Descriptive Analysis of Whole Blood Concentrations of Toxic, Essential, and Trace Elements in Adult Females From the MIREC-ENDO Study

The MIREC-ENDO study analyzed whole blood concentrations of toxic, essential, and trace elements in 288 adult females, focusing on those approaching menopause. The study found that element concentrations were generally similar or lower than those reported for similarly aged females in Canada, with adequate levels of essential elements except for zinc, where most participants were below the proposed adequacy level. Toxic elements like mercury and arsenic showed strong correlations, and essential elements related to blood cell production such as iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium were positively correlated. Element concentrations varied based on factors like menopausal status, age, smoking status, BMI, income, and education. Notably, lead levels were higher in peri-/post-menopausal women, possibly due to increased bone resorption. The study provides valuable biomonitoring data for this demographic and highlights the need for further research on exposure impacts during the menopausal transition.