Pub Date : 2024-06-01Epub Date: 2024-03-25DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00441-y
Abigail P Bline, Jamie C DeWitt, Carol F Kwiatkowski, Katherine E Pelch, Anna Reade, Julia R Varshavsky
Purpose of review: The discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and humans worldwide has ignited scientific research, government inquiry, and public concern over numerous adverse health effects associated with PFAS exposure. In this review, we discuss the use of PFAS immunotoxicity data in regulatory and clinical decision-making contexts and question whether recent efforts adequately account for PFAS immunotoxicity in public health decision-making.
Recent findings: Government and academic reviews confirm the strongest human evidence for PFAS immunotoxicity is reduced antibody production in response to vaccinations, particularly for tetanus and diphtheria. However, recent events, such as the economic analysis supporting the proposed national primary drinking water regulations and clinical monitoring recommendations, indicate a failure to adequately incorporate these data into regulatory and clinical decisions. To be more protective of public health, we recommend using all relevant immunotoxicity data to inform current and future PFAS-related chemical risk assessment and regulation. Biological measures of immune system effects, such as reduced antibody levels in response to vaccination, should be used as valid and informative markers of health outcomes and risks associated with PFAS exposure. Routine toxicity testing should be expanded to include immunotoxicity evaluations in adult and developing organisms. In addition, clinical recommendations for PFAS-exposed individuals and communities should be revisited and strengthened to provide guidance on incorporating immune system monitoring and other actions that can be taken to protect against adverse health outcomes.
{"title":"Public Health Risks of PFAS-Related Immunotoxicity Are Real.","authors":"Abigail P Bline, Jamie C DeWitt, Carol F Kwiatkowski, Katherine E Pelch, Anna Reade, Julia R Varshavsky","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00441-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-024-00441-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and humans worldwide has ignited scientific research, government inquiry, and public concern over numerous adverse health effects associated with PFAS exposure. In this review, we discuss the use of PFAS immunotoxicity data in regulatory and clinical decision-making contexts and question whether recent efforts adequately account for PFAS immunotoxicity in public health decision-making.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Government and academic reviews confirm the strongest human evidence for PFAS immunotoxicity is reduced antibody production in response to vaccinations, particularly for tetanus and diphtheria. However, recent events, such as the economic analysis supporting the proposed national primary drinking water regulations and clinical monitoring recommendations, indicate a failure to adequately incorporate these data into regulatory and clinical decisions. To be more protective of public health, we recommend using all relevant immunotoxicity data to inform current and future PFAS-related chemical risk assessment and regulation. Biological measures of immune system effects, such as reduced antibody levels in response to vaccination, should be used as valid and informative markers of health outcomes and risks associated with PFAS exposure. Routine toxicity testing should be expanded to include immunotoxicity evaluations in adult and developing organisms. In addition, clinical recommendations for PFAS-exposed individuals and communities should be revisited and strengthened to provide guidance on incorporating immune system monitoring and other actions that can be taken to protect against adverse health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11081924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140287091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-01Epub Date: 2024-02-15DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00434-x
Emily Hough, Arielle Cohen Tanugi-Carresse
Purpose of review: Healthcare is a significant contributor of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. There has been an increased focus on the role healthcare should play in reducing emissions in recent years. This review, completed in September and October 2022, explored national commitments among 73 countries to reduce emissions from healthcare and the policies and delivery plans that exist to support their implementation.
Recent findings: Whilst some countries such as Norway, Columbia, and Australia are working to understand current emissions and develop plans to reduce them, few have published delivery plans for meeting national targets. Broader policies and reports published to date provide a clear set of actions that healthcare can take to reduce emissions. However, more research, innovation, and service redesign will be needed to close the gap to net zero healthcare. Some health systems are already taking action to reduce their emissions. However, national incentives, including standardized metrics and reporting, can help drive broader action and pace of delivery.
{"title":"Supporting Decarbonization of Health Systems-A Review of International Policy and Practice on Health Care and Climate Change.","authors":"Emily Hough, Arielle Cohen Tanugi-Carresse","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00434-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-024-00434-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Healthcare is a significant contributor of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. There has been an increased focus on the role healthcare should play in reducing emissions in recent years. This review, completed in September and October 2022, explored national commitments among 73 countries to reduce emissions from healthcare and the policies and delivery plans that exist to support their implementation.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Whilst some countries such as Norway, Columbia, and Australia are working to understand current emissions and develop plans to reduce them, few have published delivery plans for meeting national targets. Broader policies and reports published to date provide a clear set of actions that healthcare can take to reduce emissions. However, more research, innovation, and service redesign will be needed to close the gap to net zero healthcare. Some health systems are already taking action to reduce their emissions. However, national incentives, including standardized metrics and reporting, can help drive broader action and pace of delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11082023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139734690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose of review: This review provides insights into resolving intergenerational issues related to the disposal of waste containing high amounts of uranium (uranium waste), from which distant future generations will have higher health risks than the current generation.
Recent findings: Uranium (half-life: 4.5 billion years) produces various progeny radionuclides through radioactive decay over the long term, and its radioactivity, as the sum of its contributions, continues to increase for more than 100,000 years. In contrast to high-level radioactive wastes, protective measures, such as attenuation of radiation and confinement of radionuclides from the disposal facility, cannot work effectively for uranium waste. Thus, additional considerations from the perspective of intergenerational ethics are needed in the strategy for uranium waste disposal. The current generation, which has benefited from the use and disposal of uranium waste, is responsible for protecting future generations from the potential risk of buried uranium beyond the lifetime of a disposal facility. Fulfilling this responsibility means making more creative efforts to convey critical information on buried materials to the distant future to ensure that future generations can properly take measures to reduce the harm by themselves in response to changing circumstances including people's values.
{"title":"Consideration on the Intergenerational Ethics on Uranium Waste Disposal.","authors":"Hiroshi Yasuda, Hiromichi Fumoto, Tatsuo Saito, Shin-Etsu Sugawara, Shoji Tsuchida","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00442-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-024-00442-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review provides insights into resolving intergenerational issues related to the disposal of waste containing high amounts of uranium (uranium waste), from which distant future generations will have higher health risks than the current generation.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Uranium (half-life: 4.5 billion years) produces various progeny radionuclides through radioactive decay over the long term, and its radioactivity, as the sum of its contributions, continues to increase for more than 100,000 years. In contrast to high-level radioactive wastes, protective measures, such as attenuation of radiation and confinement of radionuclides from the disposal facility, cannot work effectively for uranium waste. Thus, additional considerations from the perspective of intergenerational ethics are needed in the strategy for uranium waste disposal. The current generation, which has benefited from the use and disposal of uranium waste, is responsible for protecting future generations from the potential risk of buried uranium beyond the lifetime of a disposal facility. Fulfilling this responsibility means making more creative efforts to convey critical information on buried materials to the distant future to ensure that future generations can properly take measures to reduce the harm by themselves in response to changing circumstances including people's values.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11082028/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140305144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-01Epub Date: 2024-03-08DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00437-8
Andrew J Hoisington, Kelly A Stearns-Yoder, Elizabeth J Kovacs, Teodor T Postolache, Lisa A Brenner
Purpose of review: Inhalation of airborne pollutants in the natural and built environment is ubiquitous; yet, exposures are different across a lifespan and unique to individuals. Here, we reviewed the connections between mental health outcomes from airborne pollutant exposures, the biological inflammatory mechanisms, and provide future directions for researchers and policy makers. The current state of knowledge is discussed on associations between mental health outcomes and Clean Air Act criteria pollutants, traffic-related air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits.
Recent findings: Although associations between airborne pollutants and negative physical health outcomes have been a topic of previous investigations, work highlighting associations between exposures and psychological health is only starting to emerge. Research on criteria pollutants and mental health outcomes has the most robust results to date, followed by traffic-related air pollutants, and then pesticides. In contrast, scarce mental health research has been conducted on exposure to heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits. Specific cohorts of individuals, such as United States military members and in-turn, Veterans, often have unique histories of exposures, including service-related exposures to aircraft (e.g. jet fuels) and burn pits. Research focused on Veterans and other individuals with an increased likelihood of exposure and higher vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes is needed. Future research will facilitate knowledge aimed at both prevention and intervention to improve physical and mental health among military personnel, Veterans, and other at-risk individuals.
{"title":"Airborne Exposure to Pollutants and Mental Health: A Review with Implications for United States Veterans.","authors":"Andrew J Hoisington, Kelly A Stearns-Yoder, Elizabeth J Kovacs, Teodor T Postolache, Lisa A Brenner","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00437-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-024-00437-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Inhalation of airborne pollutants in the natural and built environment is ubiquitous; yet, exposures are different across a lifespan and unique to individuals. Here, we reviewed the connections between mental health outcomes from airborne pollutant exposures, the biological inflammatory mechanisms, and provide future directions for researchers and policy makers. The current state of knowledge is discussed on associations between mental health outcomes and Clean Air Act criteria pollutants, traffic-related air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although associations between airborne pollutants and negative physical health outcomes have been a topic of previous investigations, work highlighting associations between exposures and psychological health is only starting to emerge. Research on criteria pollutants and mental health outcomes has the most robust results to date, followed by traffic-related air pollutants, and then pesticides. In contrast, scarce mental health research has been conducted on exposure to heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits. Specific cohorts of individuals, such as United States military members and in-turn, Veterans, often have unique histories of exposures, including service-related exposures to aircraft (e.g. jet fuels) and burn pits. Research focused on Veterans and other individuals with an increased likelihood of exposure and higher vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes is needed. Future research will facilitate knowledge aimed at both prevention and intervention to improve physical and mental health among military personnel, Veterans, and other at-risk individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140058891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-24DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00444-9
Noelle N Kosarek, Emma V. Preston
{"title":"Contributions of Synthetic Chemicals to Autoimmune Disease Development and Occurrence.","authors":"Noelle N Kosarek, Emma V. Preston","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00444-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00444-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140660088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-23DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00439-6
T. Ogunro
{"title":"Environmental Justice and Health in Nigeria.","authors":"T. Ogunro","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00439-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00439-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140666760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-20DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00449-4
Holly Elser, Caroline F G Kruse, Brian S Schwartz, Joan A Casey
{"title":"The Environment and Headache: a Narrative Review.","authors":"Holly Elser, Caroline F G Kruse, Brian S Schwartz, Joan A Casey","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00449-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00449-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140680036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-19DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00443-w
Stephanie M. Eick, Jasmin A. Eatman, Madeline Chandler, Nina R Brooks
{"title":"Reproductive and Social Policies, Sociopolitical Stress, and Implications for Maternal and Child Health Equity.","authors":"Stephanie M. Eick, Jasmin A. Eatman, Madeline Chandler, Nina R Brooks","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00443-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00443-w","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140684323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction: The Health-Related and Learning Performance Effects of Air Pollution and Other Urban-Related Environmental Factors on School-Age Children and Adolescents-A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews.","authors":"Inés Valls Roche, Mònica Ubalde-López, Carolyn Daher, M. Nieuwenhuijsen, Mireia Gascón","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00448-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00448-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140693384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-12DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00446-7
Aaron B Flores, Jonathan A Sullivan, Yilei Yu, Hannah K Friedrich
{"title":"Health Disparities in the Aftermath of Flood Events: A Review of Physical and Mental Health Outcomes with Methodological Considerations in the USA.","authors":"Aaron B Flores, Jonathan A Sullivan, Yilei Yu, Hannah K Friedrich","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00446-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-024-00446-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":7.9,"publicationDate":"2024-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140708858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}