Óscar Navarrete-Aliaga, María Muriach, Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit
{"title":"Toxicological Effects of Air Pollutants on Human Airway Cell Models Using Air-liquid Interface Systems: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Óscar Navarrete-Aliaga, María Muriach, Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00491-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-025-00491-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Global air pollution has increased significantly in recent decades mainly due to anthropogenic emissions. This results in elevated concentrations of some airborne pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM). In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the toxicological effects of air pollution on airway epithelial cells, the first point of contact of the air pollutants with the body, using air-liquid interface (ALI) models.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Research on the health effects of air pollution has advanced through studies that take a multidisciplinary approach integrating toxicology, epidemiology, and molecular and cell biology. Submerged cell cultures have been used in most studies for the assessment of air pollution toxicity in vitro, but these show some important limitations. Thus, human airway cellular models based on ALI systems have emerged as very promising approaches in respiratory toxicology due to their closer resemblance to in vivo conditions. Results from 53 studies indicate that both, acute and prolonged exposures to air pollution induce oxidative, inflammatory, and genotoxic responses in airway epithelial cells. The changes in several biomarkers and genes related to the observed health effects were discussed through key molecular pathways, and particularly those related to the oxidative stress state. Lastly, we identified perspectives for future research in this field, such as the use of more complex test (e.g., photochemical ageing) atmospheres and exposure models that are reliable for long-term and repeated exposures. This review highlights the role of ALI cellular models as essential tools in respiratory toxicology and environmental health research, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms triggered by air pollution exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":9.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144728504","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}
{"title":"Extreme Heat Hits Different Under Climate Change: A Review of Risks and Legal Protections for Agricultural Workers in Canada and the United States.","authors":"Susanna Klassen, Anelyse M Weiler, Bethany Hastie","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00490-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-025-00490-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This paper synthesizes recent research about the impacts of climate change on farmworkers and analyzes notable features of existing laws in Canada and the United States designed to protect farmworkers from extreme heat.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Extreme heat presents a widespread and urgent threat to the wellbeing and productivity of agricultural workers globally, and it amplifies occupational exposures such as pesticides and air pollution. Other extreme weather events such as wildfires and flooding also heighten risks to agricultural workers. In Canada and the United States, laws designed to protect workers from extreme heat are limited to a handful of jurisdictions. Laws that regulate working in extreme heat are one tool to protect farmworkers from climate change. Important features of these laws include trigger temperatures at which extreme heat measures are required and heat-specific measures related to hydration, acclimatization and administrative controls. More research is needed to better understand how effective these laws are at protecting workers on the ground.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144642035","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}
{"title":"How Can Communication about Plant-based Foods Support Sustainable Food System Transformation? Nine Recommendations for Government, Industry and Citizens.","authors":"Tess Davis, Cristina Stewart, Esther K Papies","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00489-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00489-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144511661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison Stewart-Ruano, Raenita Spriggs, Emma L Lawrance, Alessandro Massazza, Alexandra Czerniewska, Alejandro Saez Reale, Joy Shumake-Guillemot, Katherine M Keyes, Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne, Robbie M Parks
{"title":"A Critical Gap in Addressing Mental Health in Heat-Health Action Plans Worldwide.","authors":"Allison Stewart-Ruano, Raenita Spriggs, Emma L Lawrance, Alessandro Massazza, Alexandra Czerniewska, Alejandro Saez Reale, Joy Shumake-Guillemot, Katherine M Keyes, Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne, Robbie M Parks","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00486-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00486-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Extreme heat is associated with mental health conditions such as suicide, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, the integration of mental health in heat-health planning remains limited and no comprehensive assessment of its inclusion exists to date. This review aims to (1) identify and categorize mental health-related content in heat-health action plans globally; and (2) analyze the gaps in included interventions related to extreme heat and mental health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>A review of 83 heat-health action plans from 24 countries revealed that while 75.9% of plans mentioned mental health, only 31.3% acknowledged its specific impacts and 21.7% included targeted interventions. These plans covered approximately 2.2 billion people, representing about 26% of the 2024 global population. Most interventions were directed at the societal level, with limited attention to individual or community-level support. Individuals with mental illness were commonly grouped with other vulnerable populations without tailored support. Low-income countries were not represented, while 44 plans (53.0%) came from high- and upper-middle-income countries. Among lower-middle-income countries, most plans originated from India (35; 89.7%). Despite recognition of the impacts of extreme heat on mental health, heat-health action plans lack comprehensive strategies to address these risks. The findings highlight a broader challenge within climate adaptation policies, where the recognition of mental health risks is often not matched by necessary resources, planning, and interventions. Given the critical gaps in mental health inclusion, greater efforts and resources are needed to integrate targeted mental health strategies into heat-health plans and policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144141707","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}
Jargalsaikhan Galsuren, Davaalkham Dambadarjaa, Robert M Tighe, Gregory C Gray, Junfeng Zhang
{"title":"Particulate Matter Exposure and Viral Infections: Relevance to Highly Polluted Settings such as Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.","authors":"Jargalsaikhan Galsuren, Davaalkham Dambadarjaa, Robert M Tighe, Gregory C Gray, Junfeng Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00484-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00484-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Particulate matter (PM), a ubiquitous significant component of the ambient air pollution mixture, significantly contributes to increased global risk for chronic cardiopulmonary diseases, acute hospitalizations, and deaths. One of the causes of this increased risk is because PM exposure increases the incidence and severity of respiratory infections. The respiratory system is particularly vulnerable to air pollution and its impact on infection as it is a key site for exposure both to inhaled pollutants and infectious microbes or viruses. This review examines the current understanding of how PM affects antiviral host defense responses and possible underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While numerous studies have associated adverse health outcomes with combined or sequential exposure to inhaled pollutants and viruses, defining causal relationships and mechanisms remains limited. Particularly limited, are contemporary data focuses on low- and middle-income countries, including heavily polluted regions such as Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This manuscript focuses on how (1) PM, serving as a carrier for viruses, enhances the transmission of viruses; (2) PM impairs immune defense to viruses; and (3) PM impacts epithelial cell functions to exacerbate viral infections. Given the significant public health hazards on PM, particularly in heavily polluted regions such as Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa, it is critical to define specific mechanisms of PM on respiratory infection and how their impact may differ in these highly polluted regions. Ultimately, this could devise future public health measures and interventions to limit this substantial public health risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12150858/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143970063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Swimming Into View: Zebrafish Uncover Targets, Mechanisms, and Therapies for Cadmium Toxicity.","authors":"Jessica Okutsu, Md Imran Noor, Delia S Shelton","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00471-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00471-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cadmium (Cd) remains a persistent threat to human and environmental health. To better understand causal relationships between genotype and disease phenotypes, a genetically tractable model, zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged. We summarize recent empirical evidence on the targets, mechanisms, and potential therapies for Cd toxicity.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent results show that waterborne Cd exhibits organ specific accumulation including in the eye, brain, heart, and gonads triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and altered methylation patterns that persist across generations. Novel mechanisms of Cd toxicity include the gut-brain axis, ionic antagonism, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and epigenetics, leading to potential therapeutics such as probiotics, selenium, and antioxidants. Based on the reviewed literature, more studies should examine the effects of dietary Cd on zebrafish behavior, brains, and cardiovascular function. Given that humans and wildlife are chronically exposed to Cd, leading to gonadal Cd accumulation, studies should conduct early-life exposures across the zebrafish lifespan and assess endpoints across generations to capture germline and epigenetic effects and mechanisms. The zebrafish's biomedical toolkit, along with high-content screening, should be utilized to develop and refine therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143972586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erin J Campbell, Martha R Koenig, Fintan A Mooney, Cassandra J Clark, David J X González, Nicole C Deziel, Joan A Casey, Jonathan J Buonocore, Mary D Willis
{"title":"A Narrative Review of Spatial-Temporal Data Sources for Estimating Population-Level Exposures to Oil and Gas Development in the United States.","authors":"Erin J Campbell, Martha R Koenig, Fintan A Mooney, Cassandra J Clark, David J X González, Nicole C Deziel, Joan A Casey, Jonathan J Buonocore, Mary D Willis","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00485-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00485-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Oil and gas development is a rapidly expanding industry that may impact population health. However, much of the research to date is conducted state-by-state, partially due to exposure data limitations. New developments related to national-scale oil and gas development data sources offer the opportunity to extend studies beyond single-state analyses. We review the current data options, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and ideal use-cases.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Five data sources suitable for national-scale epidemiologic analyses of oil and gas development were identified. Private sector data offer detailed production information but have limited accessibility. Nongovernmental sources are often specialized, focusing on specific aspects like chemical or methane exposure. Government agency data, while typically less detailed, provide useful linkage tools for cross-industry analysis. This review clarifies the strengths and limitations of these sources, facilitating national-level exposure assessment and broadening the geographic reach of oil and gas development-related epidemiology in the U.S.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989283","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}
Brooke G McKenna, Alexandre A Lussier, Matthew J Suderman, Esther Walton, Andrew J Simpkin, Anke Hüls, Erin C Dunn
{"title":"Strengthening Rigor and Reproducibility in Epigenome-Wide Association Studies of Social Exposures and Brain-Based Health Outcomes.","authors":"Brooke G McKenna, Alexandre A Lussier, Matthew J Suderman, Esther Walton, Andrew J Simpkin, Anke Hüls, Erin C Dunn","doi":"10.1007/s40572-024-00469-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-024-00469-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Studies examining the effects of social factors on the epigenome have proliferated over the last two decades. Social epigenetics research to date has broadly demonstrated that social factors spanning childhood adversity, to neighborhood disadvantage, educational attainment, and economic instability are associated with alterations to DNA methylation that may have a functional impact on health. These relationships are particularly relevant to brain-based health outcomes such as psychiatric disorders, which are strongly influenced by social exposures and are also the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, social epigenetics studies are limited by the many challenges faced by both epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) and the study of social factors.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>In this manuscript, we provide a framework to achieve greater rigor and reproducibility in social epigenetics research. We discuss current limitations of the social epigenetics field, as well as existing and new solutions to improve rigor and reproducibility. Readers will gain a better understanding of the current considerations and processes that could maximize rigor when conducting social epigenetics research, as well as the technologies and approaches that merit attention and investment to propel continued discovery into the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"19"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12009779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143976114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haiyan Lu, Morgan Delnicki, Gabrielle Griffin, Jamie Lynn Wise
{"title":"Current Understanding of Sex Differences in Metal-Induced Diseases.","authors":"Haiyan Lu, Morgan Delnicki, Gabrielle Griffin, Jamie Lynn Wise","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00482-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00482-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The influence of basic biological differences between males and females has been historically overlooked. This is especially true when considering the differences in disease severity and progression brought on by exposure to toxic metals. A current area of interest is understanding how exposure to toxic heavy metals manifests differently in males and females. The present work assesses the potential sex-differences in diseases induced by arsenic, lead, cadmium, and chromium. These specific heavy metals are included in a wealth of literature supporting their induction of diseases that negatively impact health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Arsenic toxicity appears to effect males significantly more than females. This is largely due to males having decreased arsenic methylation ability compared to females. Lead is a potent neurotoxicant that induces developmental and behavioral deficits in young children. While these deficits are seen in both sexes, the specific aspects of behavior and development affected differ between males and females. Research shows females absorb more cadmium from the gastrointestinal tract, correlating with a rich history of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction. Occupational exposure is a significant factor when considering chromium toxicity. Males are much more likely to work in industrial positions where chromium exposure is common, resulting in more males suffering the consequences of chromium exposure than females. Understanding how sex influences the pathogenesis of metal-induced diseases will allow for the elucidation of sex-specific mechanisms, which can be used to create more targeted and effective therapies to treat metal-induced diseases in males and females.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"18"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12168244/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143810066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emilia Oscilowicz, Guadalupe A Solís, Laura Martinez, Jeremy Németh, Gregory L Simon, Carrie Makarewicz, Katherine L Dickinson, Lisa M Mckenzie, Jean Scandlyn, Paulina Erices-Ocampo, Patrick L Kinney, Priyanka DeSouza
{"title":"The Role of Community Science in Addressing Policy Change: A Critical Review of Air Pollution Literature.","authors":"Emilia Oscilowicz, Guadalupe A Solís, Laura Martinez, Jeremy Németh, Gregory L Simon, Carrie Makarewicz, Katherine L Dickinson, Lisa M Mckenzie, Jean Scandlyn, Paulina Erices-Ocampo, Patrick L Kinney, Priyanka DeSouza","doi":"10.1007/s40572-025-00483-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40572-025-00483-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community air pollution science serves as a vital tool in public health and urban planning, enabling communities to advocate for policy changes that improve public health outcomes. Despite its potential, there is a noticeable gap in translating research findings into policy actions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review aims to assess the focus of studies on community air pollution science published between 1990-2023 and identify the extent to which these studies address the research-to-policy gap.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a comprehensive review of 131 studies that utilize low-cost sensors for monitoring air pollution. The review specifically looked for how these studies contribute to bridging the research-to-policy gap.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings indicate a significant emphasis on evaluating the performance of low-cost sensors, with 90% of the studies centered on this aspect. Only 10% of the studies explicitly aimed at addressing the research-to-policy gap. Among these, 10 studies employed distinct theories of change to tackle this issue effectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a critical need for a paradigm shift in community science research to enhance the impact of scientific findings on policy-making. This shift should include strategies such as equitable sensor distribution, a broader focus on regions in the Global South, and proactive engagement with policymakers from the early stages of research.</p><p><strong>Recommendations: </strong>Future research should prioritize closing the research-to-policy gap by incorporating these strategies to ensure that community air pollution science fully realizes its potential in shaping public health policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10775,"journal":{"name":"Current Environmental Health Reports","volume":"12 1","pages":"17"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143750964","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}