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Horsdal HT, Pedersen MG, Schullehner J, Østergaard CS, Mcgrath JJ, Agerbo E, Timmermann A, Closter AM, Brandt J, Christensen JH, Frohn LM, Geels C, Ketzel M, Khan J, Ørby PV, Olsen Y, Levin G, Svenning JC, Engemann K, Gyldenkærne S, Hansen B, Hertel O, Sabel CE, Erikstrup C, Sigsgaard T, Pedersen CB. Perspectives on environment and health research in Denmark. Scand J Public Health 2024; 52:741-751. [PMID: 37278162 PMCID: PMC11308320 DOI: 10.1177/14034948231178076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS We provide an overview of nationwide environmental data available for Denmark and its linkage potentials to individual-level records with the aim of promoting research on the potential impact of the local surrounding environment on human health. BACKGROUND Researchers in Denmark have unique opportunities for conducting large population-based studies treating the entire Danish population as one big, open and dynamic cohort based on nationally complete population and health registries. So far, most research in this area has utilised individual- and family-level information to study the clustering of disease in families, comorbidities, risk of, and prognosis after, disease onset, and social gradients in disease risk. Linking environmental data in time and space to individuals enables novel possibilities for studying the health effects of the social, built and physical environment. METHODS We describe the possible linkage between individuals and their local surrounding environment to establish the exposome - that is, the total environmental exposure of an individual over their life course. CONCLUSIONS The currently available nationwide longitudinal environmental data in Denmark constitutes a valuable and globally rare asset that can help explore the impact of the exposome on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette T. Horsdal
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Marianne G. Pedersen
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Denmark
| | - Cecilie S. Østergaard
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - John J. Mcgrath
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Australia
| | - Esben Agerbo
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Allan Timmermann
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Ane Marie Closter
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Brandt
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Lise M. Frohn
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Camilla Geels
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Matthias Ketzel
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research, University of Surrey, UK
| | - Jibran Khan
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Pia V. Ørby
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Yulia Olsen
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Gregor Levin
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere & Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Kristine Engemann
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere & Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | | | - Ole Hertel
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Clive E. Sabel
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Christian Erikstrup
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Carsten B. Pedersen
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Bellavance C, Lalonde B, Simonyan D, Jabado N, Perreault S, Larouche V. Epidemiology of Pediatric Tumors in Quebec: A 17-Year Report of Cancer in Young People in the Canada Registry. Curr Oncol 2024; 31:2689-2699. [PMID: 38785485 PMCID: PMC11119085 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31050204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among children of more than 1 year of age. However, childhood cancer risk factors and etiology are yet to be fully understood. The goal of this study is to identify geographic variation among children and adolescents diagnosed with pediatric tumors between 2001 and 2018 in the province of Quebec. METHODS We analyzed pediatric patients less than 15 years of age from the Cancer in Young People in Canada (CYP-C) surveillance system who were diagnosed between 2001 and 2018 with cancer in the province of Quebec. The age-standardized age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) per 100,000 person years were calculated for all childhood cancers by cancer subgroups, Quebec Health regions, and age groups. RESULTS Overall, 3904 pediatric patients less than 15 years old were diagnosed with cancer in the province of Quebec in 2001-2018. The overall incidence rate (IR) in the province of Quebec was 16.14 (95%CL [15.56-16.73]) per 100,000 person years. For childhood cancers, regions that presented a higher AAIR were Chaudière-Appalaches and Capitale-Nationale with 18.2 and 17.5 per 100,000 person years, respectively. The incidence rates (IRs) in Chaudière-Appalaches (95% CI 1.0439-1.3532) and in Capitale-Nationale (95% CI 1.0124-1.2942) were statistically higher than the incidence in the province of Quebec (p = 0.0090 and p = 0.0310, respectively). When comparing the AAIR of the CNS tumor subgroup in Chaudière-Appalaches and in Capitale-Nationale, with the provincial average, we noticed a statistically higher incidence in Chaudière-Appalaches and a trend for Capitale-Nationale (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0602, respectively). CONCLUSION There is evidence of spatial clusters in Chaudière-Appalaches and Capitale-Nationale as areas for all childhood cancers. Further studies should be performed to investigate potential risk factors in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benoit Lalonde
- Geography Department, Laval University, Quebec, QC GIV 0B3, Canada
| | - David Simonyan
- Research Center, CHU de Quebec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5, Canada
| | - Nada Jabado
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Sebastien Perreault
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, CHU Ste-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Valérie Larouche
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, CHU de Quebec-Université Laval, Centre Mère-Enfant Soleil, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
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3
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Levin R, Villanueva CM, Beene D, Cradock AL, Donat-Vargas C, Lewis J, Martinez-Morata I, Minovi D, Nigra AE, Olson ED, Schaider LA, Ward MH, Deziel NC. US drinking water quality: exposure risk profiles for seven legacy and emerging contaminants. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:3-22. [PMID: 37739995 PMCID: PMC10907308 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in drinking water infrastructure and treatment throughout the 20th and early 21st century dramatically improved water reliability and quality in the United States (US) and other parts of the world. However, numerous chemical contaminants from a range of anthropogenic and natural sources continue to pose chronic health concerns, even in countries with established drinking water regulations, such as the US. OBJECTIVE/METHODS In this review, we summarize exposure risk profiles and health effects for seven legacy and emerging drinking water contaminants or contaminant groups: arsenic, disinfection by-products, fracking-related substances, lead, nitrate, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and uranium. We begin with an overview of US public water systems, and US and global drinking water regulation. We end with a summary of cross-cutting challenges that burden US drinking water systems: aging and deteriorated water infrastructure, vulnerabilities for children in school and childcare facilities, climate change, disparities in access to safe and reliable drinking water, uneven enforcement of drinking water standards, inadequate health assessments, large numbers of chemicals within a class, a preponderance of small water systems, and issues facing US Indigenous communities. RESULTS Research and data on US drinking water contamination show that exposure profiles, health risks, and water quality reliability issues vary widely across populations, geographically and by contaminant. Factors include water source, local and regional features, aging water infrastructure, industrial or commercial activities, and social determinants. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies. IMPACT STATEMENT Drinking water contamination is widespread, even in the US. Exposure risk profiles vary by contaminant. Understanding the risk profiles of different drinking water contaminants is necessary for anticipating local and general public health problems, ascertaining the state of drinking water resources, and developing mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Levin
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cristina M Villanueva
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Beene
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of New Mexico Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER epidemiología y salud pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darya Minovi
- Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne E Nigra
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erik D Olson
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Schullehner J, Cserbik D, Gago-Ferrero P, Lundqvist J, Nuckols JR. Integrating different tools and technologies to advance drinking water quality exposure assessments. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:108-114. [PMID: 37553410 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants in drinking water are a major contributor to the human exposome and adverse health effects. Assessing drinking water exposure accurately in health studies is challenging, as several of the following study design domains should be addressed as adequately as possible. In this paper, we identify the domains Time, Space, Data Quality, Data Accessibility, economic considerations of Study Size, and Complex Mixtures. We present case studies for three approaches or technologies that address these domains differently in the context of exposure assessment of drinking water quality: regulated contaminants in monitoring databases, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based wide-scope chemical analysis, and effect-based bioassay methods. While none of these approaches address all the domains sufficiently, together they have the potential to carry out exposure assessments that would complement each other and could advance the state-of-science towards more accurate risk analysis. The aim of our study is to give researchers investigating health effects of drinking water quality the impetus to consider how their exposure assessments relate to the above-mentioned domains and whether it would be worthwhile to integrate the advanced technologies presented into planned risk analyses. We highly suggest this three-pronged approach should be further evaluated in health risk analyses, especially epidemiological studies concerning contaminants in drinking water. The state of the knowledge regarding potential benefits of these technologies, especially when applied in tandem, provides more than sufficient evidence to support future research to determine the implications of combining the approaches described in our case studies in terms of protection of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Schullehner
- Environment, Occupation and Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Dora Cserbik
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Gago-Ferrero
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research-Spanish Council of Scientific Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johan Lundqvist
- Department of Biomedicine and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John R Nuckols
- Emeritus Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Principal, JRN Environmental Health Sciences, Ltd, North Bethesda, MD, USA
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Sailaukhanuly Y, Azat S, Kunarbekova M, Tovassarov A, Toshtay K, Tauanov Z, Carlsen L, Berndtsson R. Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate in Drinking Water with Potential Source Identification: A Case Study in Almaty, Kazakhstan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 21:55. [PMID: 38248520 PMCID: PMC10815420 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Infant mortality in Kazakhstan is six times higher compared with the EU. There are several reasons for this, but a partial reason might be that less than 30% of Kazakhstan's population has access to safe water and sanitation and more than 57% uses polluted groundwater from wells that do not comply with international standards. For example, nitrate pollution in surface and groundwater continues to increase due to intensified agriculture and the discharge of untreated wastewater, causing concerns regarding environmental and human health. For this reason, drinking water samples were collected from the water supply distribution network in eight districts of Almaty, Kazakhstan, and water quality constituents, including nitrate, were analyzed. In several districts, the nitrate concentration was above the WHO and Kazakhstan's maximum permissible limits for drinking water. The spatial distribution of high nitrate concentration in drinking water was shown to be strongly correlated with areas that are supplied with groundwater, whereas areas with lower nitrate levels are supplied with surface water sources. Based on source identification, it was shown that groundwater is likely polluted by mainly domestic wastewater. The health risk for infants, children, teenagers, and adults was assessed based on chronic daily intake, and the hazard quotient (HQ) of nitrate intake from drinking water was determined. The non-carcinogenic risks increased in the following manner: adult < teenager < child < infant. For infants and children, the HQ was greater than the acceptable level and higher than that of other age groups, thus pointing to infants and children as the most vulnerable age group due to drinking water intake in the study area. Different water management options are suggested to improve the health situation of the population now drinking nitrate-polluted groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerbolat Sailaukhanuly
- Laboratory of Engineering Profile, Satbayev University, 22a Satpaev Str., Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan; (S.A.); (M.K.)
- Central Asian Institute for Ecological Research, 300/26 Dostyk Ave., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan;
| | - Seitkhan Azat
- Laboratory of Engineering Profile, Satbayev University, 22a Satpaev Str., Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan; (S.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Makhabbat Kunarbekova
- Laboratory of Engineering Profile, Satbayev University, 22a Satpaev Str., Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan; (S.A.); (M.K.)
| | - Adylkhan Tovassarov
- Central Asian Institute for Ecological Research, 300/26 Dostyk Ave., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan;
| | - Kainaubek Toshtay
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan; (K.T.); (Z.T.)
| | - Zhandos Tauanov
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan; (K.T.); (Z.T.)
| | - Lars Carlsen
- Awareness Center, Linkøpingvej 35, Trekroner, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
| | - Ronny Berndtsson
- Division of Water Resources Engineering & Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Mahlknecht J, Torres-Martínez JA, Kumar M, Mora A, Kaown D, Loge FJ. Nitrate prediction in groundwater of data scarce regions: The futuristic fresh-water management outlook. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166863. [PMID: 37690767 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate contamination in groundwater poses a significant threat to water quality and public health, especially in regions with limited data availability. This study addresses this challenge by employing machine learning (ML) techniques to predict nitrate (NO3--N) concentrations in Mexico's groundwater. Four ML algorithms-Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Boosted Regression Trees (BRT), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machines (SVM)-were executed to model NO3--N concentrations across the country. Despite data limitations, the ML models achieved robust predictive performances. XGB and BRT algorithms demonstrated superior accuracy (0.80 and 0.78, respectively). Notably, this was achieved using ∼10 times less information than previous large-scale assessments. The novelty lies in the first-ever implementation of the 'Support Points-based Split Approach' during data pre-processing. The models considered initially 68 covariates and identified 13-19 significant predictors of NO3--N concentration spanning from climate, geomorphology, soil, hydrogeology, and human factors. Rainfall, elevation, and slope emerged as key predictors. A validation incorporated nationwide waste disposal sites, yielding an encouraging correlation. Spatial risk mapping unveiled significant pollution hotspots across Mexico. Regions with elevated NO3--N concentrations (>10 mg/L) were identified, particularly in the north-central and northeast parts of the country, associated with agricultural and industrial activities. Approximately 21 million people, accounting for 10 % of Mexico's population, are potentially exposed to elevated NO3--N levels in groundwater. Moreover, the NO3--N hotspots align with reported NO3--N health implications such as gastric and colorectal cancer. This study not only demonstrates the potential of ML in data-scarce regions but also offers actionable insights for policy and management strategies. Our research underscores the urgency of implementing sustainable agricultural practices and comprehensive domestic waste management measures to mitigate NO3--N contamination. Moreover, it advocates for the establishment of effective policies based on real-time monitoring and collaboration among stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico
| | - Juan Antonio Torres-Martínez
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico.
| | - Manish Kumar
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico; Sustainability Cluster, School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Abrahan Mora
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Puebla, Atlixcáyotl 5718, Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla 72453, Mexico
| | - Dugin Kaown
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Frank J Loge
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Guan J, Wan Y, Li J, Zheng T, Xia W, Xu S, Li Y. Urinary perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate and their associated risk factors among Chinese pregnant women. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140467. [PMID: 37852377 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are well-known inhibitors of iodide uptake and thyroid-disrupting chemicals. Widespread human exposure to them has been identified, whereas studies on their internal exposure levels among Chinese pregnant women are scarce and factors associated with them are not well recognized. The objective of this study is to determine their levels and identify the associated factors among pregnant women (n = 1120), based on a prospective birth cohort in Wuhan, central China, using repeated urine samples of three trimesters. Urinary perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate were 100% detected in the samples, and specific gravity-adjusted median concentrations of them in all the samples were 12.6 ng/mL, 367 ng/mL, and 63.7 μg/mL, respectively. Their concentrations were weakly-to-moderately correlated with each other, with Spearman correlation coefficients ranging from 0.27 to 0.54. Poor reproducibility were observed for the three analytes over the three trimesters, with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.07, 0.19, 0.04 for perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate, respectively. The women who were overweight or used tap water as drinking water had significantly higher perchlorate concentrations, while those with excessive gestational weight gain had significantly higher thiocyanate concentrations (p < 0.05). The women with a college degree or above had lower nitrate concentrations (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the median concentration of perchlorate in urine samples collected in spring, thiocyanate in those collected in winter, and nitrate in those collected in autumn, was significantly higher compared to their median concentrations in the samples collected in other three seasons (p < 0.05), respectively. Urinary perchlorate and nitrate concentrations of pregnant women in this study were higher than the concentrations of pregnant women in other countries, while thiocyanate concentrations were lower than that of most other countries. This study suggested potential covariates for future epidemiological analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guan
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Center for Public Health Laboratory Service, Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China.
| | - Juxiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Tongzhang Zheng
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Clemmensen PJ, Schullehner J, Brix N, Sigsgaard T, Stayner LT, Kolstad HA, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Prenatal Exposure to Nitrate in Drinking Water and Adverse Health Outcomes in the Offspring: a Review of Current Epidemiological Research. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:250-263. [PMID: 37453984 PMCID: PMC10504112 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recently, several epidemiological studies have investigated whether prenatal exposure to nitrate from drinking water may be harmful to the fetus, even at nitrate levels below the current World Health Organization drinking water standard. The purpose of this review was to give an overview of the newest knowledge on potential health effects of prenatal exposure to nitrate. RECENT FINDINGS We included 13 epidemiological studies conducted since 2017. Nine studies investigated outcomes appearing around birth, and four studies investigated health outcomes appearing in childhood and young adulthood. The reviewed studies showed some indications of higher risk of preterm delivery, lower birth weight, birth defects, and childhood cancer related to prenatal exposure to nitrate. However, the numbers of studies for each outcome were sparse, and some of the results were conflicting. We suggest that there is a need for additional studies and particularly for studies that include information on water consumption patterns, intake of nitrate from diet, and intake of nitrosatable drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nis Brix
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Cirrau - Centre for Integrated Register-based Research at Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Leslie Thomas Stayner
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Zhu K, Wan Y, Zhu B, Wang H, Liu Q, Xie X, Jiang Q, Feng Y, Xiao P, Xiang Z, Song R. Association of perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate with dyslexic risk. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 325:138349. [PMID: 36898444 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate are sodium iodide symporter (NIS) inhibitors that disturb iodide uptake into the thyroid and have been implicated in child development. However, no data are available on the association between exposure to/related with them and dyslexia. Here, we examined the association of exposure to/related with the three NIS inhibitors with the risk of dyslexia in a case-control study. The three chemicals were detected in urine samples of 355 children with dyslexia and 390 children without dyslexia from three cities in China. The adjusted odds ratios for dyslexia were examined using logistic regression models. The detection frequencies of all the targeted compounds were 100%. After adjusting for multiple covariates, urinary thiocyanate was significantly associated with the risk of dyslexia (P-trend = 0.02). Compared with the lowest quartile, children within the highest quartile had a 2.66-fold risk of dyslexia (95% confidence interval: 1.32, 5.36]. Stratified analyses showed that the association between urinary thiocyanate level and the risk of dyslexia was more pronounced among boys, children with fixed reading time, and those without maternal depression or anxiety during pregnancy. Urinary perchlorate and nitrate levels were not associated with the risk of dyslexia. This study suggests the possible neurotoxicity of thiocyanate or its parent compounds in dyslexia. Further investigation is warranted to confirm our findings and clarify the potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiheng Zhu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Laboratory Center for Public Health Service, Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, China.
| | - Bing Zhu
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | - Haoxue Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinyan Xie
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pei Xiao
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhen Xiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ranran Song
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Sirirungreung A, Hansen J, He D, Huang X, Ritz B, Heck JE. Exposure to nitrosatable drugs during pregnancy and childhood cancer: A matched case-control study in Denmark, 1996-2016. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2023; 32:496-505. [PMID: 36300575 PMCID: PMC10038857 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrosatable drugs can be synthesized to N-nitroso compounds in human stomach. In a pregnant woman, N-nitroso compounds can be translocated to the fetus through the placenta. Maternal exposure of nitrosatable compounds during pregnancy has been associated with childhood brain tumors and leukemia. However, few studies have investigated an association between nitrosatable drug exposure during pregnancy and childhood cancer. We examined if maternal prescriptions of nitrosatable drugs received during pregnancy are associated with childhood cancer. METHODS A matched case-control study was conducted using Danish nationwide registry data from 1995 to 2016. Each childhood cancer case was matched with twenty-five controls. Maternal exposure of nitrosatable drugs during pregnancy was identified from the Danish National Prescription Register. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (adj.OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each childhood cancer type. RESULTS Maternal prescriptions of nitrosatable drugs positively associate with central nervous system tumors (adj.OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.04-1.51) and neuroblastoma (adj.OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.34-2.85) in offspring. We also observed a positive association between perinatal exposure of nitrosatable drugs and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (adj.OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.07-1.59), however, it appeared to be due to confounding by indication, i.e., maternal infections. CONCLUSION Nitrosatable drug use during pregnancy potentially increased risk of central nervous system tumors and neuroblastoma. While a positive association between maternal prescriptions of nitrosatable drugs and acute lymphoblastic leukemia should be interpreted cautiously because of confounding by indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupong Sirirungreung
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Johnni Hansen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Di He
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiwen Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Beate Ritz
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julia E Heck
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
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11
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Jensen AS, Coffman VR, Schullehner J, Trabjerg BB, Pedersen CB, Hansen B, Olsen J, Pedersen M, Stayner LT, Sigsgaard T. Prenatal exposure to tap water containing nitrate and the risk of small-for-gestational-age: A nationwide register-based study of Danish births, 1991-2015. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107883. [PMID: 37001213 PMCID: PMC10172763 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal nitrate exposure from household tap water has been associated with increased risk of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, birth defects, and childhood cancer. We aim to examine the association between maternal consumption of drinking-water nitrate during pregnancy and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in a nationwide study of Danish-born children, as only one prior study has examined this association. METHODS We linked individual-level household estimates of nitrate in tap water and birth registry data to all live singleton Danish births during 1991-2015 from Danish-born parents where the mother resided in Denmark throughout the pregnancy. Exposure was both binned into four categories and modeled as an ln-transformed continuous variable. SGA was defined as the bottom 10% of births by birth weight per sex and gestational week. Multiple logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to account for siblings born to the same mother while controlling for relevant confounders. RESULTS In the cohort of 1,078,892 births, the median pregnancy nitrate exposure was 1.9 mg/L nitrate. Compared to the reference group (≤2 mg/L), we found an increased risk of SGA in the second category (>2-5 mg/L) (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.06) and third category (>5-25 mg/L) (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04) but not in the highest (>25 mg/L). There was strong (p = 0.002) evidence of an increase in SGA with nitrate in the model with continuous exposure (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04 per 10-fold increase in nitrate). Results were robust when restricting to households with nitrate levels at or below the current Danish and European Union regulatory drinking water standard (50 mg/L nitrate). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exposure from nitrate in household tap water, even below current regulatory standards, may increase risk of SGA, raising concerns of whether current allowable nitrate levels in drinking water protect children from SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Søndergaard Jensen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vanessa R Coffman
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Groundwater and Quaternary Geology Mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Betina B Trabjerg
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Centre for Register-Based Research (NCRR), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carsten B Pedersen
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Centre for Register-Based Research (NCRR), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Hansen
- Department of Groundwater and Quaternary Geology Mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Pedersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leslie T Stayner
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (CIRRAU), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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12
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García-Torres E, Rodríguez-Rodríguez FE. Letter to the editor. Additional critical information in regard to "Nitrates in the environment: A critical review of their distribution, sensing techniques, ecological effects and remediation". CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136718. [PMID: 36208802 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edgar García-Torres
- Admission and Diagnosis Clinic. Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango. Predio Canoas s/n, Los Ángeles, 34070, Durango, Dgo. Mexico.
| | - Fernanda Elizabeth Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Admission and Diagnosis Clinic. Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango. Predio Canoas s/n, Los Ángeles, 34070, Durango, Dgo. Mexico
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13
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Clemmensen PJ, Brix N, Schullehner J, Gaml-Sørensen A, Toft G, Tøttenborg SS, Ebdrup NH, Hougaard KS, Hansen B, Sigsgaard T, Kolstad HA, Bonde JPE, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Nitrate in Maternal Drinking Water during Pregnancy and Measures of Male Fecundity in Adult Sons. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14428. [PMID: 36361307 PMCID: PMC9656746 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Animal studies indicate deleterious effects of nitrate exposure on fecundity, but effects in humans are unknown, both for the prenatal and postnatal periods. We aimed to investigate if exposure to nitrate in maternal drinking water during the sensitive period of fetal life is associated with measures of fecundity in the adult sons. In a sub-analysis, the potential effects of nitrate exposure in adulthood were investigated. This cohort included 985 young adult men enrolled in The Fetal Programming of Semen Quality Cohort (FEPOS). Semen characteristics, testes volume and reproductive hormones were analyzed in relation to nitrate concentration in maternal drinking water, using a negative binomial regression model. The nitrate concentration in drinking water was obtained from monitoring data from Danish waterworks that were linked with the mothers' residential address during pregnancy. The median nitrate concentration in maternal drinking water was 2 mg/L. At these low exposure levels, which are far below the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline value of 50 mg/L, we did not find indications of harmful effects of nitrate on the investigated measures of male fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nis Brix
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Gunnar Toft
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Hansen
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-Based Research, Aarhus University (CIRRAU), 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Rajmohan N, Masoud MHZ, Niyazi BAM. Appraisal of groundwater quality and health risk in the Yalamlam basin, Saudi Arabia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:83653-83670. [PMID: 35771332 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater quality in Yalamlam basin, Saudi Arabia, was appraised for drinking, irrigation, livestock and poultry applications by international standards, drinking water quality index (DWQI), irrigation water quality (IWQ) parameters, and irrigation water quality index (IWQI) calculations. Potential non-carcinogenic health risks due to high NO3- and F- water were assessed for various age groups using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) models. Groundwater samples (n = 40) were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and major and minor constituents. The average total dissolved solids (TDS), EC, and total hardness (TH) in the groundwater are 3478 µS/cm, 1739 mg/l, and 1240 mg/l, respectively. High salinity, TH, NO3-, and F- in this aquifer restrict the usage of groundwater for drinking. DWQI values suggest that only 47.5% of samples are potable. According to USEPA recommendation, 72.5%, 80%, and 100% of samples for NO3- and 22.5%, 32.5%, and 40% of samples for F- surpassed the limit (HQoral > 1) for adults, children, and infants, respectively, which creates non-carcinogenic health hazards to the respective age groups. The total hazard index is greater than one in 75%, 87.5%, and 100% of samples computed for adults, children, and infants, respectively. Due to high salinity, 53% of samples are not pertinent for irrigation. USSL classification reveals that groundwater samples in the study site are recommended only for salt-tolerant crops and coarse-textured high permeability soil. In this study, IWQI is reclassified using salinity, which suggests that 68% of samples are moderately suitable for irrigation. Based on EC alone, 83% are desirable for livestock and poultry uses whereas integration of multiple parameters with EC indicates that only 53% are acceptable for all kinds of livestock and poultry uses in the study site. Spatial distribution of major and minor ions, DWQI, HQoral, and IWQI imply that groundwater quality is degraded from upstream to downstream. High salinity groundwater in the downstream wells is unsuitable for any application, which needs a proper treatment before use. Spatial maps created for various parameters are useful for identifying the good quality groundwater zone for groundwater development potential for various stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natarajan Rajmohan
- Water Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, 21598, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Milad H Z Masoud
- Water Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, 21598, Saudi Arabia
- Hydrology Department, Desert Research Centre, 1 Mathaf Al-Mataria-Cairo, P. O. Box 11753, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Burhan A M Niyazi
- Water Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, 21598, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Ebdrup NH, Schullehner J, Knudsen UB, Liew Z, Thomsen AML, Lyngsø J, Bay B, Arendt LH, Clemmensen PJ, Sigsgaard T, Hansen B, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Drinking water nitrate and risk of pregnancy loss: a nationwide cohort study. Environ Health 2022; 21:87. [PMID: 36114546 PMCID: PMC9479399 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00897-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrate contamination is seen in drinking water worldwide. Nitrate may pass the placental barrier. Despite suggestive evidence of fetal harm, the potential association between nitrate exposure from drinking water and pregnancy loss remains to be studied. We aimed to investigate if nitrate in drinking water was associated with the risk of pregnancy loss. METHODS We conducted a nationwide cohort study of 100,410 pregnancies (enrolled around gestational week 11) in the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) during 1996-2002. Spontaneous pregnancy losses before gestational week 22 were ascertained from the Danish National Patient Registry and DNBC pregnancy interviews. Using the national drinking water quality-monitoring database Jupiter, we estimated the individual and time-specific nitrate exposure by linking geocoded maternal residential addresses with water supply areas. The nitrate exposure was analyzed in spline models using a log-transformed continuous level or classified into five categories. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate associations between nitrate and pregnancy loss and used gestational age (days) as the time scale, adjusting for demographic, health, and lifestyle variables. RESULTS No consistent associations were found when investigating the exposure as a categorical variable and null findings were also found in trimester specific analyses. In the spline model using the continuous exposure variable, a modestly increased hazard of pregnancy loss was observed for the first trimester at nitrate exposures between 1 and 10 mg/L, with the highest. adjusted hazard ratio at 5 mg/L of nitrate of 1.16 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.34). This trend was attenuated in the higher exposure ranges. CONCLUSION No association was seen between drinking water nitrate and the risk of pregnancy loss when investigating the exposure as a categorical variable. When we modelled the exposure as a continuous variable, a dose-dependent association was found between drinking water nitrate exposure in the first trimester and the risk of pregnancy loss. Very early pregnancy losses were not considered in this study, and whether survival bias influenced the results should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninna Hinchely Ebdrup
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Horsens Fertility Clinic, Horsens, Denmark.
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jörg Schullehner
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ulla Breth Knudsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Horsens Fertility Clinic, Horsens, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anne Marie Ladehoff Thomsen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- DEFACTUM - Public Health & Health Services Research, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julie Lyngsø
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bjørn Bay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Horsens Fertility Clinic, Horsens, Denmark
- Maigaard Fertility Clinic, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Linn Håkonsen Arendt
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centre for Integrated Register-Based Research Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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16
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Microwave-assisted synthesis of oxygen vacancy associated TiO2 for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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17
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Zhang W, Jiang J, He Y, Li X, Yin S, Chen F, Li W. Association Between Dietary Nitrite intake and Glioma Risk: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:910476. [PMID: 35875114 PMCID: PMC9304866 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.910476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundNitrite and nitrate intake through food and water may be an important risk factor for many cancers, including glioma. However, the association of nitrite and nitrate with glioma is unclear.ObjectiveThis review aimed to quantitatively assess the effects of nitrite and nitrate on glioma by meta-analysis.MethodsA literature search was conducted for available articles published in English using the databases of Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library up to 24 March 2022. According to heterogeneity, the fixed-effects or random-effects model was selected to obtain the merger’s relative risk (RR). Based on the methods described by Greenland and Longnecker, we explored the dose-response relationship between nitrite/nitrate and the risk of glioma. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests were also used.ResultsThis study reviewed 17 articles, including 812,107 participants and 4,574 cases. For glioma in adults, compared with the lowest intakes, the highest intakes of nitrite significantly increased the risk of glioma (RR=1.26, 95% confidence interval (95%CI):1.09-1.47). For brain tumors in children, compared with the lowest intakes, the highest intakes of nitrate significantly increased the risk of brain tumors (RR=1.27, 95%CI:1.06-1.52). The results of subgroup and sensitivity analyses remained unchanged. In the dose-response relationship, per 1 mg/day increase in nitrite intake increased the risk of glioma by 14% (RR=1.14, 95%CI:1.01-1.27).ConclusionsOur analysis suggests that nitrite increases the risk of glioma in adults, while nitrate increases the risk of brain tumors in children. Therefore, the effects of nitrite and nitrate on glioma cannot be ignored.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022320295.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichunbai Zhang
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongqi He
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Shuo Yin
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Cancer Center, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Wenbin Li,
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18
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Hamlin QF, Martin SL, Kendall AD, Hyndman DW. Examining Relationships Between Groundwater Nitrate Concentrations in Drinking Water and Landscape Characteristics to Understand Health Risks. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2021GH000524. [PMID: 35509496 PMCID: PMC9060635 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate ingested from drinking water has been linked to adverse health outcomes (e.g., cancer, birth defects) at levels as low as ∼2 mg/L NO3-N, far below the regulatory limits of 10 mg/L. In many areas, groundwater is a common drinking water source and may contain elevated nitrate, but limited data on the patterns and concentrations are available. Using an extensive regulatory data set of over 100,000 nitrate drinking water well samples, we developed new maps of groundwater nitrate concentrations from 76,724 wells in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, USA for the 2006-2015 period. Kriging, a geostatistical method, was used to interpolate concentrations and quantify probability of exceeding relevant thresholds (>0.4 [common detection limit], >2 mg/L NO3-N). We summarized this probability in small watersheds (∼80 km2) to identify correlated variables using the machine learning method classification and regression trees (CARTs). We found 79% of wells had concentrations below the detection limit in this analysis (<0.4 mg/L NO3-N). In the shallow aquifer (focus of study), 13% of wells exceeded 2 mg/L NO3-N and 2% exceeded the EPA maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L. CART explained 40%-45% of variation in each model and identified three categories of critical correlated variables: source (high agricultural nitrogen inputs), vulnerable soil conditions (low soil organic carbon and high hydraulic conductivity), and transport mechanisms (high aquifer recharge). These findings add to the body of literature seeking to identify communities at risk of elevated nitrate and study associated adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q. F. Hamlin
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - S. L. Martin
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - A. D. Kendall
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - D. W. Hyndman
- Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of GeosciencesSchool of Natural Sciences and MathematicsUniversity of Texas at DallasRichardsonTXUSA
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Ransom KM, Nolan BT, Stackelberg PE, Belitz K, Fram MS. Machine learning predictions of nitrate in groundwater used for drinking supply in the conterminous United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:151065. [PMID: 34673076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is an important source of drinking water supplies in the conterminous United State (CONUS), and presence of high nitrate concentrations may limit usability of groundwater in some areas because of the potential negative health effects. Prediction of locations of high nitrate groundwater is needed to focus mitigation and relief efforts. A three-dimensional extreme gradient boosting (XGB) machine learning model was developed to predict the distribution of nitrate. Nitrate was predicted at a 1 km resolution for two drinking water zones, each of variable depth, one for domestic supply and one for public supply. The model used measured nitrate concentrations from 12,082 wells and included predictor variables representing well characteristics, hydrologic conditions, soil type, geology, land use, climate, and nitrogen inputs. Predictor variables derived from empirical or numerical process-based models were also included to integrate information on controlling processes and conditions. The model provided accurate estimates at national and regional scales: the training (R2 of 0.83) and hold-out (R2 of 0.49) data fits compared favorably to previous studies. Predicted nitrate concentrations were less than 1 mg/L across most of the CONUS. Nationally, well depth, soil and climate characteristics, and the absence of developed land use were among the most influential explanatory factors. Only 1% of the area in either water supply zone had predicted nitrate concentrations greater than 10 mg/L; however, about 1.4 M people depend on groundwater for their drinking supplies in those areas. Predicted high concentrations of nitrate were most prevalent in the central CONUS. In areas of predicted high nitrate concentration, applied manure, farm fertilizer, and agricultural land use were influential predictor variables. This work represents the first application of XGB to a three-dimensional national-scale groundwater quality model and provides a significant milestone in the efforts to document nitrate in groundwater across the CONUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Ransom
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - B T Nolan
- U.S. Geological Survey Headquarters, Reston, VA, United States
| | - P E Stackelberg
- U.S. Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Troy, NY, United States
| | - K Belitz
- U.S. Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Carlisle, MA, United States
| | - M S Fram
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, United States
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