Showing papers in "Environmental Health Perspectives in 2014"
Health Canada1, Brigham Young University2, Imperial College London3, University of Washington4, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation5, Harvard University6, Research Triangle Park7, University of British Columbia8, King's College London9, University of California, Berkeley10, University of California, San Francisco11, University of Liverpool12, Fudan University13, World Health Organization14, University of Ottawa15, American Cancer Society16, Health Effects Institute17
TL;DR: A fine particulate mass–based RR model that covered the global range of exposure by integrating RR information from different combustion types that generate emissions of particulate matter is developed.
Abstract: Background: Estimating the burden of disease attributable to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air requires knowledge of both the shape and magnitude of the relative ...
1,468 citations
TL;DR: The results of these analyses, and the decision of the IARC Working Group to classify PM and outdoor air pollution as carcinogenic (Group 1), further justify efforts to reduce exposures to air pollutants that can arise from many sources.
Abstract: Background: Particulate matter (PM) in outdoor air pollution was recently designated a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This determination was based on ...
744 citations
TL;DR: Satellite observations provide insight into global long-term changes in ambient PM2.5 concentrations, and significant agreement between satellite-derived estimates and ground-based measurements outside North America and Europe suggests that true global concentrations could be even greater.
Abstract: Background: More than a decade of satellite observations offers global information about the trend and magnitude of human exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5).Objective: In this study, we de...
741 citations
TL;DR: Exposure of the U.S. population to phthalates has changed in the last decade and data gaps make it difficult to explain trends, but legislative activity and advocacy campaigns by nongovernmental organizations may play a role in changing trends.
Abstract: Background: Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Because of potential adverse effects on human health, butylbenzyl phthalate [BBzP; metabolite, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP)], di-n-b...
456 citations
TL;DR: Based on reports that BPA impacts female reproduction and has the potential to affect male reproductive systems in humans and animals, BPA is a reproductive toxicant, which is considered an ovarian toxicant.
Abstract: Background: In 2007, an expert panel reviewed associations between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and reproductive health outcomes. Since then, new studies have been conducted on the impact of BPA on r...
433 citations
TL;DR: Efforts to improve ambient air quality will be hindered if household cooking conditions are not addressed, and emissions from household cooking constitute an important portion of APM2.5 concentrations in many places, including India and China.
Abstract: Background: Approximately 2.8 billion people cook with solid fuels. Research has focused on the health impacts of indoor exposure to fine particulate pollution. Here, for the 2010 Global Burden of ...
408 citations
TL;DR: These findings may provide novel insights regarding perturbations of the gut microbiome and its functions as a potential new mechanism by which arsenic exposure leads to or exacerbates human diseases.
Abstract: Background: The human intestine is host to an enormously complex, diverse, and vast microbial community—the gut microbiota. The gut microbiome plays a profound role in metabolic processing, energy ...
407 citations
TL;DR: This study of ASD strengthens the evidence linking neurodevelopmental disorders with gestational pesticide exposures, particularly organophosphates, and provides novel results of ASD and DD associations with, respectively, pyrethroids and carbamates.
Abstract: Background: Gestational exposure to several common agricultural pesticides can induce developmental neurotoxicity in humans, and has been associated with developmental delay and autism.Objectives: ...
402 citations
TL;DR: Multiple indoor exposures, especially dampness-related agents, merit increased attention to prevent exacerbation of asthma, possibly even in nonsensitized individuals.
Abstract: Background: Previous research has found relationships between specific indoor environmental exposures and exacerbation of asthma.Objectives: In this review we provide an updated summary of knowledg...
321 citations
TL;DR: Evaluated studies demonstrated that hair and urine concentrations are well above World Health Organization health guidance values in ASGM communities, and workers, workers’ families, and residents of nearby and downstream communities are consuming fish heavily contaminated with methylmercury.
Abstract: Background: Mercury (Hg) is used in gold mining to extract gold from ore by forming “amalgam”—a mixture composed of approximately equal parts mercury and gold. Approximately 15 million people, incl...
313 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, environmental health effects vary considerably with regard to their severity, type of disease, and duration, and integrated measures of population health, such as environmental burden of di...
Abstract: Background: Environmental health effects vary considerably with regard to their severity, type of disease, and duration. Integrated measures of population health, such as environmental burden of di...
TL;DR: There is “sufficient” human evidence that developmental exposure to PFOA reduces fetal growth and the risk of bias across studies was low, and the overall body of human evidence was assigned a “moderate” quality rating.
Abstract: Background: The Navigation Guide methodology was developed to meet the need for a robust method of systematic and transparent research synthesis in environmental health science. We conducted a case...
University of Copenhagen1, Utrecht University2, Karolinska Institutet3, University of Augsburg4, Imperial College London5, Karolinska University Hospital6, University of Turin7, National Institutes of Health8, University of Düsseldorf9, Augsburg College10, Aalborg University11, University of Duisburg-Essen12, University of Ulm13
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the association between long-term exposure to multiple air pollens and the incidence of cerebrovascular events, and found that exposure to air pollution was associated with increased risk of stroke.
Abstract: Background: Few studies have investigated effects of air pollution on the incidence of cerebrovascular events.Objectives: We assessed the association between long-term exposure to multiple air poll...
TL;DR: The population has become more resilient to heat over time, yet even with this increased resilience, substantial risks of heat-related mortality remain.
Abstract: Background: In a changing climate, increasing temperatures are anticipated to have profound health impacts. These impacts could be mitigated if individuals and communities adapt to changing exposur...
TL;DR: An association between density and proximity of natural gas wells within a 10-mile radius of maternal residence and prevalence of CHDs and possibly NTDs is observed and greater specificity in exposure estimates is needed to further explore these associations.
Abstract: Background: Birth defects are a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Natural gas development (NGD) emits several potential teratogens, and U.S. production of natural gas is expanding.Objectives: We...
TL;DR: A seven-step framework for systematic review and evidence integration for reaching hazard identification conclusions to provide greater objectivity and transparency to the process of developing conclusions is presented.
Abstract: Background: Systematic-review methodologies provide objectivity and transparency to the process of collecting and synthesizing scientific evidence in reaching conclusions on specific research quest...
TL;DR: HELIX is one of the first attempts to describe the early-life exposome of European populations and unravel its relation to omics markers and health in childhood, and will form an important first step toward the life-course exposomes.
Abstract: Background: Developmental periods in early life may be particularly vulnerable to impacts of environmental exposures. Human research on this topic has generally focused on single exposure–health effect relationships. The “exposome” concept encompasses the totality of exposures from conception onward, complementing the genome. Objectives: The Human Early-Life Exposome (HELIX) project is a new collaborative research project that aims to implement novel exposure assessment and biomarker methods to characterize early-life exposure to multiple environmental factors and associate these with omics biomarkers and child health outcomes, thus characterizing the “early-life exposome.” Here we describe the general design of the project. Methods: In six existing birth cohort studies in Europe, HELIX will estimate prenatal and postnatal exposure to a broad range of chemical and physical exposures. Exposure models will be developed for the full cohorts totaling 32,000 mother–child pairs, and biomarkers will be measured in a subset of 1,200 mother–child pairs. Nested repeat-sampling panel studies (n = 150) will collect data on biomarker variability, use smartphones to assess mobility and physical activity, and perform personal exposure monitoring. Omics techniques will determine molecular profiles (metabolome, proteome, transcriptome, epigenome) associated with exposures. Statistical methods for multiple exposures will provide exposure–response estimates for fetal and child growth, obesity, neurodevelopment, and respiratory outcomes. A health impact assessment exercise will evaluate risks and benefits of combined exposures. Conclusions: HELIX is one of the first attempts to describe the early-life exposome of European populations and unravel its relation to omics markers and health in childhood. As proof of concept, it will form an important first step toward the life-course exposome.
TL;DR: The findings demonstrated that improved methods of research synthesis under development at the National Toxicology Program and under consideration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are fully achievable.
Abstract: Background: Synthesizing what is known about the environmental drivers of health is instrumental to taking prevention-oriented action. Methods of research synthesis commonly used in environmental h...
TL;DR: For studies of disease etiology, the complexity of human exposures motivates characterization of the blood exposome, which includes all biologically active chemicals.
Abstract: Background: Since 2001, researchers have examined the human genome (G) mainly to discover causes of disease, despite evidence that G explains relatively little risk. We posit that unexplained disea...
TL;DR: Outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were associated with low birth weight but not preterm birth, and in rapidly developing countries, such as China, the highest levels of air pollution may be of concern for both outcomes.
Abstract: Background: Inhaling fine particles (particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm; PM2.5) can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and may contribute to onset of preterm labor and other adverse p...
TL;DR: Beneficial impacts of contact with green and blue spaces on behavioral development in schoolchildren are supported and statistically significant inverse associations between green space playing time and SDQ total difficulties, emotional symptoms, and peer relationship problems are found.
Abstract: Background: Green spaces have been associated with improved mental health in children; however, available epidemiological evidence on their impact on child behavioral development is scarce.Objectiv...
TL;DR: PFR exposures are widespread, and hand-to-mouth contact or dermal absorption may be important pathways of exposure, according to monitoring indoor exposure to organophosphate flame retardants.
Abstract: Background: Organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) are becoming popular replacements for the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) mixtures, and they are now commonly detected in indoor
TL;DR: Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals were associated with autistic behaviors in this cohort, but the modest sample size precludes us from dismissing chemicals with null associations.
Abstract: Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders, but identifying relevant chemicals within mixtures of EDCs is difficult.Objective: Ou...
TL;DR: An interquartile range increase in residential surrounding greenness was associated with 11–19% lower relative prevalence of overweight/obesity and excessive screen time, but was not associated with current asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Abstract: Background: Green spaces have been associated with both health benefits and risks in children; however, available evidence simultaneously investigating these conflicting influences, especially in a...
TL;DR: Higher maternal exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy, particularly the third trimester, was associated with greater odds of a child having ASD, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) for ASD per interquartile range (IQR) higher PM 2.5 than during the first two trimesters.
Abstract: BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with increasing prevalence worldwide, yet has unclear etiology.ObjectiveWe explored the association between maternal exposure to...
TL;DR: These findings call into question the safety of substituting DiNP for DEHP in soft PVC, particularly because a shorter male AGD has been shown to relate to male genital birth defects in children and impaired reproductive function in adult males and the fact that human levels of DiNP are increasing globally.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Phthalates are used as plasticizers in soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in a large number of consumer products. Because of reported health risks, diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) has been introduced as a replacement for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in soft PVC. This raises concerns because animal data suggest that DiNP may have antiandrogenic properties similar to those of DEHP. The anogenital distance (AGD)-the distance from the anus to the genitals-has been used to assess reproductive toxicity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and AGD in Swedish infants. METHODS: AGD was measured in 196 boys at 21 months of age, and first-trimester urine was analyzed for 10 phthalate metabolites of DEP (diethyl phthalate), DBP (dibutyl phthalate), DEHP, BBzP (benzylbutyl phthalate), as well as DiNP and creatinine. Data on covariates were collected by questionnaires. RESULTS: The most significant associations were found between the shorter of two AGD measures (anoscrotal distance; AGDas) and DiNP metabolites and strongest for oh-MMeOP [mono(4-methyl-7-hydroxyloctyl) phthalate] and oxo-MMeOP [mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate]. However, the AGDas reduction was small (4%) in relation to more than an interquartile range increase in DiNP exposure. CONCLUSIONS: These findings call into question the safety of substituting DiNP for DEHP in soft PVC, particularly because a shorter male AGD has been shown to relate to male genital birth defects in children and impaired reproductive function in adult males and the fact that human levels of DiNP are increasing globally.
TL;DR: The 2011 IRIS assessment of dichloromethane provides insights into the toxicity of a commonly used solvent, including exposure sources, identification of potential health effects, and updated physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling.
Abstract: Background: The U.S. EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) completed an updated toxicological review of dichloromethane in November 2011.
Objectives: In this commentary we summarize key results and issues of this review, including exposure sources, identification of potential health effects, and updated physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling.
Methods: We performed a comprehensive review of primary research studies and evaluation of PBPK models.
Discussion: Hepatotoxicity was observed in oral and inhalation exposure studies in several studies in animals; neurological effects were also identified as a potential area of concern. Dichloromethane was classified as likely to be carcinogenic in humans based primarily on evidence of carcinogenicity at two sites (liver and lung) in male and female B6C3F1 mice (inhalation exposure) and at one site (liver) in male B6C3F1 mice (drinking-water exposure). Recent epidemiologic studies of dichloromethane (seven studies of hematopoietic cancers published since 2000) provide additional data raising concerns about associations with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Although there are gaps in the database for dichloromethane genotoxicity (i.e., DNA adduct formation and gene mutations in target tissues in vivo), the positive DNA damage assays correlated with tissue and/or species availability of functional glutathione S-transferase (GST) metabolic activity, the key activation pathway for dichloromethane-induced cancer. Innovations in the IRIS assessment include estimation of cancer risk specifically for a presumed sensitive genotype (GST-theta-1+/+), and PBPK modeling accounting for human physiological distributions based on the expected distribution for all individuals 6 months to 80 years of age.
Conclusion: The 2011 IRIS assessment of dichloromethane provides insights into the toxicity of a commonly used solvent.
Citation: Schlosser PM, Bale AS, Gibbons CF, Wilkins A, Cooper GS. 2015. Human health effects of dichloromethane: key findings and scientific issues. Environ Health Perspect 123:114–119; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1308030
TL;DR: It is found that exposure to low concentrations of Cd is associated with effects on bone, including increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, and that this observation has implications for the health risk assessment of Cc.
Abstract: Background: Exposure to cadmium (Cd) has long been recognized as a health hazard, both in industry and in general populations with high exposure. Under the currently prevailing health risk assessme ...
TL;DR: Increased residential greenness was associated with beneficial birth outcomes in this population-based cohort and these associations did not change after adjusting for other spatially correlated built environment factors, suggesting that alternative pathways may underlie associations between Residential greenness and birth outcomes.
Abstract: Background: Half the world’s population lives in urban areas. It is therefore important to identify characteristics of the built environment that are beneficial to human health. Urban greenness has...
TL;DR: Extreme heat is associated with increased hospital admissions, particularly for renal causes, among the elderly in the United States, 1992–2006.
Abstract: Background: Heat-wave frequency, intensity, and duration are increasing with global climate change. The association between heat and mortality in the elderly is well documented, but less is known r...