Hemoglobin and mean platelet volume abnormalities in children exposed to heavy metals and metalloids in a pilot biomonitoring study

Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of environmental exposure to heavy metals and metalloids (HM/MTs), which can impact red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between urinary levels of 19 HM/MTs and RBCs and platelet-related hematologic parameters in school-aged children residing in the central western state of Colima, Mexico. A cross-sectional pilot biomonitoring study was conducted, and 91 participants were enrolled. Multiple linear regression models were used to calculate regression coefficients ([Formula: see text]) and 95% confidence intervals. After adjusting for sex, age, nutritional status, and locality of residence, tin was found to be negatively correlated with red cell distribution width ([Formula: see text] = - 0.06, 95% CI - 0.11 to - 0.01). Additionally, each unit increase in urinary lead levels was associated with a 0.6% increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin ([Formula: see text] = 0.006, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.010). Similarly, each unit increase in tellurium levels was associated with a 55% increase in mean platelet volume ([Formula: see text] = 0.55, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.02). These results suggest that environmental exposure to HM/MTs may be related to alterations in some of the evaluated hematologic parameters in the analyzed school-aged children. Further research, including larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies, is needed to reduce environmental health risks in this vulnerable population.