Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating the environmental justice dimensions of odor in Denver, Colorado.","authors":"Priyanka N deSouza, Amanda Rees, Emilia Oscilowicz, Brendan Lawlor, William Obermann, Katherine Dickinson, Lisa M McKenzie, Sheryl Magzamen, Shelly Miller, Michelle L Bell","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00760-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00760-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Odors are a documented environmental justice challenge in Denver, Colorado. Complaints are an important modality through which residents express their concerns.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We investigated disparities in environmental justice related-variables, such as home and workplace census block groups (race/ethnicity, education levels, renter-occupied housing, median income and median home values, gentrification) by locations of odor complaints as well as that of potential malodorous facilities. We report key themes identified in complaints.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We obtained odor complaints for 2014-2023 and the locations of facilities required to submit an odor management plan as of 2023 from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. We downloaded residential census block group-level socioeconomic data from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey and workplace-based socioeconomic data from the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics dataset for 2020. We assessed exposure to potential malodorous facilities and complaints within each census block group. We investigated exposure disparities by comparing distributions of environmental justice-related variables based on whether a complaint has been made against a facility, and census block group-level odor intensity categories. We used unsupervised machine learning to identify themes from the odor complaints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Less privileged census block groups were more likely to contain a potential malodorous facility. Importantly, our study also reveals disparities in the location of facilities, not just in traditional residence/-based environmental justice-related variables, but in workplace/-based factors as well. Our work points to the need to broaden our understanding of the structural racism forces that shape disparities from residential-based forces such as segregation to others such as access to transportation that result in workplace disparities. We did not observe similar disparities for odor complaints. Specific facilities were mentioned repeatedly in the complaints received.</p><p><strong>Impact: </strong>Our study adds to the growing literature on disparities observed in exposure to odor using locations of potential malodorous facilities and complaints as a proxy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143472545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating personal care product use by Environmental Working Group hazard scores in relation to consumers' sociodemographic characteristics, purchasing behaviors, and product safety perceptions.","authors":"Emily S Barrett, Karolin Wadie, Kylie Getz, Patricia Greenberg, Taina Moore, Adana A M Llanos","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00751-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00751-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Personal care products (PCPs) are a source of environmental chemical exposures. Little research has examined the specific PCPs people use, the environmental hazards posed by those PCPs, and factors informing PCP selection.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine chemical hazards of the specific products used in relation to sociodemographic factors, purchasing behaviors, and perceptions about PCP safety.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a cross-sectional, university-based sample (NJ, USA, N = 593), participants reported on sociodemographics, PCP purchasing behaviors and perceptions, and PCP use in the last 24-48 h (including brand and product name). Those PCPs were linked to product hazard scores (1=least hazardous, 10=most hazardous) in the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep® database. For each participant, we calculated average hazard scores across all PCPs used and by category (e.g., haircare, skincare) and evaluated use of PCPs with high hazard scores (7-10). We fitted adjusted regression models examining associations of sociodemographic factors and participants' perceptions and purchasing behaviors with product hazard scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 9349 unique PCPs used by participants, 68% matched to Skin Deep®. Average hazard scores varied by participant characteristics (e.g., age) for perfumes/colognes, beauty, and skin care products. The relative risk (RR) of recent use of a hair product with a high hazard score was twice as high in non-Hispanic Black women compared to non-Hispanic White women (RR:1.99; 95%CI:1.37, 2.89). Frequent use of healthy product apps (β = -0.49, 95%CI:-0.77, -0.21), reading product ingredient labels (β = -0.26; 95%CI:-0.82, -0.30), and seeking eco-friendly products (β = -0.17; 95%CI:-0.36, -0.01) were associated with use of skin care products with lower hazard scores. Results for hair and beauty products were similar. Concerns about PCP health impacts and regulation were associated with using products with lower hazard scores.</p><p><strong>Impact statement: </strong>Personal care products (PCPs) can contain numerous endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals. In a U.S. university-based sample, we linked the PCPs used by participants in the last 24-48 h to hazard scores in the Skin Deep® database. Average hazard scores of the PCPs used by participants varied by sociodemographic factors. Participant behaviors (e.g., use of healthy product apps) and perceptions of PCP safety and regulation were associated with the average hazard scores of the PCPs they used. Our findings suggest that education and tools to inform PCP choice may help consumers choose safer products and potentially, reduce chemical exposures.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Racial and ethnic differences in prenatal exposure to environmental phenols and parabens in the ECHO Cohort.","authors":"Michael S Bloom, Sudhi Upadhyaya, Adaeze W Nzegwu, Jordan R Kuiper, Jessie P Buckley, Judy Aschner, Dana Barr, Emily S Barrett, Deborah H Bennett, Dana Dabelea, Anne L Dunlop, Alma Fuller, Margaret Karagas, Donghai Liang, John Meeker, Rachel Miller, Thomas G O'Connor, Megan E Romano, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Anne P Starling, Annemarie Stroustrup, Deborah J Watkins","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00750-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41370-025-00750-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research suggests racial/ethnic disparities in prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting environmental phenols (EPs) in limited populations. However, no studies have investigated racial/ethnic disparities in prenatal EP exposure across the U.S.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To estimate demographic differences in prenatal urinary EPs among participants in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An analysis of 4006 pregnant ECHO participants was performed, with 7854 specimens collected from 1999-2020. Racial/ethnic identity was self-reported. Urinary levels of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), bisphenols A (BPA), F (BPF), and S (BPS), and methyl- (MePb), ethyl- (EtPb), propyl- (PrPb), and butyl- (BuPb) parabens were measured at one or more time points during pregnancy. Effect estimates were adjusted for age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, educational level, gestational age and season at urine collection, and ECHO cohort.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were classified as Hispanic of any race (n = 1658), non-Hispanic White (n = 1478), non-Hispanic Black (n = 490), and non-Hispanic Other (n = 362), which included individuals of multiple races. Urinary 2,4-DCP and 2,5-DCP concentrations were 2- to 4-fold higher among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic Other participants relative to non-Hispanic White participants. MePb was ~2-fold higher among non-Hispanic Black (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-3.1) and non-Hispanic Other (95% CI: 1.5-2.8) participants. PrPb was similarly higher among non-Hispanic Black (95% CI: 1.7-3.7) and non-Hispanic Other (95% CI: 1.3-3.1) participants. EtPb was higher among non-Hispanic Black participants (3.1-fold; 95% CI 1.7-5.8). BP-3 was lower in Hispanic (0.7-fold; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9), non-Hispanic Black (0.4-fold; 95% CI: 0.3-0.5), and non-Hispanic Other (0.5-fold; 95% CI: 0.4-0.7) participants. Urinary BuPb, BPA, BPF, and BPS were similar across groups.</p><p><strong>Impact statement: </strong>This multisite, observational cohort study investigated whether there are racial and ethnic differences in prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting environmental phenols and parabens. Among 4006 participants from multiple U.S. cohorts who provided urine specimens during pregnancy, those who self-reported a racial and ethnic identity other than non-Hispanic White had higher urinary concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, and propyl paraben and lower urinary concentrations of benzophenone-3 than those reporting as non-Hispanic White. These data show differences in prenatal concentrations of endocrine disrupting environmental phenols and parabens by racial and ethnic identity.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143425411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Young infants' exposure to parabens: lotion use as a potential source of exposure.","authors":"Elizabeth Boxer, Yilin Zhong, Jessica Levasseur, Heather M Stapleton, Kate Hoffman","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00756-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00756-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parabens are widely used as antimicrobials in personal care products and pharmaceuticals. While previous studies demonstrate paraben exposure is ubiquitous, data investigating infants' exposure is limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We sought to characterize infants' exposure to parabens and identify factors associated with higher levels of exposure.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Families enrolled in the CHildren's Immune ResPonse Study between 2016-2018. Parents completed questionnaires, providing information on demographics and lifestyle factors. Urine samples were collected when infants were 1 to 3 months old (n = 71) and 12 months old (n = 29), with 18 infants evaluated at both ages. Parabens were measured in urine samples using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and served as an indicator of exposure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), and propylparaben (PP) were detected in >70% of urine samples, and concentrations ranged several orders of magnitude (specific-gravity-corrected medians: MP = 25.4 PP = 3.55; EP = 0.90 ng/mL). Butylparaben was detected less frequently (<50%). Paraben concentrations were lower than those reported for older children and adults; however, we did not find statistically significant differences in paraben concentrations by infant age. Correlations between measurements taken over time were poor, suggesting paraben exposure is variable, and multiple measurements are needed to capture cumulative exposure information. We observed differences in exposure by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status; non-White infants and infants whose parents completed less education had higher paraben exposure. Recent lotion usage strongly predicted paraben exposure in 1-3-month-olds. For example, infants using lotion in the past seven days had urinary MP concentrations 355% higher than infants without lotion usage (e^ß = 4.55, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.68, 12.55, p < 0.001). Together, our results suggest infants are ubiquitously exposed to parabens and personal care product use may be an important source of exposure.</p><p><strong>Impact: </strong>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to report paraben levels and evaluate predictors of exposure in infants. This study supports the hypothesis that universal exposure to parabens extends to infants, as indicated by urinary biomarker concentrations. Of the predictors evaluated, lotion use in the last seven days was the strongest predictor of exposure in 1-3-month-olds. Given infant paraben levels are strongly correlated to lotion use, there may be an opportunity for parents to reduce paraben exposure by limiting its application or consulting ingredient labels to ensure no parabens are present.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143425521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Noise: a public health problem","authors":"Jamie L. Banks,&nbsp;Elaine A. Cohen Hubal","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00748-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41370-025-00748-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":"35 1","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-025-00748-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143399447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mass and particle size distribution of household dust on children's hands.","authors":"Cristina Fayad-Martinez, Maribeth Gidley, Matthew A Roca, Ryuichi Nitta, Ali Pourmand, Arash Sharifi, Foluke Adelabu, Jenna K Honan, Olusola Olabisi Ogunseye, Paloma I Beamer, Helena Solo-Gabriele, Alesia Ferguson","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00749-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41370-025-00749-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Children are vulnerable to household dust exposure; however, to date, a handful of studies simultaneously report both the mass and particle size of household dust found on children's hands after natural indoor play activities.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Evaluate a new approach to measure dust loading and characterize particle size on a child's hands using a Coulter Counter.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The volume of particles rinsed off children's hands was measured through counting and sizing particles (using a Coulter Counter), followed by multiplying the particle volume by the density of dust collected from the home. This mass was then normalized per total hand surface area to obtain dust loading on children's hands. Results were compared by region (North Carolina, Florida, Arizona), age groups (6 months to 6 years), and social demographics (gender, race, ethnicity) for 101 children.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The estimated median density for household dust was 1.54 g/cm³, with an average of 1.58 g/cm³ (SD = 0.43). The overall median dust loading on children's hands was 11.13 μg/cm² (per total hand surface area), with a range of 0.004-167.6 μg/cm². No statistical difference was observed by region, age, nor social demographics (p > 0.05). The majority of particles (90%) from children's hand rinses had a diameter (D_90,v) <35 μm; however, these small particles represent a fraction of the total mass. This new approach succeeded at obtaining dust loadings and particle size simultaneously from the same sample, in contrast to current methods that would have required multiple methods and sample types.</p><p><strong>Impact statement: </strong>Children are vulnerable to household dust due to their play behavior; however, to date, limited measurements are available for the mass and particle size of dust on children's hands after natural indoor play activities. We propose a new approach to facilitate dust loading measurements, while also obtaining the particle size of dust, through the usage of a Coulter Counter. Results showed that 90% of particles were <35 μm, which is four times smaller than the current guidelines threshold (150 μm) for risk assessments that utilize estimates for particles found on hands.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143390988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sub-micrometer scale synchrotron x-ray fluorescence measurements of trace elements in teeth compared with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.","authors":"Aaron J Specht, Xinxin Zhang, Olga A Antipova, Abu Sayed Mohammed Sayam, Vy T Nguyen, Christian G Hoover, Tracy Punshon, Brian P Jackson, Marc G Weisskopf","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00754-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00754-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Elemental analysis of teeth allows for exposure assessment during critical windows of development and is increasingly used to link early life exposures and health. The measurement of inorganic elements in teeth is challenging; laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is the most widely used technique.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Both synchrotron x-ray fluorescence (SXRF) and LA-ICP-MS have the capability to measure elemental distributions in teeth with each having distinct advantages and disadvantages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In our study, we compared these two methods for teeth elemental quantification. SXRF was able to achieve spatial resolutions of 0.3 µm and is non-destructive while giving similar elemental quantification results to LA-ICP-MS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For particular elements, SXRF can offer lower detection limits but depends on the specific beam intensity. The comparison between methods revealed less than 10% disagreement between quantification results from LA-ICP-MS and SXRF.</p><p><strong>Impact: </strong>Synchrotron x-ray fluorescence can be used to effectively quantify elemental distributions in teeth at a nanoscale resolution and is comparable to current laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Both methods offer advantages and disadvantages with LA-ICP-MS offering in-lab analyses, whereas SXRF offers much finer spatial and temporal scales and better detection capabilities. For studies focused on fine scale changes in structure, SXRF is more appropriate than LA-ICP-MS.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143066107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Refined methodologies for probabilistic dietary exposure assessment for food contaminants based on the observed individual means methodology.","authors":"Simone Stefano, Alessia Lanno, Sofia Ghironi, Alice Passoni, Renzo Bagnati, Alessandra Roncaglioni, Enrico Davoli, Elena Fattore","doi":"10.1038/s41370-024-00740-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-024-00740-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Observed Individual Means (OIM) methodology, based on the non-parametric bootstrap, is usually employed to perform basic probabilistic dietary chronic exposure assessment, and assumes independence and identical distribution of occurrence data within food category. However, this assumption may not be valid if several expected distributions of occurrence can be a priori identified within food category. Moreover, OIM assumes each analysed food sample to equally contribute to mean occurrence, as information about relevance of each food item cannot be incorporated into exposure assessment.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this paper we address the above-mentioned violations and develop two statistical methodologies to accommodate for them into OIM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The stratified non-parametric bootstrap and weighted mean occurrence are employed to correct for such violations. As a case study, we compare the methodologies by estimating the exposure of the adult Italian population to the process contaminant 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We propose strategies to interpret their results and show their relevance in conducting exposure assessment.</p><p><strong>Impact statement: </strong>For the first time in the literature, we critically examine a widely used methodology for Probabilistic Dietary Exposure Assessment from a statistical perspective, focusing on the underlying assumptions and their potential violations in real-world scenarios. We then develop techniques to address these violations, providing a more accurate and robust approach to exposure assessment. This work is particularly relevant for risk assessors and managers, since it offers a refined toolset for more precise exposure assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143066106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"marlod: an R package to model environmental exposure and biomonitoring data with repeated measurements and values below the limit of detection.","authors":"I-Chen Chen","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00752-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00752-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal metal(loid) exposure and preterm birth: a systematic review of the epidemiologic evidence.","authors":"Lauren A Eaves, Evans K Lodge, Wendy R Rohin, Kyle R Roell, Tracy A Manuck, Rebecca C Fry","doi":"10.1038/s41370-025-00744-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00744-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preterm birth (PTB) is a common pregnancy complication associated with significant neonatal morbidity. Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals, including toxic and/or essential metal(loid)s, may contribute to PTB risk.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to summarize the epidemiologic evidence of the associations among levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) assessed during the prenatal period and PTB or gestational age at delivery; to assess the quality of the literature and strength of evidence for an effect for each metal; and to provide recommendations for future research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We adapted the Navigation Guide methodology and followed PRISMA guidelines. We searched the MEDLINE/PubMed database for epidemiologic studies from 1995 to 2023. We used a customized risk of bias protocol and evaluated the sufficiency of evidence for an effect of each metal(loid) on PTB risk.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1206 studies were identified and screened. Of these, 139 were assessed for eligibility by reading the full-text, and 92 studies were ultimately included (arsenic: 40, cadmium: 30, chromium: 11, copper: 21, mercury: 27, manganese: 17, lead: 41, zinc: 18, metal(loid) mixtures: 12). We found sufficient evidence that lead increases the risk of PTB and, while the evidence was limited, suggestive evidence that cadmium and chromium increase the risk of PTB. The evidence was deemed inadequate to determine an effect for the other metal(loid)s.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>Future research would benefit from more precise PTB clinical phenotyping, measuring exposure early and longitudinally throughout pregnancy, using an appropriate media for metal(loid)s under study, and evaluating metal mixtures. Given the strength of evidence linking lead exposure and PTB, active and comprehensive prenatal screening for lead exposure among pregnant individuals is warranted.</p><p><strong>Impact: </strong>By summarizing 92 epidemiologic studies that investigated the associations between metal exposure and preterm birth using the rigorous Navigation Guide methodology, our review provides compelling evidence for a strong link between prenatal lead exposure and preterm birth. Additionally, it suggests potential associations between cadmium and chromium exposure and preterm birth. Given the robust nature of this evidence, there is an urgent need for prenatal screening for lead exposure during pregnancy, along with targeted interventions to reduce exposure. These actions are critical for advancing maternal and child health.</p>","PeriodicalId":15684,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143039392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}