{"title":"Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Principles","authors":"E. Velonakis","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH007","url":null,"abstract":"Occupational epidemiology studies the distribution of health events and health related determinants and its relation to the working environment. Environmental epidemiology focuses on the involuntary exposure to physical and chemical factors in the indoor or outdoor environment that may affect health patterns. Occupational and environmental epidemiology use similar methodology although the conditions differ. The environmental epidemiology studies beyond the health effect of exposure to specific environmental factors and must consider the long-term impact of the ecosystems to nearby populations. Molecular technologies allow the detection of effects at the molecular level originated by very low levels of exposure. The concept of an exposome is a kind of database with information concerning environmental exposure measurements in a life time and corresponding biomarkers concentrations in different biospeciments, considering internal individual genetic characteristics.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124575934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fear Response, and Environmental Exposures","authors":"T. Theoharides, Jaanvi Sant, Maria-Eleni Giota","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH002","url":null,"abstract":"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition characterized by impaired social interactions and communication, as well as by stereotypic movements, that affects 1 in 59 children. ASD is expected to reach 1 in about 40 children by 2020, yet it remains without distinct pathogenesis and effective treatment. Children with ASD respond with high anxiety to almost any unknown stimulus and appear to misread danger/threat signals, and may not experience anxiety in situations where normotypic children do. The authors propose that environmental stimuli stimulate the unique immune cells, known as mast cells (MC), which then trigger microglia, leading to dysfunctional neuronal connectivity in the amygdala. This process lowers or disrupts the “fear response” and leads to an exaggerated “fight-or-flight” reaction. corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) could have a synergistic effect with environmental stimuli, especially mycotoxins. Recognizing this association and preventing stimulation of mast cells/microglia could lead to effective treatment of ASD.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134176434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Waste-Energy-Health Nexus","authors":"D. Sarigiannis, A. Gotti, S. Karakitsios","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH014","url":null,"abstract":"The main issues that pertain to the health burden from waste management and energy resource use are laid out highlighting the aspects that determine actual exposure and the socio-economic conditions that underlie them. Case studies covering biomass burning, acute and chronic exposure to urban and industrial waste are described. They refer to different areas in Europe and socio-economic strata focusing on susceptible population groups, which may be affected by enhanced exposure to environmental toxicants stemming from municipal and industrial waste management and domestic heating or cooking using biomass. These features make socio-economic status and the consequent social (in)justice a key determinant of overall exposure early in life. The latter results in a high probability of onset or exacerbation of adverse health outcomes both in the medium term and later in life. Additional factors that affect the health impacts of environmental exposures comprise choice of diet, education level of parents, access to green or blue space and housing condition.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115414854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Review on Chemsensors","authors":"R. Saxena, S. Saxena","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH006","url":null,"abstract":"Chemsensors have been playing a crucial role in various aspects of biomedical science, analytical and environmental chemistry. The toxic metal ions like Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb and Hg have increased gradually but now have reached an alarming situation, crossing the threshold value. Due to high toxicity of these heavy metals there is an obvious need for a sensor system to detect their presence. Chemsensors including surface acoustic wave sensors, enzymes, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, and chromophore-based sensors have attracted increasing attention over the last few years. Chemsensors prove very promising as the system is rapid, selective, sensible, low-cost, easy-to-use, and has the ability to provide real-time signals. However, recently, considerable effort has been devoted to the synthesis of sterically encumbered selenium containing species reported to display strong affinities with Hg2+ or Ag2+. This chapter reviews the basic principles involved in the design of chemsensors, their variety and applications in various established and emerging fields.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126185227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents in the Form of Fragrances and Development of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)","authors":"O. Bagasra, A. Bagasra","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH003","url":null,"abstract":"In this chapter, the authors explore how the human brain develops and what the critical stages are in which a fetal brain may acquire genetic and developmental abnormalities through environmental agents. They summarize the prevailing theories regarding the etiologies of autism and present scientific data supporting the thesis that some of the most commonly used environmental agents that we have so easily accepted into our social fabric of life may be major contributors in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). They provide a large body of scientific data carried out in their laboratory, utilizing developing human neurons exposed to femtomolar concentrations of chemicals found in fragrances. The studies demonstrate that synthetic fragrances can impart profound neuromodifications at the morphologic, immunologic, and molecular levels. It is hypothesized that high exposure to teratogenic neurotoxins in our environment during critical periods of development best explains the rapid rise of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis over the past three decades.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124362330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cotton Textiles and Human Health Challenges","authors":"R. Angelova","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH010","url":null,"abstract":"Cotton is the most used natural fiber in the world for the production of textiles and apparel. Nowadays, there are three different possibilities for cotton growth in the world: production of conventional, organic, or genetically modified cotton. Their influence on human health, due to the application of pesticides, is discussed. The influence of the pesticides on the environment, which, in turns, affects the human health through the water, soil, and food chain, is also discussed. The preferable cotton sector is presented, giving а chance to the customers of cotton textiles and apparel, and to assess the positive influence of the existing initiatives in the cotton field on the human health and the environment.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129488815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arpitha Chikkanna, Luv Mehan, Sarath P. K., Devanita Ghosh
{"title":"Arsenic Exposures, Poisoning, and Threat to Human Health","authors":"Arpitha Chikkanna, Luv Mehan, Sarath P. K., Devanita Ghosh","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH004","url":null,"abstract":"Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring metalloid which induces high toxicity to both human and animal health. Although As has some applications in industrial, medicinal and agricultural fields, the increasing concentrations of As in drinking water sources had made it a potential threat to living organisms. Inorganic As is naturally present in groundwater and is adsorbed by plants and crops through the irrigation system. This leads to its accumulation in crops and translocation to humans and animals through food. Increased levels of As can cause various health disorders through acute and chronic exposures such as gastrointestinal, hepatic, respiratory, cardiovascular, integumentary, renal, neurological, and reproductive disorders including stillbirth and infant mortality. Arsenic is also capable of inducing epigenetic changes, thereby causing gene mutations. This chapter focuses on the possible sources of As, leading to environmental contamination and followed by its hazardous effects which pave the way to various human health manifestations.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115248267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Panel Asymmetric Causality Between Health and Climate Change","authors":"Reyhan Cafrı, Pinar Kaya Samut","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH011","url":null,"abstract":"As climate change threatens human life and health by causing severe storms, floods, temperature fluctuations and droughts, it is predicted that in the coming decades, most of the global population will be impacted and the lives of millions will be at risk. In this context, the article investigates the existence of a symmetric and asymmetric causality between climate change and health between 1990 and 2015 for European countries, including EU, EFTA member and EU candidate states. In the first stage of the analysis, health scores are estimated by cluster and discriminant analyses; in the second stage, the relationships among these scores and climate variables are examined. The country-specific findings are obtained for the health effects of climate change variables according to factors such as geographical structure and seasonal characteristics. According to the results, while the health effects of changes in temperature and greenhouse emissions differ from country to country, the reduction in precipitation for nearly half of the countries is found to have a negative effect on health.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132841777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Exposome Paradigm in Environmental Health","authors":"D. Sarigiannis","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH001","url":null,"abstract":"Connectivity introduces a new exposome based paradigm in environmental health. This denotes an approach that builds on the exploration of the interconnections between the co-existence of multiple exogenous and endogenous stressors and the different scales of biological organization. Coupling the two results in the final adverse health effect. This differs from the conventional paradigm, which seeks to shed light on the identification of singular cause-effect relationships between stressors and health outcomes. It creates a new way of combining health-relevant information coming from different disciplines, treating all factors affecting internal and external exposome are as covariates. Their functional integration into results in understanding the complex interaction between genome and exposome. The applicability of the exposome (and more specifically the connectivity) approach towards a better understanding of the exposure, sociodemographic and biological factors interplay in the association between environment and disease, is demonstrated in two different case studies.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132201147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Glyphosate Toxicology","authors":"S. Krimsky","doi":"10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7635-8.CH015","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter explores the glaring scientific differences in the human health assessment of the popular herbicide glyphosate between European and American institutions. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Both IARC's and the EPA's carcinogenic risk assessment processes are discussed. This work reveals uncertainties in the sciences of toxicology and epidemiology, as well as assumptions made in their applications for evaluating glyphosate. These uncertainties, along with the political context of chemical risk assessment, are at the root of the divergent findings on the carcinogenic risks of glyphosate.","PeriodicalId":402728,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Exposures and Human Health Challenges","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131983856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}