Environmental Health Perspectives[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Sociodemographic Disparities in Exposures to Inorganic Contaminants in United States Public Water Systems.
Dai MQ, Hu XC, Coull BA … +4 more , Campbell C, Andrews DQ, Naidenko OV, Sunderland EM
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jun · PMID 40168471 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Maximum contaminant level violations occur more frequently among some public water systems (PWS) serving marginalized communities across the United States. Spatially resolved PWS service area data are now ava...
BACKGROUND: Maximum contaminant level violations occur more frequently among some public water systems (PWS) serving marginalized communities across the United States. Spatially resolved PWS service area data are now available, allowing for better understanding of relationships between sociodemographic factors and water quality. OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between detection and concentrations of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) and the sociodemographic characteristics of residents served by PWS at two spatial scales: PWS service areas and counties. METHODS: We leveraged data on inorganic contaminants in drinking water samples from PWS collected by state agencies and the US Environmental Protection Agency over the decade between 2005-2015 and curated in a national database developed by the Environmental Working Group. Sociodemographic data were from the 2006-2015 American Community Survey. We developed two-step hurdle models that included: ) a categorical model predicting contaminant detection and ) a continuous model predicting contaminant concentration. We developed these hurdle models using PWS service areas or counties as spatial units of analysis and compared results. RESULTS: PWS serving 5% higher proportions of limited English-speaking households had significantly greater detections of As, Cr, and Se, ranging from 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.32] times higher probability of Cr detection to 1.69 (95% CI: 1.58, 1.80) times higher probability of Se detection. Small PWS ( customers) had higher concentrations of these same three contaminants. PWS serving greater proportions of Black residents had a lower probability of detecting As, Cr, and Se, but significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Se, particularly outside large urban areas. The direction of significant associations was consistent between spatial units of analysis, but county results tended to exhibit greater effect sizes and fewer significant associations. DISCUSSION: PWS service area data help to identify drinking water concerns specific to served communities and reduce issues related to statistical bias at larger spatial scales. Targeted subsidies for water infrastructure in communities served by small PWS would help reduce disparities in exposures to drinking water contaminants. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14793.
Seasonal Average Temperature Differences and CVD Incidence: Results from the US-Based Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and the Health Professional Follow-Up Study.
Klompmaker JO, Laden F, Dominici F … +6 more , James P, Rimm E, Roscoe C, Wilt G, Zanobetti A, Hart JE
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40163801 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Climate change is one of the greatest health threats facing humanity. Multiple studies have documented the impact of short-term temperature exposure on human health. However, long-term temperature exposures a...
BACKGROUND: Climate change is one of the greatest health threats facing humanity. Multiple studies have documented the impact of short-term temperature exposure on human health. However, long-term temperature exposures are far less studied. OBJECTIVES: We examined whether exposures to higher or lower summer and winter average temperatures compared to long-term average temperatures were associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in three US-based cohorts. METHODS: We followed 276,618 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) (1991-2018), the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII) (1994-2017), and the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study (1991-2015). We used data (1986-2018) from PRISM Spatial Climate Datasets ( spatial resolution) to calculate differences between the summer (June-August) and winter (December-February) average temperatures and the previous 5-year summer and winter average temperatures at residential addresses of each participant. CVD incidence was defined as first nonfatal or fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or nonfatal or fatal stroke. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine associations with between average temperatures and CVD incidence. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were pooled using random effect meta-analysis. We also examined associations in the populations and years of age. RESULTS: After pooling HRs, we found no association of summer average temperatures higher than the previous 5-year average temperature, with CVD incidence. A winter average temperature lower than the previous 5-year average was associated with CVD incidence ( per 2.7°C increase; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.01). Among persons years of age, we observed increased CVD risks with higher summer average temperatures (pooled per 1.3°C increase; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.07) and lower winter average temperatures (pooled per 2.7°C increase; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.95) compared to the previous 5-year average temperature. DISCUSSION: Exposure to a winter average temperature lower than the previous 5-year average was suggestively associated with an increased CVD risk. Exposure to a summer average temperature higher than the previous 5-year average was associated with CVD incidence in the population years of age but not in the full population. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14677.
Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease among US Nurses: The Nurses' Health Study II.
Wang YX, Dumas O, Varraso R … +7 more , Sun Y, Rich-Edwards JW, Manson JE, Mukamal KJ, Zhang Y, Camargo CA, Messerlian C
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40163383 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Exposure to certain chemicals in disinfectants has been associated with vascular dysfunction in toxicological studies, but the association between disinfectant exposure and clinical cardiovascular disease (CV...
BACKGROUND: Exposure to certain chemicals in disinfectants has been associated with vascular dysfunction in toxicological studies, but the association between disinfectant exposure and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to disinfectants and subsequent risk of CVD among US nurses. METHODS: We included 75,675 participants from The Nurses' Health Study II who maintained a nursing job and reported data on occupational disinfectant exposure. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident CVD, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, using Cox proportional hazard models comparing job types and general disinfection tasks between participants. We also used a job-task-exposure matrix to evaluate the risk of CVD by frequency of cleaning/disinfection tasks and exposure levels of seven specific disinfectants (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hypochlorite bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, and enzymatic cleaners). RESULTS: During 10 y of follow-up (2009-2019), we documented 726 incident cases of CVD. In fully adjusted models, the hazard ratio of CVD among nurses who worked in operating rooms was 1.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25, 2.36], in comparison with those working as educators or administrators. A similar pattern of associations was found when we separately assessed the risk for CHD and stroke [ (95% CI: 1.11, 2.58) and (95% CI: 1.05, 2.74), respectively] among operating room nurses, in comparison with those working as educators or administrators. Those who used disinfectants weekly had modest elevations in CVD risk (; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.40), in comparison with women who never used disinfectants. The highest CVD risk was observed among nurses using disinfectants or spray or aerosol products 4-7 d/wk and those exposed to the highest levels of the seven specific disinfectants listed above. CONCLUSION: Exposure to disinfectants in real-world health care settings was associated with a higher risk of CVD, including CHD and stroke, among US nurses. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14945.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Persistent Nausea among Pregnant Women Enrolled in the Illinois Kids Development Study (I-KIDS).
Ryva BA, Wylie BJ, Aung MT … +2 more , Schantz SL, Strakovsky RS
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40163373 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are exposed to numerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Pregnancy-related nausea likely has hormonal etiology and may persist beyond the first trimester. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, we aimed...
BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are exposed to numerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Pregnancy-related nausea likely has hormonal etiology and may persist beyond the first trimester. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, we aimed to determine the relationship between EDC biomarkers and pregnancy nausea characteristics. METHODS: Illinois Kids Development Study (I-KIDS) pregnant women () reported nausea symptoms monthly from conception to delivery. We categorized women as never having nausea (9%) or as having typical (ends by 17 wk gestation; 42%), persistent (ends after 17 wk gestation; 25%), or irregular (24%) nausea. Women provided five urine samples across pregnancy, which we pooled and analyzed for phthalate/replacement, phenol, and triclocarban biomarkers. Using covariate-adjusted logistic regression, we evaluated relationships of EDCs with nausea and used quantile-based g-computation (QGComp) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to evaluate joint associations of EDCs with nausea symptoms. We also considered differences in associations by fetal sex. RESULTS: Only the sum of urinary biomarkers of di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate () was associated with higher risk of persistent nausea compared to typical nausea [odds ratio (OR) ; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.37] in all women. However, using QGComp, a 10% higher concentration of the EDC mixture was associated with 14% higher risk of persistent nausea [relative risk (RR) ; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.30], due to , ethylparaben, and the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate () metabolites. Similarly, using BMKR, the EDC mixture was associated with greater odds of persistent nausea in all women. In women carrying male offspring, ethylparaben was associated with persistent nausea, and a 10% higher concentration of the QGComp mixture was associated with 26% higher risk of persistent nausea (; 95% CI:1.13, 1.41), driven by ethylparaben and . Consistently, using BKMR, EDCs were positively associated with persistent nausea in women carrying males. We did not identify associations between EDC biomarkers and persistent nausea in women carrying females or between EDC biomarkers and other nausea patterns. DISCUSSION: Nonpersistent EDCs, modeled as a mixture, are associated with persistent nausea in pregnancy, primarily in women carrying males. Future work should explore possible mechanisms, clinical implications, and interventions to reduce exposures and symptoms. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15547.
Identifying Potential Chemicals of Concern in Children's Products in a Regulatory Context: A Systematic Evidence Mapping Approach.
Rigutto G, Galkina E, Hayes LV … +1 more , Bălan SA
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40152882 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Children's vulnerability to chemical toxicant exposures demands strong consideration of the chemical composition of products designed for and marketed toward them. Inadequacies in health-protective legislatio...
BACKGROUND: Children's vulnerability to chemical toxicant exposures demands strong consideration of the chemical composition of products designed for and marketed toward them. Inadequacies in health-protective legislation and lack of mandatory ingredient disclosure in most children's products have created significant gaps in protection and oversight. Scientific literature can provide insight into the chemical constituency of children's products that may be useful for prioritizing future regulatory efforts. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to present a proof of concept for applying systematic evidence mapping methodology to identify which chemicals of potential concern have been reported in the scientific literature to be present in products marketed toward children, compile a compendium of data to inform future regulatory efforts, and identify research needs. METHODS: We conducted a broad, all-encompassing survey of the available literature from four databases to identify chemicals present in children's products. Using systematic evidence mapping methodologies, we constructed a database of children's products and their chemical constituents (termed "product-chemical combinations") based on a broad survey of current and relevant environmental health literature. Our study focused on chemicals listed on the California Safer Consumer Products Program's Candidate Chemicals List, which includes chemicals with one or more known hazard traits. We then conducted an exploratory data analysis of product category and product-chemical combination frequencies to identify common chemicals in specific products. RESULTS: Our systematic evidence mapping identified 206 potentially hazardous chemicals in children's products, 170 of which were found in toys. In total, we found 1,528 distinct product-chemical combinations; 582 product-chemical combinations included chemicals known to be hazardous or potentially hazardous. Ortho-phthalates in plastic toys, parabens in children's creams and lotions, and bisphenols in both baby bottles and teethers were the most frequently encountered product-chemical combinations of potential concern. DISCUSSION: The frequently reported presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in multiple types of children's products raises concerns for aggregate exposures and reveals gaps in regulatory protections for this sensitive subpopulation. Our reproducible and systematic evidence-based approach serves as a case study that can guide other prioritization efforts for transparent regulatory action aimed at improving the safety of chemicals in consumer products. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15394.
Categorizing Concentration Confidence: A Framework for Reporting Concentration Measures from Mass Spectrometry-Based Assays.
Petrick LM, Achaintre D, Maroli A … +7 more , Landero J, Dessanayake PS, Teitelbaum SL, Wolff MS, Arora M, Wright RO, Andra SS
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40152856 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Innovation in mass spectrometry-based methods to both quantify and perform discovery has blurred the lines between targeted and untargeted assays of biospecimens. Continuous data-concentrations or intensity v...
BACKGROUND: Innovation in mass spectrometry-based methods to both quantify and perform discovery has blurred the lines between targeted and untargeted assays of biospecimens. Continuous data-concentrations or intensity values generated from both methods-can be used in statistical analysis to determine associations with health outcomes, but concentration values are needed to compare measurements from one study to another to inform policy making decisions and to develop clinically relevant thresholds. As a single solution for discovery and quantitation, new hybrid-type assays derive concentration values for chemicals or metabolites but with varying degrees of uncertainty that may be greater than traditional quantitative assays. There is no current single standard to guide reporting bioassay concentrations or their uncertainty in concentration values from hybrid assays. Even when measures are robust, obtained with high scientific rigor, and provide valuable data toward risk assessment, unknown uncertainty can lead to bias in interpretation of reported data or omission of reported data that does not meet the strict criteria for absolute quantitation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this commentary is to articulate a scheme that enables investigators across bioanalytical fields to easily report analyte measurement assurance on the same scale from quantitative, untargeted, or hybrid assays that include a range of concentration confidences. DISCUSSION: We propose a simple scheme to report concentrations for targeted and untargeted analytes. Level 1 is a confirmed concentration following established tolerances in a fully quantitative assay while level 5 is a tentative intensity from a typical untargeted assay. This framework enables easy communication of uncertainty in concentration measurements to aid cross-validation, meta-analysis, and extrapolation across studies. It will facilitate interpretation while supporting analytical advancement and allow clear and concise measurement reporting across a broad range of confidences. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15465.
Partial Effects in Environmental Mixtures: Evidence and Guidance on Methods and Implications.
Kamenetsky ME, Welch BM, Bommarito PA … +7 more , Buckley JP, O'Brien KM, White AJ, McElrath TF, Cantonwine DE, Ferguson KK, Keil AP
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40145898 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The effects of a mixture of exposures on health outcomes are of interest to public health but pose methodological hurdles. These exposures may impact the outcome in opposing ways, which we call the positive a...
BACKGROUND: The effects of a mixture of exposures on health outcomes are of interest to public health but pose methodological hurdles. These exposures may impact the outcome in opposing ways, which we call the positive and negative partial effects of a mixture. There has been growing interest in estimating these partial effects and their ability to inform public health interventions. OBJECTIVES: Methods like quantile g-computation (QGC) and weighted quantile sums regression (WQSr) were originally developed for estimating an overall mixture effect. These approaches, however, have not been comprehensively evaluated in their ability to estimate partial effects. We study the bias-variance tradeoffs of these approaches in estimating partial effects. METHODS: We compare QGC with sample-splitting (QGCSS) and WQSr with sample-splitting (WQSSS) and new methods including ) QGC (QGCAP) and WQS (WQSAP), which use prior knowledge to determine the positive and negative exposures prior to partial effects estimation; ) model-averaging (QGC-MA); and ) elastic net to determine the split (QGC-Enet). We also considered WQSr with no sample-splitting (WQSNS), repeated holdout sets (RH-WQS), and two-index model with penalized weights (WQS2i). We compared performance under ) exposure correlations, ) varying sample sizes, ) spread in the negative effect across exposures, and ) imbalance in the partial effects. RESULTS: Our simulation results showed that the estimation of negative and positive partial effects grows in root mean squared error and average bias as correlation among exposures increases, sample sizes shrink, the negative effect is spread over more exposures, or the imbalance between the negative and positive effects increases. Our results are demonstrated in two examples of mixtures in relation to oxidative stress biomarkers and telomere length. DISCUSSION: Outside of having knowledge, no method is optimally reliable for estimating partial effects across common exposure scenarios. We provide guidance for practitioners of when partial effects might be most accurately estimated under particular settings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14942.
Neurological Outcomes of Joint Exposure to Polystyrene Micro/Nanospheres and Silver Nanoparticles in Zebrafish.
Song J, Pu Q, Chen C … +7 more , Liu X, Zhang X, Wang Z, Yan J, Wang X, Wang H, Qian Q
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40138633 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Micro/nanoplastics and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are emerging environmental contaminants widely detected in aquatic environments. However, previous research has primarily focused on the interactions betwee...
BACKGROUND: Micro/nanoplastics and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are emerging environmental contaminants widely detected in aquatic environments. However, previous research has primarily focused on the interactions between micro/nanoplastics and organic substances or heavy metals, whereas the interactions and combined toxic effects of micro/nanoplastics with AgNPs remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of coexposure to AgNPs and polystyrene micro/nanospheres (PS M/NPs) on the nervous system, comparing the toxicity of AgNPs alone and in combination with PS M/NPs in larval zebrafish. METHODS: We investigated the dynamics of AgNPs' () adsorption onto PS M/NPs () using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Zebrafish larvae were coexposed to PS M/NPs () and AgNPs () from 6 h post fertilization (hpf) to to evaluate neuroinflammatory effects from multiple perspectives, including developmental abnormalities, oxidative stress, neurobehavioral differences, vascular development, immune responses, differences in gene expression, and differences upon neuroinflammation inhibitor addition. RESULTS: Adsorption experiments showed PS M/NPs could stably adsorb AgNPs, with higher adsorption in smaller particles. Zebrafish larvae exposed to combined PS M/NPs and AgNPs demonstrated neurodevelopmental abnormalities, including developmental malformations, lower levels of locomotor activity, delayed response, and abnormal neuronal development. In addition, exposed zebrafish also exhibited disrupted neurodevelopmental markers, including vascular and apoptotic indicators, and oxidative stress and neuroimmune responses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed differences in gene expression within neurotoxic pathways in PS M/NPs and AgNPs-exposed zebrafish, focusing on key genes in immunity, apoptosis, vascular, and neural development. Furthermore, these neurotoxic effects induced by combined exposure were alleviated following the introduction of the neuroinflammation inhibitor curcumin. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that polystyrene nanospheres (PSNPs) intensified AgNPs-induced neurotoxicity in larval zebrafish, whereas polystyrene microspheres (PSMPs) had a lesser effect, indicating distinct gene regulation roles when combined with AgNPs. These findings enhance the assessment of environmental risks in settings with coexisting nanomaterials and microplastics, offering important insights for evaluating combined exposure risks. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14873.
Association of Ambient Air Pollution and Temperature Exposure with Placental Abruption: A Nested Case-Control Study Based on Live Birth Registrations.
Wang T, Zhou W, Liu H … +12 more , Zhan Y, Tang D, Guo Y, Yin C, Wu D, Cao Y, Ling X, Yang H, Zhou N, Cao J, Zhou W, Chen Q
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40138323 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Placental abruption, a rare disorder of unclear etiology, lacks evidence to illustrate its relationship with exposure to air pollution and temperature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the associati...
BACKGROUND: Placental abruption, a rare disorder of unclear etiology, lacks evidence to illustrate its relationship with exposure to air pollution and temperature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to ambient pollutants and temperatures and placental abruption to identify susceptible time windows and subpopulations. METHODS: A nested case-control study was based on a live birth registration database in Chongqing, the largest Chinese municipality in China, from 2018 to 2022. The placental abruption cases were each matched with four controls by maternal age at delivery, gestational week, gravidity, parity, and delivery date. Six ambient pollutants [particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter (), PM with aerodynamic diameter (), , CO, , and ] and temperature were estimated using machine learning algorithms. A conditional logistic regression model analyzed associations of exposure to air pollution and temperature with placental abruption in five time windows (prepregnancy, the entire pregnancy, and each of the 3 trimesters). Stratification analyses were applied to examine potential modifiers including gravidity, parity, mothers' residential area (urban/rural), pandemic experience, and delivery season. RESULTS: After data quality control, 798 cases were identified and matched with 3,192 controls. An exposure relationship was identified between during the pregnancy period and placental abruption (). In comparison with the first quartile level of , the odds ratios (ORs) of abruption associated with exposure to the second, third, and fourth quartile levels of were 1.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.96], 1.90 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.76), and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.39, 3.71), respectively. The association for exposure existed in the 3 trimesters but not prepregnancy. Exposure to locally extreme low temperatures ( percentile) in the third trimester was associated with increased risks of abruption (; 95% CI: 1.67, 8.08) in comparison with locally moderate temperatures (25th-75th percentile). Stratified analysis showed no statistical significances within the effect modifiers. DISCUSSION: Based on a large-scale live birth record, the study suggested that exposure to air pollutants, mainly , during pregnancy may be a substantial risk factor for placental abruption. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14714.
Long-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Noise and Dynamic Brain Connectivity across Adolescence.
López-Vicente M, Kusters M, Binter AC … +4 more , Petricola S, Tiemeier H, Muetzel R, Guxens M
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40131185 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Traffic-related exposures, such as air pollution and noise, show long-term associations with brain alterations in children and adolescents. The associations with functional connectivity have been studied usin...
BACKGROUND: Traffic-related exposures, such as air pollution and noise, show long-term associations with brain alterations in children and adolescents. The associations with functional connectivity have been studied using static approaches of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) (i.e., average connectivity between regions across the scanning session). OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the long-term association of traffic air pollution and noise during pregnancy and childhood with functional connectivity across adolescence using a dynamic approach, which captures different connectivity patterns across the scanning session. METHODS: We used data from the Generation R population-based birth cohort. We estimated levels of 14 air pollutants and traffic noise at home addresses during pregnancy and childhood. We acquired rs-fMRI data at the age-10 y and age-14 y visits. We included participants with rs-fMRI data in at least one visit and either air pollution data () or noise data (). We used k-means clustering to identify five connectivity patterns, called "states," that reoccur over time and across subjects and visits. We calculated the mean time spent in each state for each participant and visit. We performed multi- and single-pollutant mixed effects models adjusted for socioeconomic and lifestyle variables, including the individual as random effect to test the associations between the exposures and the mean time spent in each state. RESULTS: Exposure to nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), and road-traffic noise was related to differences in the time spent in the connectivity states, both in the multi- and single-pollutant models. For instance, higher levels of exposure to PM with aerodynamic diameter between and () during pregnancy and higher noise exposure during childhood were associated with more time spent in a state in which the default-mode network, related to self-referential processes and mind-wandering, shows high connectivity. DISCUSSION: Traffic-related exposures might be related to long-term alterations in brain functional network organization in adolescents. Further research should explore the potential impact of these differences on cognition and psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14525.
Improving Methodologies for Cumulative Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Noncarcinogenic Health Risks from Volatile Organic Compounds in Fenceline Communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Chiger AA, Gigot C, Robinson ES … +14 more , Tehrani MW, Claflin M, Fortner E, Stark H, Krechmer J, Canagaratna MR, Herndon S, Yacovitch TI, Koehler K, Rule AM, Burke TA, Fox MA, DeCarlo PF, Nachman KE
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40127300 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Cumulative risk assessment (CRA) is key to characterizing health risks in fenceline and disadvantaged communities, which face environmental pollution and challenging socioeconomic conditions. Traditional appr...
BACKGROUND: Cumulative risk assessment (CRA) is key to characterizing health risks in fenceline and disadvantaged communities, which face environmental pollution and challenging socioeconomic conditions. Traditional approaches for inclusion of mixtures in CRA are limited and only assess the most sensitive target organ system for each chemical. METHODS: We developed an expanded approach to cumulative risk assessment that considers all known target organ systems associated with a chemical. Specifically, we created a multi-effects toxicity database by ) compiling toxicological and epidemiological data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) Toxicological Profiles and the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) CompTox Chemicals Dashboard; ) developing a tiering system to prioritize identified data for use in developing toxicity values; and ) accounting for uncertainty to create toxicity values for additional target organ systems. We demonstrated differences between the traditional approach and our expanded approach by using state-of-the-art mobile monitoring data from our Southeastern Pennsylvania Hazardous Air Pollutant Monitoring and Assessment Project (SEPA HAP-MAP) to conduct a cumulative risk assessment. RESULTS: Of the 32 chemicals quantified in SEPA HAP-MAP, 28 were represented in our multi-effects toxicity database, whereas only 16 were included using a traditional approach. In total, we derived toxicity values for 172 chemical-target organ system combinations. Our expanded approach found neurological, renal, respiratory, endocrine, and systemic risks (hazard index ) in SEPA HAP-MAP fenceline communities, whereas no risks were identified using a traditional approach limited to the most sensitive target organ systems only. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that traditional approaches to CRA underestimate health risks in fenceline and other highly exposed communities and highlight the need for improved methods to inform health-protective and just risk management decisions. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14696.
Mycoestrogen Exposure during Pregnancy: Impact of the Q141K Variant on Birth and Placental Outcomes.
Rivera-Núñez Z, Kinkade C, Brinker A … +13 more , Zhang R, Buckley B, Brunner J, Ohman-Strickland P, Qiu X, Qasem RJ, Fallon JK, Smith PC, Miller RK, Salafia CS, O'Connor TG, Aleksunes LM, Barrett ES
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40126888 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin ("mycoestrogen") that contaminates global grain crops leading to detectable concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites, including the synthetic version -zearalanol...
BACKGROUND: Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin ("mycoestrogen") that contaminates global grain crops leading to detectable concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites, including the synthetic version -zearalanol (also called zeranol; ZER), in human populations. Despite and animal evidence of endocrine disruption by ZEN, there has been limited investigation in humans. OBJECTIVES: To examine markers of fetal growth following prenatal exposure to ZEN and evaluate the role of the placental efflux transporter BCRP/ in protecting against ZEN's potential fetoplacental toxicity. METHODS: Placentas were collected from participants () in the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Development cohort (Rochester, New York, USA). Placental ZEN and its metabolites were analyzed from tissue samples using HPLC-MS. Birth weights and placental weights were obtained from medical records and direct measurement, respectively; fetoplacental weight ratio (FPR) was calculated by dividing birth weight by placental weight. Covariate-adjusted generalized linear regression models were used to examine ZEN, ZER, and total mycoestrogens (sum of ZEN, ZER, and their metabolites) in relation to birth length, birth weight, placental weight and FPR. We additionally stratified models by infant sex and C421A (Q141K) genotype. RESULTS: Mycoestrogens were detected in 84% of placentas (median ZEN: ) and total mycoestrogens were associated with lower FPR [; 95% confidence interval (CI): , ], particularly in female infants (; 95% CI: , ). Associations with birth weight were inverse and overall nonsignificant. Among the 17% of participants with the reduced function 421A ABCG2 variant (AA or AC), total mycoestrogens were associated with lower birth weight (; 95% CI: , ), whereas in wild-type individuals, total mycoestrogens were associated with higher placental weight (9.9; 95% CI: 0.57, 19.2) and reduced FPR (; 95% CI: , ). DISCUSSION: Results from this epidemiological study of prenatal mycoestrogen exposure and perinatal health suggest that mycoestrogens may reduce placental efficiency, resulting in lower birth weight, particularly in female and 421A infants. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14478.
Prenatal Exposure to Synthetic Phenols Assessed in Multiple Urine Samples and Dysregulation of Steroid Hormone Homeostasis in Two European Cohorts.
Jedynak P, Bustamante M, Rolland M … +18 more , Mustieles V, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Sabaredzovic A, Foraster M, Gascon M, Gómez-Roig MD, Llurba E, Rivas I, Ouellet-Morin I, Bayat S, Lyon-Caen S, Pozo OJ, Vrijheid M, Sunyer J, Slama R, Dadvand P, Philippat C
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40117576 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Some synthetic phenols alter hormonal pathways involved in successful pregnancy and fetal development. Despite high within-subject temporal variability of phenols, previous studies mostly utilized spot urine...
BACKGROUND: Some synthetic phenols alter hormonal pathways involved in successful pregnancy and fetal development. Despite high within-subject temporal variability of phenols, previous studies mostly utilized spot urine samples to assess pregnancy exposure. Herein, we investigated associations between pregnancy exposure to eight phenols assessed in multiple pooled urine samples and steroid hormones assessed in maternal hair reflecting cumulative hormone levels over the previous weeks to months. METHODS: We assessed phenol-hormone associations in 928 pregnant women from two pooled cohorts recruited in Spain [Barcelona Life Study Cohort (BiSC), 2018-2021] and France [Assessment of Air Pollution exposure during Pregnancy and Effect on Health (SEPAGES), 2014-2017] using pools of up to 21 samples each, collected in early pregnancy (median gestational age: 18.0 wk), as well as hair collected in late pregnancy (BiSC) or at birth (SEPAGES). We measured two bisphenols, four parabens, benzophenone-3, and triclosan along with metabolites of three adrenal (, , and 11-dehydrocorticosterone) and two reproductive (progesterone and testosterone) hormones. We ran adjusted linear regressions for each exposure biomarker-outcome pair and Bayesian kernel machine regression for phenols mixture. RESULTS: Bisphenol S was associated with higher cortisol and 11-dehydrocorticosterone concentrations. Propylparaben was associated with lower levels of cortisol, cortisone, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone, while methylparaben was linked to a reduction in cortisol levels. Interestingly, associations identified for parabens were stronger for women carrying female fetuses. No associations for phenol mixture were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that pregnancy exposure to bisphenol S and some parabens (propyl- and methylparaben) may affect production of maternal corticosteroid hormones that are important for a successful pregnancy and fetal development. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15117.
Blood Lead Levels in Children 5 to 7 Years of Age from the Republic of Georgia: A Feasibility Study on Lead Surveillance Using Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling.
Rylander C, Anda EE, Cirtiu CM … +6 more , Jankhoteli T, Dzotsenidze N, Ghetia V, Adamia E, Imnadze P, Manjavidze T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 May · PMID 40117538 · Full text
BACKGROUND: For years, children in the Republic of Georgia, have experienced elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). From September 2023 to April 2024, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health in Georgia pilo...
BACKGROUND: For years, children in the Republic of Georgia, have experienced elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). From September 2023 to April 2024, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health in Georgia piloted a national surveillance program for lead in children in two western regions of the country, using volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) to measure BLLs. OBJECTIVES: We monitored BLLs and assessed predictors of elevated BLLs in children 5-7 years of age from two regions in the Republic of Georgia. We also aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of VAMS for BLL surveillance. METHODS: Children 5-7 years of age were randomly selected from the regions of Adjara and Imereti, Georgia, and 1,635 children participated. A trained phlebotomist collected two capillary blood samples from the children's fingertips using VAMS devices. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. Guardians completed a questionnaire detailing demographics, household, and lifestyle characteristics. We employed multivariable logistic regression models to identify predictors of BLLs or in Georgia. RESULTS: Approximately 39.8%, 20%, and 4% of the participants had BLLs , , and , respectively. In both regions, male sex and unpainted housing predicted BLLs but not BLLs . In Imereti, urban living additionally predicted BLLs , while small household size and metal toys [metal vs. plastic toys: ; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66, 7.72] were associated with BLLs . In Adjara, age, housing type, use of certain spices (yes vs. no: ; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.94), and household lead bullet production (yes vs. no: ; 95% CI: 1.41, 31.6) predicted BLLs but not BLLs . DISCUSSION: Our findings confirm that lead exposure remains a significant public health issue in two regions of the Republic of Georgia, despite a national decrease in BLLs over the past 5 years. To our knowledge, this research marks the first large-scale application of VAMS technology for national BLL surveillance, offering significant advantages as a less invasive lead testing method that is accurate and suitable for settings with limited resources to handle, store, and transport venous blood samples. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15788.
Quantifying the Source-Receptor Relationships of Pollution and Associated Health Impacts among China, South Korea, and Japan: A Dual Perspective and an Interdisciplinary Approach.
Liu J, Yao F, Chen H … +1 more , Zhao H
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40111267 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Transboundary particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter () pollution is causing significant environmental conflicts among China, South Korea, and Japan. However, efforts to address these conflicts ha...
BACKGROUND: Transboundary particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter () pollution is causing significant environmental conflicts among China, South Korea, and Japan. However, efforts to address these conflicts have been impeded by a lack of a comprehensive understanding of source-receptor relationships of pollution and associated health impacts among these countries. OBJECTIVES: We quantified the extent to which transboundary pollution and associated health impacts are mutual among the three countries in 2015 and 2017 using three metrics (population-weighted mean concentration, population exposure, and -related premature deaths) and two accounting perspectives (production and consumption). METHODS: We adopted an integrated interdisciplinary analysis framework that links an environmentally extended multiregional input-output model, a GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, a population exposure model, and an exposure-response model. RESULTS: From a production perspective, China's contributions to population-weighted mean concentrations in South Korea and Japan were considerable, whereas the contributions of South Korea and Japan to China were negligible. However, the contributions from South Korea and Japan to population exposure and associated premature deaths in China were nonnegligible from both production and consumption perspectives. From a consumption perspective, the contributions of South Korea and Japan to -related premature deaths in China amounted to [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.36, 7.56] and (95% CI: 8.93, 10.64) thousand deaths in 2015, respectively, and (95% CI: 4.55, 5.49) and (95% CI: 7.02, 8.47) in 2017, respectively. These figures were generally larger than China's contributions to -related premature deaths in South Korea and Japan, which totaled (95% CI: 3.97, 5.28) and (95% CI: 2.78, 5.01) thousand deaths in 2015, respectively, and (95% CI: 3.75, 5.1) and (95% CI: 2.57, 4.79) in 2017, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our findings show that mutual contributions of pollution and associated health impacts among the three countries varied considerably when different metrics and accounting perspectives were applied. A consumption perspective revealed narrower gaps in mutual contributions than a production perspective. Moreover, other countries outside Northeast Asia may have played a significant role in contributing to pollution and associated health impacts in Northeast Asia, suggesting that Northeast Asian countries should look beyond this region and collaborate with the rest of the world to jointly develop effective mitigation strategies. Our findings could help policymakers, scholars, and the public in China, South Korea, and Japan understand the intricacies involved in assigning environmental responsibilities and achieving environmental justice with respect to transboundary pollution. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14550.
Evaluation of Mycotoxins and Fungal Metabolites in Seized Cannabis in Arizona and California, 2023-2024.
Stephens AB, Rivera AB, Cahill TM … +1 more , Leung MCK
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40106681 · Full text
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Comment on "Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Mortality in US Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study".
Fletcher T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40085795 · Full text
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Response to "Comment on 'Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Mortality in US Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study'".
Wen X, Wang M, Xu X … +1 more , Li T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40085793 · Full text
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Erratum: "Determinants of PFOA Serum Half-Life after End of Exposure: A Longitudinal Study on Highly Exposed Subjects in the Veneto Region".
Batzella E, Rosato I, Pitter G … +4 more , Da Re F, Russo F, Canova C, Fletcher T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Apr · PMID 40085763 · Full text
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Response to "Comment on 'Occupational Benzene Exposure and Lung Cancer in Human Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis'".
Wan W, Peters S, Portengen L … +4 more , Babigumira R, Stenehjem JS, Richardson D, Vermeulen R
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Mar · PMID 40080813 · Publisher ↗
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