Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114672
Domenica Hahn , Aline Murawski , Philipp Zimmermann , Maria I.H. Schmied-Tobies , Enrico Rucic , Isabel Rühl , Malgorzata Debiak , Thomas Göen , Moritz Schäfer , Marike Kolossa-Gehring
Antimony (Sb) is widely applied in industrial processes as well as in the manufacturing of consumer goods. The metalloid and many of its inorganic compounds can cause adverse health effects, with Antimony trioxide classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC group 2 B). In the German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents 2014–2017 (GerES V), a population-representative cross-sectional survey which combines questionnaire investigations and comprehensive human biomonitoring, the urine of 2250 children and adolescents aged 3–17 years was analysed for Sb.
Sb was detected in 79 % of the participants, with a geometric mean (GM) of 0.053 μg/L. Factors such as younger age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), number of smokers in the household, higher traffic intensity in the close vicinity of the home were significantly associated (p-value ≤0.05) with increased Sb levels in both bivariate and multivariable analyses. Compared to GerES IV (2003–2006), a decrease in Sb exposure of approximately 50 % was observed. However, assessing the health impact of our findings is challenging, particularly since Sb appears to play a key role in the joint effects of harmful metal mixtures.
{"title":"The metalloid antimony in urine of children and adolescents in Germany – human biomonitoring results of the German Environmental Survey 2014–2017 (GerES V)","authors":"Domenica Hahn , Aline Murawski , Philipp Zimmermann , Maria I.H. Schmied-Tobies , Enrico Rucic , Isabel Rühl , Malgorzata Debiak , Thomas Göen , Moritz Schäfer , Marike Kolossa-Gehring","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antimony (Sb) is widely applied in industrial processes as well as in the manufacturing of consumer goods. The metalloid and many of its inorganic compounds can cause adverse health effects, with Antimony trioxide classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC group 2 B). In the German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents 2014–2017 (GerES V), a population-representative cross-sectional survey which combines questionnaire investigations and comprehensive human biomonitoring, the urine of 2250 children and adolescents aged 3–17 years was analysed for Sb.</div><div>Sb was detected in 79 % of the participants, with a geometric mean (GM) of 0.053 μg/L. Factors such as younger age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), number of smokers in the household, higher traffic intensity in the close vicinity of the home were significantly associated (p-value ≤0.05) with increased Sb levels in both bivariate and multivariable analyses. Compared to GerES IV (2003–2006), a decrease in Sb exposure of approximately 50 % was observed. However, assessing the health impact of our findings is challenging, particularly since Sb appears to play a key role in the joint effects of harmful metal mixtures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114672"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155097","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}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-09-24DOI: 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}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-09-05DOI: 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}
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 : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-09-14DOI: 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 : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114626
Yohane V.A. Phiri , Yi-Hua Chen , Ming-Lun Zou , Gary Adamkiewicz , Chuen-Bin Jiang , Chih-Da Wu , Shih-Chun Candice Lung , Ling-Chu Chien , Hsing Jasmine Chao , John D. Spengler , Francine Laden
Pediatric allergic diseases pose a significant global public health concern, with environmental factors playing a crucial role in their development. Investigating these determinants, particularly during early childhood, is crucial. This study, part of the Longitudinal Examination Across Prenatal and Postnatal Health in Taiwan (LEAPP-HIT) project, focused on children under 5 years old in the Greater Taipei Area. We collected data on household environments, and children's medical histories related to allergic diseases using standardized questionnaires. Additionally, we examined outdoor factors such as air pollution, land use, and points of interest. Indoor environmental sampling assessed concentrations of air pollutants, microbes, and allergens. Using logistic regression, we analyzed the relationships between indoor and outdoor environmental factors and allergic diseases in 136 children. Our findings revealed that the acquisition of new furniture and less frequent household cleaning were positively associated with allergic rhinitis and eczema, respectively. Using carpets, moldy odors in bedrooms, and Der f 1 concentrations in bed dust were significantly correlated with an increased risk of allergic conjunctivitis. Furthermore, exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10μm and the presence of certain points of interest (e.g., night markets and restaurants) significantly impacted the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and eczema. These results underscore the complexity of allergic disease development in children and highlight the importance of considering both clean home environments and ambient environmental characteristics when providing public health guidance to families affected by allergic diseases.
{"title":"Impact of urban residential environment and biological agents on childhood allergic diseases: Insights from the Greater Taipei area","authors":"Yohane V.A. Phiri , Yi-Hua Chen , Ming-Lun Zou , Gary Adamkiewicz , Chuen-Bin Jiang , Chih-Da Wu , Shih-Chun Candice Lung , Ling-Chu Chien , Hsing Jasmine Chao , John D. Spengler , Francine Laden","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pediatric allergic diseases pose a significant global public health concern, with environmental factors playing a crucial role in their development. Investigating these determinants, particularly during early childhood, is crucial. This study, part of the Longitudinal Examination Across Prenatal and Postnatal Health in Taiwan (LEAPP-HIT) project, focused on children under 5 years old in the Greater Taipei Area. We collected data on household environments, and children's medical histories related to allergic diseases using standardized questionnaires. Additionally, we examined outdoor factors such as air pollution, land use, and points of interest. Indoor environmental sampling assessed concentrations of air pollutants, microbes, and allergens. Using logistic regression, we analyzed the relationships between indoor and outdoor environmental factors and allergic diseases in 136 children. Our findings revealed that the acquisition of new furniture and less frequent household cleaning were positively associated with allergic rhinitis and eczema, respectively. Using carpets, moldy odors in bedrooms, and Der f 1 concentrations in bed dust were significantly correlated with an increased risk of allergic conjunctivitis. Furthermore, exposure to ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10μm and the presence of certain points of interest (e.g., night markets and restaurants) significantly impacted the occurrence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and eczema. These results underscore the complexity of allergic disease development in children and highlight the importance of considering both clean home environments and ambient environmental characteristics when providing public health guidance to families affected by allergic diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114626"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144694532","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}
Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is among the mainly reasons for death from bacterial infection associated with antibiotic resistance. Its widespread dissemination, especially due to KPC enzyme, is one of the main challenges in One Health perspective. Here, we studied 42 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates from hospital wastewater, municipal wastewater from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and urban stream which receives treated municipal effluent. The isolates presented broad resistance to β-lactams antibiotics, as well as to fluoroquinolones, and show antibiotic resistance profile very similar, even those from out-of-hospital settings. Along to blaKPC gene, blaCTX-M-1 (33,3 %, n = 14), blaCTX-M-8 (19 %, n = 8), qnrB (52,3 %, n = 22), qnrS (2,38 %, n = 1), and rmtB (19 %, n = 8) were detected. There was a predominance of gene that confers tolerance to silver and copper metals, as well as to virulence factor related to enterobactin and colibactin production. Macrorestriction genomic analysis by XbaI enzyme demonstrated several pulsotype, but some ones are related. Isolates from hospital wastewater were detected after 4 months at the same sampling point, as well as similar to those detected in WWTP and urban stream demonstrating the effluents role as spreaders of antibiotic resistance. This study provides data on the characterization of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae, which contributes to the epidemiological characterization of human pathogens transmitted by aquatic matrices. In view of the universal sanitation and control of antimicrobial resistance in the One Health perspective, greater investment in effluent treatment is necessary to avoid contamination and environmental dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
产碳青霉烯酶的肺炎克雷伯菌是与抗生素耐药性相关的细菌感染导致死亡的主要原因之一。它的广泛传播，特别是由于KPC酶，是一个健康观点的主要挑战之一。在这里，我们研究了42株产kpc的肺炎克雷伯菌，它们分别来自医院废水、污水处理厂（WWTP）的城市废水和接收处理过的城市污水的城市溪流。这些分离株对β-内酰胺类抗生素和氟喹诺酮类抗生素表现出广泛的耐药性，并且显示出非常相似的抗生素耐药谱，即使是那些来自院外环境的抗生素。沿着blaKPC基因,blaCTX-M-1(33岁,3%,n = 14), blaCTX-M-8 (19%, n = 8), qnrB(52岁的3%,n = 22), qnrS (2 38%, n = 1),和rmtB (19%, n = 8)被检测到。对银和铜金属以及与肠杆菌素和大肠杆菌素产生有关的毒力因子具有耐受性的基因占主导地位。XbaI酶的大限制基因组分析显示了几种脉冲型，但有些是相关的。4个月后，在同一采样点从医院废水中检测到分离株，与在污水处理厂和城市溪流中检测到的分离株相似，表明污水是抗生素耐药性的传播者。本研究提供了产kpc肺炎克雷伯菌的特征数据，有助于水生基质传播的人类病原体的流行病学特征。鉴于“同一个健康”观点中的普遍卫生和控制抗菌素耐药性，有必要加大对污水处理的投资，以避免耐抗生素细菌的污染和环境传播。
{"title":"Municipal sewage as a pathway for multidrug-resistant KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from hospital effluent to urban stream: challenges for wastewater management","authors":"Guilherme Sgobbi Zagui , Natália Columbaro Moreira , Joseane Cristina Ferreira , Marília Vasconcellos Agnesini , Patrícia Orlandi Barth , Afonso Luís Barth , Ana Lúcia Costa Darini , Leonardo Neves Andrade , Susana Inés Segura-Muñoz","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114640","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114640","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbapenemase-producing <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> is among the mainly reasons for death from bacterial infection associated with antibiotic resistance. Its widespread dissemination, especially due to KPC enzyme, is one of the main challenges in One Health perspective. Here, we studied 42 KPC-producing <em>K. pneumoniae</em> isolates from hospital wastewater, municipal wastewater from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and urban stream which receives treated municipal effluent. The isolates presented broad resistance to β-lactams antibiotics, as well as to fluoroquinolones, and show antibiotic resistance profile very similar, even those from out-of-hospital settings. Along to <em>bla</em><sub>KPC</sub> gene, <em>bla</em><sub>CTX-M-1</sub> (33,3 %, <em>n</em> = 14), <em>bla</em><sub>CTX-M-8</sub> (19 %, <em>n</em> = 8), <em>qnrB</em> (52,3 %, <em>n</em> = 22), <em>qnrS</em> (2,38 %, <em>n</em> = 1), and <em>rmtB</em> (19 %, <em>n</em> = 8) were detected. There was a predominance of gene that confers tolerance to silver and copper metals, as well as to virulence factor related to enterobactin and colibactin production. Macrorestriction genomic analysis by <em>Xba</em>I enzyme demonstrated several pulsotype, but some ones are related. Isolates from hospital wastewater were detected after 4 months at the same sampling point, as well as similar to those detected in WWTP and urban stream demonstrating the effluents role as spreaders of antibiotic resistance. This study provides data on the characterization of KPC-producing <em>K. pneumoniae</em>, which contributes to the epidemiological characterization of human pathogens transmitted by aquatic matrices. In view of the universal sanitation and control of antimicrobial resistance in the One Health perspective, greater investment in effluent treatment is necessary to avoid contamination and environmental dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114640"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703107","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 : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114627
Dan Zhang , Yu Zhang , Huan Feng , Liu Nie, Yifan Yang, Xin Wang, Yafei Tan
Background
Existing evidence on maternal ambient air pollutants exposure during pregnancy and the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) and its subtypes in offspring is inconsistent, and few studies have focused on preconception exposure. The critical susceptibility window for air pollutants linked to CHDs remains poorly answered.
Objective
We aimed to explore whether maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants before and after conception were associated with the risk of CHDs and its subtypes, and determined the critical susceptibility windows and potential modifiers for air pollutants exposure on CHDs.
Methods
We conducted a population-based cohort through the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System in Wuhan, China, and heart defects data and daily air pollutants concentrations were collected from 2011 to 2017. Individual exposure concentrations of air pollutants were estimated through the inverse distance weighted method. The associations between maternal air pollutants exposure and the risk of CHDs were evaluated using logistic regression models with controlling for covariates.
Results
A total of 510,857 infants participated, with 1055 diagnosed with CHDs. Maternal exposure to PM2.5 in the three months before conception (OR = 1.022, 95 % CI: 1.004–1.039), second and third month of conception (OR = 1.042, 95 % CI: 1.024–1.060; OR = 1.039, 95 % CI: 1.021–1.057, separately) were significantly related to CHDs. The associations of PM2.5 exposure with CHDs were modified by maternal parity and infant sex. For CHD subtypes, we observed the positively relationships between PM2.5 exposure and ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot. No significant association between exposure to SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 and the risk of CHDs and its subtypes was observed. The second month of conception might be the potential critical susceptibility window of air pollutants with CHDs.
Conclusion
Our findings have revealed that maternal exposure to PM2.5 before and after conception increased the risk of CHDs and its subtypes in offspring, as well as identified the modifications of individual characteristics and potential critical susceptibility windows. These results provide potential evidence for improving air quality and focusing on individual characteristics to prevent CHDs.
{"title":"Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: A population-based cohort study in Wuhan, China","authors":"Dan Zhang , Yu Zhang , Huan Feng , Liu Nie, Yifan Yang, Xin Wang, Yafei Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Existing evidence on maternal ambient air pollutants exposure during pregnancy and the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) and its subtypes in offspring is inconsistent, and few studies have focused on preconception exposure. The critical susceptibility window for air pollutants linked to CHDs remains poorly answered.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We aimed to explore whether maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants before and after conception were associated with the risk of CHDs and its subtypes, and determined the critical susceptibility windows and potential modifiers for air pollutants exposure on CHDs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a population-based cohort through the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System in Wuhan, China, and heart defects data and daily air pollutants concentrations were collected from 2011 to 2017. Individual exposure concentrations of air pollutants were estimated through the inverse distance weighted method. The associations between maternal air pollutants exposure and the risk of CHDs were evaluated using logistic regression models with controlling for covariates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 510,857 infants participated, with 1055 diagnosed with CHDs. Maternal exposure to PM<sub>2.5</sub> in the three months before conception (OR = 1.022, 95 % CI: 1.004–1.039), second and third month of conception (OR = 1.042, 95 % CI: 1.024–1.060; OR = 1.039, 95 % CI: 1.021–1.057, separately) were significantly related to CHDs. The associations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure with CHDs were modified by maternal parity and infant sex. For CHD subtypes, we observed the positively relationships between PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure and ventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot. No significant association between exposure to SO<sub>2</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, CO, and O<sub>3</sub> and the risk of CHDs and its subtypes was observed. The second month of conception might be the potential critical susceptibility window of air pollutants with CHDs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings have revealed that maternal exposure to PM<sub>2.5</sub> before and after conception increased the risk of CHDs and its subtypes in offspring, as well as identified the modifications of individual characteristics and potential critical susceptibility windows. These results provide potential evidence for improving air quality and focusing on individual characteristics to prevent CHDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114627"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662535","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 : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114623
Min-Ju Kim , Yong-Kook Kwon , Hyung-Jun Kim , Dong-Gyun Han , In-Soo Yoon , Seungyoung Park , Gunyoung Lee , Hye Young Lee
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor, and its risk levels are regulated by various authorities. In response to regulatory policies, industrial substitutes for BPA, such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), have been introduced, raising concerns about their potential toxicity. Owing to the limited information on these new alternatives, using only traditional scenario-based risk assessments is insufficient. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) data with physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models has increased. We estimated exposure to BPA, BPS, and BPF among Koreans using HBM (2015–2020) from the Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) and PBTK models. BPA model parameters were adjusted based on clinical evidence to enhance accuracy. We estimated external exposure to BPA and substitutes BPS and BPF using HBM data and PBTK model. Risk assessment used HbGV and POD values. Trends in BP exposure among Koreans from 2015 to 2020 were identified through HBM data. Risk characterization used exposure estimation by reverse dosimetry. BPA levels decreased by 43.8 % from 16.2 to 9.2 ng/kg BW/day in the population. BPS exposure increased 2.3-fold (0.52 → 1.23 ng/kg BW/day) in Cycle 4 compared to Cycle 3 (2018–2020). BPF levels showed a decreasing trend but doubled in the 13–18 age group, emphasizing monitoring needs. The risk concerns for BPA, BPS, and BPF in the Korean population were low, with all three within safe exposure limits. The changes in BP exposure were influenced by regulations, and exposure estimation using HBM-based PBTK modeling effectively evaluates regulatory impact.
{"title":"Estimation of BPA, BPS, and BPF exposure levels in the general Korean population using the physiologically-based toxicokinetic model and human urinary biomonitoring for risk assessment","authors":"Min-Ju Kim , Yong-Kook Kwon , Hyung-Jun Kim , Dong-Gyun Han , In-Soo Yoon , Seungyoung Park , Gunyoung Lee , Hye Young Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor, and its risk levels are regulated by various authorities. In response to regulatory policies, industrial substitutes for BPA, such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), have been introduced, raising concerns about their potential toxicity. Owing to the limited information on these new alternatives, using only traditional scenario-based risk assessments is insufficient. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) data with physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models has increased. We estimated exposure to BPA, BPS, and BPF among Koreans using HBM (2015–2020) from the Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) and PBTK models. BPA model parameters were adjusted based on clinical evidence to enhance accuracy. We estimated external exposure to BPA and substitutes BPS and BPF using HBM data and PBTK model. Risk assessment used HbGV and POD values. Trends in BP exposure among Koreans from 2015 to 2020 were identified through HBM data. Risk characterization used exposure estimation by reverse dosimetry. BPA levels decreased by 43.8 % from 16.2 to 9.2 ng/kg BW/day in the population. BPS exposure increased 2.3-fold (0.52 → 1.23 ng/kg BW/day) in Cycle 4 compared to Cycle 3 (2018–2020). BPF levels showed a decreasing trend but doubled in the 13–18 age group, emphasizing monitoring needs. The risk concerns for BPA, BPS, and BPF in the Korean population were low, with all three within safe exposure limits. The changes in BP exposure were influenced by regulations, and exposure estimation using HBM-based PBTK modeling effectively evaluates regulatory impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114623"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144713858","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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