Research

16 pages, 1800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal and Spatial Variations of the Oxidative Properties of Ambient PM_2.5 in the Po Valley, Italy, before and during COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions

by Maria Chiara Pietrogrande, Cristina Colombi, Eleonora Cuccia, Umberto Dal Santo and Luisa Romanato

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031797 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1226

Abstract

This study describes the chemical and toxicological characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the Po Valley, one of the largest and most polluted areas in Europe. The investigated samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Milan during the epidemic [...] Read more.

This study describes the chemical and toxicological characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the Po Valley, one of the largest and most polluted areas in Europe. The investigated samples were collected in the metropolitan area of Milan during the epidemic lockdown and their toxicity was evaluated by the oxidative potential (OP), measured using ascorbic acid (OP^AA) and dithiothreitol (OP^DTT) acellular assays. The study was also extended to PM_2.5 samples collected at different sites in the Po Valley in 2019, to represent the baseline conditions in the area. Univariate correlations were applied to the whole dataset to link the OP responses with the concentrations of the major chemical markers of vehicular and biomass burning emissions. Of the two assays, OP^AA was found mainly sensitive towards transition metals released from vehicular traffic, while OP^DTT towards the PM carbonaceous components. The impact of the controlling lockdown restrictions on PM_2.5 oxidative properties was estimated by comparing the OP values in corresponding time spans in 2020 and 2019. We found that during the full lockdown the OP^AA values decreased to 80–86% with respect to the OP data in other urban sites in the area, while the OP^DTT values remained nearly constant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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26 pages, 712 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“They Kept Going for Answers”: Knowledge, Capacity, and Environmental Health Literacy in Michigan’s PBB Contamination

by Erin Lebow-Skelley, Brittany B. Fremion, Martha Quinn, Melissa Makled, Norman B. Keon, Jane Jelenek, Jane-Ann Crowley, Melanie A. Pearson and Amy J. Schulz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416686 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2737

Abstract

The Michigan PBB Oral History Project documented community residents’ descriptions of a large-scale chemical contamination—the PBB contamination—that occurred in Michigan in 1973. These oral histories document residents’ and others’ experiences during and after the contamination. We conducted a grounded theory qualitative analysis of [...] Read more.

The Michigan PBB Oral History Project documented community residents’ descriptions of a large-scale chemical contamination—the PBB contamination—that occurred in Michigan in 1973. These oral histories document residents’ and others’ experiences during and after the contamination. We conducted a grounded theory qualitative analysis of 31 oral histories to examine the experiences of community members, researchers, lawyers, and others who actively sought out and contributed essential information about the contamination and its impacts. Our findings highlight several challenges encountered in the development of this knowledge including four central themes—contested knowledge, community skills, inaction, and uncertainty. Integrating environmental health literacy, community capacity, and contested illness frameworks, we examine the contributions of community residents, scientists (from inside and outside the community), and others to the development of knowledge to inform decisions and sustain action regarding this large-scale contamination. We close with a discussion of lessons learned regarding efforts to build environmental health knowledge within uncertain and often contested contexts and for promoting environmental health and action related to large-scale chemical contaminations. Our findings suggest the importance of integrated frameworks for examining and promoting the critical role of community skills, leadership, participation, sense of community, and community power in promoting environmental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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7 pages, 761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Particulate Air Pollution and Primary Care Visits in Kosovo: A Time-Series Approach

by Zana Shabani Isenaj, Merita Berisha, Antigona Ukëhaxhaj and Hanns Moshammer

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16591; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416591 - 09 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1260

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of particulate air pollution (PM2.5) on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Pristina, Kosovo, in a time-series analysis using daily primary healthcare visits to primary care institutions from 2019 to 2022. For the observation period, 6440 cardiovascular [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of particulate air pollution (PM2.5) on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Pristina, Kosovo, in a time-series analysis using daily primary healthcare visits to primary care institutions from 2019 to 2022. For the observation period, 6440 cardiovascular and 15,141 respiratory visits were reported, whereas the daily mean concentrations of PM2.5 ranged between 2.41 and 120.3 µg/m³. Single-lag models indicated a bi-phasic lag structure with increasing effect estimates some days after the air pollution event. In the distributed lag model with seven lags, the effect estimates for the cardiovascular cases indicated the adverse effect of air pollution. The cumulative effect estimate (summed over lag 0 to 6) for an increase of 10 µg/m³ of PM2.5 was a relative risk of 1.010 (95% confidence interval: 1.001–1.019). For respiratory cases, a different lag model (lag 4 through 10) was additionally examined. In this model, significant increases in visits were observed on lags 7 and 8. Overall, no relevant increase in visits occurred during the seven days considered. Visits to general practitioners will often not occur immediately at disease onset because patients will wait, hoping that their health status improves spontaneously. Therefore, we expected some latency in the effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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13 pages, 9893 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Utilization of the WMO-1234 Guidance to Improve Citizen’s Wellness and Health: An Italian Perspective

by Letizia Cremonini, Marianna Nardino and Teodoro Georgiadis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215056 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1651

Abstract

In 2019, the World Meteorological Organization published its “Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environment Services (Volume I: Concept and Methodology)” to assist WMO Members in developing and implementing the urban services that address the needs of city stakeholders in their countries. [...] Read more.

In 2019, the World Meteorological Organization published its “Guidance on Integrated Urban Hydrometeorological, Climate and Environment Services (Volume I: Concept and Methodology)” to assist WMO Members in developing and implementing the urban services that address the needs of city stakeholders in their countries. The guidance has relevant implications for not only protecting infrastructures from the impacts of climate change in the urban environment, but its proper declination strongly supports health-related policies to protect the population from direct and indirect impacts. Utilizing some principles of the guidance, the urbanized area of Bologna (Italy) was analyzed in order to furnish the municipality with tools coherent with the best practices actually emerging from the international bibliography to protect the citizens’ health of this city. Specifically, the analysis concentrated on the public spaces and the potential vulnerabilities of the fragile population to high-temperature regimes in the city. Utilizing the guidance as a methodological framework, the authors developed a methodology to define the microclimate vulnerabilities of the city and specific cards to assist the policymakers in city regeneration. Because the medieval structure of the city does not allow the application of a wide set of nature-based solutions, our main attention was placed on the possibility of furnishing the city with a great number of pocket parks obtainable from spaces actually dedicated to parking lots, thus introducing new green infrastructures in a highly deprived area in order to assure safety spaces for the fragile population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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14 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Mixture of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Lipid Profile in a Highly Exposed Adult Community in the Veneto Region

by Erich Batzella, Maryam Zare Jeddi, Gisella Pitter, Francesca Russo, Tony Fletcher and Cristina Canova

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12421; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912421 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1571

Abstract

Background: Residents of a large area in the Veneto Region (Northeastern Italy) were exposed to drinking water contaminated by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for decades. While exposure to PFAS has been consistently associated with elevated serum lipids, combined exposures to multiple PFASs have been [...] Read more.

Background: Residents of a large area in the Veneto Region (Northeastern Italy) were exposed to drinking water contaminated by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for decades. While exposure to PFAS has been consistently associated with elevated serum lipids, combined exposures to multiple PFASs have been poorly investigated. Utilising different statistical approaches, we examine the association between chemical mixtures and lipid parameters. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the regional health surveillance program (34,633 individuals aged 20–64 years) were used to examine the combined effects of PFAS mixture (Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS)) on total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile-based G-computation (Q-Gcomp) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used based on their ability to handle highly correlated chemicals. Results: We observed that each quartile increase in the WQS index was associated with an increase in the levels of TC (β: 4.09, 95% CI: 3.47–4.71), HDL-C (β: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.92–1.33) and LDL-C (β: 3.14, 95% CI: 2.65–3.63). Q-Gcomp estimated that a quartile increase in the PFAS mixture was associated with increased TC (ψ: 4.04, 95% CI 3.5–4.58), HDL-C (ψ: 1.07, 95% CI 20.87–1.27) and LDL-C (ψ: 2.71, 95% CI 2.23–3.19). In the BKMR analysis, the effect of PFAS mixture on serum lipids increased significantly when their concentrations were at their 75th percentiles or above, compared to those at their 50th percentile. All methods revealed a major contribution of PFOS and PFNA, although the main exposure was due to PFOA. We found suggestive evidence that associations varied when stratified by gender. Conclusions: The PFAS mixture was positively associated with lipid parameters, regardless of the applied method. Very similar results obtained from the three methods may be attributed to the linear positive association with the outcomes and no interaction between each PFAS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

12 pages, 1933 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of a Protocol to Reduce Children’s Exposure to Particulate Matter and NO₂ in Schools during Alert Days

by Stefano Zauli-Sajani, Stefano Marchesi, Giuseppe Boselli, Elisa Broglia, Alessandro Angella, Elena Maestri, Nelson Marmiroli and Annamaria Colacci

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 11019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191711019 - 03 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1359

Abstract

Reducing children’s exposure to air pollutants should be considered a primary goal, especially for the most vulnerable subjects. The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of applying a protocol in the event of alert days, i.e., days with forecasted PM [...] Read more.

Reducing children’s exposure to air pollutants should be considered a primary goal, especially for the most vulnerable subjects. The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of applying a protocol in the event of alert days, i.e., days with forecasted PM₁₀ levels above the EU limit value (50 µg/m³). The test was conducted, before the onset of SARS-CoV-2 restrictions, in a classroom of a primary school in Parma (Italy)—a highly polluted area in Northern Italy. The protocol included indications for the frequency of opening windows and doors, as well as the activation of an air purifier. Teachers and students were asked to apply the protocol only in the event of alert days, while no indications were provided for non-alert days. A monitoring system measuring PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, CO₂, and NO₂ was deployed in the classroom. Measurements of the same parameters were also performed outdoors near the school. The application of the protocol reduced the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio for all toxic pollutants. The reduction was also remarkable for PM₁₀—the most critical air quality parameter in the study area (1.5 and 1.1 for non-alert and alert days, respectively). Indoor concentrations of PM₁₀—especially during non-alert days—were often higher than outdoors, showing a major contribution from resuspension due to the movement of people and personal cloud. The protocol did not cause any increase in indoor CO₂ levels. Our findings showed that the application of a ventilation protocol together with the contribution of an air purifier may represent an effective way to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution during severe air pollution episodes. Considering the onset of COVID-19 and the airborne transmission of pathogens, this protocol now has more meaningful implications for children’s welfare, and can be integrated with protocols designed as measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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10 pages, 1610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does the Element Availability Change in Soils Exposed to Bioplastics and Plastics for Six Months?

by Giorgia Santini, Giulia Maisto, Valeria Memoli, Gabriella Di Natale, Marco Trifuoggi and Lucia Santorufo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9610; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159610 - 04 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1613

Abstract

Plastic sheets are widely used in farming soil to improve the productivity of cultures. Due to their absorption capacity, plastic sheets can alter element and metal content in soils, and in turn affect soil properties. The use of biodegradable films is an attractive [...] Read more.

Plastic sheets are widely used in farming soil to improve the productivity of cultures. Due to their absorption capacity, plastic sheets can alter element and metal content in soils, and in turn affect soil properties. The use of biodegradable films is an attractive eco-sustainable alternative approach to overcome the environmental pollution problems due to the use of plastic films but their impacts on soil are scarcely studied. The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of conventional plastic and bioplastic sheets on total and available concentrations of elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils. The research was performed in mesocosm trials, filled with soil covered by conventional plastic and bioplastic sheets. After six months of exposure, soils were characterized for pH, water content, concentrations of organic and total carbon and total nitrogen, and total and available Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn element concentrations. The results highlighted that soils covered by bioplastic sheets showed higher total and available concentrations of elements and higher contamination factors, suggesting that bioplastic sheets represented a source of metals or a less-effective sink to these background metals in soils, compared to conventional plastic ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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16 pages, 399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Exposure to Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) among US Infants

by Andrea B. Kirk, Kelsey Marie Plasse, Karli C. Kirk, Clyde F. Martin and Gamze Ozsoy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148402 - 09 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

PFASs have been detected in nearly every serum sample collected over the last two decades from US adults as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and are commonly found in other data sets from around the world. However, less [...] Read more.

PFASs have been detected in nearly every serum sample collected over the last two decades from US adults as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and are commonly found in other data sets from around the world. However, less is known about infant PFAS exposures, primarily because the collection of infant serum samples is less common and frequently avoided. Cord blood samples are often preferred for chemical exposure assessments because this is thought to provide a good representation of infant serum concentrations, at least at the time of birth. In this paper, we will provide a statistical and probabilistic analysis of what can be expected for infants living in the US using NHANES from 2007 to 2008, which contains a rare subset of infant data. Regulatory efforts that require estimation of exposures among the very youth can be challenging, both because of a lack of data in general and because variability among this most vulnerable population can be uncertain. We report that US infant exposures are extremely common and that serum concentrations remain fairly constant, despite infant growth rates and relatively high caloric and fluid intake, with the possible exception of PFOS. Infant serum PFOS concentrations between months 1 and 3 are consistently higher than at less than one month, even though healthy infants at 1 and 2 months weigh more than they did at birth. This suggests that the babies are exposed to greater concentrations of PFOS after birth or that excretion kinetics differ for this PFAS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

19 pages, 426 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Intersection of Neighborhood Environment and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Methods for Creation of a Neighborhood ACEs Index

by Krista Schroeder, Levent Dumenci, David B. Sarwer, Jennie G. Noll, Kevin A. Henry, Shakira F. Suglia, Christine M. Forke and David C. Wheeler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7819; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137819 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2157

Abstract

This study evaluated methods for creating a neighborhood adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) index, a composite measure that captures the association between neighborhood environment characteristics (e.g., crime, healthcare access) and individual-level ACEs exposure, for a particular population. A neighborhood ACEs index can help understand [...] Read more.

This study evaluated methods for creating a neighborhood adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) index, a composite measure that captures the association between neighborhood environment characteristics (e.g., crime, healthcare access) and individual-level ACEs exposure, for a particular population. A neighborhood ACEs index can help understand and address neighborhood-level influences on health among individuals affected by ACEs. Methods entailed cross-sectional secondary analysis connecting individual-level ACEs data from the Philadelphia ACE Survey (n = 1677) with 25 spatial datasets capturing neighborhood characteristics. Four methods were tested for index creation (three methods of principal components analysis, Bayesian index regression). Resulting indexes were compared using Akaike Information Criteria for accuracy in explaining ACEs exposure. Exploratory linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between ACEs, the neighborhood ACEs index, and a health outcome—in this case body mass index (BMI). Results demonstrated that Bayesian index regression was the best method for index creation. The neighborhood ACEs index was associated with higher BMI, both independently and after controlling for ACEs exposure. The neighborhood ACEs index attenuated the association between BMI and ACEs. Future research can employ a neighborhood ACEs index to inform upstream, place-based interventions and policies to promote health among individuals affected by ACEs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

30 pages, 559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Hazardous-Waste Testing Follow Technical Guidance, Thus Help Protect Environmental Justice and Health?

by Kristin Shrader-Frechette

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7679; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137679 - 23 Jun 2022

Viewed by 2376

Abstract

Does representative hazardous-waste-site testing tend to follow or to violate government technical guidance? This is an important question, because following such guidance promotes reliable risk analysis, adequate remediation, and environmental-justice and -health protection. Yet only government documents typically address this question, usually only [...] Read more.

Does representative hazardous-waste-site testing tend to follow or to violate government technical guidance? This is an important question, because following such guidance promotes reliable risk analysis, adequate remediation, and environmental-justice and -health protection. Yet only government documents typically address this question, usually only when it is too late, when citizens have already exhibited health harm, allegedly from living or working near current/former hazardous-waste sites. Because no systematic, representative, scientific analyses have answered the preceding question, this article begins to investigate it by posing a narrower part of the question: Does representative US testing of volatile-organic-compound (VOC) waste sites tend to follow or to violate government technical requirements? The article (i) outlines US/state-government technical guidance for VOC testing; (ii) develops criteria for discovering representative US cases of VOC testing; (iii) uses the dominant US Environmental Protection Agency method to assess whether these representative cases follow such guidance; (iv) employs the results of (iii) to begin to answer the preceding question; then (v) discusses the degree to which, if any, these results suggest threats to environmental health or justice. Our initial, but representative, results show that almost all US VOC-waste-site testing (that we investigated) violates government technical requirements and systematically underestimates risks, and this may help justify less expensive, potentially health-threatening cleanups, mostly in environmental justice communities. We outline needed future research and suggest two strategies to promote following government technical guidance for hazardous-waste testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

13 pages, 3394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatially Varying Associations of Neighborhood Disadvantage with Alcohol and Tobacco Retail Outlet Rates

by David C. Wheeler, Joseph Boyle, D. Jeremy Barsell, Trevin Glasgow, F. Joseph McClernon, Jason A. Oliver and Bernard F. Fuemmeler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095244 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

More than 30% of cancer related deaths are related to tobacco or alcohol use. Controlling and restricting access to these cancer-causing products, especially in communities where there is a high prevalence of other cancer risk factors, has the potential to improve population health [...] Read more.

More than 30% of cancer related deaths are related to tobacco or alcohol use. Controlling and restricting access to these cancer-causing products, especially in communities where there is a high prevalence of other cancer risk factors, has the potential to improve population health and reduce the risk of specific cancers associated with these substances in more vulnerable population subgroups. One policy-driven method of reducing access to these cancer-causing substances is to regulate where these products are sold through the placement and density of businesses selling tobacco and alcohol. Previous work has found significant positive associations between tobacco, alcohol, and tobacco and alcohol retail outlets (TRO, ARO, TARO) and a neighborhood disadvantage index (NDI) using Bayesian shared component index modeling, where NDI associations differed across outlet types and relative risks varied by population density (e.g., rural, suburban, urban). In this paper, we used a novel Bayesian index model with spatially varying effects to explore spatial nonstationarity in NDI effects for TROs, AROs, and TAROs across census tracts in North Carolina. The results revealed substantial variation in NDI effects that varied by outlet type. However, all outlet types had strong positive effects in one coastal area. The most important variables in the NDI were percent renters, Black racial segregation, and the percentage of homes built before 1940. Overall, more disadvantaged areas experienced a greater neighborhood burden of outlets selling one or both of alcohol and tobacco. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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10 pages, 898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Five Pesticides as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Effects on Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase

by Marta Gea, Chao Zhang, Roberta Tota, Gianfranco Gilardi, Giovanna Di Nardo and Tiziana Schilirò

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19041959 - 10 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

Pesticides are widely applied all over the world, and pesticide exposure can induce different biological effects posing a possible threat to human health. Due to their effects on the endocrine system, some pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study [...] Read more.

Pesticides are widely applied all over the world, and pesticide exposure can induce different biological effects posing a possible threat to human health. Due to their effects on the endocrine system, some pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study is to assess the interference of five pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis and estrogen signaling. Three neonicotinoid insecticides (Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, and Thiamethoxam), a carbamate insecticide (Methiocarb) and a herbicide (Oxadiazon) were tested. The effect of pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis was studied through an ELISA assay using a recombinant form of human aromatase, the enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of androgens to estrogens. Moreover, the effect of pesticides on estrogen signaling was assessed using a gene reporter assay on MELN cells, which measures estrogen receptor-mediated estrogenic activity. The results of the ELISA assay showed that the pesticides did not alter aromatase activity (no interference with estrogen biosynthesis), while the results of the gene reporter assay showed that only Methiocarb was able to alter estrogen signaling at high doses. The estrogenic activity of Methiocarb, expressed as 17β-estradiol equivalency factor (EEF), was equal to 8.0 × 10⁻⁸. In conclusion, this study suggested that Methiocarb should be considered a potential endocrine disruptor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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17 pages, 395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Imputation of Below Detection Limit Missing Data in Chemical Mixture Analysis with Bayesian Group Index Regression

by Matthew Carli, Mary H. Ward, Catherine Metayer and David C. Wheeler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031369 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2663

Abstract

There is growing scientific interest in identifying the multitude of chemical exposures related to human diseases through mixture analysis. In this paper, we address the issue of below detection limit (BDL) missing data in mixture analysis using Bayesian group index regression by treating [...] Read more.

There is growing scientific interest in identifying the multitude of chemical exposures related to human diseases through mixture analysis. In this paper, we address the issue of below detection limit (BDL) missing data in mixture analysis using Bayesian group index regression by treating both regression effects and missing BDL observations as parameters in a model estimated through a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm that we refer to as pseudo-Gibbs imputation. We compare this with other Bayesian imputation methods found in the literature (Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations and Sequential Full Bayes imputation) as well as with a non-Bayesian single-imputation method. To evaluate our proposed method, we conduct simulation studies with varying percentages of BDL missingness and strengths of association. We apply our method to the California Childhood Leukemia Study (CCLS) to estimate concentrations of chemicals in house dust in a mixture analysis of potential environmental risk factors for childhood leukemia. Our results indicate that pseudo-Gibbs imputation has superior power for exposure effects and sensitivity for identifying individual chemicals at high percentages of BDL missing data. In the CCLS, we found a significant positive association between concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in homes and childhood leukemia as well as significant positive associations for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and herbicides among children from the highest quartile of household income. In conclusion, pseudo-Gibbs imputation addresses a commonly encountered problem in environmental epidemiology, providing practitioners the ability to jointly estimate the effects of multiple chemical exposures with high levels of BDL missingness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

13 pages, 3922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Alcohol and Tobacco Retail Outlet Rates with Neighborhood Disadvantage

by David C. Wheeler, Joseph Boyle, D. Jeremy Barsell, Trevin Glasgow, F. Joseph McClernon, Jason A. Oliver and Bernard F. Fuemmeler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031134 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2224

Abstract

Tobacco causes 29% of cancer-related deaths while alcohol causes 5.5% of cancer-related deaths. Reducing the consumption of these cancer-causing products is a special priority area for the National Cancer Institute. While many factors are linked to tobacco and alcohol use, the placement and [...] Read more.

Tobacco causes 29% of cancer-related deaths while alcohol causes 5.5% of cancer-related deaths. Reducing the consumption of these cancer-causing products is a special priority area for the National Cancer Institute. While many factors are linked to tobacco and alcohol use, the placement and density of retail outlets within neighborhoods may be one community-level risk factor contributing to greater use of these products. To elucidate associations between tobacco, alcohol, and tobacco and alcohol retail outlets (TRO, ARO, and TARO) and neighborhood disadvantage over a large geographic area, we employed a novel Bayesian index modeling approach to estimate a neighborhood disadvantage index (NDI) and its associations with rates of the three types of retailers across block groups in the state of North Carolina. We used a novel extension of the Bayesian index model to include a shared component for the spatial pattern common to all three types of outlets and NDI effects that varied by outlet type. The shared component identifies areas that are elevated in risk for all outlets. The results showed significant positive associations between neighborhood disadvantage and TROs (relative risk (RR) = 1.12, 95% credible interval (CI = 1.09, 1.14)) and AROs (RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.17), but the association was greatest for TAROs (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.18, 1.24). The most important variables in the NDI were percent renters (i.e., low home ownership), percent of homes built before 1940 (i.e., old housing stock), and percent without a high school diploma (i.e., low education). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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17 pages, 2269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Biological Responses under Different Vegetation Types in Mediterranean Area

by Speranza Claudia Panico, Valeria Memoli, Lucia Santorufo, Stefania Aiello, Rossella Barile, Anna De Marco and Giulia Maisto

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020903 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2010

Abstract

The knowledge of the effects of fire on soil properties is of particular concern in Mediterranean areas, where the effects of vegetation type are still scarce also. This research aimed: to assess the properties of burnt soils under different vegetation types; to highlight [...] Read more.

The knowledge of the effects of fire on soil properties is of particular concern in Mediterranean areas, where the effects of vegetation type are still scarce also. This research aimed: to assess the properties of burnt soils under different vegetation types; to highlight the soil abiotic properties driving the soil microbial biomass and activity under each vegetation type; to compare the biological response in unburnt and burnt soils under the same vegetation type, and between unburnt and burnt soils under different vegetation types. The soils were collected at a Mediterranean area where a large wildfire caused a 50% loss of the previous vegetation types (holm oak: HO, pine: P, black locust: BL, and herbs: H), and were characterized by abiotic (pH, water, and organic matter contents; N concentrations; and C/N ratios) and biotic (microbial and fungal biomasses, microbial respiration, soil metabolic quotient, and hydrolase and dehydrogenase activities) properties. The biological response was evaluated by the Integrative Biological Responses (IBR) index. Before the fire, organic matter and N contents were significantly higher in P than H soils. After the fire, significant increases of pH, organic matter, C/N ratio, microbial biomass and respiration, and hydrolase and dehydrogenase activities were observed in all the soils, especially under HO. In conclusion, the post-fire soil conditions were less favorable for microorganisms, as the IBR index decreased when compared to the pre-fire conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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14 pages, 2300 KiB

Open AccessReview

After a Century of Research into Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens, Where Do We Stand?

by João D. Vitorino and Pedro M. Costa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021040 - 06 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2401

Abstract

Cancer is one of the longest-known human diseases, yet only in recent times have we begun to perceive that the percentage of neoplasms caused by environmental factors, lifestyle and chemicals, is likely underestimated. The first medical reports associating cancer with pollutants like tars [...] Read more.

Cancer is one of the longest-known human diseases, yet only in recent times have we begun to perceive that the percentage of neoplasms caused by environmental factors, lifestyle and chemicals, is likely underestimated. The first medical reports associating cancer with pollutants like tars appeared by the early 20th century, but despite initial evidence relating oncogenesis and chromosomal alterations, only after the structure of DNA had been elucidated in the 1950s have genetic disorders been fully perceived as cause. This led to a growing interest in genotoxic and mutagenic pollutants. Even though we are now familiar with a range of environmental carcinogens spanning between aromatic hydrocarbons and asbestos to radionuclides and forms of carbon nanomaterials, establishing causal networks between pollutants and cancer remains cumbersome. In most part, this is due to the complexity of toxicant matrices, unknown modes-of-action of chemicals or their mixtures, the widening array of novel pollutants plus difficulties in subtracting background effects from true aetiology of disease. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, high-throughput toxicology, next-generation sequencing, computational biology and databases that allocate whole normal and cancer genomes, all indicate that we are on the verge of a new age of research into mechanistic ‘oncotoxicology’, but how can it impact risk assessment and prevention? Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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21 pages, 1503 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Treatment Approaches for Octahydro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocine (HMX) Explosive in Soil, Groundwater, and Wastewater

by Varsha Srivastava, Grzegorz Boczkaj and Ulla Lassi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15948; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315948 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1707

Abstract

Octahydro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocine (HMX) is extensively exploited in the manufacturing of explosives; therefore, a significant level of HMX contamination can be encountered near explosive production plants. For instance, up to 12 ppm HMX concentrations have been observed in the [...] Read more.

Octahydro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocine (HMX) is extensively exploited in the manufacturing of explosives; therefore, a significant level of HMX contamination can be encountered near explosive production plants. For instance, up to 12 ppm HMX concentrations have been observed in the wastewater effluent of a munitions manufacturing facility, while up to 45,000 mg/kg of HMX has been found in a soil sample taken from a location close to a high-explosive production site. Owing to their immense demand for a variety of applications, the large-scale production of explosives has culminated in severe environmental issues. Soil and water contaminated with HMX can pose a detrimental impact on flora and fauna and hence, remediation of HMX is paramount. There is a rising demand to establish a sustainable technology for HMX abatement. Physiochemical and bioremediation approaches have been employed to treat HMX in the soil, groundwater, and wastewater. It has been revealed that treatment methods such as photo-peroxidation and photo-Fenton oxidation can eliminate approximately 98% of HMX from wastewater. Fenton’s reagents were found to be very effective at mineralizing HMX. In the photocatalytic degradation of HMX, approximately 59% TOC removal was achieved by using a TiO₂ photocatalyst, and a dextrose co-substrate was used in a bioremediation approach to accomplish 98.5% HMX degradation under anaerobic conditions. However, each technology has some pros and cons which need to be taken into consideration when choosing an HMX remediation approach. In this review, various physiochemical and bioremediation approaches are considered and the mechanism of HMX degradation is discussed. Further, the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies are also discussed along with the challenges of HMX treatment technologies, thus giving an overview of the HMX remediation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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13 pages, 1223 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biodiversity Effects on Human Mental Health via Microbiota Alterations

by Yee Sang Wong and Nicholas John Osborne

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 11882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911882 - 20 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2889

Abstract

The biodiversity hypothesis postulates that the natural environment positively affects human physical and mental health. We evaluate the latest evidence and propose new tools to examine the halobiont environment. We chose to target our review at neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, autism, dementia, [...] Read more.

The biodiversity hypothesis postulates that the natural environment positively affects human physical and mental health. We evaluate the latest evidence and propose new tools to examine the halobiont environment. We chose to target our review at neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, autism, dementia, multiple sclerosis, etc. because a green prescription (exposure to green spaces) was shown to benefit patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Specifically, our review consists of three mini reviews on the associations exploring: (1) ecological biodiversity and human microbiota; (2) human microbiota and neuropsychiatric disorders; (3) ecological biodiversity and neuropsychiatric disorders. We conclude that the environment could directly transfer microbes to humans and that human studies support the gut microbiota as part of the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Overall, the results from the three mini reviews consistently support the biodiversity hypothesis. These findings demonstrated the plausibility of biodiversity exerting mental health effects through biophysiological mechanisms instead of psychological mechanisms alone. The idea can be further tested with novel biodiversity measurements and research on the effects of a green prescription. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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20 pages, 5381 KiB

Open AccessReview

Interventions to Reduce Pesticide Exposure from the Agricultural Sector in Africa: A Workshop Report

by Martin Röösli, Samuel Fuhrimann, Aggrey Atuhaire, Hanna-Andrea Rother, James Dabrowski, Brenda Eskenazi, Erik Jørs, Paul C. Jepson, Leslie London, Saloshni Naidoo, Diane S. Rohlman, Ivy Saunyama, Berna van Wendel de Joode, Adeoluwa O. Adeleye, Oyebanji O. Alagbo, Dem Aliaj, Jember Azanaw, Ravichandran Beerappa, Curdin Brugger, Sunisa Chaiklieng, Shala Chetty-Mhlanga, Grace A. Chitra, Venugopal Dhananjayan, Afure Ejomah, Christian Ebere Enyoh, Yamdeu Joseph Hubert Galani, Jonathan N. Hogarh, Janefrances N. Ihedioha, Jeanne Priscille Ingabire, Ellinor Isgren, Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Liana Maree, Nkoum Metou’ou Ernest, Haruna Musa Moda, Edward Mubiru, Mwema Felix Mwema, Immaculate Ndagire, Godwin O. Olutona, Peter Otieno, Jordan M. Paguirigan, Reginald Quansah, Charles Ssemugabo, Seruwo Solomon, Mosudi B. Sosan, Mohammad Bashir Sulaiman, Berhan M. Teklu, Isioma Tongo, Osariyekemwen Uyi, Henry Cueva-Vásquez, Adriana Veludo, Paola Viglietti and Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie Show full author list Hide full author list

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 8973; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158973 - 23 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4651

Abstract

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The [...] Read more.

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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8 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Perspective: Might Maternal Dietary Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Consumption Impact Pre- and Peri-Implantation Embryos and Their Subsequent Development?

by Lon J. Van Winkle

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13611; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013611 - 20 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1812

Abstract

MSG alters metabolism, especially in the brain, when administered to experimental animals via gavage or similar means. Such administration is, however, not applicable to humans. More recently, though, MSG was shown to have these effects even when added to the food of mammals. [...] Read more.

MSG alters metabolism, especially in the brain, when administered to experimental animals via gavage or similar means. Such administration is, however, not applicable to humans. More recently, though, MSG was shown to have these effects even when added to the food of mammals. Moreover, the levels of MSG in food needed to cause these metabolic changes are the same as those needed for optimum flavor enhancement. Near physiological concentrations of glutamate also cause mammalian blastocysts to develop with fewer cells, especially in their inner cell masses, when these embryos are cultured with this amino acid. We propose that consumption of MSG in food may overwhelm the otherwise well-regulated glutamate signaling needed for optimal development by pre- and peri-implantation mammalian embryos. In addition to immediate changes in cellular proliferation and differentiation as embryos develop, MSG ingestion during early pregnancy might result in undesirable conditions, including metabolic syndrome, in adults. Since these conditions are often the result of epigenetic changes, they could become transgenerational. In light of these possibilities, we suggest several studies to test the merit of our hypothesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Papers Collection of Editorial Board Members in Section ‘Environmental Health’)

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