Toxics

22 pages, 1680 KiB

Open AccessReview

Toxic Effects of Cadmium Exposure on Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Parameters in Fish: A Review

by Young-Bin Yu, Ju-Wook Lee, A-Hyun Jo, Young Jae Choi, Cheol Young Choi, Ju-Chan Kang and Jun-Hwan Kim

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100699 - 26 Sep 2024

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that poses significant toxic effects on fish. This review focuses on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters as key indicators of fish health under Cd exposure. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) [...] Read more.

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that poses significant toxic effects on fish. This review focuses on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters as key indicators of fish health under Cd exposure. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hematocrit (Ht), were selected for their critical role in oxygen transport and their sensitivity to Cd-induced disruptions, which often result in anemia and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) provide further insights into erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis, both of which are essential for assessing Cd toxicity. Plasma biochemical parameters, including calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, and liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), are crucial for understanding ionic balance, metabolic regulation, and organ function, especially in fish exposed to Cd. These biomarkers offer a comprehensive view of the physiological stress and organ damage caused by Cd toxicity. This review synthesizes literature findings on the toxic effects of Cd on these parameters. It also discusses potential mitigation strategies, including dietary supplementation with antioxidants and trace elements, to counteract the harmful effects of Cd exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Radioactive Substances)

16 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Biochar Adsorption of Uranium in Wastewater and Inversion of Key Influencing Parameters Based on Ensemble Learning

by Zening Qu, Wei Wang and Yan He

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100698 - 26 Sep 2024

Abstract

With the rapid development of industrialization, the problem of heavy metal wastewater treatment has become increasingly serious, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Biochar shows great potential for application in the field of wastewater treatment; however, biochars prepared from [...] Read more.

With the rapid development of industrialization, the problem of heavy metal wastewater treatment has become increasingly serious, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Biochar shows great potential for application in the field of wastewater treatment; however, biochars prepared from different biomass sources and experimental conditions have different physicochemical properties, resulting in differences in their adsorption capacity for uranium, which limits their wide application in wastewater treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to deeply explore and optimize the key parameter settings of biochar to significantly improve its adsorption capacity. This paper combines the nonlinear mapping capability of SCN and the ensemble learning advantage of the Adaboost algorithm based on existing experimental data on wastewater treatment. The accuracy of the model is evaluated by metrics such as coefficient of determination (R²) and error rate. It was found that the Adaboost–SCN model showed significant advantages in terms of prediction accuracy, precision, model stability and generalization ability compared to the SCN model alone. In order to further improve the performance of the model, this paper combined Adaboost–SCN with maximum information coefficient (MIC), random forest (RF) and energy valley optimizer (EVO) feature selection methods to construct three models, namely, MIC-Adaboost–SCN, RF-Adaboost–SCN and EVO-Adaboost–SCN. The results show that the prediction model with added feature selection is significantly better than the Adaboost–SCN model without feature selection in each evaluation index, and EVO has the most significant effect on feature selection. Finally, the correlation between biochar adsorption properties and production parameters was discussed through the inversion study of key parameters, and optimal parameter intervals were proposed to improve the adsorption properties. Providing strong support for the wide application of biochar in the field of wastewater treatment helps to solve the urgent environmental problem of heavy metal wastewater treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Processes for Wastewater Treatment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Possible Role of PM_2.5 Chronic Exposure on 5-Year Survival in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

by Tomasz Urbanowicz, Krzysztof Skotak, Anna Olasińska-Wiśniewska, Krzysztof J Filipiak, Aleksandra Płachta-Krasińska, Jakub Piecek, Beata Krasińska, Zbigniew Krasiński, Andrzej Tykarski and Marek Jemielity

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100697 - 26 Sep 2024

Abstract

Background: The survival benefit of surgical revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease is well understood, though it can be modified by left ventricular dysfunction. Chronic exposure to air pollutants has gained more attention recently as a possible non-traditional morbidity and mortality cardiovascular risk [...] Read more.

Background: The survival benefit of surgical revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease is well understood, though it can be modified by left ventricular dysfunction. Chronic exposure to air pollutants has gained more attention recently as a possible non-traditional morbidity and mortality cardiovascular risk factor. This study identified possible 5-year mortality risk factors related to postoperative left ventricular performance, including air pollutants. Patients: There were 283 patients (244 (86%) males) with a median age of 65 (60–70) years enrolled in the retrospective analysis. All patients were referred for off-pump coronary artery revascularization due to chronic coronary syndrome that presented as a multivessel coronary artery disease. They were divided into three groups depending on the postoperative course of left ventricular fraction (LVEF 50% or more (169 patients), LVEF between 41 and 49% (61 patients), and LVEF 40% or less (53 patients)). Results: The overall survival rate was 84% (237 patients) in a median follow-up time of 5.3 (4.8–6.1) years. The median (Q1–Q3) chronic air pollution exposures for the analyzed group were 19.3 (16.9–22.4) μg/m³ for fine particles such as PM_2.5, 25.8 (22.5–29.4) μg/m³ for coarse particles such as PM₁₀, and 12.2 (9.7–14.9) μg/m³ for nitric dioxide (NO₂). The mortality in the first group (LVEF at least 50%) was 23 (13.6%), in the second group (LVEF 41–49%) was 9 (15%), and in the third group (LVEF 40% or less) was 14 (26%). The multivariable regression analysis for the five-year mortality risk in the first group revealed the predictive value of dyslipidemia (HR: 3.254, 95% CI: 1.008–10.511, p = 0.049). The multivariable regression analysis for five-year mortality risk in the second group revealed the predictive value of dyslipidemia (HR: 3.391, 95% CI: 1.001–11.874, p = 0.050) and PM_2.5 (HR: 1.327, 95% CI: 1.085–1.625, p = 0.006). In the third group (severely decreased LVEF), chronic PM_2.5 exposure was found to be significant (HR: 1.518, 95% CI: 1.50–2.195, p = 0.026) for 5-year mortality prediction. Conclusions: Traditional risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, are pivotal in the 5-year mortality risk following surgical revascularization. Chronic exposure to ambient air pollutants such as PM_2.5 may be an additional risk factor in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity and Human Health Assessment of Air Pollutants)

14 pages, 1692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence and Distribution of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Tap Water System—Implications for Human Exposure from Shanghai, China

by Yuan-Shen Zhu, Lei Zheng, Wei-Wei Zheng, Rong Zheng, Ya-Juan Wang, Bing-Qing Hu, Min-Juan Yang and Yi-Jing Zhao

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100696 - 26 Sep 2024

Abstract

Background: The pollution of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) is of global concern, but the site-specific data of OPFR concentrations in drinking water are scarce for many areas of the world outside of Europe and the US. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence [...] Read more.

Background: The pollution of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) is of global concern, but the site-specific data of OPFR concentrations in drinking water are scarce for many areas of the world outside of Europe and the US. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and profiles of OPFRs in the tap water treatment and delivery process in Shanghai. Methods: In total, 106 samples were analyzed for 10 OPFRs, which were collected periodically from monitoring points of drinking water treatment plants and piped water between November 2021 and July 2023. The average daily doses of OPFRs through the ingestion of tap water were calculated by multiplying nominal volumes of water ingestion rates with the measured concentrations of OPFRs. Hazard quotients, the hazard index, and the carcinogenic risks of OPFRs via drinking water were used to estimate the health risks. Results: Tributyl phosphate (TBP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) were found in >90% of the tap water samples, whereas triethyl phosphate (TEP) and tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBPP) were not found in any samples. The concentrations of Σ₁₀OPFRs were found at part-per-trillion ranges, with average concentrations that ranged from 86.0 ng/L in February 2023 (dry season) to 218 ng/L in July 2022 (wet season). TCIPP was the most abundant compound among the investigated OPFRs. The average daily dose of Σ₁₀OPFRs via the ingestion of tap water was up to 20.4 ng/kg body weight/day. The hazard quotients of OPFRs through drinking water were in the range of 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁴, indicating low risk levels. Moreover, the hazard index of OPFRs indicated that the risk for children (2 × 10⁻⁴) was higher than adults (7 × 10⁻⁵). Conclusion: Tap water intake may be an important source of OPFRs exposure. But the risk of OPFRs for local residents is at a low level through drinking water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Exposome Analysis and Risk Assessment)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 18289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Microplastics and Organic Fertilizer Regulation on Soil Dissolved Organic Matter Evolution

by Cheng Li, Chunhai Wang and Le Liu

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100695 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 46

Abstract

Microplastics are pollutants of global concern nowadays. However, the effects of microplastics addition to soil as a carbon source and the combined effects of microplastics and organic fertilizer on soil-dissolved organic matter (DOM) evolution are still unclear. This study focused on the evolution [...] Read more.

Microplastics are pollutants of global concern nowadays. However, the effects of microplastics addition to soil as a carbon source and the combined effects of microplastics and organic fertilizer on soil-dissolved organic matter (DOM) evolution are still unclear. This study focused on the evolution of DOM in soil with the addition of microplastics and investigated the variations in the content and composition of DOM in unfertilized and fertilized soil with different particle sizes of microplastics. It was observed that the TOC concentration of the soil DOM in the treatment with organic fertilizer and microplastics increased more (129.97–161.43 mg kg⁻¹) than that in the treatment with microplastics alone (117.17–131.87 mg kg⁻¹) and was higher than that in the original soil (95.65 mg kg⁻¹). According to the humic acid relative abundance in DOM after 40 days of incubation, the humic acid relative abundance in DOM of the soil samples with microplastics and organic fertilizers addition was found to be higher than that in those with microplastic addition alone, reaching more than 80% in a short time. In conclusion, the TOC concentration of the soil DOM increased with the addition of microplastics, and the increase was more pronounced when organic fertilizers and microplastics were added together. Moreover, the soil humification increased to a higher level in the short term with the combined addition of microplastics and organic fertilizers, which was maintained during the long-term incubation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Toxicity Reduction and Environmental Remediation)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 499 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Fertilizers and Human Health—A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Evidence

by Christos F. Tagkas, Evangelos C. Rizos, Georgios Markozannes, Maria A. Karalexi, Lydia Wairegi and Evangelia E. Ntzani

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100694 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 66

Abstract

Background: Fertilizers are widely used to supply nutrients to crops, thereby increasing yields and soil fertility. However, the effects of their production and application on human health through occupational, residential, and environmental exposure remain unclear. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of epidemiological [...] Read more.

Background: Fertilizers are widely used to supply nutrients to crops, thereby increasing yields and soil fertility. However, the effects of their production and application on human health through occupational, residential, and environmental exposure remain unclear. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the association between exposure to fertilizers and health-related outcomes. Methods: We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and ecological studies (up to May 2024) related to exposure to fertilizers and any reported human health endpoints across all age groups, without language or geographical limitations. Data were extracted for population and study characteristics, type of fertilizer used, exposure assessment, sample size, outcome and its definition, effect estimate, and quality characteristics from the eligible studies, and they were descriptively synthesized. Results: We found 65 eligible publications, with 407 postulated associations. Forty-six publications (321 associations) assessed exposure to inorganic fertilizers, and nineteen studies (93 associations) assessed organic fertilizers. Exposure assessed was related to occupation, residence, and/or proximity. The assessed outcomes were diverse, with considerable harmonization challenges. Inorganic fertilizers have been associated with an increased risk of cancerous outcomes in a small number of studies with methodological limitations and low replication validity, while organic fertilizers have been associated with infections and diarrhea. Conclusions: The epidemiological evidence suggests possible associations between inorganic fertilizers with solid organ tumors and hematological malignancies and organic fertilizers with infections and diarrhea. However, the available evidence is limited, and heterogeneity prevails. Further research is needed to enlarge the evidence base and increase the replication validity and robustness of the results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational and Environmental Exposures, Diseases and Epidemiology: From Basic Research to Human Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TLR4 as a Potential Target of Me-PFOSA-AcOH Leading to Cardiovascular Diseases: Evidence from NHANES 2013–2018 and Molecular Docking

by Zhilei Mao, Yanling Chen, Haixin Li, Qun Lu and Kun Zhou

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100693 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 285

Abstract

Background: Concerns have been raised regarding the effects of perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure on cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but clear evidence linking PFAS exposure to CVD is lacking, and the mechanism remains unclear. Objectives: To study the association between PFASs and CVD in U.S. [...] Read more.

Background: Concerns have been raised regarding the effects of perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure on cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but clear evidence linking PFAS exposure to CVD is lacking, and the mechanism remains unclear. Objectives: To study the association between PFASs and CVD in U.S. population, and to reveal the mechanism of PFASs’ effects on CVD. Methods: To assess the relationships between individual blood serum PFAS levels and the risk of total CVD or its subtypes, multivariable logistic regression analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were conducted on all participants or subgroups among 3391 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The SuperPred and GeneCards databases were utilized to identify potential targets related to PFAS and CVD, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of intersection genes were performed using Metascape. Protein interaction networks were generated, and core targets were identified with STRING. Molecular docking was achieved using Autodock Vina 1.1.2. Results: There was a positive association between Me-PFOSA-AcOH and CVD (OR = 1.28, p = 0.022), especially coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR = 1.47, p = 0.007) and heart attack (OR = 1.58, p < 0.001) after adjusting for all potential covariates. Me-PFOSA-AcOH contributed the most to distinguishing between individuals in terms of CVD and non-CVD. Significant moderating effects for Me-PFOSA-AcOH were observed in the subgroup analysis stratified by sex, ethnicity, education level, PIR, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, and hypertension (p < 0.05). The potential intersection targets were mainly enriched in CVD-related pathways, including the inflammatory response, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, and arachidonic acid metabolism. TLR4 was identified as the core target for the effects of Me-PFOSA-AcOH on CVD. Molecular docking results revealed that the binding energy of Me-PFOSA-AcOH to the TLR4-MD-2 complex was −7.2 kcal/mol, suggesting that Me-PFOSA-AcOH binds well to the TLR4-MD-2 complex. Conclusions: Me-PFOSA-AcOH exposure was significantly associated with CVD. Network toxicology and molecular docking uncovered novel molecular targets, such as TLR4, and identified the inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms underlying Me-PFOSA-AcOH-induced CVD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human Toxicology and Epidemiology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prothioconazole Stress Reduces Bacterial Richness and Alters Enzyme Activity in Soybean Rhizosphere

by Ronggang Zhai, Mengchen Shi, Panpan Chen and Yi Wang

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100692 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 289

Abstract

Prothioconazole (PTC) is currently a popular triazole fungicide. In recent years, as the use of PTC has increased, there has been growing concern about its environmental and toxicological effects. Here, we studied the effect of PTC on the growth of soybean plants and [...] Read more.

Prothioconazole (PTC) is currently a popular triazole fungicide. In recent years, as the use of PTC has increased, there has been growing concern about its environmental and toxicological effects. Here, we studied the effect of PTC on the growth of soybean plants and further analyzed the enzyme activity and microbial community of rhizosphere soil after PTC treatment through 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and fungal ITS. Changes in structural diversity and species richness were measured using Simpson’s diversity index, Shannon’s diversity index and the Chao1 and ACE algorithms. The statistical t-test was applied to test whether the index values were significantly different between the two groups. The results showed that the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ increased after the recommended dose of PTC, indicating that PTC has a strong toxic effect on plant growth, thus affecting the healthy growth of plants. In the presence of PTC, the species richness of fungi and bacteria decreased in all three soil types (black soil, yellow earth and red earth), and the community structure also changed significantly (the p-values were all less than 0.05). Proteobacteria, Actinomycetota, Bacteroidota and Acidobacteriota were the main bacteria, and the abundance of Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi increased. The dominant fungal communities were Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota. The increased abundance of potentially beneficial microorganisms, such as Sphingomonadaceae, suggested that plants may be resistant to PTC stress by recruiting beneficial microorganisms. PICRUSt analysis showed that the metabolism-related functions and membrane transport pathway of rhizosphere bacterial community were inhibited after PTC stress. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a weak correlation between key fungal taxa and rhizosphere variables in the presence of PTC. Therefore, compared with those in the fungal community, the bacterial community was more likely to help plants resist PTC stress, indicating that these key fungal groups may indirectly help soybean growth under PTC stress by affecting the bacterial community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Risk Assessment of Pesticides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Tetracycline Adsorption Using KOH-Modified Biochar Derived from Waste Activated Sludge in Aqueous Solutions

by Jiazheng Ding, Jiahao Liang, Qinghong Wang, Xiang Tan, Wenyu Xie, Chunmao Chen, Changgang Li, Dehao Li, Jin Li and Xiaoqing Chen

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100691 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 320

Abstract

Antibiotic pollution poses a serious environmental concern worldwide, posing risks to ecosystems and human well-being. Transforming waste activated sludge into adsorbents for antibiotic removal aligns with the concept of utilizing waste to treat waste. However, the adsorption efficiency of these adsorbents is currently [...] Read more.

Antibiotic pollution poses a serious environmental concern worldwide, posing risks to ecosystems and human well-being. Transforming waste activated sludge into adsorbents for antibiotic removal aligns with the concept of utilizing waste to treat waste. However, the adsorption efficiency of these adsorbents is currently limited. This study identified KOH modification as the most effective method for enhancing tetracycline (TC) adsorption by sludge biochar through a comparative analysis of acid, alkali, and oxidant modifications. The adsorption characteristics of TC upon unmodified sludge biochar (BC) as well as KOH-modified sludge biochar (BC-KOH) were investigated in terms of equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. BC-KOH exhibited higher porosity, greater specific surface area, and increased abundance of oxygen-based functional groups compared to BC. The TC adsorption on BC-KOH conformed the Elovich and Langmuir models, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 243.3 mg/g at 298 K. The adsorption mechanisms included ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, pore filling, and electrostatic adsorption, as well as π-π interactions. Interference with TC adsorption on BC-KOH was observed with HCO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, whereas Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻ ions exhibited minimal impact on the adsorption process. Following three cycles of utilization, there was a slight 5.94% reduction in the equilibrium adsorption capacity, yet the adsorption capacity remained 4.5 times greater than that of unmodified sludge BC, underscoring its significant potential for practical applications. This research provided new insights to the production and application of sludge biochar for treating antibiotic-contaminated wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Processes for Wastewater Treatment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 634 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Toxicological Profile of Fentanyl—A 2024 Update

by Jessica Williamson and Ali Kermanizadeh

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100690 - 24 Sep 2024

Viewed by 261

Abstract

Fentanyl and its analogues are synthetic opioids of varying potencies that are unfortunately heavily abused. Over the last 15 years, fentanyl and its analogues have contributed to the increasing prominence of hospitalisation and numerous deaths due to drug overdose. In this comprehensive literature [...] Read more.

Fentanyl and its analogues are synthetic opioids of varying potencies that are unfortunately heavily abused. Over the last 15 years, fentanyl and its analogues have contributed to the increasing prominence of hospitalisation and numerous deaths due to drug overdose. In this comprehensive literature review, the mechanism of toxicity of the drug in humans is evaluated. A systematic approach was used whereby the relevant literature has been detailed where the toxicity of fentanyl and/or its analogues to different organs/systems were investigated. Furthermore, the review covers the post-mortem toxicological data and demographic information from past fatal cases where fentanyl was believed to be involved. Such insight into fentanyl toxicity is useful as an aid to better understand the toxic doses of the drug and the suspected mechanism of action and the unexpected complications associated with overdose incidences involving the drug. Finally, the review offers an overview of the traditional and emerging test systems used to investigate the adverse effects of fentanyl on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Drugs Toxicity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occupational Exposures, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Tomographic Findings in the Spanish Population

by Eduardo Loeb, Jan-Paul Zock, Marc Miravitlles, Esther Rodríguez, Hans Kromhout, Roel Vermeulen, Juan José Soler-Cataluña, Joan B. Soriano, Francisco García-Río, Pilar de Lucas, Inmaculada Alfageme, Ciro Casanova, José Rodríguez González-Moro, Julio Ancochea, Borja G. Cosío and Jaume Ferrer Sancho

Toxics 2024, 12(10), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100689 - 24 Sep 2024

Viewed by 311

Abstract

Self-reported occupational exposure was previously associated with COPD in the Spanish population. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between occupational exposure to various chemical and biological agents, COPD, emphysema, and the bronchial wall area, which was determined by lung computed tomography (CT) [...] Read more.

Self-reported occupational exposure was previously associated with COPD in the Spanish population. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between occupational exposure to various chemical and biological agents, COPD, emphysema, and the bronchial wall area, which was determined by lung computed tomography (CT) in 226 individuals with COPD and 300 individuals without COPD. Lifetime occupational exposures were assessed using the ALOHA(+) job exposure matrix, and CT and spirometry were also performed. COPD was associated with high exposure to vapours, gases, dust and fumes (VGDF) (OR 2.25 95% CI 1.19–4.22), biological dust (OR 3.01 95% CI 1.22–7.45), gases/fumes (OR 2.49 95% CI 1.20–5.17) and with exposure to various types of solvents. High exposure to gases/fumes, chlorinated solvents and metals (coefficient 8.65 95% CI 1.21–16.09, 11.91 95%CI 0.46- 23.36, 14.45 95% CI 4.42–24.49, respectively) and low exposure to aromatic solvents (coefficient 8.43 95% CI 1.16–15.70) were associated with a low 15th percentile of lung density indicating emphysema. We conclude that occupational exposure to several specific agents is associated with COPD and emphysema in the Spanish population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human Toxicology and Epidemiology)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Toxics, Volume 12, Issue 10 (October 2024) – 11 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI