Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-16DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114759
Krista Y. Christensen , John D. Meeker , Geniece M. Lehmann
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent environmental pollutants that exist in the environment as complex mixtures linked to a variety of adverse health effects. This review compiles and organizes human studies of selected health endpoints (early life size and growth; offspring mortality; birth defects) following developmental exposure to PCB mixtures to identify areas of robust research, as well as areas of uncertainty and research needs. We developed a Population, Exposures, Comparators, and Outcomes (PECO) statement to direct the literature search, screening, and study evaluation. We identified n = 154 relevant studies, the majority of which focused on birth weight or other aspects of early life size and growth, with fewer studies evaluating size and growth into adolescence or adulthood. These studies often reported decrements in size at birth associated with higher maternal measures of exposure, although the evidence was less clear for size and growth in later childhood. There were fewer human studies of pregnancy loss or birth defects, and the evidence was generally less consistent for these outcomes.
{"title":"Systematic review of human developmental health effects following exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures in early life","authors":"Krista Y. Christensen , John D. Meeker , Geniece M. Lehmann","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent environmental pollutants that exist in the environment as complex mixtures linked to a variety of adverse health effects. This review compiles and organizes human studies of selected health endpoints (early life size and growth; offspring mortality; birth defects) following developmental exposure to PCB mixtures to identify areas of robust research, as well as areas of uncertainty and research needs. We developed a Population, Exposures, Comparators, and Outcomes (PECO) statement to direct the literature search, screening, and study evaluation. We identified n = 154 relevant studies, the majority of which focused on birth weight or other aspects of early life size and growth, with fewer studies evaluating size and growth into adolescence or adulthood. These studies often reported decrements in size at birth associated with higher maternal measures of exposure, although the evidence was less clear for size and growth in later childhood. There were fewer human studies of pregnancy loss or birth defects, and the evidence was generally less consistent for these outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114759"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146215224","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114766
Nan Zhang , Baotian Chang , Ruizhen Lin , Xian Lin , Jialuo Tang , Shenglan Xiao
Influenza viruses continue to circulate worldwide, posing persistent challenges to public health. Indirect contact transmission (i.e., transmission via contaminated surfaces, or fomites) is a recognized pathway for influenza spread and depends on multiple factors governing virus transfer between hands and fomites. However, current studies on the determinants of influenza virus transfer rates remain limited in scope and integration. This study quantified, using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), the transfer of influenza A virus genomic RNA between hands and surfaces (fomites) under the combined effects of multiple factors. A total of 74 transfer experiments encompassing 444 individual transfer events were conducted using artificial skin. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate how material type, contact direction, contact force, and environmental conditions influence the transfer of viral RNA. The results demonstrated significant differences in transfer rates among surface materials on horizontal planes (P < 0.001), and a pronounced directional effect (P < 0.001). In contrast, contact force (P = 0.313) and environmental conditions (P = 0.564) showed no statistically significant overall effects. These findings highlight the importance of differentiated disinfection strategies considering surface orientation. Moreover, this study provides refined estimates of viral RNA transfer parameters that quantify hand–fomite transfer, supporting quantitative exposure assessment and informing evidence-based environmental cleaning and hand-hygiene strategies.
{"title":"Bidirectional transfer of influenza virus between hands and environmental surfaces under multifactorial conditions","authors":"Nan Zhang , Baotian Chang , Ruizhen Lin , Xian Lin , Jialuo Tang , Shenglan Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Influenza viruses continue to circulate worldwide, posing persistent challenges to public health. Indirect contact transmission (i.e., transmission via contaminated surfaces, or fomites) is a recognized pathway for influenza spread and depends on multiple factors governing virus transfer between hands and fomites. However, current studies on the determinants of influenza virus transfer rates remain limited in scope and integration. This study quantified, using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), the transfer of influenza A virus genomic RNA between hands and surfaces (fomites) under the combined effects of multiple factors. A total of 74 transfer experiments encompassing 444 individual transfer events were conducted using artificial skin. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate how material type, contact direction, contact force, and environmental conditions influence the transfer of viral RNA. The results demonstrated significant differences in transfer rates among surface materials on horizontal planes (<em>P</em> < 0.001), and a pronounced directional effect (<em>P</em> < 0.001). In contrast, contact force (<em>P</em> = 0.313) and environmental conditions (<em>P</em> = 0.564) showed no statistically significant overall effects. These findings highlight the importance of differentiated disinfection strategies considering surface orientation. Moreover, this study provides refined estimates of viral RNA transfer parameters that quantify hand–fomite transfer, supporting quantitative exposure assessment and informing evidence-based environmental cleaning and hand-hygiene strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114766"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147277765","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114747
Amina Rhaman , Danielle J. Russell , Leaf R. Kardol , Ebony Quintrell , Shannon Morgan , Candra Maung , Azmain Talukder , Aster Gebremedhin , Stephanie Tan , Ramya Padmavathy Radha Krishnan , Erin Kelty , Caitlin Wyrwoll
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Prenatal ambient heat exposure and neurodevelopment: A scoping review of human and animal research” [Int. J. Hyg Environ. Health 272 (March 2026) 114741]","authors":"Amina Rhaman , Danielle J. Russell , Leaf R. Kardol , Ebony Quintrell , Shannon Morgan , Candra Maung , Azmain Talukder , Aster Gebremedhin , Stephanie Tan , Ramya Padmavathy Radha Krishnan , Erin Kelty , Caitlin Wyrwoll","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114747","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114747"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095278","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114757
Robert Dales , Jessica Evans , Kimberly Mitchell , Mathieu Rouleau , Sabit Cakmak
Background
Ambient air pollution has been linked to biomarkers of liver injury. Little information exists on these effects at relatively low air pollution levels and among children. The relative hepatic toxicity of air pollution mixes from specific emission sectors has not been previously investigated.
Objectives
To test associations between sector-specific air pollution (SSAP) and biomarkers of liver injury.
Methods
Using generalized linear mixed models, we tested associations between SSAP exposure and liver injury biomarkers in 30,781 participants aged 3-79 years, in the nationally representative Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007 and 2019) who were exposed to relatively low air pollution concentrations.
Results
Interquartile range (IQR) increases in SSAP from residential (RES), on- and off-road transportation (ONRD, OFRD), air-marine-rail (AMR), upstream and downstream oil and gas production (UPOG, DNOG), chemical manufacturing (MAN) and pulp and paper (P&P) sectors were associated with significant increases in bilirubin (BIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The largest effects were for alkaline phosphatase with increases of 1.86% (95% CI 0.46,3.26), and 1.58% (95% 0.08, 3.07) for AMR, and DNOG-attributable concentrations, respectively. Among children <13 years, BIL, AST and gamma-glutamyl transferase were positively and significantly associated with all sources, with the largest effect being a 0.8% increase in BIL per IQR increase in UPOG.
Conclusion
The relatively low levels of SSAP in Canada were associated with significant increases in liver injury biomarkers, including among children. These observed effects may be consequential given the widespread population exposure especially in countries with higher levels of air pollution.
环境空气污染与肝损伤的生物标志物有关。关于相对较低的空气污染水平和儿童的这些影响的资料很少。来自特定排放部门的空气污染混合物的相对肝毒性以前没有进行过调查。目的探讨特定行业空气污染（SSAP）与肝损伤生物标志物之间的关系。方法使用广义线性混合模型，我们在具有全国代表性的加拿大健康措施调查（2007年和2019年）中测试了30,781名年龄在3-79岁之间的参与者的SSAP暴露与肝损伤生物标志物之间的关系，这些参与者暴露于相对较低的空气污染浓度。结果住宅（RES）、公路运输（ONRD， OFRD）、航空-海运-铁路（AMR）、上下游石油和天然气生产（UPOG， DNOG）、化工制造（MAN）和纸浆和造纸（P&；P）行业的SSAP四分位数范围（IQR）增加与胆红素（BIL）、丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）和天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）的显著增加有关。影响最大的是碱性磷酸酶，AMR和dnog的归因浓度分别增加了1.86% （95% CI 0.46,3.26）和1.58% （95% CI 0.08, 3.07）。在13岁儿童中，BIL、AST和γ -谷氨酰转移酶与所有来源呈显著正相关，最大的影响是UPOG每增加IQR， BIL增加0.8%。结论加拿大相对较低的SSAP水平与肝损伤生物标志物的显著增加有关，包括儿童。考虑到人口的广泛接触，特别是在空气污染程度较高的国家，这些观察到的影响可能是相应的。
{"title":"Sector-specific ambient air pollution and biomarkers of liver injury. Findings of a cross-sectional population-based survey","authors":"Robert Dales , Jessica Evans , Kimberly Mitchell , Mathieu Rouleau , Sabit Cakmak","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ambient air pollution has been linked to biomarkers of liver injury. Little information exists on these effects at relatively low air pollution levels and among children. The relative hepatic toxicity of air pollution mixes from specific emission sectors has not been previously investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To test associations between sector-specific air pollution (SSAP) and biomarkers of liver injury.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using generalized linear mixed models, we tested associations between SSAP exposure and liver injury biomarkers in 30,781 participants aged 3-79 years, in the nationally representative Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007 and 2019) who were exposed to relatively low air pollution concentrations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Interquartile range (IQR) increases in SSAP from residential (RES), on- and off-road transportation (ONRD, OFRD), air-marine-rail (AMR), upstream and downstream oil and gas production (UPOG, DNOG), chemical manufacturing (MAN) and pulp and paper (P&P) sectors were associated with significant increases in bilirubin (BIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The largest effects were for alkaline phosphatase with increases of 1.86% (95% CI 0.46,3.26), and 1.58% (95% 0.08, 3.07) for AMR, and DNOG-attributable concentrations, respectively. Among children <13 years, BIL, AST and gamma-glutamyl transferase were positively and significantly associated with all sources, with the largest effect being a 0.8% increase in BIL per IQR increase in UPOG.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The relatively low levels of SSAP in Canada were associated with significant increases in liver injury biomarkers, including among children. These observed effects may be consequential given the widespread population exposure especially in countries with higher levels of air pollution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114757"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171243","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114756
Mahbubur Rahman , Jesmin Sultana , Supta Sarker , Shaikh Sharif Hasan , Sarker Masud Parvez , Mitali Das , Gordon K. Binkhorst , Jenna E. Forsyth , Peter J. Winch , Rubhana Raqib , Stephen P. Luby , Maria Kippler , Syed Moshfiqur Rahman
Background
Lead exposure remains a substantial risk to public health, especially among children, in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the efficacy of a soil remediation intervention on reducing blood lead level (BLL) among children living near an abandoned used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling site in Mirzapur, Bangladesh.
Methods
We conducted a pretest-posttest, non-equivalent comparison group study with 167 children aged 6 months to 12 years across three study arms (ULAB intervention, ULAB control, and non-ULAB control). Blood and environmental samples were collected at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. BLL was analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, and environmental lead levels were assessed using portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer.
Results
Over the 12-month post-intervention period, geometric mean BLLs declined from 90.1 to 70.4 μg/L in ULAB intervention group, from 88.5 to 81.1 μg/L in ULAB control group, and from 42.8 to 37.8 μg/L in non-ULAB control group. Difference-in-differences analysis revealed a 15% greater BLL decline in the intervention arm compared to the ULAB control arm and 11% greater BLL decline in the intervention arm compared to the non-ULAB control arm. Subgroup analysis in the intervention arm revealed that older children (>5 years), those living closer to the site (<200m), and those with higher baseline BLL (>median) experienced the greatest reduction in BLL.
Conclusion
The soil remediation intervention significantly reduced BLLs in children. However, levels remained above the CDC reference value of 35 μg/L, highlighting the need for broader and sustained public health initiatives to reduce lead exposure.
{"title":"Effectiveness of soil remediation intervention of abandoned used lead-acid battery recycling sites to reduce lead exposure among children: A three-arm pretest-posttest non-equivalent comparison group trial","authors":"Mahbubur Rahman , Jesmin Sultana , Supta Sarker , Shaikh Sharif Hasan , Sarker Masud Parvez , Mitali Das , Gordon K. Binkhorst , Jenna E. Forsyth , Peter J. Winch , Rubhana Raqib , Stephen P. Luby , Maria Kippler , Syed Moshfiqur Rahman","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Lead exposure remains a substantial risk to public health, especially among children, in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the efficacy of a soil remediation intervention on reducing blood lead level (BLL) among children living near an abandoned used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling site in Mirzapur, Bangladesh.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a pretest-posttest, non-equivalent comparison group study with 167 children aged 6 months to 12 years across three study arms (ULAB intervention, ULAB control, and non-ULAB control). Blood and environmental samples were collected at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. BLL was analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, and environmental lead levels were assessed using portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over the 12-month post-intervention period, geometric mean BLLs declined from 90.1 to 70.4 μg/L in ULAB intervention group, from 88.5 to 81.1 μg/L in ULAB control group, and from 42.8 to 37.8 μg/L in non-ULAB control group. Difference-in-differences analysis revealed a 15% greater BLL decline in the intervention arm compared to the ULAB control arm and 11% greater BLL decline in the intervention arm compared to the non-ULAB control arm. Subgroup analysis in the intervention arm revealed that older children (>5 years), those living closer to the site (<200m), and those with higher baseline BLL (>median) experienced the greatest reduction in BLL.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The soil remediation intervention significantly reduced BLLs in children. However, levels remained above the CDC reference value of 35 μg/L, highlighting the need for broader and sustained public health initiatives to reduce lead exposure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114756"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146151516","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114762
Petar Simonović , Tatjana Golubović , Marijola Božović
Firefighting is a hazardous occupation that entails short-term, high-level exposure to a complex mixture of combustion products, among which benzene is of special concern due to its known carcinogenicity. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the complexity and variability of exposure of firefighters to airborne benzene and its toxicological relevance during active fire suppression and overhaul duties in wildland, structural, and training environments. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies reporting direct air sampling of benzene in firefighting settings. A total of 32 studies were included, and a structured, domain-based approach was conducted to assess study quality and risk of bias. Although this review summarizes measured concentrations, it is also the first to provide an evidence-based critique of the methodological deficiencies in this body of literature. Benzene concentrations exceeded occupational limits in all scenarios, with medians as high as 40.3 ppm during structural fire attacks and with maximum values exceeding 300 ppm. Results indicate that it is impossible to correlate external concentrations to actual internal dose reliably. This is primarily due to a lack of consideration of non-inhalation exposure routes (e.g., vapor penetration into gear, off-gassing, and post-fire contamination), as well as the large variation in individual exposures driven by work practices and personal choices, which is masked by pooled environmental data. The recommendations provided herein offer a roadmap for improving the accuracy and relevance of future exposure research in the firefighting profession.
消防是一项危险的职业，需要短期、高水平地暴露于复杂的燃烧产物混合物中，其中苯因其已知的致癌性而受到特别关注。本系统综述的目的是评估消防员在野外、建筑和训练环境中主动灭火和检修任务中暴露于空气中苯的复杂性和可变性及其毒理学相关性。根据PRISMA 2020指南，使用PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science对报告在消防环境中直接空气取样苯的研究进行了文献检索。共纳入32项研究，采用结构化、基于领域的方法评估研究质量和偏倚风险。虽然这篇综述总结了测量的浓度，但它也是第一个对该文献中方法缺陷提供循证批评的文献。苯浓度在所有情况下都超过了职业限值，在结构火灾袭击期间，中位数高达40.3 ppm，最大值超过300 ppm。结果表明，不可能可靠地将外部浓度与实际内部剂量联系起来。这主要是由于缺乏对非吸入暴露途径的考虑（例如，蒸汽渗透到齿轮中，废气排放和火灾后污染），以及由工作实践和个人选择驱动的个人暴露的巨大差异，这些变化被汇总的环境数据所掩盖。本文提供的建议为提高未来消防职业暴露研究的准确性和相关性提供了路线图。
{"title":"Firefighter exposure to airborne benzene: a systematic review of measured levels, toxicological significance, methodological challenges, and research gaps","authors":"Petar Simonović , Tatjana Golubović , Marijola Božović","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Firefighting is a hazardous occupation that entails short-term, high-level exposure to a complex mixture of combustion products, among which benzene is of special concern due to its known carcinogenicity. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the complexity and variability of exposure of firefighters to airborne benzene and its toxicological relevance during active fire suppression and overhaul duties in wildland, structural, and training environments. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies reporting direct air sampling of benzene in firefighting settings. A total of 32 studies were included, and a structured, domain-based approach was conducted to assess study quality and risk of bias. Although this review summarizes measured concentrations, it is also the first to provide an evidence-based critique of the methodological deficiencies in this body of literature. Benzene concentrations exceeded occupational limits in all scenarios, with medians as high as 40.3 ppm during structural fire attacks and with maximum values exceeding 300 ppm. Results indicate that it is impossible to correlate external concentrations to actual internal dose reliably. This is primarily due to a lack of consideration of non-inhalation exposure routes (e.g., vapor penetration into gear, off-gassing, and post-fire contamination), as well as the large variation in individual exposures driven by work practices and personal choices, which is masked by pooled environmental data. The recommendations provided herein offer a roadmap for improving the accuracy and relevance of future exposure research in the firefighting profession.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114762"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146208353","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114764
Tara M. Petzke , Ralph C.A. Rippe , Michael Witthöft , Renáta Szemerszky , Ferenc Köteles , Cédric Lemogne , Steven Nordin , Victor Pitron
<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>People with symptoms associated with environmental factors (SAEFs) attribute somatic symptoms to chemicals, electromagnetic fields, noise, or other environmental sources. Debates are ongoing whether these different types constitute different disorders (“splitting”) or rather different presentations of the same underlying disorder (“lumping”), and which characteristics contribute to this disorder/these disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To shed further light on this question, we performed a <em>k</em>-prototypes cluster analysis of two representative population-based datasets. We selected 23 clinically relevant variables from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (<em>N</em> = 1576), a representative dataset from Sweden. Common measures of cluster partitioning were used, and cluster profiles inspected. We then replicated the analysis in the Österbotten Environmental Health Study dataset (<em>N</em> = 1233), a representative dataset from Finland.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The cluster analysis distinguished between people with versus without SAEF, but did not provide evidence for empirically different SAEF clusters. Inspecting the profiles of the two clusters revealed that the main differences were in chemical sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.53</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.71</mn></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span>, noise sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.56</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.61</mn></mrow></math></span>), electromagnetic field sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.36</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.58</mn></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span>, and sleep (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.66</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.30</mn></mrow></math></span>).People in the SAEF cluster scored higher on markers of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety: <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.42</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.22</mn></mrow></math></span>, depressi
{"title":"One or many environmental intolerance(s)? A cluster analysis over two representative samples","authors":"Tara M. Petzke , Ralph C.A. Rippe , Michael Witthöft , Renáta Szemerszky , Ferenc Köteles , Cédric Lemogne , Steven Nordin , Victor Pitron","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>People with symptoms associated with environmental factors (SAEFs) attribute somatic symptoms to chemicals, electromagnetic fields, noise, or other environmental sources. Debates are ongoing whether these different types constitute different disorders (“splitting”) or rather different presentations of the same underlying disorder (“lumping”), and which characteristics contribute to this disorder/these disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To shed further light on this question, we performed a <em>k</em>-prototypes cluster analysis of two representative population-based datasets. We selected 23 clinically relevant variables from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (<em>N</em> = 1576), a representative dataset from Sweden. Common measures of cluster partitioning were used, and cluster profiles inspected. We then replicated the analysis in the Österbotten Environmental Health Study dataset (<em>N</em> = 1233), a representative dataset from Finland.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The cluster analysis distinguished between people with versus without SAEF, but did not provide evidence for empirically different SAEF clusters. Inspecting the profiles of the two clusters revealed that the main differences were in chemical sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.53</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.71</mn></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span>, noise sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.56</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.61</mn></mrow></math></span>), electromagnetic field sensitivity (<span><math><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.36</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.58</mn></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span>, and sleep (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.66</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.30</mn></mrow></math></span>).People in the SAEF cluster scored higher on markers of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety: <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>w</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>d</mi><mi>e</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.42</mn><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>r</mi><mrow><mi>F</mi><mi>i</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>l</mi><mi>a</mi><mi>n</mi><mi>d</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>0.22</mn></mrow></math></span>, depressi","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114764"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146260450","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}
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are emerging biological contaminants that threaten both ecosystems and human health. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock waste is increasingly recognized as an environmental hazard of global concern, with implications for food safety and public health. This study examined the occurrence and environmental behavior of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producting and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli under environmentally relevant conditions in livestock waste from pig, cow, goat, chicken, and duck farms in Thailand. Cefotaxime-resistant E. coli were detected in all animal types, with pig, cow, and duck farms serving as major reservoirs. Untreated pig wastewater contained the highest levels of resistant E. coli (70% prevalence; 5.13–7.55 log10 CFU/100 mL), while treatment reduced but did not eliminate contamination. Among 78 confirmed isolates, all were resistant to ampicillin and cefotaxime, 5.1% to ceftazidime, and none to carbapenems. Phenotypic colistin resistance occurred in 6.4% of isolates. All isolates carried blaCTX-M genes, mainly blaCTX-M group 1 (85.9%), while blaCTX-M group 9 (15.4%) was also detected. Plasmid-mediated mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-3) were identified in 5.1% of isolates, exclusively from untreated pig wastewater, confirming these effluents as localized hotspots for resistance dissemination. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices ranged 0.29–0.43, with the highest values in pig farm isolates, indicating moderate to high levels of multidrug resistance. Overall, livestock wastewater represents a significant source of microbial contaminants. This study provides field-based evidence to support risk assessment and mitigation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within the One Health framework, emphasizing the importance of improving waste management to protect environmental and public health.
{"title":"Tracking environmental resistance through surveillance of ESBL- and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in livestock waste for One Health action","authors":"Thitima Srathongneam , Phub Zam , Phongsawat Paisantham , Punyawee Dulyayangkul , Montakarn Sresung , Supitchaya Theplhar , Nisanart Charoenlap , Paiboon Vattanaviboon , Olarn Kijpreedaborisuthi , Suchada Susutthi , Skorn Mongkolsuk , Kwanrawee Sirikanchana","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are emerging biological contaminants that threaten both ecosystems and human health. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock waste is increasingly recognized as an environmental hazard of global concern, with implications for food safety and public health. This study examined the occurrence and environmental behavior of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producting and colistin-resistant <em>Escherichia coli</em> under environmentally relevant conditions in livestock waste from pig, cow, goat, chicken, and duck farms in Thailand. Cefotaxime-resistant <em>E. coli</em> were detected in all animal types, with pig, cow, and duck farms serving as major reservoirs. Untreated pig wastewater contained the highest levels of resistant <em>E. coli</em> (70% prevalence; 5.13–7.55 log<sub>10</sub> CFU/100 mL), while treatment reduced but did not eliminate contamination. Among 78 confirmed isolates, all were resistant to ampicillin and cefotaxime, 5.1% to ceftazidime, and none to carbapenems. Phenotypic colistin resistance occurred in 6.4% of isolates. All isolates carried <em>bla</em><sub>CTX-M</sub> genes, mainly <em>bla</em><sub>CTX-M</sub> group 1 (85.9%), while <em>bla</em><sub>CTX-M</sub> group 9 (15.4%) was also detected. Plasmid-mediated <em>mcr</em> genes (<em>mcr</em>-1 to <em>mcr</em>-3) were identified in 5.1% of isolates, exclusively from untreated pig wastewater, confirming these effluents as localized hotspots for resistance dissemination. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices ranged 0.29–0.43, with the highest values in pig farm isolates, indicating moderate to high levels of multidrug resistance. Overall, livestock wastewater represents a significant source of microbial contaminants. This study provides field-based evidence to support risk assessment and mitigation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within the One Health framework, emphasizing the importance of improving waste management to protect environmental and public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114763"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147286728","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}
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a cost-effective and non-invasive tool for monitoring infectious diseases. However, its practical implementation for virus surveillance remains challenged by uncertainty in detection sensitivity, which depends on both pathogen-specific and methodological factors. This study applies a quantitative decision-support framework to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of WBE, with a specific focus on estimating the minimum number of infected individuals required for reliable detection, for SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus (IAV), and rhinovirus (RhV), using year-round weekly wastewater data. SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the year, and RSV exhibited seasonal detection, whereas IAV and RhV were undetected despite concurrent clinical circulation. To interpret these observations, a Monte Carlo simulation framework incorporating fecal shedding rates, recovery efficiency, and RNA decay was used to assess detection feasibility prior to large-scale deployment. The model indicated that SARS-CoV-2 required the lowest infections to surpass a 50% detection threshold (0.85 per 100,000 population), followed by RSV and RhV, while IAV had the highest threshold (1177.02 per 100,000), primarily due to low fecal shedding. Sensitivity analysis identified viral shedding and recovery efficiency as the most influential parameters. Simulations further suggested that droplet digital PCR combined with recovery efficiencies ≥35% could enable reliable detection of all four viruses under urban conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrate that WBE sensitivity is jointly governed by virus-specific characteristics and methodological performance. The proposed framework, informed by field observations, provides a transparent and data-driven approach for feasibility-oriented planning and methodological optimization of WBE surveillance programs.
{"title":"A quantitative decision-support framework for assessing the feasibility and sensitivity of wastewater-based epidemiology of respiratory virus surveillance","authors":"Sunita Samantarat , Kwanrawee Sirikanchana , Yong Poovorawan , Jatuwat Sangsanont","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a cost-effective and non-invasive tool for monitoring infectious diseases. However, its practical implementation for virus surveillance remains challenged by uncertainty in detection sensitivity, which depends on both pathogen-specific and methodological factors. This study applies a quantitative decision-support framework to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of WBE, with a specific focus on estimating the minimum number of infected individuals required for reliable detection, for SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus (IAV), and rhinovirus (RhV), using year-round weekly wastewater data. SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the year, and RSV exhibited seasonal detection, whereas IAV and RhV were undetected despite concurrent clinical circulation. To interpret these observations, a Monte Carlo simulation framework incorporating fecal shedding rates, recovery efficiency, and RNA decay was used to assess detection feasibility prior to large-scale deployment. The model indicated that SARS-CoV-2 required the lowest infections to surpass a 50% detection threshold (0.85 per 100,000 population), followed by RSV and RhV, while IAV had the highest threshold (1177.02 per 100,000), primarily due to low fecal shedding. Sensitivity analysis identified viral shedding and recovery efficiency as the most influential parameters. Simulations further suggested that droplet digital PCR combined with recovery efficiencies ≥35% could enable reliable detection of all four viruses under urban conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrate that WBE sensitivity is jointly governed by virus-specific characteristics and methodological performance. The proposed framework, informed by field observations, provides a transparent and data-driven approach for feasibility-oriented planning and methodological optimization of WBE surveillance programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114765"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147286774","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 : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114760
Edmund Wedam Kanmiki , Md Mehedi Hasan , M Mamun Huda , Phil Choi , Yaqoot Fatima , Fran Boyle , Kevin Thomas , Peter Sly , Leonie Callaway , Ricardo Soares-Magalhaes , Abdullah A. Mamun
Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), which are water disinfection by-products, poses a significant human health risk. This study investigated the spatial-temporal distribution of THM concentrations, the exceedance of the Australian drinking water guideline value (250 μg/L), and the environmental factors associated with THM concentrations in public drinking water supplies across Queensland, Australia, to help guide strategies for mitigating THM exposure. We employed a data linkage approach, integrating spatial water quality monitoring data covering 27 local government areas (LGAs) from 2009 to 2020 with environmental data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Key outcomes were THM concentrations and exceedances. Analyses included time-trends, multiple generalised linear models and logistic regression models. The median monthly THM concentration was 78 μg/L [IQR 49, 119 μg/L]. Between 2009 and 2020, the median THM concentration increased from 38 μg/L to 73 μg/L, while the incidence of exceedance increased from 2.3% to 3.0%. THM exceedances were significantly lower in water from treatment plants (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.30]), in LGAs within South-East Queensland (AOR = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.33]), during spring (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI [0.21,0.70]), in advantaged socio-economic areas and major cities. Increase in temperature was associated with greater THM exceedance (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.07,1.37]), but lower during periods of bushfire (exp(β) = 0.85, 95% CI [0.76,0.95]). Rainfall and NDVI were not significantly associated with THM concentration and exceedances. The elevated concentrations and repeated exceedances highlight a persistent challenge coupled with systemic inequities. We recommend consistent THM data collection, monitoring, optimizing treatment and infrastructure upgrades in disadvantaged regions to improve water quality and protect public health.
{"title":"Spatio-temporal distribution and environmental correlates of trihalomethane concentrations in public drinking water supplies in Queensland, Australia: A data linkage study","authors":"Edmund Wedam Kanmiki , Md Mehedi Hasan , M Mamun Huda , Phil Choi , Yaqoot Fatima , Fran Boyle , Kevin Thomas , Peter Sly , Leonie Callaway , Ricardo Soares-Magalhaes , Abdullah A. Mamun","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114760","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114760","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs), which are water disinfection by-products, poses a significant human health risk. This study investigated the spatial-temporal distribution of THM concentrations, the exceedance of the Australian drinking water guideline value (250 μg/L), and the environmental factors associated with THM concentrations in public drinking water supplies across Queensland, Australia, to help guide strategies for mitigating THM exposure. We employed a data linkage approach, integrating spatial water quality monitoring data covering 27 local government areas (LGAs) from 2009 to 2020 with environmental data from the Bureau of Meteorology. Key outcomes were THM concentrations and exceedances. Analyses included time-trends, multiple generalised linear models and logistic regression models. The median monthly THM concentration was 78 μg/L [IQR 49, 119 μg/L]. Between 2009 and 2020, the median THM concentration increased from 38 μg/L to 73 μg/L, while the incidence of exceedance increased from 2.3% to 3.0%. THM exceedances were significantly lower in water from treatment plants (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.30]), in LGAs within South-East Queensland (AOR = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.33]), during spring (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI [0.21,0.70]), in advantaged socio-economic areas and major cities. Increase in temperature was associated with greater THM exceedance (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.07,1.37]), but lower during periods of bushfire (exp(β) = 0.85, 95% CI [0.76,0.95]). Rainfall and NDVI were not significantly associated with THM concentration and exceedances. The elevated concentrations and repeated exceedances highlight a persistent challenge coupled with systemic inequities. We recommend consistent THM data collection, monitoring, optimizing treatment and infrastructure upgrades in disadvantaged regions to improve water quality and protect public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"273 ","pages":"Article 114760"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171173","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}
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