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Exposure and Effects of Environmental Pollution on Vulnerable Populations
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Exposure and Effects of Environmental Pollution on Vulnerable Populations

A topical collection in Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This collection belongs to the section "Human Toxicology and Epidemiology".

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Matteo Vitali

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: environmental pollution; environmental chemistry; environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); public health; human biomonitoring; risk assessment; hospital hygiene
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Carmela Protano

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Interests: public health; environmental epidemiology; risk assessment; environmental pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Arianna Antonucci

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: analytical chemistry; public health; health risk; environmental pollution; human exposure

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental pollution is a well-known risk factor for human health, causing more than 10 million deaths every year. Although many studies have been carried out on this issue in recent decades, many gaps exist regarding both exposure and effects related to air, water, and food pollution. Further investigation is necessary for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and subjects with pre-existing diseases because exposure and effects may be influenced by the susceptibility and vulnerability of populations.

This Topical Collection focuses on highlighting research studies addressing new evidence on environmental exposure profile and relevant negative outcomes in specific groups of general population.

In this Topical Collection, original research articles, narrative and systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and short communications are welcome. Research areas may include (but not be limited to) the following: real-life or modeled exposures to environmental pollutants of highly susceptible and vulnerable populations (children, pregnant people, elderly individuals, subjects with pre-existing diseases, etc.) and real-life or estimated adverse effects associated with environmental pollution exposure of vulnerable and susceptible populations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Matteo Vitali
Dr. Carmela Protano
Dr. Arianna Antonucci
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environment
  • pollution
  • air
  • water
  • food
  • susceptible population
  • vulnerable population
  • exposure
  • human adverse effects
  • risk assessment

Published Papers (13 papers)

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2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2021

25 pages, 1383 KiB  
Review
Health Implications of Widespread Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure: Environmental Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Biological Impact on Humans
by Olivia-Teodora Preda, Ana-Maria Vlasceanu, Cristina Veronica Andreescu, Aristidis Tsatsakis, Yaroslav Mezhuev, Carolina Negrei and Daniela Luiza Baconi
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100730 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2425
Abstract
The increasing awareness of the potential health risks associated with microplastics’ (MPs) and nanoplastics’ (NPs) presence in the environment has led to a significant rise in research focused on these particles over the past few years. This review focuses on the research on [...] Read more.
The increasing awareness of the potential health risks associated with microplastics’ (MPs) and nanoplastics’ (NPs) presence in the environment has led to a significant rise in research focused on these particles over the past few years. This review focuses on the research on MPs’/NPs’ presence and spread, pathways of exposure, toxicological effects on human health and legal framework related to MP/NP challenges. Several research projects have aimed to assess their potential harm to human health, focusing on different systems and organs. After exposure (independent of the pathway), these hazards reach the blood stream and concentrate in different organs. Further, they are responsible for harmful changes, having an immediate effect (pain, inflammation, or hormone imbalance) or lead to a long-term disease (e.g., infertility, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cancer). Toxicological effects have been noticed at high concentrations of MPs, specifically polystyrene, the most widespread typical MP, but only short-term effects have been mostly studied. Significant quantities of consumed MPs have been discovered to have diverse detrimental effects, posing a threat to human welfare. The exact concentrations of microplastics that are inhaled and swallowed and then build up in the human body are still not known. Further investigation is necessary to evaluate the impact of MP/NP contamination at minimal concentrations and for prolonged durations. Full article
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14 pages, 664 KiB  
Article
Associations between Glyphosate Exposure and Glycemic Disorders: A Focus on the Modifying Effect of Sex Hormones
by Yu Dong, Yuan Li, Liwen Ma, Shuge Shu, Jiawen Ren, Xiangyu Yu, Dan Luo, Zhizhou Duan and Yongquan Yu
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080600 - 18 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1312
Abstract
Widespread glyphosate contamination in the environment and its endocrine-disrupting potential are concerning. However, evidence of glyphosate’s effects on glycemic health is limited. To examine the association between glyphosate and glucose homeostasis in the general US population, a total of 3038 individuals were enrolled [...] Read more.
Widespread glyphosate contamination in the environment and its endocrine-disrupting potential are concerning. However, evidence of glyphosate’s effects on glycemic health is limited. To examine the association between glyphosate and glucose homeostasis in the general US population, a total of 3038 individuals were enrolled from the 2013-2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Survey-weighted linear regression and restricted cubic spline curves were used to detect the associations between glyphosate and glycemic disorders. The effects of interactions between sex hormones and glyphosate on glycemic outcomes were evaluated. The results showed that glyphosate was significantly linked to increased glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (β = 0.01; 95%CI, 0.01 to 0.02; p = 0.001) and the compromised homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-beta) scores (β = −0.09; 95%CI, −0.17 to −0.01; p = 0.024). More importantly, these “glyphosate–glycemic disorder” associations were significantly modified by sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG; P for interaction < 0.05), with more pronounced relationships being identified in individuals with low SHBG levels. Our findings indicate that glyphosate is correlated with glucose dyshomeostasis. Individuals with low SHBG levels exhibited susceptibility to glyphosate-related glycemic toxicity; therefore, it might be prudent to determine glycemic health in those subjects with glyphosate exposure. Full article
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2023

Jump to: 2024, 2022, 2021

13 pages, 1639 KiB  
Article
Bioaccumulation of Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in a Mining Area and Its Associated Health Effects
by Ulziikhishig Surenbaatar, Seungho Lee, Jung-Yeon Kwon, Hyunju Lim, Jeong-Jin Kim, Young-Hun Kim and Young-Seoub Hong
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060519 - 9 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2277
Abstract
Soil contamination is associated with a high potential for health issues. This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and its associated health impact among residents near a mining area. We performed environmental monitoring by analyzing lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and [...] Read more.
Soil contamination is associated with a high potential for health issues. This study aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and its associated health impact among residents near a mining area. We performed environmental monitoring by analyzing lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) levels in soil and rice samples, as well as biomonitoring by analyzing blood and urine samples from 58 residents living near the mine. Additionally, concentration trends were investigated among 26 participants in a 2013 study. The Cd and As levels in the soil samples and Cd levels in the rice samples exceeded the criteria for concern. The geometric mean blood Cd level (2.12 μg/L) was two times higher than that in the general population aged > 40 years. The blood Cd level showed decreasing trends from the previous measurements of 4.56–2.25 μg/L, but was still higher than that in the general population. The blood and urine Cd levels were higher in those with a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) than in those with normal eGFR. In conclusion, heavy metals from mining areas can accumulate in soil and rice, adversely impacting human health. Continuous environmental monitoring and biomonitoring are required to ensure the safety of residents. Full article
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14 pages, 645 KiB  
Review
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Environmental Exposures on Neurocognitive Outcomes in Children: Empirical Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications
by Margaret Gladieux, Nathan Gimness, Bianca Rodriguez and Jianghong Liu
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030259 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3578
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature regarding the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and environmental exposures. Specifically, the paper will focus on how this relationship between ACEs and physical environmental factors impacts the neurocognitive development of children. [...] Read more.
The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature regarding the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and environmental exposures. Specifically, the paper will focus on how this relationship between ACEs and physical environmental factors impacts the neurocognitive development of children. With a comprehensive literary search focusing on ACEs, inclusive of socioeconomic status (SES), and environmental toxins common in urban environments, the paper explores how these factors contribute to cognitive outcomes that are associated with the environment and childhood nurturing. The relationship between ACEs and environmental exposures reveals adverse outcomes in children’s neurocognitive development. These cognitive outcomes include learning disabilities, lowered IQ, memory and attention problems, and overall poor educational outcomes. Additionally, potential mechanisms of environmental exposures and children’s neurocognitive outcomes are explored, referencing data from animal studies and evidence from brain imaging studies. This study further analyzes the current gaps in the literature, such as the lack of data focusing on exposure to environmental toxicants resulting from experiencing ACEs and discusses the research and social policy implications of ACEs and environmental exposure in the neurocognitive development of children. Full article
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11 pages, 7858 KiB  
Article
The Presence of Ultra-Traces of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals in Some Areas of Molise: The Importance of a “Blank” in Public Health Studies
by Ivan Notardonato, Francesca Fantasma, Pamela Monaco, Cristina Di Fiore, Gabriella Saviano, Carmen Giancola, Pasquale Avino and Vincenzo De Felice
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030250 - 7 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
The emission of chemicals into the environment has increased in a not negligible way as a result of the phenomenon of globalization and industrialization, potentially also affecting areas always considered as “uncontaminated”. In this paper, five “uncontaminated” areas were analyzed in terms of [...] Read more.
The emission of chemicals into the environment has increased in a not negligible way as a result of the phenomenon of globalization and industrialization, potentially also affecting areas always considered as “uncontaminated”. In this paper, five “uncontaminated” areas were analyzed in terms of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), comparing them with an “environmental blank”. Chemical analyses were carried out using standardized protocols. The ‘environmental blank’ results revealed the presence of Cu (<64.9 μg g−1), Ni (<37.2 μg g−1), and Zn (<52.6 μg g−1) as HMs and fluorene (<17.0 ng g−1) and phenanthrene (<11.5 ng g−1) as PAHs. However, regarding the results of the pollution status of the areas under study, fluorene (#S1, 0.34 ng g−1; #S2, 4.3 ng g−1; #S3, 5.1 ng g−1; #S4, 3.4 ng g−1; #S5, 0.7 ng g−1) and phenanthrene (#S1, 0. 24 ng g−1; #S2, 3.1 ng g−1; #S3, 3.2 ng g−1; #S4, 3.3 ng g−1; #S5, 0.5 ng g−1) were found in all areas, while the other PAHs investigated were detected at a concentration averaging less than 3.3 ng g−1. HMs were found in all of the investigated areas. In particular, Cd was detected in all areas with an average concentration of less than 0.036 μg g−1, while Pb was absent in area #S5, but present in the other areas with an average concentration of less than 0.018 μg g−1. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2021

11 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Studying Respiratory Symptoms Related to Swimming Pools Attendance in Young Athletes: The SPHeRA Study
by Matteo Zaccarin, Stefano Zanni, Francesca Gallè, Carmela Protano, Federica Valeriani, Giorgio Liguori, Vincenzo Romano Spica and Matteo Vitali
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120759 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1771
Abstract
This study investigates the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the training factors possibly associated with them in a sample of young Italian competitive swimmers. A questionnaire about training information and symptoms was administered to participants during the winter and summer 2021 training seasons. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the training factors possibly associated with them in a sample of young Italian competitive swimmers. A questionnaire about training information and symptoms was administered to participants during the winter and summer 2021 training seasons. In total, 396 athletes took part in the study. In the winter training subgroup (n = 197), we found significant associations between increasing training hours per session and the presence of nasal congestion/rhinorrhoea (OR = 3.10; p = 0.039) and cough (OR = 3.48; p = 0.015). Total training hours per week were significantly associated with nasal congestion/rhinorrhoea (OR = 1.12; p = 0.010). In the summer group (n = 199), the same factors were not associated with respiratory symptoms. Having an allergy was significantly related to nasal congestion/rhinorrhea in both the logistic models (model 1 OR = 2.69, p = 0.013; model 2 OR = 2.70, p = 0.012), while having asthma significantly increased the risk of coughing (OR = 3.24, p = 0.033). The kind of environment (indoor or outdoor facilities) did not affect the studied symptoms either in summer or winter. Further investigations are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved in the development of respiratory symptoms in swimmers, particularly on how inflammation and remodelling develop and which environmental conditions can favour these processes. Full article
12 pages, 801 KiB  
Systematic Review
Impact of Air Pollution on the Composition and Diversity of Human Gut Microbiota in General and Vulnerable Populations: A Systematic Review
by Simone Filardo, Marisa Di Pietro, Carmela Protano, Arianna Antonucci, Matteo Vitali and Rosa Sessa
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100579 - 30 Sep 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4151
Abstract
Recently, growing attention has focused on the impact of air pollution on gut microbiota as a possible mechanism by which air pollutant exposure increased the risk for chronic diseases, as evidenced by in vivo studies demonstrating important exposure-induced alterations in the diversity and [...] Read more.
Recently, growing attention has focused on the impact of air pollution on gut microbiota as a possible mechanism by which air pollutant exposure increased the risk for chronic diseases, as evidenced by in vivo studies demonstrating important exposure-induced alterations in the diversity and relative abundance of gut bacterial taxa. This systematic review provides updated state-of-art findings of studies examining the impact of air pollution on the human gut microbiota. Databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched with the following strategy: “air poll*” AND “gut micro*” OR “intestinal micro*”; moreover, a total of 10 studies were included. Overall, there is the evidence that short-term and long-term exposure to air pollutants have the potential to alter the composition and diversity of gut microbiota; some studies also correlated air pollution exposure to adverse health effects (impaired fasting glucose, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and asthma attacks) via alterations in the composition and/or function of the gut microbiota. However, the evidence on this topic is still scarce, and large cohort studies are needed globally. Full article
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14 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
Association between Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Adaptive Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
by Zofia Janik Szapuova, Lubica Argalasova, Diana Vondrova, Katarina Jansakova, Ivan Belica, Maria Kopcikova, Katarina Babinska and Daniela Ostatnikova
Toxics 2022, 10(4), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10040189 - 13 Apr 2022
Viewed by 2560
Abstract
The study focuses on current issues of adaptive behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and on the possible risk factor of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Children examined at the Academic Research Center for Autism (ARCA) in Bratislava were involved in the [...] Read more.
The study focuses on current issues of adaptive behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and on the possible risk factor of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Children examined at the Academic Research Center for Autism (ARCA) in Bratislava were involved in the study. The study sample included 84 children (71 boys) with ASD (average age 5.35 years) and a non-ASD group of 24 children (20 boys; average age 8.10 years). The “ETS Questionnaire” focused on the detection of parental smoking habits and other ETS exposures. The concentrations of cotinine in urine were measured by ELISA kit. A significant delay in adaptive behavior of children with ASD in comparison with the non-ASD group was identified. The significant differences were in adaptive behavior, communication, and everyday skills. Children with ASD were more likely to be exposed to ETS, especially in the household. Good agreement was found between objective and subjective ETS exposure indicators (kappa = 0.613). Self-reported exposure to ETS corresponded significantly with the median levels of urinary cotinine. In addition to evaluation and assessment of the quality of adaptive behavior, an important goal of further research should be to identify, investigate, and eliminate environmental factors that interfere with adaptive behavior. Full article
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11 pages, 296 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Associates the Risk of Benign Brain Tumor: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Cohort Study in Taiwan
by Kuang-Hsi Chang, Chieh-Lin Jerry Teng, Yi-Chao Hsu, Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai, Han-Jie Lin, Tsai-Ling Hsieh, Chih-Hsin Muo, Chung Y. Hsu and Ruey-Hwang Chou
Toxics 2022, 10(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10040176 - 2 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4107
Abstract
Air pollutants as risk factors for benign brain tumor (BBT) remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study by integrating the patients’ clinical data and daily air quality data to assess the environmental risk factors of BBT in Taiwan.Daily air quality [...] Read more.
Air pollutants as risk factors for benign brain tumor (BBT) remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study by integrating the patients’ clinical data and daily air quality data to assess the environmental risk factors of BBT in Taiwan.Daily air quality data were categorized into quartiles (Q1 to Q4). The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was evaluated by comparing the BBT incidence rate of the subjects in Q2–Q4 with that of the subjects in Q1 (the lowest concentration of air pollutants). A total of 161,213 subjects were enrolled in the study. Among the air pollutants tested, the aHR of BBT was significantly higher in the subjects who were exposed to the highest level (Q4) of CO (aHR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08–1.74), NO2 (aHR 1.40, 95% CI 1.09–1.78), and PM2.5 (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02–1.65) than that in the subjects who were exposed to the lowest level (Q1). No significant risk association of BBT with SO2 and PM10 exposure was observed. The results revealed that long-term exposure to air pollutants, particularly CO, NO2, and PM2.5, is associated with the risk of BBT. Full article
10 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Air Pollutants Increases the Risk of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Taiwan Residents
by Shih-Wei Chen, Han-Jie Lin, Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai, Cheng-Li Lin, Chung Y. Hsu, Tsai-Ling Hsieh, Chuan-Mu Chen and Kuang-Hsi Chang
Toxics 2022, 10(4), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10040173 - 1 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2981
Abstract
Air pollution triggers a tissue-specific inflammatory response. However, studies on the association between exposure to air pollutants and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) risk remain limited. Thus, we conducted this nationwide study to define the association between air pollution and CRS. We used the Longitudinal [...] Read more.
Air pollution triggers a tissue-specific inflammatory response. However, studies on the association between exposure to air pollutants and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) risk remain limited. Thus, we conducted this nationwide study to define the association between air pollution and CRS. We used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) and Taiwan Air Quality-Monitoring Database (TAQMD) to conduct a population-based cohort study. Study participants were recruited from the LHID, a data subset of the National Health Insurance Research Database that randomly sampled one million individuals. TAQMD has been an air pollutant database since 1998. In univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs of CRS in five air pollutants were accounted. We adjusted for age, sex, urbanization level, insurance fee, comorbidities, and pollutant levels in the multivariate model. The total number of participants enrolled in this study was 160,504. The average age was 40.46 ± 14.62 years; males constituted 43.8% of the total participants. The percentages of alcoholism, tobacco dependence, and COPD were 1.5%, 2.8%, and 28.3%, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, urbanization level, insurance fee, and comorbidities, the highest levels of air pollutants, including PM2.5 (aHR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.06–1.22), NO2 (aHR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00–1.15), and PM10 (aHR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05–1.21) had a significantly greater CRS risk; we selected the lower concentration as the reference but did not correlate with CO. We found a significantly increased risk of CRS in residents with air pollutant exposure. Full article

2021

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022

29 pages, 720 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of Studies on Genotoxicity and Related Biomarkers in Populations Exposed to Pesticides in Mexico
by Juana Sánchez-Alarcón, Mirta Milić, Vilena Kašuba, María Guadalupe Tenorio-Arvide, José Mariano Rigoberto Montiel-González, Stefano Bonassi and Rafael Valencia-Quintana
Toxics 2021, 9(11), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9110272 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5170
Abstract
In agricultural activities, pest control is essential, and the most effective method is the use of chemical agents that also represent an important source of exposure to potentially toxic compounds. Pesticides constitute a heterogeneous group of compounds designed specifically to control different pests. [...] Read more.
In agricultural activities, pest control is essential, and the most effective method is the use of chemical agents that also represent an important source of exposure to potentially toxic compounds. Pesticides constitute a heterogeneous group of compounds designed specifically to control different pests. Besides measuring their levels or that of their metabolites in air, plasma, serum, blood, urine, etc., some studies reported increased DNA damage levels after occupational or environmental pesticides exposure, evidenced by several cytogenetic biomarkers such as chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), micronuclei frequency (MN) together with other nuclear abnormalities (NA), alkaline comet assay, but also changes in oxidative stress parameters and miRNA levels. Single or combined, these techniques have also been used in genotoxic biomonitoring studies of workers occupationally exposed to pesticides in Mexico. Despite being a country with great agricultural activity and reported excessive pesticide use, genotoxic studies have been relatively few and, in some cases, contradictory. A review was made of the studies available (published until the end of 2020 on PubMed, Web of Science, Redalyc and Scielo, both in English and Spanish) in the scientific literature that evaluated occupational exposure of human samples to pesticides assessed with DNA damage and related biomarkers in Mexico. Full article
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21 pages, 4587 KiB  
Article
Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites Are Associated with Biomarkers of Chronic Endocrine Stress, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Adolescents: FLEHS-4 (2016–2020)
by Veerle J. Verheyen, Sylvie Remy, Eva Govarts, Ann Colles, Laura Rodriguez Martin, Gudrun Koppen, Stefan Voorspoels, Liesbeth Bruckers, Esmée M. Bijnens, Stijn Vos, Bert Morrens, Dries Coertjens, Annelies De Decker, Carmen Franken, Elly Den Hond, Vera Nelen, Adrian Covaci, Ilse Loots, Stefaan De Henauw, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Caroline Teughels, Tim S. Nawrot and Greet Schoetersadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Toxics 2021, 9(10), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9100245 - 1 Oct 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4046
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants of public health concern. Multiple biological mechanisms have been hypothesized to contribute to PAHs-associated adverse health effects. Little is known about the impact of PAHs on endocrine stress and inflammation in adolescence. We examined 393 Flemish [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants of public health concern. Multiple biological mechanisms have been hypothesized to contribute to PAHs-associated adverse health effects. Little is known about the impact of PAHs on endocrine stress and inflammation in adolescence. We examined 393 Flemish adolescents (14–15 years) cross-sectionally, measured urinary concentrations of hydroxylated naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene and pyrene metabolites, and calculated the sum of all measured metabolites. We determined hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as endocrine stress biomarker, leucocyte counts and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood as inflammatory biomarkers, and urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) concentration as oxidative stress biomarker. Exposure–response associations were analyzed by multiple regression, adjusted for a priori selected covariates. A doubling of 1-hydroxypyrene concentration was associated with a factor of 1.13 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.24) increase in HCC and a factor of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.13) increase in 8-oxodG. Doublings of 2- and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene concentrations were associated with a factor of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.14) and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.12) increase in 8-oxodG, respectively. Doubling of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene and of the sum of 2- and 3-hydroxyfluorene was associated with, respectively, a factor of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.14) and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.13) increase in NLR. Our results indicate the glucocorticoid pathway as a potential target for PAH exposure in adolescents and suggest oxidative stress, endocrine stress, and inflammation in adolescence as underlying mechanisms and early markers for PAH-related adverse health effects. Full article
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8 pages, 235 KiB  
Article
Ambient Air Pollution and Stillbirths Risk in Sydney, Australia
by Bin Jalaludin, Farhad Salimi, Mahsan Sadeghi, Laura Collie and Geoffrey Morgan
Toxics 2021, 9(9), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9090209 - 31 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
We aimed to determine the associations between ambient air pollution, specifically particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns and 2.5 microns (PM10 and PM2.5 respectively) and ozone (O3), and stillbirths. We analysed all singleton births between 20–42 [...] Read more.
We aimed to determine the associations between ambient air pollution, specifically particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns and 2.5 microns (PM10 and PM2.5 respectively) and ozone (O3), and stillbirths. We analysed all singleton births between 20–42 weeks gestation in metropolitan Sydney, Australia, from 1997 to 2012. We implemented logistic regression to assess the associations between air pollutants and stillbirth for each trimester and for the entire pregnancy. Over the study period, there were 967,694 live births and 4287 stillbirths. Mean levels of PM10, PM2.5 and O3 for the entire pregnancy were 17.9 µg/m3, 7.1 µg/m3 and 3.2 ppb, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios were generally greater than unity for associations between PM and stillbirths, but none were statistically significant. There were no significant associations between O3 and stillbirths. There was potential effect modification of the PM10 and O3 association by maternal age. We did not find consistent evidence of associations between PM and O3 and stillbirths in Sydney, Australia. More high quality birth cohort studies are required to clarify associations between air pollution and stillbirths. Full article
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