kg), and Mg was 1.9 times higher in children without neurodevelopmental disorders (155,618 ± 140,791 vs 81,602 ± 91,940 μg/kg). Lead, arsenic, and cadmium in Hawija children with neurodevelopmental disorders (n = 6) were 2.5, 2.2, and 1.37 times higher compared to non-disabled children (n = 7). To get a clear understanding of the current status of neurodevelopmental disorders in Iraqi children and to determine the magnitude of this suspected global health issue, registries should be set up to compile and aggregate data from hospitals, clinics, and health centers across the country. Functional registries can develop collaborations with researchers toward finding causes of these disorders in Iraqi children and toward preventing them.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

348848

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, foil, thickness 0.025 mm, 99.98% trace metals basis

266035

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, wire, diam. 1.0 mm, 99.99% trace metals basis

IRMM531C

Titanium, IRMM^®, certified reference material, 0.5 mm wire

IRMM531B

Titanium, IRMM^®, certified reference material, 0.5 mm foil

460400

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, wire, diam. 0.25 mm, 99.7% trace metals basis

305812

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, 5-10 mm, ≥99.99% trace metals basis (purity exclusive of Na and K content)

369489

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, foil, thickness 2.0 mm, 99.7% trace metals basis

348791

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, foil, thickness 0.127 mm, 99.7% trace metals basis

267902

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium, wire, diam. 0.81 mm, 99.7% trace metals basis

GF05925281

Titanium, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.1μm, specific density 42.8μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.6+%

GF76772391

Titanium, rod, 100mm, diameter 10mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF85496664

Titanium, tube, 1000mm, outside diameter 9.5mm, inside diameter 8.2mm, wall thickness 0.65mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF52551222

Titanium, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 112.6μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.6+%

GF65515024

Titanium, tube, 1000mm, outside diameter 12.7mm, inside diameter 10.9mm, wall thickness 0.9mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF87716997

Titanium, rod, 100mm, diameter 16mm, as drawn, 99.99+%

GF65336700

Titanium, rod, 200mm, diameter 2mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF49264713

Titanium, tube, 200mm, outside diameter 1.6mm, inside diameter 1.2mm, wall thickness 0.2mm, hard, 99.6+%

GF06082286

Titanium, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 1.0μm, specific density 429μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.6+%

GF58567067

Titanium, rod, 100mm, diameter 5mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF62676759

Titanium, rod, 200mm, diameter 2mm, as drawn, 99.99+%

GF35061083

Titanium, tube, 200mm, outside diameter 6.35mm, inside diameter 5.53mm, wall thickness 0.41mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF48167590

Titanium, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 6.1mm, inside diameter 5.1mm, wall thickness 0.5mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF17705516

Titanium, rod, 200mm, diameter 3.0mm, annealed, 99.6+%

GF12929744

Titanium, microfoil, disks, 25mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 112.6μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.6+%

GF65694426

Titanium, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 1.6mm, inside diameter 1.2mm, wall thickness 0.2mm, hard, 99.6+%

GF25479333

Titanium, wire reel, 0.5m, diameter 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.99+%

GF00761217

Titanium, wire reel, 200m, diameter 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.6+%

GF51690663

Titanium, wire reel, 5m, diameter 0.5mm, as drawn, 99.6+%

GF31085760

Titanium, wire reel, 5m, diameter 0.25mm, as drawn, 99.99+%

GF29584187

Titanium, tube, 500mm, outside diameter 2.03mm, inside diameter 1.55mm, wall thickness 0.24mm, annealed, 99.6+%