Hygiene and environmental health advances最新文献

There are few studies on the association between polymetallic exposure and obesity in preschool children, and the conclusions are inconsistent. The study aimed to explore the association between urine metals and body mass index (BMI). For 342 preschool children in the industrial park of Shaanxi, China, uniformly trained investigators collected basic information of preschoolers and measured height and weight. Morning urine were collected, and BMI were calculated. We measured concentrations of 22 urine metals by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

The least absolute shrinkage and selective operator (LASSO) regression model was used to screen urine metals larger impact on BMI. In the polymetallic exposure model, generalized linear regression was used to explore the relationship between the selected urine metals and BMI. The overall relationship between urine metals and BMI was analyzed using restricted cubic spline (RCS). The interaction method was used to explore the influence of metal-metal interaction on BMI. After adjustment for covariates, ln-transformed urinary copper (Cu) levels and urinary molybdenum (Mo) levels were negatively associated with BMI, (Cu, β=−1.219, 95% CI: −2.047, −0.391, P<0.05; Mo, β=−0.797, 95% CI: −1.508, −0.087, P<0.05). Polymetallic model showed similar results. Both ln-transformed urinary Cu levels and urinary Mo levels were negatively correlated with BMI (Cu: β=−1.556, 95% CI: −2.488, −0.624, P<0.05; Mo: β=−0.915, 95% CI: −1.817, −0.013, P<0.05). The results of RCS visually demonstrate that Cu and BMI are non-linearly correlated (P _total < 0.001, P _nonliearity = 0.005), Mo and BMI are linearly correlated (P _total < 0.05, P _nonliearity = 0.099) Urinary Cu was negatively correlated with BMI nonlinearly in preschool children, and there was a borderline interaction between urinary Mo and Cu levels.

Further researches are needed to validate these associations and reveal underlying mechanisms

Recent global salmonella outbreak was linked to chocolate products but potential role of cocoa beans has been neglected. Chocolate related salmonella outbreaks have occurred mostly during low cocoa price levels. Food business operators should ensure hygiene at all production stages. These outbreaks highlight corporate social responsibility while demonstrating the need of multi-professional approaches.

It has been reported that PM_2.5 causes endothelial cell injury and promotes atherosclerosis. However, the exact mechanism through which coal-fired PM_2.5 induces endothelial cell injury, and the involvement of the p38 and JNK signaling pathways in this process remain unclear. In this study, EA.hy926 cells were exposed to coal-fired PM_2.5 at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL, and the toxic effects were observed. The phosphorylation of the JNK and p38 signaling pathways was investigated through western blot analysis. Additionally, the expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and E-selectin) was assessed using ELISA and flow cytometry. Changes in cellular toxicity and adhesion molecules were evaluated after pretreatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 (10 μM) and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 (25 μM). We observed that exposure to coal-fired PM_2.5 led to a decrease in cell survival rate and proliferation while promoting apoptosis. Exposure to coal-fired PM_2.5 promoted the expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin, as well as the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in EA.hy926 cells. After using p38 and JNK inhibitors, there was an observed increase in cell survival rate and proliferation, accompanied by a decrease in apoptosis. The levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin showed no significant changes with the addition of p38 and JNK inhibitors. Our results indicated that coal-fired PM_2.5 caused cellular toxicity and increased the levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin. The p38 and JNK signaling pathways might play a role in the reduction of cell viability, while the regulation of ICAM-1 and E-selectin might not be influenced by these pathways.

The widespread use of sex toys has sparked concerns about potential health risks associated with the leaching of micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) and phthalates. In this in silico toxicity analysis, we investigated the immunotoxicity potential of compounds mechanically produced from sex toys. The research focuses on understanding their interactions with critical human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP34A and CYP2D6), which are central to drug metabolism and immune function. Four types of M/NPs (polyethylene terephthalate - PET, polyvinyl chloride - PVC, polydimethylsiloxane - PDMS, polyisoprene) and eight phthalates (Diethyl phthalate - DEP, Bis(4-methyl-2-pentyl) phthalate, Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate, Benzyl butyl phthalate - BBP, Dibutyl Phthalate - DBP, Diethylhexyl phthalate - DEHP, Dinonyl phthalate - DNP, Di-n-octyl phthalate - DnOP) from sex toys were analyzed. Molecular dynamics and docking simulations were conducted to assess the binding affinity of these compounds to the enzymes. PET exhibited the highest toxicity, with a binding affinity of -8.3 kcal/mol and -8.9 kcal/mol for CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, respectively, surpassing control values (-7.8 kcal/mol and -6.3 kcal/mol). BBP showed considerable toxicity, binding strongly to CYP3A4 (-7.8 kcal/mol) and CYP2D6 (-9.1 kcal/mol). PDMS and DEP were the lowest toxic compounds in both groups. Molecular interactions revealed hydrogen bonds, pi interactions, and unfavorable donor-donor effects between compounds and specific amino acid residues within the enzymes. While these in silico findings provide insights, they underscore the need for comprehensive chemical analyses and absorption studies to validate health risks. This research emphasizes the necessity of evaluating the toxicity of M/NPs and phthalates from sex toys, promoting further investigations to protect individuals' health during product use.

Background

Pyrethroids are widely used in agriculture and household pest management as one of the top three insecticides globally, yet the neurobehavioral impacts of human exposure to these chemicals have attracted increasing concern.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between pyrethroid exposure and sleep disorders and whether exercise could attenuate these associations.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to study the association between pyrethroid pesticide exposure and sleep disorders. The exposure level of pyrethroid metabolites in urine samples was measured. Physician diagnosis of sleep disorders was used to determine sleep disorders. Exercise level was judged by self-reported physical activity from the interviews.

Results

Of the 5947 participants, sleep disorders had a weighted prevalence of 9.0 %, representing an approximation of 186,140,757 patients nationwide. We found a sex-specific association between high levels of 3-PBA and elevated risk of sleep disorders diagnosis in men (OR: 1.87; 95 % CI: 1.150–3.042; P = 0.01). In addition, less physical activity was associated with higher rates of sleep disorders as pyrethroid exposure levels increased (OR: 1.98; 95 % CI: 1.152–3.388; P = 0.02).

Conclusion

This study further confirmed that pyrethroid exposure is associated with an elevated risk of sleep disorders in men. More importantly, we reported for the first time that vigorous physical activity attenuates the correlation between pyrethroid exposure and sleep disorders.

Lead is an environmental contaminant that is considered a major public health concern due to its effects on various body systems, such as the neurological, cardiovascular, immune and renal systems. Scientific evidence indicates that health effects occur in people at blood lead levels (BLLs) lower than those previously established as levels of concern; no safe level of lead exposure has been established. Lead has been monitored as part of various national and international biomonitoring programs. The aims of this study were: (1) to examine BLLs in the Canadian general population and vulnerable sub-populations between 2007 and 2013 using data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS); and (2) to assess factors that are associated with elevated BLLs in these populations. BLLs in Canadians were in a decreasing trend over the study period. BLLs in Canadians varied by age and sex. Those aged 60 to 79 years had the highest BLLs, while the 12 to 19 years age group had the lowest BLLs. Males exhibited significantly higher BLLs than females. In young children aged 3 to 5 years, 99.9 % had BLLs below 5 µg/dL (blood lead reference level for children). BLLs in pregnant women were lower than those in non-pregnant women in the same age range. Multivariable regression analysis suggested that factors such as immigration status, household income, educational level, age of dwelling, smoking status, second-hand smoke exposure, alcohol consumption, and fish and shellfish consumption, were significantly associated with BLLs. This study presents the first robust analysis of BLLs in the Canadian vulnerable populations and assessment of factors associated with elevated BLLs. This information may be useful to identify population subgroups who are differentially exposed to lead based on various exposure factors and are at risk for lead exposure in Canada.

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are primarily used to manage cancer and are becoming more prevalent as cancer cases increase globally. A primary route of exposure for workers administering these hazardous drugs is via dermal absorption from contact with contaminated surfaces. To assess the risk in a workplace, wipe sampling is used to inspect and assess suspect workplace surfaces (i.e., as a form of worker exposure and environmental monitoring). Despite widespread use of ADs, there are no standards or proficiency testing programs (at this time) for surface wipe sampling protocols specifically for residues that contain ADs. Current literature provides many different analytical methods developed by research groups for detecting one or more ADs in residue found in the workplace. These studies contain significant variability in the techniques and materials used and, therefore, also vary in their outcomes. This review highlights the variability observed in the results obtained from current methods and points to opportunities that might assist in addressing these inconsistencies towards preparing standard methodologies for wipe sampling of ADs. This review also discusses critical factors to consider when optimizing the steps performed for surface wipe sampling. The inter-dependent steps discussed in this review for surface wipe sampling are: (i) adsorption of analyte onto a wipe; (ii) desorption of the analyte from the wipe; and (iii) detection of the sampled analyte. The first two steps require optimization of both chemical and physical factors to create a successful sampling method. The detection step has largely been optimized due in part to the sensitivity of analytical instrumentation, but there remain opportunities to develop more effective methodologies for timely feedback and an increased sensitivity to platinum-based ADs. This review also provides additional recommendations to improve reporting of results from the wipe sampling of ADs and highlights the need for additional research on the occupational and surface exposure limits for ADs.

Increases in congenital anomalies were reported from Iraq post-2003. We investigated associations of residential proximity to two US military bases – Camp Victory and Base Falcon – and metal levels in hair samples of children with congenital anomalies (22 cases and 9 controls). We developed mixed effects logistic regression models with village as the random effect, congenital anomalies as the outcome and distance to the closest US base and hair metal levels (one at a time) as the exposure, controlling for child's age, sex, and paternal education. We explored the mediation of the association between proximity to the base and congenital anomalies by hair metal levels. Children with higher tungsten (W) in hair had marginally higher odds of congenital anomalies (OR=1.32, 95 %CI = (1.01,2.02), P=.10). One µg/kg increase in W was associated with 41 % higher odds of a congenital abnormality (95 %CI=(1.08,2.33), P=.04). But proximity to military bases didn't have any effect on congenital anomalies. Higher hair chromium (Cr) marginally increased the odds of congenital anomalies (OR=1.02, 95 %CI=(1.00,.05), P=.09). Children with one µg/kg higher concentration of Cr in hair had 3 % higher odds of having congenital anomalies (95 %CI=(1.01,1.07), P=.04). Analyses were conducted by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

Building and furniture materials are significant sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and determine their long-time indoor levels. However, the variations of indoor VOCs and associated health risks of interior finishers during the construction stages are poorly understood. In this study, VOCs in the indoor microenvironments were measured at different interior finishing stages at two renovated residences using thermal desorption and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean concentrations of the Σ15 VOCs were 118.2 μg/m³ in Home A and 232.5 μg/m³ in Home B. The simultaneous outdoor levels were approximately three times lower than indoors. The VOC concentrations were obviously lower than previous measurements in newly renovated residences, reflecting reduced use of these VOCs in interior materials. Temporal variations in the VOC concentrations during the interior finish period were compound- or room-dependent at each residence The remarkable rise in the VOC concentrations was largely affected by furniture installation at both residences. The non-cancer risks of VOC exposure were lower for both interior finishers and occupants. However, the cumulative cancer risks for interior finishers (1.2 × 10⁻⁴) exceed the acceptable threshold limit. The occupational exposure at the wall painting stage was the highest, and formaldehyde is the most significant contributor to both cancer and noncancer risks. This study also highlights the importance of detecting novel VOCs that may be present in interior finish materials as indicated by the TVOC measurements.

Studies have shown that consuming aquatic products is the primary pathway for human uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). This study collected seven types of aquatic products eaten in Guangzhou City. Gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to investigate eight PBDE congeners to analyze their concentration, distribution, and potential risk. The concentration of PBDEs in aquatic products ranged from 1.92 to 91.11 ng/g lw, with BDE–209, BDE–99, and BDE–154 as the predominant PBDE congeners. Moreover, the concentrations and congener profiles of these contaminants vary in aquatic products. The highest accumulation level was found in shrimp and clams, primarily attributed to dietary habits, metabolic capacity, and accumulation of xenobiotics. According to the dietary questionnaire, the total consumption of aquatic animals was 82.64 g/day, with a significant non-carcinogenic risk to consumers in Guangzhou at higher levels of consumption (HI ≥ 1). Therefore, the maximum allowable daily consumption of grass carp, crucian carp, tilapia, Japanese seaperch, shrimp, clam and crab is 33.33, 55.00, 67.50, 44.44, 41.67, and 51.67 g/day, corresponding to daily intake frequencies of 5, 8, 10, 6, 6, 7, and 5 times/month, respectively. Our results could provide reasonable dietary advice for humans.