Low-level Blood Multiple Metals Exposure from Informal Jewelry Welding Alters Metabolomic and Lipidomic Profiles in Brazilian Women

Occupational exposure to toxic and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) remains a significant public health concern due to its potential to disrupt human metabolic processes. This study investigated metabolic and lipidomic alterations associated with blood PTE levels in Brazilian women engaged in informal, home-based jewelry welding. A total of 64 participants were included: a welder group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 28). Blood PTE concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and plasma metabolites were profiled using untargeted MS-based metabolomics. Significant between-group differences were observed for arsenic (As; p = 0.01), cadmium (Cd; p = 0.01), and lead (Pb; p < 0.001). Overall, 190 metabolites and 35 lipids were identified at MS¹ and MS² levels. Of these, 53 metabolites and 11 lipids exhibited significant correlations with PTE levels, including phenylalanine (Pb, Cd), acetylcarnitine (As), Sudan I (Cd), hexyl glucoside (Cd, Pb), and MG 22:5 (As, Pb). Enrichment analysis revealed alterations in purine and porphyrin metabolism in the metabolomics dataset, whereas lipidomics indicated disruptions in glycerolipid metabolism, dietary lipid digestion, and ABC transporter-related pathways. Notably, these associations were observed even at low blood PTE levels, indicating biologically relevant molecular alterations and underscoring the need for improved occupational protections in informal working environments.