Environmental Health Perspectives[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Invited Perspective: Understanding the Links between Weather and Environmental Health to Strengthen Climate Resilience.
Charles KJ
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Feb · PMID 39903554 · Full text
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IARC Workshop on the Key Characteristics of Carcinogens: Assessment of End Points for Evaluating Mechanistic Evidence of Carcinogenic Hazards.
DeMarini DM, Gwinn W, Watkins E … +37 more , Reisfeld B, Chiu WA, Zeise L, Barupal D, Bhatti P, Cross K, Dogliotti E, Fritz JM, Germolec D, Andersen MHG, Guyton KZ, Jinot J, Phillips DH, Reddel RR, Rothman N, van den Berg M, Vermeulen RCH, Vineis P, Wang A, Whelan M, Ghantous A, Korenjak M, Zavadil J, Herceg Z, Perdomo S, Dossus L, Chittiboyina S, Cuomo D, Kaldor J, Pasqual E, Rigutto G, Wedekind R, Facchin C, El Ghissassi F, de Conti A, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Madia F
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Feb · PMID 39899356 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The 10 key characteristics (KCs) of carcinogens form the basis of a framework to identify, organize, and evaluate mechanistic evidence relevant to carcinogenic hazard identification. The 10 KCs are related to...
BACKGROUND: The 10 key characteristics (KCs) of carcinogens form the basis of a framework to identify, organize, and evaluate mechanistic evidence relevant to carcinogenic hazard identification. The 10 KCs are related to mechanisms by which carcinogens cause cancer. The () programme has successfully applied the KCs framework for the mechanistic evaluation of different types of exposures, including chemicals, metals, and complex exposures, such as environmental, occupational, or dietary exposures. The use of this framework has significantly enhanced the identification and organization of relevant mechanistic data, minimized bias in evaluations, and enriched the knowledge base regarding the mechanisms of known and suspected carcinogens. OBJECTIVES: We sought to report the main outcomes of an IARC Scientific Workshop convened by the IARC to establish appropriate, transparent, and uniform application of the KCs in future evaluations. METHODS: A group of experts from different disciplines reviewed the experience with the KCs of carcinogens, discussing three main themes: ) the interpretation of end points forming the evidence base for the KCs, ) the incorporation of data from novel assays on the KCs, and ) the integration of the mechanistic evidence as part of cancer hazard identification. The workshop participants assessed the relevance and the informativeness of multiple KCs-associated end points for the evaluation of mechanistic evidence in studies of exposed humans and experimental systems. DISCUSSION: Consensus was reached on how to enhance the use of , molecular, and cellular high-output and high-throughput data. In addition, approaches to integrate evidence across the KCs and opportunities to improve methodologies of mechanistic evaluation of cancer hazards were explored. The findings described herein and in a forthcoming IARC technical report will support future working groups of experts in reporting and interpreting results under the KCs framework within the or in other contexts. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15389.
Birth Outcomes among Infants Born between 2006 and 2018 after Maternal Exposure during Pregnancy to Ultrafine Particles from Aviation around a Large International Airport in the Netherlands.
Jacobs JH, Nicolaie A, Strak M … +5 more , Hoekstra J, de Vries EF, Wesseling J, Houthuijs D, Janssen NAH
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Feb · PMID 39899355 · Full text
BACKGROUND: People who live near airports are exposed to higher concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs) from aviation. Pregnant women and their fetuses, in particular, are considered to be highly susceptible to envi...
BACKGROUND: People who live near airports are exposed to higher concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs) from aviation. Pregnant women and their fetuses, in particular, are considered to be highly susceptible to environmental exposures. OBJECTIVE: Using existing national databases, we investigated associations between adverse birth outcomes and exposure to UFPs from aviation (UFP-aviation) at the residential address during pregnancy. METHODS: We identified singleton birth records (from between 2006 and 2018) from mothers who, for at least 6 months during pregnancy, lived in a area around Schiphol Airport. This information was linked to modeled monthly averaged UFP-aviation concentrations at the residential address during pregnancy. We modeled the association between exposure to UFP-aviation during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes through logistic regression, adjusting for individual and neighborhood level covariates. We performed a number of sensitivity analyses to investigate the robustness of the results, including adjustment for other air pollutants and noise. RESULTS: Effect estimates, expressed per 3,500 particles/cm (approximately the 5th-9th percentile difference) increase, were generally positive in the main model for preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA) [PTB 1.02 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.07) and SGA 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.07)] and congenital anomalies (CAs) at birth [any CA 1.05 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.07)]. Associations with UFP-aviation became stronger in some of the sensitivity analyses, such as when the four municipalities with the lowest exposure were excluded (for PTB, SGA, and CA), when the population was restricted to mothers with a Dutch background (PTB), after nonlinear adjustment for nitrogen dioxide () and elemental carbon (EC) (PTB), after including municipality as a random effect (CA), and in some specific strata of the population. No associations were found with infant mortality, low Apgar score, and low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: We found suggestive evidence for associations between exposure to UFP-aviation during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14398.
Impact of Maternal BPA Exposure during Pregnancy on Obesity in Male Offspring: A Mechanistic Mouse Study of Adipose-Derived Exosomal miRNA.
Huang Z, Niu R, Xu Q … +8 more , Zhang R, Hu W, Qin Y, Wang X, Xu Q, Xia Y, Fan Y, Lu C
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39886984 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) has led to universal exposure among the population, raising concerns about its health effects. Epidemiological studies have linked environmentally relevant levels of BP...
BACKGROUND: The widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) has led to universal exposure among the population, raising concerns about its health effects. Epidemiological studies have linked environmentally relevant levels of BPA exposure to obesity. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to uncover the complex mechanisms by which oral exposure during pregnancy with BPA affects the offspring. METHODS: We conducted a two-stage mouse study. In stage 1, we gavaged dams with BPA at 0.05, 0.5, and during pregnancy, and we tracked the offspring's weight and diet to 12 wk of age. In stage 2, exosomes from BPA-exposed dams and offspring were injected into pregnant mice and 3-wk-old males, respectively, and the mice were observed up to 12 wk. We then sequenced exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in male offspring whose dams had been exposed to BPA during pregnancy and checked their expression in adipose, liver, and serum samples at weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12. Finally, we explored the functions of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs secreted by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and we investigated whether the exosomes and miRNAs they secreted could affect glucose uptake, triglyceride synthesis, and the expression of genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism in alpha mouse liver 12 cells. RESULTS: Gavage of of BPA during pregnancy in dams led to obesity in male offspring mice, and injection of exosomes from male offspring with BPA exposure during pregnancy also induced similar outcomes in the next generation of male pups. Exosomal miRNA sequencing identified differentially expressed miRNAs associated with BPA-induced obesity in male offspring, revealing sustained high expression of miRNAs in adipose tissue and a gradual increase in the liver and serum over time. Further mechanistic studies showed that exosomes derived from BPA-treated adipose-derived stem cells reduced the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and fibroblast growth factor 21, leading to impaired insulin signaling and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. Overexpression of miR-124-3p in hepatocytes mimicked these effects; in contrast, knockdown of miR-124-3p or inhibition of exosome secretion reversed them. DISCUSSION: The present study corroborates the regulatory function of adipose-derived exosomal miRNAs in obesity in male offspring mice resulting from BPA exposure during pregnancy. Exosomal miRNA may be a key and novel molecular biomarker in the adverse effects of chemical exposure during pregnancy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14888.
Spatial Variation in the Association between Extreme Heat Events and Warm Season Pediatric Acute Care Utilization: A Small-Area Assessment of Multiple Health Conditions and Environmental Justice Implications in California (2005-2019).
Ndovu A, Chen C, Schwarz L … +3 more , Lasky E, Weiser SD, Benmarhnia T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39883533 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events due to climate change present unique risks to children and adolescents. There is a lack of evidence regarding how heat's impacts on pediatric patie...
BACKGROUND: The increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events due to climate change present unique risks to children and adolescents. There is a lack of evidence regarding how heat's impacts on pediatric patients vary spatially and how structural and sociodemographic factors drive this heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between extreme heat events and pediatric acute care utilization in California for 19 distinct health conditions. We then assessed how extreme heat's consequences varied at the ZIP code level and identified environmental justice metrics that modulated children's vulnerability to extreme heat. METHODS: This study analyzed 7.2 million unscheduled hospitalizations and emergency department visits for children years old in California between May and September from 2005 to 2019. We first utilized a time-stratified case-crossover design to generate statewide estimates for the association between extreme heat events and care utilization. We then implemented a within-community matched design coupled with a Bayesian hierarchical model to generate spatially varying effect estimates. Finally, we conducted a random effects meta-regression to examine how community-level characteristics modified heat's impacts across ZIP codes. RESULTS: Extreme heat events were associated with substantial increases in acute care utilization for all causes [odds ratio ; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.04] and were attributable for over 30,000 excess acute care utilizations during the study period. Extreme heat events were also associated with increases in heat-related illness (; 95% CI: 1.49, 1.58); endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disorders (; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.16); other signs and symptoms (; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.08); and injury and poisoning (; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.08). There was substantial spatial heterogeneity in extreme heat events effects, especially in coastal metropolitan areas. Communities with lower incomes and education levels, less access to insurance and air conditioning, and higher percentages of Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander residents were most vulnerable during extreme heat events. CONCLUSIONS: Extreme heat events in California are associated with increased pediatric care utilization. There is significant variation in heat's consequences, and historically disadvantaged and under-resourced communities are most impacted. These findings suggest that interventions designed to improve heat resilience should be targeted to protect vulnerable children. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14236.
The Adverse Health Effects of Air Pollution from Sugarcane Burning: A Scoping Review of Observational and Experimental Evidence.
Manrique A, Clarke K, Bisesi S … +3 more , Arosemena FA, Coker ES, Sabo-Attwood T
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39883532 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Sugarcane burning is an agricultural practice that is implemented to increase sugar yields. However, sugarcane burning produces air pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. This review summarizes t...
BACKGROUND: Sugarcane burning is an agricultural practice that is implemented to increase sugar yields. However, sugarcane burning produces air pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the defined exposures and health effects associated with sugarcane burning and identifies research gaps. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web-of-Science to identify peer-reviewed literature on health and exposure investigations associated with air pollution from burning sugarcane. Studies were eligible if they included both an air pollution measurement and a health outcome assessment in human workers and surrounding communities or animal studies associated with sugarcane burning. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies passed our inclusion criteria, including 19 observational and five experimental studies. All observational studies were conducted in Brazil or the United States with the majority focused on respiratory (65%, 15/24), cardiovascular (13% 3/24), and renal (13%, 3/24) health outcomes. The most frequently assessed air pollutants were particulate matter [with aerodynamic diameter () and with aerodynamic diameter ()] and total suspended particulates (TSP). Of the observational studies, 42% (8/19) were prospective cohorts, and 58% (11/19) employed an ecological design and applied variable exposure assessment methods. The experimental studies all used rodent models with varied exposure routes and pollutants. DISCUSSION: This review supports a well-documented link between air pollution from sugarcane burning and adverse health effects in workers and neighboring communities with respiratory, renal, and cardiovascular health effects; however, several knowledge gaps were identified, including the need for expansion of studies geographically, application of more advanced exposure science to characterize and quantify sugarcane emission components, probing of emerging health effects (i.e., kidney disease) and associated biomarkers, and evaluation of vulnerable populations that neighbor sugarcane operations. Furthermore, pairing exposure measurements and health assessments in the same study would increase our knowledge and better inform policies to improve the health of workers and communities impacted by sugarcane burning. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14456.
Invited Perspective: Reference Standards Are Key to Environmental and Human Health Research-The Case of PFAS.
Kannan K
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39878488 · Full text
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The Critical Role of Commercial Analytical Reference Standards in the Control of Chemical Risks: The Case of PFAS and Ways Forward.
Trier X, van-Leeuwen SPJ, Brambilla G … +2 more , Weber R, Webster TF
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39878487 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Various countries have instituted risk governance measures to control and minimize the risks of chemicals at the national and international levels. Activities typically include risk assessment based on ) haza...
BACKGROUND: Various countries have instituted risk governance measures to control and minimize the risks of chemicals at the national and international levels. Activities typically include risk assessment based on ) hazard and exposure assessments; ) setting limits on the production, use, and emissions of chemicals; ) enforcement of regulations; and ) monitoring the effectiveness of the measures taken. These steps largely depend on chemical analysis and access to pure chemical reference standards. However, except for specific highly regulated categories of chemicals, such reference standards often are not commercially available. This raises a critical question: Given the widespread lack of reference standards, is the current approach to governing chemicals adequate to protect humans and the environment from harm? If not, what measures could be taken to improve the situation? OBJECTIVE: We outline how current chemical risk governance is hampered by the widespread lack of reference standards to produce the required scientific evidence. We also provide a list of recommendations for controlling chemical risks in the absence of reference standards. DISCUSSION: We use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), specifically the chemical C6O4 [perfluoro ([5-methoxy-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]oxy) acetic acid], to illustrate how companies that produce chemicals can prevent access to reference standards. We argue that the very limited availability of reference standards undermines the ability of scientists to produce independent scientific evidence needed for chemical risk governance and, thereby, prevents society from protecting people and the environment against chemical pollution and its harms. Possible ways to improve the situation include ) guaranteeing access to chemical reference standards by creating a reference standards repository, ) redefining the level of confidence sufficient for regulatory action, ) providing alternative options for chemical identification and quantification when reference standards are not available, and ) considering, when no reference standards are available, regulation of chemicals by class rather than individually. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12331.
Incense Use and the Risk of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the Singapore Chinese Health Study.
Ying AF, Hausenloy DJ, Koh WP
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39853267 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have shown that daily exposure to incense smoke is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular mortality, which suggests that chronic exposure to incense could be linked to atheroscle...
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have shown that daily exposure to incense smoke is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular mortality, which suggests that chronic exposure to incense could be linked to atherosclerosis. We studied the association between home incense use and the risk of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the most severe outcome of peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: We used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, which recruited 63,257 Chinese participants 45-74 years old from 1993-1998. Data were collected via in-person interviews conducted at the participants' homes by trained interviewers. Linkage to the nationwide hospital discharge database was used to determine incident cases, defined as participants who underwent revascularization or lower extremity amputation for CLTI. Association between use of incense and risk of CLTI was examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: In this cohort, 76.9% were current users of incense at recruitment, and 92.6% of those used incense daily at home. During a mean 18.8 years of follow-up, 1,097 participants developed CLTI. Compared to never or former users, current users had a 22% higher risk of CLTI [hazard ratio ; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.43]. The risk was greater with chronicity of use, and the HR was highest and statistically significant in participants who had used incense daily for years [ (95% CI: 1.06, 1.46)]. The results did not differ by sex, history of diabetes, or smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Daily exposure to incense in the home environment for more than 40 years was associated with a greater risk of developing CLTI. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14674.
Invited Perspective: Incense Burning and Cardiovascular Risk-A Rising Concern.
Qin Y, Santulli G
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39853266 · Full text
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Ambient Toxic Air Contaminants in the Maternal Residential Area during Pregnancy and Cerebral Palsy in the Offspring.
Zhuo H, Ritz B, Warren JL … +2 more , Pollitt KG, Liew Z
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39853265 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common permanent neuromotor disorder diagnosed in childhood. Although most cases have unknown etiology, emerging evidence suggests environmental risk factors of CP. OBJECTIVES:...
BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common permanent neuromotor disorder diagnosed in childhood. Although most cases have unknown etiology, emerging evidence suggests environmental risk factors of CP. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether ambient toxic air contaminants (TACs) in the maternal residential area during pregnancy, specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals, were associated with offspring CP risk in California. METHODS: We conducted a case-cohort study that included CP cases () and a 20% random sample of all live singleton births () who lived within a (8-km) radius of air toxics monitoring stations in California during 2005-2015 as the control comparison group. CP cases were ascertained from diagnostic records of the California Department of Developmental Services. We selected TACs with suspected neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity, including 14 VOCs and 6 metals. We estimated the adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for CP and the average maternal residential exposures to each TAC over the entire pregnancy using modified Poisson regression. For air contaminant mixtures, we used quantile-based g-computation to estimate the effects of mixtures of VOCs or metals. Finally, we performed a negative control exposure analysis on exposure estimates of 36-48 months after delivery to evaluate uncontrolled confounding bias. RESULTS: Maternal residential exposures to six VOCs (benzene, toluene, 1,3-butadiene, acetone, acetonitrile, and methylene chloride) and four metals (antimony, lead, nickel, and vanadium) were associated with 3%-25% higher risk of CP per interquartile range increase, and the estimated mixture effects of VOCs (; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.43) or metals (; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.58) were stronger. The observed associations were close to null for negative control exposures (36-48 months after delivery) to mixtures of VOCs or metals and CP. DISCUSSION: In California, maternal prenatal residential exposure to VOCs and metals in the outdoor air, largely attributed to mobile traffic emission sources, was associated with an increased risk of CP in offspring. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14742.
Single-Cell Multi-Omics Profiling of Immune Cells Isolated from Atherosclerotic Plaques in Male ApoE Knockout Mice Exposed to Arsenic.
Makhani K, Yang X, Dierick F … +7 more , Subramaniam N, Gagnon N, Ebrahimian T, Lehoux S, Wu H, Ding J, Mann KK
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39847705 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Millions worldwide are exposed to elevated levels of arsenic that significantly increase their risk of developing atherosclerosis, a pathology primarily driven by immune cells. While the impact of arsenic on...
BACKGROUND: Millions worldwide are exposed to elevated levels of arsenic that significantly increase their risk of developing atherosclerosis, a pathology primarily driven by immune cells. While the impact of arsenic on immune cell populations in atherosclerotic plaques has been broadly characterized, cellular heterogeneity is a substantial barrier to in-depth examinations of the cellular dynamics for varying immune cell populations. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to conduct single-cell multi-omics profiling of atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout () mice to elucidate transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in immune cells induced by arsenic exposure. METHODS: The mice were fed a high-fat diet and were exposed to either arsenic in drinking water or a tap water control, and single-cell multi-omics profiling was performed on atherosclerotic plaque-resident immune cells. Transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in immune cells were analyzed within the same cell to understand the effects of arsenic exposure. RESULTS: Our data revealed that the transcriptional profile of macrophages from arsenic-exposed mice were significantly different from that of control mice and that differences were subtype specific and associated with cell-cell interaction and cell fates. Additionally, our data suggest that differences in arsenic-mediated changes in chromosome accessibility in arsenic-exposed mice were statistically more likely to be due to factors other than random variation compared to their effects on the transcriptome, revealing markers of arsenic exposure and potential targets for intervention. DISCUSSION: These findings in mice provide insights into how arsenic exposure impacts immune cell types in atherosclerosis, highlighting the importance of considering cellular heterogeneity in studying such effects. The identification of subtype-specific differences and potential intervention targets underscores the significance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced atherosclerosis. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore therapeutic interventions targeting immune cell dysfunction in arsenic-exposed individuals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14285.
Machine Learning Potential for Identifying and Forecasting Complex Environmental Drivers of Infections in the United States.
Campbell AM, Cabrera-Gumbau JM, Trinanes J … +2 more , Baker-Austin C, Martinez-Urtaza J
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39847704 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Environmental change in coastal areas can drive marine bacteria and resulting infections, such as those caused by , with both foodborne and nonfoodborne exposure routes and high mortality. Although ecological...
BACKGROUND: Environmental change in coastal areas can drive marine bacteria and resulting infections, such as those caused by , with both foodborne and nonfoodborne exposure routes and high mortality. Although ecological drivers of in the environment have been well-characterized, fewer models have been able to apply this to human infection risk due to limited surveillance. OBJECTIVES: The Cholera and Other Illness Surveillance (COVIS) system database has reported infections in the United States since 1988, offering a unique opportunity to both explore the forecasting capabilities machine learning could provide and to characterize complex environmental drivers of infections. METHODS: Machine learning models, in the form of random forest classification models, were trained and refined using the epidemiological data from 2008 to 2018, six environmental variables (sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll concentration, sea level, land surface temperature, and runoff rate) and categorical encoders to assess our predictive potential to forecast infections based on environmental data. RESULTS: The highest-performing model, which used balanced classes, had an Area Under the Curve score of 0.984 and a sensitivity of 0.971, highlighting the potential of machine learning to anticipate areas and periods of risk. A higher false positive rate was found when the model was applied to real-world imbalanced surveillance data, which is pertinent amid modeled underreporting and misdiagnosis ratios of infections. Further models were also developed to explore multilevel spatial resolution, finding state-specific models can improve specificity and early warning system potential by exclusively using lagged environmental data. DISCUSSION: The machine learning approach was able to characterize nonlinear and interacting environmental associations driving infections. This study accentuates the potential of machine learning and robust surveillance for forecasting environmentally associated marine infections, providing future directions for improvements, further application, and operationalization. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15593.
Invited Perspective: Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products and Cancer-A Historical Perspective.
Villanueva CM
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39837569 · Full text
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Exposure to Drinking Water Trihalomethanes and Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.
Helte E, Söderlund F, Säve-Söderbergh M … +2 more , Larsson SC, Åkesson A
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39837568 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Chlorination is a widespread method for drinking water disinfection that has the drawback of introducing potentially carcinogenic chemical by-products to drinking water. OBJECTIVE: We systematically evaluated...
BACKGROUND: Chlorination is a widespread method for drinking water disinfection that has the drawback of introducing potentially carcinogenic chemical by-products to drinking water. OBJECTIVE: We systematically evaluated the epidemiologic evidence of exposure to trihalomethane (THM) disinfection by-products and risk of cancer. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies that assessed the association of exposure to residential concentrations of THMs with risk of cancer in adults. A protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42023435491). PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched for publications up to April 2024. Study selection and risk of bias appraisal using the National Toxicology Program Office of Health Assessment and Translation (NTP OHAT) tool was done in duplicate. Summary risk estimates were assessed using random effects meta-analysis and one-stage dose-response meta-analysis. RESULTS: The literature search resulted in 2,022 records, of which 29 publications assessing 14 different cancers were eligible for inclusion. Summary relative risks (RRs) were estimated for bladder cancer and colorectal cancer based on 5,860 and 9,262 cases and 84,371 and 90,272 participants, respectively. The summary RR of bladder cancer for the highest exposed compared with the lowest was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.71), and in the dose-response analysis, RRs were statistically significant above THM concentrations of . For colorectal cancer, the summary RR was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.24). CONCLUSION: According to the World Cancer Research Fund criteria, we found limited-suggestive evidence that THM in drinking water increases the risk of bladder and colorectal cancer at levels below current regulatory limits in the US and EU, indicating that these fail to protect against cancer in the general population. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14505.
Valley Fever: Fine Mineral Dust Modeling Points to High-Risk Regions and Seasons in California.
Schmidt S
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39837567 · Full text
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Erratum: "The Tailpipe's Tale: Traffic-Related Air Pollutants and Ovarian Cancer Risk".
Schmidt S
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39819026 · Full text
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Multi-Omics Assessment of Puff Volume-Mediated Salivary Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Oxidative Injury Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.
He X, Meister M, Jeon J … +6 more , Shinde A, Zhang Q, Chepaitis P, Black M, Shannahan J, Wright C
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39819025 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Since their inception, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have gained increasing popularity, sparking a vaping epidemic among adolescents in the US and globally. Several ENDS safety concerns have eme...
BACKGROUND: Since their inception, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have gained increasing popularity, sparking a vaping epidemic among adolescents in the US and globally. Several ENDS safety concerns have emerged as device features and formats that contribute to heavy metal exposure and toxicity continue to evolve and outpace regulatory efforts. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to integrate ENDS emission profiles with salivary proteome and metabolome data to characterize exposure factors that may influence adverse vaping-mediated health outcomes. METHODS: A total of 56 participants (38 exclusive ENDS users and 18 non-ENDS users) were recruited. A subset of 15 exclusive ENDS users completed puffing topography assessments to obtain individual vaping behavior patterns using each participant's ENDS device. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the metal content of emissions (12 ENDS devices) generated using a programmable ENDS aerosol generation system and saliva (15 exclusive ENDS users and 5 non-ENDS users). Saliva samples from 10 exclusive ENDS users and 5 non-ENDS users were analyzed for proteomic, metabolomic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress/damage biomarkers. RESULTS: A linear puff volume-dependent increase in particle emissions and heavy metals was observed in ENDS aerosols and saliva of exclusive ENDS users. Elevated puff volume-dependent levels of salivary cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), and IL-6, were observed alongside the oxidative damage indicators malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Proteome-metabolome network analysis showed a higher risk of potentially developing neurological and respiratory diseases in ENDS users compared with non-ENDS users. Integrated salivary proteome-metabolome-metallome network analysis further demonstrated that heavy metals were associated with proteomic and metabolomic perturbations, with notable alterations in inflammatory response, immune function, and disease-related pathways. DISCUSSION: A significant correlation between heavy metals, cytokines, and oxidative stress markers reveals a potential role of vaping behavior in exposure to metals and changes in markers associated with DNA damage and inflammation. Our study demonstrates the importance of characterizing vaping behavior and puffing topography when examining the human health implications of ENDS use. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14321.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Exposures to PFAS and Other Unregulated Industrial Drinking Water Contaminants in US Public Water Systems.
Maruzzo AJ, Hernandez AB, Swartz CH … +2 more , Liddie JM, Schaider LA
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39812474 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Unregulated contaminants in drinking water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can contribute to cumulative health risks, particularly in overburdened and less-advantaged communities. To our...
BACKGROUND: Unregulated contaminants in drinking water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can contribute to cumulative health risks, particularly in overburdened and less-advantaged communities. To our knowledge, there has been no nationwide assessment of socioeconomic disparities in exposures to unregulated contaminants in drinking water. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to identify determinants of unregulated contaminant detection among US public water systems (PWSs) and evaluate disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: We gathered data from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA's) Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (2013-2015), PWS characteristics, sociodemographic data, and suspected pollution sources from regulatory databases. We included four target contaminants (or classes) with industrial sources: PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, 1,1-dichloroethane, and chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22). Associations were evaluated with pairwise comparison tests and generalized logistic mixed-effects regression models for six dichotomous outcomes: detection of each of four target contaminants, detection of target contaminant, and PWS exceedance of US EPA health reference level that was in effect in 2017. RESULTS: More than 97 million US residents were served by a PWS with detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane (22% of PWSs), HCFC-22 (5.8%), 1,1-dichloroethane (4.7%), and/or PFAS (4.0%). Unregulated contaminant detection was more frequent among large systems, urban systems, and systems using groundwater or a combination of groundwater and surface water. In comparison with PWSs with no detectable levels of these unregulated contaminants, PWSs with detectable levels served counties with higher proportions of Hispanic residents (17% vs. 13%), as did PWSs that exceeded EPA health reference levels in comparison with PWSs with no exceedances (18% vs. 14%). There were persistent positive associations between proportions of Hispanic residents and detections of target contaminants, even after accounting for pollution sources. DISCUSSION: Previously, inequities in exposures to drinking water contaminants were underestimated because prior studies have focused on regulated contaminants. PWSs serving counties with more Hispanic residents, non-Hispanic Black residents, and urban households may benefit from additional resources to proactively mitigate unregulated chemical contamination. Future studies should evaluate factors underlying these disparities to promote actions that protect water quality for all residents. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14721.
Hair Straightener Use in Relation to Prevalent and Incident Fibroids in the Sister Study with a Focus on Black Women.
Ogunsina K, O'Brien KM, White AJ … +4 more , Chang CJ, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, Sandler DP
Environ Health Perspect · 2025 Jan · PMID 39808082 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids disproportionately affect Black women, and exposure to chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners ("straighteners") may contribute to fibroid development. OBJECTIVES: We examined the assoc...
BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids disproportionately affect Black women, and exposure to chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners ("straighteners") may contribute to fibroid development. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between straightener use and prevalent young-onset uterine fibroids (diagnosed before age 36 y), as well as incident fibroids (diagnosed age 36-60 y), with a focus on Black women. We also examined differences in associations across birth cohorts as proxies for formulation changes. METHODS: Data from 4,162 Black women in the Sister Study, a prospective cohort of women 35-74 y of age (enrolled 2003-2009), were analyzed. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for the association of straightener use at 10-13 y of age and self-reported young-onset fibroids. We used Cox regression to assess hazard ratios (HRs) for straightener use (age 10-13 y and in 12 months before enrollment) and incident fibroids among 779 premenopausal Black women. Similar analyses were conducted in 40,782 non-Hispanic White women. RESULTS: Over 70% of Black women used straighteners. In comparison with no use, any [; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 1.36] and frequent use (; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.42) of straighteners at 10-13 y of age were associated with young-onset fibroids. This association was most apparent among those born between 1928 and 1945 (; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.74) and 1965-1974 (; 95% CI: 0.82, 3.29). Fibroid incidence from 36 to 60 y of age was modestly associated with use of straighteners at 10-13 y of age [hazard ratio ; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.63] and in the 12 months prior to enrollment (; 95% CI: 0.88, 2.00). Among non-Hispanic White women, straightener use at 10-13 y of age was similarly associated with young-onset fibroids (; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.47) despite lower use () of straighteners. Sensitivity analyses indicated a potential for bias due to fibroid misclassification, with an overestimation of the effect likely if nulliparous women or women from households with lower education reported their fibroid status less accurately. DISCUSSION: Hair straightener use may be positively associated with fibroid risk. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14493.
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