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PloS One 2024Gaseous and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted by the transport sector contribute to air pollution and have adverse effects on human health. To reduce harmful...
Gaseous and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted by the transport sector contribute to air pollution and have adverse effects on human health. To reduce harmful effects to the environment as well as to humans, renewable and sustainable bio-hybrid fuels are explored and investigated in the cluster of excellence "The Fuel Science Center" at RWTH Aachen University. However, data on the effects of bio-hybrid fuels on human health is scarce, leaving a data gap regarding their hazard potential. To help close this data gap, this study investigates potential toxic effects of a Ketone-Ester-Alcohol-Alkane (KEAA) fuel blend on A549 human lung cells. Experiments were performed using a commercially available air-liquid interface exposure system which was optimized beforehand. Then, cells were exposed at the air-liquid interface to 50-2000 ppm C3.7 of gaseous KEAA for 1 h. After a 24 h recovery period in the incubator, cells treated with 500 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant lower metabolic activity and cells treated with 50, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant higher cytotoxicity compared to controls. Our data support the international occupational exposure limits of the single KEAA constituents. This finding applies only to the exposure scenario tested in this study and is difficult to extrapolate to the complex in vivo situation.
Topics: Humans; A549 Cells; Lung; Biofuels; Cell Survival; Gases; Volatile Organic Compounds; Alkanes; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 38913629
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300772 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Dec 2023Manganese (Mn) is an essential nutrient and neurotoxicant, and the neurodevelopmental effects of Mn may depend on exposure timing. Less research has quantitatively...
BACKGROUND
Manganese (Mn) is an essential nutrient and neurotoxicant, and the neurodevelopmental effects of Mn may depend on exposure timing. Less research has quantitatively compared the impact of Mn exposure on neurodevelopment across exposure periods.
METHODS
We used data from 125 Italian adolescents (10-14 years) from the Public Health Impact of Metals Exposure Study to estimate prospective associations of Mn in three early life exposure periods with adolescent attention-related behaviors. Mn was quantified in deciduous teeth using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to represent prenatal (2nd trimester-birth), postnatal (birth ~1.5 years), and childhood (~1.5-6 years) exposure. Attention-related behavior was evaluated using the Conners Behavior Rating Scales in adolescence. We used multivariable linear regression models to quantify associations between Mn in each exposure period, and multiple informant models to compare associations across exposure periods.
RESULTS
Median tooth Mn levels (normalized to calcium) were 0.4 area under the curve (AUC) Mn:Ca × 10, 0.1 AUC Mn:Ca × 10, and 0.0006 Mn:Ca for the prenatal, postnatal, and childhood periods. A doubling in prenatal tooth Mn levels was associated with 5.3% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = -10.3%, 0.0%) lower (i.e., better) teacher-reported inattention scores, whereas a doubling in postnatal tooth Mn levels was associated with 4.5% (95% CI = -9.3%, 0.6%) and 4.6% (95% CI = -9.5%, 0.6%) lower parent-reported inattention and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder index scores, respectively. Childhood Mn was not beneficially associated with reported attention-related behaviors.
CONCLUSION
Protective associations in the prenatal and postnatal periods suggest Mn is beneficial for attention-related behavior, but not in the childhood period.
PubMed: 38912396
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000274 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Dec 2023Recent evidence suggests environmental health inequalities both within and between European countries and socially deprived groups may be more susceptible to pollution....
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence suggests environmental health inequalities both within and between European countries and socially deprived groups may be more susceptible to pollution. However, evidence is still inconclusive and additional studies are warranted. This study aims to investigate sociodemographic inequalities in long-term residential exposure to air pollution, road traffic noise, and greenness, taking lifestyle and degree of urbanization into account.
METHODS
In total 20,407 women, born 1914-48 residing in Uppsala County, Sweden, were followed between 1997 and 2017. Time-varying sociodemographic variables were obtained from registers, and questionnaires provided lifestyle information. Generalized estimating equations were used to compute beta-coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle variables and spatial-temporal modeled particulate matter (PM, PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), road traffic noise and greenness. All models were additionally stratified by urbanization type.
RESULTS
Urban area residency was the most important predictor of high exposure to air pollution and noise, and to low greenness. For instance, β for NO was -2.92 (95% CI = -3.00, -2.83) and -3.10 (95% CI = -3.18, -3.01) µg/m in suburban and rural areas, respectively, compared with urban areas. For greenness, the opposite held true with corresponding β of 0.059 (95% CI = 0.056, 0.062) and 0.095 (95% CI = 0.092, 0.098). Within urban areas, elderly, unmarried and well-educated women had the highest environmental burden. However, less pronounced, and even reversed associations were found in suburban and rural areas.
CONCLUSION
This study provides evidence of a mixed pattern of environmental health inequalities across sociodemographic groups in urban areas.
PubMed: 38912394
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000279 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Dec 2023We aimed to assess whether the influence of urban vegetation on asthma development in children (<13 years) varies by type (e.g., total vegetation, tree type, and grass)...
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess whether the influence of urban vegetation on asthma development in children (<13 years) varies by type (e.g., total vegetation, tree type, and grass) and season.
METHODS
We used a cohort of all children born in Montreal, Canada, between 2000 and 2015. Children and cases were identified from linked medico-administrative databases. Exposure to residential vegetation was estimated using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for total vegetation and using the total area covered by deciduous and evergreen crowns for trees in 250 m buffers centered on residential postal codes. Seasonal variations in vegetation were modeled by setting values to zero on days outside of pollen and leaf-on seasons. Cox models with vegetation exposures, age as a time axis, and adjusted for sex, material deprivation, and health region were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for asthma development.
RESULTS
We followed 352,946 children for a total of 1,732,064 person-years and identified 30,816 incident cases of asthma. While annual vegetation (total and trees) measures did not appear to be associated with asthma development, models for pollen and leaf-on seasons yielded significant nonlinear associations. The risk of developing asthma was lower in children exposed to high levels (>33,300 m) of deciduous crown area for the leaf-on season (HR = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67, 0.72) and increased for the pollen season (HR = 1.07; 95% CI =1.02, 1.12), compared with unexposed children. Similar results were found with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index.
CONCLUSION
The relationship between urban vegetation and childhood asthma development is nonlinear and influenced by vegetation characteristics, from protective during the leaf-on season to harmful during the pollen season.
PubMed: 38912389
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000280 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Dec 2023Adult males in Sweden exhibit an increased risk of cancer associated with an increased absorbed dose to the colon from the Chernobyl accident.
BACKGROUND
Adult males in Sweden exhibit an increased risk of cancer associated with an increased absorbed dose to the colon from the Chernobyl accident.
METHODS
A closed cohort, with information on hunter status, included all individuals living in northern Sweden in 1986. Complete annual information on exposure to Cs at the dwelling coordinate was available for a total of 2,104,101 individuals. A nested case-control method with four controls matched for year of cancer diagnosis and year of birth, was used. Individual absorbed organ doses were calculated between 1986 and 2020 including external and internal exposure. Hazard ratios (HR) per mGy with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression adjusted for rural/nonrural habitat, education level and pre-Chernobyl cancer incidence 1980 to 1985. A total of 161,325 cancer cases in males and 144,439 in females were included.
RESULTS
The adjusted HR per mGy for all cancer sites combined was 1.027 (95% CI = 1.022, 1.031) in males and 1.011 (95% CI = 1.006, 1.017) in females. In a post hoc analysis accounting for both remaining confounding from hunter lifestyle and the pre-Chernobyl cancer incidence by county, the adjusted HR per mGy for all cancer sites combined was 1.014 (95% CI = 1.009, 1.019) in males and 1.000 (95% CI = 0.994, 1.006) in females. The post hoc analysis suggested an increased risk of cancer in the colon, pancreas, and stomach, respectively, in males, and lymphoma in females.
CONCLUSIONS
Increased cancer risk estimates were found for some specific cancer sites but remaining uncontrolled confounding due to hunter lifestyle could not be ruled out.
PubMed: 38912388
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000277 -
The Lancet. Microbe Jun 2024Microbiota alterations are common in patients hospitalised for severe infections, and preclinical models have shown that anaerobic butyrate-producing gut bacteria...
Association between butyrate-producing gut bacteria and the risk of infectious disease hospitalisation: results from two observational, population-based microbiome studies.
BACKGROUND
Microbiota alterations are common in patients hospitalised for severe infections, and preclinical models have shown that anaerobic butyrate-producing gut bacteria protect against systemic infections. However, the relationship between microbiota disruptions and increased susceptibility to severe infections in humans remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and the risk of future infection-related hospitalisation in two large population-based cohorts.
METHODS
In this observational microbiome study, gut microbiota were characterised using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in independent population-based cohorts from the Netherlands (HELIUS study; derivation cohort) and Finland (FINRISK 2002 study; validation cohort). HELIUS was conducted in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and included adults (aged 18-70 years at inclusion) who were randomly sampled from the municipality register of Amsterdam. FINRISK 2002 was conducted in six regions in Finland and is a population survey that included a random sample of adults (aged 25-74 years). In both cohorts, participants completed questionnaires, underwent a physical examination, and provided a faecal sample at inclusion (Jan 3, 2013, to Nov 27, 2015, for HELIUS participants and Jan 21 to April 19, 2002, for FINRISK participants. For inclusion in our study, a faecal sample needed to be provided and successfully sequenced, and national registry data needed to be available. Primary predictor variables were microbiota composition, diversity, and relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. Our primary outcome was hospitalisation or mortality due to any infectious disease during 5-7-year follow-up after faecal sample collection, based on national registry data. We examined associations between microbiota and infection risk using microbial ecology and Cox proportional hazards.
FINDINGS
We profiled gut microbiota from 10 699 participants (4248 [39·7%] from the derivation cohort and 6451 [60·3%] from the validation cohort). 602 (5·6%) participants (152 [3·6%] from the derivation cohort; 450 [7·0%] from the validation cohort) were hospitalised or died due to infections during follow-up. Gut microbiota composition of these participants differed from those without hospitalisation for infections (derivation p=0·041; validation p=0·0002). Specifically, higher relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria was associated with a reduced risk of hospitalisation for infections (derivation cohort cause-specific hazard ratio 0·75 [95% CI 0·60-0·94] per 10% increase in butyrate producers, p=0·013; validation cohort 0·86 [0·77-0·96] per 10% increase, p=0·0077). These associations remained unchanged following adjustment for demographics, lifestyle, antibiotic exposure, and comorbidities.
INTERPRETATION
Gut microbiota composition, specifically colonisation with butyrate-producing bacteria, was associated with protection against hospitalisation for infectious diseases in the general population across two independent European cohorts. Further studies should investigate whether modulation of the microbiome can reduce the risk of severe infections.
FUNDING
Amsterdam UMC, Porticus, National Institutes of Health, Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), and Leducq Foundation.
PubMed: 38909617
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(24)00079-X -
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Jun 2024Earth's temperature has risen by an average of 0.11°Fahrenheit per decade since 1850 and experts predict continued global warming. Studies have shown that exposure to...
INTRODUCTION
Earth's temperature has risen by an average of 0.11°Fahrenheit per decade since 1850 and experts predict continued global warming. Studies have shown that exposure to extreme temperatures is associated with adverse health outcomes. Missed primary care visits can lead to incomplete preventive health screenings and unmanaged chronic diseases. This study examines the associations between extreme temperature conditions and primary care utilization among adult Philadelphians.
METHODS
1,048,575 appointments from 91,580 patients age ≥ 18 years enrolled in the study at thirteen university-based outpatient clinics in Philadelphia from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from June to December 2023. Data on attended and missed appointments was linked with measures of daily maximum temperature and precipitation, stratified by warm and cold seasons. Sociodemographic variables and associations with chronic disease status were explored.
RESULTS
Rates of missed appointments increased by 0.72% for every 1°F decrease in daily maximum temperatures below 39°F and increased by 0.64% for every 1°F increase above 89°F. Individuals≥65 years and those with chronic conditions had stronger associations with an increased rate of missed appointments.
CONCLUSIONS
Temperature extremes were associated with higher rates of missed primary care appointments. Individuals with chronic diseases were more likely to have missed appointments associated with extreme temperatures. The findings suggest the need for primary care physicians to explore different modes of care delivery to support vulnerable populations, such as making telemedicine during extreme weather events a viable and affordable option.
PubMed: 38908724
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.06.014 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Assessment of occupational exposure to viruses is crucial to identify virus reservoirs and sources of dissemination at an early stage and to help prevent spread between... (Review)
Review
Assessment of occupational exposure to viruses is crucial to identify virus reservoirs and sources of dissemination at an early stage and to help prevent spread between employees and to the general population. Measuring workers' exposure can facilitate assessment of the effectiveness of protective and mitigation measures in place. The aim of this scoping review is to give an overview of available methods and those already implemented for airborne virus' exposure assessment in different occupational and indoor environments. The results retrieved from the different studies may contribute to the setting of future standards and guidelines to ensure a reliable risk characterization in the occupational environments crucial for the implementation of effective control measures. The search aimed at selecting studies between January 1st 2010 and June 30th 2023 in the selected databases. Fifty papers on virus exposure assessment fitted the eligibility criteria and were selected for data extraction. Overall, this study identified gaps in knowledge regarding virus assessment and pinpointed the needs for further research. Several discrepancies were found (transport temperatures, elution steps, …), as well as a lack of publication of important data related to the exposure conditions (contextual information). With the available information, it is impossible to compare results between studies employing different methods, and even if the same methods are used, different conclusions/recommendations based on the expert judgment have been reported due to the lack of consensus in the contextual information retrieved and/or data interpretation. Future research on the field targeting sampling methods and in the laboratory regarding the assays to employ should be developed bearing in mind the different goals of the assessment.
PubMed: 38908595
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174016 -
Environment International Jun 2024Childhood exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or lead (Pb) is associated with epigenetic modifications. However, the effects of their co-exposures on...
Associations of co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and lead (Pb) with IGF1 methylation in peripheral blood of preschool children from an e-waste recycling area.
BACKGROUND
Childhood exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or lead (Pb) is associated with epigenetic modifications. However, the effects of their co-exposures on IGF1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) methylation and the potential role in child physical growth are unclear.
METHODS
From our previous children study (N = 238, ages of 3-6), 75 children with higher total concentrations of urinary ten hydroxyl PAH metabolites (∑OH-PAHs) from an e-waste recycling area, Guiyu, and 75 with lower ∑OH-PAHs from Haojiang (reference area) were included. Pb and IGF1 P2 promoter methylation in peripheral blood were also measured. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to estimate individual associations, overall effects and interactions of co-exposure to OH-PAHs and Pb on IGF1 methylation were further explored using Bayesian kernel machine regression.
RESULTS
Methylation of IGF1 (CG-232) was lower (38.00 vs. 39.74 %, P < 0.001), but of CG-207 and CG-137 were higher (59.94 vs. 58.41 %; 57.60 vs. 56.28 %, both P < 0.05) in exposed children than the reference. The elevated urinary 2-OHPhe was associated with reduced methylation of CG-232 (B = -0.051, 95 % CI: -0.096, -0.005, P < 0.05), whereas blood Pb was positively associated with methylation of CG-108 (B = 0.106, 95 %CI: 0.013, 0.199, P < 0.05), even after full adjustment. Methylations of CG-224 and 218 significantly decreased when all OH-PAHs and Pb mixtures were set at 35th - 40th and 45th - 55th percentile compared to when all fixed at 50th percentile. There were bivariate interactions of co-exposure to the mixtures on methylations of CG-232, 224, 218, and 108. Methylations correlated with height, weight, were observed in the exposed children.
CONCLUSIONS
Childhood co-exposure to high PAHs and Pb from the e-waste may be associated with IGF1 promoter methylation alterations in peripheral blood. This, in turn, may interrupt the physical growth of preschool children.
PubMed: 38908275
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108833 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Humans are extensively exposed to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), an emerging group of organic contaminants with potential nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, the...
Humans are extensively exposed to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), an emerging group of organic contaminants with potential nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and prognostic impacts of OPFRs have not been assessed in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this 2-year longitudinal study of 169 patients with CKD, we calculated the EDIs of five OPFR triesters from urinary biomonitoring data of their degradation products and analyzed the effects of OPFR exposure on adverse renal outcomes and renal function deterioration. Our analysis demonstrated universal OPFR exposure in the CKD population, with a median EDI of 360.45 ng/kg body weight/day (interquartile range, 198.35-775.94). Additionally, our study revealed that high tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) exposure independently correlated with composite adverse events and composite renal events (hazard ratio [95 % confidence interval; CI]: 4.616 [1.060-20.096], p = 0.042; 3.053 [1.075-8.674], p = 0.036) and served as an independent predictor for renal function deterioration throughout the study period, with a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 4.127 mL/min/1.73 m (95 % CI, -8.127--0.126; p = 0.043) per log ng/kg body weight/day of EDI. Furthermore, the EDI and EDI were positively associated with elevations in urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and kidney injury molecule-1 during the study period, indicating the roles of oxidative damage and renal tubular injury in the nephrotoxicity of OPFR exposure. To conclude, our findings highlight the widespread OPFR exposure and its possible nephrotoxicity in the CKD population.
PubMed: 38908056
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116625