Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114673
Nozomi Tatsuta, Miyuki Iwai-Shimada, Tomohiko Isobe, Shoji F. Nakayama, Makiko Sekiyama, Mai Takagi, Yayoi Kobayashi, Yu Taniguchi, Shin Yamazaki, the Japan Environment and Children's Study Group
Objective
Previous studies have suggested that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could be related to the occurrence of miscarriages, but the results are inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of PFAS exposure during the first trimester on miscarriages that occurred between 12 and 22 weeks of gestation.
Methods
The participants were mothers and infants that registered for the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Twenty-eight PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and perfluorooctane sulfonate, were identified in the plasma collected from pregnant participants. Miscarriage information was transcribed from the medical records. A propensity score was used to select the control group (mothers that gave live births), that matched the miscarriage group. The detection and concentrations of the PFAS in the miscarriage and control groups were compared.
Results
Among 24,412 pairs of maternal PFAS measurements, 66 miscarriages (0.3 %) were documented. No significant differences in the detections or concentrations of PFAS were found between the miscarriage and live birth groups (p > 0.196).
Conclusions
No association between prenatal PFAS exposure and late miscarriage was observed. Further studies are required owing to the small sample size.
{"title":"Association between exposure to perfluoroalkyl compounds during early pregnancy and risk of late miscarriage: The Japan Environment and Children's Study","authors":"Nozomi Tatsuta, Miyuki Iwai-Shimada, Tomohiko Isobe, Shoji F. Nakayama, Makiko Sekiyama, Mai Takagi, Yayoi Kobayashi, Yu Taniguchi, Shin Yamazaki, the Japan Environment and Children's Study Group","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114673","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Previous studies have suggested that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could be related to the occurrence of miscarriages, but the results are inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of PFAS exposure during the first trimester on miscarriages that occurred between 12 and 22 weeks of gestation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The participants were mothers and infants that registered for the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Twenty-eight PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and perfluorooctane sulfonate, were identified in the plasma collected from pregnant participants. Miscarriage information was transcribed from the medical records. A propensity score was used to select the control group (mothers that gave live births), that matched the miscarriage group. The detection and concentrations of the PFAS in the miscarriage and control groups were compared.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 24,412 pairs of maternal PFAS measurements, 66 miscarriages (0.3 %) were documented. No significant differences in the detections or concentrations of PFAS were found between the miscarriage and live birth groups (p > 0.196).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>No association between prenatal PFAS exposure and late miscarriage was observed. Further studies are required owing to the small sample size.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114673"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152314","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.2025.114670
Kenyah Lawler , Alison Behie , Alice Richardson
Natural disasters have generally been associated with an increase in adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) – two key markers of infant health that are predictive of infant mortality and life-long medical disabilities. However, there is considerable inconsistency between studies which makes it difficult to inform policy on pregnancy during and after natural disasters. In this study, we identify risk factors for pregnant women by undertaking the first meta-analysis on this topic, synthesising data from 42 studies with over 24 million participants. We also perform sub-group analysis on disaster type, a country's economic development, and trimester of exposure, addressing associations that can often not be examined in single studies. We found natural disasters to be associated with increased odds of both LBW (OR = 1.063) and PTB (OR = 1.075), with the largest effects seen from exposure in low Human Development Index countries (LBW: OR = 1.130; PTB: OR = 1.315), in first trimester (LBW: OR = 1.079; PTB: OR = 1.153), and following earthquake exposure for PTB (OR = 1.154). Our findings highlight the importance of directing disaster recovery efforts towards these vulnerable groups, to minimise the impacts on infant health following natural disasters.
自然灾害通常与不良出生结果的增加有关，包括早产（PTB）和低出生体重（LBW）——婴儿健康的两个关键标志，可预测婴儿死亡率和终身医疗残疾。然而，研究之间存在相当大的不一致性，这使得在自然灾害期间和之后为有关怀孕的政策提供信息变得困难。在这项研究中，我们通过对这一主题进行首次荟萃分析，综合了42项研究的数据，超过2400万参与者，确定了孕妇的危险因素。我们还对灾害类型、一个国家的经济发展和暴露的三个月进行了分组分析，解决了通常无法在单一研究中检查的关联。我们发现自然灾害与LBW （OR = 1.063）和PTB （OR = 1.075）的几率增加有关，在人类发展指数较低的国家（LBW: OR = 1.130; PTB: OR = 1.315）、妊娠早期（LBW: OR = 1.079; PTB: OR = 1.153）和地震后暴露于PTB （OR = 1.154）的影响最大。我们的研究结果强调了将灾难恢复工作导向这些弱势群体的重要性，以尽量减少自然灾害对婴儿健康的影响。
{"title":"A systematic review with meta-analysis on the effects of maternal exposure to natural disasters on human birth outcomes","authors":"Kenyah Lawler , Alison Behie , Alice Richardson","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Natural disasters have generally been associated with an increase in adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) – two key markers of infant health that are predictive of infant mortality and life-long medical disabilities. However, there is considerable inconsistency between studies which makes it difficult to inform policy on pregnancy during and after natural disasters. In this study, we identify risk factors for pregnant women by undertaking the first meta-analysis on this topic, synthesising data from 42 studies with over 24 million participants. We also perform sub-group analysis on disaster type, a country's economic development, and trimester of exposure, addressing associations that can often not be examined in single studies. We found natural disasters to be associated with increased odds of both LBW (OR = 1.063) and PTB (OR = 1.075), with the largest effects seen from exposure in low Human Development Index countries (LBW: OR = 1.130; PTB: OR = 1.315), in first trimester (LBW: OR = 1.079; PTB: OR = 1.153), and following earthquake exposure for PTB (OR = 1.154). Our findings highlight the importance of directing disaster recovery efforts towards these vulnerable groups, to minimise the impacts on infant health following natural disasters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114670"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109020","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.2025.114654
Alexis M. Temkin , Varun Subramaniam , Alexa Friedman , Elvira Fleury , Dayna de Montagnac , Chris Campbell , David Q. Andrews , Olga V. Naidenko
Pesticide exposure has been linked to chronic health harms, yet the effects of cumulative dietary exposure to pesticide mixtures are poorly understood. A pesticide load index was created to rank produce based on pesticide contamination from national pesticide residue testing data for 44 produce types, primarily collected from 2013 to 2018. Three indices were created utilizing different indicators of pesticide contamination and toxicity. Dietary pesticide exposure scores for 1837 individuals were calculated based on produce consumption from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Covariate-adjusted weighted linear regressions were used to estimate the change in average pesticide biomarker rank relative to dietary pesticide exposure scores. Pesticide load indices were calculated based on detections of 178 unique parent pesticides, or 42 parent pesticides with matched urinary biomarkers in NHANES. Increasing dietary pesticide exposure scores were not associated with average pesticide biomarker rank (β [95 % CI] = 0.02 [-0.34, 0.38]) and were consistent across scores that utilized the different indices. Matching pesticides in food and urine, results in a slightly stronger association (β [95 % CI] = 0.09 [-0.32, 0.51]). Excluding potatoes resulted in a positive significant association (β [95 % CI] = 0.75 [0.35, 1.14]). When excluding potatoes, consumption of fruits and vegetables weighted by pesticide contamination was associated with higher levels of urinary pesticide biomarkers for organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid insecticides. Future research could use this methodology, with the recommendation to exclude potatoes, to assess the impact of dietary pesticide exposure on health outcomes.
{"title":"A cumulative dietary pesticide exposure score based on produce consumption is associated with urinary pesticide biomarkers in a U.S. biomonitoring cohort","authors":"Alexis M. Temkin , Varun Subramaniam , Alexa Friedman , Elvira Fleury , Dayna de Montagnac , Chris Campbell , David Q. Andrews , Olga V. Naidenko","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pesticide exposure has been linked to chronic health harms, yet the effects of cumulative dietary exposure to pesticide mixtures are poorly understood. A pesticide load index was created to rank produce based on pesticide contamination from national pesticide residue testing data for 44 produce types, primarily collected from 2013 to 2018. Three indices were created utilizing different indicators of pesticide contamination and toxicity. Dietary pesticide exposure scores for 1837 individuals were calculated based on produce consumption from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Covariate-adjusted weighted linear regressions were used to estimate the change in average pesticide biomarker rank relative to dietary pesticide exposure scores. Pesticide load indices were calculated based on detections of 178 unique parent pesticides, or 42 parent pesticides with matched urinary biomarkers in NHANES. Increasing dietary pesticide exposure scores were not associated with average pesticide biomarker rank (β [95 % CI] = 0.02 [-0.34, 0.38]) and were consistent across scores that utilized the different indices. Matching pesticides in food and urine, results in a slightly stronger association (β [95 % CI] = 0.09 [-0.32, 0.51]). Excluding potatoes resulted in a positive significant association (β [95 % CI] = 0.75 [0.35, 1.14]). When excluding potatoes, consumption of fruits and vegetables weighted by pesticide contamination was associated with higher levels of urinary pesticide biomarkers for organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid insecticides. Future research could use this methodology, with the recommendation to exclude potatoes, to assess the impact of dietary pesticide exposure on health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114654"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145152182","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}
Due to the adverse health effects reported for several phthalate plasticizers, many phthalates have been increasingly replaced with alternatives in various consumer applications. In this study, we employed urine samples collected from the nationally representative populations of 2010 (n = 785) and 2018 (n = 799) and measured metabolites (n = 37) of major phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers. Exposure levels of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers were compared, and their associated risks were assessed. Over the period, on average, urinary metabolite concentrations of major phthalates like DEHP and DBP decreased by 26 % and 31 %, respectively. In contrast, urinary metabolites of DEHTP and DEHA increased by 2131 % and 33 %, respectively. Metabolite profiles varied by age group, with DEHTP showing the highest levels among infants and children. Urinary metabolite concentrations of conventional phthalates showed the least reduction, and those of non-phthalate plasticizers exhibited the greatest increases during this period. Despite regulatory efforts against the use of several phthalates, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for all plasticizers has doubled among infants and children during this period, with DEHA being identified as a major contributor. Overall risk estimated based on anti-androgenicity decreased between 2010 and 2018, but DEHP and DBP remained significant risk drivers despite regulations during this period. Further research on exposure sources is warranted to inform measures that reduce exposure to plasticizers among the vulnerable populations identified in the present study.
{"title":"Exposure to conventional and non-phthalate plasticizers in representative Korean population between 2010 and 2018: Sex and age-stratified comparisons","authors":"Joeun Jung , Jin-Yeong Heo , Na-Youn Park , Younglim Kho , Kyungho Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Due to the adverse health effects reported for several phthalate plasticizers, many phthalates have been increasingly replaced with alternatives in various consumer applications. In this study, we employed urine samples collected from the nationally representative populations of 2010 (n = 785) and 2018 (n = 799) and measured metabolites (n = 37) of major phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers. Exposure levels of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers were compared, and their associated risks were assessed. Over the period, on average, urinary metabolite concentrations of major phthalates like DEHP and DBP decreased by 26 % and 31 %, respectively. In contrast, urinary metabolites of DEHTP and DEHA increased by 2131 % and 33 %, respectively. Metabolite profiles varied by age group, with DEHTP showing the highest levels among infants and children. Urinary metabolite concentrations of conventional phthalates showed the least reduction, and those of non-phthalate plasticizers exhibited the greatest increases during this period. Despite regulatory efforts against the use of several phthalates, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for all plasticizers has doubled among infants and children during this period, with DEHA being identified as a major contributor. Overall risk estimated based on anti-androgenicity decreased between 2010 and 2018, but DEHP and DBP remained significant risk drivers despite regulations during this period. Further research on exposure sources is warranted to inform measures that reduce exposure to plasticizers among the vulnerable populations identified in the present study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114679"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234609","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}
The recent study by Ricau et al. (2025) provides timely evidence on the limited effectiveness of bioadditives for fecal sludge management (FSM) in informal settlements in Lebanon. Despite high hopes, Sanipit® did not significantly reduce sludge accumulation or E coli concentrations. This commentary emphasizes the need to reconsider sanitation strategies in humanitarian contexts, highlighting systemic, infrastructural, and governance factors beyond technical interventions. It proposes a shift from technocentric solutions toward resilient infrastructure, context-aware system design, and participatory governance. Case studies from other humanitarian crises further illustrate the limitations of purely technological interventions under fragile conditions. Reorienting sanitation research toward contextual realism and infrastructure resilience is essential for sustainable outcomes.
{"title":"Reframing sanitation priorities: From bioadditives to infrastructure in humanitarian contexts","authors":"Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon , Chutharat Thanchonnang , Natnapa Heebkaew Padchasuwan , Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recent study by Ricau et al. (2025) provides timely evidence on the limited effectiveness of bioadditives for fecal sludge management (FSM) in informal settlements in Lebanon. Despite high hopes, Sanipit® did not significantly reduce sludge accumulation or <em>E coli</em> concentrations. This commentary emphasizes the need to reconsider sanitation strategies in humanitarian contexts, highlighting systemic, infrastructural, and governance factors beyond technical interventions. It proposes a shift from technocentric solutions toward resilient infrastructure, context-aware system design, and participatory governance. Case studies from other humanitarian crises further illustrate the limitations of purely technological interventions under fragile conditions. Reorienting sanitation research toward contextual realism and infrastructure resilience is essential for sustainable outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114665"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145027102","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.2025.114664
Victoria Ballén , Laura Mondéjar , Yaiza Gabasa , Laura Castellsagués , Manuel Alcalde-Rico , Anna Pinar-Méndez , Carles Vilaró , Belén Galofré , Sara M. Soto
The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials drive the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical global health concern. While wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are essential for removing microorganisms and contaminants, they also serve as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), facilitating their persistence and dissemination.
This study investigated AMR in two WWTPs and one drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) in the Baix Llobregat area of Barcelona, Spain. Four sampling campaigns were conducted during winter and summer 2023 across different treatment stages. Due to drought conditions, reclaimed water from the Baix Llobregat WWTP was discharged upstream of the DWTP intake to supplement water resources for indirect potable reuse.
A total of 991 cultivable ARB were obtained, enabling phenotypic and genotypic characterisation. The most prevalent included Aeromonas spp. (44.3 %), Enterobacterales (27.9 %), Pseudomonas spp. (19.1 %), Acinetobacter spp. (4.8 %), Shewanella spp. (2.2 %), Stenotrophomonas spp. (1 %), and others (0.7 %). Among these, 57.3 % were multidrug-resistant and 2.7 % were extensively drug-resistant. Furthermore, 34.6 % produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, 14.1 % harboured carbapenemase genes, and 2.9 % exhibited colistin resistance.
Shotgun metagenomic analysis revealed high taxonomic diversity, without dominant genera across treatment stages. The resistome was dominated by ARGs conferring resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and macrolides, alongside genes linked to biocide resistance and heavy metal tolerance. Spearman correlation analysis of selected sequenced strains suggested a weak to moderate co-occurrence between ARGs and biocide or heavy metal tolerance genes.
These findings underline WWTPs as AMR hotspots and reinforce the need to monitor DWTP source water within the One Health framework.
{"title":"Integrated metagenomic, culture-based, and whole genome sequencing analyses of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants in Barcelona, Spain","authors":"Victoria Ballén , Laura Mondéjar , Yaiza Gabasa , Laura Castellsagués , Manuel Alcalde-Rico , Anna Pinar-Méndez , Carles Vilaró , Belén Galofré , Sara M. Soto","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials drive the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a critical global health concern. While wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are essential for removing microorganisms and contaminants, they also serve as hotspots for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), facilitating their persistence and dissemination.</div><div>This study investigated AMR in two WWTPs and one drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) in the Baix Llobregat area of Barcelona, Spain. Four sampling campaigns were conducted during winter and summer 2023 across different treatment stages. Due to drought conditions, reclaimed water from the Baix Llobregat WWTP was discharged upstream of the DWTP intake to supplement water resources for indirect potable reuse.</div><div>A total of 991 cultivable ARB were obtained, enabling phenotypic and genotypic characterisation. The most prevalent included <em>Aeromonas</em> spp. (44.3 %), Enterobacterales (27.9 %), <em>Pseudomonas</em> spp. (19.1 %), <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp. (4.8 %), <em>Shewanella</em> spp. (2.2 %), <em>Stenotrophomonas</em> spp. (1 %), and others (0.7 %). Among these, 57.3 % were multidrug-resistant and 2.7 % were extensively drug-resistant. Furthermore, 34.6 % produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, 14.1 % harboured carbapenemase genes, and 2.9 % exhibited colistin resistance.</div><div>Shotgun metagenomic analysis revealed high taxonomic diversity, without dominant genera across treatment stages. The resistome was dominated by ARGs conferring resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and macrolides, alongside genes linked to biocide resistance and heavy metal tolerance. Spearman correlation analysis of selected sequenced strains suggested a weak to moderate co-occurrence between ARGs and biocide or heavy metal tolerance genes.</div><div>These findings underline WWTPs as AMR hotspots and reinforce the need to monitor DWTP source water within the One Health framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114664"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144997644","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.2025.114668
Guozhen Chen , Cunwei Ji , Li Wu , Yuanzhu Ma , Jianhong Xia , Youjie Wang , Guocheng liu
<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the potential association between essential metal elements and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to explore whether inflammatory indicators play an intermediary role in the association between essential metal elements and GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study included 4833 pregnant women who underwent early pregnancy examinations at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between 2015 and 2022. Basic demographic information and peripheral blood samples were collected. Atomic absorption spectrometry was utilized to measure five essential metal elements, including iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) in whole blood samples of pregnant women. Routine blood tests, including white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (Lym), neutrophil (Neu), monocyte (Mono), and platelet (PLT), were conducted using an automated hematology analyzer. The generalized linear regression model (GLM) was employed to analyze the relationship between essential metal elements, inflammatory indicators, and GDM. Mediation analysis was used to explore the potential mediating role of inflammatory indicators in the association between essential metal elements and GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fe was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM and MONO levels, and negatively correlated with PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Ca was negatively correlated with WBC, NEU and MONO levels, and positively correlated with PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Zn was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Cu was positively correlated with WBC, NEU and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Mg was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM, MONO and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Compared with the first quantile concentration level, the fourth quantile level of Fe (<em>OR</em> = 1.282, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.043–1.578) and the fourth quantile level of Zn (<em>OR</em> = 1.267, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.032–1.559) were significantly positively correlated with GDM. WBC, NEU, LYM, MONO and PLT were all positively correlated with GDM risk (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and the correlation between five inflammatory indicators and GDM risk was positively linear by RCS (<em>P</em><sub><em>overall</em></sub> < 0.05 and <em>P</em><sub><em>nonlinear</em></sub> > 0.05). All five inflammatory indicators had significant mediating effects in the association between essential metal elements and GDM. Among them, the percentage of mediating effect of WBC was 29.18 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.043, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.027–1.061); The percentage of NEU mediating effect was 26.97 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.039, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.025–1.058); The percentage of LYM mediating effect was 8.30 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.012, 95 % <em>CI</em>: 1.004–1.023); The percentage of MONO mediation effect was 6.84 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.010, 95 % <em>CI</em>: 1.004–1.021); The percentage of PLT mediating effect was 8.87 % (<em>OR</em> = 0.987, 9
{"title":"Association between essential metal elements in the blood of pregnant women in the first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus and the mediating role of inflammatory indicators","authors":"Guozhen Chen , Cunwei Ji , Li Wu , Yuanzhu Ma , Jianhong Xia , Youjie Wang , Guocheng liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the potential association between essential metal elements and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to explore whether inflammatory indicators play an intermediary role in the association between essential metal elements and GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study included 4833 pregnant women who underwent early pregnancy examinations at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between 2015 and 2022. Basic demographic information and peripheral blood samples were collected. Atomic absorption spectrometry was utilized to measure five essential metal elements, including iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) in whole blood samples of pregnant women. Routine blood tests, including white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (Lym), neutrophil (Neu), monocyte (Mono), and platelet (PLT), were conducted using an automated hematology analyzer. The generalized linear regression model (GLM) was employed to analyze the relationship between essential metal elements, inflammatory indicators, and GDM. Mediation analysis was used to explore the potential mediating role of inflammatory indicators in the association between essential metal elements and GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fe was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM and MONO levels, and negatively correlated with PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Ca was negatively correlated with WBC, NEU and MONO levels, and positively correlated with PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Zn was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Cu was positively correlated with WBC, NEU and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Mg was positively correlated with WBC, NEU, LYM, MONO and PLT levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Compared with the first quantile concentration level, the fourth quantile level of Fe (<em>OR</em> = 1.282, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.043–1.578) and the fourth quantile level of Zn (<em>OR</em> = 1.267, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.032–1.559) were significantly positively correlated with GDM. WBC, NEU, LYM, MONO and PLT were all positively correlated with GDM risk (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and the correlation between five inflammatory indicators and GDM risk was positively linear by RCS (<em>P</em><sub><em>overall</em></sub> < 0.05 and <em>P</em><sub><em>nonlinear</em></sub> > 0.05). All five inflammatory indicators had significant mediating effects in the association between essential metal elements and GDM. Among them, the percentage of mediating effect of WBC was 29.18 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.043, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.027–1.061); The percentage of NEU mediating effect was 26.97 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.039, 95 %<em>CI</em>: 1.025–1.058); The percentage of LYM mediating effect was 8.30 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.012, 95 % <em>CI</em>: 1.004–1.023); The percentage of MONO mediation effect was 6.84 % (<em>OR</em> = 1.010, 95 % <em>CI</em>: 1.004–1.021); The percentage of PLT mediating effect was 8.87 % (<em>OR</em> = 0.987, 9","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114668"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145057118","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 : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114642
Xilin Shen , Maximilien Génard-Walton , Paige L. Williams , Jennifer B. Ford , Irene Souter , Yazeed Allan , Antonia M. Calafat , Dan Zhang , Jorge E. Chavarro , Russ Hauser , Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón , for the Earth Study Team
Exposure to phthalates is common and difficult to avoid. However, intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3PUFAs) may ameliorate negative effects on ovarian reserve by exposure to phthalates as both are involved in key processes of ovarian function. Among 139 women attending a fertility center in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study (2004–2017), we evaluated whether associations between urinary phthalate biomarkers and antral follicle count (AFC) were modified by tertiles of serum α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We used Poisson regression (for individual phthalate biomarkers) and quantile Q-computation (for mixtures) models adjusted for age, body mass index, prior smoking, number of urine samples and urinary specific gravity. We found that serum EPA + DHA levels modified the negative association of urinary phthalate biomarkers mixture with mean AFC (P for interaction = 0.23); sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP) had the strongest effect modification (P interaction = 0.01). Specifically, phthalate biomarkers mixture and ∑DEHP were inversely related with AFC only among women in the low (P trend = 0.03 and < 0.001, respectively) and middle (P trend = 0.07 and 0.002) tertiles of serum EPA + DHA, but not among women in the high tertile (P trend = 0.56 and 0.93). No effect modifications were found by serum ALA. These findings suggest certain serum n3PUFAs may attenuate effects of phthalate exposure on ovarian reserve marker. Such interaction points toward select n3PUFAs as key modifiers of phthalate toxicity on ovarian health with potential implications for other women's reproductive health endpoints.
{"title":"Urinary phthalates, serum omega-3 fatty acids and ovarian reserve among women seeking fertility treatment","authors":"Xilin Shen , Maximilien Génard-Walton , Paige L. Williams , Jennifer B. Ford , Irene Souter , Yazeed Allan , Antonia M. Calafat , Dan Zhang , Jorge E. Chavarro , Russ Hauser , Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón , for the Earth Study Team","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114642","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114642","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exposure to phthalates is common and difficult to avoid. However, intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3PUFAs) may ameliorate negative effects on ovarian reserve by exposure to phthalates as both are involved in key processes of ovarian function. Among 139 women attending a fertility center in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study (2004–2017), we evaluated whether associations between urinary phthalate biomarkers and antral follicle count (AFC) were modified by tertiles of serum α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We used Poisson regression (for individual phthalate biomarkers) and quantile Q-computation (for mixtures) models adjusted for age, body mass index, prior smoking, number of urine samples and urinary specific gravity. We found that serum EPA + DHA levels modified the negative association of urinary phthalate biomarkers mixture with mean AFC (<em>P</em> for interaction = 0.23); sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP) had the strongest effect modification (<em>P</em> interaction = 0.01). Specifically, phthalate biomarkers mixture and ∑DEHP were inversely related with AFC only among women in the low (<em>P</em> trend = 0.03 and < 0.001, respectively) and middle (<em>P</em> trend = 0.07 and 0.002) tertiles of serum EPA + DHA, but not among women in the high tertile (<em>P</em> trend = 0.56 and 0.93). No effect modifications were found by serum ALA. These findings suggest certain serum n3PUFAs may attenuate effects of phthalate exposure on ovarian reserve marker. Such interaction points toward select n3PUFAs as key modifiers of phthalate toxicity on ovarian health with potential implications for other women's reproductive health endpoints.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114642"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769466","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 : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114652
Cecilia Mbae , Kelvin Kering , Michael Mugo , Habib Yakubu , Yuke Wang , Susan Kavai , Ronald Ngetich , Sheillah Mundalo , Diana Imoli , Christine Kioko , Collins Kebenei , Zillah Wakio , Beatrice Ongadi , Evans Kibet , Darius Owegi Ideke , Aniruddha Deshpande , Sarah Durry , Pengbo Liu , Christine L. Moe , Samuel Kariuki
Urban informal settlements are characterized by poor sanitation infrastructure, and inadequate hygiene practices, exposing residents to infectious pathogens. We conducted a study involving environmental sampling and behaviour surveys using SaniPath Exposure Assessment tool to evaluate human exposure to faecal contamination in Mukuru informal settlements, Nairobi. Environmental sampling was conducted monthly in two neighbourhoods (Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Mukuru Kwa Reuben). We analysed 9 pathways, including open drains, produce, drinking water, surface water, floodwater, public latrine surfaces, soil, shaved ice, and street food.
More than 75 % of the surveyed population reported consuming street food at least once or more per week. Of the 803 environmental samples analysed for E. coli contamination, 432 (53.8 %) were positive for E. coli. All the surface water samples (29/29) had faecal contamination, and >98 % (90/91) of open drains were positive for E. coli. In both neighbourhoods, high E. coli concentrations (4.60–9.30 log10 E. coli CFU/100 mL) were detected in open drain water, flood water and surface water. Produce was the dominant pathway of exposure to faecal contamination for adults. However, among children, produce was the dominant pathway in Mukuru Kwa Reuben neighbourhood while four pathways, including produce, contributed substantially to the total faecal exposure in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga neighbourhood.
The presence of E. coli in environmental samples suggests widespread faecal contamination in the environment, which may be a major driver for diarrhoeal diseases. Our findings could be used to inform the development of effective water, hygiene, and sanitation infrastructure in urban informal settlements.
城市非正规住区的特点是卫生基础设施差，卫生习惯不充分，使居民暴露于传染性病原体。我们利用SaniPath暴露评估工具进行了一项涉及环境采样和行为调查的研究，以评估内罗毕Mukuru非正式住区人类对粪便污染的暴露情况。每月在两个社区（Mukuru Kwa Njenga和Mukuru Kwa Reuben）进行环境抽样。我们分析了9种途径，包括露天排水沟、农产品、饮用水、地表水、洪水、公共厕所表面、土壤、刨冰和街头食品。超过75%的被调查人口报告每周至少吃一次或多次街头食品。在803份大肠杆菌污染环境样本中，432份（53.8%）大肠杆菌阳性。所有地表水样本（29/29）均有粪便污染，98%（90/91）的明渠大肠杆菌阳性。在这两个社区，在露天排水、洪水和地表水中检测到高大肠杆菌浓度（4.60-9.30 log10大肠杆菌CFU/100 mL）。农产品是成人接触粪便污染的主要途径。然而，在儿童中，农产品是Mukuru Kwa Reuben社区的主要途径，而包括农产品在内的四个途径对Mukuru Kwa Njenga社区的总粪便暴露有很大贡献。环境样本中大肠杆菌的存在表明环境中存在广泛的粪便污染，这可能是腹泻疾病的主要驱动因素。我们的研究结果可用于为城市非正式住区中有效的水、卫生和环境卫生基础设施的发展提供信息。
{"title":"Faecal exposure in cholera hotspots: Sanipath exposure assessment in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya","authors":"Cecilia Mbae , Kelvin Kering , Michael Mugo , Habib Yakubu , Yuke Wang , Susan Kavai , Ronald Ngetich , Sheillah Mundalo , Diana Imoli , Christine Kioko , Collins Kebenei , Zillah Wakio , Beatrice Ongadi , Evans Kibet , Darius Owegi Ideke , Aniruddha Deshpande , Sarah Durry , Pengbo Liu , Christine L. Moe , Samuel Kariuki","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban informal settlements are characterized by poor sanitation infrastructure, and inadequate hygiene practices, exposing residents to infectious pathogens. We conducted a study involving environmental sampling and behaviour surveys using SaniPath Exposure Assessment tool to evaluate human exposure to faecal contamination in Mukuru informal settlements, Nairobi. Environmental sampling was conducted monthly in two neighbourhoods (Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Mukuru Kwa Reuben). We analysed 9 pathways, including open drains, produce, drinking water, surface water, floodwater, public latrine surfaces, soil, shaved ice, and street food.</div><div>More than 75 % of the surveyed population reported consuming street food at least once or more per week. Of the 803 environmental samples analysed for <em>E. coli</em> contamination, 432 (53.8 %) were positive for <em>E. coli</em>. All the surface water samples (29/29) had faecal contamination, and >98 % (90/91) of open drains were positive for <em>E. coli</em>. In both neighbourhoods, high <em>E. coli</em> concentrations (4.60–9.30 log10 <em>E. coli</em> CFU/100 mL) were detected in open drain water, flood water and surface water. Produce was the dominant pathway of exposure to faecal contamination for adults. However, among children, produce was the dominant pathway in Mukuru Kwa Reuben neighbourhood while four pathways, including produce, contributed substantially to the total faecal exposure in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga neighbourhood.</div><div>The presence of <em>E. coli</em> in environmental samples suggests widespread faecal contamination in the environment, which may be a major driver for diarrhoeal diseases. Our findings could be used to inform the development of effective water, hygiene, and sanitation infrastructure in urban informal settlements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114652"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144880085","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 : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114653
Leon Saal , Vanessa Ingold , Alexander Kämpfe , Tobias Bader , Thorsten Reemtsma , Aki S. Ruhl
Tap waters from 91 locations across Germany were analysed for organic persistent and mobile (PM) substances, covering a range of sources and substance classes, e.g. the sweetener saccharine (SAC), antibiotic drug sulfamethoxazole (SMX), pharmaceutical transformation product valsartanic acid (VSA), industrial chemicals as cyanoguanidine (CG) or ultra-short-chain PFAS trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFA and TFMSA). The investigated sampling sites differed by their respective raw water resources and population density (rural and urban). Enrichment by azeotropic evaporation was successful for 11 of 26 substances and decreased the limit of detection and limit of quantification by more than ten-fold. Concentrations of 19 studied substances were well below the health-related indicator value (HRIV) or health-based guideline value (HBGV) in all samples. However, the HRIV for CG, SAC, SMX and VSA were exceeded in two, one, one and five samples respectively, with exceedances ranging from 4 % for SMX to 117 % for CG. Nevertheless, it can be stated that – with a few exceptions – the precautionary values protecting human health are complied with. TFA and TFMSA were detected in every sample with 90-percentile concentrations of 5.2 μg/L and 4 ng/L, respectively. The study shows that PM substances in particular can penetrate into drinking water.
{"title":"Survey of polar organic micropollutants in German tap waters","authors":"Leon Saal , Vanessa Ingold , Alexander Kämpfe , Tobias Bader , Thorsten Reemtsma , Aki S. Ruhl","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tap waters from 91 locations across Germany were analysed for organic persistent and mobile (PM) substances, covering a range of sources and substance classes, e.g. the sweetener saccharine (SAC), antibiotic drug sulfamethoxazole (SMX), pharmaceutical transformation product valsartanic acid (VSA), industrial chemicals as cyanoguanidine (CG) or ultra-short-chain PFAS trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFA and TFMSA). The investigated sampling sites differed by their respective raw water resources and population density (rural and urban). Enrichment by azeotropic evaporation was successful for 11 of 26 substances and decreased the limit of detection and limit of quantification by more than ten-fold. Concentrations of 19 studied substances were well below the health-related indicator value (HRIV) or health-based guideline value (HBGV) in all samples. However, the HRIV for CG, SAC, SMX and VSA were exceeded in two, one, one and five samples respectively, with exceedances ranging from 4 % for SMX to 117 % for CG. Nevertheless, it can be stated that – with a few exceptions – the precautionary values protecting human health are complied with. TFA and TFMSA were detected in every sample with 90-percentile concentrations of 5.2 μg/L and 4 ng/L, respectively. The study shows that PM substances in particular can penetrate into drinking water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114653"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144892047","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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