Pub Date : 2025-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114698
Andressa Rezende Pereira , Lauro Ângelo Gonçalves de Moraes , Izinara Rosse , Sérgio Francisco de Aquino , Silvana de Queiroz Silva
Using a culture-independent approach, this study aimed to evaluate microbial community changes in a swine wastewater treatment plant (SWWTP) and investigate the presence of bacteria for public health concerns, particularly those harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) with pathogenic potential. Through sequencing of fifteen samples collected across five sampling campaigns — at the influent, biodigester outlet, and final effluent — higher microbial diversity was observed in the untreated waste, reflected by a greater relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) linked to the families Streptococcaceae (up to 27 %), unidentified members of the order Clostridiales (up to 33 %), and Moraxellaceae (up to 19 %). A microbial succession was observed across subsequent treatment stages, characterized by an increased relative abundance of OTUs associated with Clostridiaceae (0–68 %) and Peptostreptococcaceae (8–25 %), likely driven by environmental conditions. Sequences related to the order Clostridiales and the family Moraxellaceae showed correlations with the resistance genes blaTEM, ermB, qnrB, sul1, and tetA, suggesting that members of these groups could serve as potential gene hosts. The detection of residual ARGs and OTUs related to potentially pathogenic genera such as Clostridium butyricum and Terrisporobacter glycolicus species in the treated effluent raises concerns about the final disposal of this waste, given the possibility of horizontal gene transfer in the environment.
{"title":"Microbial dynamics in a swine wastewater treatment plant and prediction of potential hosts of antibiotic resistance genes","authors":"Andressa Rezende Pereira , Lauro Ângelo Gonçalves de Moraes , Izinara Rosse , Sérgio Francisco de Aquino , Silvana de Queiroz Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using a culture-independent approach, this study aimed to evaluate microbial community changes in a swine wastewater treatment plant (SWWTP) and investigate the presence of bacteria for public health concerns, particularly those harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) with pathogenic potential. Through sequencing of fifteen samples collected across five sampling campaigns — at the influent, biodigester outlet, and final effluent — higher microbial diversity was observed in the untreated waste, reflected by a greater relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) linked to the families <em>Streptococcaceae</em> (up to 27 %), unidentified members of the order <em>Clostridiales</em> (up to 33 %), and <em>Moraxellaceae</em> (up to 19 %). A microbial succession was observed across subsequent treatment stages, characterized by an increased relative abundance of OTUs associated with <em>Clostridiaceae</em> (0–68 %) and <em>Peptostreptococcaceae</em> (8–25 %), likely driven by environmental conditions. Sequences related to the order <em>Clostridiales</em> and the family <em>Moraxellaceae</em> showed correlations with the resistance genes <em>bla</em>TEM, <em>erm</em>B, <em>qnr</em>B, <em>sul</em>1, and <em>tet</em>A, suggesting that members of these groups could serve as potential gene hosts. The detection of residual ARGs and OTUs related to potentially pathogenic genera such as <em>Clostridium butyricum</em> and <em>Terrisporobacter glycolicus</em> species in the treated effluent raises concerns about the final disposal of this waste, given the possibility of horizontal gene transfer in the environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114698"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145380595","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 : 2025-10-25DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114682
Caspar W. Safarlou
{"title":"The value of selectivity in exposomics: Reflections on the Exposome Moonshot Forum","authors":"Caspar W. Safarlou","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114682","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114682"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145373544","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 : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114697
Susana Diaz-Coto , Leyre Notario-Barandiaran , Pablo Martinez-Camblor , Manuel Lozano , Sabrina Llop , Adonina Tardón , Cristina Rodríguez-Dehli , Amaia Irizar , Nerea Lertxundi , Mónica Guxens , Jordi Julvez , Antonio J. Signes-Pastor
Several studies have explored the joint effect of mixtures of metals on health outcomes by using sophisticated statistical techniques such as Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). Although these appealing tools can detect complex relationships between metals, their interpretation is not straightforward. Indeed, BKMR is frequently used jointly with other methods, and final conclusions are simplified in terms of increase/decrease of the risk function at fixed values for individual metals. In this paper, we explore the feasibility and interpretability of such techniques to assess the effect of metal mixture exposures on neuropsychological development in early childhood. This is a cross-sectional study. Initially, we use Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to detect main latent neurodevelopment domains. The scores derived by the BKMR exposure-response function were computed and compared with those provided by traditional linear regression models (LRM). Pearson's correlation coefficients of the estimations obtained by BKMR and LRM accounting for pairwise interactions between metals (lead, molybdenum, and selenium) were 0.95, 0.95 and 0.92, for the three identified latent domains: executive functions, motor functions and visual and verbal functions, respectively. The observed differences between both estimations mainly occurred in participants having low concentrations of lead and low and high values of selenium, which suggest linearity in the associations and not high order interactions between metals. We concluded that, in this case, employing linear regression to model the impact of mixtures on targeted outcomes led to similar results than more complex statistical techniques allowing a better understanding of both individual and interaction effects between metals.
{"title":"Assessing metal mixture effects on neuropsychological development: A trade-off between complexity and interpretability","authors":"Susana Diaz-Coto , Leyre Notario-Barandiaran , Pablo Martinez-Camblor , Manuel Lozano , Sabrina Llop , Adonina Tardón , Cristina Rodríguez-Dehli , Amaia Irizar , Nerea Lertxundi , Mónica Guxens , Jordi Julvez , Antonio J. Signes-Pastor","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several studies have explored the joint effect of mixtures of metals on health outcomes by using sophisticated statistical techniques such as Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). Although these appealing tools can detect complex relationships between metals, their interpretation is not straightforward. Indeed, BKMR is frequently used jointly with other methods, and final conclusions are simplified in terms of increase/decrease of the risk function at fixed values for individual metals. In this paper, we explore the feasibility and interpretability of such techniques to assess the effect of metal mixture exposures on neuropsychological development in early childhood. This is a cross-sectional study. Initially, we use Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to detect main latent neurodevelopment domains. The scores derived by the BKMR exposure-response function were computed and compared with those provided by traditional linear regression models (LRM). Pearson's correlation coefficients of the estimations obtained by BKMR and LRM accounting for pairwise interactions between metals (lead, molybdenum, and selenium) were 0.95, 0.95 and 0.92, for the three identified latent domains: executive functions, motor functions and visual and verbal functions, respectively. The observed differences between both estimations mainly occurred in participants having low concentrations of lead and low and high values of selenium, which suggest linearity in the associations and not high order interactions between metals. We concluded that, in this case, employing linear regression to model the impact of mixtures on targeted outcomes led to similar results than more complex statistical techniques allowing a better understanding of both individual and interaction effects between metals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114697"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145350680","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 : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114695
Manhai Long , Maria Wielsøe , Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
Phthalates are a series of widely used chemicals in a large range of products and have endocrine disruption potentials being detrimental to human health. To our knowledge, there are no reports on phthalate exposure in the general population in Greenland. This study evaluates the phthalate exposure profiles and the influence of characteristics of 602 adults across Greenland recruited during 2000–2019. The urinary concentrations of eleven metabolites of phthalates and the phthalate alternative di-(iso-nonyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) were measured using solid phase extraction prior to ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in negative electro-spray mode and standardized by the urinary creatinine concentration. Health risk assessment was performed by comparison of urinary metabolite levels of phthalates and DINCH using available health-based human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GV). The influence of characteristics on metabolite levels was assessed by multiple linear regression models.
Metabolites of phthalates and DINCH were detected in more than 25 % of the spot urine samples. For certain phthalate metabolites, less than 3 % exceeded HBM-GV. Females had higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites than males. Participants from east and west regions had higher concentrations of some phthalate metabolites than those from north, Disko Bay and south regions. Age positively associated with metabolites concentrations of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP). DEHP metabolites concentrations increased with BMI and biomarker of marine food intake. Pregnancy and parity may influence the concentrations of phthalate metabolites.
The phthalate exposure was age- and sex-dependent likely due to differences in lifestyle habits. Urinary concentrations of DINCH metabolites were higher in Greenlandic adults compared to other populations.
{"title":"Phthalates and phthalate alternative in Greenlandic adults: Urinary concentrations and exposure determinants","authors":"Manhai Long , Maria Wielsøe , Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phthalates are a series of widely used chemicals in a large range of products and have endocrine disruption potentials being detrimental to human health. To our knowledge, there are no reports on phthalate exposure in the general population in Greenland. This study evaluates the phthalate exposure profiles and the influence of characteristics of 602 adults across Greenland recruited during 2000–2019. The urinary concentrations of eleven metabolites of phthalates and the phthalate alternative di-(iso-nonyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) were measured using solid phase extraction prior to ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in negative electro-spray mode and standardized by the urinary creatinine concentration. Health risk assessment was performed by comparison of urinary metabolite levels of phthalates and DINCH using available health-based human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GV). The influence of characteristics on metabolite levels was assessed by multiple linear regression models.</div><div>Metabolites of phthalates and DINCH were detected in more than 25 % of the spot urine samples. For certain phthalate metabolites, less than 3 % exceeded HBM-GV. Females had higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites than males. Participants from east and west regions had higher concentrations of some phthalate metabolites than those from north, Disko Bay and south regions. Age positively associated with metabolites concentrations of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP). DEHP metabolites concentrations increased with BMI and biomarker of marine food intake. Pregnancy and parity may influence the concentrations of phthalate metabolites.</div><div>The phthalate exposure was age- and sex-dependent likely due to differences in lifestyle habits. Urinary concentrations of DINCH metabolites were higher in Greenlandic adults compared to other populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114695"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145350657","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 : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114680
Carla R. Magi-Prowse , Kelly S. Fielding , Kevin V. Thomas , Kylie Morphett
Background
It is important for environmental health professionals to inform the public about potential chemical risks. Factsheets are a common way to disseminate information to the public, however, there has been little evaluation of whether these materials are fit for purpose.
Objectives
This study evaluated the readability of factsheets about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), contaminants of emerging concern that have impacted communities worldwide.
Methods
Using grey literature searches, we identified 36 PFAS fact sheets published by government agencies in countries where PFAS contamination events had occurred. Factsheets were evaluated using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability formula, language complexity, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P).
Results
The factsheets had an average reading grade level of 15.1 with no factsheets meeting the recommended reading grade range of 5–8. On average, almost one quarter of the words used in the factsheets were complex or uncommon words. Only 8 of the factsheets scored above 70% on PEMAT-P, which is the threshold at which factsheets are categorised as understandable.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that PFAS factsheets are typically not written at an appropriate reading level. We identify several areas for improvement such as using health literacy tools to reduce the complexity of language, incorporating infographics and pop out boxes, and providing concise summaries of information. To increase environmental health literacy, environmental health communicators should draw on the learnings of health communication and utilise existing tools to improve readability.
{"title":"Evaluating environmental health communication: The readability of factsheets about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)","authors":"Carla R. Magi-Prowse , Kelly S. Fielding , Kevin V. Thomas , Kylie Morphett","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114680","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114680","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>It is important for environmental health professionals to inform the public about potential chemical risks. Factsheets are a common way to disseminate information to the public, however, there has been little evaluation of whether these materials are fit for purpose.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study evaluated the readability of factsheets about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), contaminants of emerging concern that have impacted communities worldwide.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using grey literature searches, we identified 36 PFAS fact sheets published by government agencies in countries where PFAS contamination events had occurred. Factsheets were evaluated using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability formula, language complexity, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The factsheets had an average reading grade level of 15.1 with no factsheets meeting the recommended reading grade range of 5–8. On average, almost one quarter of the words used in the factsheets were complex or uncommon words. Only 8 of the factsheets scored above 70% on PEMAT-P, which is the threshold at which factsheets are categorised as understandable.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study demonstrates that PFAS factsheets are typically not written at an appropriate reading level. We identify several areas for improvement such as using health literacy tools to reduce the complexity of language, incorporating infographics and pop out boxes, and providing concise summaries of information. To increase environmental health literacy, environmental health communicators should draw on the learnings of health communication and utilise existing tools to improve readability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114680"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145314266","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114575
Yunning Liu , Hongbing Xu , Xuyang Shan , Xinpeng Guan , Lijun Wang , Xinghou He , Jiangmei Liu , Jinling You , Rongshan Wu , Jianbin Wu , Bin Zhang , Jinlei Qi , Peng Yin , Mengyao Li , Xinghua He , Qian Zhao , Xiaoming Song , Xiaoqian Li , Zifa Wang , Qinghong Zhang , Wei Huang
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Mortality risk of short-term air pollution exposure in urban and rural Chinese populations: A nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study, 2008–2020” [Int. J. Hyg Environ. Health 266 (2025) 114564]","authors":"Yunning Liu , Hongbing Xu , Xuyang Shan , Xinpeng Guan , Lijun Wang , Xinghou He , Jiangmei Liu , Jinling You , Rongshan Wu , Jianbin Wu , Bin Zhang , Jinlei Qi , Peng Yin , Mengyao Li , Xinghua He , Qian Zhao , Xiaoming Song , Xiaoqian Li , Zifa Wang , Qinghong Zhang , Wei Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114575","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114575"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145305166","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114693
Yadi Shi , Jie Yin , Yifei Du , Wangnan Cao , Yan Gong , Shengzhi Sun
Background
Exposure to ambient ozone may be associated with a decline in ovarian reserve; however, epidemiological evidence remains limited. We aimed to estimate the association between ambient ozone exposure and ovarian reserve, and to identify critical exposure windows.
Methods
We included 2815 women aged 20–45 years who attended an infertility clinic in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, between 2014 and 2022. We calculated average concentrations of ozone exposure according to the development of follicles (2-month, 4-month, 6- month) and 1-year period prior to measurement, using a satellite-based spatiotemporal model. Multivariate linear and Poisson regression models were used to assess associations between exposure to ambient ozone and ovarian reserve biomarkers, including antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and estradiol (E2). Stratified analyses were performed by age, body mass index (BMI), and education to evaluate potential effect modification.
Results
Each 10 μg/m3 increase in ozone concentration during 4-month and 6-month were associated with a 0.88 % (95 % CI: 0.44 %, 1.32 %) and 0.85 % (95 % CI: 0.28 %, 1.43 %) decrease in AFC, respectively. The associations were stronger among women with middle school or lower, and those with BMI ≥24 kg/m2 during both the 4-month and 6-month exposure windows. We observed no associations between exposure to ambient ozone and AMH or E2.
Conclusions
Exposure to ambient ozone was associated with decreased ovarian reserve among adult women attending an infertility clinic in China. These findings suggest that exposure to ozone could serve as a potential environmental risk factor for diminished ovarian reserve.
{"title":"Exposure to ambient ozone and ovarian reserve in Chinese women of reproductive age","authors":"Yadi Shi , Jie Yin , Yifei Du , Wangnan Cao , Yan Gong , Shengzhi Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Exposure to ambient ozone may be associated with a decline in ovarian reserve; however, epidemiological evidence remains limited. We aimed to estimate the association between ambient ozone exposure and ovarian reserve, and to identify critical exposure windows.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We included 2815 women aged 20–45 years who attended an infertility clinic in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, between 2014 and 2022. We calculated average concentrations of ozone exposure according to the development of follicles (2-month, 4-month, 6- month) and 1-year period prior to measurement, using a satellite-based spatiotemporal model. Multivariate linear and Poisson regression models were used to assess associations between exposure to ambient ozone and ovarian reserve biomarkers, including antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>). Stratified analyses were performed by age, body mass index (BMI), and education to evaluate potential effect modification.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Each 10 μg/m<sup>3</sup> increase in ozone concentration during 4-month and 6-month were associated with a 0.88 % (95 % CI: 0.44 %, 1.32 %) and 0.85 % (95 % CI: 0.28 %, 1.43 %) decrease in AFC, respectively<em>.</em> The associations were stronger among women with middle school or lower, and those with BMI ≥24 kg/m<sup>2</sup> during both the 4-month and 6-month exposure windows. We observed no associations between exposure to ambient ozone and AMH or E<sub>2</sub>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Exposure to ambient ozone was associated with decreased ovarian reserve among adult women attending an infertility clinic in China. These findings suggest that exposure to ozone could serve as a potential environmental risk factor for diminished ovarian reserve.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114693"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145310356","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 : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114683
Angel M. Dzhambov , Peter Lercher , Jan Spilski , Johannes Rüdisser , Matthew H.E.M. Browning , Iana Markevych
The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between the physical, social, and perceptual characteristics of the home and school environments and children's reading performance. A cross-sectional sample of 1251 8-12-year-old schoolchildren from the Tyrol region of Austria and Italy was analyzed. Reading performance was measured based on the number of correctly read sentences in 3 min. Teacher ratings of self-regulation and inattention, child reports of the restorative quality and safety of the residential area, and good family relations, as reported by mothers were also considered. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were obtained from mother questionnaires, and secondhand smoke exposure of the child was measured by cotinine in urine. A built environment score was constructed using imperviousness density, modeled traffic noise, and air pollution. Landscape diversity and natural surroundings around the school, and the presence of a domestic garden represented directly accessible nature. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between these variables. A positive parent-child relationship, higher maternal education, better self-regulation, being female, lower cotinine, and a greater level of school natural land use were associated with better reading performance. These associations were mediated by a combination of factors, including higher neighborhood safety and inattention. There was a positive association between reading and being native German speaker in North Tyrol. Exposure to the built environment and the absence of a domestic garden were also associated with better reading. Understanding local socioeconomic, land use, and cultural patterns can help better explain complex observed associations.
{"title":"Reading performance of alpine schoolchildren in relationship to physical, social, and perceptual characteristics of the home and school environments","authors":"Angel M. Dzhambov , Peter Lercher , Jan Spilski , Johannes Rüdisser , Matthew H.E.M. Browning , Iana Markevych","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between the physical, social, and perceptual characteristics of the home and school environments and children's reading performance. A cross-sectional sample of 1251 8-12-year-old schoolchildren from the Tyrol region of Austria and Italy was analyzed. Reading performance was measured based on the number of correctly read sentences in 3 min. Teacher ratings of self-regulation and inattention, child reports of the restorative quality and safety of the residential area, and good family relations, as reported by mothers were also considered. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were obtained from mother questionnaires, and secondhand smoke exposure of the child was measured by cotinine in urine. A built environment score was constructed using imperviousness density, modeled traffic noise, and air pollution. Landscape diversity and natural surroundings around the school, and the presence of a domestic garden represented directly accessible nature. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between these variables. A positive parent-child relationship, higher maternal education, better self-regulation, being female, lower cotinine, and a greater level of school natural land use were associated with better reading performance. These associations were mediated by a combination of factors, including higher neighborhood safety and inattention. There was a positive association between reading and being native German speaker in North Tyrol. Exposure to the built environment and the absence of a domestic garden were also associated with better reading. Understanding local socioeconomic, land use, and cultural patterns can help better explain complex observed associations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"271 ","pages":"Article 114683"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145278323","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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114651
Ananda Tiwari , Taru Miller , Vito Baraka , Marc Christian Tahita , Vivi Maketa , Bérenger Kaboré , Paul Tunde Kingpriest , Patrick Mitashi , Eric Lyimo , Hillary Sebukoto , Ana Maria de Roda Husman , Tarja Pitkänen
Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) is an emerging tool for monitoring emergence and trends of waterborne, respiratory, and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens. In many developing countries with limited pathogen surveillance systems, WES can complement and support existing monitoring efforts and strengthen pathogen surveillance capacity. This study explored priority pathogens for WES and assessed existing surveillance practices, including WES, in Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). National hybrid workshops were held in each country, engaging stakeholders from diverse fields, including academia, research, policy, environmental health, and healthcare. Two structured surveys, administered via Webropol platform and Mentimeter. com, were conducted during each workshop to gather information on existing clinical and environmental surveillance systems and potential WES targets. Survey responses were analysed thematically, with each theme thoroughly evaluated using scientific evidence from the literature. Key pathogens identified for WES included waterborne pathogens, such as poliovirus, Salmonella Typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and non-waterborne pathogens, such as influenza A&B, SARS-CoV-2, measles, rubella. High-priority AMR targets for WES included multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella spp., and ESBL-producing E. coli. All three countries were found to use centralised electronic systems for clinical data collection, while WES was still limited and largely confined to project-based applications. Respondents highlighted that adopting WES could enhance surveillance systems, track circulating pathogens, and safeguard human, animal, and environmental health. Thus, WES could play a pivotal role in preventing waterborne outbreaks, protecting drinking water sources, and supporting integrated risk management, contributing to achieving various UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
{"title":"Strengthening pathogen and antimicrobial resistance surveillance through environmental monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa: stakeholder perspectives","authors":"Ananda Tiwari , Taru Miller , Vito Baraka , Marc Christian Tahita , Vivi Maketa , Bérenger Kaboré , Paul Tunde Kingpriest , Patrick Mitashi , Eric Lyimo , Hillary Sebukoto , Ana Maria de Roda Husman , Tarja Pitkänen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) is an emerging tool for monitoring emergence and trends of waterborne, respiratory, and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens. In many developing countries with limited pathogen surveillance systems, WES can complement and support existing monitoring efforts and strengthen pathogen surveillance capacity. This study explored priority pathogens for WES and assessed existing surveillance practices, including WES, in Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). National hybrid workshops were held in each country, engaging stakeholders from diverse fields, including academia, research, policy, environmental health, and healthcare. Two structured surveys, administered via Webropol platform and Mentimeter. com, were conducted during each workshop to gather information on existing clinical and environmental surveillance systems and potential WES targets. Survey responses were analysed thematically, with each theme thoroughly evaluated using scientific evidence from the literature. Key pathogens identified for WES included waterborne pathogens, such as poliovirus, <em>Salmonella</em> Typhi, <em>Vibrio cholerae</em>, and non-waterborne pathogens, such as influenza A&B, SARS-CoV-2, measles, rubella. High-priority AMR targets for WES included multidrug-resistant <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em>, <em>Salmonella</em> spp., and ESBL-producing <em>E. coli</em>. All three countries were found to use centralised electronic systems for clinical data collection, while WES was still limited and largely confined to project-based applications. Respondents highlighted that adopting WES could enhance surveillance systems, track circulating pathogens, and safeguard human, animal, and environmental health. Thus, WES could play a pivotal role in preventing waterborne outbreaks, protecting drinking water sources, and supporting integrated risk management, contributing to achieving various UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114651"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926791","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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114669
Ruben Peeters , Laura Rodriguez Martin , Fen Zhang , Hanny Willems , Liese Gilles , Jan Theunis , Jos Bessems , Caio Mescouto Terra de Souza , Stijn Baken , Dirk Devriendt , Eva Govarts
Harmonization and aggregation of heterogeneous data from Human Biomonitoring (HBM) studies is critical to enhance the reliability of conclusions and move towards FAIR (i.e., Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data. We introduce the HBM Data Toolkit developed by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek - VITO) with the primary goal of optimizing data integrity and interoperability, key steps towards FAIR, while using flexible templates and ensuring data confidentiality. The HBM Data Toolkit was built in 2023–2024 and made available for stakeholders (via https://hbm.vito.be/tools) within the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC eu-parc.eu). The toolkit consists of 4 modules including data harmonization, data validation, derived variables, and summary statistics calculation. A Python package was created to interpret the templates, making validation and transformation possible. Using Pyodide and WebAssembly, the toolkit runs entirely in the web browser, enabling secure, local execution of Python code without uploading any data. In the validation module, input files in common format (i.e., Excel) were used to configure data templates, aligning with standards and formats as specified under the HBM4EU project (hbm4eu.eu) and PARC. The HBM Data Toolkit allows harmonized data storage in the Personal Exposure and Health (PEH) data platform. Formatted and validated HBM data were made compatible with the Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) platform. In the derived variables calculation module, the toolkit also allows users to calculate imputed censored data and standardize/normalize the biomarker data. Furthermore, summary statistics (e.g., geometric mean, percentiles) can be calculated and further visualized in the European HBM dashboard and integrated into the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM). In conclusion, the current toolkit proves effective in advancing data quality, harmonization, and aggregation in HBM studies. With local execution, user-friendly codebooks, and standardized schemas, it supports a unified framework that enables consistent analysis and interpretation across diverse studies and datasets.
人类生物监测（HBM）研究中异构数据的协调和聚合对于提高结论的可靠性和向FAIR（即可查找、可访问、可互操作、可重复使用）数据迈进至关重要。我们介绍了由弗拉芒技术研究所（Vlaamse Instelling voor technology Onderzoek - VITO）开发的HBM数据工具包，其主要目标是优化数据完整性和互操作性，这是实现公平的关键步骤，同时使用灵活的模板并确保数据机密性。HBM数据工具包于2023-2024年建立，并在化学品风险评估伙伴关系（PARC eu-parc.eu）内提供给利益相关者（通过https://hbm.vito.be/tools）。该工具包由4个模块组成，包括数据协调、数据验证、派生变量和汇总统计计算。创建了一个Python包来解释模板，使验证和转换成为可能。使用pyoide和WebAssembly，该工具包完全在web浏览器中运行，无需上传任何数据即可安全本地执行Python代码。在验证模块中，使用通用格式（即Excel）的输入文件来配置数据模板，并与HBM4EU项目（HBM4EU .eu）和PARC规定的标准和格式保持一致。HBM数据工具包允许在个人暴露和健康（PEH）数据平台中统一存储数据。格式化和验证的HBM数据与蒙特卡洛风险评估（MCRA）平台兼容。在衍生变量计算模块中，该工具包还允许用户计算输入的审查数据并标准化/规范化生物标志物数据。此外，汇总统计数据（如几何平均值、百分位数）可以在欧洲HBM仪表板中计算和进一步可视化，并集成到化学品监测信息平台（IPCHEM）中。总之，目前的工具包在提高HBM研究中的数据质量、协调和聚合方面被证明是有效的。通过本地执行、用户友好的代码本和标准化的模式，它支持一个统一的框架，可以跨不同的研究和数据集进行一致的分析和解释。
{"title":"Enhancing data interoperability in human biomonitoring studies: the HBM data toolkit","authors":"Ruben Peeters , Laura Rodriguez Martin , Fen Zhang , Hanny Willems , Liese Gilles , Jan Theunis , Jos Bessems , Caio Mescouto Terra de Souza , Stijn Baken , Dirk Devriendt , Eva Govarts","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Harmonization and aggregation of heterogeneous data from Human Biomonitoring (HBM) studies is critical to enhance the reliability of conclusions and move towards FAIR (i.e., Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data. We introduce the HBM Data Toolkit developed by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek - VITO) with the primary goal of optimizing data integrity and interoperability, key steps towards FAIR, while using flexible templates and ensuring data confidentiality. The HBM Data Toolkit was built in 2023–2024 and made available for stakeholders (via <span><span>https://hbm.vito.be/tools</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) within the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC eu-parc.eu). The toolkit consists of 4 modules including data harmonization, data validation, derived variables, and summary statistics calculation. A Python package was created to interpret the templates, making validation and transformation possible. Using Pyodide and WebAssembly, the toolkit runs entirely in the web browser, enabling secure, local execution of Python code without uploading any data. In the validation module, input files in common format (i.e., Excel) were used to configure data templates, aligning with standards and formats as specified under the HBM4EU project (hbm4eu.eu) and PARC. The HBM Data Toolkit allows harmonized data storage in the Personal Exposure and Health (PEH) data platform. Formatted and validated HBM data were made compatible with the Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) platform. In the derived variables calculation module, the toolkit also allows users to calculate imputed censored data and standardize/normalize the biomarker data. Furthermore, summary statistics (e.g., geometric mean, percentiles) can be calculated and further visualized in the European HBM dashboard and integrated into the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM). In conclusion, the current toolkit proves effective in advancing data quality, harmonization, and aggregation in HBM studies. With local execution, user-friendly codebooks, and standardized schemas, it supports a unified framework that enables consistent analysis and interpretation across diverse studies and datasets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114669"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046484","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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