Environmental chemicals mediated the effect of old housing on adult health problems: US NHANES, 2009-2010

Melatonin prevents histopathologies stem from cadmium chloride in pregnant mice lungs

Heavy metals may cause structural and functional changes in organs. Cadmium, taken into the body through oral and respiratory routes, can lead to lesions. Cadmium may lead to lesions by accumulating in organs. The lungs are significantly affected by cadmium. Melatonin, an antioxidant hormone with therapeutic effects, is secreted by the pineal gland. The aim of the study is to treat cadmium-induced lesions in the lungs of pregnant mice with Melatonin. Four groups were created with 24 pregnant mice, named Control, Cadmium Chloride, Melatonin, and Melatonin + Cadmium Chloride groups (n: 6) Cadmium Chloride (2 mg/kg/bw) and Melatonin (3 mg/kg/bw) were given orally through gavage during pregnancy (21 days) After routine histological procedures, the lung tissues were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and evaluated under a light and electron microscope. ANOVA tests were applied for one-way analysis of variance, and LSD tests were applied for pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05) The average lung weight decreased in the Cadmium Chloride group (p: 0.03) The average lung weight in the Cadmium Chloride + Melatonin group was found to be close to the control group (p: 0.06) Cadmium Chloride caused thickening of the lung alveolar wall, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrin deposition. Because the lesions were not observed in the Melatonin group, lesions may be prevented by melatonin. Additional studies may be useful to determine the protective effect of Melatonin at different doses of Cadmium Chloride.

Phthalates' exposure leads to an increasing concern on cardiovascular health

Being an essential component in the plastics industry, phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment and in everyday life. They are considered environmental contaminants that have been classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds. Despite di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) being the most common plasticizer and the most studied to date, there are many others that, in addition to being widely used in the plastic, are also applied in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and cosmetics. Due to their wide use, phthalates are easily absorbed by the human body where they can disrupt the endocrine system by binding to molecular targets and interfering with hormonal homeostasis. Thus, phthalates exposure has been implicated in the development of several diseases in different age groups. Collecting information from the most recent available literature, this review aims to relate human phthalates' exposure with the development of cardiovascular diseases throughout all ages. Overall, most of the studies presented demonstrated an association between phthalates and several cardiovascular diseases, either from prenatal or postnatal exposure, affecting foetuses, infants, children, young and older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly explored. Thus, considering the cardiovascular diseases incidence worldwide and the constant human exposure to phthalates, this topic should be extensively studied to understand the mechanisms involved.

Objectively measured external building quality, Census housing vacancies and age, and serum metals in an adult cohort in Detroit, Michigan

BACKGROUND

Residentially derived lead pollution remains a significant problem in urban areas across the country and globe. The risks of childhood residence in housing contaminated with lead-based paint are well-established, but less is known about the effects of housing quality on adult lead exposure.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of residential-area housing age, vacancy status, and building quality on adult lead exposures.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of Census block group housing vacancy proportion, block group housing age, and in-person survey evaluated neighborhood building quality on serum levels of lead, mercury, manganese, and copper among a representative cohort of adults in Detroit, Michigan, from 2008-2013 using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

Participants in Census block groups with higher proportions of vacant and aged housing had non-significantly elevated serum lead levels. We identified similar positive associations between residence in neighborhoods with poorer objectively measured building quality and serum lead. Associations between Census vacancies, housing age, objectively measured building quality, and serum lead were stronger among participants with a more stable residential history.

SIGNIFICANCE

Vacant, aged, and poorly maintained housing may contribute to widespread, low-level lead exposure among adult residents of older cities like Detroit, Michigan. US Census and neighborhood quality data may be a useful tool to identify population-level lead exposures among US adults.

IMPACT

Using longitudinal data from a representative cohort of adults in Detroit, Michigan, we demonstrate that Census data regarding housing vacancies and age and neighborhood survey data regarding housing quality are associated with increasing serum lead levels. Previous research has primarily focused on housing quality and lead exposures among children. Here, we demonstrate that area-level metrics of housing quality are associated with lead exposures among adults.

Combined chemical exposure using exposure loads on human biomonitoring data of the 4th Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS-4)

To improve our understanding of internal exposure to multiple chemicals, the concept exposure load (EL) was used on human biomonitoring (HBM) data of the 4th FLEHS (Flemish Environment and Health Study; 2016-2020). The investigated chemicals were per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), bisphenols, phthalates and alternative plasticizers, flame retardants, pesticides, toxic metals, organochlorine compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The EL calculates "the number of chemicals to which individuals are internally exposed above a predefined threshold". In this study, the 50th and 90th percentile of each of the 45 chemicals were applied as thresholds for the EL calculations for 387 study participants. Around 20% of the participants were exposed to >27 chemicals above the P50 and to >6 chemicals above the P90 level. This shows that participants can be internally exposed to multiple chemicals in relatively high concentrations. When the chemical composition of the EL was considered, the variability between individuals was driven by some chemicals more than others. The variability of the chemical profiles at high exposure loads (EL-P90) was somewhat dominated by e.g. organochlorine chemicals, PFASs, phthalates, PAHs, organophosphate flame retardants, bisphenols (A & F), pesticides, metals, but to a lesser extent by brominated flame retardants, the organophosphorus flame retardants TCIPP & TBOEP, naphthalene and benzene, bisphenols S, B & Z, the pesticide 2,4-D, the phthalate DEP and alternative plasticizer DINCH. Associations between the EL and exposure determinants suggested determinants formerly associated with fat soluble chemicals, PFASs, bisphenols, and PAHs. This information adds to the knowledge needed to reduce the exposure by policymakers and citizens. However, a more in depth study is necessary to explore in detail the causes for the higher EL in some individuals. Some limitations in the EL concept are that a binary number is used for exposure above or below a threshold, while toxicity and residence time in the body are not accounted for and the sequence of exposure in different life stages is unknown. However, EL is a first useful step to get more insight in multiple chemical exposure in higher exposed subpopulations (relative to the rest of the sampled population).

Urinary trace metals, maternal circulating angiogenic biomarkers, and preeclampsia: a single-contaminant and mixture-based approach

BACKGROUND

Exposures to toxic metals and deficiencies in essential metals disrupt placentation and may contribute to preeclampsia. However, effects of exposure to combinations of metals remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between urinary trace metals, circulating angiogenic biomarkers, and preeclampsia using the LIFECODES birth cohort.

METHODS

Urine samples collected during pregnancy were analyzed for 17 trace metals and plasma samples were analyzed for soluble fms-like tyrosine-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) of preeclampsia associated with urinary trace metals. Linear regression models were used to estimate the relationship between urinary trace metals and angiogenic biomarkers. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to identify groups of metals and interactions between principal components (PCs) loaded by toxic and essential metals were examined.

RESULTS

In single-contaminant models, several toxic and essential metals were associated with lower PlGF and higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Detection of urinary chromium was associated with preeclampsia: HR (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) = 3.48 (1.02, 11.8) and an IQR-increase in urinary selenium was associated with reduced risk of preeclampsia (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.94). Using PCA, 3 PCs were identified, characterized by essential metals (PC1), toxic metals (PC2), and seafood-associated metals (PC3). PC1 and PC2 were associated with lower PlGF levels, but not preeclampsia risk in the overall cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Trace urinary metals may be associated with adverse profiles of angiogenic biomarkers and preeclampsia.

In utero metal exposures measured in deciduous teeth and birth outcomes in a racially-diverse urban cohort

A growing number of studies have examined associations of metal exposures with birth outcomes, however, results from these studies have been inconsistent, and hampered by methodological limitations. We measured direct fetal exposure to three metals (lead, manganese and zinc) during the second and third trimester and examined its association with birth weight and gestational age at delivery. Participants in the Wayne County Health, Environment, Allergy and Asthma Longitudinal Study (WHEALS), a population-based birth cohort established between September 2003 and December 2007, were invited to donate teeth to the study. Lead, manganese and zinc during the second and third trimesters were measured via high-resolution microspatial mapping of dentin growth rings, a validated biomarker for prenatal metal exposure. Gestational age at delivery and infant birth weight were obtained from the delivery medical record. A total of 145 children had tooth metal measurements and birth outcome data. Mean birth weight was 3431 ± 472 g and mean gestational age at delivery was 39.0 ± 1.3 weeks. Overall, there was a positive association between second (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.37, P = 0.01) and third trimester (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.37, P = 0.01) tooth manganese and birth weight Z-score; this remained statistically significant after covariate adjustment. There was also a negative association between second trimester tooth lead level and birth weight Z-score (β = -0.20, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.02, P = 0.02), however, this was attenuated after adjusting for covariates. Mixture analysis revealed similar findings. There was evidence for a sex-specific effect of manganese with birth weight Z-score, with the association stronger in female compared to male infants. Overall, we found evidence suggesting that higher in utero manganese is associated with larger birth weight Z-scores and that these associations may vary by infant sex.

4-Nitrophenol (PNP) inhibits the expression of estrogen receptor β and disrupts steroidogenesis during the ovarian development in female rats

4-nitrophenol (PNP), isolated from diesel exhaust particles, has estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities, and affects the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in male rats. However, the effect of PNP on the reproduction of the female rats is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of neonatal PNP exposure on the ovarian function of female rats. The neonatal female rats were exposed to PNP (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously injection), the ovary and serum samples were collected at postnatal day (PND) 7, 14 and 21. The results showed that the ratio of primordial and primary follicles increased whereas the ratio of antral follicles decreased in the PNP treated ovaries at PND21. Even though no abnormality was observed in cyclicity, there was a significantly delayed timing of vaginal opening in PNP treated rats. The ovarian expression of steroidogenic enzymes including StAR, P450scc, P450c17 and P450arom increased at PND14 in the PNP treated rats compared with the control rats. In consistent with the gene expression, the concentration of estradiol-17β showed the similar pattern. However, PNP exposure failed to cause any significant change in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in cultured neonatal ovaries. Furthermore, PNP suppressed the expression of estrogen receptor β (ERβ), but not estrogen receptor α (ERα), in cultured ovaries or developmental ovaries. These results suggested that PNP might directly affect the expression of ERβ in the rat ovaries, resulting in the disrupted steroidogenesis during ovarian development and the delayed puberty.

Factors affecting the variability in the observed levels of cadmium in blood and urine among former and current smokers aged 20-64 and ≥ 65years

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1999-2012 were used to evaluate factors that affect observed levels of blood cadmium (BCd) and urine cadmium (UCd) among former and current smokers aged 20-64 and ≥65 years. Adjusted levels (AGM) for BCd and UCd were higher among females as compared to males. The order of AGM for BCd by race/ethnicity for 20-64 years old was non-Hispanic white (NHW) < non-Hispanic black (NHB) and NHW > NHB for ≥65 years old. The order of AGMs for UCd for 20-64-year-old current smokers was NHW > NHB and NHW > NHB for former smokers. For 20-64-year-old current smokers, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at home was associated with higher levels of BCd. Levels of both UCd and BCd increased with age, but the rate of increase was as much as seven times higher among ≥65 years old than 20-64 years old. For current smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked inside home was positively associated with the levels of BCd. For current smokers aged 20-64 years, the number of cigarettes smoked inside home was positively associated with the levels of UCd (p < 0.01), and the number of cigarettes smoked every day on the days they were smoked was also positively associated with the levels of UCd (p < 0.01). Among former smokers, levels of both UCd and BCd were positively associated (p < 0.1) with the number of cigarettes smoked per day at the time of quitting smoking and negatively associated with the time since smoking was quitted (p < 0.01).

Short residence duration was associated with asthma but not cognitive function in the elderly: USA NHANES, 2001-2002

There has been a growing interest in how the built environment affects health and well-being. Housing characteristics are associated with human health while environmental chemicals could have mediated the effects. However, it is unclear if and how residence duration might have a role in health and well-being. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the associations among residence duration, common chronic diseases, and cognitive function in older adults in a national and population-based setting. Data were extracted from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2002, with assessment information on demographics, lifestyle factors, housing characteristics, self-reported common chronic diseases, and cognitive function by using the digit symbol substitution test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (a measurement of attention and psychomotor speed). Statistical analyses including the chi-square test, t test, and survey-weighted general linear modeling and logistic regression modeling were performed. Residence duration was significantly associated with risk of asthma but not with other chronic disease, showing a longer stay in the same housing leading to lower risk of asthma (OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.27-0.69, P = 0.002) among the American older adults. However, having asthma was not associated with cognitive function decline. In conclusion, residence duration was found to be associated with risk of asthma but not cognitive function. Future research examining the relationship of residence duration and cognitive tests by other domains of cognitive function following asthma episodes would be suggested. For practice and policy implications, familiarity with the housing environment might help with lessening respiratory symptoms.

Factors associated with self-reported health: implications for screening level community-based health and environmental studies

Background

Advocates for environmental justice, local, state, and national public health officials, exposure scientists, need broad-based health indices to identify vulnerable communities. Longitudinal studies show that perception of current health status predicts subsequent mortality, suggesting that self-reported health (SRH) may be useful in screening-level community assessments. This paper evaluates whether SRH is an appropriate surrogate indicator of health status by evaluating relationships between SRH and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health care factors as well as serological indicators of nutrition, health risk, and environmental exposures.

Methods

Data were combined from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys for 1372 nonsmoking 20–50 year olds. Ordinal and binary logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals of reporting poorer health based on measures of nutrition, health condition, environmental contaminants, and sociodemographic, health care, and lifestyle factors.

Results

Poorer SRH was associated with several serological measures of nutrition, health condition, and biomarkers of toluene, cadmium, lead, and mercury exposure. Race/ethnicity, income, education, access to health care, food security, exercise, poor mental and physical health, prescription drug use, and multiple health outcome measures (e.g., diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma) were also associated with poorer SRH.

Conclusion

Based on the many significant associations between SRH and serological assays of health risk, sociodemographic measures, health care access and utilization, and lifestyle factors, SRH appears to be a useful health indicator with potential relevance for screening level community-based health and environmental studies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3321-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Low-dose oral cadmium increases airway reactivity and lung neuronal gene expression in mice

Inhalation of cadmium (Cd) is associated with lung diseases, but less is known concerning pulmonary effects of Cd found in the diet. Cd has a decades-long half-life in humans and significant bioaccumulation occurs with chronic dietary intake. We exposed mice to low-dose CdCl2 (10 mg/L in drinking water) for 20 weeks, which increased lung Cd to a level similar to that of nonoccupationally exposed adult humans. Cd-treated mice had increased airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge, and gene expression array showed that Cd altered the abundance of 443 mRNA transcripts in mouse lung. In contrast to higher doses, low-dose Cd did not elicit increased metallothionein transcripts in lung. To identify pathways most affected by Cd, gene set enrichment of transcripts was analyzed. Results showed that major inducible targets of low-dose Cd were neuronal receptors represented by enriched olfactory, glutamatergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic gene sets. Olfactory receptors regulate chemosensory function and airway hypersensitivity, and these gene sets were the most enriched. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that Cd treatment also increased metabolites in pathways of glutamatergic (glutamate), serotonergic (tryptophan), cholinergic (choline), and catecholaminergic (tyrosine) receptors in the lung tissue. Protein abundance measurements showed that the glutamate receptor GRIN2A was increased in mouse lung tissue. Together, these results show that in mice, oral low-dose Cd increased lung Cd to levels comparable to humans, increased airway hyperresponsiveness and disrupted neuronal pathways regulating bronchial tone. Therefore, dietary Cd may promote or worsen airway hyperresponsiveness in multiple lung diseases including asthma.

Less indoor cleaning is associated with poor health and unhappiness in adults: Japanese General Social Survey, 2010

Indoor environment is important to human health and well-being. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships among indoor cleaning, rubbish disposal and human health and well-being in a national and population-based setting. Data was retrieved from the Japanese General Social Survey, 2010. Information on demographics, lifestyle factors, frequency of indoor cleaning and rubbish disposal and self-reported health and well-being in Japanese adults was obtained by household interview. Analysis included chi-square test, logistic and multi-nominal regression modelling. Of 5003 Japanese adults (aged 20-89) included in the study cohort, 11.4 % (n = 566) never cleaned their living place, 39.1 % had occasional cleaning and 49.6 % had frequent cleaning. Moreover, 17.5 % (n = 869) never disposed rubbish, 24.9 % had occasional rubbish disposal and 57.6 % had frequent rubbish disposal. 15.0 % of Japanese adults claimed poor self-rated health, and 5.9 % reported unhappiness. Compared to people who frequently cleaned the living place, others tended to report poor self-rated health condition (relative risk ratios (RRR) 1.52, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.24-1.85, P < 0.001) and unhappiness (RRR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.10-1.95, P < 0.001). The combined effects of never cleaning and never rubbish disposal significantly impacted on poor self-rated health (RRR 2.61, 95 % CI 1.40-4.88, P = 0.003) and unhappiness (RRR 2.72, 95 % CI 1.72-4.30, P < 0.001). Only half of the Japanese population frequently cleaned their living place and disposed rubbish. Less or never cleaning and rubbish disposal were associated with poor self-rated health, subjective happiness and potentially other health conditions. Public education on maintaining clean indoor environments to optimise psychological well-being in addition to the known physical health would be suggested.

Indoor mildew odour in old housing was associated with adult allergic symptoms, asthma, chronic bronchitis, vision, sleep and self-rated health: USA NHANES, 2005-2006

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis has shown the effect of indoor mildew odour on allergic rhinitis risk, but its relation to other common chronic health outcomes in adults has not been investigated. Therefore, it was aimed to examine the relationship of indoor mildew odour and common health outcomes in adults in a national and population-based setting. Data was retrieved from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2005-2006, including the available information on demographics, housing characteristics, self-reported health conditions and urinary concentrations of environmental chemicals. T test, chi-squared test and survey-weighted logistic regression modelling were performed. Of all American adults (n = 4979), 744 (15.1%) reported indoor mildew odour or musty smell in their households. People who reported indoor mildew odour or musty smell also reported poorer self-rated health, sleep complaints, chronic bronchitis, asthma attack, itchy rash, sneezing and poor vision. In addition, people who reported indoor mildew odour or musty smell also tended to reside in older housing that were built 20 years earlier. However, there were no significant statistical associations found between indoor mildew odour or musty smell and urinary concentrations of environmental chemicals, which was also found to be associated with old housing. People who lived in older housing with indoor mildew odour or musty smell tended to have chronic health problems. To protect occupants in old housing from chronic illnesses associated with indoor mildew odour, elimination of the odour sources should be explored in future research and therefore public health and housing programs. Graphical abstract Pathway from old housing to musty smell, environmental chemicals and then health outcomes.