The Association between Hair Levels of Boron and Disease Incidence in the Population of a Boron Geochemical Province: A Cross-Sectional Study
Batyrova G.A. Umarova G.A. Umarov Y.A. Kudabayeva K.I. Tlegenova Z.Sh. Kononets V.I. Aitmaganbet P.Zh.
2021Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology
Public Health and Life Environment
2021#2021Issue 641 - 47 pp.
Summary. Background: A stable natural and technogenic boron geochemical province characterized by high environmental levels of boron has formed in the Aktobe Region of West Kazakhstan. The main local source of boron is sludge collectors of the boric acid production of the now destroyed chemical plant, built without impervious screens in the former old channels of the Ilek River, as well as in the river floodplain on alluvial quaternary sand and gravel deposits with high permeability. The objective of the study was to map hair levels of boron in residents of the Aktobe Region and to establish their relationship with disease incidence of the adult population. Materials and methods: The study included 340 permanent residents of the Aktobe Region, Republic of Kazakhstan, aged 18–60. Hair boron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using a Nexion 300D spectrometer (PerkinElmer Inc., USA) coupled with an ESI SC-2 DX4 sampler (Elemental Scientific Inc., USA). Mapping was performed using the QGIS cross-platform geographic information system (QGIS 3.18). Results: The map of the boron status of the study participants visually demonstrated the uneven distribution of hair boron concentrations in the inhabitants of the region. Hair levels of boron were significantly higher in men than in women (p = 0.000). We established a strong direct correlation between hair levels of boron and the incidence of congenital anomalies and chromosomal abnormalities (r = 0.886, p = 0.019), diseases of the genitourinary system (r = 0.829, p = 0.042), respiratory diseases (r = 0.943, p = 0.005), diseases of the digestive system (r = 0.878, p = 0.021), diseases of the blood, hematopoietic organs and the immune system (r = 0.880, p = 0.017). Conclusion: The mapping of hair levels of boron in the residents of the Aktobe Region of West Kazakhstan gave a visual demonstration of the uneven distribution of environmental pollution with boron in the study area. The revealed relationships between boron concentrations in hair tissue and disease incidence in the boric geochemical province confirm the assumption that the ecological features of the environment can affect the health of the population, which requires further in-depth research.
boric province , boron , imbalance of trace elements , map , population morbidity , West Kazakhstan
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Department of Clinical Laboratory and Visual Diagnostics, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
Department of Evidence-Based Medicine and Scientific Management, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Medicine No. 1, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Medicine No. 2, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
Department of Natural Sciences, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, 68 Maresyev Street, Aktobe, 030019, Kazakhstan
Department of Clinical Laboratory and Visual Diagnostics
Department of Evidence-Based Medicine and Scientific Management
West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University
Department of Internal Medicine No. 1
Department of Internal Medicine No. 2
Department of Natural Sciences
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