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Objectives <p>To evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in human tooth dentine as a biomarker of long-term environmental exposure to Yamuna River pollution. This study aims to quantify metal sequestration, identify potential contamination sources through multivariate analysis, and assess the associated public health risks for residents in proximity to the river.</p> Method <p>A dual-track cross-sectional biomonitoring and environmental analysis study was conducted, simultaneously examining biological samples (human dentine) and environmental matrices (river water). Tooth dentine from 69 participants across various demographics were analysed. Concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Cd were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Parallel analysis of Yamuna River water samples was performed across three spatial zones (A1, A2, and A3). Data were subjected to Pearson’s correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine inter-elemental associations and source apportionment.</p> Results <p>The mean concentrations (µg/g) in dentine were: Fe (2.58 ± 1.65), Pb (1.50 ± 1.00), Cu (1.18 ± 0.86), Cr (1.14 ± 0.75), Ni (1.08 ± 0.66), Mn (0.25 ± 0.24), and Cd (0.15 ± 0.13), whereas Fe was the most prevalent element (8.467 ± 1.408&#xa0;mg/L), followed by Cu (1.117 ± 0.217&#xa0;mg/L), Ni (1.075 ± 0.664&#xa0;mg/L), Cr (0.304 ± 0.079&#xa0;mg/L), Mn (0.246 ± 0.239&#xa0;mg/L), Pb (0.098 ± 0.025&#xa0;mg/L) and Cd (0.017 ± 0.007&#xa0;mg/L) in the River water. Statistical analysis revealed robust positive correlations (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) between age and most dentinal metal concentrations, including Pb (<i>r</i> = 0.76) and Cu (<i>r</i> = 0.80). PCA identified two dominant components explaining 96.15% of the total variance; PC1 (80.59%) reflected a shared industrial/anthropogenic origin for most metals, while PC2 (15.56%) isolated Cd, suggesting distinct localized sources like e-waste or fertilizer runoff. Downstream residents (A3) and those utilizing unregulated borewell supplies in non-gated areas exhibited significantly higher metal loading (e.g., Fe: 3.22 vs. 1.57&#xa0;µg/g), highlighting a critical socio-economic “exposure gap.”</p> Conclusions <p>Human dentine serves as a high-fidelity biological archive of chronic environmental exposure. The significant spatial gradient and infrastructure-driven body burdens indicate an urgent need for centralized water purification and targeted effluent regulations. This research supports integrating dental biomonitoring into public health surveillance for high-risk urban populations to mitigate the long-term impacts of riverine pollution.</p>

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Multivariate analysis of heavy metal sequestration in human dentine: bridging riverine pollution and public health risk

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

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  • Bushra Ahmed Karim,
  • Syed Ansar Ahmad,
  • Gauhar Mahmood,
  • Salim Sheikh

摘要

Objectives

To evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in human tooth dentine as a biomarker of long-term environmental exposure to Yamuna River pollution. This study aims to quantify metal sequestration, identify potential contamination sources through multivariate analysis, and assess the associated public health risks for residents in proximity to the river.

Method

A dual-track cross-sectional biomonitoring and environmental analysis study was conducted, simultaneously examining biological samples (human dentine) and environmental matrices (river water). Tooth dentine from 69 participants across various demographics were analysed. Concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Cd were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Parallel analysis of Yamuna River water samples was performed across three spatial zones (A1, A2, and A3). Data were subjected to Pearson’s correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine inter-elemental associations and source apportionment.

Results

The mean concentrations (µg/g) in dentine were: Fe (2.58 ± 1.65), Pb (1.50 ± 1.00), Cu (1.18 ± 0.86), Cr (1.14 ± 0.75), Ni (1.08 ± 0.66), Mn (0.25 ± 0.24), and Cd (0.15 ± 0.13), whereas Fe was the most prevalent element (8.467 ± 1.408 mg/L), followed by Cu (1.117 ± 0.217 mg/L), Ni (1.075 ± 0.664 mg/L), Cr (0.304 ± 0.079 mg/L), Mn (0.246 ± 0.239 mg/L), Pb (0.098 ± 0.025 mg/L) and Cd (0.017 ± 0.007 mg/L) in the River water. Statistical analysis revealed robust positive correlations (p < 0.001) between age and most dentinal metal concentrations, including Pb (r = 0.76) and Cu (r = 0.80). PCA identified two dominant components explaining 96.15% of the total variance; PC1 (80.59%) reflected a shared industrial/anthropogenic origin for most metals, while PC2 (15.56%) isolated Cd, suggesting distinct localized sources like e-waste or fertilizer runoff. Downstream residents (A3) and those utilizing unregulated borewell supplies in non-gated areas exhibited significantly higher metal loading (e.g., Fe: 3.22 vs. 1.57 µg/g), highlighting a critical socio-economic “exposure gap.”

Conclusions

Human dentine serves as a high-fidelity biological archive of chronic environmental exposure. The significant spatial gradient and infrastructure-driven body burdens indicate an urgent need for centralized water purification and targeted effluent regulations. This research supports integrating dental biomonitoring into public health surveillance for high-risk urban populations to mitigate the long-term impacts of riverine pollution.