-
Environmental Research Jul 2024Exposure to cadmium may increase risk of urolithiasis, but the results remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to access the association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Exposure to cadmium may increase risk of urolithiasis, but the results remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to access the association between cadmium exposure and urolithiasis. We searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central for studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of urolithiasis compared to reference groups. We used relative risk as the summary effect measure. This meta-analysis included eight observational studies and divided into 39 study populations. Among 63,051 subjects, 5018 (7.96%) individuals had urolithiasis. The results indicated that people with an increment of 0.1 μg/g creatinine in urinary cadmium had a 2% increased risk of urolithiasis (pooled relative risk [RR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.03) and there is no difference in the risk of urolithiasis in high and low cadmium exposure levels. Meanwhile, people with an increment of 0.1 μg/L in urinary cadmium had a 4% increased risk of urolithiasis (pooled RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07). Our findings also showed similar associations in both sex, different region (Sweden, China, and Thailand), general and occupational population. The results indicate that cadmium exposure was significantly associated with an elevated risk of urolithiasis. Therefore, it is imperative to take steps to minimize cadmium exposure.
Topics: Urolithiasis; Cadmium; Humans; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants
PubMed: 38527716
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118745 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Apr 2024Although the association between changes in human telomere length (TL) and ambient fine particulate matter (PM) has been documented, there remains disagreement among the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Although the association between changes in human telomere length (TL) and ambient fine particulate matter (PM) has been documented, there remains disagreement among the related literature. Our study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to investigate the health effects of outdoor PM exposure on human TL after a thorough database search. To quantify the overall effect estimates of TL changes associated with every 10 μg/m increase in PM exposure, we focused on two main topics, which were outdoor long-term exposure and prenatal exposure of PM. Additionally, we included a summary of short-term PM exposure and its impact on TL due to limited data availability. Our qualitative analysis included 20 studies with 483,600 participants. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant association between outdoor PM exposure and shorter human TL, with pooled impact estimates (β) of -0.12 (95% CI: -0.20, -0.03, I= 95.4%) for general long-term exposure and -0.07 (95% CI: -0.15, 0.00, I= 74.3%) for prenatal exposure. In conclusion, our findings suggest that outdoor PM exposure may contribute to TL shortening, and noteworthy associations were observed in specific subgroups, suggesting the impact of various research variables. Larger, high-quality studies using standardized methodologies are necessary to strengthen these conclusions further.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Particulate Matter; Air Pollution; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Telomere Shortening; Telomere; Air Pollutants; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38518608
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116206 -
European Journal of Cancer Prevention :... Mar 2024Exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and other fossil fuels in the workplace can cause several health effects including cancer. We conducted a systematic review and...
Exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and other fossil fuels in the workplace can cause several health effects including cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies examining the association between occupational DE exposure and the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. We included cohort studies mentioned in the Monograph of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2014, on DE. Forest plots of relative risk (RR) were constructed for HNC overall and its anatomical subtypes. A random-effects model was used to address heterogeneity between studies. Fifteen articles were included after removing duplicates and irrelevant reports. The summary RR for DE exposure was 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.17, P heterogeneity = <0.001] for HNC overall, 0.98 (95% CI = 0.87-1.11) for oral cavity, 1.05 (95% CI = 0.77-1.43) for pharyngeal, 1.15 (95% CI = 0.96-1.38) for oral cavity and pharyngeal combined, and 1.13 (95% CI = 1.03-1.24) for laryngeal cancer. There were elevated RRs for incidence studies of HNC (RR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.05-1.22, P = 0.001), European studies (RR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.05-1.23, P = 0.001), and female studies (RR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.31-2.39, P = 0.003). Our study suggested an association between occupational DE exposure and the risk of HNC, particularly laryngeal cancer. Although residual confounding cannot be ruled out, our results support the importance of controlling occupational DE exposure.
PubMed: 38502528
DOI: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000876 -
Environment International Mar 2024The World Health Organization is coordinating an international project aimed at systematically reviewing the evidence regarding the association between radiofrequency... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on male fertility: A systematic review of experimental studies on non-human mammals and human sperm in vitro.
BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization is coordinating an international project aimed at systematically reviewing the evidence regarding the association between radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure and adverse health effects. Reproductive health outcomes have been identified among the priority topics to be addressed.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of RF-EMF exposure on male fertility of experimental mammals and on human sperm exposed in vitro.
METHODS
Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and EMF Portal) were last searched on September 17, 2022. Two independent reviewers screened the studies, which were considered eligible if met the following criteria: 1) Peer-reviewed publications of sham controlled experimental studies, 2) Non-human male mammals exposed at any stage of development or human sperm exposed in vitro, 3) RF-EMF exposure within the frequency range of 100 kHz-300 GHz, including electromagnetic pulses (EMP), 4) one of the following indicators of reproductive system impairment:Two reviewers extracted study characteristics and outcome data. We assessed risk of bias (RoB) using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) guidelines. We categorized studies into 3 levels of overall RoB: low, some or high concern. We pooled study results in a random effects meta-analysis comparing average exposure to no-exposure and in a dose-response meta-analysis using all exposure doses. For experimental animal studies, we conducted subgroup analyses for species, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and temperature increase. We grouped studies on human sperm exposed in vitro by the fertility status of sample donors and SAR. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach after excluding studies that were rated as "high concern" for RoB.
RESULTS
One-hundred and seventeen papers on animal studies and 10 papers on human sperm exposed in vitro were included in this review. Only few studies were rated as "low concern" because most studies were at RoB for exposure and/or outcome assessment. Subgrouping the experimental animal studies by species, SAR, and temperature increase partly accounted for the heterogeneity of individual studies in about one third of the meta-analyses. In no case was it possible to conduct a subgroup analysis of the few human sperm in vitro studies because there were always 1 or more groups including less than 3 studies. Among all the considered endpoints, the meta-analyses of animal studies provided evidence of adverse effects of RF-EMF exposure in all cases but the rate of infertile males and the size of the sired litters. The assessment of certainty according to the GRADE methodology assigned a moderate certainty to the reduction of pregnancy rate and to the evidence of no-effect on litter size, a low certainty to the reduction of sperm count, and a very low certainty to all the other meta-analysis results. Studies on human sperm exposed in vitro indicated a small detrimental effect of RF-EMF exposure on vitality and no-effect on DNA/chromatin alterations. According to GRADE, a very low certainty was attributed to these results. The few studies that used EMP exposure did not show effects on the outcomes. A low to very low certainty was attributed to these results.
DISCUSSION
Many of the studies examined suffered of severe limitations that led to the attribution of uncertainty to the results of the meta-analyses and did not allow to draw firm conclusions on most of the endpoints. Nevertheless, the associations between RF-EMF exposure and decrease of pregnancy rate and sperm count, to which moderate and low certainty were attributed, are not negligible, also in view of the indications that in Western countries human male fertility potential seems to be progressively declining. It was beyond the scope of our systematic review to determine the shape of the dose-response relationship or to identify a minimum effective exposure level. The subgroup and the dose-response fitting analyses did not show a consistent relationship between the exposure levels and the observed effects. Notably, most studies evaluated RF-EMF exposure levels that were higher than the levels to which human populations are typically exposed, and the limits set in international guidelines. For these reasons we cannot provide suggestions to confirm or reconsider current human exposure limits. Considering the outcomes of this systematic review and taking into account the limitations found in several of the studies, we suggest that further investigations with better characterization of exposure and dosimetry including several exposure levels and blinded outcome assessment were conducted.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
Protocols for the systematic reviews of animal studies and of human sperm in vitro studies were published in Pacchierotti et al., 2021. The former was also registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021227729 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID = 227729) and the latter in Open Science Framework (OSF Registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7MUS3).
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Electromagnetic Fields; Mammals; Radio Waves; Reproduction; Semen; Infertility, Male
PubMed: 38492496
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108509 -
Radiation Protection Dosimetry Apr 2024This study reviews recent research on Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) exposure in confined environments, focusing on methodologies and parameters. Studies... (Review)
Review
This study reviews recent research on Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) exposure in confined environments, focusing on methodologies and parameters. Studies typically evaluate RF-EMF exposure using an electric field and specific absorption rate but fail to consider temperature rise in the tissues in confined environments. The study highlights the investigation of RF-EMF exposure in subterranean environments such as subways, tunnels and mines. Future research should evaluate the exposure of communication devices in such environments, considering the surrounding environment. Such studies will aid in understanding the risks and developing effective mitigation strategies to protect workers and the general public.
Topics: Electromagnetic Fields; Humans; Radio Waves; Environmental Exposure; Radiation Monitoring; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38491820
DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncae045 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Jun 2024Mounting evidence shows that bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with metabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to review related epidemiologic studies and conduct a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mounting evidence shows that bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with metabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to review related epidemiologic studies and conduct a meta-analysis to quantitatively estimate the association between BPA and metabolic syndrome. Four electronic databases were systematically searched to identify suitable articles. A total of 47 published studies were finally included. Two studies involved metabolic syndrome. Of the 17, 17, 14, and 13 studies on the relationship between BPA with abdominal obesity, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia, 10, 6, 3, and 4 studies were included in the meta-analysis, respectively. The results showed that the risk of abdominal obesity increased with the increase of BPA exposure, especially in the group with higher BPA exposure levels (Quartile 2 vs. Quartile 1, pooled OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.33; Q vs. Q, pooled OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.13, 1.51; Q vs. Q, pooled OR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.61). However, there was no significant correlation between BPA exposure and metabolic syndrome components including hypertension, abnormal fasting plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia. The present study found that BPA exposure is significantly associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity. However, the relationship between BPA with metabolic syndrome and its other components needs further longitudinal studies to verify.
Topics: Benzhydryl Compounds; Metabolic Syndrome; Humans; Phenols; Obesity, Abdominal; Environmental Exposure; Dyslipidemias; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38491337
DOI: 10.1111/obr.13738 -
Scandinavian Journal of Work,... May 2024The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between occupational mechanical exposures and hip osteoarthritis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the association between occupational mechanical exposures and hip osteoarthritis.
METHODS
The study was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic literature search was conducted in six databases to identify relevant articles. Two authors independently excluded articles, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias of each included article, and graded the level of evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis using random-effects model and performed a sensitivity analysis stratifying articles based on the risk of bias assessment, study design, and the outcome measurement.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were eligible for inclusion. The highest pooled odds ratio (OR) was found for combined mechanical exposures [OR 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-2.0], non-neutral postures (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.1), lifting/carrying loads (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9), and climbing stairs (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). The range of pooled OR for the remaining mechanical exposures (eg, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and sitting) was 0.6-1.6. Grading the quality of evidence, a moderate level of evidence was found for the combined mechanical exposures and for lifting/carrying loads. The remaining exposure categories were graded as having either low or very low levels of evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Considerable heterogeneity was observed across the included studies, and high-quality literature using objective exposure measurements is warranted. Despite various limitations affecting the comparability, occupational mechanical exposures seem to influence the likelihood of developing hip osteoarthritis.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Occupational Exposure; Posture; Occupational Diseases; Lifting
PubMed: 38483209
DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4152 -
Environmental Research Jun 2024
Corrigendum to "Health effects of railway-induced vibration combined with railway noise - A systematic review with exposure-effect curves" [Environ. Res. 233 (2023) 116480].
PubMed: 38479040
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118658 -
Journal of Thermal Biology Feb 2024Cross-adaptation (CA) refers to the successful induction of physiological adaptation under one environmental stressor (e.g., heat), to enable subsequent benefit in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Cross-adaptation (CA) refers to the successful induction of physiological adaptation under one environmental stressor (e.g., heat), to enable subsequent benefit in another (e.g., hypoxia). This systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis investigated the effect of heat acclimation (HA) on physiological, perceptual and physical performance outcome measures during rest, and submaximal and maximal intensity exercise in hypoxia. Database searches in Scopus and MEDLINE were performed. Studies were included when they met the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome criteria, were of English-language, peer-reviewed, full-text original articles, using human participants. Risk of bias and study quality were assessed using the COnsensus based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments checklist. Nine studies were included, totalling 79 participants (100 % recreationally trained males). The most common method of HA included fixed-intensity exercise comprising 9 ± 3 sessions, 89 ± 24-min in duration and occurred within 39 ± 2 °C and 32 ± 13 % relative humidity. CA induced a moderate, beneficial effect on physiological measures at rest (oxygen saturation: g = 0.60) and during submaximal exercise (heart rate: g = -0.65, core temperature: g = -0.68 and skin temperature: g = -0.72). A small effect was found for ventilation (g = 0.24) and performance measures (peak power: g = 0.32 and time trial time: g = -0.43) during maximal intensity exercise. No effect was observed for perceptual outcome measures. CA may be appropriate for individuals, such as occupational or military workers, whose access to altitude exposure prior to undertaking submaximal activity in hypoxic conditions is restricted. Methodological variances exist within the current literature, and females and well-trained individuals have yet to be investigated. Future research should focus on these cohorts and explore the mechanistic underpinnings of CA.
Topics: Male; Humans; Acclimatization; Adaptation, Physiological; Heat-Shock Response; Exercise; Hypoxia; Heat Stress Disorders
PubMed: 38471285
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103793 -
American Journal of Industrial Medicine May 2024It is well documented that public safety personnel are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) at elevated frequency and demonstrate higher prevalence of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
It is well documented that public safety personnel are exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) at elevated frequency and demonstrate higher prevalence of trauma-related symptoms compared to the general population. Lesser studied to date are the organizational consequences of workplace PTE exposure and associated mental health outcomes such as acute/posttraumatic stress disorder (ASD/PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
METHODS
The present review synthesizes international literature on work outcomes in public safety personnel (PSP) to explore whether and how PTE and trauma-related symptoms relate to workplace outcomes. A total of N = 55 eligible articles examining PTE or trauma-related symptoms in relation to work outcomes were systematically reviewed using best-evidence narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Three primary work outcomes emerged across the literature: absenteeism, productivity/performance, and costs to organization. Across n = 21 studies of absenteeism, there was strong evidence that PTE or trauma-related symptoms are associated with increased sickness absence. N = 27 studies on productivity/performance demonstrated overall strong evidence of negative impacts in the workplace. N = 7 studies on cost to organizations demonstrated weak evidence that PTE exposure or trauma-related mental health outcomes are associated with increased cost to organization.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on available evidence, the experience of workplace PTE or trauma-related symptoms is associated with negative impact on PSP occupational functioning, though important potential confounds (e.g., organizational strain and individual risk factors) remain to be more extensively investigated.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Anxiety; Workplace
PubMed: 38458612
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23577