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Herkert NJ, Getzinger GJ, Hoffman K, Young AS, Allen JG, Levasseur JL, Ferguson PL, Stapleton HM. Wristband Personal Passive Samplers and Suspect Screening Methods Highlight Gender Disparities in Chemical Exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39171898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c06008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Wristband personal samplers enable human exposure assessments for a diverse range of chemical contaminants and exposure settings with a previously unattainable scale and cost-effectiveness. Paired with nontargeted analyses, wristbands can provide important exposure monitoring data to expand our understanding of the environmental exposome. Here, a custom scripted suspect screening workflow was developed in the R programming language for feature selection and chemical annotations using gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry data acquired from the analysis of wristband samples collected from five different cohorts. The workflow includes blank subtraction, internal standard normalization, prediction of chemical uses in products, and feature annotation using multiple library search metrics and metadata from PubChem, among other functionalities. The workflow was developed and validated against 104 analytes identified by targeted analytical results in previously published reports of wristbands. A true positive rate of 62 and 48% in a quality control matrix and wristband samples, respectively, was observed for our optimum set of parameters. Feature analysis identified 458 features that were significantly higher on female-worn wristbands and only 21 features that were significantly higher on male-worn wristbands across all cohorts. Tentative identifications suggest that personal care products are a primary driver of the differences observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Herkert
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Gordon J Getzinger
- School of Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60660, United States
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Anna S Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jessica L Levasseur
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
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2
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Krause S, Ouellet V, Allen D, Allen S, Moss K, Nel HA, Manaseki-Holland S, Lynch I. The potential of micro- and nanoplastics to exacerbate the health impacts and global burden of non-communicable diseases. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101581. [PMID: 38781963 PMCID: PMC11228470 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101581] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) constitute one of the highest burdens of disease globally and are associated with inflammatory responses in target organs. There is increasing evidence of significant human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MnPs). This review of environmental MnP exposure and health impacts indicates that MnP particles, directly and indirectly through their leachates, may exacerbate inflammation. Meanwhile, persistent inflammation associated with NCDs in gastrointestinal and respiratory systems potentially increases MnP uptake, thus influencing MnP access to distal organs. Consequently, a future increase in MnP exposure potentially augments the risk and severity of NCDs. There is a critical need for an integrated one-health approach to human health and environmental research for assessing the drivers of human MnP exposure and their bidirectional links with NCDs. Assessing these risks requires interdisciplinary efforts to identify and link drivers of environmental MnP exposure and organismal uptake to studies of impacted disease mechanisms and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Institute for Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés (LEHNA), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Valerie Ouellet
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Institute for Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Deonie Allen
- WESP - Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability & Public Health, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
| | - Steven Allen
- WESP - Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability & Public Health, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
| | - Kerry Moss
- Institute for Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Holly A Nel
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Semira Manaseki-Holland
- Institute for Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Institute for Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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3
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Ihn Y, Cho Y, Lee Y, Seok H, Oh JS, Moon HB, Choi K. Thyroid and sex hormone disrupting effects of DEHTP at different life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142105. [PMID: 38657690 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142105] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) is an alternative plasticizer widely used in numerous consumer products, replacing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Hence, DEHTP has been frequently detected in the environment and humans. As a structural isomer and functional analog of DEHP, DEHTP is a suspected endocrine disruptor. Here, we evaluated thyroid-disrupting effects of DEHTP using embryo-larval and adult male zebrafish. We also investigated its sex hormone disruption potential in the adult zebrafish. After 5- and 7-days of exposure to DEHTP, significant increases in whole-body thyroid hormonal levels were observed in the larval fish. Down-regulation of several thyroid-regulating genes, including trh, tshβ, nis, and dio2, was observed, but only after 5-day exposure. Following a 21-day exposure, the adult male zebrafish exhibited a significant decrease in total triiodothyronine and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormones. Potential changes in the deiodination of thyroid hormones, supported by the up-regulation of two deiodinases, dio1 and dio3a, along with the down-regulation of dio2, could explain the thyroid hormone changes in the adult zebrafish. Moreover, significant trends of decrease in estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone, along with increase of testosterone (T), were observed in the adult zebrafish. Up-regulation of several steroidogenic genes may explain elevated T, while exact mechanisms of action warrant further investigation. Our results demonstrate that DEHTP can cause disruptions of thyroid and sex hormones at different life stages in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchul Ihn
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoojin Cho
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yura Lee
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyesun Seok
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin-Su Oh
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyungho Choi
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Jin S, Cui S, Mu X, Liu Z, Han Y, Cui T, Xiong W, Xi W, Zhang X. Exposure to phthalates and their alternatives in relation to biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adults: evidence from NHANES 2017-2018. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:123770-123784. [PMID: 37991617 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30924-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates and their alternatives are considered significant environmental risk factors that potentially influence inflammation and oxidative stress. However, their impact on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress was inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the associations between phthalates and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and white blood cell (WBC) counts, employing both univariate exposure and multivariate co-exposure models. For this analysis, a total of 1619 individuals aged 18 years and above, sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2017 and 2018, were selected as subjects. We explored the associations between hsCRP, GGT, and WBC counts and eighteen different phthalate metabolites. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between both MCNP and MEHP and hsCRP. We observed negative correlations of MCOP, MCPP, MHBP, and MONP with GGT. Conversely, MEHHP and MEHHTP exhibited positive correlations with GGT. Furthermore, MECPTP and MEHHTP showed positive correlations with WBC. Notably, we identified a non-linear relationship between phthalates and inflammation and oxidative stress markers. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analysis demonstrated a negative joint effect of the phthalates mixture on GGT, particularly at lower concentrations. The BKMR model also found that MEOHP and MHiBP were negatively associated with GGT. In contrast, MEHHP showed a significant positive association with GGT. Moderating effect analysis suggested that dietary inflammatory index (DII), income-to-poverty ratio (PIR), age, BMI, and physical activity influenced the association between phthalates and inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationships between phthalates and inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Jin
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Cui
- School of Public Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaoyu Mu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingkai Cui
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Xiong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xi
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Eckert E, Kuhlmann L, Göen T, Münch F. Assessment of the plasticizer exposure of hospital workers regularly handling medical devices: A pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117028. [PMID: 37657602 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic medical devices, e.g. infusion sets, blood bags or tubing material, that are used manifold in the medical treatment of hospital patients, usually contain considerable amounts of plasticizers. Whereas several studies showed highly elevated inner plasticizer levels of patients treated with plasticized medical devices, little is known about the exposure situation of hospital staff. The present pilot study aimed to evaluate the urinary plasticizer metabolite levels of selected hospital workers of the blood bank (medical technical assistants, MTA) and of perfusionists that are regularly handling plasticized medical devices in order to estimate the work-related amount of the inner individual plasticizer exposure. The study subjects were asked to collect pre- and post-shift spot urine samples over the course of a working week, that were subsequently analyzed for selected urinary metabolites of the plasticizers DEHP, DINCH, DEHTP and TEHTM. Although the observed differences were rather low, a differentiated approach revealed a perceptible impact of the respective workplace environment on the individual urinary plasticizer metabolite levels. Thus, the group of blood bank MTA showed significantly elevated increment levels of urinary DEHP and DINCH metabolites, while the group of perfusionists, showed a considerable higher detection frequency of the main urinary TEHTM metabolite. All in all, however, it can be cautiously concluded by the results of the presented pilot study that a regular handling of plasticized medical devices by hospital employees (via inhalation or dermal contact) contributes demonstrably but yet only marginally to the individual internal plasticizer exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Eckert
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestr. 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany; Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Risk Assessment, Eggenreuther Weg 43, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Laura Kuhlmann
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestr. 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestr. 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Frank Münch
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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6
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Seewoo BJ, Goodes LM, Mofflin L, Mulders YR, Wong EV, Toshniwal P, Brunner M, Alex J, Johnston B, Elagali A, Gozt A, Lyle G, Choudhury O, Solomons T, Symeonides C, Dunlop SA. The plastic health map: A systematic evidence map of human health studies on plastic-associated chemicals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108225. [PMID: 37948868 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to exposure to plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals or particles and it is unclear how many of these have been investigated for effects in humans, and therefore what the knowledge gaps are. OBJECTIVE To create a systematic evidence map of peer-reviewed human studies investigating the potential effects of exposure to plastic-associated particles/chemicals on health to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and regulation policy. METHODS Medline and Embase databases were used to identify peer-reviewed primary human studies published in English from Jan 1960 - Jan 2022 that investigated relationships between exposures to included plastic-associated particles/chemicals measured and detected in bio-samples and human health outcomes. Plastic-associated particles/chemicals included are: micro and nanoplastics, due to their widespread occurrence and potential for human exposure; polymers, the main building blocks of plastic; plasticizers and flame retardants, the two most common types of plastic additives with the highest concentration ranges in plastic materials; and bisphenols and per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, two chemical classes of known health concern that are common in plastics. We extracted metadata on the population and study characteristics (country, intergenerational, sex, age, general/special exposure risk status, study design), exposure (plastic-associated particle/chemical, multiple exposures), and health outcome measures (biochemical, physiological, and/or clinical), from which we produced the interactive database 'Plastic Health Map' and a narrative summary. RESULTS We identified 100,949 unique articles, of which 3,587 met our inclusion criteria and were used to create a systematic evidence map. The Plastic Health Map with extracted metadata from included studies are freely available at https://osf.io/fhw7d/ and summary tables, plots and overall observations are included in this report. CONCLUSIONS We present the first evidence map compiling human health research on a wide range of plastic-associated chemicals from several different chemical classes, in order to provide stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, and concerned individuals, with an efficient way to access published literature on the matter and determine knowledge gaps. We also provide examples of data clusters to facilitate systematic reviews and research gaps to help direct future research efforts. Extensive gaps are identified in the breadth of populations, exposures and outcomes addressed in studies of potential human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals. No studies of the human health effects of micro and/or nanoplastics were found, and no studies were found for 26/1,202 additives included in our search that are of known hazard concern and confirmed to be in active production. Few studies have addressed recent "substitution" chemicals for restricted additives such as organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, and bisphenol analogues. We call for a paradigm shift in chemical regulation whereby new plastic chemicals are rigorously tested for safety before being introduced in consumer products, with ongoing post-introduction biomonitoring of their levels in humans and health effects throughout individuals' life span, including in old age and across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhedita J Seewoo
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Louise M Goodes
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Louise Mofflin
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Yannick R Mulders
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Enoch Vs Wong
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Priyanka Toshniwal
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Manuel Brunner
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jennifer Alex
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Brady Johnston
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ahmed Elagali
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Gozt
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Greg Lyle
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley WA 6102, Australia
| | - Omrik Choudhury
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Terena Solomons
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; Health and Medical Sciences (Library), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christos Symeonides
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah A Dunlop
- Plastics, Minderoo Foundation, 171-173 Mounts Bay Road 6000, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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7
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Ketema RM, Kasper-Sonnenberg M, Ait Bamai Y, Miyashita C, Koch HM, Pälmke C, Kishi R, Ikeda A. Exposure Trends to the Non-phthalate Plasticizers DEHTP, DINCH, and DEHA in Children from 2012 to 2017: The Hokkaido Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11926-11936. [PMID: 37506071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates owing to their endocrine-disrupting effects are regulated in certain products, leading to their replacement with substitutions such as di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di(isononyl) ester (DINCH), and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA). However, information on human exposure to these substitutes, especially in susceptible subpopulations such as children, is limited. Thus, we examined the levels and exposure trends of DEHTP, DINCH, and DEHA metabolites in 7 year-old Japanese school children. In total, 180 urine samples collected from 2012 to 2017 were used to quantify 10 DEHTP, DINCH, and DEHA metabolites via isotope dilution liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. DEHTP and DINCH metabolites were detected in 95.6 and 92.2% of the children, respectively, and DEHA was not detected. This study, annually conducted between 2012 and 2017, revealed a significant (p < 0.05) 5-fold increase in DEHTP metabolites and a 2-fold increase in DINCH metabolites. However, the maximum estimated internal exposures were still below the health-based guidance and toxicological reference values. Exposure levels to DEHTP and DINCH have increased considerably in Japanese school children. DEHA is less relevant. Future studies are warranted to closely monitor the increasing trend in different aged and larger populations and identify the potential health effects and sources contributing to increasing exposure and intervene if necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Mesfin Ketema
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 7, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 5, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 7, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 7, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Claudia Pälmke
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum 44789, Germany
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 7, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ikeda
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 7, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12, West 5, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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8
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Hoopmann M, Murawski A, Schümann M, Göen T, Apel P, Vogel N, Kolossa-Gehring M, Röhl C. A revised concept for deriving reference values for internal exposures to chemical substances and its application to population-representative biomonitoring data in German children and adolescents 2014-2017 (GerES V). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 253:114236. [PMID: 37579634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
HBM reference values, in contrast to toxicologically derived values, are statistically derived values that provide information on the exposure of the population. The exceedance frequency (if applicable for individual population groups) is often a first assessment standard for the local exposure situation for municipalities. More than 25 years have passed since the German Human Biomonitoring Commission (HBMC) formulated the first recommendations for the derivation of population-based reference values (HBM reference values, RV95) for substance concentrations based on HBM studies. A fundamental revision is timely, for several reasons. There have been considerable advances in relevant statistical methods, which meant that previously time-consuming and inaccessible procedures and calculations are now widely available. Furthermore, not all steps for the derivation of HBM reference values were clearly elaborated in the first recommendations. With this revision we intended to achieve a rigorous standardization of the entire process of deriving HBM reference values, also to realise a higher degree of transparency. In accordance with established international practice, it is recommended to use the 95th percentile of the reference distribution as the HBM reference value. To this end, the empirical 95th percentile of a suitable sample should be rounded, ensuring that the rounded value is within the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the percentile. All estimates should be based on distribution-free methods, and the confidence interval should be estimated using a bootstrap approach, if possible, according to the BCa ("bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap"). A minimum sample size of 80 observations is considered necessary. The entire procedure ensures that the derived HBM reference value is robust against at least two extreme values and can also be used for underlying mixed distributions. If it is known in advance that certain subgroups (different age groups, smokers, etc.) show differing internal exposures, it is recommended that group-specific HBM reference values should be derived. Especially when the sample sizes for individual subgroups are too small, individual datasets with potential outliers can be excluded in advance to homogenize the reference value population. In the second part, new HBM reference values based on data of the German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents (GerES V, 2014-2017) were derived in accordance with the revised recommendations. The GerES V is the most recent population-representative monitoring of human exposure to pollutants in Germany on children and adolescents aged 3-17 years (N = 2294). RV95 for GerES V are reported for four subgroups (males/females and 3-11/12-17 years) for 108 different substances including phthalates and alternative plasticisers, metals, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), parabens, aprotic solvents, chlorophenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and UV filter, in total 135 biomarkers. Algorithms implemented in R were used for the statistics and the determination of the HBM reference values. To facilitate a quality control of the study data, the corresponding R source code is given, together with graphical representations of results. The HBM reference values listed in this article replace earlier RV95 values derived by the HBMC for children and adolescents from data of precedent GerES studies (e.g. published in Apel et al., 2017).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Schümann
- Formerly Hamburg Ministry of Health and Consumer Protection, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Apel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Röhl
- Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists, Christiana Albertina University Kiel, Kiel, Germany; Environmental Medicine and Toxicology, State Agency for social Services (LAsD) Schleswig-Holstein, Neumünster, Germany.
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9
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Pluym N, Burkhardt T, Rögner N, Scherer G, Weber T, Scherer M, Kolossa-Gehring M. Monitoring the exposure to ethoxyquin between 2000 and 2021 in urine samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107781. [PMID: 36758297 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Human Biomonitoring (HBM) of emerging chemicals gained increasing attention within the EU in recent years. After evaluating the metabolism, we established a new HBM method for ethoxyquin (EQ), a feed additive, which was banned in 2017 due to concerns regarding the possible exposure of the general population to it and its highly toxic precursor p-phenetidine. The method was applied to 250 urine samples from the Environmental Specimen Bank collected between 2000 and 2021. The major metabolite EQI was quantified in the majority of the study samples illustrating the ubiquitous exposure of the non-occupationally exposed population. A rather constant exposure was observed until 2016 with a significant decline from 2016 to 2021. This drop falls within the EU wide ban of the chemical as a feed additive from June 2017 which led to a gradual removal until its complete suspension in June 2020. The daily intake (DI) was evaluated with respect to the reported derived no-effect level (DNEL) to estimate the potential health risks from EQ exposure. The median DI of 0.0181 µg/kg bw/d corresponds to only 0.01 % of the DNEL. Even the observed maxima up to 13.1 µg/kg bw/d only accounted for 10 % of the DNEL. Nevertheless, the values suggest a general exposure with the risk of higher burden in a low fraction of the population. In regard to the EQ associated intake of the carcinogen and suspected mutagen p-phenetidine, this level of exposure cannot be evaluated as safe. The recent decrease and the broad exposure substantiate the need for future HBM campaigns in population representative studies to further investigate the observed reductions, potentially find highly exposed subgroups and clarify the impact of the ban as feed additive on EQ exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Pluym
- ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 5, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Therese Burkhardt
- ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 5, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Nadine Rögner
- ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 5, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Scherer
- ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 5, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Scherer
- ABF Analytisch-Biologisches Forschungslabor GmbH, Semmelweisstr. 5, 82152 Planegg, Germany.
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10
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Kong Y, Wen Y, Cao G, Xu Y, Zhang C, Tang C, Zhang J, Wang Y. Di-n-butyl phthalate promotes monocyte recruitment via miR-137-3p-SP1-MCP-1 pathway. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 236:113491. [PMID: 35397443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Since non-covalent bound character and widespread application in numerous products, people are exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) at low levels through various ways. Epidemiological studies suggested an association between DBP exposure and atherosclerosis (AS). Still, molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of DBP on monocyte recruitment, a key and initial step of AS. EA.hy926 cells were treated with DBP (10-9-10-5 M) or DMSO as control. Chemotaxis assay was applied to investigate THP-1 recruitment. Expression of mRNA /miRNAs and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in supernatant were detected by ELISA assay. Receptor internalization assay was performed to confirm C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) subcellular localization in THP-1 cells and the binding between CCR2 and MCP-1. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the combination between miR-137-3p and specificity protein 1 (SP1), as well as SP1 and MCP-1. Results showed that number of recruited THP-1 cells after EA.hy926 cells treated by DBP was significantly higher than that in the control group due to promoted MCP-1 expression. In addition, expression of MCP-1 was regulated through miR-137-3p-SP1 cascade. Besides, overexpression of miR-137-3p reversed the increased number of recruited THP-1 cells. Our results implied that DBP might promote THP-1 recruitment by targeting miR-137-3p-SP1-MCP-1 in EA.hy926 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Kong
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guofa Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengxiang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunhui Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingshu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yubang Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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11
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Huang YQ, Zeng Y, Wang T, Chen SJ, Guan YF, Mai BX. PM 2.5-bound phthalates and phthalate substitutes in a megacity of southern China: spatioseasonal variations, source apportionment, and risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:37737-37747. [PMID: 35075556 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18784-0] [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: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plasticizers are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment, whereas few efforts have been made to elucidate their emission sources in the atmosphere. In this research, the spatioseasonal variations and sources of particle-bound (PM2.5) phthalates (PAEs) and their substitutes (APs) at residential sites in seven districts and at four potential point-source sites across a megacity in South China were revealed. The total concentrations of PAEs ranging from 10.7 to 528 ng/m3 were substantially higher than those of APs (1.45.58.5 ng/m3). Significant spatial variations in the concentrations of the pollutants were observed, which were generally higher at the sites with intensive industrial activities and the point-source sites. Most atmospheric plasticizer levels peaked in summer, probably due to the temperature-promoted volatilization. Seven sources of plasticizers were identified by the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The sources in less industrialized districts are mainly associated with domestic and commercial emissions and with industry in the industrialized districts. Specifically, plastics and personal care products together contributed 60% of the plasticizers in the atmosphere of this city, followed by solvents and polyester industry sources. The incremental lifetime cancer risk of inhalation exposure to bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the study city is below the acceptable level. Relatively higher risks were found for residents living around sites with intensive industrial activities and around wastewater treatment plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qi Huang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Marine Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - She-Jun Chen
- School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Yu-Feng Guan
- School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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12
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Ringbeck B, Belov VN, Schmidtkunz C, Küpper K, Gries W, Weiss T, Brüning T, Hayen H, Bury D, Leng G, Koch HM. Human Metabolism and Urinary Excretion Kinetics of Nonylphenol in Three Volunteers after a Single Oral Dose. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:2392-2403. [PMID: 34735116 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine-disrupting anthropogenic chemical that is ubiquitous in the environment. Human biomonitoring data and knowledge on internal NP exposure are still sparse, and its human metabolism is largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated human metabolism and urinary excretion of NP. Three male volunteers received a single oral dose of 1 mg 13C6-labeled NP (10.6-11.7 μg/kg body weight). Consecutive full urine voids were collected for 48 h. A metabolite screening identified nine ring- and/or side chain-oxidized metabolites. We chose the most promising hits, the alkyl chain-oxidized metabolites hydroxy-NP (OH-NP) and oxo-NP, for quantitative investigation next to the parent NP. For this purpose, we newly synthesized specific n - 1-oxidized monoisomeric analytical standards. Quantification of the polyisomeric metabolites was performed via online-solid phase extraction-LC-MS/MS with stable isotope dilution using a previously published consensus method. Alkyl chain hydroxylation (OH-NP) constituted the major metabolism pathway representing 43.7 or 62.2% (depending on the mass transition used for quantification) of the NP dose excreted in urine. The urinary excretion fraction (FUE) for oxo-NP was 6.0 or 9.3%. The parent NP, quantified via an analogous isomeric 13C6-NP standard, represented 6.6%. All target analytes were excreted predominately as glucuronic acid conjugates. Excretion was rather quick, with concentration maxima in urine 2.3-3.4 h after dosing and biphasic elimination kinetics (elimination half-times first phase: 1.0-1.5 h and second phase: 5.2-6.8 h). Due to its high FUE and insusceptibility to external contamination (contrary to parent NP), OH-NP represents a robust and sensitive novel exposure biomarker for NP. The novel FUEs enable to robustly back-calculate the overall NP intakes from urinary metabolite levels in population samples for a well-informed cumulative exposure and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Ringbeck
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Vladimir N Belov
- Facility for Synthetic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (MPI BPC), Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Katja Küpper
- Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, Institute of Biomonitoring, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Gries
- Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, Institute of Biomonitoring, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Heiko Hayen
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 30, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Gabriele Leng
- Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG, Institute of Biomonitoring, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
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13
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Biemann R, Blüher M, Isermann B. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds such as phthalates and bisphenol A is associated with an increased risk for obesity. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 35:101546. [PMID: 33966978 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence from epidemiological, animal and in vitro studies suggests that the increased production of synthetic chemicals that interfere with the proper functioning of the hormonal system, so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), might be involved in the development and rapid spread of obesity, coined the obesity epidemic. Recent findings have demonstrated that EDCs may interfere with hormonal receptors that regulate adipogenesis and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to EDCs has been shown to influence the metabolism of the developing embryo through epigenetic mechanisms and to promote obesity in subsequent generations. In this Review, we discuss the potential impact of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate-based plasticizers on obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Special emphasis is given to the obesogenic effects of prenatal exposure and strategies for identifying, regulating, and replacing EDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Biemann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13/15, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 21, 04103, Leipzig, Germany; Medical Department III - Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Liebigstr. 21, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Berend Isermann
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13/15, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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14
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The German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents 2014-2017 (GerES V) - Study population, response rates and representativeness. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113821. [PMID: 34375847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The German Environmental Survey (GerES) is a population-representative, cross-sectional study on environmental exposures of the general population of Germany. GerES has repeatedly been conducted since 1985 by the German Environment Agency (UBA) in close collaboration with the Health Interview and Examination Surveys of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In the German Environmental Survey for Children and adolescents 2014-2017 (GerES V) pollutants and other environmental stressors were measured in human samples as well as in the homes of 3- to 17-year-old children and adolescents. Interviews were conducted about health-related behaviors and living conditions. The GerES V basic program encompassed examinations of whole blood, blood plasma, morning urine and drinking water samples, measurements of ultrafine particles and noise levels, comprehensive standardized interviews, and self-administrated questionnaires. Additional modules on volatile organic compounds and aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5) in indoor air, organic compounds in drinking water and pollutants in house dust were conducted in subsamples. Potential GerES V participants were identified and attained by the RKI from those participants who were examined and interviewed for the cross-sectional component of the second follow-up to the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 2). The gross sample of GerES V comprised 3031 children and adolescents of which 2294 finally took part in the survey. This equals a total response rate of 75.7 %. Response rates varied, depending on region, type of municipality, age and sex, from 66.0 % to 78.3 %. By calculating individual case weights, discrepancies due to sample design and non-response between the GerES V sample and the whole population could be considered in statistical analysis. Therefore, the representativeness of the GerES V results with regard to age, sex, community size and region was assured.
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15
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Lemke N, Murawski A, Lange R, Weber T, Apel P, Dębiak M, Koch HM, Kolossa-Gehring M. Substitutes mimic the exposure behaviour of REACH regulated phthalates - A review of the German HBM system on the example of plasticizers. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 236:113780. [PMID: 34126298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The population is constantly exposed to potentially harmful substances present in the environment, including inter alia food and drinking water, consumer products, and indoor air. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool to determine the integral, internal exposure of the general population, including vulnerable subgroups, to provide the basis for risk assessment and policy advice. The German HBM system comprises of five pillars: (1) the development of suitable analytical methods for new substances of concern, (2) cross-sectional population-representative German Environmental Surveys (GerES), (3) time trend analyses using archived samples from the Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB), (4) the derivation of health-based guidance values as a risk assessment tool, and (5) transfer of data into the European cooperation network HBM4EU. The goal of this paper is to present the complementary elements of the German HBM system and to show its strengths and limitations on the example of plasticizers. Plasticizers have been identified by EU services and HBM4EU partners as priority substances for chemical policy at EU level. Using the complementary elements of the German HBM system, the internal exposure to classical phthalates and novel alternative plasticizers can be reliably monitored. It is shown that market changes, due to regulation of certain phthalates and the rise of substitutes, are rapidly reflected in the internal exposure of the population. It was shown that exposure to DEHP, DiBP, DnBP, and BBzP decreased considerably, whereas exposure to the novel substitutes such as DPHP, DEHTP, and Hexamoll®DINCH has increased significantly. While health-based guidance values for several phthalates (esp. DnBP, DiBP, DEHP) were exceeded quite often at the turn of the millennium, exceedances today have become rarer. Still, also the latest GerES reveals the ubiquitous and concurrent exposures to many plasticizers. Of concern is that the youngest children showed the highest exposures to most of the investigated plasticizers and in some cases their levels of DiBP and DnBP still exceeded health-based guidance values. Over the last years, mixture exposures are increasingly recognized as relevant, especially if the toxicological modes of action are similar. This is supported by a cumulative risk assessment for four endocrine active phthalates which confirms the still concerning cumulative exposure in many young children. Given the adverse health effects of some phthalates and the limited toxicological knowledge of substitutes, exposure reduction and surveillance are needed on German and EU-level. Substitutes need to be monitored, to intervene if exposures are threatening to exceed acceptable levels, or if new toxicological data question their appropriateness. It is strongly recommended to reconsider the use of plastics and plasticizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Lemke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rosa Lange
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Apel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
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16
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Bastiaensen M, Gys C, Colles A, Malarvannan G, Verheyen V, Koppen G, Govarts E, Bruckers L, Morrens B, Franken C, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Covaci A. Biomarkers of phthalates and alternative plasticizers in the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV): Time trends and exposure assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116724. [PMID: 33631684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Restrictions on the use of legacy phthalate esters (PEs) as plasticizer chemicals in several consumer products has led to the increased use of alternative plasticizers (APs), such as di-(iso-nonyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP). In the fourth cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV, 2016-2020), we monitored exposure to seven PEs (diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP, di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP))and three APs (DINCH, DEHTP, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA)) by measuring multiple biomarkers in urine of 416 adolescents from Flanders, Belgium (14-15 years old). The reference values show that exposure to PEs is still widespread, although levels of several PE metabolites (e.g., sum of DEHP metabolites, mono-normal-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP)) have decreased significantly compared to previous human biomonitoring cycles (2003-2018). On the other hand, metabolites of DINCH and DEHTP were detected in practically every participant. Concentrations of AP exposure biomarkers in urine were generally lower than PE metabolites, but calculations of estimated daily intakes (EDIs) showed that exposure to DINCH and DEHTP can be considerable. However, preliminary risk assessment showed that none of the EDI or urinary exposure levels of APs exceeded the available health-based guidance values, while a very low number of participants had levels of MiBP and MnBP exceeding the HBM value. Several significant determinants of exposure could be identified from multiple regression models: the presence of building materials containing PVC, ventilation habits, socio-economic status and season were all associated with PE and AP biomarker levels. Cumulatively, the results of FLEHS IV show that adolescents in Flanders, Belgium, are exposed to a wide range of plasticizer chemicals. Close monitoring over the last decade showed that the exposure levels of restricted PEs have decreased, while newer APs are now frequently detected in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Bastiaensen
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Celine Gys
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Veerle Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Bert Morrens
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Franken
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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