International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

This cross-sectional study examined the one-year prevalence of respiratory symptoms (RS) and the influence of home and out-of-school factors among 1,033 schoolchildren (aged 9-12) in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. PM_2.5 levels were also monitored in schools near major roads and residential areas. Near major roads and in residential areas the prevalence of wheezing was 20.6% and 16.9% and that of rhinitis 55.7% and 61.5%, respectively. Neither differed significantly between areas. PM_2.5 concentrations were monitored hourly using air quality monitors utilizing light-scattering technology. The geometric means of daily mean PM_2.5 concentration in schools adjacent to a major road and schools within the residential area were 61.2 μg/m³ and 31.0 μg/m³, respectively (p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding, positive associations (aOR [95% CI]) of wheezing and rhinitis, respectively, were seen with exposure to secondhand smoke (1.70 [1.21-2.39] and 1.67 [1.27-2.19]), frequent truck traffic (1.97 [1.22-3.17] and 1.61 [1.13-2.28]), daily traffic congestion (1.57 [1.10-2.22] and 1.33 [1.03-1.73]) and participation in extra classes (1.71 [1.24-2.35] and 1.37 [1.07-1.76]). Wheezing alone was associated with nightly air conditioning use (2.27 [1.47-3.49]) and residential proximity to factories (1.72 [1.10-2.71]). Targeted interventions are needed to improve air quality in both school and home environments in HCMC.

This study assessed the risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in breastfed babies in Hamadan (Iran). The breast milk of 100 mothers was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy. According to the results, Pb intake had the lowest HQ among the harmful heavy metals. There was concern about the non-carcinogenic risk of As in more than 5% of the babies. Evaluation of THQ showed that all the babies were at risk of non-carcinogenic disorders developed by PTEs, and a higher concern for babies between 0 and 2 months was observed compared to the other groups. The elevated intake of Fe at early ages was likely due to Fe supplementation by mothers to compensate for the iron loss after delivery. Interestingly, HQ of Fe dropped dramatically in babies between 4 and 6 months. The highest concern about carcinogenicity was related to Cd intake, so only 5% of 2-4-month-old babies were at moderate risk of Cd carcinogenicity. Other heavy metals, including Ni, Cr, and As, showed a similar scenario.

Multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections have led to an increasing need for an effective disease outbreak response system, such as the One Health platform. While interactions among humans, animals, and ecosystems are crucial and inevitable for survival, the intercommunity transfer of drug resistance genes and the resulting diseases are matters of concern. The concept of bacterial predation and its application in different fields have attracted interest as a natural alternative to traditional antibiotics. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, an obligate bacterial predator, preys on a wide range of other bacteria, regardless of their antibiotic resistance status. The present study reviews the potential ability of one of the best studied bacteria among the Bdellovibrio and Like Organisms (BALOs) group B. bacteriovorus, as a One Health solution for pathogen control, delving into its role in interconnected sectors of human, animal, and environmental health, highlighting its prospects as a significant contributor to the One Health approach. Although in vivo animal studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of B. bacteriovorus in reducing bacterial burdens in various infection models, clinical trials have not yet been conducted. Understanding the molecular bases of predatory strategies and clinical studies may help in the development of a revolutionary biocontrol agent, such as One Health Solution, for treating infections.

In Malaysia, 43%-70% of household wastewater is greywater, with characteristics influenced by lifestyle, fixtures, and weather. It is often discharged untreated, posing environmental and health risks. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and key factors influencing greywater management among rural residents in Perak, Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2023, involving 121 participants selected via the Linear Time Function sampling method. Data were analyzed using a structured questionnaire and Chi-square analysis, revealing a significant association between knowledge and attitudes toward greywater management, with higher awareness linked to more positive perceptions and willingness to adopt proper practices (p < 0.001). Additionally, individuals with better knowledge were more likely to engage in systematic greywater disposal methods, such as using septic tanks instead of direct discharge (p = 0.006). The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in designing community-driven greywater management strategies that enhance public awareness, improve infrastructure, and support sustainable water resource management. Further research is recommended to investigate the underlying factors influencing community attitudes and behaviors toward greywater management, particularly the socio-cultural, economic, and perceptual barriers that contribute to the knowledge-to-practice gap in rural areas.

This study investigated the relationship between maternal behaviours, environmental exposures, and the levels of melamine and bisphenols (BPs), including bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol A-F (BPAF), and bisphenol S (BPS), in breast milk. Mothers provided information on cosmetic use, food packaging, and dietary habits, while breast milk samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. BPAF, BPS, and BPF were detected in 32.3%, 33.8%, and 20% of samples, respectively, while melamine was present in all samples (mean: 32.3 ± 16.7 ng/mL). Seven samples (10.8%) contained all three BPs, while 49.2% had none. Higher BPAF and BPF levels were observed in breast milk from mothers aged 30-34. Makeup use was associated with elevated BPAF levels (p = 0.013), while sunscreen use was correlated with increased BPF (p = 0.040) and melamine (p = 0.010) levels. Storing oil in plastic containers was linked to higher BPS levels. These findings suggest that maternal exposure to personal care products and food packaging materials significantly influences BPs and melamine levels in breast milk. The results highlight the importance of considering both behavioural and environmental factors when assessing chemical exposure during breastfeeding. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of these exposures on infant health.

This investigation delineates occupational health concerns related to petroleum products handling at Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL) depots. The cohort included 117 workers from depots in Sihala, Risalpur and Lahore, alongside 69 controls. A strong correlation was found between specific job-related tasks, such as direct fuel handling, equipment maintenance, and tanker offloading, and urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in exposed workers. Labourers and firemen displayed significantly higher (p < 0.01) urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (6.9 ± 1.7 and 5.8 ± 2.2 ng g^-1 creatinine) concentration than watchmen (2.2 ± 1.2 ng g^-1 creatinine) and controls (0.79 ± 0.3 ng g^-1 creatinine). Logistic regression analysis linked exposure to increased likelihood of anxiety (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.85-11.7), post-meal acidity (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.05-4.5), dermal lesions (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8-6.4), and abdominal pain (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.02-3.5). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a collective impact of escalating serum pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and job type on insomnia, thoracic discomfort, fatigue, and headache. Gastrointestinal symptoms correlated strongly with urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene while urinary 2/3-OH-Flu was associated with dermatological and neurasthenic symptoms. Cigarette smoking and a sedentary lifestyle further worsened health outcomes. In conclusion, robust measures are needed to reduce PAH exposure and mitigate its neuro-metabolic and psychological impacts on the health of petrochemical workers.

Phthalates in indoor environments can enter the human body through non-dietary exposure routes. Excessive exposure to phthalates in children may cause health issues. We examined exposure concentrations, oral intake, and risks for primary-school students in their living environments (home, classroom, and outdoor) in Jinan. We collected 138 dust samples and focused on 13 common phthalates. Phthalates were ubiquitous across all environments, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) representing the highest proportions. Concentrations varied by environment: girls' bedrooms > boys' bedrooms, girls' living rooms > boys' living rooms, homes > classrooms > outdoors, and urban outdoors > suburban outdoors. Factors such as PM_2.5 levels, the use of personal care products, item types, and fabric types influenced indoor phthalate concentrations. Oral exposure data showed that the home is the primary exposure environment, accounting for 51%-88%, followed by the classroom and outdoor environments. The carcinogenic risk associated with DEHP exceeded acceptable limits for all children, with four children exhibiting hazard index values greater than 1. We provide significant data on phthalate exposure in primary school children and suggest that exposure reduction strategies should focus on DEHP, DnBP, and DiBP in both homes and classrooms.

Air pollution has reproductive toxicity, while green space could lessen such harmful consequences. However, the current research on the link between air pollution/green space, and endometriosis remains scarce. Therefore, we investigated the separate and interactive relationships between air pollution, green space and endometriosis-related infertility. We collected data on 20,981 women from a large assisted reproductive center in Anhui, China, of whom 1,201 were diagnosed with endometriosis-related infertility. air pollution (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO, and SO₂) and Green space (quantified using the normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]) were evaluated using spatiotemporal models developed from satellite data. We employed multivariable logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Per interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure was associated with elevated odds of endometriosis prevalence for PM_2.5 (aOR = 1.20, 95%CI:1.11-1.30), PM₁₀ (1.17, 1.08-1.27), SO₂ (1.12, 1.02-1.24), NO₂ (1.18, 1.08-1.38), and CO (1.12, 1.05-1.19). Conversely, each IQR increase in NDVI_500 m showed protective effects (0.72, 0.63-0.83). Notably, an additive antagonistic effect was observed between NDVI_500 m and CO. Our findings indicated that air pollution could potentially increase the risk of endometriosis, while green space is its protective factor. Besides, green space might attenuate the negative impact of air pollution on endometriosis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, potentially influenced by environmental factors like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Limited data exist on how PAH exposure affects reproductive health and its association with PCOS. This study investigates the association between urinary PAH metabolites, reproductive hormone levels, and antral follicle count (AFC) in PCOS patients. This case-control study involved 63 PCOS patients and 91 controls. Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and total AFC were significantly elevated in patients with PCOS compared to the control group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated 9-hydroxyfluorene exposure was associated with increased odds of PCOS case status. Poisson regression analysis found significant positive associations between 9-hydroxyphenanthrene and total AFC, as well as 6-hydroxychrysene and total AFC. Linear regression analysis showed positive associations between total hydroxylated PAHs (ΣOHPAHs) and LH levels, as well as between total hydroxylated naphthalene and LH levels. Poisson regression indicated positive associations between AMH, LH and T with total AFC. Mediation analysis indicated LH significantly mediates the relationship between ΣOHPAHs and total AFC. These findings indicate that PAH exposure may harm ovarian reserve and reveal new links between environmental PAHs and PCOS.

Campus green space (CGS) is the primary natural environment that college students are exposed to. The health benefits from CGS exposure have received widespread attention. However, few studies have compared the mental health benefits brought by different measures of CGS exposure, or investigated temporal disparities in these associations. This study assessed CGS exposure (March 2022-April 2023) through behavioral trajectories, activity logs, and questionnaires, using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to quantify mental health. We analyzed 264 pre-pandemic, 119 during-pandemic, and 82 post-pandemic participants from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Our results demonstrated that the indicator of CGS exposure based on activity logs during the pandemic was significantly associated with better mental health (β = -0.300, p = 0.007), with a stronger association than family harmony (β = 0.181) and residential satisfaction(β = -0.177). Indoor plant quantity was also positively correlated with pandemic-era mental health (β = -0.223, p = 0.031). Notably, 17 participants provided longitudinal data across all phases. Based on the results, we have proposed an optimization planning scheme and recommendations for campus greening to improve college students' mental health. This study delivers strategic insights for the health-centric planning and design of campus.