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Jardel HV, Engel LS, Lawrence KG, Stewart PA, Stenzel MR, Curry MD, Kwok RK, Sandler DP. The association between oil spill cleanup-related total hydrocarbon exposure and diabetes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113591. [PMID: 35661735 PMCID: PMC9267393 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although evidence suggests relationships between some crude oil components and glycemic dysregulation, no studies have examined oil spill-related chemical exposures in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) risk. This study examined the relationship between total hydrocarbon (THC) exposure among workers involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill and risk of DM up to 6 years afterward. METHODS Participants comprised 2660 oil-spill cleanup or response workers in the prospective GuLF Study who completed a clinical exam and had no self-reported DM diagnosis prior to the spill. Maximum THC exposure was estimated with a job-exposure matrix based on interview data and personal measurements taken during cleanup operations. We defined incident DM by self-reported physician diagnosis of DM, antidiabetic medication use, or a measured hemoglobin A1c value ≥ 6.5%. We used log binomial regression to estimate risk ratios (RRs) for DM across ordinal categories of THC exposure. The fully adjusted model controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, employment status, and health insurance status. We also stratified on clinical body mass index categories. RESULTS We observed an exposure-response relationship between maximum daily ordinal THC exposure level and incident DM, especially among overweight participants. RRs among overweight participants were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.37, 2.69), 1.46 (95% CI: 0.54, 3.92), and 2.11 (95% CI: 0.78, 5.74) for exposure categories 0.30-0.99 ppm, 1.00-2.99 ppm, and ≥3.00 ppm, respectively (ptrend = 0.03). CONCLUSION We observed suggestively increasing DM risk with increasing THC exposure level among overweight participants, but not among normal weight or obese participants.
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Islam JY, Mohamed A, Umbach DM, London SJ, Henneberger PK, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP, Hoppin JA. Allergic and non-allergic wheeze among farm women in the Agricultural Health Study (2005-2010). Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:oemed-2022-108252. [PMID: 35940867 PMCID: PMC9905343 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Farms represent complex environments for respiratory exposures including hays, grains and pesticides. Little is known about the impact of these exposures on women's respiratory health. We evaluated the association of farm exposures with allergic and non-allergic wheeze among women in the Agricultural Health Study, a study of farmers and their spouses based in Iowa and North Carolina. METHODS We used self-reported data (2005-2010) on current use (≤12 months) of 15 pesticides (selected based on frequency of use) and occupational farm activities from 20 164 women. We defined allergic wheeze as reporting wheeze and doctor-diagnosed hay fever (7%) and non-allergic wheeze as wheeze but not hay fever (8%) in the past 12 months. Using polytomous logistic regression, we evaluated associations of wheeze subtypes with pesticides and other farm exposures (eg, raising farm animals) using no wheeze/hay fever as the referent, adjusting for age, body mass index, state, current asthma, glyphosate use and smoking. RESULTS Current use of any pesticide, reported by 7% of women, was associated with both allergic (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.67) and non-allergic (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.51) wheeze. Four pesticides were associated with at least one wheeze subtype: glyphosate, with both wheeze subtypes; diazinon and fly spray with only allergic wheeze; carbaryl with only non-allergic wheeze. Working weekly with mouldy hay was associated with allergic (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.26 to 2.80) and non-allergic wheeze (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.42). CONCLUSION Use of specific pesticides and certain farm activities may contribute to wheeze among farm women.
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Vogtmann E, Hua X, Yu G, Purandare V, Hullings AG, Shao D, Wan Y, Li S, Dagnall CL, Jones K, Hicks BD, Hutchinson A, Caporaso JG, Wheeler W, Sandler DP, Beane Freeman LE, Liao LM, Huang WY, Freedman ND, Caporaso NE, Sinha R, Gail MH, Shi J, Abnet CC. The Oral Microbiome and Lung Cancer Risk: An Analysis of 3 Prospective Cohort Studies. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:1501-1510. [PMID: 35929779 PMCID: PMC9664178 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies suggested associations between the oral microbiome and lung cancer, but studies were predominantly cross-sectional and underpowered. METHODS Using a case-cohort design, 1306 incident lung cancer cases were identified in the Agricultural Health Study; National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study; and Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Referent subcohorts were randomly selected by strata of age, sex, and smoking history. DNA was extracted from oral wash specimens using the DSP DNA Virus Pathogen kit, the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was amplified and sequenced, and bioinformatics were conducted using QIIME 2. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using weighted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Higher alpha diversity was associated with lower lung cancer risk (Shannon index hazard ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.84 to 0.96). Specific principal component vectors of the microbial communities were also statistically significantly associated with lung cancer risk. After multiple testing adjustment, greater relative abundance of 3 genera and presence of 1 genus were associated with greater lung cancer risk, whereas presence of 3 genera were associated with lower risk. For example, every SD increase in Streptococcus abundance was associated with 1.14 times the risk of lung cancer (95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 1.22). Associations were strongest among squamous cell carcinoma cases and former smokers. CONCLUSIONS Multiple oral microbial measures were prospectively associated with lung cancer risk in 3 US cohort studies, with associations varying by smoking history and histologic subtype. The oral microbiome may offer new opportunities for lung cancer prevention.
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Park YMM, Lilyquist J, van ‘t Erve TJ, O’Brien KM, Nichols HB, Milne GL, Weinberg CR, Sandler DP. Association of dietary and plasma carotenoids with urinary F 2-isoprostanes. Eur J Nutr 2022; 61:2711-2723. [PMID: 35253072 PMCID: PMC9283284 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-02837-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Carotenoids may protect against chronic diseases including cancer and cardiometabolic disease by mitigating oxidative stress and/or inflammation. We cross-sectionally evaluated associations between carotenoids and biomarkers of oxidative stress or inflammation. METHODS From 2003 to 2009, the Sister Study enrolled 50,884 breast cancer-free US women aged 35-74. Post-menopausal participants (n = 512) were randomly sampled to measure carotenoids and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Dietary carotenoid consumption was assessed using a validated 110-item Block 1998 food frequency questionnaire; use of β-carotene-containing supplements was also assessed. Plasma carotenoids were quantified, adjusting for batch. Urinary markers of lipid peroxidation, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and its metabolite (8-iso-PGF2α-M) were also measured. Since the biomarker 8-iso-PGF2α can reflect both oxidative stress and inflammation, we used a modeled 8-iso-PGF2α to prostaglandin F2α ratio approach to distinguish effects reflecting oxidative stress versus inflammation. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the associations of dietary and plasma carotenoids with the estimated biomarker concentrations. RESULTS Total plasma carotenoids were inversely associated with 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations (P for trend across quartiles = 0.009). Inverse trends associations were also seen for α-carotene and β-carotene. In contrast, lutein/zeaxanthin showed associations with both 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations. The inverse association for total carotenoids appeared to be specific for oxidative stress (chemical 8-iso-PGF2α; Phighest vs. lowest quartile = 0.04 and P for trend across quartiles = 0.02). The pattern was similar for α-carotene. However, lutein/zeaxanthin tended to have a stronger association with enzymatic 8-iso-PGF2α, suggesting an additional anti-inflammatory effect. Supplemental β-carotene was inversely associated with both 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations, as well as with both chemical and enzymatic 8-iso-PGF2α. Dietary carotenoids were not associated with either biomarker. CONCLUSION Plasma carotenoids and supplemental β-carotene were associated with lower concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α metabolite. Plasma carotenoids associations may reflect antioxidant effects.
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O’Brien KM, Harmon QE, Jackson CL, Diaz-Santana MV, Taylor JA, Weinberg CR, Sandler DP. Vitamin D concentrations and breast cancer incidence among Black/African American and non-Black Hispanic/Latina women. Cancer 2022; 128:2463-2473. [PMID: 35466399 PMCID: PMC9177687 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D may protect against breast cancer. Although Black/African American women and Hispanic/Latina women have lower circulating vitamin D levels than non-Hispanic White women, few studies have examined the association between vitamin D and breast cancer within these racial/ethnic groups. METHODS The vitamin D-breast cancer association was evaluated using a case-cohort sample of self-identified Black/African American and non-Black Hispanic/Latina women participating in the US-wide Sister Study cohort. Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in blood samples collected at the baseline from 415 women (290 Black/African American women and 125 non-Black Hispanic/Latina women) who developed breast cancer. These were compared to concentrations in 1545 women (1084 Black/African American women and 461 Hispanic/Latina women) randomly selected from the cohort. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Over a mean follow-up of 9.2 years, women with circulating 25(OH)D concentrations above the clinical cut point for deficiency (20.0 ng/mL) had lower breast cancer rates than women with concentrations ≤ 20 ng/mL (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61-1.02). The inverse association was strongest among Hispanic/Latina women (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.93), with a weaker association observed among Black/African American women (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.68-1.18; P for heterogeneity = 0.13). There were no clear differences by menopausal status, follow-up time, estrogen receptor status, or invasiveness. Neither 24,25(OH)2 D nor the 24,25(OH)2 D to 25(OH)D ratio were independently associated with breast cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS This prospective study supports the hypothesis that vitamin D may be protective against breast cancer incidence in women, including non-Black Hispanic/Latina and Black/African American women. LAY SUMMARY Vitamin D may protect against breast cancer. Although women of color have lower average vitamin D levels than non-Hispanic White women, few studies have considered the role of race/ethnicity. In a sample of self-identified Black/African American and Hispanic/Latina women, we observed that vitamin D concentrations measured in blood were inversely associated with breast cancer, particularly among Latinas. These findings indicate that vitamin D may protect women against breast cancer, including those in racial/ethnic groups with low average circulating levels.
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Townsend MK, Trabert B, Fortner RT, Arslan AA, Buring JE, Carter BD, Giles GG, Irvin SR, Jones ME, Kaaks R, Kirsh VA, Knutsen SF, Koh WP, Lacey JV, Langseth H, Larsson SC, Lee IM, Martínez ME, Merritt MA, Milne RL, O’Brien KM, Orlich MJ, Palmer JR, Patel AV, Peters U, Poynter JN, Robien K, Rohan TE, Rosenberg L, Sandin S, Sandler DP, Schouten LJ, Setiawan VW, Swerdlow AJ, Ursin G, van den Brandt PA, Visvanathan K, Weiderpass E, Wolk A, Yuan JM, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Tworoger SS, Wentzensen N. Cohort Profile: The Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium (OC3). Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:e73-e86. [PMID: 34652432 PMCID: PMC9425513 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Shrestha S, Parks CG, Umbach DM, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Blair A, Sandler DP. Use of permethrin and other pyrethroids and mortality in the Agricultural Health Study. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:664-672. [PMID: 35688626 PMCID: PMC10368161 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-108156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pyrethroid insecticides have been linked with multiple health outcomes. One study reported an association with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Given the widespread use of pyrethroids, these findings warrant confirmation. We explored associations of permethrin/pyrethroid use with overall and cause-specific mortality among 50 665 licensed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS At enrolment (1993-1997), participants self-reported information on permethrin/pyrethroid use. Information on causes of death came from linkage with death registries through 2016. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and 95% CIs with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Over an average 21 years of follow-up, 19.6% (9,955) of the cohort died. We found no clear evidence that ever-use of permethrin/pyrethroid was associated with elevated overall mortality or with mortality from most causes examined. There was suggestive evidence, based on a small number of deaths among those exposed, for elevated pyrethroid-associated mortality from some neurological, respiratory and genitourinary diseases in the overall sample and from lung cancer among never-smokers. CONCLUSION Although based on mortality, which is also affected by survival, rather than incidence, these findings are biologically plausible, and future investigations in other populations may be warranted.
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O'Brien KM, Sandler DP. Reply to "Vitamin D and breast cancer: Stop torturing the data!". Cancer 2022; 128:3000-3001. [PMID: 35647759 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Manley CK, Spaur M, Madrigal JM, Fisher JA, Jones RR, Parks CG, Hofmann JN, Sandler DP, Beane Freeman L, Ward MH. Drinking water sources and water quality in a prospective agricultural cohort. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e210. [PMID: 35702502 PMCID: PMC9187174 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe drinking water sources and water quality for a large agricultural cohort. We used questionnaire data from the Agricultural Health Study (N = 89,655), a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa (IA) and North Carolina (NC), to ascertain drinking water source at enrollment (1993-1997). For users of public water supplies (PWS), we linked participants' geocoded addresses to contaminant monitoring data [five haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N)]. We estimated private well nitrate levels using random forest models accounting for well depth, soil characteristics, nitrogen inputs, and other predictors. We assigned drinking water source for 84% (N = 74,919) of participants. Among these, 69% of IA and 75% of NC participants used private wells; 27% in IA and 21% in NC used PWS. Median PWS nitrate concentrations (NO3-N) were higher in IA [0.9 mg/L, interquartile range (IQR): 0.4-3.1 mg/L] than NC (0.1 mg/L, IQR: 0.1-0.2 mg/L), while median HAA5 and TTHM concentrations were higher in NC (HAA5: 11.9 µg/L, IQR: 5.5-33.4 µg/L; TTHM: 37.7 µg/L, IQR: 10.7-54.7 µg/L) than IA (HAA5: 5.0 µg/L, IQR: 3.7-10.7 µg/L; TTHM: 13.0 µg/L, IQR: 4.2-32.4 µg/L). Private well nitrate concentrations in IA (1.5 mg/L, IQR: 0.8-4.9 mg/L) and NC (1.9 mg/L, IQR: 1.4-2.5 mg/L) were higher than PWS. More private wells in IA (12%) exceeded 10 mg/L NO3-N (regulatory limit for PWS) than NC (<1%). Due to the proximity of their drinking water sources to farms, agricultural communities may be exposed to elevated nitrate levels.
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Parks CG, Costenbader KH, Long S, Hofmann JN, Beane FLE, Sandler DP. Pesticide use and risk of systemic autoimmune diseases in the Agricultural Health Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 209:112862. [PMID: 35123967 PMCID: PMC9205340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk has been associated with pesticide use, but evidence on specific pesticides or other agricultural exposures is lacking. We investigated history of pesticide use and risk of SLE and a related disease, Sjögren's syndrome (SS), in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS The study sample (N = 54,419, 52% male, enrolled in 1993-1997) included licensed pesticide applicators from North Carolina and Iowa and spouses who completed any of the follow-up questionnaires (1999-2003, 2005-2010, 2013-2015). Self-reported cases were confirmed by medical records or medication use (total: 107 incident SLE or SS, 79% female). We examined ever use of 31 pesticides and farm tasks and exposures reported at enrollment in association with SLE/SS, using Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), with age as the timescale and adjusting for gender, state, and correlated pesticides. RESULTS In older participants (>62 years), SLE/SS was associated with ever use of the herbicide metribuzin (HR 5.33; 95%CI 2.19, 12.96) and applying pesticides 20+ days per year (2.97; 1.20, 7.33). Inverse associations were seen for petroleum oil/distillates (0.39; 0.18, 0.87) and the insecticide carbaryl (0.56; 0.36, 0.87). SLE/SS was inversely associated with having a childhood farm residence (0.59; 0.39, 0.91), but was not associated with other farm tasks/exposures (except welding, HR 2.65; 95%CI 0.96, 7.35). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that some agricultural pesticides may be associated with higher or lower risk of SLE/SS. However, the overall risk associated with farming appears complex, involving other factors and childhood exposures.
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Meyer A, Santos ASE, Asmus CIRF, Camara VM, Costa AJL, Sandler DP, Parks CG. Acute Kidney Failure among Brazilian Agricultural Workers: A Death-Certificate Case-Control Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:6519. [PMID: 35682102 PMCID: PMC9179952 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that pesticides may play a role in chronic kidney disease. However, little is known about associations with acute kidney failure (AKF). We investigated trends in AKF and pesticide expenditures and associations with agricultural work in two Brazilian regions with intense use of pesticides, in the south and midwest. Using death certificate data, we investigated trends in AKF mortality (1980-2014). We used joinpoint regression to calculate annual percent changes in AKF mortality rates by urban/rural status and, in rural municipalities, by tertiles of per capita pesticide expenditures. We then compared AKF mortality in farmers and population controls from 2006 to 2014 using logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted by age, sex, region, education, and race. AKF mortality increased in both regions regardless of urban/rural status; trends were steeper from the mid-1990s to 2000s, and in rural municipalities, they were higher by tertiles of pesticide expenditures. Agricultural workers were more likely to die from AKF than from other causes, especially at younger ages, among females, and in the southern municipalities. We observed increasing AKF mortality in rural areas with greater pesticide expenditures and an association of AKF mortality with agricultural work, especially among younger workers.
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Verdiesen RMG, van der Schouw YT, van Gils CH, Verschuren WMM, Broekmans FJM, Borges MC, Gonçalves Soares AL, Lawlor DA, Eliassen AH, Kraft P, Sandler DP, Harlow SD, Smith JA, Santoro N, Schoemaker MJ, Swerdlow AJ, Murray A, Ruth KS, Onland-Moret NC. Genome-wide association study meta-analysis identifies three novel loci for circulating anti-Müllerian hormone levels in women. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1069-1082. [PMID: 35274129 PMCID: PMC9071229 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can additional genetic variants for circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels be identified through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis including a large sample of premenopausal women? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified four loci associated with AMH levels at P < 5 × 10-8: the previously reported MCM8 locus and three novel signals in or near AMH, TEX41 and CDCA7. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY AMH is expressed by antral stage ovarian follicles in women, and variation in age-specific circulating AMH levels has been associated with disease outcomes. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying these AMH-disease associations are largely unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We performed a GWAS meta-analysis in which we combined summary statistics of a previous AMH GWAS with GWAS data from 3705 additional women from three different cohorts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In total, we included data from 7049 premenopausal female participants of European ancestry. The median age of study participants ranged from 15.3 to 48 years across cohorts. Circulating AMH levels were measured in either serum or plasma samples using different ELISA assays. Study-specific analyses were adjusted for age at blood collection and population stratification, and summary statistics were meta-analysed using a standard error-weighted approach. Subsequently, we functionally annotated GWAS variants that reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8). We also performed a gene-based GWAS, pathway analysis and linkage disequilibrium score regression and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We identified four loci associated with AMH levels at P < 5 × 10-8: the previously reported MCM8 locus and three novel signals in or near AMH, TEX41 and CDCA7. The strongest signal was a missense variant in the AMH gene (rs10417628). Most prioritized genes at the other three identified loci were involved in cell cycle regulation. Genetic correlation analyses indicated a strong positive correlation among single nucleotide polymorphisms for AMH levels and for age at menopause (rg = 0.82, FDR = 0.003). Exploratory two-sample MR analyses did not support causal effects of AMH on breast cancer or polycystic ovary syndrome risk, but should be interpreted with caution as they may be underpowered and the validity of genetic instruments could not be extensively explored. LARGE SCALE DATA The full AMH GWAS summary statistics will made available after publication through the GWAS catalog (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/gwas/). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Whilst this study doubled the sample size of the most recent GWAS, the statistical power is still relatively low. As a result, we may still lack power to identify more genetic variants for AMH and to determine causal effects of AMH on, for example, breast cancer. Also, follow-up studies are needed to investigate whether the signal for the AMH gene is caused by reduced AMH detection by certain assays instead of actual lower circulating AMH levels. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Genes mapped to the MCM8, TEX41 and CDCA7 loci are involved in the cell cycle and processes such as DNA replication and apoptosis. The mechanism underlying their associations with AMH may affect the size of the ovarian follicle pool. Altogether, our results provide more insight into the biology of AMH and, accordingly, the biological processes involved in ovarian ageing. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II were supported by research grants from the National Institutes of Health (CA172726, CA186107, CA50385, CA87969, CA49449, CA67262, CA178949). The UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome (217065/Z/19/Z) and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC. This publication is the work of the listed authors, who will serve as guarantors for the contents of this article. A comprehensive list of grants funding is available on the ALSPAC website (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/external/documents/grant-acknowledgements.pdf). Funding for the collection of genotype and phenotype data used here was provided by the British Heart Foundation (SP/07/008/24066), Wellcome (WT092830M and WT08806) and UK Medical Research Council (G1001357). M.C.B., A.L.G.S. and D.A.L. work in a unit that is funded by the University of Bristol and UK Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00011/6). M.C.B.'s contribution to this work was funded by a UK Medical Research Council Skills Development Fellowship (MR/P014054/1) and D.A.L. is a National Institute of Health Research Senior Investigator (NF-0616-10102). A.L.G.S. was supported by the study of Dynamic longitudinal exposome trajectories in cardiovascular and metabolic non-communicable diseases (H2020-SC1-2019-Single-Stage-RTD, project ID 874739). The Doetinchem Cohort Study was financially supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Ansh Labs performed the AMH measurements for the Doetinchem Cohort Study free of charge. Ansh Labs was not involved in the data analysis, interpretation or reporting, nor was it financially involved in any aspect of the study. R.M.G.V. was funded by the Honours Track of MSc Epidemiology, University Medical Center Utrecht with a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) (022.005.021). The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) has grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS, through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) (U01NR004061; U01AG012505, U01AG012535, U01AG012531, U01AG012539, U01AG012546, U01AG012553, U01AG012554, U01AG012495). The SWAN Genomic Analyses and SWAN Legacy have grant support from the NIA (U01AG017719). The Generations Study was funded by Breast Cancer Now and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The ICR acknowledges NHS funding to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre. The content of this manuscript is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent official views of the funders. The Sister Study was funded by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01-ES044005 to D.P.S.); the AMH assays were supported by the Avon Foundation (02-2012-065 to H.B. Nichols and D.P.S.). The breast cancer genome-wide association analyses were supported by the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the 'Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation du Québec' through Genome Québec and grant PSR-SIIRI-701, The National Institutes of Health (U19 CA148065, X01HG007492), Cancer Research UK (C1287/A10118, C1287/A16563, C1287/A10710) and The European Union (HEALTH-F2-2009-223175 and H2020 633784 and 634935). All studies and funders are listed in Michailidou et al. (Nature, 2017). F.J.M.B. has received fees and grant support from Merck Serono and Ferring BV. D.A.L. has received financial support from several national and international government and charitable funders as well as from Medtronic Ltd and Roche Diagnostics for research that is unrelated to this study. N.S. is scientific consultant for Ansh Laboratories. The other authors declare no competing interests.
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Dareng EO, Tyrer JP, Barnes DR, Jones MR, Yang X, Aben KKH, Adank MA, Agata S, Andrulis IL, Anton-Culver H, Antonenkova NN, Aravantinos G, Arun BK, Augustinsson A, Balmaña J, Bandera EV, Barkardottir RB, Barrowdale D, Beckmann MW, Beeghly-Fadiel A, Benitez J, Bermisheva M, Bernardini MQ, Bjorge L, Black A, Bogdanova NV, Bonanni B, Borg A, Brenton JD, Budzilowska A, Butzow R, Buys SS, Cai H, Caligo MA, Campbell I, Cannioto R, Cassingham H, Chang-Claude J, Chanock SJ, Chen K, Chiew YE, Chung WK, Claes KBM, Colonna S, Cook LS, Couch FJ, Daly MB, Dao F, Davies E, de la Hoya M, de Putter R, Dennis J, DePersia A, Devilee P, Diez O, Ding YC, Doherty JA, Domchek SM, Dörk T, du Bois A, Dürst M, Eccles DM, Eliassen HA, Engel C, Evans GD, Fasching PA, Flanagan JM, Fortner RT, Machackova E, Friedman E, Ganz PA, Garber J, Gensini F, Giles GG, Glendon G, Godwin AK, Goodman MT, Greene MH, Gronwald J, Hahnen E, Haiman CA, Håkansson N, Hamann U, Hansen TVO, Harris HR, Hartman M, Heitz F, Hildebrandt MAT, Høgdall E, Høgdall CK, Hopper JL, Huang RY, Huff C, Hulick PJ, Huntsman DG, Imyanitov EN, Isaacs C, Jakubowska A, James PA, Janavicius R, Jensen A, Johannsson OT, John EM, Jones ME, Kang D, Karlan BY, Karnezis A, Kelemen LE, Khusnutdinova E, Kiemeney LA, Kim BG, Kjaer SK, Komenaka I, Kupryjanczyk J, Kurian AW, Kwong A, Lambrechts D, Larson MC, Lazaro C, Le ND, Leslie G, Lester J, Lesueur F, Levine DA, Li L, Li J, Loud JT, Lu KH, Lubiński J, Mai PL, Manoukian S, Marks JR, Matsuno RK, Matsuo K, May T, McGuffog L, McLaughlin JR, McNeish IA, Mebirouk N, Menon U, Miller A, Milne RL, Minlikeeva A, Modugno F, Montagna M, Moysich KB, Munro E, Nathanson KL, Neuhausen SL, Nevanlinna H, Yie JNY, Nielsen HR, Nielsen FC, Nikitina-Zake L, Odunsi K, Offit K, Olah E, Olbrecht S, Olopade OI, Olson SH, Olsson H, Osorio A, Papi L, Park SK, Parsons MT, Pathak H, Pedersen IS, Peixoto A, Pejovic T, Perez-Segura P, Permuth JB, Peshkin B, Peterlongo P, Piskorz A, Prokofyeva D, Radice P, Rantala J, Riggan MJ, Risch HA, Rodriguez-Antona C, Ross E, Rossing MA, Runnebaum I, Sandler DP, Santamariña M, Soucy P, Schmutzler RK, Setiawan VW, Shan K, Sieh W, Simard J, Singer CF, Sokolenko AP, Song H, Southey MC, Steed H, Stoppa-Lyonnet D, Sutphen R, Swerdlow AJ, Tan YY, Teixeira MR, Teo SH, Terry KL, Terry MB, Thomassen M, Thompson PJ, Thomsen LCV, Thull DL, Tischkowitz M, Titus L, Toland AE, Torres D, Trabert B, Travis R, Tung N, Tworoger SS, Valen E, van Altena AM, van der Hout AH, Van Nieuwenhuysen E, van Rensburg EJ, Vega A, Edwards DV, Vierkant RA, Wang F, Wappenschmidt B, Webb PM, Weinberg CR, Weitzel JN, Wentzensen N, White E, Whittemore AS, Winham SJ, Wolk A, Woo YL, Wu AH, Yan L, Yannoukakos D, Zavaglia KM, Zheng W, Ziogas A, Zorn KK, Kleibl Z, Easton D, Lawrenson K, DeFazio A, Sellers TA, Ramus SJ, Pearce CL, Monteiro AN, Cunningham J, Goode EL, Schildkraut JM, Berchuck A, Chenevix-Trench G, Gayther SA, Antoniou AC, Pharoah PDP. Correction: Polygenic risk modeling for prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer risk. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:630-631. [PMID: 35314806 PMCID: PMC9090804 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Cao Z, Yang A, D’Aloisio AA, Suarez L, Deming-Halverson S, Li C, Luo Z, Pinto JM, Werder EJ, Sandler DP, Chen H. Assessment of Self-reported Sense of Smell, Objective Testing, and Associated Factors in Middle-aged and Older Women. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 148:408-417. [PMID: 35266981 PMCID: PMC8914911 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Poor olfaction is common in older adults and signifies multiple adverse health outcomes, but it often goes unrecognized. Objective To characterize the self-awareness of poor olfaction in women, including its prevalence, associated factors, reporting reliability, validity against an objective test, and factors associated with validity. Design, Setting, and Participants These cross-sectional survey data and a case-control subsample were taken from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Sister Study. Of 41 118 participants (aged 41-85 years) who reported olfaction in 2014 through 2016, 3406 (aged 50-79 years) reported olfaction again in 2018 through 2019 and completed the 12-item Brief Smell Identification Test, version A, including 2353 women who self-reported poor olfaction in 2014 through 2016 and 1053 women who reported normal olfaction. Data analyses were performed between May 28, 2021, and December 23, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Self-reported (yes/no) and objectively tested poor olfaction defined as a Brief Smell Identification Test score of 9 or lower. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess factors that might be associated with the prevalence and reporting accuracy of self-reported olfaction. In subsample analyses, the sampling strategy was accounted for to extrapolate data to eligible cohort samples. Results Of the 41 118 women (mean [SD] age, 64.3 [8.7] years) included in the analysis, 3322 (8.1%) self-reported poor olfaction. Higher prevalence was associated with older age, not being married, current smoking status, frequent coffee drinking, overweight or obesity, less than optimal health, Parkinson disease, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and seasonal allergy, whereas a lower prevalence was associated with non-Hispanic Black race and physical activity. In the subsample analyses, olfaction status reported 3 years apart showed a modest agreement (κ, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.51-0.61). The prevalence of objectively tested poor olfaction was 13.3% (95% CI, 11.5%-15.0%), and in contrast with self-reports, it was twice as high in non-Hispanic Black women as in non-Hispanic White women (24.5% vs 12.5%). Compared with objective tests, self-reports showed a low sensitivity (22.6%; 95% CI, 19.6%-25.6%), especially in non-Hispanic Black women (12.4%; 95% CI, 7.0%-17.8%). The specificity was uniformly high (>90%). Among participants who reported poor olfaction, higher odds of true vs false positives were associated with age older than 60 years (60-64 years old, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.51-1.87; 65-69 years old, 2.26; 95% CI, 2.03-2.51; 70-74 years old, 3.34; 95% CI, 3.00-3.73; ≥75 years old, 5.17; 95% CI, 4.43-6.03), non-Hispanic Black race (2.00; 95% CI, 1.70-2.36), no college education (1.34; 95% CI, 1.22-1.48), underweight (1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.88), fair or poor health (1.37; 95% CI, 1.22-1.54), and Parkinson disease (7.60; 95% CI, 5.60-10.32). Among those with objectively tested poor olfaction, lower odds of true positives vs false negatives were associated with Black race (0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.86). Conclusions and Relevance In this case-control study, the self-awareness and reporting accuracy of poor olfaction in middle-aged and older women were low, particularly in non-Hispanic Black women. Given its potential health implications, awareness of this common sensory deficit should be raised.
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Ramachandran G, Groth CP, Huynh TB, Banerjee S, Stewart PA, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Sandler DP, Stenzel M. Using Real-Time Area VOC Measurements to Estimate Total Hydrocarbons Exposures to Workers Involved in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i156-i171. [PMID: 34516617 PMCID: PMC8989043 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) had one of the largest exposure monitoring efforts of any oil spill, a number of exposure groups did not have sufficient personal data available or there were gaps in days measured to adequately characterize exposures for the GuLF STUDY, an epidemiologic study investigating the health of the OSRC workers. Area measurements were available from real-time air monitoring instruments and used to supplement the personal exposure measurements. OBJECTIVES The objective was to present a method that used real-time volatile organic compounds (VOCs) area measurements transformed to daily total hydrocarbons (THC) time-weighted averages (TWAs) to supplement THC personal full-shift measurements collected using passive charcoal badges. A second objective was to develop exposure statistics using these data for workers on vessels piloting remotely operated vehicle (ROV) vessels and other marine vessels (MVs) not at the job title level, but at the vessel level. METHODS From hourly vessel averages derived from ~26 million real-time VOC measurements, we estimated full-shift VOC TWAs. Then, we determined the relationship between these TWAs and corresponding full-shift THC personal measurements taken on the same vessel-day. We used this relationship to convert the full-shift VOC measurements to full-shift 'THC' TWA estimates when no personal THC measurements existed on a vessel-day. We then calculated arithmetic means (AMs) and other statistics of THC exposures for each vessel. RESULTS The VOC-derived estimates substantially supplemented the THC personal measurements, with the number of vessel-days for which we have exposure estimates increasing by ~60%. The estimates of the AMs are some of the highest observed in the GuLF STUDY. As expected, the AMs decreased over time, consistent with our findings on other vessels. CONCLUSIONS Despite the inherent limitations of using real-time area measurements, we were able to develop additional daily observations of personal THC exposures for workers on the ROV vessels and other MVs over time. The estimates likely resulted in more representative estimates of the AMs in the GuLF STUDY. The method used here can be applied in other occupational settings and industries for personal exposure estimation where large amounts of area measurements and more limited numbers of personal measurements are available.
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Pratt GC, Stenzel MR, Kwok RK, Groth CP, Banerjee S, Arnold SF, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Modeled Air Pollution from In Situ Burning and Flaring of Oil and Gas Released Following the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i172-i187. [PMID: 32936300 PMCID: PMC8989033 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The GuLF STUDY, initiated by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is investigating the health effects among workers involved in the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) explosion in April 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Clean-up included in situ burning of oil on the water surface and flaring of gas and oil captured near the seabed and brought to the surface. We estimated emissions of PM2.5 and related pollutants resulting from these activities, as well as from engines of vessels working on the OSRC. PM2.5 emissions ranged from 30 to 1.33e6 kg per day and were generally uniform over time for the flares but highly episodic for the in situ burns. Hourly emissions from each source on every burn/flare day were used as inputs to the AERMOD model to develop average and maximum concentrations for 1-, 12-, and 24-h time periods. The highest predicted 24-h average concentrations sometimes exceeded 5000 µg m-3 in the first 500 m downwind of flaring and reached 71 µg m-3 within a kilometer of some in situ burns. Beyond 40 km from the DWH site, plumes appeared to be well mixed, and the predicted 24-h average concentrations from the flares and in situ burns were similar, usually below 10 µg m-3. Structured averaging of model output gave potential PM2.5 exposure estimates for OSRC workers located in various areas across the Gulf. Workers located nearest the wellhead (hot zone/source workers) were estimated to have a potential maximum 12-h exposure of 97 µg m-3 over the 2-month flaring period. The potential maximum 12-h exposure for workers who participated in in situ burns was estimated at 10 µg m-3 over the ~3-month burn period. The results suggest that burning of oil and gas during the DWH clean-up may have resulted in PM2.5 concentrations substantially above the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 (24-h average = 35 µg m-3). These results are being used to investigate possible adverse health effects in the GuLF STUDY epidemiologic analysis of PM2.5 exposures.
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Stewart PA, Gorman Ng M, Cherrie JW, Jones A, Kwok RK, Blair A, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stenzel MR. Estimation of Dermal Exposure to Oil Spill Response and Clean-up Workers after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i234-i246. [PMID: 34642740 PMCID: PMC8989031 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The GuLF STUDY is investigating health outcomes associated with oil spill-related chemical exposures among workers involved in the spill response and clean-up following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Due to the lack of dermal exposure measurements, we estimated dermal exposures using a deterministic model, which we customized from a previously published model. Workers provided information on the frequency of contact with oil, tar, chemical dispersants applied to the oil spill and sea water, as well as the use of protective equipment, by job/activity/task. Professional judgment by industrial hygienists served as a source of information for other model variables. The model estimated dermal exposures to total hydrocarbons (THC), benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, n-hexane (BTEX-H), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dispersants in GuLF DREAM units (GDUs). Arithmetic means (AMs) of THC exposure estimates across study participants ranged from <0.02 to 5.50 GDUs for oil and <0.02 to 142.14 GDUs for tar. Statistical differences in the estimates were observed among the AMs of the estimates for some broad groups of worker activities over time and for some time periods across the broad groups of activities. N-Hexane had ranges similar to THC for oil exposures (e.g. AMs up to 2.22 GDUs) but not for tar (up to 5.56 GDUs). Benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, in contrast, were characterized by higher exposure levels than THC for oil (AMs up to 12.77, 12.17, 17.45, and 36.77 GDUs, respectively) but lower levels than THC to tar (AMs up to 3.69, 11.65, 42.37, and 88.18 GDUs, respectively). For PAHs, the AMs were as high as 219.31 and 587.98 for oil and tar, respectively. Correlations of these seven substances to each other were high (>0.9) for most of the substances in oil but were lower for some of the substances in tar. These data were linked to the study participants to allow investigation of adverse health effects that may be related to dermal exposures.
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Stenzel MR, Groth CP, Huynh TB, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Blair A, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Exposure Group Development in Support of the NIEHS GuLF Study. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i23-i55. [PMID: 35390128 PMCID: PMC8989038 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the GuLF Study, a study investigating possible adverse health effects associated with work on the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC) following the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, we used a job-exposure matrix (JEM) approach to estimate exposures. The JEM linked interview responses of study participants to measurement data through exposure groups (EGs). Here we describe a systematic process used to develop transparent and precise EGs that allowed characterization of exposure levels among the large number of OSRC activities performed across the Gulf of Mexico over time and space. EGs were identified by exposure determinants available to us in our measurement database, from a substantial body of other spill-related information, and from responses provided by study participants in a detailed interview. These determinants included: job/activity/task, vessel and type of vessel, weathering of the released oil, area of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf coast state, and time period. Over 3000 EGs were developed for inhalation exposure and applied to each of 6 JEMs of oil-related substances (total hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, total xylene, and n-hexane). Subsets of those EGs were used for characterization of exposures to dispersants, particulate matter, and oil mist. The EGs allowed assignment to study participants of exposure estimates developed from measurement data or from estimation models through linkage in the JEM for the investigation of exposure-response relationships.
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Groth CP, Banerjee S, Ramachandran G, Stewart PA, Sandler DP, Blair A, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Stenzel MR. Methods for the Analysis of 26 Million VOC Area Measurements during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Clean-up. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i140-i155. [PMID: 34184747 PMCID: PMC8989035 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The NIEHS GuLF STUDY is an epidemiologic study of the health of workers who participated in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and clean-up effort. Even with a large database of approximately 28 000 personal samples that were analyzed for total hydrocarbons (THCs) and other oil-related chemicals, resulting in nearly 160 000 full-shift personal measurements, there were still exposure scenarios where the number of measurements was too limited to rigorously assess exposures. Also available were over 26 million volatile organic compounds (VOCs) area air measurements of approximately 1-min duration, collected from direct-reading instruments on 38 large vessels generally located near the leaking well. This paper presents a strategy for converting the VOC database into hourly average air concentrations by vessel as the first step of a larger process designed to use these data to supplement full-shift THC personal exposure measurements. We applied a Bayesian method to account for measurements with values below the analytic instrument's limit of detection while processing the large database into average instrument-hour concentrations and then hourly concentrations across instruments on each day of measurement on each of the vessels. To illustrate this process, we present results on the drilling rig ship, the Discoverer Enterprise. The methods reduced the 26 million measurements to 21 900 hourly averages, which later contributed to the development of additional full-shift THC observations. The approach used here can be applied by occupational health professionals with large datasets of direct-reading instruments to better understand workplace exposures.
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Arnold S, Stewart PA, Pratt GC, Ramachandran G, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stenzel MR. Estimation of Aerosol Concentrations of Oil Dispersants COREXIT™ EC9527A and EC9500A during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and Clean-up Operations. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i188-i202. [PMID: 35390130 PMCID: PMC8989030 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling unit explosion at the Macondo oil well resulted in the release of approximately 779 million l of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. As part of the response effort to break up oil slicks on the water's surface, 6.81 million l of chemical dispersants COREXIT™ EC9500A and COREXIT™ EC9527A were applied by plane or vessel or injected near the seabed. The GuLF Long-term Follow-up Study is investigating possible adverse health effects of workers involved in the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC). In this paper, we describe potential dispersant-related air concentrations generated from aerial spraying of dispersants to provide insight as to what concentrations OSRC workers may have been exposed under worst-case conditions. Personal exposure measurement data were not collected. Modeling, therefore, was conducted to estimate airborne concentrations of total aerosol to COREXIT™ EC9527A and EC9500A. Using the AgDISP model, we estimated air concentrations to dispersant total aerosols, defined as all components of the dispersant including active ingredients, surfactants, and water, resulting from aerial and vessel applications, as average 1-h and 2-min concentrations. For comparison, 1-h air concentrations associated with aerial spraying were estimated using another model, AERMOD. At 152 m horizontal to the flight path, average 1-h total aerosol concentrations associated with aerial applications were estimated to be as high as 49.3 µg m-3 (9527A) and 45.4 µg m-3 (9500A), and both decreased with increased distance from the flight line. The estimates for spraying 9500A from vessels indicated that total aerosol concentrations were potentially as high as 0.33 µg m-3 at 10 m from the nozzles. These results suggest that personal exposures to dispersant aerosols were negligible.
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Stenzel MR, Arnold SF, Ramachandran G, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Estimation of Airborne Vapor Concentrations of Oil Dispersants COREXIT™ EC9527A and EC9500A, Volatile Components Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and Clean-up Operations. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i202-i217. [PMID: 34409429 PMCID: PMC8989032 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drilling unit explosion above the Macondo oil well on 20 April 2010 caused the release of approximately 4.9 million barrels (779 million L) of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. As part of a larger spill response and clean-up effort, approximately 1.84 million gallons (6.81 million L) of chemical dispersants COREXIT™ EC9500A and COREXIT™ EC9527A were applied to the resultant oil slicks through spraying on the water surface by plane and by vessel and through injection at the release source near the seabed. The GuLF STUDY is investigating the health effects of workers involved in the oil spill response and clean-up after the DWH explosion, and estimates of possible exposure to chemical dispersants were needed. Exposures were estimated to the volatile components of COREXIT™ EC9500A [petroleum distillates, hydrotreated light, and propylene glycol (PG)] and of COREXIT™ EC9527A [2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) and PG] using two of AIHA IHMOD2.0© mathematical modeling tools along with the dispersants' chemical and physical properties. Monte Carlo simulations were used to reflect uncertainty in input parameters with both the two-box, constant emission model and the near and mid field plume model for indoor and outdoor activities, respectively. Possible exposure scenarios considered various evaporation rates, sizes of the dispersant pool, wind speeds, and ventilation rates. For the two-box model, mean near field exposure estimates to 2-BE ranged from 0.9 to 5.7 ppm, while mean far field estimated exposures ranged from 0.3 to 3.5 ppm. Estimates of mean near field plume model exposures ranged from 0.01 to 3.7 ppm at 2.5 ft from the source, and <0.01 to 0.3 ppm at 10 ft from the source. Estimated exposures to PG were approximately 10% of the calculated 2-BE exposures and exposures to petroleum distillates about 40% higher than the 2-BE estimates. Results indicate that compared with current occupational exposure guidelines, overexposure to petroleum distillates and PG probably did not occur in our study, but under some conditions, for short periods, exposure to 2-BE may have exceeded the limits for peak exposures. These estimates were developed for use in job-exposure matrices to estimate exposures of workers having contact with dispersant vapors for the GuLF STUDY.
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Stenzel MR, Groth CP, Banerjee S, Ramachandran G, Kwok RK, Engel LS, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Exposure Assessment Techniques Applied to the Highly Censored Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill Personal Measurements. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i56-i70. [PMID: 34417597 PMCID: PMC8989036 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The GuLF Long-term Follow-up Study (GuLF STUDY) is investigating potential adverse health effects of workers involved in the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill response and cleanup (OSRC). Over 93% of the 160 000 personal air measurements taken on OSRC workers were below the limit of detection (LOD), as reported by the analytic labs. At this high level of censoring, our ability to develop exposure estimates was limited. The primary objective here was to reduce the number of measurements below the labs' reported LODs to reflect the analytic methods' true LODs, thereby facilitating the use of a relatively unbiased and precise Bayesian method to develop exposure estimates for study exposure groups (EGs). The estimates informed a job-exposure matrix to characterize exposure of study participants. A second objective was to develop descriptive statistics for relevant EGs that did not meet the Bayesian criteria of sample size ≥5 and censoring ≤80% to achieve the aforementioned level of bias and precision. One of the analytic labs recalculated the measurements using the analytic method's LOD; the second lab provided raw analytical data, allowing us to recalculate the data values that fell between the originally reported LOD and the analytical method's LOD. We developed rules for developing Bayesian estimates for EGs with >80% censoring. The remaining EGs were 100% censored. An order-based statistical method (OBSM) was developed to estimate exposures that considered the number of measurements, geometric standard deviation, and average LOD of the censored samples for N ≥ 20. For N < 20, substitution of ½ of the LOD was assigned. Recalculation of the measurements lowered overall censoring from 93.2 to 60.5% and of the THC measurements, from 83.1 to 11.2%. A total of 71% of the EGs met the ≤15% relative bias and <65% imprecision goal. Another 15% had censoring >80% but enough non-censored measurements to apply Bayesian methods. We used the OBSM for 3% of the estimates and the simple substitution method for 11%. The methods presented here substantially reduced the degree of censoring in the dataset and increased the number of EGs meeting our Bayesian method's desired performance goal. The OBSM allowed for a systematic and consistent approach impacting only the lowest of the exposure estimates. This approach should be considered when dealing with highly censored datasets.
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Huynh TB, Groth CP, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Stenzel M, Quick H, Blair A, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Sandler DP, Stewart PA. Estimates of Occupational Inhalation Exposures to Six Oil-Related Compounds on the Four Rig Vessels Responding to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i89-i110. [PMID: 33009797 PMCID: PMC8989034 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill involved thousands of workers and volunteers to mitigate the oil release and clean-up after the spill. Health concerns for these participants led to the initiation of a prospective epidemiological study (GuLF STUDY) to investigate potential adverse health outcomes associated with the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC). Characterizing the chemical exposures of the OSRC workers was an essential component of the study. Workers on the four oil rig vessels mitigating the spill and located within a 1852 m (1 nautical mile) radius of the damaged wellhead [the Discoverer Enterprise (Enterprise), the Development Driller II (DDII), the Development Driller III (DDIII), and the HelixQ4000] had some of the greatest potential for chemical exposures. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to characterize potential personal chemical exposures via the inhalation route for workers on those four rig vessels. Specifically, we presented our methodology and descriptive statistics of exposure estimates for total hydrocarbons (THCs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and n-hexane (BTEX-H) for various job groups to develop exposure groups for the GuLF STUDY cohort. METHODS Using descriptive information associated with the measurements taken on various jobs on these rig vessels and with job titles from study participant responses to the study questionnaire, job groups [unique job/rig/time period (TP) combinations] were developed to describe groups of workers with the same or closely related job titles. A total of 500 job groups were considered for estimation using the available 8139 personal measurements. We used a univariate Bayesian model to analyze the THC measurements and a bivariate Bayesian regression framework to jointly model the measurements of THC and each of the BTEX-H chemicals separately, both models taking into account the many measurements that were below the analytic limit of detection. RESULTS Highest THC exposures occurred in TP1a and TP1b, which was before the well was mechanically capped. The posterior medians of the arithmetic mean (AM) ranged from 0.11 ppm ('Inside/Other', TP1b, DDII; and 'Driller', TP3, DDII) to 14.67 ppm ('Methanol Operations', TP1b, Enterprise). There were statistical differences between the THC AMs by broad job groups, rigs, and time periods. The AMs for BTEX-H were generally about two to three orders of magnitude lower than the THC AMs, with benzene and ethylbenzene measurements being highly censored. CONCLUSIONS Our results add new insights to the limited literature on exposures associated with oil spill responses and support the current epidemiologic investigation of potential adverse health effects of the oil spill.
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Groth CP, Huynh TB, Banerjee S, Ramachandran G, Stewart PA, Quick H, Sandler DP, Blair A, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Stenzel MR. Linear Relationships Between Total Hydrocarbons and Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, and n-Hexane during the Deepwater Horizon Response and Clean-up. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i71-i88. [PMID: 34473212 PMCID: PMC8989044 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objectives were to (i) determine correlations between measurements of THC and of BTEX-H, (ii) apply these linear relationships to predict BTEX-H from measured THC, (iii) use these correlations as informative priors in Bayesian analyses to estimate exposures. METHODS We used a Bayesian left-censored bivariate framework for all 3 objectives. First, we modeled the relationships (i.e. correlations) between THC and each BTEX-H chemical for various overarching groups of measurements using linear regression to determine if correlations derived from linear relationships differed by various exposure determinants. We then used the same linear regression relationships to predict (or impute) BTEX-H measurements from THC when only THC measurements were available. Finally, we used the same linear relationships as priors for the final exposure models that used real and predicted data to develop exposure estimate statistics for each individual exposure group. RESULTS Correlations between measurements of THC and each of the BTEX-H chemicals (n = 120 for each of BTEX, 36 for n-hexane) differed substantially by area of the Gulf of Mexico and by time period that reflected different oil-spill related exposure opportunities. The correlations generally exceeded 0.5. Use of regression relationships to impute missing data resulted in the addition of >23 000 n-hexane and 541 observations for each of BTEX. The relationships were then used as priors for the calculation of exposure statistics while accounting for censored measurement data. CONCLUSIONS Taking advantage of observed relationships between THC and BTEX-H allowed us to develop robust exposure estimates where a large amount of data were missing, strengthening our exposure estimation process for the epidemiologic study.
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Huynh TB, Groth CP, Ramachandran G, Banerjee S, Stenzel M, Blair A, Sandler DP, Engel LS, Kwok RK, Stewart PA. Estimates of Inhalation Exposures among Land Workers during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Clean-up Operations. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:i124-i139. [PMID: 34368831 PMCID: PMC8989042 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, thousands of workers and volunteers cleaned the shoreline across four coastal states of the Gulf of Mexico. For the GuLF STUDY, we developed quantitative estimates of oil-related chemical exposures [total petroleum hydrocarbons (THC), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and n-hexane (BTEX-H)] from personal measurements on workers performing various spill clean-up operations on land. These operations included decontamination of vessels, equipment, booms, and personnel; handling of oily booms; hazardous waste management; beach, marsh, and jetty clean-up; aerial missions; wildlife rescue and rehabilitation; and administrative support activities. Exposure estimates were developed for unique groups of workers by (i) activity, (ii) state, and (iii) time period. Estimates of the arithmetic means (AMs) for THC ranged from 0.04 to 3.67 ppm. BTEX-H estimates were substantially lower than THC (in the parts per billion range). Both THC and BTEX-H estimates were substantially lower than their respective occupational exposure limits. The work group, 'Fueled engines' consistently was one of the higher exposed groups to THC and BTEX-H. Notable differences in the AM exposures were observed by activity, time and, to a lesser degree, by state. These exposure estimates were used to develop job-exposure matrices for the GuLF STUDY.
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