Pub 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":"2025-07-28","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}
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":"2025-07-25","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 : 2025-07-24DOI: 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":"2025-07-24","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}
As protracted humanitarian emergencies are increasing, effective fecal sludge management solutions are needed to prevent disease spread. One fecal sludge management solution often promoted is adding bioadditives to reduce fecal sludge volume. However, scientific evidence documenting bioadditive effectiveness is weak. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Sanipit® bioadditive in latrine containment systems in Syrian informal settlements in Lebanon with and without bioadditive. Systems were connected to flush latrines, and were three watertight holding tanks and a soak pit in series. Each week for 28 weeks, we measured sludge volume, E. coli concentration, and odor/fly presence in systems with and without bioadditives. Monthly, we conducted household surveys. Data from 21 systems were analyzed, with no statistical differences in sludge volume and E. coli concentration between systems (p > 0.05), and <12 % difference in reporting ‘no odor’. We found Sanipit® bioadditive had no significant influence on sludge accumulation, E. coli concentration, or odor. Additionally, due to flooding and/or maintenance needs, only four systems remained operational throughout the 28-week study. Our work highlights the difficulties in conducting programs and research in protracted humanitarian contexts, and the need to focus on improved design, construction, and operation of sanitation infrastructure and services in protracted humanitarian settings.
{"title":"Evaluation of bioadditive effectiveness at reducing sludge accumulation and E. coli in latrine systems in informal settlements in Lebanon","authors":"Marine Ricau , Mayssam Nasser , Nour Ghuneim , Rida Jomaa , Baptiste Lecuyot , Daniele Lantagne","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As protracted humanitarian emergencies are increasing, effective fecal sludge management solutions are needed to prevent disease spread. One fecal sludge management solution often promoted is adding bioadditives to reduce fecal sludge volume. However, scientific evidence documenting bioadditive effectiveness is weak. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Sanipit® bioadditive in latrine containment systems in Syrian informal settlements in Lebanon with and without bioadditive. Systems were connected to flush latrines, and were three watertight holding tanks and a soak pit in series. Each week for 28 weeks, we measured sludge volume, <em>E. coli</em> concentration, and odor/fly presence in systems with and without bioadditives. Monthly, we conducted household surveys. Data from 21 systems were analyzed, with no statistical differences in sludge volume and <em>E. coli</em> concentration between systems (p > 0.05), and <12 % difference in reporting ‘no odor’. We found Sanipit® bioadditive had no significant influence on sludge accumulation, <em>E. coli</em> concentration, or odor. Additionally, due to flooding and/or maintenance needs, only four systems remained operational throughout the 28-week study. Our work highlights the difficulties in conducting programs and research in protracted humanitarian contexts, and the need to focus on improved design, construction, and operation of sanitation infrastructure and services in protracted humanitarian settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114639"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144694519","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 : 2025-07-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114624
Die Li , Tiezheng Li , Yunyan Wang , Feixia Pan , Jiajia Chen , Jinghua Ruan , Weize Xu
While prenatal PM2.5 exposure constitutes an established risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHDs), the modifying role of greenness exposure in this association remains underexplored. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzed 1,356,420 birth records (11,803 CHD cases) from Zhejiang Province, China (2018–2023). Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and its major constituents was estimated using satellite-derived speciation models, and greenness was assessed via the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Generalized additive models (GAMs) with a quasibinomial logit link and restricted maximum likelihood were used to model non-linear associations and interactions. Mixture effects and joint exposure–response surfaces were estimated using fast Bayesian kernel machine regression (fbKMR). Causal mediation analysis under a counterfactual framework was used to assess indirect effects of PM2.5 in the greenness–CHD relationship. We identified predominantly J-shaped exposure–response relationships between key PM2.5 constituents and CHD risk, with organic matter (OM) and black carbon (BC) exhibiting the steepest risk increases. Mixture modeling via fbKMR revealed a monotonic increase in CHD risk with joint pollutant exposure. NDVI showed a robust U-shaped association with CHDs, with lowest risk at moderate greenness. Seasonal analysis highlighted strong BC and OM effects in autumn and winter, sulfate in spring and winter, and a threshold pattern for ammonium in summer. Spatial heterogeneity was evident, with eastern coastal cities (e.g., Ningbo, Jiaxing) showing pronounced risk increases above 35 μg/m3. Septal-type CHDs exhibited consistent positive associations with PM2.5, while complex subtypes showed weaker patterns. Mediation analysis indicated that PM2.5 accounted for 5.6–15.7 % of the greenness–CHD association, with BC showing the strongest mediation effect. Our findings underscore the cumulative toxicity of PM2.5 mixtures and the protective yet nonlinear role of greenness. Region- and season-specific strategies that integrate pollution control and green infrastructure may help mitigate CHD risk.
{"title":"Greenness exposure mitigate PM2.5-associated congenital heart defects in China: A mediation analysis of chemical composition and seasonal-spatial vulnerability","authors":"Die Li , Tiezheng Li , Yunyan Wang , Feixia Pan , Jiajia Chen , Jinghua Ruan , Weize Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While prenatal PM<sub>2.5</sub> exposure constitutes an established risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHDs), the modifying role of greenness exposure in this association remains underexplored. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzed 1,356,420 birth records (11,803 CHD cases) from Zhejiang Province, China (2018–2023). Prenatal exposure to PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub> and its major constituents was estimated using satellite-derived speciation models, and greenness was assessed via the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Generalized additive models (GAMs) with a quasibinomial logit link and restricted maximum likelihood were used to model non-linear associations and interactions. Mixture effects and joint exposure–response surfaces were estimated using fast Bayesian kernel machine regression (fbKMR). Causal mediation analysis under a counterfactual framework was used to assess indirect effects of PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub> in the greenness–CHD relationship. We identified predominantly J-shaped exposure–response relationships between key PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub> constituents and CHD risk, with organic matter (OM) and black carbon (BC) exhibiting the steepest risk increases. Mixture modeling via fbKMR revealed a monotonic increase in CHD risk with joint pollutant exposure. NDVI showed a robust U-shaped association with CHDs, with lowest risk at moderate greenness. Seasonal analysis highlighted strong BC and OM effects in autumn and winter, sulfate in spring and winter, and a threshold pattern for ammonium in summer. Spatial heterogeneity was evident, with eastern coastal cities (e.g., Ningbo, Jiaxing) showing pronounced risk increases above 35 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. Septal-type CHDs exhibited consistent positive associations with PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub>, while complex subtypes showed weaker patterns. Mediation analysis indicated that PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub> accounted for 5.6–15.7 % of the greenness–CHD association, with BC showing the strongest mediation effect. Our findings underscore the cumulative toxicity of PM<sub>2</sub>.<sub>5</sub> mixtures and the protective yet nonlinear role of greenness. Region- and season-specific strategies that integrate pollution control and green infrastructure may help mitigate CHD risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114624"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144665699","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 : 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114625
Honglu Zhang , Lei Pan , Chengjie Pan , Zhao Ma , Hongyue Sun , Zinuo Wang , Wei Gao , Yiqing Wang , Weiqin Li , Ying Chang , Wen Li , Wei Zhang , Zhiyu Wang , Qiang Zhang , Xueli Yang , Jing Wei , Nai-jun Tang , Junhong Leng
We aim to assess the interactive effect of greenness with particulate matter(PM) on congenital heart disease(CHD), and estimate the mediation of DNA methylation in PM on CHD. A case-control study of 1540 CHD mother-child pairs and one-to-one, age±2 years and gravidity-matched controls was organized in Tianjin, China during 2018–2021. And we further collected placental tissue(30 CHD mother-child pairs and 30 controls). We calculated maternal average PM and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) exposure at 3–8 gestation weeks. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to test associations between PM and NDVI, and CHD. Additive interactions were used to examine interactive effects of PM and NDVI on CHD. Quantile-based g-computation was performed to identify the main contributors. We further estimated the mediation of DNA methylation in PM on CHD. High PM exposure at 3–8 weeks of gestation increased CHD risk, whereas high NDVI decreased CHD risk. Low NDVI greatly enhanced the OR(95 % CI) of PM1≥vs.<25 μg/m3 exposure for CHD from 4.479(2.933,6.841) to 7.335(4.888,11.006). Similar results were found in the additive interaction of NDVI with PM2.5 and PM10. PM2.5 mixture(OR: 2.022, 95 % CI: 1.788,2.289) increased CHD risk and sulfate(SO42−) was the main contributor(weight = 0.533). After further adjusting for methylation level of cg13438944/cg12145624 in addition to PM1/SO42− on CHD, the effects of PM1(OR:1.120, 95 % CI: 0.989, 1.269) and SO42−(OR:1.530, 95 % CI: 0.992, 2.362) on CHD were no longer significant, indicating DNA methylation potentially might mediate the effect of PM on CHD. We recommend strict control of PM, especially SO42−, and increase residential greenness.
{"title":"Additive interaction of maternal early pregnancy exposure to particulate matter and residential greenness on congenital heart disease in the Offspring: Mediation of DNA methylation in placental tissue","authors":"Honglu Zhang , Lei Pan , Chengjie Pan , Zhao Ma , Hongyue Sun , Zinuo Wang , Wei Gao , Yiqing Wang , Weiqin Li , Ying Chang , Wen Li , Wei Zhang , Zhiyu Wang , Qiang Zhang , Xueli Yang , Jing Wei , Nai-jun Tang , Junhong Leng","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We aim to assess the interactive effect of greenness with particulate matter(PM) on congenital heart disease(CHD), and estimate the mediation of DNA methylation in PM on CHD. A case-control study of 1540 CHD mother-child pairs and one-to-one, age±2 years and gravidity-matched controls was organized in Tianjin, China during 2018–2021. And we further collected placental tissue(30 CHD mother-child pairs and 30 controls). We calculated maternal average PM and normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) exposure at 3–8 gestation weeks. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to test associations between PM and NDVI, and CHD. Additive interactions were used to examine interactive effects of PM and NDVI on CHD. Quantile-based g-computation was performed to identify the main contributors. We further estimated the mediation of DNA methylation in PM on CHD. High PM exposure at 3–8 weeks of gestation increased CHD risk, whereas high NDVI decreased CHD risk. Low NDVI greatly enhanced the OR(95 % CI) of PM<sub>1</sub>≥vs.<25 μg/m<sup>3</sup> exposure for CHD from 4.479(2.933,6.841) to 7.335(4.888,11.006). Similar results were found in the additive interaction of NDVI with PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>. PM<sub>2.5</sub> mixture(OR: 2.022, 95 % CI: 1.788,2.289) increased CHD risk and sulfate(SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>) was the main contributor(weight = 0.533). After further adjusting for methylation level of cg13438944/cg12145624 in addition to PM<sub>1</sub>/SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup> on CHD, the effects of PM<sub>1</sub>(OR:1.120, 95 % CI: 0.989, 1.269) and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>(OR:1.530, 95 % CI: 0.992, 2.362) on CHD were no longer significant, indicating DNA methylation potentially might mediate the effect of PM on CHD. We recommend strict control of PM, especially SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>, and increase residential greenness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114625"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662536","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 : 2025-07-17DOI: 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":"2025-07-17","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 : 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114611
Adam Theising, Tina Bardot , Ann Wolverton
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, and substantial race-, ethnicity-, sex-, and income-based differences in cancer incidence and mortality persist despite declining overall trends. Underlying differences in exposure to carcinogenic chemicals are often cited as a contributing factor to persistent differences in the incidence of certain cancer types. In this exploratory analysis, we construct a novel database of actual or potential exposure to ubiquitous carcinogenic chemicals based on nationally-representative biomonitoring and environmental data to produce demographically-differentiated exposure statistics, where possible. Despite major data gaps – one or more measures of direct or indirect exposure were available for only 37% of these 622 carcinogens – our results show evidence of notable differences in exposure for at least 28 carcinogens. We also review readily-available information on associated exposure pathways and cancer types for carcinogens with differences in exposure to identify common pathways through which households may be exposed, and explore correlations between relative exposure levels and cancer incidence rates. We end the paper with a discussion of key data gaps and limitations that future data gathering and research could address.
{"title":"Identifying differences in U.S. exposure to ubiquitous carcinogens","authors":"Adam Theising, Tina Bardot , Ann Wolverton","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, and substantial race-, ethnicity-, sex-, and income-based differences in cancer incidence and mortality persist despite declining overall trends. Underlying differences in exposure to carcinogenic chemicals are often cited as a contributing factor to persistent differences in the incidence of certain cancer types. In this exploratory analysis, we construct a novel database of actual or potential exposure to ubiquitous carcinogenic chemicals based on nationally-representative biomonitoring and environmental data to produce demographically-differentiated exposure statistics, where possible. Despite major data gaps – one or more measures of direct or indirect exposure were available for only 37% of these 622 carcinogens – our results show evidence of notable differences in exposure for at least 28 carcinogens. We also review readily-available information on associated exposure pathways and cancer types for carcinogens with differences in exposure to identify common pathways through which households may be exposed, and explore correlations between relative exposure levels and cancer incidence rates. We end the paper with a discussion of key data gaps and limitations that future data gathering and research could address.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 114611"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662534","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}
This study investigates the abundance of enterophages, a novel faecal indicator, in raw and treated sewage at two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Pomerania, Poland, serving a population of 1.2 million inhabitants. Using the ISO-standardized double agar layer (DAL) method, we compared enterophages with other biological indicators, including coliphages, Escherichia coli, and enterococci. We observed that, although enterophages were present, they formed smaller plaques than coliphages, which complicated detection. Despite this, the study identified a strong presence of E. coli in both raw and treated wastewater, with lower concentrations of enterophages, consistent with other global studies. Enterophages were found to be less abundant than bacterial indicators and coliphages, suggesting a potentially more specific human source. The concentration of enterophages in treated sewage decreased significantly, supporting their potential as indicators of untreated sewage contamination in water bodies. Our results also revealed that enterophages counts in raw sewage were higher than those reported in tropical regions, possibly due to differences in methodology and bacterial strains used. Furthermore, correlation analyses indicated that microbial indicators in raw sewage were linked with chemical parameters such as temperature and orthophosphates, which may influence their presence. The study concludes that while enterophages are viable alternative faecal indicators, their low abundance in treated wastewater highlights the need for further research, including survivability studies and the development of molecular detection methods. This research contributes to the understanding of enterophages in temperate climates and underscores the importance of regional collaboration in optimizing faecal contamination monitoring methodologies.
{"title":"First application of enterophages for monitoring faecal pollution in the temperate Baltic region of Northern Poland","authors":"Agata Jurczak-Kurek , Joanna Całkiewicz , Ewa Kotlarska","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the abundance of enterophages, a novel faecal indicator, in raw and treated sewage at two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Pomerania, Poland, serving a population of 1.2 million inhabitants. Using the ISO-standardized double agar layer (DAL) method, we compared enterophages with other biological indicators, including coliphages, <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and enterococci. We observed that, although enterophages were present, they formed smaller plaques than coliphages, which complicated detection. Despite this, the study identified a strong presence of <em>E. coli</em> in both raw and treated wastewater, with lower concentrations of enterophages, consistent with other global studies. Enterophages were found to be less abundant than bacterial indicators and coliphages, suggesting a potentially more specific human source. The concentration of enterophages in treated sewage decreased significantly, supporting their potential as indicators of untreated sewage contamination in water bodies. Our results also revealed that enterophages counts in raw sewage were higher than those reported in tropical regions, possibly due to differences in methodology and bacterial strains used. Furthermore, correlation analyses indicated that microbial indicators in raw sewage were linked with chemical parameters such as temperature and orthophosphates, which may influence their presence. The study concludes that while enterophages are viable alternative faecal indicators, their low abundance in treated wastewater highlights the need for further research, including survivability studies and the development of molecular detection methods. This research contributes to the understanding of enterophages in temperate climates and underscores the importance of regional collaboration in optimizing faecal contamination monitoring methodologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"268 ","pages":"Article 114622"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144605479","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 : 2025-07-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114619
Christelle Oltramare , David Vernez , Valentin Rousson , Markus Zennegg , Yves Henchoz , Murielle Bochud , Aurélie Berthet
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are ubiquitous in the environment and the main route of exposure for humans is food. A widespread soil contamination was discovered in 2021 in Lausanne city. Previous human exposure assessment study showed that consumption of home-produced eggs and cucurbits were dominant exposure scenarios. In the absence of recent biomonitoring data on PCDD/Fs in the Swiss general population, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 2023 to assess the difference between control (n = 50) and exposed (n = 51) groups, living in the contaminated area and reporting to consume selected home-produced foods (eggs and cucurbits). We compared the two groups using multivariable modelling. The geometric mean serum PCDD/Fs concentration was 6.1 (Interquartile range (IQR): 4.2) and 6.9 (IQR: 5.0) pg TEQ05/g lipid in the control and exposed groups, respectively. In the exposed group, the serum concentrations were 7.7 (IQR: 4.6) and 6.4 (IQR: 3.8) pg TEQ05/g lipid for those who consumed home-produced eggs or cucurbit, respectively. In unadjusted analysis, control and exposed groups did not significantly differ. However, multivariable analyses showed that older age, female sex, higher body fat mass and consumption of home-produced eggs from contaminated areas were independently and significantly associated with higher PCDD/F concentrations. Health risk for humans living on contaminated areas depends on the land use. These results confirm the importance of dietary factors of animal origin as an important route of PCDD/Fs exposure. Unlike cucurbits, home-produced eggs from contaminated areas represent an important source of exposure to PCDD/Fs, which helps guiding public health recommendations.
{"title":"Environmental exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans among population living in a contaminated area in Lausanne, Switzerland","authors":"Christelle Oltramare , David Vernez , Valentin Rousson , Markus Zennegg , Yves Henchoz , Murielle Bochud , Aurélie Berthet","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are ubiquitous in the environment and the main route of exposure for humans is food. A widespread soil contamination was discovered in 2021 in Lausanne city. Previous human exposure assessment study showed that consumption of home-produced eggs and cucurbits were dominant exposure scenarios. In the absence of recent biomonitoring data on PCDD/Fs in the Swiss general population, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 2023 to assess the difference between control (n = 50) and exposed (n = 51) groups, living in the contaminated area and reporting to consume selected home-produced foods (eggs and cucurbits). We compared the two groups using multivariable modelling. The geometric mean serum PCDD/Fs concentration was 6.1 (Interquartile range (IQR): 4.2) and 6.9 (IQR: 5.0) pg TEQ<sub>05</sub>/g lipid in the control and exposed groups, respectively. In the exposed group, the serum concentrations were 7.7 (IQR: 4.6) and 6.4 (IQR: 3.8) pg TEQ<sub>05</sub>/g lipid for those who consumed home-produced eggs or cucurbit, respectively. In unadjusted analysis, control and exposed groups did not significantly differ. However, multivariable analyses showed that older age, female sex, higher body fat mass and consumption of home-produced eggs from contaminated areas were independently and significantly associated with higher PCDD/F concentrations. Health risk for humans living on contaminated areas depends on the land use. These results confirm the importance of dietary factors of animal origin as an important route of PCDD/Fs exposure. Unlike cucurbits, home-produced eggs from contaminated areas represent an important source of exposure to PCDD/Fs, which helps guiding public health recommendations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"268 ","pages":"Article 114619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144557404","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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