International journal of hygiene and environmental health最新文献

{"title":"Association of urinary levels of trace metals with type 2 diabetes and obesity in postmenopausal women in Korea: A community-based cohort study.","authors":"Min Kyong Moon, Gowoon Lee, Sohyeon Choi, Inae Lee, Aram Lee, Min Joo Kim, Suhyun Park, Yoon Hee Cho, Young Joo Park, Sohee Oh, Jeongim Park, Nam H Cho, Kyungho Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Several toxic metals have been associated with metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) in humans. However, knowledge regarding the influence of many trace elements, especially in combination with essential elements is limited. This study aims to address this research gap by investigating the associations of both non-essential and essential inorganic trace elements in urine with DM and obesity, employing a group of postmenopausal women (n = 851) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) cohort. Urine samples were collected during 2017-2018, and were analyzed for 19 trace elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and an automatic mercury analyzer. Outcomes of interest were metabolic diseases (DM and obesity) and DM-related traits (insulin resistance and β-cell function). After adjustment of covariates, such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking status, educational level, and daily energy intake, urinary Zn, Ni, Tl, and U levels were associated with the prevalence of DM and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) for insulin resistance (IR) in the postmenopausal women. In the whole mixture model, however, no significant association was observed for the prevalence of DM. Urinary levels of Zn were negatively associated with HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-β), positively correlated with HbA1c levels, HOMA-IR, and prevalent DM. In addition, urinary Zn, Co, Tl, and Cs were positively associated with obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m²). The present observation shows that several individual elements and their mixtures may be associated with the prevalence of DM, IR, or obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114508"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873702","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":"Physical urban environment and cardiometabolic diseases in the five largest Bulgarian cities.","authors":"Angel M Dzhambov, Donka Dimitrova, Angel Burov, Marco Helbich, Iana Markevych, Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114512","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the associations between residential environmental characteristics and the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases in the five largest Bulgarian cities. Representative cross-sectional survey data (N = 4640 adults) was collected in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and Ruse. Participants self-reported diagnosis or medication intake for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and diabetes mellitus, as well as domestic burning of solid fuel and having a domestic garden. Residential addresses were linked to greenspace (overall vegetation level, tree cover, urban greenspace), bluespace, walkability, air pollution (NO₂), and traffic noise (L_den). In the 300 m buffer, bluespace presence was inversely associated with hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.00), IHD (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.99), and diabetes (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.25, 1.04). Higher walkability and tree cover were inversely associated with hypertension (OR _{per 2 units} = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.96) and diabetes (OR _{per 10%} = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.97), respectively. These associations were stronger in larger buffers. Solid fuel burning was associated with IHD (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.50). There was an indication of a positive association between aircraft L_den and both stroke and IHD. The direction of the associations for domestic gardens, NO₂, road traffic and railway L_den was counterintuitive. We detected some nonlinear associations. In conclusion, people living in urban neighborhoods that were more walkable, closer to bluespace, and greener had lower prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases, while solid fuel burning was associated with higher odds of cardiovascular diseases. Unexpected associations with some exposures may be due to unaccounted for urban fabric characteristics. This study is among the first assessing an understudied region in Southeastern Europe. Its findings have the potential to inform public discourse and provide evidence to support the implementation of urban design conducive to cardiometabolic health.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114512"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142866892","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":"Sensor-measured versus reported latrine use to characterize sanitation intervention uptake in a randomized controlled trial among households in rural Bangladesh.","authors":"Mahfuza Islam, Jesse D Contreras, Leanne Unicomb, Mahbubur Rahman, Benjamin F Arnold, John M Colford, Stephen P Luby, Evan A Thomas, Ayse Ercumen","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sanitation programs typically measure latrine access, which does not equate to use. We aimed to objectively measure latrine use with sensors among households enrolled in the sanitation and control groups of a randomized controlled trial (WASH Benefits) in Bangladesh. The intervention provided upgraded latrines and behavioral promotion. We recorded self-reported latrine use quarterly 1-3.5 years after intervention initiation. We installed motion sensors in household latrines in two annual waves (1.5-2.5 and 2.5-3.5 years after intervention initiation). We used zero-inflated negative binomial regression to compare sensor-measured daily latrine use events/person between (1) sanitation and control groups, and (2) households with different levels of self-reported latrine use. Households receiving the sanitation intervention had more sensor-measured daily latrine use events/person than controls in the first wave of sensor observations (ratio: 1.18, 1.06-1.32) but not in the second wave (ratio: 0.95, 0.86-1.05). In the sanitation group, households reporting exclusive latrine use (individuals >3 years always defecating in latrine) had a similar number of sensor-measured latrine use events as those not reporting exclusive use (ratio: 0.97, 0.86-1.09). In the control group, households reporting exclusive latrine use truly had more sensor-measured latrine use events than households not reporting exclusive use (ratio: 1.19, 1.03-1.37). We objectively demonstrate higher latrine use among sanitation intervention recipients than controls up to 2.5 but not 3.5 years after intervention initiation, indicating reduced uptake over time. Self-reported latrine use appears inflated among intervention recipients but not controls. Our findings underscore the importance of longitudinal follow-up and objective measurements in sanitation program assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114511"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142824929","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":"Prenatal ozone exposure and child lung function: Exploring effect modification by oxidative balance score.","authors":"Logan C Dearborn, Marnie F Hazlehurst, Melissa M Melough, Adam A Szpiro, Allison R Sherris, Margaret A Adgent, Yu Ni, Rosalind J Wright, Neeta Thakur, Nicole R Bush, Paul E Moore, Christine T Loftus, Catherine J Karr, Kecia N Carroll","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prenatal exposures to ozone (O₃) may impact child lung function, including through oxidative stress pathways, contributing to lifelong morbidity. Diet, reflected in oxidative balance scores (OBS), may modify these pathways and is a potential target for interventions to mitigate O₃ effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We examined associations between prenatal exposure to O₃ and child lung function at age 8-9 years via spirometry in the CANDLE cohort within the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium. O₃ was estimated using a point-based spatiotemporal model and averaged over fetal morphological lung development phases: pseudoglandular, canalicular, and saccular. Lung function z-scores were calculated for FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, and FEF_25-75. OBS during pregnancy was derived using maternal diet and lifestyle factors. Linear regression models adjusted for child, maternal, and neighborhood characteristics and exposure in other prenatal windows. Using two and three-way multiplicative interaction terms, we explored effect modification by OBS and maternal race.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women (N = 661) self-identified as Black (61%), White (33%), or another race (6%); 40.7% attended some college/technical school. Mean O₃ concentrations ranged from 26.1 to 29.5 ppb across exposure windows. No associations between prenatal O₃ exposure and lung function were observed in primary models, although there was a suggestive adverse association of 10 ppb higher O₃ in the saccular window (24-35 weeks) with lower z-scores for FEV₁/FVC (-0.23, 95% CI: -0.52, 0.05) and FEF_25-75 (-0.17, 95% CI: -0.43, 0.09). No effect modification by OBS or maternal race was found in two-way models. In three-way interaction models, higher O₃ was associated with lower child FEV₁ among Black women with lower OBS and among White women with higher OBS although data was sparse for those with the highest OBS.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In a large, well-characterized pregnancy cohort, we did not find robust evidence of an effect of prenatal O₃ on lung function. There was suggestion of enhanced vulnerability for some subgroups in exploratory analyses.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114491"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142822987","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":"Biomonitoring of toxic metal exposure in New Jersey adults in 2015-2018.","authors":"Chang Ho Yu, Eric Bind, Andrew Steffens, Douglas Haltmeier, Collin D Riker, Jhindan Mukherjee, Zhihua Tina Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114510","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores the potential of a convenience sample-based probing approach as a cost-effective alternative for state-level biomonitoring surveillance, addressing the logistical and practical challenges when applying comprehensive probability-based population studies at a state-level. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) conducted a large-scale biomonitoring study using 2988 blood samples and 1007 urine samples collected from clinical laboratories and blood banks statewide from 2015 to 2018 to characterize toxic metal exposure patterns and trends. The resulting data were analyzed to identify contributing factors and compared to concurrent U.S. population levels from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study also examined spatial factors such as proximity to environmental sources and residential classification (urban, suburban, and rural) on exposure levels. Results showed that New Jersey adults had higher prevalence levels of mercury in blood (8.1%; ≥5 μg/L) and arsenic in urine (4.1%; ≥100 μg/L) than US adults (5.98% and 2.87%, respectively). Metal levels varied by sex and age, with lower levels observed in younger populations (20-39 years). Proximity to Superfund sites and residential classification were generally not significant factors in explaining measured metal concentrations. This first-of-its-kind study of toxic metal levels in New Jersey adults demonstrates the effectiveness of the convenience sample-based approach in rapidly establishing statewide baseline data. The results highlight the need for ongoing biomonitoring of the New Jersey population and provide valuable baseline information for future research. These findings offer crucial insights for healthcare providers and policymakers in addressing environmental contaminant exposures and developing targeted public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114510"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142822983","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":"Predictors of household drinking water E. coli contamination: Population-based results from rural areas of Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.","authors":"Audrey R Yang, James M Bowling, Camille E Morgan, Jamie Bartram, Georgia L Kayser","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In sub-Saharan Africa, rural areas have lower rates of access to safe drinking water compared to urban areas. We investigated predictors of Escherichia coli contamination in drinking water of rural households in Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used a population-based, cluster randomized sampling design to select rural households in each country. Household interviews on water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) practices and demographic characteristics were conducted and water samples from every fifth household were collected and enumerated for E. coli. Negative binomial regression models with survey sampling weights were run to evaluate predictors of E. coli contamination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 18,747 rural household surveys (2,378-2,804 per country) were conducted and a total of 3,848 water samples (460-660 per country) were collected. Of surveyed rural households, 61-78% of households had high (11-100 E. coli cfu/100 mL) or very high (>100 cfu/100 mL) risk water quality in Ghana, Niger, and Uganda. Statistically significant WaSH predictors associated with lower E. coli incidence rates included using an improved-type primary water source (Mozambique), storing water in a narrow-mouthed container or container with a spigot (Niger), having continuous water supply during the dry season (Ghana), paying for water service (Rwanda), having soap or ash at handwashing points (Mozambique), having an improved-type household sanitation facility (Malawi), and attaining an education level greater than primary school (Niger and Zambia).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the variability in WaSH access between rural areas of the study countries in association with microbial drinking water quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114507"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815343","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":"Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in paired serum and breastmilk samples among pregnant farmworkers in Thailand.","authors":"Stephanie M Eick, Neha Sehgal, Amina Salamova, Nancy Fiedler, Robert B Hood, Volha Yakimavets, Nattawadee Promkam, Tippawan Prapamontol, Panrapee Suttiwan, Supattra Sittiwang, Ampica Mangklabruks, Warangkana Naksen, Parinya Panuwet, Dana Boyd Barr","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114509","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely detected in pregnant persons and can be transferred to the developing fetus in utero. Breastfeeding may represent an important source of PFAS exposure for infants. However, studies quantifying levels of PFAS in breastmilk samples remain scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We examined breastmilk as a postnatal PFAS exposure source among mother-infant pairs in Thailand. Pregnant farmworkers were enrolled in the Study of Asian Women and their Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE), a prospective birth cohort in Northern Thailand, between 2017 and 2019. We quantified levels of eight PFAS in maternal serum samples obtained during the second trimester, as well as in breastmilk samples obtained at 9.5 months and 11.5 months in infancy (N = 46 matched pairs). For each PFAS, we calculated lactational (serum to milk) transfer efficiencies and lactational estimated daily intake. PFOA, PFOS PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA were detected in >90% of serum samples. PFOS was detected in >60% of breastmilk samples obtained at 9.5 and 11.5 months, while PFNA was detected in >50% of 9.5-month breastmilk samples only. All remaining PFAS were detected in <50% of breastmilk samples. The lactational transfer efficiency for PFOS was 7.03% (SD = 5.78) and 5.83% (SD = 5.21) at 9.5 and 11.5 months, respectively. The lactational estimated daily intake for PFOS was 12.1 ng/kg bodyweight/day (SD = 5.49) and 10 ng/kg bodyweight/day (SD = 6.22) at 9.5 and 11.5 months, respectively. For PFNA, the lactational transfer efficiency and estimated daily intake at 9.5 months was 14.7% (SD = 14.3) and 6.14% (SD = 3.40), respectively. Within one of the first PFAS biomonitoring studies conducted in Thailand, we found that legacy PFAS were widely detected in serum, and some compounds were also detected in breastmilk of farmworkers. This study provides new evidence enhancing our understanding of postnatal exposure to PFAS.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114509"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142796542","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 role of greenspace in vitamin D status: cross-sectional, observational evidence from the UK Biobank.","authors":"Chinonso Christian Odebeatu, Darsy Darssan, Joana A Revez, Charlotte Roscoe, Phu Do, Simon Reid, Nicholas J Osborne","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114502","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exposure to greenspace is associated with positive health outcomes. This relationship is poorly understood, with limited knowledge on the mechanisms through which greenspace affects health, including biomarkers of greenspace effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used data from the UK Biobank to examine the cross-sectional association between greenspace exposure and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Greenspace was assessed in a 300- and 1000-m buffer of land cover around each participant's home location, while 25(OH)D was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. We used multinomial regression models accounting for individual and area-level covariates. Additionally, we conducted mediation analysis by physical activity and time spent outdoors and performed various stratifications and sensitivity analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 443 810 participants (mean age: 56.51 [SD: 8.1] years, 53.6% females) were included in the study. Compared to the first quartile (within 1000 m buffer of participants' home locations), we found positive associations between the highest quartile of greenspace and insufficient (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.21) and sufficient 25(OH)D (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.42) categories after adjusting for individual- and areal-level covariates. Other quartiles showed similar but smaller effect estimates. The observed association exhibited similar directionality when a 300 m buffer was used, and was more pronounced among males, and most deprived individuals. Physical activity and time spent outdoors partially explained the relationship between greenspace quartiles and sufficient serum 25(OH)D.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We found positive associations between greenspace quartiles and serum 25(OH)D categories. This has implications for greening policies aimed at reducing vitamin D deficiency through controlled sun exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114502"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142792680","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":"Assessing occupational styrene exposure in the European and US Glass Reinforced Plastics Industry for the period between 1947 and 2020.","authors":"Yvette Christopher-de Vries, Igor Burstyn, Mette Wulf Christensen, Hilde Notø, Kurt Straif, Eero Pukkala, Vivi Schlünssen, Stephen Bertke, Martie van Tongeren, Henrik A Kolstad, Damien McElvenny, Ioannis Basinas","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114494","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114494","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We aimed to develop a method for assessing occupational styrene exposures for application in epidemiological studies on risks of lymphohematopoietic neoplasms and other malignant and non-malignant diseases in the European and the US glass reinforced plastics industries.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We estimated a linear mixed effects model based on individual airborne personal measurements of styrene from the glass reinforced plastics industry in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, UK, and the US. The most suitable model was chosen based on its predictive power as assessed using cross validation with different combinations of predictors; and by comparing their prediction errors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We created a database containing 21,201 personal and area measurements but a subset of 14,440 personal measurements that spanned a period from 1962 to 2018, were used in the analysis. The selected model included fixed effects for year, sampling duration, measurement reason, product, process and random effects for country and worker. There was strong agreement between the model's predictions and actual exposure values indicating a good fit (Lin's CCC: 0.85 95% CI 0.84, 0.85). There were regional differences in exposure levels, with the UK and the US having comparable exposures that were higher than those in the Nordic countries. Higher exposures were consistent with measurements collected for inspection purposes, the lamination process, and specific products. Styrene exposure levels have decreased annually on average by 7%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our exposure model and the resulting exposure predictions will enable estimation of lifetime occupational exposure for individual workers in the European and the US glass reinforced plastics industry and possibly related health risks among employees. The approach facilitates understanding of the uncertainty in our prediction model and can inform analysis of the bias that application of our exposure assessment approach can produce in epidemiologic analyses of exposure-response associations. Addressing systematic sources of bias can increase confidence in the conclusions of the epidemiologic analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114494"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142792679","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 association of prenatal volatile organic compounds exposure and newborn anthropometrics: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Tal Michael, Ido Solt, Sharon Daniel, Amalia Levy, Ori Hochwald, Liron Borenstein-Levin, Ariela Hazan, Matitiahu Berkovitch, Anna Brik, Adi Malkoff Rabin, Moshe Betser, Miki Moskovich, Ayelet Livne, Rimona Keidar, Frieda Schwartsburd, Zeev Weiner, Elkana Kohn","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114493","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Several studies have associated prenatal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with adverse health outcomes among newborns. However, little is known about the associations of VOCs at relatively low concentrations with newborn outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the potential associations between prenatal exposure to VOCs and VOC mixtures with newborn anthropometric measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, 883 mother-term infant pairs who lived in urban areas in Israel and were admitted to the delivery rooms of two major hospitals between 2016 and 2020 were recruited. Associations between VOC metabolites detected in maternal urine samples on the day of delivery with weight, length, and head circumference at birth were estimated using single-exposure linear models and weighted quantile sum (WQS) approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Toluene, ethylbenzene/styrene, and xylene metabolites were detected in most samples at levels comparable to OECD populations. In male newborns, higher levels of phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA), a metabolite of ethylbenzene/styrene, were associated with lower birth weight (β = -0.08, 95% CI: 0.14, -0.01; P = 0.03). WQS models suggested PGA as the most prominent contributor to this association.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that moderate exposure to ethylbenzene/styrene may be associated with reduced birth weight in male newborns. The sex-specific finding requires further research for the potential endocrine-disrupting mechanisms of these compounds. While the effect size was small, these results highlight the need to better understand the associations of frequent VOC exposures in levels similar to those common in OECD countries with fetal and child development.</p>","PeriodicalId":94049,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"264 ","pages":"114493"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142782246","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}