Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and childhood asthma

Association of environmental pollutants with asthma and allergy, and the mediating role of oxidative stress and immune markers in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Asthma and allergic diseases are among the common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Various environmental pollutants are linked to the development of asthma and allergic diseases. Evidence on the role of oxidative stress and immune markers in the association of environmental pollutants with asthma and allergy is scant. We examined cross-sectional associations between environmental pollutants and asthma and allergy, investigated mixture effects and possible mediation by oxidative stress or immune markers.

METHODS

We used data from the Flemish Environment and Health Study 2016-2020 (FLEHS IV), including 409 adolescents aged 13-16 years. Fifty-four pollutants, including metals, phthalates, Di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), bisphenols, currently used and legacy pesticides, flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed. Outcomes were self-reported asthma, rhinitis, eczema, allergies, respiratory infection, and airway inflammation, measured through fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Single pollutant models using multiple regression analysis and multipollutant models using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were fitted. As sensitivity analysis, Bayesian model averaging (BMA) and elastic net (ENET) models were also performed. For Bayesian models, posterior inclusion probabilities (PIP) were used to identify the most important chemicals. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate the role of oxidative stress, measured by urinary 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and immune markers (eosinophils, basophils, InterLeukin 8, InterLeukin 6, and Interferon-ᵧ in blood).

RESULTS

In single pollutant models, FeNO was significantly higher by 20% (95% CI: 6, 36%) and 13% (95% CI: 2, 25%) per interquartile range (IQR) fold in mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), respectively. In BKMR analysis, the group PIPs indicated phthalates and DINCH as the most important group (group PIP = 0.509), with MnBP being the most important pollutant within that group (conditional PIP = 0.564; %change = 28%; 95%CI: 6, 54%). Similar patterns were observed in all multipollutant models. Eosinophil count mediated 37.8% (p = 0.018) and 27.9% (p = 0.045) of the association between MBzP and FeNO, and the association between MnBP and FeNO, respectively. 8-OHdG plays a significant mediating role in the association of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (55.4%), 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY) (48.1%), and 1-Naphthylamine (1-NAP) (32.7%) with rhinitis, while the total effects of these chemicals on rhinitis were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found associations between phthalates, MnBP and MBzP, and elevated FeNO, which appeared to be mediated by eosinophil count. 8-OHdG plays a significant mediating role in the association between 2,4-D, TCPY, and 1-NAP with rhinitis, while their direct effects remain non-significant. Use of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers can enhance the understanding of inflammatory processes in asthma and allergic diseases due to environmental pollutants.

Dietary exposure to mixtures of chemicals in the first year of life and allergic and respiratory diseases up to 8 years in the French EDEN mother-child cohort

Exposure to environmental chemicals has been associated with higher risk of childhood allergies. This study aimed to examine the association between infant's dietary exposure to mixtures of chemicals and allergic and respiratory multimorbidity in childhood. Dietary exposures were assessed at 8 and 12 months in 724 and 745 children of the EDEN cohort. Allergic and respiratory multimorbidity clusters were identified using latent class analyses. Associations between dietary exposure to mixtures of chemicals and allergic clusters were assessed by adjusted multinomial logistic regressions. At 8 months, higher exposure to a mixture of furans, trace elements, dioxins and PAHs was positively associated with the "asthma only" cluster, while moderate exposure to a mixture of PAHs, pesticides, PCBs and acrylamide was negatively associated with this cluster. A mixture of PCBs and BFRs was positively associated with the "multi-morbidity" cluster. Exposure to a mixture of pesticides and trace elements was positively associated with the "allergy without asthma" cluster. At 12-months, higher exposure to a mixture of trace elements and pesticides was positively associated with "multi-morbidity" cluster. The differences in findings between the two ages suggest the need for further studies to explore this critical window of chemical exposure and its impact on children's health.

Determination of PAH Contamination in Breast Milk Samples from Hungarian Volunteering Mothers, Using HPLC-FLD

(1) The evidence is mounting that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of hazardous organic compounds with established carcinogenic and toxic properties. Humans may be exposed to PAHs through several different routes, including diet, inhalation, and dermal contact. There is also a possibility that they could transfer into breast milk following maternal exposure, which could potentially endanger breastfeeding infants. (2) The objective of this study was to ascertain the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in breast milk samples from 50 Hungarian mothers, employing high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). An Incremental Life Risk Calculation (IRCL) model estimated the carcinogenic risk to infants. (3) Total PAH concentrations ranged from 0 to 78 ng/mL, with fluorene (5.3 ng/mL), phenanthrene (3.2 ng/mL), and pyrene (2.5 ng/mL) being the most abundant. PAHs were detected in 48 of the 50 samples, with phenanthrene present in 92% of samples. Dibenzo (a,h)anthracene was not detected. (4) According to the model measurements, most of the samples were within acceptable risk levels; however, 2 samples out of 50 posed a higher risk. Statistical analysis of questionnaires completed by the mothers indicated that factors such as diet, residence, and education may influence PAH levels in breast milk.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in mothers' milk of kafr el-zayat district, egypt: A case study for the health risk of infants in urban regions

For babies, mother milk is the primary source of nutrition. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are released into the environment by the majority of metropolitan areas. The purpose of this study was to quantify the risks to milk consumers by determining the amounts of 14 PAH congeners in 60 milk samples that were taken from the rural Tanta area and the urban Kafr El-Zayat district of Egypt. Comparing the mean PAH content in Kafr El-Zayat samples to the reference zone's equivalent value (0.685 µg/g fat), it showed 11.87 µg/g fat. There is no probability risk when the hazard quotient (HQ) for babies linked to milk consumption is smaller than unity. Regarding low, medium, and high exposure percentiles, the estimated daily dosage equivalent to benzo[a]pyrene (Bap) revealed the corresponding values for mutagenicity: 9.77E-03, 8.37E-03, and 5.58E-03, and carcinogenicity: 5.13E-03, 4.40E-03, and 2.94E-03. Predicted hazards greater than unity were imposed by such doses. Because this was a first examination for an ancient industrial zone in Egypt, the important information of this work explains the projected non-safety pattern of the breast milk ingested in the Kafr El-Zayat region.

Possible relationship between respiratory diseases and urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites - a pilot study

This study investigates the potential relationship between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), specifically monohydroxylated metabolites (OH-PAHs), in urine, and the prevalence of respiratory diseases in 2-year-old children residing in two locations within the Czech Republic - České Budějovice (control location) and the historically contaminated mining district of Most. Despite current air quality and lifestyle similarities between the two cities, our research aims to uncover potential long-term health effects, building upon previous data indicating distinctive patterns in the Most population. A total of 248 urine samples were analysed for the presence of 11 OH-PAHs. Employing liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and clean-up through dispersive solid-phase extraction, instrumental analysis was conducted using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The incidence of respiratory diseases was assessed through questionnaires administered by paediatricians. The concentrations of OH-PAHs were elevated in urine samples from 2-year-olds in Most compared to those from České Budějovice. The incidence of respiratory diseases showed statistically significant higher levels of OH-PAHs in children from Most, together with a higher incidence of influenza. This association underlines the impact of environmental PAH exposure on children's respiratory health. It suggests that elevated urinary OH-PAH levels indicate an increased risk of developing respiratory diseases in the affected population. Further studies are needed to clarify the possible long-term health effects and to contribute to sound public health strategies.

Pesticides impacts on human health and the environment with their mechanisms of action and possible countermeasures

Pesticides are chemical constituents used to prevent or control pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other unwanted organisms. Despite their advantages in crop production and disease management, the use of pesticides poses significant hazards to the environment and public health. Pesticide elements have now perpetually entered our atmosphere and subsequently contaminated water, food, and soil, leading to health threats ranging from acute to chronic toxicities. Pesticides can cause acute toxicity if a high dose is inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the skin or eyes, while prolonged or recurrent exposure to pesticides leads to chronic toxicity. Pesticides produce different types of toxicity, for instance, neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and endocrine disruption. The toxicity of a pesticide formulation may depend on the specific active ingredient and the presence of synergistic or inert compounds that can enhance or modify its toxicity. Safety concerns are the need of the hour to control contemporary pesticide-induced health hazards. The effectiveness and implementation of the current legislature in providing ample protection for human health and the environment are key concerns. This review explored a comprehensive summary of pesticides regarding their updated impacts on human health and advanced safety concerns with legislation. Implementing regulations, proper training, and education can help mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide use and promote safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and liver function: The mediating roles of inflammation and oxidative stress

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure has been associated with adverse health effects, and accumulating evidence suggests that PAH exposure may impair liver function. However, the underlying mechanisms linking PAH exposure and liver function impairment remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between PAH exposure and liver function biomarkers, and the mediating effects of inflammation and oxidative stress. The cross-sectional study included 155 adults and their urinary PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) were determined, and eight liver function biomarkers were measured in paired serum samples. A comprehensive statistical analysis investigated the linear, non-linear, individual, and joint effects of the association between urinary OH-PAHs and liver function biomarkers. The results indicated significant positive associations between urinary OH-PAH concentrations and liver function biomarker levels, suggesting that PAH exposure may adversely affect liver function. 2-hydroxyfluorene was identified as the individual metabolite contributing significantly to elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels. Further stratification by gender revealed that this association is more pronounced in males. Moreover, we observed significant mediation effects of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and white blood cell count on this association. The physiological responses triggered by PAH exposure are mediated by inflammation, which serves as a link between oxidative stress, cellular injury, and elevated liver enzyme levels. The results demonstrated that increased inflammation and oxidative stress mediated the association between increased urinary OH-PAHs and elevated liver function biomarkers. The results contribute to a better understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying PAH exposure's hepatotoxic effects.

Prenatal dietary exposure to mixtures of chemicals is associated with allergy or respiratory diseases in children in the ELFE nationwide cohort

INTRODUCTION

Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals may be associated with allergies later in life. We aimed to examine the association between prenatal dietary exposure to mixtures of chemicals and allergic or respiratory diseases up to age 5.5 y.

METHODS

We included 11,638 mother-child pairs from the French "Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance" (ELFE) cohort. Maternal dietary exposure during pregnancy to eight mixtures of chemicals was previously assessed. Allergic and respiratory diseases (eczema, food allergy, wheezing and asthma) were reported by parents between birth and age 5.5 years. Associations were evaluated with adjusted logistic regressions. Results are expressed as odds ratio (OR[95%CI]) for a variation of one SD increase in mixture pattern.

RESULTS

Maternal dietary exposure to a mixture composed mainly of trace elements, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was positively associated with the risk of eczema (1.10 [1.05; 1.15]), this association was consistent across sensitivity analyses. Dietary exposure to one mixture of pesticides was positively associated with the risk of food allergy (1.10 [1.02; 1.18]), whereas the exposure to another mixture of pesticides was positively but slightly related to the risk of wheezing (1.05 [1.01; 1.08]). This last association was not found in all sensitivity analyses. Dietary exposure to a mixture composed by perfluoroalkyl acids, PAHs and trace elements was negatively associated with the risk of asthma (0.89 [0.80; 0.99]), this association was consistent across sensitivity analyses, except the complete-case analysis.

CONCLUSION

Whereas few individual chemicals were related to the risk of allergic and respiratory diseases, some consistent associations were found between prenatal dietary exposure to some mixtures of chemicals and the risk of allergic or respiratory diseases. The positive association between trace elements, furans and PAHs and the risk of eczema, and that between pesticides mixtures and food allergy need to be confirmed in other studies. Conversely, the negative association between perfluoroalkyl acids, PAHs and trace elements and the risk of asthma need to be further explored.

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and blood lipid levels: the indirect effects of inflammation and oxidative stress

Although previous studies have indicated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as cardiovascular health risk factors, evidence linking exposure to PAHs and blood lipids is still lacking, and the mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated the association between human internal exposure to PAHs and blood lipid levels in adults, as well as the indirect effects of inflammation and oxidative stress. The internal exposure of PAHs was assessed by determining serum PAHs and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PAHs) in the paired urine samples. Multivariable linear regression results demonstrated significant positive associations of individual PAHs and OH-PAHs with blood lipid biomarkers. The Bayesian kernel machine regression model revealed positive joint effects of PAH internal exposure on the fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride, as well as an increased ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1. In evaluating individual effects, serum phenanthrene played the most significant role in the association of increased PAH exposure with elevated fasting blood glucose. Quantile g-computation demonstrated the significant change in the levels of apolipoprotein B, ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol per quartile increase in PAH internal exposure. The restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated the non-linear relationship between individual PAHs and OH-PAHs on blood lipid biomarkers. The mediation analysis indicated that PAH exposure may affect blood lipids not directly, but rather indirectly through intermediate inflammation and oxidative stress. The results demonstrated a significant association between increased PAH exposure levels and elevated blood lipids, highlighting the indirect effects of inflammation and oxidative stress.

A Systematic Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives: Occurrences, Levels, Biotransformation, Exposure Biomarkers, and Toxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives constitute a significant class of emerging contaminants that have been ubiquitously detected in diverse environmental matrixes, with some even exhibiting higher toxicities than their corresponding parent PAHs. To date, compared with parent PAHs, fewer systematic summaries and reanalyses are available for PAH derivatives with great environmental concerns. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the chemical species, levels, biotransformation patterns, chemical analytical methods, internal exposure routes with representative biomarkers, and toxicity of PAH derivatives, primarily focusing on nitrated PAHs (NPAHs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), halogenated PAHs (XPAHs), and alkylated PAHs (APAHs). A collection of 188 compounds from four categories, 44 NPAHs, 36 OPAHs, 56 APAHs, and 52 XPAHs, has been compiled from 114 studies that documented the environmental presence of PAH derivatives. These compounds exhibited weighted average air concentrations that varied from a lower limit of 0.019 pg/m3 to a higher threshold of 4060 pg/m3. Different analytical methods utilizing comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF-MS), gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC × GC-QQQ-MS), and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), that adopted untargeted strategies for the identification of PAH derivatives are also reviewed here. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of biotransformation patterns for each category is provided, including the likelihood of specific biotransformation reaction types. For the toxicity, we primarily summarized key metabolic activation pathways, which could result in the formation of reactive metabolites capable of covalently bonding with DNA and tissue proteins, and potential health outcomes such as carcinogenicity and genotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunotoxicity, and developmental toxicity that might be mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Finally, we pinpoint research challenges and emphasize the need for further studies on identifying PAH derivatives, tracking external exposure levels, evaluating internal exposure levels and associated toxicity, clarifying exposure routes, and considering mixture exposure effects. This review aims to provide a broad understanding of PAH derivatives' identification, environmental occurrence, human exposure, biotransformation, and toxicity, offering a valuable reference for guiding future research in this underexplored area.

Urine 2-hydroxyphenanthrene is associated with current asthma: evidence from NHANES 2007-2012

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims to explore the effects of nine urine monohydroxy PAH metabolites (OHPAH) including 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-OHNAP), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNAP), 3-hydroxyfluorene (3-OHFLU), 9-hydroxyfluorene (9-OHFLU), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-OHPHE), 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPHE), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (3-OHPHE), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR) on current asthma in people in the United States using a variety of statistical techniques.

METHODS

A cross-sectional examination of a subsample of 3804 adults aged ≥20 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was conducted between 2007 and 2012. To investigate the relationship between urine OHPAHs levels and current asthma, multivariate logistic regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and quantile g-computation (qgcomp) were utilized.

RESULTS

In the multivariate logistic regression model, after controlling for confounders, urine 2-OHPHE was associated with current asthma in both male (AOR = 7.17, 95% CI: 1.28-40.08) and female (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.06-8.01) smokers. In the qgcomp analysis, 2-OHPHE (39.5%), 1-OHNAP (33.1%), and 2-OHNAP (22.5%) were the major positive contributors to the risk of current asthma (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 0.99, 5.25), and in female smokers, 9-OHFLU (25.8%), 2-OHFLU (21.5%), and 2-OHPHE (15.1%) were the major positive contributors (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.47). The results of the BKMR model basically agreed with qgcomp analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate a strong association of urine 2-OHPHE with current asthma, and further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the precise relationship between PAH exposure and current asthma risk.

Research progress in human biological monitoring of aromatic hydrocarbon with emphasis on the analytical technology of biomarkers

Aromatic hydrocarbons are unsaturated compounds containing carbon and hydrogen that form single aromatic ring, or double, triple, or multiple fused rings. This review focuses on the research progress of aromatic hydrocarbons represented by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), benzene and its derivatives including toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (o-, m- and p-), styrene, nitrobenzene, and aniline. Due to the toxicity, widespread coexistence, and persistence of aromatic hydrocarbons in the environment, accurate assessment of exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons is essential to protect human health. The effects of aromatic hydrocarbons on human health are mainly derived from three aspects: different routes of exposure, the duration and relative toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons, and the concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons which should be below the biological exposure limit. Therefore, this review discusses the primary exposure routes, toxic effects on humans, and key populations, in particular. This review briefly summarizes the different biomarker indicators of main aromatic hydrocarbons in urine, since most aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites are excreted via urine, which is more feasible, convenient, and non-invasive. In this review, the pretreatment and analytical techniques are compiled systematically for the qualitative and quantitative assessments of aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites such as gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography with multiple detectors. This review aims to identify and monitor the co-exposure of aromatic hydrocarbons that provides a basis for the formulation of corresponding health risk control measures and guide the adjustment of the exposure dose of pollutants to the population.

Establishment of an artificial particulate matter-induced lung disease model through analyzing pathological changes and transcriptomic profiles in mice

Particulate matter (PM), an environmental risk factor, is linked with health risks such as respiratory diseases. This study aimed to establish an animal model of PM-induced lung injury with artificial PM (APM) and identify the potential of APM for toxicological research. APM was generated from graphite at 600 °C and combined with ethylene. We analyzed diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) and APM compositions and compared toxicity and transcriptomic profiling in lungs according to the exposure. For the animal study, C57BL/6 male mice were intratracheally administered vehicle, DEP, or APM. DEP or APM increased relative lung weight, inflammatory cell numbers, and inflammatory protein levels compared with the vehicle control. Histological assessments showed an increase in particle-pigment alveolar macrophages and slight inflammation in the lungs of DEP and APM mice. In the only APM group, granulomatous inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, and mucous hyperplasia were observed in the lungs of some individuals. This is the first study to compare pulmonary toxicity between DEP and APM in an animal model. Our results suggest that the APM-treated animal model may contribute to understanding the harmful effects of PM in toxicological studies showing that APM can induce various lung diseases according to different doses of APM.

Urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and short-acting beta agonist or systemic corticosteroid asthma medication use within NHANES

BACKGROUND

Within cross-sectional studies like the U.S. National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers have observed positive associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and asthma diagnosis. It is unclear whether similar relationships exist for measures of acute asthma outcomes, including short-term asthma medication use to alleviate symptoms. We examined the relationship between markers of recent PAH exposure and 30-day short-acting beta agonist (SABA) or systemic corticosteroid use, an indicator for recent asthma symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For 16,550 children and adults across multiple waves of NHANES (2005-2016), we fit quasi-Poisson multivariable regression models to describe the association between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (a metabolite of PAH) and SABA or systemic corticosteroid use. We assessed for effect modification by age group and asthma controller medication use. All models were adjusted for urinary creatinine, age, female/male designation, race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance coverage, and serum cotinine.

RESULTS

After controlling for confounding, an increase of one standard deviation of 1-hydroxypyrene was associated with greater prevalence of recent SABA or systemic corticosteroid use (PR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.10). The results were similar among those with ever asthma diagnosis and across urine creatinine dilution methods. We did not observe effect modification by age group (p-interaction = 0.22) or asthma controller medication use (p-interaction = 0.73).

CONCLUSION

Markers of recent PAH exposure was positively associated with SABA or systemic corticosteroid use, across various urine dilution adjustment methods. It is important to ensure appropriate temporality between exposures and outcomes in cross-sectional studies.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate aggravates fine particulate matter-induced asthma in weanling mice due to T follicular helper cell-dependent response

Environmental pollutants fine particulate matter and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are believed to be the risk factors for childhood asthma. Allergic asthma is basically an immediate hypersensitivity mediated by IgE, the product of humoral immune response. T follicular helper cells (Tfh) have been newly identified as the crucial T helper cells for supporting B cells to produce immunoglobulins in humoral immunity. Tfh cells are therefore potentially to serve as the diagnostic marker and therapeutic target of immune diseases. In this study, we examined the joint effects of fine particulate matter and DEHP on the initiation and progression of asthma and explored the fundamental role of Tfh cells during the process. Weanling C57BL/6 mice (both sexes) were concurrently exposed to DEHP (intragastric administration at 300 μg/kg) and fine atmospheric particulate matter (mean particle diameter < 4 µm, PM4) (oropharyngeal instillation at 2 mg/kg) once every three days for 30 days (10 times). We found that DEHP displayed adjuvant effects to potentiate PM4 allergen-induced expansion of Tfh and plasma cells, production of serum IgE and IgG1, and occurrence of airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation. Then PM4 and DEHP co-exposure was performed to Cd4 knock-out mice reconstituted with normal wild-type adoptive Tfh cells or non-Tfh cells. The results of immune adoptive transfusion indicated that the joint immunotoxic effects of PM4 and DEHP were dependent on Tfh cells. We further proved that DEHP could adjuvantly boost PM4-induced expression of BCL-6 and c-MAF and secretion of IL-13 and IL-4 in Tfh cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that DEHP metabolites act in an adjuvant-like manner to aggravate PM4 allergen-induced asthma based on anaphylactic IgE response, resulting from excessive IL-13 and IL-4 synthesized by abnormally differentiated Tfh cells.

The association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and liver function among US population: a cross-sectional study

Most studies have focused on the pulmonary toxicity of inhaled PAHs to date; therefore, their hepatotoxic consequences are yet unknown. The main aim of this study is to examine the association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and liver function parameters among the US population. The data included in this study were from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2016. Finally, we included 2515 participants from seven cycles of the NHANES. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the association between each PAH and liver function parameters (elevated vs. normal) with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), along with adjustment for confounding variables. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. All analyses were performed using R software 4.0.1. In the present study, all 2515 individuals were aged ≥ 18 years, 1211 males, and 1304 females. The average age normal was 45.56 ± 20.20, and the elevated was 46.04 ± 19.73 years, respectively. The results of logistic regression indicated that increased 9-hydroxyfluorene (OR  = 2.11, 95% CI = [1.52, 2.95], P < 0.001), 2-hydroxyfluorene (OR  = 1.61, 95% CI = [1.23, 2.11], P < 0.001), and 3-hydroxyfluorene (OR  = 1.54, 95% CI = [1.21, 1.95], P < 0.001) were associated with elevated GGT. In conclusion, 9-hydroxyfluorene is associated with elevated GGT level, and the effect of 9-hydroxyfluorene on GGT is modified by other PAHs, which means that 9-hydroxyfluorene has a greater influence on GGT when other PAHs are increased.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Updated aspects of their determination, kinetics in the human body, and toxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are legacy pollutants of considerable public health concern. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons arise from natural and anthropogenic sources and are ubiquitously present in the environment. Several PAHs are highly toxic to humans with associated carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Further, more severe harmful effects on human- and environmental health have been attributed to the presence of high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs, that is PAHs with molecular mass greater than 300 Da. However, more research has been conducted using low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs). In addition, no HMW PAHs are on the priority pollutants list of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), which is limited to only 16 PAHs. However, limited analytical methodologies for separating and determining HMW PAHs and their potential isomers and lack of readily available commercial standards make research with these compounds challenging. Since most of the PAH kinetic data originate from animal studies, our understanding of the effects of PAHs on humans is still minimal. In addition, current knowledge of toxic effects after exposure to PAHs may be underrepresented since most investigations focused on exposure to a single PAH. Currently, information on PAH mixtures is limited. Thus, this review aims to critically assess the current knowledge of PAH chemical properties, their kinetic disposition, and toxicity to humans. Further, future research needs to improve and provide the missing information and minimize PAH exposure to humans.

PAH-induced metabolic changes related to inflammation in childhood asthma

Epidemiological studies have shown that PAHs may exert adverse effects on childhood asthma. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate this process in view of metabolic pathways, especially one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. Fifty asthmatic children and 50 control subjects were recruited for this study. Serum IgE and IL-17A levels were detected by ELISA. Serum PAH concentrations were measured by GC-MS. One-carbon-related metabolites and tryptophan metabolites were determined by UPLC-Orbitrap-MS. DNA methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR. ChIP assays were used to examine H3K4me3 enrichment on IL-17A gene. Multivariable linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between PAHs and childhood asthma mediated by intermediators. HE staining in lung tissue, IgE and IL-17A in BALF, metabolic profiles in urine, and Ahr, Il-17a, and Cyp1a1 gene expression were determined in PAH-exposed mice. Serum Fla level was associated with childhood asthma (OR = 1.380, 95% CI: 1.063-1.792), and had a great effect on one-carbon metabolites, especially SAH, SAM, and Ser, which exerted significant mediation effects on the relationship between the Fla concentration and asthma. Moreover, we did find significant mediation effects between serum Fla and asthma by LINE-1 DNA methylation and H3K4me3 levels in the IL-17A promoter region. The differential Trp metabolites, such as Trp, tryptamine, IA, IAA, indole, IAld, and IAAld, indicated that asthmatic children had increased indole-AhR pathway. Mediation analysis failed to show a mediator effect of Trp metabolites in the association between PAHs and childhood asthma. An animal study confirmed that PAH exposure increased methylation levels, and altered Trp metabolite-AhR-IL-17A axis, which may be influenced by gender. PAHs disturbed one-carbon metabolism to influence the methyl group refilling DNA methylation and histone methylation, and disturbed tryptophan metabolism to regulate Th17-cell differentiation, which may elevate serum IL-17A concentration in asthmatic children.

Do Storage Conditions Affect Collected Cookstove Emission Samples? Implications for Field Studies

Cookstove emissions are a significant source of indoor air pollution in developing countries and rural communities world-wide. Considering that many research sites for evaluating cookstove emissions and interventions are remote and require potentially lengthy periods of particulate matter (PM) filter sample storage in sub-optimal conditions (e.g., lack of cold storage), an important question is whether samples collected in the field are stable over time. To investigate this, red oak was burned in a natural-draft stove, and fine PM (PM2.5) was collected on polytetrafluoroethylene filters. Filters were stored at either ambient temperature or more optimal conditions (-20°C or -80°C) for up to 3 months and extracted. The effects of storage temperature and length on stability were evaluated for measurements of extractable organic matter (EOM), PM2.5, and polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) levels in the filter extracts. A parallel, controlled laboratory condition was also evaluated to further explore sources of variability. In general, PM2.5 and EOM in both simulated field and laboratory samples were similar regardless of the storage condition or duration. The extracts were also analyzed by gas chromatography to quantify 22 PACs and determine similarities and/or differences between the conditions. PAC levels were a more sensitive stability measure in differentiating between storage conditions. The findings suggest that measurements are relatively consistent across storage duration/temperatures for filter samples with relatively low EOM levels. This study aims to inform protocols and filter storage procedures for exposure and intervention research conducted in low- and middle-income countries where studies may be budget- and infrastructure-limited.

Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on immunity

Nearly a quarter of the total number of deaths in the world are caused by unhealthy living or working environments. Therefore, we consider it significant to introduce the effect of a widely distributed component of air/water/food-source contaminants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), on the human body, especially on immunity in this review. PAHs are a large class of organic compounds containing two or more benzene rings. PAH exposure could occur in most people through breath, smoke, food, and direct skin contact, resulting in both cellular immunosuppression and humoral immunosuppression. PAHs usually lead to the exacerbation of autoimmune diseases by regulating the balance of T helper cell 17 and regulatory T cells, and promoting type 2 immunity. However, the receptor of PAHs, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), appears to exhibit duality in the immune response, which seems to explain some seemingly opposite experimental results. In addition, PAH exposure was also able to exacerbate allergic reactions and regulate monocytes to a certain extent. The specific regulation mechanisms of immune system include the assistance of AhR, the activation of the CYP-ROS axis, the recruitment of intracellular calcium, and some epigenetic mechanisms. This review aims to summarize our current understanding on the impact of PAHs in the immune system and some related diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus), and allergic diseases (asthma and atopic dermatitis). Finally, we also propose future research directions for the prevention or treatment on environmental induced diseases.

Characteristics of PM2.5 emissions from six types of commercial cooking in Chinese cities and their health effects

Commercial kitchens may pose significant health risks to workers because they generate large quantities of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). In our study, the concentrations and emission rates of PM_2.5 in cooking environments were measured for six types of commercial kitchens that used electricity and natural gas (including traditional Chinese kitchens, western kitchens, teppanyaki kitchens, fried chicken kitchens, barbecue kitchens, and hotpot cooking area). Furthermore, a preliminary health risk assessment of the chefs was undertaken using the annual PM_2.5 inhalation and PM_2.5 deposition rates into the upper airways and tracheobronchial and alveolar regions of the human body. Results showed that cooking in the teppanyaki kitchen generated the highest amount of PM_2.5, with a mean emission rate of 7.7 mg/min and a mean mass concentration of 850.4 ± 533.4 μg/m³ in the breathing zone. Therefore, teppanyaki kitchens pose highest PM_2.5 exposure risks to chefs, with the highest rate of PM_2.5 deposition in the upper airways (6.38 × 10⁵ μg/year), followed by Chinese kitchens. The PM_2.5 concentrations and emission rates of each kitchen varied greatly with the dishes cooked. The mean PM_2.5 concentration was the highest during Chinese stir-frying, with the peak concentration reaching more than 20,000 μg/m³, followed by pan-frying, deep-frying, stewing, and boiling. A rise in PM_2.5 concentration was also observed during the start of stir-frying and in the middle to late stages of pan-frying and grilling meat. The results obtained in our study may contribute in understanding the characteristics of PM_2.5 emissions from various types of commercial kitchens and their health effects.

Vitamin D status in relation to inflammatory risk and albuminuria associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in the US population

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been associated with both systematic inflammation and renal dysfunction. Reports have suggested that anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin D may provide protection against renal injury. This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] moderates the inflammation and albuminuria associated with PAH exposure. Data were obtained from 5,982 subjects aged 20-79 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2010). PAH exposure was estimated by urinary PAH metabolites. Inflammation was defined as serum C-reactive protein (CRP) > 3 mg/L and albuminuria as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g. The results found that greater PAH exposure was linked with inflammation and albuminuria. Individuals with PAH exposure also tended to have lower 25(OH)D and lower vitamin D was associated with both elevated CRP (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.54) and urinary albumin (1.35, 95%CI = 1.03-1.77) for any given PAH exposure. Those with lower serum 25(OH)D-to-urinary PAH ratios were likewise at a greater risk of elevated CRP and albuminuria. The findings support prior suggestions that exposure to PAHs is associated with inflammation and albuminuria but suggests further that the risk is higher when vitamin D is lower. Thus, nutritional status becomes an important variable in PAH risk assessment.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human breast milk from Colombia: Spatial occurrence, sources and probabilistic risk assessment

The diet is the main route that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) enter the body and measuring breast milk is one of the best ways to understand the maternal body burden and can be passed on to infants. In this study, it was determinate the concentrations of 23 PAHs in 60 milk samples taken from 3 cities in Colombia and to determine the potential routes of exposure and risk to human health. On average, concentration for the ∑_PAHs across all locations was 186.6 ng g^-1, lipid mass (LM), with city means of 260.1, 175.7, and 123.9 ng g^-1 LM for Cartagena, Bogota and Medellin, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for infant dietary exposure to PAHs. HQs were below the safe thresholds (HQ = 1) while ILCRs were greater than the reference value equal to 10^-6 (mg kg^-1day^-1). Dietary source assessment indicated that fish is a significant source of PAHs, with mothers that consumed fish at least once per week having ∼2.5 times greater PAH milk concentrations than other groups. While a disparity was also observed among consumers of exclusively marine (∑_PAHs 198.5 ng g^-1 LM) or freshwater fish (∑_PAHs 85.7 ng g^-1 LM). However, geographical considerations can be significant in this finding.

The preliminary investigation of potential response biomarkers to PAHs exposure on childhood asthma

BACKGROUND

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a potential risk factor for asthma prevalence. This study aims to explore whether PAHs exposure is associated with childhood asthma by altering microbial diversity and metabolic profiles.

METHODS

Thirty children with asthma and 30 children as control in Nanjing, China were recruited. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr) level was determined by UPLC-Orbitrap-MS as a PAHs exposure biomarker. Logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between 1-OHPyr and childhood asthma. Microbial diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Metabolic profiles were obtained by UPLC-Orbitrap-MS methods. Differential microbiota and metabolites were screened and selected as response biomarkers or intermediates. Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the association between PAHs and asthma mediated by intermediates.

RESULTS

Participating children with and without asthma aged 6.43 ± 2.23 years. The urinary 1-OHPyr level ranged from 0.10 to 1.51 μmol/mol (creatinine corrected) in the participants. The urinary 1-OHPyr level was associated with childhood asthma (OR = 7.21, 95% CI: 1.03-50.42 per 1 μmol/mol unit). Microbial diversity was decreased in the group with asthma and there was a significant shift in the abundance of Proteobacteria (at the phylum level), Veillonella and Prevotella (at the genus level). The enrichment pathway analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites were involved in purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid and fatty acid metabolism. The urinary 1-OHPyr level was associated with the abundance of Actinomyces sp. oral clone IO076 and 7-methylguanine that showed a mediation effect on the association between urinary 1-OHPyr levels and childhood asthma by mediation analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary 1-OHPyr exposure was associated with childhood asthma, microbial diversity, and metabolic profiles. Microbial diversity and metabolic profiles may be intermediates as response biomarkers to PAHs exposure in childhood asthma. Further research is needed to confirm these study results and determine the underlying mechanism.

Levels of urinary metabolites of benzene compounds, trichloroethylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their correlations with socioeconomic, demographic, dietary factors among pregnant women in six cities of China

Maternal exposure to benzene and related compounds, trichloroethylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been suggested as risk factors for reproductive and developmental problem. In different countries and groups, there are differences in socioeconomic circumstances, consumer products, dietary habits, lifestyles, and so on, resulting in different exposure risks from these chemicals. This study investigated the correlation between their metabolite concentrations and socioeconomic, demographic, and dietary factors to explore the possible exposure source of the concerned pollutants in pregnant women. We conducted biological monitoring to assess the exposure of these chemicals using urine samples from 590 to 639 pregnant women during 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy in six cities of China. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and dietary habits were collected from questionnaires. The detection rate was over 74% of the urine samples for all metabolites. Compared with the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemical concentrations for females (FNRHEEC, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the metabolite concentrations of benzene compounds and trichloroethylene, excluding MA reported here, were higher. Principal component analysis results showed that SBMA and MHA could be proxy of the principal sources of metabolites for benzene compounds. The concentrations of SBMA and MA were higher in Fuzhou and Wuhan, respectively. The concentration of DCVMA was higher in Shenzhen, Xi'an, and Nanning, and the concentration of PGA was higher in Fuzhou, Wuhan, and Xi'an. Also, the 1-OHPG concentration in Wuhan is higher than that in Fuzhou and Shenzhen. Unhealthy dietary habits, using cosmetics and indoor exposure, contacting chemical solvent during pregnancy were associated with increased benzene compounds, trichloroethylene, and PAH exposure. There were significant positive associations between 1-OHPG level and maternal BMI, low education status, and cooking without a range hood. Pregnant women in China may be at a greater risk of exposure to most of the target compounds than US females, and their exposure levels varied in different regions. Some adverse environmental and behavioral factors may increase the exposure of environmental toxins, which can urge people to take measures to reduce the health risk to pregnant women during pregnancy.

E-waste polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure leads to child gut-mucosal inflammation and adaptive immune response

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure alters immunological responses. Research concerning PAH exposure on intestinal immunity of children in electronic waste (e-waste) areas is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants on intestinal mucosal immunity of children in e-waste areas. Results showed higher hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) concentrations in e-waste-exposed children, accompanied with higher sialyl Lewis A (SLA) level, absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts, decreased of percentage of CD4⁺ T cells, and had a higher risk of diarrhea. OH-PAH concentrations were negative with child growth. 1-OHNap mediated through WBCs, along with 1-OHPyr, was correlated with an increase SLA concentration. 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhe, 2-OHPhe, 1-OHPyr, and 6-OHChr were positively correlated with secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration. Our results indicated that PAH pollutants caused inflammation, affected the intestinal epithelium, and led to transformation of microfold cell (M cell). M cells initiating mucosal immune responses and the subsequent increasing sIgA production might be an adaptive immune respond of children in the e-waste areas. To our knowledge, this is the first study of PAH exposure on children intestinal immunity in e-waste area, showing that PAH exposure plays a negative role in child growth and impairs the intestinal immune function.

A Comparison of Occupational CO Levels, HbCO, and Lung Functions Between Grill and Non-grill Street Vendors

BACKGROUND

There is a surge increase in grills-fast food outlet in the urban areas that plays an essential role in producing air pollution. Chronic accumulation of carbon monoxide might affect the airway and destroy alveolus as well as correlated with the disturbance of lung function.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to compare the occupational CO levels, HbCO, and lung functions between grill and non-grill street vendors.

METHODS

This was an observational analytic study with a case-control design. The subjects were grill street vendors and non-grill street vendors in Medan city who fulfilled several inclusion criteria. The questionnaire was used to determine some characteristics, while smokerlyzer, and ELISA for expiration CO level and blood CO level, spirometer was used to determining lung function. Logistic regression was performed with p-value < 0.05 considered to be significant using SPSS ver 24.0.

RESULTS

A total of 50 subjects enrolled into this study with the majority of subjects in the case group were in red (40%) zone in CO exhaled test with the results in pulmonary function test, predominantly restrictive (56%) and mixed-type (40%) with the mean value of HbCO was 486.16 (ng/mL). Meanwhile, the majority of subjects were green zone with mixed type of lung function disturbance in the control group with 540.15 (ng/mL) as HBCO mean value. Grilled street vendors have a higher level of exhaled CO level (p- value: 0.03) without significant difference in HbCO and lung functions (p-value > 0.05). Age, smoking status, HbCO, and lung function did not significantly affect the CO level (p-value: 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a significant difference in exhaled CO level between grill-and non-grill street vendors without significant difference in HbCO and lung functions.

Natural gas development, flaring practices and paediatric asthma hospitalizations in Texas

BACKGROUND

Recent advancements in drilling technology led to a rapid increase in natural gas development (NGD). Air pollution may be elevated in these areas and may vary by drilling type (conventional and unconventional), production volume and gas flaring. Impacts of NGD on paediatric asthma are largely unknown. This study quantifies associations between specific NGD activities and paediatric asthma hospitalizations in Texas.

METHODS

We leveraged a database of Texas inpatient hospitalizations between 2000 and 2010 at the zip code level by quarter to examine associations between NGD and paediatric asthma hospitalizations, where our primary outcome is 0 vs ≥1 hospitalization. We used quarterly production reports to assess additional drilling-specific exposures at the zip code-level including drilling type, production and gas flaring. We developed logistic regression models to assess paediatric asthma hospitalizations by zip code-quarter-year observations, thus capturing spatiotemporal exposure patterns.

RESULTS

We observed increased odds of ≥1 paediatric asthma hospitalization in a zip code per quarter associated with increasing tertiles of NGD exposure and show that spatiotemporal variation impacts results. Conventional drilling, compared with no drilling, is associated with odds ratios up to 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.34], whereas unconventional drilling is associated with odds ratios up to 1.59 (95% CI: 1.46, 1.73). Increasing production volumes are associated with increased paediatric asthma hospitalizations in an exposure-response relationship, whereas associations with flaring volumes are inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

We found evidence of associations between paediatric asthma hospitalizations and NGD, regardless of drilling type. Practices related to production volume may be driving these positive associations.

Urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their associations with liver function in adolescents

Associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and respiratory diseases have been widely studied, but the effects of PAH on liver toxicity in adolescents are unclear. Here, 3194 adolescents with NHANES data from 2003 to 2016 were selected. PAH exposure was assessed by measuring PAH metabolites in urine. The outcome variables were the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). The association between PAH exposure and liver function was evaluated by the weighted quantile sum (WQS) and logistic regression, and the associations between PAHs and inflammation and blood lipids were evaluated by linear regression. Covariates were adjusted for age, ethnicity, BMI, physical activity, family income, cotinine, and urinary creatinine. The results showed that for females, mixed PAH exposure was related to an increased ALT level (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.15, 4.72), and 2-fluorene contributed the most (38.6%). Urinary 2-fluorene was positively associated with an elevated ALT level (OR = 2.19 95% 1.12, 4.27, p for trend = 0.004). Mechanistically, 2-fluorene can cause a 3.56% increase in the white blood cell count, a 6.99% increase in the triglyceride level, and 1.70% increase in the total cholesterol level. PAHs may have toxic effects, possibly mediated by inflammation and blood lipids, on the adolescent female liver. Additional confirmatory studies are needed.

Scoping Review-The Association between Asthma and Environmental Chemicals

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide affecting all age groups from children to the elderly. In addition to other factors such as smoking, air pollution and atopy, some environmental chemicals are shown or suspected to increase the risk of asthma, exacerbate asthma symptoms and cause other respiratory symptoms. In this scoping review, we report environmental chemicals, prioritized for investigation in the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which are associated or possibly associated with asthma. The substance groups considered to cause asthma through specific sensitization include: diisocyanates, hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) and possibly p-phenylenediamine (p-PDA). In epidemiological studies, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organophosphate insecticides are associated with asthma, and phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pyrethroid insecticides, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead are only potentially associated with asthma. As a conclusion, exposure to PAHs and some pesticides are associated with increased risk of asthma. Diisocyanates and Cr(VI) cause asthma with specific sensitization. For many environmental chemicals, current studies have provided contradicting results in relation to increased risk of asthma. Therefore, more research about exposure to environmental chemicals and risk of asthma is needed.

Impact of Annual Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Acute Exacerbation Frequency in Asthmatic Patients

Purpose

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with ambient air particulate matter (PM) poses significant health concerns. Increased acute exacerbation (AE) frequency in asthmatic patients has been associated with ambient PAHs, but which subgroup of patients are particularly susceptible to ambient PAHs is uncertain. We developed a new model to simulate grid-scale PM_2.5-PAH levels in order to evaluate whether the severity of asthma as measured by the Global Initiative of Asthma (GINA) levels of treatment is related to cumulative exposure of ambient PAHs.

Methods

Patients with asthma residing in the northern Taiwan were reviewed retrospectively from 2014 to 2017. PM_2.5 were sampled and analysed for PAHs twice a month over a 72-hour period, in addition to collecting the routinely monitored air pollutant data from an established air quality monitoring network. In combination with correlation analysis and principal component analysis, multivariate linear regression models were performed to simulate hourly grid-scale PM_2.5-PAH concentrations (ng/m³). A geographic information system mapping approach with ordinary kriging interpolation method was used to calculate the annual exposure of PAHs (ng/m).

Results

Among the 387 patients with asthma aged 18 to 93 (median 62), 97 subjects were treated as GINA step 5 (24%). Asthmatics in GINA 5 subgroup with high annual PAHs exposure were likely to have a higher annual frequency of any AE (1 (0–12), p<0.0001). Annual PAHs exposure was correlated with the annual frequency of any exacerbation (r=0.11, p=0.02). This was more significant in the GINA 5 subgroup (r=0.29, p=0.005) and in the GINA 5 subgroup with severe acute exacerbations (r=0.51, p=0.002). Annual PAHs exposure, severe acute exacerbation and GINA steps were independent variables that predict annual frequency of any exacerbation.

Conclusion

Asthmatic patients in the GINA 5 subgroup with acute exacerbations were more susceptible to the effect of environmental PAHs on their exacerbation frequency. Reducing environmental levels of PAHs will have the greatest impact on the more severe asthma patients.

Inhalation bioaccessibility estimation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from atmospheric particulate matter (PM10): Influence of PM10 composition and health risk assessment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inhalation bioaccessibility was assessed in 65 atmospheric particulate matter samples (PM₁₀) collected at an Atlantic coastal European urban site. The proposed method consists on a physiologically based extraction (PBET) by using Gamble's solution followed by a vortex assisted liquid-liquid micro-extraction (VALLME) and quantification by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The use of a micro-extraction technique combined with FLD detection, provides a simple, fast, sensitive, accurate and low-cost methodology to PAHs quantification in bioaccessible fractions. Accuracy of the bioaccessibility study was assessed by means of a mass balance approaches using a PM₁₀ filter and a certified reference material (ERM-CZ100). High-moderate inhalation bioaccessibilities were found for phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Ft) and pyrene (Pyr) (average ratios in the 52-65% range); while dibenz (a,h)anthracene (DBahA), indeno (1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP) and benzo (g,h,i)perylene (BghiP) were observed to be less bioaccessibles (average ratios in the 11-14% range). Relationship between PM₁₀ composition (major ions, trace metals, equivalent black carbon (eBC) and UV-absorbing particulate matter (UVPM)) and PAHs bioaccessibility ratios was also assessed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that PAHs bioaccessibility percentage is dependent on anthropogenic (eBC, UVPM and Sb concentrations) and marine sources of PM₁₀. Predicted PAHs bioaccessibilities after applying a multiple linear regression model based on marine and anthropogenic source of PM₁₀ could also be established. Health risk assessment of target PM₁₀-associated PAHs via inhalation was assessed considering bioaccessibility concentrations by using hazard index (HI) and BaP equivalent concentration (BaP_eq) approaches, suggesting no carcinogenic risk in the area during the sampling campaign.

What is necessary for next-generation atmospheric environmental standards? Recent research trends for PM2.5 -bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives

The air pollution associated with PM_2.5 kills 7 million people every year in the world, especially threatening the health of children in developing countries. However, the current air quality standards depend mainly on particle size. PM_2.5 contains many carcinogenic/mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives such as nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated PAHs. Among them, environmental standards and guidelines have been set for benzo[a]pyrene by few countries and international organizations. Recent research reports showed that these pollutants are linked to diseases other than lungs, and new methods have been developed for determining trace levels of not only PAHs but also their derivatives. It is time to think about the next-generation environmental standards. This article aims to (a) describe recent studies on the health effects of PAHs and their derivatives other than cancer, (b) describe new analytical methods for PAH derivatives, and (c) discuss the targets for the next-generation standards.

Potential role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution-induced non-malignant respiratory diseases

Epidemiological studies have found strong associations between air pollution and respiratory effects including development and/or exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as increased occurrence of respiratory infections and lung cancer. It has become increasingly clear that also polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may affect processes linked to non-malignant diseases in the airways. The aim of the present paper was to review epidemiological studies on associations between gas phase and particle-bound PAHs in ambient air and non-malignant respiratory diseases or closely related physiological processes, to assess whether PAH-exposure may explain some of the effects associated with air pollution. Based on experimental in vivo and in vitro studies, we also explore possible mechanisms for how different PAHs may contribute to such events. Epidemiological studies show strongest evidence for an association between PAHs and asthma development and respiratory function in children. This is supported by studies on prenatal and postnatal exposure. Exposure to PAHs in adults seems to be linked to respiratory functions, exacerbation of asthma and increased morbidity/mortality of obstructive lung diseases. However, available studies are few and weak. Notably, the PAHs measured in plasma/urine also represent other exposure routes than inhalation. Furthermore, the role of PAHs measured in air is difficult to disentangle from that of other air pollution components originating from combustion processes. Experimental studies show that PAHs may trigger various processes linked to non-malignant respiratory diseases. Physiological- and pathological responses include redox imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammation both from the innate and adaptive immune systems, smooth muscle constriction, epithelial- and endothelial dysfunction and dysregulated lung development. Such biological responses may at the molecular level be initiated by PAH-binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), but possibly also through interactions with beta-adrenergic receptors. In addition, reactive PAH metabolites or reactive oxygen species (ROS) may interfere directly with ion transporters and enzymes involved in signal transduction. Overall, the reviewed literature shows that respiratory effects of PAH-exposure in ambient air may extend beyond lung cancer. The relative importance of the specific PAHs ability to induce disease may differ between the biological endpoint in question.

Discovery of firefighter chemical exposures using military-style silicone dog tags

Occupational chemical hazards in the fire service are hypothesized to play a role in increased cancer risk, and reliable sampling technologies are necessary for conducting firefighter chemical exposure assessments. This study presents the military-style dog tag as a new configuration of silicone passive sampling device to sample individual firefighters' exposures at one high and one low fire call volume department in the Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area. The recruited firefighters (n = 56) wore separate dog tags to assess on- and off-duty exposures (n_dogtags = 110), for a total of 30 24 h shifts. Using a 63 PAH method (GC-MS/MS), the tags detected 45 unique PAHs, of which 18 have not been previously reported as firefighting exposures. PAH concentrations were higher for on- compared to off-duty tags (0.25 < Cohen's d ≤ 0.80) and for the high compared to the low fire call volume department (0.25 ≤ d < 0.70). Using a 1530 analyte screening method (GC-MS), di-n-butyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, guaiacol, and DEET were commonly detected analytes. The number of fire attacks a firefighter participated in was more strongly correlated with PAH concentrations than firefighter rank or years in the fire service. This suggested that quantitative data should be employed for firefighter exposure assessments, rather than surrogate measures. Because several detected analytes are listed as possible carcinogens, future firefighter exposure studies should consider evaluating complex mixtures to assess individual health risks.

Antioxidant alterations link polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to blood pressure in children

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with changes in blood pressure. However, the association is controversial in different studies, and antioxidants' roles involved in it remain unclear. To investigate the associations among PAH exposure, blood pressure, and antioxidant concentrations, we recruited 403 children (2-7 years old), of which 203 were from Guiyu, an e-waste-recycling area (exposed group), and 200 were from Haojiang, a nearby non-e-waste area (reference group). Levels of blood pressure, plasma vitamin E, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and eight urinary hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs) were measured. Compared with Haojiang children, Guiyu children had higher urinary OH-PAH concentrations but lower systolic pressure, pulse pressure, serum SOD concentration, and serum GPx concentration (all P < 0.05). PAH exposure was associated with lower systolic pressure, pulse pressure, SOD (adjusted β = -0.091, -0.104 and -0.154, respectively, all P < 0.05, in all children), GPx (adjusted β_{∑7LMW-OH-PAHs-T3} = -0.332, only in Haojiang children) and vitamin E (adjusted OR_{∑7LMW-OH-PAHs} = 0.838, 95% CI: 0.706, 0.995, only in Guiyu children). Serum SOD and GPx were associated with higher blood pressure (β_SOD-T2 for diastolic pressure = 0.215 in all children, β_SOD-T3 for systolic pressure = 0.193 in all children, β_SOD-T3 for pulse pressure = 0.281 in high-∑₈OH-PAHs children, β_GPx-T2 = 0.283 and β_GPx-T3 = 0.289 for diastolic pressure in Haojiang children, all P < 0.05). Interactions between PAHs and vitamin E were associated with lower systolic pressure and pulse pressure; simple effects of vitamin E to raise systolic pressure and pulse pressure were only significant in low-∑₈OH-PAHs children. Our results indicate that PAH exposure, especially at high levels, and further antioxidant-decrease are potential risk factors for blood-pressure decrease in children; vascular function of PAH-exposed children may be impaired, manifesting as disordered blood pressure.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a target of environmental stressors - Implications for pollution mediated stress and inflammatory responses

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor regulating the expression of genes, for instance encoding the monooxygenases cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and CYP1A2, which are important enzymes in metabolism of xenobiotics. The AHR is activated upon binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and related ubiquitous environmental chemicals, to mediate their biological and toxic effects. In addition, several endogenous and natural compounds can bind to AHR, thereby modulating a variety of physiological processes. In recent years, ambient particulate matter (PM) associated with traffic related air pollution (TRAP) has been found to contain significant amounts of PAHs. PM containing PAHs are of increasing concern as a class of agonists, which can activate the AHR. Several reports show that PM and AHR-mediated induction of CYP1A1 results in excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress. Furthermore, exposure to PM and PAHs induce inflammatory responses and may lead to chronic inflammatory diseases, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and increased cancer risk. In this review, we summarize findings showing the critical role that the AHR plays in mediating effects of environmental pollutants and stressors, which pose a risk of impacting the environment and human health.

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PAHs present on ambient air pollution particles are ligands of the cellular AHR.

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AHR-dependent induction of CYP1, AKR, NOX and COX-2 genes can be a source of ROS generation.

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AHR signaling and NRF2 signaling interact to regulate the expression of antioxidant genes.

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Air pollution and ROS can affect inflammation, which is partially triggered by AHR and associated immune responses.

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Skin, lung, and the cardiovascular system are major target sites for air pollution-induced inflammation.

Effects of phenanthrene on oxidative stress and inflammation in lung and liver of female rats

Phenanthrene (Phe) female rat model was established to explore the effects of Phe on oxidative stress and inflammation. The rats were randomly divided into three groups including control (C), low (L), and high (H) group. Phe was supplied to L and H groups at the dosage of 180 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg orally at first day, and with the dose 90 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection at the last 2 days. The C group was enriched with the same volume of corn oil. The blood, lung, and liver tissues were collected. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were detected to evaluate oxidative stress. The protein and mRNA expressions of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were detected to evaluate inflammation. Further, the forkhead box transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) was analyzed to hint the injury mechanism of inflammation. The results showed SOD and MDA in lung and liver, and serum 8-OHdG elevated significantly in H groups (P < .05). Meanwhile, there were significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in lung and liver of H groups (P < .05). In addition, the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β and Foxp3 were all decreased significantly in both lung and liver of H groups (P < .05). Results demonstrated that an obvious change of Phe exposure could induce oxidative stress and inflammation in female rats. This is a first pilot study to explore the association between Phe exposure and oxidative stress and inflammation using a female rat model.

Inflammatory and functional responses after (bio)diesel exhaust exposure in allergic sensitized mice. A comparison between diesel and biodiesel

Many cities fail to meet air quality standards, which results in increased risk for pulmonary disorders, including asthma. Human and experimental studies have shown that diesel exhaust (DE) particles are associated with worsening of allergic asthma. Biodiesel (BD), a cleaner fuel from renewable sources, was introduced in the eighties. Because of the reduction in particulate matter (PM) emissions, BD was expected to cause fewer adverse pulmonary effects. However, only limited data on the effect of BD emissions in asthma are available.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether BD exhaust exposure in allergic sensitized mice leads to different effects on inflammatory and functional responses compared to DE exposure.

METHODS

Balb/C mice were orotracheally sensitized with House Dust Mite (HDM) or a saline solution with 3 weekly instillations. From day 9 until day 17 after sensitization, they were exposed daily to filtered air (FA), DE and BD exhaust (concentration: 600 μg/m³ PM_2.5). Lung function, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, TNF-α, TSLP) in the BALF, peribronchiolar eosinophils and parenchymal macrophages were measured.

RESULTS

HDM-sensitized animals presented increased lung elastance (p = 0.046), IgG1 serum levels (p = 0.029), peribronchiolar eosinophils (p = 0.028), BALF levels of total cells (p = 0.020), eosinophils (p = 0.028), IL-5 levels (p = 0.002) and TSLP levels (p = 0.046) in BALF. DE exposure alone increased lung elastance (p = 0.000) and BALF IL-4 levels (p = 0.045), whereas BD exposure alone increased BALF TSLP levels (p = 0.004). BD exposure did not influence any parameters after HDM challenge, while DE exposed animals presented increased BALF levels of total cells (p = 0.019), lymphocytes (p = 0.000), neutrophils (p = 0.040), macrophages (p = 0.034), BALF IL-4 levels (p = 0.028), and macrophagic inflammation in the lung tissue (p = 0.037), as well as decreased IgG1 (p = 0.046) and IgG2 (p = 0.043) levels when compared to the HDM group.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate more adverse pulmonary effects of DE compared to BD exposure in allergic sensitized animals.

Towards a fuller assessment of benefits to children's health of reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change due to fossil fuel combustion

BACKGROUND

Fossil fuel combustion by-products, including particulate matter (PM_2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), are a significant threat to children's health and equality. Various policies to reduce emissions have been implemented to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change, with sizeable estimated health and economic benefits. However, only a few adverse outcomes in children have been considered, resulting in an undercounting of the benefits to this vulnerable population.

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to expand the suite of child health outcomes addressed by programs to assess health and economic benefits, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP), by identifying concentration-response (C-R) functions for six outcomes related to PM_2.5, NO₂, PAH, and/or PM₁₀: preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, IQ reduction, and the development of childhood asthma.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature published between January 1, 2000 and April 30, 2018 to identify relevant peer-reviewed case-control and cohort studies and meta-analyses. In some cases meta-analyses were available that provided reliable C-R functions and we assessed their consistency with subsequent studies. Otherwise, we reviewed all eligible studies published between our search dates.

RESULTS

For each pollutant and health outcome, we present the characteristics of each selected study. We distinguish between C-R functions for endpoints having a causal or likely relationship (PTB, LBW, autism, asthma development) with the pollutants for incorporation into primary analyses and endpoints having a suggestive causal relationship with the pollutants (IQ reduction, ADHD) for secondary analyses.

CONCLUSION

We have identified C-R functions for a number of adverse health outcomes in children associated with air pollutants largely from fossil fuel combustion. Their incorporation into expanded assessments of health benefits of clean air and climate mitigation policies will provide an important incentive for preventive action.

Analysis of spatial distribution of trace metals, PCB, and PAH and their potential impact on human health in Virginian Counties and independent cities, USA

Increasing anthropogenic alteration has resulted in increased exposure to both point and nonpoint source pollution. These exposures are increasingly studied for their role in human diseases, including diseases with known genetic or lifestyle risk factors. This study analyzed associations between a variety of human diseases and trace metals, PCBs, and PAHs in soil, groundwater, sediment, and fish. Contaminant spatial data at the county level from Virginia were used in ArcGIS to identify these associations among socially vulnerable populations. The neurologic and psychiatric disorders and cognitive markers were associated with numerous metals in groundwater/soil and/or aquatic system contaminants. Cancer death rates, fetal deaths, and infant deaths were also related to multiple environmental exposures from both categories of exposure. In contrast, many of the chronic diseases which are primarily attributed to lifestyle showed little association with these exposures with the exception of COPD which did appear to be associated with multiple metal exposures. Asthma showed similar associations compared to COPD. Our data suggest that within the context of socially vulnerable populations, where disease burden is often highest, exposures to metals, PAHs, and PCBs may play a role in the development or exacerbation of several highly prevalent categories of disease. These environmental exposures likely act through a variety of pathways all generally leading to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, or interference with biological systems and a subsequent role in disease development.

Interactions between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and epoxide hydrolase 1 play roles in asthma

Asthma, as one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults, is a consequence of complex gene-environment interactions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as a group of widespread environmental organic pollutants, are involved in the development, triggering and pathologic changes of asthma. Various previous studies reported the critical roles of PAHs in immune changes, oxidative stress and environment-gene interactions of asthma. EPHX1 (the gene of epoxide hydrolase 1, an enzyme mediating human PAH metabolism) had a possible association with asthma by influencing PAH metabolism. This review summarized that (1) the roles of PAHs in asthma-work as risk factors; (2) the possible mechanisms involved in PAH-related asthma-through immunologic and oxidative stress changes; (3) the interactions between PAHs and EPHX1 involved in asthma-enzymatic activity of epoxide hydrolase 1, which affected by EPHX1 genotypes/SNPs/diplotypes, could influence human PAH metabolism and people's vulnerability to PAH exposure. This review provided a better understanding of the above interactions and underlying mechanisms for asthma which help to raise public's concern on PAH control and develop strategies for individual asthma primary prevention.

A Case Study Describing a Community-Engaged Approach for Evaluating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure in a Native American Community

In 2015, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) was impacted by an air toxic release from one of two nearby oil refineries. This experience motivated SITC members to learn more about their exposure to air toxics. On the invitation of SITC, this community-based study measured personal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and conducted interviews with the volunteers to evaluate perceptions of the data and experience of participating. Non-smoking SITC members were recruited in March 2016 (N = 10) and January 2017 (N = 22) with seven volunteers participating both times. Volunteers wore a wristband passive sampler for 7 days and completed daily activity diaries. Wristbands were analyzed for 62 PAHs using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Wilcoxon exact tests determined if the sum total PAHs (ΣPAH) differed by activity, proximity to the refineries, and time. Aggregated results were shared during community meetings, and volunteers received individual reports. Volunteers (N = 9) participated in individual interviews. All volunteers were exposed to different amounts and types of PAHs. Burning candles or using a wood stove and/or propane heating were associated with higher ΣPAH exposures. While ΣPAH was similar in both sampling periods, the composition of PAHs differed. More priority listed PAHs were detected in January (N = 17) versus March (N = 10). Among volunteers who participated in both sampling events, exposure to four PAHs significantly differed between seasons. Overall, volunteers reported that the study made them more aware of air pollution sources in their community. They also commented that the chemical nomenclature was difficult to understand, but appreciated the individual reports that allowed them to visually compare their data to the distribution of data collected in their community. For volunteers with lower exposures, these comparisons gave them relief. However, volunteers with higher exposures reported concern and several changed their behaviors to reduce their exposure to known PAH sources. This study provided an opportunity for SITC members to learn about their personal exposure to a class of air toxics within the context of their community. While the limitations of the study hindered the ability to identify sources of air toxics in the community, this activity appeared to raise awareness about ambient and indoor air pollution among the volunteers.

Mechanisms of organophosphorus pesticide toxicity in the context of airway hyperreactivity and asthma

Numerous epidemiologic studies have identified an association between occupational exposures to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and asthma or asthmatic symptoms in adults. Emerging epidemiologic data suggest that environmentally relevant levels of OPs may also be linked to respiratory dysfunction in the general population and that in utero and/or early life exposures to environmental OPs may increase risk for childhood asthma. In support of a causal link between OPs and asthma, experimental evidence demonstrates that occupationally and environmentally relevant OP exposures induce bronchospasm and airway hyperreactivity in preclinical models. Mechanistic studies have identified blockade of autoinhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic nerves that innervate airway smooth muscle as one mechanism by which OPs induce airway hyperreactivity, but significant questions remain regarding the mechanism(s) by which OPs cause neuronal M2 receptor dysfunction and, more generally, how OPs cause persistent asthma, especially after developmental exposures. The goals of this review are to 1) summarize current understanding of OPs in asthma; 2) discuss mechanisms of OP neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity that warrant consideration in the context of OP-induced airway hyperreactivity and asthma, specifically, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, neural plasticity, and neurogenic inflammation; and 3) identify critical data gaps that need to be addressed in order to better protect adults and children against the harmful respiratory effects of low-level OP exposures.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, vitamin D, and lung function in children with asthma

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) affects lung function in children with asthma. Whether vitamin D insufficiency enhances any detrimental effects of PAH on lung function in asthmatic children is also unknown.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 1,821 children (6-17 years) who participated in the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the relation between molar mass of urinary PAH metabolites (sum of all PAH (ΣmolPAH), sum of PAH with 2 benzene rings (Σmol2-PAH), or sum of PAH with 3 or 4 benzene rings (Σmol3,4-PAH)) and lung function or exhaled fraction of nitric oxide (FeNO) in children with and without asthma. In this multivariable analysis, we tested whether vitamin D insufficiency (a serum 25(OH)D level <30 ng/mL) interacts with PAH exposure on lung function in children with asthma.

RESULTS

Children in the highest quartiles of urinary Σmol3,4-PAH had 2.3 times increased odds of asthma than those in the lowest quartile of Σmol3,4-PAH. Urinary PAH were not associated with lung function in children with or without asthma. Given a significant interaction between vitamin D insufficiency and PAH metabolites on lung function in asthmatic children, we stratified the analysis by vitamin D status. In this analysis, urinary PAH metabolites were significantly associated with 2.7-3.9% reduced %predicted FEV1 and %predicted FEV1/FVC in children with asthma and vitamin D insufficiency, but not in those with asthma and vitamin D sufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D insufficiency and PAH exposure may have synergistic detrimental effects on lung function in asthmatic children.

A network biology-based approach to evaluating the effect of environmental contaminants on human interactome and diseases

Environmental contaminant exposure can pose significant risks to human health. Therefore, evaluating the impact of this exposure is of great importance; however, it is often difficult because both the molecular mechanism of disease and the mode of action of the contaminants are complex. We used network biology techniques to quantitatively assess the impact of environmental contaminants on the human interactome and diseases with a particular focus on seven major contaminant categories: persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), metals, and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). We integrated publicly available data on toxicogenomics, the diseasome, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), and gene essentiality and found that a few contaminants were targeted to many genes, and a few genes were targeted by many contaminants. The contaminant targets were hub proteins in the human PPI network, whereas the target proteins in most categories did not contain abundant essential proteins. Generally, contaminant targets and disease-associated proteins were closely associated with the PPI network, and the closeness of the associations depended on the disease type and chemical category. Network biology techniques were used to identify environmental contaminants with broad effects on the human interactome and contaminant-sensitive biomarkers. Moreover, this method enabled us to quantify the relationship between environmental contaminants and human diseases, which was supported by epidemiological and experimental evidence. These methods and findings have facilitated the elucidation of the complex relationship between environmental exposure and adverse health outcomes.

2-Naphthol Levels and Allergic Disorders in Children

Background: The measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air is quite difficult to perform. Using urine biomarkers of PAH such as 2-naphthol is one approach to this problem. This study explored the association between urine 2-naphthol levels and allergic diseases. The associations between 2-naphthol levels and oxidative stress biomarkers for the possible disease pathogenesis were also investigated. Method: A total of 453 kindergarten children from the (Childhood Environment and Allergic Diseases Study) CEAS cohort with urine samples were recruited. Urine 2-naphthol levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and markers of oxidative stress (8OHdG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Information on environmental risk factors and allergic diseases were also collected. The association between 2-naphthol levels, 8OHdG levels, IgE, and allergic diseases were evaluated by multivariate linear regression and logistic regression. Results: Levels of 2-naphthol were positively correlated with 8OHdG levels. A one ln-unit increase in the 2-naphthol level was positively associated to 8OHdG levels (per ln-unit: β = 100.61, p < 0.001). When dividing 2-naphthol levels into quartiles, asthma was significantly associated with 2-naphthol levels at a concentration of >1.60 ng/mL (adjusted OR: 3.14, 95% CI 1.34–7.35). Conclusion: Urine 2-naphthol levels are associated with markers of oxidative stress and the risk of allergic diseases in young children.

Unique pulmonary immunotoxicological effects of urban PM are not recapitulated solely by carbon black, diesel exhaust or coal fly ash

BACKGROUND

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is increasing worldwide as a result of increased human activity, the rapid industrialization of developing countries, and effects of climate change. Adverse effects of PM on human health are well documented, and because PM exposure occurs mostly through the airways, PM has especially deleterious impact on the lungs.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether surrogate PM particles like carbon black (CB), diesel exhaust particle (DEP), coal fly ash (CFA) can recapitulate the allergic airway inflammatory response induced by urban particulate matter.

METHODS

We compared the pro-inflammatory potential of urban PM collected from New York (NYC) and Baltimore (Balt) with CB, DEP and CFA surrogate PM particles. Eight to ten weeks old BALB/cJ mice were exposed through the airways to particulate material, and markers of airway inflammation were determined. Specifically, we assessed cellular influx, mucus production, lung function, cytokine levels as well as immune cell profiling of the lungs.

RESULTS

Herein, we demonstrate that exposure to equivalent mass of stand-alone surrogate PM particles like CB, DEP and CFA, fails to induce significant airway inflammatory response seen after similar exposure to urban PMs. Specifically, we observe that PM collected from New York (NYC) and Baltimore city (Balt) triggers a mixed Th2/Th17 response accompanied by eosinophilic and neutrophilic influx, mucus production and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Although the immune profile of NYC and Baltimore PMs are similar, they demonstrate considerable differences in their potency. Baltimore PM induced more robust airway inflammation, AHR, and Th2 cytokine production, possibly due to the greater metal content in Baltimore PM.

CONCLUSIONS

Urban particulate matter with its unique physiochemical properties and heterogeneous composition elicits a mixed Th2/Th17 allergic airway response that is not seen after similar exposures to surrogate PM particles.