Human biomonitoring pilot study DEMOCOPHES in Germany: Contribution to a harmonized European approach

Assessing background contamination of sample tubes used in human biomonitoring by non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry

Controlling and minimising background contamination is crucial for maintaining a high quality of samples in human biomonitoring targeting organic chemicals. We assessed the contamination of three previous types and one newly introduced medical-grade type of sample tubes used for storing human body fluids at the German Environmental Specimen Bank. Aqueous extracts from these tubes were analysed by non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) before and after a dedicated cleaning procedure. After peak detection using MZmine, Bayesian hypothesis testing was used to group peaks into those originating either from instrumental and laboratory background contamination, or actual tube contaminants, based on if their peak height was reduced, increased or not affected by the cleaning procedure. For all four tube types 80-90% of the 2475 peaks (1549 in positive and 926 in negative mode) were assigned to laboratory/instrumental background, which we have to consider as potential sample tube contaminants. Among the tube contaminants, results suggest a considerable difference in the contaminant peak inventory and the absolute level of contamination among the different sample tube types. The cleaning procedure did not affect the largest fraction of peaks (50-70%). For the medical grade tubes, the removal of contaminants by the cleaning procedure was strongest compared to the previous tubes, but in all cases a small fraction increased in intensity after cleaning, probably due to a release of oligomers or additives. The identified laboratory background contaminants were mainly semi-volatile polymer additives such as phthalates and phosphate esters. A few compounds could be assigned solely as tube-specific contaminants, such as N,N-dibutylformamide and several constituents of the oligomeric light stabiliser Tinuvin-622. A cleaning procedure before use is an effective way to standardise the used sample tubes and minimises the background contamination, and therefore increases sample quality and therewith analytical results.

Associations of urinary phthalate metabolites with household environments among mothers and their preschool-age children

Phthalates have become a matter of public health concern due to their extensive use worldwide and negative health effects. The evaluation of potential sources of phthalate exposure is crucial to design prevention strategies, especially for vulnerable populations. This study included 528 mother-child pairs in the Taiwan Mother Infant Cohort Study who were followed up at ages 3-6 years between 2016 and 2020. Each mother was interviewed by using a structured questionnaire containing questions on demographic characteristics and household environment factors, such as the use of plastic food packaging, residential visible mold, insecticide sprays, and electric mosquito repellents. Eleven phthalate metabolites were analyzed in urine samples simultaneously collected from the mother-child pairs. The phthalate metabolite urinary concentrations were higher among the children than among their mothers, except those of mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that urine samples collected during the summer showed higher concentrations of phthalate metabolites than those collected during the winter. Family income levels had negative associations with the concentrations of MnBP and metabolites of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in children. The use of plastic food packaging was positively associated with mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and metabolites of DEHP in mothers. Residential visible mold or mold stains were significantly associated with higher MnBP and DEHP metabolite concentrations in children. The use of insecticide sprays was positively associated with MnBP concentrations in children. Significant associations between household environmental factors and phthalate exposure were mostly found in children, potentially indicating different exposure pathways between mothers and their children. Findings from this study provide additional information for the design of prevention strategies to protect the health of children and women.

Reference Values on Children's Hair for 28 Elements (Heavy Metals and Essential Elements) Based on a Pilot Study in a Representative Non-Contaminated Local Area

Studies have been published, and laboratories offer services of measuring elements in hair as biomarkers of environmental exposure and/or control of essential elements (trace or macro). These reported values can have only sense if compared with adopted reference values. In this work, we propose provisional reference values based on a pilot child population. The concentrations of 28 elements were measured in children's hair samples. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a typical child population in the Mediterranean region void of excessive pollution problems to analyze 419 hair samples of children aged 3-12 years. Children were selected by a simple random method from eight primary education schools in different municipal districts, which included urban, rural and industrial areas. Samples of around 100 mg were washed and acid digested by an optimized procedure. All measures were performed using ICP-MS with Sc, Y and Re as internal standards. The statistical analysis was performed by two approaches: (a) considering all the data and (b) without outliers (second-order atypical data) to compare them with other published studies. The distribution curves in all the elements studied were asymmetric and did not fit the theoretical normality distributions. Therefore, the analysis based on percentiles was more appropriate. In most elements, only slight differences were observed with sex or age, which did not justify proposing separate reference ranges. From the results of this study, provisional reference values are proposed following two criteria: (a) simple application of the table of percentiles built by removing outlier values and (b) values after a detailed analysis case-by-case, considering other data as the distribution profile and other published data of each element. Although the pilot sample was from a limited area, it was carefully selected to be representative of a general non-contaminated population. With this limitation, the proposed reference values might be useful for researchers and physicians until a wider geographical study is available for a large number of elements.

Exposure to Phthalates in European Children, Adolescents and Adults since 2005: A Harmonized Approach Based on Existing HBM Data in the HBM4EU Initiative

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers and are associated inter alia with adverse effects on reproductive functions. While more and more national programs in Europe have started monitoring internal exposure to phthalates and its substitute 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (DINCH), the comparability of results from such existing human biomonitoring (HBM) studies across Europe is challenging. They differ widely in time periods, study samples, degree of geographical coverage, design, analytical methodology, biomarker selection, and analytical quality assurance level. The HBM4EU initiative has gathered existing HBM data of 29 studies from participating countries, covering all European regions and Israel. The data were prepared and aggregated by a harmonized procedure with the aim to describe-as comparably as possible-the EU-wide general population's internal exposure to phthalates from the years 2005 to 2019. Most data were available from Northern (up to 6 studies and up to 13 time points), Western (11; 19), and Eastern Europe (9; 12), e.g., allowing for the investigation of time patterns. While the bandwidth of exposure was generally similar, we still observed regional differences for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) with pronounced decreases over time in Northern and Western Europe, and to a lesser degree in Eastern Europe. Differences between age groups were visible for Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), where children (3 to 5-year olds and 6 to 11-year olds) had lower urinary concentrations than adolescents (12 to 19-year-olds), who in turn had lower urinary concentrations than adults (20 to 39-year-olds). This study is a step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries, although standardized data were not available, targeting European data sets harmonized with respect to data formatting and calculation of aggregated data (such as developed within HBM4EU), and highlights further suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.

Biodegradation of diethyl phthalate and phthalic acid by a new indigenous Pseudomonas putida

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is one of the extensively used plasticizers which has been considered a priority hazardous pollutant due to its carcinogenic, endocrine disrupter, and multi-toxic effects on humans. The identification of DEP in different parts of the ecosphere has increased the global community's attention to the elimination of this pollutant in a bio-eco-friendly way. In this research, a novel aerobic bacterial strain nominates as ShA (GenBank accession number: MN298858) capable of consuming DEP as carbon and energy sources, was isolated from the upper phase (0-10 cm) of Anzali international wetland sediments by enrichment culture method. Morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that strain ShA belonged to Pseudomonas putida. The substrate utilization test demonstrated that strain ShA was able to grow in mineral salt medium containing dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and phthalic acid (PA) isomers including terephthalic and isophthalic acid. Degradation assay showed strain ShA completely degraded 200 mg/L DEP within 22 h (pH 7.0, 30 °C). Surprisingly, PA as the main intermediate of DEP biodegradation was identified by GC-FID. Moreover, the rapid degradation of 2000 mg/L PA to CO₂ and H₂O was viewed in 22 h by strain ShA. The possible route of DEP degradation was DEP directly to PA and then PA consumption for growth. This study obtained results that provide a great contribution to applying strain ShA in the biodegradation of low molecular weight of PAEs and PA isomers in natural ecosystems. This is the first report of a P. putida strain able to degrade DEP and PA.

Human biomonitoring survey (Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Mo) for urban gardeners exposed to metal contaminated soils

Eighty eight adult gardeners and their relatives volunteered to provide urine and blood samples for a human biomonitoring survey among users of one of the biggest allotment garden from Wallonia, showing high trace metal(oid) concentrations in soils. The purpose was to determine if environmental levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) led to concentrations of potential health concern in the study population. Blood and urine biomarkers were compared to reference and intervention cut-off values selected from the literature. The study population exhibited (i) moderately high blood lead levels with median value of 23.1 μg/L, (ii) high urinary concentrations of speciated As (inorganic arsenic and its metabolites) with a median value of 7.17 μg/g.cr., i.e. twice the median values usually observed in general populations, and (iii) very high Cd levels in urine with a median value of 1.23 μg/L, in the range of 95th-97.5th percentiles measured in general adult populations. Biomarker levels in the study population were also mostly above those measured in adults from local populations living on contaminated soils, as reported in the current literature. All biomarkers of Pb, Cd and As showed weak to strong statistically significant correlations, pointing towards a joint environmental source to these three contaminants as being at least partially responsible for the high exposure levels observed. Urine and blood biomarkers show statistically significant associations with variables related to individual characteristics (age, smoking status, …) and Pb domestic sources (Pb pipes, cosmetics, …) but involves also behavioral and consuming habits related to gardening activities on the contaminated allotment garden. At such levels, owing to co-exposure and additive effects of Cd, As and Pb regarding renal toxicity known from literature, the study strongly suggests that this population of gardeners is at risk with respect to chronic kidney diseases.

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mercury content in hair of women from a territory distant from mercury-rich geochemical zones (Cherepovets city, Northwest Russia)

For the first time in the Russian Federation, a study was conducted to determine the level of mercury in the hair of young and middle-aged women with or without metabolic syndrome (MS) and the Association of mercury content in hair with cardiometabolic risk factors. The studied cohort consisted of 387 women (204 with metabolic syndrome and 183 without metabolic syndrome as controls). The mercury content in the hair was determined by atomic absorption pyrolysis. The relationship between mercury in hair and cardiometabolic risk factors was evaluated using linear regression. Calculation of the odds ratio (OR) of the risk of metabolic syndrome among quartiles of mercury content in the hair was performed by multiple logistic regression. Hg concentrations in hair were higher in women with metabolic syndrome than without metabolic syndrome (Mean - 520; median - 360; versus Mean - 330; median - 260 µg/kg, P < 0.001). There is an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic syndrome in women, whose hair contain over 544 µg/kg of mercury. The results of this study indicate that the intake of Hg in the human body can be one of the factors that can increase the development of cardiometabolic risk.

High variability of mercury content in the hair of Russia Northwest population: the role of the environment and social factors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work is to study mercury levels in the hair of different social and demographic groups of the population of the Vologda region in Northwest Russia. This region is selected due to a heterogeneous distribution of rivers and lakes-a resource base for fishing.

METHODS

The mercury content was determined in the hair from the root with a length of about 2 cm. The concentration of total mercury in human hair was determined by the atomic absorption method without preliminary sample preparation using an RA-915M mercury analyzer and a PYRO-915 + pyrolysis unit.

RESULTS

The average level of mercury in the human hair was 0.445 μg/g (median 0.220 μg/g). The concentration of mercury in the hair of people older than 44 years (0.875 μg/g) was three times higher than in the hair of children under 18 years of age (0.270 μg/g). People who eat fish less than once per month had a hair mercury concentration of 0.172 μg/g, for 1-2 times a month 0.409 μg/g, once a week 0.555 μg/g, and several times a week 0.995 μg/g. The concentration of mercury in the hair of smokers (0.514 μg/g) was higher than in the hair of non-smokers (0.426 μg/g).

CONCLUSION

Significantly higher concentrations of mercury were observed in the hair of participants from the western part of the region, where reservoirs are the main commercial sources of fish products. The data showed that the main source of people's mercury intake was fish.

Levels and determinants of urinary phthalate metabolites in New Zealand children and adults

BACKGROUND

This first national biomonitoring survey of urinary phthalate metabolites in the New Zealand population aimed to provide baseline data, identify exposure determinants, and make comparisons with health-based exposure guidance values.

METHODS

The survey conducted in 2014-2016 involved the collection of morning-void urine from 298 children (5-18 years) and 302 adults (20-65 years), 33% of Māori ethnicity. A questionnaire collected information on demographic factors and diet. Urine was analysed for creatinine, specific gravity, and 10 phthalate metabolites through liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (MMP; MEP; MBP iso+n; MBzP; MCHP; MEHP; MEOHP; MEHHP; MCPP; and MiNP). Determinants of exposure were assessed using multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

Detection frequencies exceeded 95% for metabolites of DEP, DEHP and DBP. The highest GM was observed for the DBP metabolite MBP iso+n (36.1 μg/L adults; 60.5 μg/L children), followed by the sum of three DEHP metabolites (MEHP+MEOHP+MEHHP: 19.0 μg/L adults; 37.0 μg/L children), and the DEP metabolite MEP (19.1 μg/L adults; 12.0 μg/L children). For most phthalate metabolites New Zealand levels were in the mid-range of internationally reported levels, while for DEP they were in the low range. Māori and non-Māori had similar levels. Children had higher GMs than adults for most metabolites, except for MEP. A proportion of children and adults exceeded the biomonitoring equivalents of health-based guidance values for DBP (0-16% and 0-3% respectively), and DEHP (0-0.7% and 0-0.3% respectively). Eating warm meals from plastic containers ≥2 times/week was associated with higher levels of DEHP metabolites, MBP iso+n, and MBzP.

CONCLUSION

Phthalate exposure is omnipresent in both children and adults in New Zealand. Exceedances of the biomonitoring equivalents for DBP and DEHP indicate that potential health effects from exposure to these phthalates cannot be excluded with sufficient certainty.

The U.S. national biomonitoring network - Enhancing capability and capacity to assess human chemical exposures

BACKGROUND

With the increased use of biomonitoring in public health, biomonitoring networks are forming worldwide. The National Biomonitoring Network (NBN), created in 2018, is an interconnected system of U.S. government laboratories in collaboration with public health partners, to advance human biomonitoring science and practice. The NBN aims to harmonize biomonitoring data for use in routine public health practice.

METHODS

The NBN has taken a systems approach to provide high-quality biomonitoring data by establishing quality standards, mentoring nascent programs, and enhancing analytical capability and capacity through technical assistance. Guided by a multi-disciplinary Network Steering Committee (NSC), the NBN has developed an organizational framework, membership criteria, and guidance practices related to study design, quality management and analytical measurements. To facilitate the production of these resources, the NSC established interdisciplinary workgroups of subject matter experts.

RESULTS

To date, 20 state public health laboratories have joined the NBN. Differences in land-use practices, state and local laws and availability of resources resulted in considerable variability in the design and approach of NBN member biomonitoring programs. By contributing technical guidance, technical training, examples and templates for analytical and epidemiological practices and opportunities for collaboration and interaction, the NBN addressed some of these challenges. Important challenges remaining are to define minimum data variables for laboratory measurements, demographic and exposure information, and to identify an appropriate national repository for biomonitoring data.

CONCLUSION

The current NBN membership has greatly benefited from the resources, collaboration and engagement with other state and federal scientists. The NBN hopes to expand membership and increase interaction with biomonitoring networks internationally. While the objectives of biomonitoring networks around the world may differ, understanding their structures, advantages and limitations inform the NBN and provide opportunity for cross-network collaboration.

Lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium in urine and blood of children and adolescents in Germany - Human biomonitoring results of the German Environmental Survey 2014-2017 (GerES V)

Metals reach humans through food and drinking water intake and inhalation of airborne particles and can have detrimental health effects in particular for children. The metals presented here (lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury) could lead to toxic effects such as neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, and have been classified as (possible) carcinogens. Using population representative data from the German Environmental Survey 2014-2017 (GerES V) from 3- to 17-year-old children on lead and cadmium in blood (n = 720) and on cadmium, chromium, and mercury in urine (n = 2250) we describe current internal exposure levels, and socio-demographic and substance-specific exposure determinants. Average internal exposure (geometric means) in blood was 9.47 μg/L for lead and below 0.06 μg/L (limit of quantification) for cadmium, and in urine 0.072 μg/L for cadmium, 0.067 μg/L for mercury, and 0.393 μg/L for chromium, respectively. Younger children have higher concentrations of lead and chromium compared to 14-17-year-old adolescents, and boys have slightly higher mercury concentrations than girls. With respect to substance specific determinants, higher lead concentrations emerged in participants with domestic fuel and in non-smoking children with smokers in the household, higher levels of cadmium were associated with smoking and vegetarian diet and higher levels of mercury with the consumption of seafood and amalgam teeth fillings. No specific exposure determinants emerged for chromium. The health based guidance value HBM-I was not exceeded for mercury and for cadmium in urine it was exceeded by 0.6% of the study population. None of the exceedances was related to substantial tobacco smoke exposure. Comparisons to previous GerES cycles (GerES II, 1990-1992; GerES IV, 2003-2006) indicate continuously lower levels.

Gestational Phthalate Exposure and Preschool Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Norway

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Prenatal phthalate exposure has been linked to altered neurobehavioral development in both animal models and epidemiologic studies, but whether or not these associations translate to increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders is unclear. We used a nested case-cohort study design to assess whether maternal urinary concentrations of 12 phthalate metabolites at 17 weeks gestation were associated with criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) classified among 3-year-old children in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Between 2007 and 2011, 260 children in this substudy were classified with ADHD using a standardized, on-site clinical assessment; they were compared with 549 population-based controls. We modeled phthalate levels both linearly and by quintiles in logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates and tested for interaction by child sex. Children of mothers in the highest quintile of di-iso-nonyl phthalate (∑DiNP) metabolite levels had 1.70 times the odds of being classified with ADHD compared with those in the lowest quintile (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03 to 2.82). In linear models, there was a trend with the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP); each natural log-unit increase in concentration was associated with 1.22 times the odds of ADHD (95% CI = 0.99 to 1.52). In boys, but not girls, mono-n-butyl phthalate exposure was associated with increased odds of ADHD (odds ratio [OR] 1.42; 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.88). Additional adjustment for correlated phthalate metabolites attenuated estimates. These results suggest gestational phthalate exposure may impact the behavior of children as young as 3 years.

Human biomonitoring reference values and characteristics of Phthalate exposure in the general population of Taiwan: Taiwan Environmental Survey for Toxicants 2013-2016

Since a 2011 incident involving phthalate-tainted food, Taiwanese people have become concerned with food quality, and they are still being exposed to certain levels of phthalates. However, no nationwide human biomonitoring survey had been conducted to gather information on levels or reference values (RVs) of phthalates in the Taiwanese population. We aimed to establish the urinary levels and RVs of phthalate metabolites and identify exposure characteristics among Taiwan's population. We enrolled 1857 participants 7 years of age and older from the Taiwan Environmental Survey for Toxicants (TESTs) conducted during 2013-2016. Levels of 11 phthalate metabolites in each participant's urine samples were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For all phthalate metabolites except for mono-methyl phthalate (MMP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), and mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), urinary median levels were significantly higher in the 7-17-year old group than in the ≧18-year-old group. For most phthalate metabolites and in the general population, the geometric mean decreased with increasing age. Median levels of MEP (19.55 μg/L), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) (2.11 μg/L), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) (22.82 μg/L), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) (16.08 μg/L), ΣDibutyl phthalate metabolites (ΣDBPm) (0.17 nmol/mL), Σdi-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHPm) (0.29 nmol/mL) were higher in participants from central Taiwan than those from other areas. The median level of DBP (ΣDBPm: 0.20 nmol/mL) was significantly higher in participants from harbor areas than those from other urbanization groups. The RV of the 95 percentile (P₉₅) for phthalate metabolites in the 7-17/≧18-year-old groups were 185.95/208.19 μg/L for MMP, 198.46/265.81 μg/L for MEP, 119.85/69.99 μg/L for mono-isononyl phthalate (MiBP), 165.19/204.32 μg/L for Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), 15.61/11.73 μg/L for MBzP, 62.09/59.23 μg/L for MEHP, 149.70/69.66 μg/L for MEHHP, 112.06/35.07 μg/L for MEOHP, 195.20/93.83 μg/L for mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), 45.66/27.69 μg/L for mono-(2-carboxymethylhexyl) phthalate (MCMHP), and 9.09/12.13 μg/L for mono-iso-nonyl phthalate (MiNP). We concluded that phthalate exposure of the general population in Taiwan varies by sex, age, region, and urbanization level. Exposure by the 7-17-year-old group to DMP, DBP, and DEHP in Taiwan remains higher than that of youth from other countries. RV of phthalate metabolites in Taiwan were established in the current study.

Monthly variations in mercury exposure of school children and adults in an industrial area of southwestern China

Recent studies have shown that rice consumption can be the major pathway for human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in inland China. However, few studies have considered the susceptible population of school children's exposure through rice ingestion. In this study, monthly variations in total Hg (THg)/MeHg concentrations in rice, fish, hair, and urine samples were studied to evaluate the Hg (both THg and MeHg) exposure in Guiyang, a typical industrial area with high anthropogenic emission of Hg. A total of 17 primary school (school A) students, 29 middle school (school B) students, and 46 guardians participated in this study for one year. Hair THg, hair MeHg, and urine THg concentrations ranged from 355-413 ng g^-1, 213-236 ng g^-1, and 469-518 ng g^-1 Creatinine (ng·g^-1 Cr), respectively, and no significant differences were observed between different genders and age groups. Hair and urine Hg concentrations showed slightly higher values in the cold season (October to February) than the hot season (March to September), but without significant difference. High monthly variability of individual hair and urine Hg concentrations suggested that long-term study could effectively decrease the uncertainty. The school students showed significantly higher urine THg concentrations than adults due to children's unique physiological structure and behaviors. Probable daily intake (PDI) of MeHg via rice and fish ingestion averaged at 0.0091, 0.0090, and 0.0079 μg kg^-1 d^-1 for school A students, school B students, and their guardians, respectively, which means that 86%, 84%, and 87% of the PDI were originated from rice ingestion, respectively. Therefore, more attention should be paid to children as a susceptible population. The results indicated low risk of Hg exposure via rice and fish consumption for urban residents in a Chinese industrial city.

Estimation of toluene exposure in air from BMA (S-benzylmercapturic acid) urinary measures using a reverse dosimetry approach based on physiologically pharmacokinetic modeling

This study aimed to use a reverse dosimetry PBPK modeling approach to estimate toluene atmospheric exposure from urinary measurements of S-benzylmercapturic acid (BMA) in a small group of individuals and to evaluate the uncertainty associated to urinary spot-sampling compared to 24-h collected urine samples. Each exposure assessment technique was developed namely to estimate toluene air exposure from BMA measurements in 24-h urine samples (24-h-BMA) and from distributions of daily urinary BMA spot measurements (DUBSM). Model physiological parameters were described based upon age, weight, size and sex. Monte Carlo simulations with the PBPK model allowed converting DUBSM distribution (and 24-h-BMA) into toluene air levels. For the approach relying on DUBSM distribution, the ratio between the 95% probability of predicted toluene concentration and its 50% probability in each individual varied between 1.2 and 1.4, while that based on 24-h-BMA varied between 1.0 and 1.1. This suggests more variability in estimated exposure from spot measurements. Thus, estimating toluene exposure based on DUBSM distribution generated about 20% more uncertainty. Toluene levels estimated (0.0078-0.0138 ppm) are well below Health Canada's maximum chronic air guidelines. PBPK modeling and reverse dosimetry may be combined to interpret urinary metabolites data of VOCs and assess related uncertainties.

Is there an optimal sampling time and number of samples for assessing exposure to fast elimination endocrine disruptors with urinary biomarkers?

In studies investigating the effects of endocrine disruptors (ED) such as phthalates, bisphenols and some pesticides on human health, exposure is usually characterized with urinary metabolites. The variability of biomarkers concentration, due to rapid elimination from the body combined with frequent exposure is however pointed out as a major limitation to exposure assessment. This study was conducted to assess variability of urinary metabolites of ED, and to investigate how sampling time and number of samples analyzed impacts exposure assessment. Urine samples were collected over 6 months from 16 volunteers according to a random sampling design, and analyzed for 16 phthalate metabolites, 9 pesticide metabolites and 4 bisphenols. The amount of biomarkers excreted in urine at different times of the day were compared. In parallel, 2 algorithms were developed to investigate the effect of the number of urine samples analyzed per subject on exposure assessment reliability. In the 805 urine samples collected from the participants, all the biomarkers tested were detected, and 18 were present in >90% of the samples. Biomarkers variability was highlighted by the low intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.09 to 0.51. Comparing the amount of biomarkers excreted in urine at different time did not allow to identify a preferred moment for urine collection between first day urine, morning, afternoon and evening. Algorithms demonstrated that between 10 (for monobenzyl (MBzP) phthalate) and 31 (for bisphenol S) samples were necessary to correctly classify 87.5% of the subjects into quartiles according to their level of exposure. The results illustrate the high variability of urinary biomarkers of ED over time and the impossibility to reliably classify subjects based on a single urine sample (or a limited number). Results showed that classifying individuals based on urinary biomarkers requires several samples per subject, and this number is highly different for different biomarkers.

Long-term time trend of lead exposure in young German adults - Evaluation of more than 35 Years of data of the German Environmental Specimen Bank

Lead is a ubiquitous pollutant with well-known effects on human health. As there is no lower toxicological threshold for lead in blood and since data gaps on lead exposure still exist in many European countries, HBM data on lead is of high importance. To address this, the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU classified lead as a priority substance. The German Environmental Specimen Bank (German ESB) has monitored lead exposure since more than 35 years. Using data from the early 1980s to 2019 we reveal and discuss long-term trends in blood lead levels (BLLs) and current internal exposure of young adults in Germany. BLLs in young adults decreased substantially in the investigated period. As results from the ESB sampling site Muenster demonstrate, the geometric mean of BLLs of young adults decreased from 1981 (78,7 μg/L) to 2019 (10.4 μg/L) by about 87%. Trends in human exposure closely correlate with air lead levels (ALLs) provided by the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP). Hence, the decrease of BLLs largely reflects the drop in air lead pollution. Known associations of sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and housing situation with BLLs are confirmed with data of the German ESB. Although internal lead exposure in Germany decreased substantially, the situation might be different in other European countries. Since 2010, BLLs of young adults in Germany levelled out at approximately 10 μg/L. The toxicity of lead even at low levels is known to cause adverse health effects especially in children following exposure of the child or the mother during pregnancy. To identify current exposure sources and to minimize future lead exposure, continuous monitoring of lead intake and exposure levels is needed.

Risk assessment of exposure to phthalates in breastfeeding women using human biomonitoring

In this study, we assessed the presence of 14 phthalate metabolites in the urine of 104 lactating mothers from Valencia (Spain) who took part in the human biomonitoring project BETTERMILK. Nine of the metabolites studied showed detection frequencies >80%, whereas the rest of the metabolites presented low detection frequencies (<5%). The concentrations ranged from <LoQ to 1291 ng/mL with monoethyl phthalate showing the highest concentration, with a geometric mean of 34.90 ng/mL. In general, the phthalate metabolite levels quantified in the present study were lower than the urinary levels found in previous studies that involved lactating mothers. The consumption of packaged juices and the frequency of deodorant usage were predictors of some phthalate metabolite levels in urine. In order to put the biomonitoring data in a risk assessment context, guide values for the different phthalates were used and the respective hazard quotients were calculated, which ranged from 0.0036 (benzylbutyl phthalate) to 0.49 (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) at the 95th percentile level. Consequently, no risk was appreciated in the studied population.

Urinary phthalate concentrations in the slovenian population: An attempt to exposure assessment of family units

Phthalates are widespread contaminants with differing chemical characteristics, which largely determine their product applications, and they can leach into the environment. Due to their endocrine disruptive properties at long-term low-level exposure, they propose a health threat to people that has been associated with several adverse health effects such as: decreased male fertility and impacts on neurological development. People are exposed to different phthalates on a daily basis. Accordingly, this study aims to determine urinary concentrations of seven phthalate metabolites in Slovenian mothers (n = 155), fathers (n = 77), and children (n = 155) within the European project DEMOCOPHES and to identify potential sources of exposure using questionnaire data on sociodemographic characteristics. Furthermore, the appropriateness of two adjustment methods (creatinine and specific gravity) has been evaluated. First morning urine samples were obtained from one urban and one rural location in 2011. Samples were analysed with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry according to the COPHES SOP protocol by VITO NV laboratory in Belgium. All investigated metabolites were detected in all populations. Children's urinary concentrations exceeded those of adults for most metabolites. We observed variations in concentrations depending on sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, such as food and product sources (e.g. plastic packaging, tins, personal care products, PVC) as well as lifestyle and habits (e.g. living space, time spent outside). We observed geographic and sociodemographic differences in our populations that could be confirmed for the three populations separately and for family units. Concentrations are significantly higher at the rural sampling location as well as in households with a lower level of education. We found both the urinary concentrations and the intake doses to be within the European range as presented in the literature. Between creatinine and specific gravity, we found specific gravity the more appropriate option for phthalates. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating exposure to phthalates in the Slovenian population while considering the common exposure of family units.

The mercury level in hair and breast milk of lactating mothers in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Exposure to mercury is one of the major global health concerns due to its stability, bioaccumulation and high toxicity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the mean mercury level in hair and breast milk (BM) of Iranian lactating mothers (ILMs) through meta-analysis technique. We conducted a systematic literature search in online electronic databases included main domestic databases (SID, Magiran, Iran medex, Medlib and ISC) and international databases (Embase, Scopus and PubMed) for studies published between 2000 up 2018. Each process of research and evaluation of articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria is done by two researchers, individually. From10 studies entered to meta-analysis process including 556 ILM, the mean hair mercury level (HML) and mean milk mercury level (MML) was estimated to be 0.15 μg/g (95 CI: 0.11-0.19, I2: 47.6%, P: 0.028) and 0.51 μg/l (95 CI: 0.28-0.74, I2: 1.9%, P: 0.421), respectively. In this meta-analysis, the mean HML and mean MML were estimated to be lower than the standard of World Health Organization (WHO). Although the mean mercury level in hair and BM of ILMs was lower than the WHO standard, but due to toxicity and serious concern of health, management and Periodic monitor are recommended in different cities of the country for evaluate the mercury levels in hair and BM of ILMs and to estimate the infant's exposure.

Intakes of phthalates by Japanese children and the contribution of indoor air quality in their residences

Some phthalates, which are used mainly as plasticizers, are suspected to be endocrine disruptors. In the present study, daily intakes of phthalates by Japanese children through all exposure pathways and the contribution of indoor air quality to the intakes were examined by measuring urinary phthalate metabolites in the children and the airborne phthalates in their residences. Spot urine samples excreted first after waking up in the morning were collected from the subjects aged 6 to 15 years (n = 132), and airborne phthalates were sampled in the subjects' bedrooms for 24 h. Eight airborne phthalates and their urinary metabolites were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The daily intakes of the phthalates estimated were as follows (median, μg/kg b.w./day): dimethyl phthalate (DMP), 0.15; diethyl phthalate (DEP), 0.42; diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), 1.1; di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), 2.2; dicyclohexyl phthalate (DcHP), 0.026; benzylbutyl phthalate (BBzP), 0.032; di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 6.3. The 95th percentile (21 μg/kg b.w./day) of the DEHP intakes exceeded the reference doses (RfD, 20 μg/kg b.w./day) of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DEHP was suggested to be the most notable phthalate from the perspective of adverse effects on the health of Japanese children. On the other hand, DcHP and di-n-hexyl phthalate were not considered to be very important as indoor air pollutants and as internal contaminants for the children. The contribution rates of the amounts absorbed by inhalation to the amounts absorbed via all of the exposure pathways were only 7.9, 4.4, 6.6, 3.2, 0.22, and 1.0% as the median for DMP, DEP, DiBP, DnBP, BBzP, and DEHP, respectively. Therefore, inhalation did not seem to contribute very much as an absorption pathway of the phthalates for Japanese children while at home.

Phthalate metabolites in urine of children and adolescents in Germany. Human biomonitoring results of the German Environmental Survey GerES V, 2014-2017

During the population representative German Environmental Survey of Children and Adolescents (GerES V, 2014-2017) 2256 first-morning void urine samples from 3 to 17 years old children and adolescents were analysed for 21 metabolites of 11 different phthalates (di-methyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-cyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPeP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DiNP), di-iso-decyl phthalate (DiDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)). Metabolites of DMP, DEP, BBzP, DiBP, DnBP, DEHP, DiNP and DiDP were found in 97%-100% of the participants, DCHP and DnPeP in 6%, and DnOP in none of the urine samples. Geometric means (GM) were highest for metabolites of DiBP (MiBP: 26.1 μg/L), DEP (MEP: 25.8 μg/L), DnBP (MnBP: 20.9 μg/L), and DEHP (cx-MEPP: 11.9 μg/L). For all phthalates but DEP, GMs were consistently higher in the 3-5 years old children than in the 14-17 years old adolescents. For DEHP, the age differences were most pronounced. All detectable phthalate biomarker concentrations were positively associated with the levels of the respective phthalate in house dust. In GerES V we found considerably lower phthalate biomarker levels than in the preceding GerES IV (2003-2006). GMs of biomarker levels in GerES V were only 18% (BBzP), 23% (MnBP), 23% (DEHP), 29% (MiBP) and 57% (DiNP) of those measured a decade earlier in GerES IV. However, some children and adolescents still exceeded health-based guidance values in the current GerES V. 0.38% of the participants had levels of DnBP, 0.08% levels of DEHP and 0.007% levels of DiNP which were higher than the respective health-based guidance values. Accordingly, for these persons an impact on health cannot be excluded with sufficient certainty. The ongoing and substantial exposure of vulnerable children and adolescents to many phthalates confirms the need of a continued monitoring of established phthalates, whether regulated or not, as well as of potential substitutes. With this biomonitoring approach we provide a picture of current individual and cumulative exposure developments and body burdens to phthalates, thus providing support for timely and effective chemicals policies and legislation.

Phthalate exposure and prostate cancer in a population-based nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Phthalic acid esters are established as endocrine disruptors. The study aimed to evaluate the association between urinary phthalate metabolites and prostate cancer occurrence.

METHODS

The study was based on the Taiwan Community-Based Cancer Screening Program, which was set up in 1991-1992 and followed periodically. By 2010, 80 incident prostate cancer cases were identified in the 12,020 men. For each case, 2 controls were randomly selected, matched by age (±3 years), urine collection date (±3 months), and residential township. Frequently used phthalate metabolites from the urine samples were quantified by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between the exposure levels and prostate cancer occurrence.

RESULTS

Exposure to di (2-ethylhexyl), butyl-benzyl and di-isobutyl phthalates (DEHP, BBzP, DiBP) was positively associated with prostate cancer in men with waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm but not in the leans. Odds ratio for the DEHP metabolite summary score (upper tertile compared to the rest) and prostate cancer were 7.76 (95% CI = 1.95-30.9) for WC ≥ 90 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

DEHP, BBzP, and DiBP exposure were associated with prostate cancer occurrence in abdominally obese men. The main limitation remains the lack of mechanistic experiments and comparable toxicological data.

Exposure to Mixed Phthalates in Czech Preschool and School Children

Knowledge of population exposure to phthalates based on the urinary metabolite levels is of the highest importance for health risk assessment. Such data are scarce in the Czech population. In the study conducted in 2016, six urinary phthalate metabolites were analysed in a total of 370 first morning urine samples of healthy children aged 5 and 9 years, namely mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5oxo-MEHP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP). The two latter mono-butyl phthalate isoforms dominated among all samples with geometric means of 63.0 µg/L (MnBP) and 44.1 µg/L (MiBP), followed by 5OH-MEHP (20.6 µg/L), 5oxo-MEHP (12.9 µg/L), MBzP (3.65 µg/L), and MEHP (2.31 µg/L). Daily intake (DI) of the parent phthalates was estimated using the creatinine-based model. The highest DI values were found for di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) (median 2.5 µg/kg bw/day; 95th percentile 7.8 µg/kg bw/day) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) (median 2.3 µg/kg bw/day; 95th percentile 8.9 µg/kg bw/day) in 5-year-old children. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was exceeded in case of DnBP (in 1% of 9-year-olds and in 3% of 5-year-olds). Exposure risk was assessed based on hazard quotients calculation and cumulative approach for similar health effect. The combined exposure to four phthalates expressed by hazard index (HI) for reprotoxicity revealed exceeding of HI threshold in 14% of 5-year-olds and in 9% of 9-year-olds. These findings strongly support the need to reduce the burden of children by phthalates.

Tuna Consumption, Mercury Exposure, and Knowledge about Mercury Exposure Risk from Tuna Consumption in University Students

We examined the relationships among tuna consumption, hair mercury levels, and knowledge of mercury exposure risk from tuna consumption in university students that were offered tuna daily at university-run dining halls. Hair total mercury levels in tuna consumers were higher than those in non-tuna consumers (average = 0.466 µg/g ± 0.328 standard deviation [SD], n = 20 vs 0.110 µg/g ± 0.105 SD, n = 33, respectively; p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test), with tuna eaters exhibiting a positive relationship between self-reported tuna consumption at dining halls and hair mercury levels (R²  = 0.868, p < 0.0001, n = 17, linear regression). For all tuna eaters surveyed, more than half (54%) self-reported eating ≥3 tuna meals/wk, potentially exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency's reference dose for methylmercury of 0.1 µg/kg body weight/d. Seven percent of study participants reported they consumed >20 tuna meals/wk, which was related to hair mercury levels >1 µg/g, a level of concern. Study participants had an overall lack of knowledge and confidence in their knowledge about mercury exposure risk from tuna consumption, with >99% of participants reporting low knowledge and low confidence in survey answers. Our study highlights the importance of education about the risks of tuna consumption, particularly in institutional settings where individuals have unlimited access to tuna products. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1988-1994. © 2019 SETAC.

Determinants of phthalate exposure and risk assessment in children from Poland

Phthalates are a group of widely used chemicals and humans are exposed to them in their daily life. Some phthalates may affect the hormonal balance in both children and adults. The aim of this study was to assess the phthalate exposure and its determinants among children at age of 7 years from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL). 250 urine samples collected in 2014-2015 were analysed for 21 metabolites of 11 parent phthalates using on-line high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). This represents the most extensive set of phthalate metabolites ever determined for Poland. Ten metabolites were quantifiable in 100% of the samples, another eight in >90%. The highest median concentrations were found for the primary monoester metabolites of di-iso-butyl (MiBP, 72.4 μg/l), di-n-butyl (MnBP, 56.3 μg/l) and diethyl (MEP, 42.0 μg/l) phthalate, followed by the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl (ΣDEHP, 89.3 μg/l) and di-iso-nonyl (ΣDiNP, 21.9 μg/l) phthalate metabolites. Metabolite concentrations were higher in children at 7 years than in the same children at age 2 or in their mothers during pregnancy. Generally, phthalate exposures in this study were much higher than exposures reported in other European populations. Multivariate regression models showed that body mass index, place of residence, breastfeeding duration, socio-economic status and parental education were associated with the metabolite levels in the 7-year old children. Daily intake and hazard index calculations revealed that a small percentage of children (around 3-10%) exceeded the tolerable daily intakes established by international institutions such as EFSA and U.S. EPA indicating that these children might be at risk of anti-androgenic effects from the individual and cumulative exposure to phthalates. Thus, further monitoring of this population, by educational programs and follow-up interventions, is required.

Fetal growth in environmental epidemiology: mechanisms, limitations, and a review of associations with biomarkers of non-persistent chemical exposures during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Non-persistent chemicals, such as phthalates, environmental phenols, organophosphate pesticides, and others, are challenging to study because of their ubiquity in the environment, diverse exposure routes, and high temporal variability of biomarkers. Nonetheless, there is interest in understanding how gestational exposure to these chemicals may affect fetal growth, as perturbations to normal fetal growth are related to a plethora of adverse health outcomes in childhood and adulthood.

METHODS

The purpose of this review is to describe the state of the science on this topic. We searched PubMed for studies that included both 1) biomarkers of non-persistent chemicals collected during pregnancy and 2) fetal growth outcomes measured at birth (e.g., birth weight) or by ultrasound in utero (e.g., estimated fetal weight).

RESULTS

The bulk of the literature we found uses biomarkers measured at a single time point in pregnancy and birth weight as the primary measure of fetal growth. There is a small, but growing, body of research that uses ultrasound measures to assess fetal growth during pregnancy. In addition to summarizing the findings of the publications we identified, we describe inconsistencies in methodology, areas for improvement, and gaps in existing knowledge that can be targeted for improvement in future work. This literature is characterized by variability in methodology, likely contributing to the inconsistency of results reported. We further discuss maternal, placental, and fetal pathways by which these classes of chemicals may affect fetal growth.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve understanding of how everyday chemical exposures affect fetal growth, and ultimately lifelong health outcomes, mechanisms of toxicant action should be considered alongside improved study designs for future hypothesis-driven research.

The extent and predictors of phthalate exposure among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment

Phthalates are chemicals used as plasticizers and solvents in many consumer products but are suspected of disrupting the endocrine system and are known for their reproductive/developmental health risks. This study examined the extent and predictors of phthalate exposure among 599 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. A questionnaire was administered to obtain sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle data, and two spot urine samples were collected from the couples to analyze eight phthalate metabolites, cotinine (COT) as a smoking index, and creatinine to adjust for urine dilution. Seven phthalate metabolites were detected in > 94% of the urine samples, and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) was found in 24% of the women and 26% of their male partners. Median phthalate levels were highest for monoethyl phthalate (MEP), at 333.26 μg/l in women and 290 μg/l in male partners, and lowest for MBzP, at 1.17 μg/l in women and 1.14 μg/l in male partners. Correlation coefficients of ≥ 0.4 between the women and their male partners for the eight urinary phthalate metabolites may indicate a shared source of exposure. A multivariate regression model was used to assess the association between predictors and each urinary phthalate metabolite. Several potential predictors for the variations in specific urinary phthalate metabolites were identified, including the body mass index, age, socioeconomic status, and regional distribution for both women and their male partners but with slightly different patterns. Women with a history of breastfeeding, using bottled water for cooking and storing food in plastic bags had lower MEP (8.7%), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) (9.2%), and both mono-iso-butyl phthalate and MECPP (8.2 and 8.1%). A history of contraceptive use was associated with an increase in MECPP (8.7%), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (11.4%), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (7.6%), and the molar sum of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (8.9%). Urinary COT levels were associated with an increase of 10-16% in all urinary metabolites in women but of only 10.5% in mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in male partners. More than 95% of the couples reported the use of cosmetics, perfumes, and personal-care products, but we were not able to find associations with urinary phthalate metabolites, perhaps due to their short half-lives. MEP levels associated with the use of household cleaning products were 11.2% higher in male partners. Our levels were generally higher than those reported elsewhere, perhaps due to different lifestyles, cultural practices, dietary habits, use of personal-care products, and governmental legislation.

A Review of Biomonitoring of Phthalate Exposures

Phthalates (diesters of phthalic acid) are widely used as plasticizers and additives in many consumer products. Laboratory animal studies have reported the endocrine-disrupting and reproductive effects of phthalates, and human exposure to this class of chemicals is a concern. Several phthalates have been recognized as substances of high concern. Human exposure to phthalates occurs mainly via dietary sources, dermal absorption, and air inhalation. Phthalates are excreted as conjugated monoesters in urine, and some phthalates, such as di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), undergo secondary metabolism, including oxidative transformation, prior to urinary excretion. The occurrence of phthalates and their metabolites in urine, serum, breast milk, and semen has been widely reported. Urine has been the preferred matrix in human biomonitoring studies, and concentrations on the order of several tens to hundreds of nanograms per milliliter have been reported for several phthalate metabolites. Metabolites of diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl- (DBP) and diisobutyl- (DiBP) phthalates, and DEHP were the most abundant compounds measured in urine. Temporal trends in phthalate exposures varied among countries. In the United States (US), DEHP exposure has declined since 2005, whereas DiNP exposure has increased. In China, DEHP exposure has increased since 2000. For many phthalates, exposures in children are higher than those in adults. Human epidemiological studies have shown a significant association between phthalate exposures and adverse reproductive outcomes in women and men, type II diabetes and insulin resistance, overweight/obesity, allergy, and asthma. This review compiles biomonitoring studies of phthalates and exposure doses to assess health risks from phthalate exposures in populations across the globe.

Phthalate exposure in pregnant women and the influence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

Background: Phthalates have been blended in various compositions as plasticizers worldwide for a variety of purposes, and there are more and more polymers in the packaging of tobacco.Methods: We investigated phthalate exposure in pregnant women to explore the influence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). In 2013, a total of 620 pregnant women in 30 counties (district) of Zhejiang Province were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling method, and they were interviewed for the sociodemographic characteristic, lifestyle characteristics, and 77 of them were selected by random and agreed to provide a urine sample. GC/MS method was used to determine the concentration of phthalate in urine including DMP, DEP, DIBP, DBP, BMPP, DPP, DHXP, BBP, HEP, BNBP, DCHP, DEHP, DOP, DNP, MMP, MEP, MBP, MEHP, ans MBzP. The distribution characteristics of the levels of phthalate between pregnant women with or without exposure to ETS were described, and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between the phthalate levels and influencing factors.Results: We found that there was significant difference between pregnant women with or without exposure to ETS on DIBP, DBP, DNP (Z = 2.192, 2.172, 2356; p = .028, .030, .018). In multifactors analysis, we found that higher level concentration of DIBP (OR= 3.895, 95% = 1.12-13.546), DBP (OR = 5.25, 95% = 1.4-19.692), DPP (OR = 16.5, 95% = 1.058-250.176), DNP (OR = 8.00, 95% = 1.85-34.604) were associated by exposure to ETS.Conclusions: Pregnant women with or without exposure to ETS were associated with urinary DIBP, DBP, DPP, and DNP. Exposure to ETS may increase the urinary phthalate levels among pregnant women.

Implementation of human biomonitoring in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, Canada (2016-2017)

Background

Human biomonitoring represents an important tool for health risk assessment, supporting the characterization of contaminant exposure and nutrient status. In communities where country foods (locally harvested foods: land animals, fish, birds, plants) are integrated in the daily diet, as is the case in remote northern regions where food security is a challenge, such foods can potentially be a significant route of contaminant exposure. To assess this issue, a biomonitoring project was implemented among Dene/Métis communities of the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, Canada.

Methods

Participants completed dietary surveys (i.e., a food frequency questionnaire and 24-h recall) to estimate food consumption patterns as well as a Health Messages Survey to evaluate the awareness and perception of contaminants and consumption notices. Biological sampling of hair, urine and blood was conducted. Toxic metals (e.g., mercury, lead, cadmium), essential metals (e.g., copper, nickel, zinc), fatty acids, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were measured in samples.

Results

The levels of contaminants in blood, hair and urine for the majority of participants were below the available guidance values for mercury, cadmium, lead and uranium. However, from the 279 participants, approximately 2% were invited to provide follow up samples, mainly for elevated mercury level. Also, at the population level, blood lead (GM: 11 μg/L) and blood cadmium (GM: 0.53 μg/L) were slightly above the Canadian Health Measures Survey data. Therefore, although country foods occasionally contain elevated levels of particular contaminants, human exposures to these metals remained similar to those seen in the Canadian general population. In addition, dietary data showed the importance and diversity of country foods across participating communities, with the consumption of an average of 5.1% of total calories from wild-harvested country foods.

Conclusion

This project completed in the Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest Territories fills a data gap across other biomonitoring studies in Canada as it integrates community results, will support stakeholders in the development of public health strategies, and will inform environmental health issue prioritization.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13690-018-0318-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Heavy metals as criteria of health and ecological well-being of the urban environment

The study of the content of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Cu in biological media (the hair) of children living in the zones of the city of Kazan with different pollution levels was carried out. The identification of the zones in the city of Kazan was performed on the basis of the snow cover and soils pollution with heavy metals, which are natural accumulators of chemical substances and heavy metals (HM). Statistically significant differences (р < 0.01) in the content of certain metals in the hair, lead and cadmium in particular, were revealed in children living in the technologically polluted zone (Teplocontrol). Microelement composition of the hair in children with respiratory diseases (RD) varied widely in the content of lead (р < 0.05), and a statistically significantly lower level of zinc (р < 0.01) and copper (р < 0.05) compared with all the rest groups of children was determined in genitourinary diseases (GUD). However, relatively high values of toxic elements in the control zone show that the ecological status of the city and region is instable, and implies additional measures of the environmental monitoring and activities on chemical safety in certain city zones.

In-utero and childhood chemical exposome in six European mother-child cohorts

BACKGROUND

Harmonized data describing simultaneous exposure to a large number of environmental contaminants in-utero and during childhood is currently very limited.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize concentrations of a large number of environmental contaminants in pregnant women from Europe and their children, based on chemical analysis of biological samples from mother-child pairs.

METHODS

We relied on the Early-Life Exposome project, HELIX, a collaborative project across six established population-based birth cohort studies in Europe. In 1301 subjects, biomarkers of exposure to 45 contaminants (i.e. organochlorine compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, toxic and essential elements, phthalate metabolites, environmental phenols, organophosphate pesticide metabolites and cotinine) were measured in biological samples from children (6-12 years) and their mothers during pregnancy, using highly sensitive biomonitoring methods.

RESULTS

Most of the exposure biomarkers had high detection frequencies in mothers (35 out of 45 biomarkers with >90% detected) and children (33 out of 45 biomarkers with >90% detected). Concentrations were significantly different between cohorts for all compounds, and were generally higher in maternal compared to children samples. For most of the persistent compounds the correlations between maternal and child concentrations were moderate to high (Spearman Rho > 0.35), while for most non-persistent compounds correlations were considerably lower (Spearman Rho < 0.15). For mercury, PFOS and PFOA a considerable proportion of the samples of both mothers and their children exceeded the HBM I value established by The Human Biomonitoring Commission of the German Federal Environment Agency.

DISCUSSION

Although not based on a representative sample, our study suggests that children across Europe are exposed to a wide range of environmental contaminants in fetal life and childhood including many with potential adverse effects. For values exceeding the HBM I value identification of specific sources of exposure and reducing exposure in an adequate way is recommended. Considerable variability in this "chemical exposome" was seen between cohorts, showing that place of residence is a strong determinant of one's personal exposome. This extensive dataset comprising >100,000 concentrations of environmental contaminants in mother-child pairs forms a unique possibility for conducting epidemiological studies using an exposome approach.

Phthalate Exposure from Drinking Water in Romanian Adolescents

Phthalates are plastic softeners that have been linked to several adverse health outcomes. The relative contributions of different sources to phthalate exposure in populations in different regions and at different life stages is unclear. We examined the relationships between water consumption, consumer product use, and phthalate exposure among 40 adolescents (20 males, 20 females) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Interviewers administered a questionnaire about drinking water consumption and use of phthalate-containing consumer products. Four common phthalates were measured in representative samples of participants’ municipal drinking water and consumed bottled water using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Urine samples were collected from participants and analyzed for the corresponding phthalate metabolites. Relationships between different exposure measures were assessed using nonparametric tests (Spearman rank correlation coefficients and the Kruskal–Wallis test). Diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were commonly detected in bottled water, but generally not the municipal drinking water samples. Mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) was the most commonly detected urinary metabolite (detected in 92.5% of participants) and had the highest maximum concentration (1139.77 µg/g creatinine). We did not identify any statistically significant associations between water consumption or consumer product use practices and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in our adolescent group, and directions of correlation coefficients differed by individual phthalate compound. While phthalate exposure was widespread, these results highlight the challenges in examining phthalate exposure determinants and emphasize the need for further investigation into understanding exposure sources and potential health risks from chronic low-level exposures.

Environmental health surveillance in a future European health information system

BACKGROUND

To date Health information (HI) in the European Union does not comprise indicators or other information related to impacts of hazardous chemicals in consumer products, food, drinking water or air on the health status of the population. Therefore, we inventorised and evaluated the potential of environmental health surveillance and research data sources in the European population to provide HBM-based indicators of internal human exposure and health impact of relevant chemicals.

METHODS

We established an up-dated inventory of European cross-sectional Human Biomonitoring (HBM) surveys and of birth cohorts, and compared chemicals and chemical groups addressed by HBM with indicators and health end points collected via European Core Health Indicators (ECHI), in birth registries, as well as in environmental and food data bases and health registries to see on how data collection could be aligned. Finally, we investigated study designs of HBM survey and health examination surveys for potential synergies.

RESULTS

The inventory covers a total of 11 European cross-sectional national programmes and a large number of birth cohorts and includes information on study population, age groups, covered substances, sampled matrices, and frequency. The comparison of data collections shows that there are many overlaps between environmental chemicals with environmental and health reporting. HBM data could be linked with ECHI indicators for work-related risks, body mass index (BMI), and low birth weight, with perinatal disease, neurologic disorders, and some chronic diseases, or with data bases for e.g. indoor air, food, or consumer products. Existing initiatives to link data collections at European Environment Agency (EEA) and Joint Research Center (JRC) or at World Health Organization (WHO) are good options to further develop linkage of HBM with exposures sources and health end points.

CONCLUSIONS

There is potential to use HBM based information in a number of public health policies, and this would help to align reporting to international commitments. Environmental health surveillance based on HBM and HBM-based indicators, is an excellent tool to inform public health policies about risks from environmental chemicals, and the EU health information system would benefit from additional HBM-based indicators for monitoring exposure burden from environmental chemicals. Considerable efforts are needed to align and establish routine data collections and to develop a surveillance system and indicators which may inform public health policies.

Phthalates and type 1 diabetes: is there any link?

Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds used as plasticizers in the manufacture of plastic materials. They can be present in many commonly used products. There seems to be a relationship between exposure to phthalates and the occurrence of metabolic dysfunctions, such as a decrease in glucose tolerance, oxidative stress, loss of beta cells, and a decrease in insulin synthesis. As beta cells play a key role in the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), we sought to investigate the relationship between exposure to phthalates and the diagnosis of T1DM in prepubertal children. Design concentrations of phthalate metabolites were compared in the urine of a population of prepubertal children with new-onset diabetes, patients with T1DM diagnosed more than 6 months previously, and healthy control children. Although the concentrations of DBP and DiBP metabolites were statistically identical in the new-onset diabetes, diabetes, and control groups, there was a clear trend for higher levels of DiBP metabolites in the children with new-onset diabetes. In our sample, there was a trend for higher levels of DiBP metabolites in children with new-onset diabetes.

Urinary Phthalate Concentrations in Mothers and Their Children in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study

Background: Phthalates are chemicals which are widespread in the environment. Although the impacts on health of such exposure are unclear, there is evidence of a possible impact on the incidence of a diverse range of diseases. Monitoring of human exposure to phthalates is therefore important. This study aimed to determine the extent of phthalate exposure among mothers and their children in both rural and urban areas in Ireland, and to identify factors associated with elevated concentrations. It formed part of the ‘Demonstration of a study to Co-ordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale’ (DEMOCOPHES) pilot biomonitoring study. Methods: the concentration of phthalate metabolites were determined from a convenience sample of 120 mother/child pairs. The median age of the children was 8 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information regarding lifestyle and environmental conditions of the children and mothers. Rigorous quality assurance within DEMOCOPHES guaranteed the accuracy and international comparability of results. Results: Phthalate metabolites were detected in all of the samples from both children and mothers. Concentrations were significantly higher in respondents from families with lower educational attainment and in those exposed to such items as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fast food and personal care products (PCP). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that human biomonitoring for assessing exposure to phthalates can be undertaken in Ireland and that the exposure of the population is widespread. Further work will be necessary before the consequences of this exposure are understood.

Biomonitoring of mercury in hair of breastfeeding mothers living in the Valencian Region (Spain). Levels and predictors of exposure

This study focused on the evaluation of the levels of total mercury in hair among 120 breastfeeding mothers aged 20 to 45 -. The concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.07 to 6.87 μg/g with a geometric mean (GM) of 1.22 μg/g. This GM is six times higher than the average internal exposure of mothers from other 17 European countries (0.225 μg/g). Near 70% of mothers presented levels of Hg above the USA EPA internal exposure guideline of 1 μg/g, and 27% exceeded the EFSA health-based guidance value of 1.9 μg/g. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, smoking and fish consumption (sword fish, small fat fish, small lean fish) were the major predictors of mercury in hair.