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Yeshoua B, Romero Castillo H, Monaghan M, van Gerwen M. A Review of the Association between Exposure to Flame Retardants and Thyroid Function. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1365. [PMID: 38927574 PMCID: PMC11201907 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Flame retardants have been shown to cause widespread physiological effects, in particular on endocrine organs such as the thyroid. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the association between flame retardants and thyroid function within humans. A search in the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health PubMed database through January 2024 yielded 61 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently analyzed flame retardants across all thyroid hormones were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in particular BDE-47 and BDE-99. Ten studies demonstrated exclusively positive associations between flame retardants and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Six studies demonstrated exclusively negative associations between flame retardants and TSH. Twelve studies demonstrated exclusively positive associations for total triiodothyronine (tT3) and total thyroxine (tT4). Five and eight studies demonstrated exclusively negative associations between flame retardants and these same thyroid hormones, respectively. The effect of flame retardants on thyroid hormones is heterogeneous; however, the long-term impact warrants further investigation. Vulnerable populations, including indigenous people, individuals working at e-waste sites, firefighters, and individuals within certain age groups, such as children and elderly, are especially critical to be informed of risk of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Yeshoua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.Y.); (H.R.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Horacio Romero Castillo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.Y.); (H.R.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Mathilda Monaghan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.Y.); (H.R.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Maaike van Gerwen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.Y.); (H.R.C.); (M.M.)
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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2
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Gong Y, Sun J, Wang X, Barrett H, Peng H. Identification of Hydrocarbon Sulfonates as Previously Overlooked Transthyretin Ligands in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10227-10239. [PMID: 38817092 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10973] [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: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Incidences of thyroid disease, which has long been hypothesized to be partially caused by exposure to thyroid hormone disrupting chemicals (TDCs), have rapidly increased in recent years. However, known TDCs can only explain a small portion (∼1%) of in vitro human transthyretin (hTTR) binding activities in environmental samples, indicating the existence of unknown hTTR ligands. In this study, we aimed to identify the major environmental hTTR ligands by employing protein Affinity Purification with Nontargeted Analysis (APNA). hTTR binding activities were detected in all 11 indoor dust and 9 out of 10 sewage sludge samples by the FITC-T4 displacement assay. By using APNA, 31 putative hTTR ligands were detected including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). Two of the most abundant ligands were identified as hydrocarbon surfactants (e.g., dodecyl benzenesulfonate). Moreover, another abundant ligand was surprisingly identified as a disulfonate fluorescent brightener, 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl sodium (CBS). CBS was validated as a nM-affinity hTTR ligand with an IC50 of 345 nM. In total, hydrocarbon surfactants and fluorescent brighteners explain 1.92-17.0 and 5.74-54.3% of hTTR binding activities in dust and sludge samples, respectively, whereas PFOS only contributed <0.0001%. Our study revealed for the first time that hydrocarbon sulfonates are previously overlooked hTTR ligands in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Gong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Jianxian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
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3
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Bramer LM, Dixon HM, Degnan DJ, Rohlman D, Herbstman JB, Anderson KA, Waters KM. Expanding the access of wearable silicone wristbands in community-engaged research through best practices in data analysis and integration. PACIFIC SYMPOSIUM ON BIOCOMPUTING. PACIFIC SYMPOSIUM ON BIOCOMPUTING 2024; 29:170-186. [PMID: 38160278 PMCID: PMC10766083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Wearable silicone wristbands are a rapidly growing exposure assessment technology that offer researchers the ability to study previously inaccessible cohorts and have the potential to provide a more comprehensive picture of chemical exposure within diverse communities. However, there are no established best practices for analyzing the data within a study or across multiple studies, thereby limiting impact and access of these data for larger meta-analyses. We utilize data from three studies, from over 600 wristbands worn by participants in New York City and Eugene, Oregon, to present a first-of-its-kind manuscript detailing wristband data properties. We further discuss and provide concrete examples of key areas and considerations in common statistical modeling methods where best practices must be established to enable meta-analyses and integration of data from multiple studies. Finally, we detail important and challenging aspects of machine learning, meta-analysis, and data integration that researchers will face in order to extend beyond the limited scope of individual studies focused on specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Bramer
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd Richland, WA 99354, United States,
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4
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Bramer LM, Dixon HM, Degnan DJ, Rohlman D, Herbstman JB, Anderson KA, Waters KM. Expanding the access of wearable silicone wristbands in community-engaged research through best practices in data analysis and integration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560217. [PMID: 37873084 PMCID: PMC10592864 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Wearable silicone wristbands are a rapidly growing exposure assessment technology that offer researchers the ability to study previously inaccessible cohorts and have the potential to provide a more comprehensive picture of chemical exposure within diverse communities. However, there are no established best practices for analyzing the data within a study or across multiple studies, thereby limiting impact and access of these data for larger meta-analyses. We utilize data from three studies, from over 600 wristbands worn by participants in New York City and Eugene, Oregon, to present a first-of-its-kind manuscript detailing wristband data properties. We further discuss and provide concrete examples of key areas and considerations in common statistical modeling methods where best practices must be established to enable meta-analyses and integration of data from multiple studies. Finally, we detail important and challenging aspects of machine learning, meta-analysis, and data integration that researchers will face in order to extend beyond the limited scope of individual studies focused on specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Bramer
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd Richland, WA 99354, United States
| | - Holly M Dixon
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agriculture & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - David J Degnan
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd Richland, WA 99354, United States
| | - Diana Rohlman
- College of Health, Oregon State University, 103 SW Memorial Place, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York City, NY 10032, United States
| | - Kim A Anderson
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agriculture & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - Katrina M Waters
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd Richland, WA 99354, United States
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agriculture & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
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Bérubé R, LeFauve MK, Heldman S, Chiang YTT, Birbeck J, Westrick J, Hoffman K, Kassotis CD. Adipogenic and endocrine disrupting mixture effects of organic and inorganic pollutant mixtures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162587. [PMID: 36871739 PMCID: PMC10148906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic health conditions are rapidly increasing in prevalence and cost to society worldwide: in the US, >42 % of adults aged 20 and older are currently classified as obese. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been implicated as a causal factor; some EDCs, termed "obesogens", can increase weight and lipid accumulation and/or perturb metabolic homeostasis. This project aimed to assess the potential combination effects of diverse inorganic and organic contaminant mixtures, which more closely reflect environmentally realistic exposures, on nuclear receptor activation/inhibition and adipocyte differentiation. Herein, we focused on two polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-77 and 153), two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFOA and PFOS), two brominated flame retardants (PBB-153 and BDE-47), and three inorganic contaminants (lead, arsenic, and cadmium). We examined adipogenesis using human mesenchymal stem cells and receptor bioactivities using luciferase reporter gene assays in human cell lines. We observed significantly greater effects for several receptor bioactivities by various contaminant mixtures relative to individual components. All nine contaminants promoted triglyceride accumulation and/or pre-adipocyte proliferation in human mesenchymal stem cells. Comparing simple component mixtures to individual components at 10 % and 50 % effect levels revealed putative synergistic effects for each of the mixtures for at least one of the concentrations relative to the individual component chemicals, some of which also exhibited significantly greater effects than the component contaminants. Our results support further testing of more realistic and complex contaminant mixtures that better reflect environmental exposures, in order to more conclusively define mixture responses both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Bérubé
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Matthew K LeFauve
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Samantha Heldman
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Yu-Ting Tiffany Chiang
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Johnna Birbeck
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Judy Westrick
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States of America
| | - Christopher D Kassotis
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, United States of America.
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Okeme JO, Koelmel JP, Johnson E, Lin EZ, Gao D, Pollitt KJG. Wearable Passive Samplers for Assessing Environmental Exposure to Organic Chemicals: Current Approaches and Future Directions. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023:10.1007/s40572-023-00392-w. [PMID: 36821032 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We are continuously exposed to dynamic mixtures of airborne contaminants that vary by location. Understanding the compositional diversity of these complex mixtures and the levels to which we are each exposed requires comprehensive exposure assessment. This comprehensive analysis is often lacking in population-based studies due to logistic and analytical challenges associated with traditional measurement approaches involving active air sampling and chemical-by-chemical analysis. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of wearable passive samplers as alternative tools to active samplers in environmental health research. The review highlights the advances and challenges in using wearable passive samplers for assessing personal exposure to organic chemicals and further presents a framework to enable quantitative measurements of exposure and expanded use of this monitoring approach to the population scale. RECENT FINDINGS Overall, wearable passive samplers are promising tools for assessing personal exposure to environmental contaminants, evident by the increased adoption and use of silicone-based devices in recent years. When combined with high throughput chemical analysis, these exposure assessment tools present opportunities for advancing our ability to assess personal exposures to complex mixtures. Most designs of wearable passive samplers used for assessing exposure to semi-volatile organic chemicals are currently uncalibrated, thus, are mostly used for qualitative research. The challenge with using wearable samplers for quantitative exposure assessment mostly lies with the inherent complexity in calibrating these wearable devices. Questions remain regarding how they perform under various conditions and the uncertainty of exposure estimates. As popularity of these samplers grows, it is critical to understand the uptake kinetics of chemicals and the different environmental and meteorological conditions that can introduce variability. Wearable passive samplers enable evaluation of exposure to hundreds of chemicals. The review presents the state-of-the-art of technology for assessing personal exposure to environmental chemicals. As more studies calibrate wearable samplers, these tools present promise for quantitatively assessing exposure at both the individual and population levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O Okeme
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Emily Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Dong Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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7
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Young AS, Herkert N, Stapleton HM, Coull BA, Hauser R, Zoeller T, Behnisch PA, Felzel E, Brouwer A, Allen JG. Hormone receptor activities of complex mixtures of known and suspect chemicals in personal silicone wristband samplers worn in office buildings. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 315:137705. [PMID: 36592838 PMCID: PMC9937064 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of hormone-disrupting chemicals from a variety of sources, yet, traditional research methods only evaluate a small number of chemicals at a time. We aimed to advance novel methods to investigate exposures to complex chemical mixtures. Silicone wristbands were worn by 243 office workers in the USA, UK, China, and India during four work shifts. We analyzed extracts of the wristbands for: 1) 99 known (targeted) chemicals; 2) 1000+ unknown chemical features, tentatively identified through suspect screening; and 3) total hormonal activities towards estrogen (ER), androgen (AR), and thyroid hormone (TR) receptors in human cell assays. We evaluated associations of chemicals with hormonal activities using Bayesian kernel machine regression models, separately for targeted versus suspect chemicals (with detection ≥50%). Every wristband exhibited hormonal activity towards at least one receptor: 99% antagonized TR, 96% antagonized AR, and 58% agonized ER. Compared to men, women were exposed to mixtures that were more estrogenic (180% higher, adjusted for country, age, and skin oil abundance in wristband), anti-androgenic (110% higher), and complex (median 836 detected chemical features versus 780). Adjusted models showed strong associations of jointly increasing chemical concentrations with higher hormonal activities. Several targeted and suspect chemicals were important co-drivers of overall mixture effects, including chemicals used as plasticizers, fragrance, sunscreen, pesticides, and from other or unknown sources. This study highlights the role of personal care products and building microenvironments in hormone-disrupting exposures, and the substantial contribution of chemicals not often identifiable or well-understood to those exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Nicholas Herkert
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Dr, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Dr, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill Science Center, Amherst 01003, USA
| | - Peter A Behnisch
- BioDetection Systems, Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emiel Felzel
- BioDetection Systems, Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Abraham Brouwer
- BioDetection Systems, Science Park 406, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Samon SM, Hammel SC, Stapleton HM, Anderson KA. Silicone wristbands as personal passive sampling devices: Current knowledge, recommendations for use, and future directions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107339. [PMID: 36116363 PMCID: PMC9713950 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Personal chemical exposure assessment is necessary to determine the frequency and magnitude of individual chemical exposures, especially since chemicals present in everyday environments may lead to adverse health outcomes. In the last decade, silicone wristbands have emerged as a new chemical exposure assessment tool and have since been utilized for assessing personal exposure to a wide range of chemicals in a variety of populations. Silicone wristbands can be powerful tools for quantifying personal exposure to chemical mixtures in a single sample, associating exposure with health outcomes, and potentially overcoming some of the challenges associated with quantifying the chemical exposome. However, as their popularity grows, it is crucial that they are used in the appropriate context and within the limits of the technology. This review serves as a guide for researchers interested in utilizing silicone wristbands as a personal exposure assessment tool. Along with briefly discussing the passive sampling theory behind silicone wristbands, this review performs an in-depth comparison of wristbands to other common exposure assessment tools, including biomarkers of exposure measured in biospecimens, and evaluates their utility in exposure assessments and epidemiological studies. Finally, this review includes recommendations for utilizing silicone wristbands to evaluate personal chemical exposure and provides suggestions on what research is needed to recognize silicone wristbands as a premier chemical exposure assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Samon
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Stephanie C Hammel
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kim A Anderson
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.
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Li ZM, Robinson M, Kannan K. An assessment of exposure to several classes of pesticides in pet dogs and cats from New York, United States. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107526. [PMID: 36155914 PMCID: PMC9574881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of pet dogs and cats to pesticides used in and around homes (e.g., lawns and gardens) is a significant health concern. Furthermore, some pesticides are directly used on dogs and cats for flea, lice, and tick control. Despite this, little is known regarding the extent of pesticide exposure in pets. In this study, we determined the concentrations of 30 biomarkers of pesticide exposure in urine collected from dogs and cats in New York State, USA: 6 dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites of organophosphates (OPs); 14 neonicotinoids (neonics); 3 specific metabolites of OPs; 5 pyrethroids (PYRs); and 2 phenoxy acids (PAs). The sum median concentrations of these 30 pesticide biomarkers (ΣPesticides) in dog and cat urine were 35.2 and 38.1 ng/mL, respectively. Neonics were the most prevalent in dogs (accounting for 43% of the total concentrations), followed by DAPs (17%), PYRs (16%), OPs (13%), and PAs (∼10%). In cat urine, neonics alone accounted for 83% of the total concentrations. Elevated concentrations of imidacloprid were found in the urine of certain dogs (max: 115 ng/mL) and cats (max: 1090 ng/mL). Some pesticides showed gender- and sampling location- related differences in urinary concentrations. We calculated daily exposure doses of pesticides from the measured urinary concentrations through a reverse dosimetry approach. The estimated daily intakes (DIs) of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and cypermethrin were above the chronic reference doses (cRfDs) in 22, 76, and 5%, respectively, of dogs. The DIs of chlorpyrifos, parathion, diazinon, and imidacloprid were above the cRfDs in 33, 14, 100, and 29%, respectively, of cats. This study thus provides evidence that pet dogs and cats are exposed to certain pesticides at levels that warrant immediate attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Min Li
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Morgan Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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Levasseur JL, Hoffman K, Herkert NJ, Cooper E, Hay D, Stapleton HM. Characterizing firefighter's exposure to over 130 SVOCs using silicone wristbands: A pilot study comparing on-duty and off-duty exposures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155237. [PMID: 35447169 PMCID: PMC9728008 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are occupationally exposed to an array of hazardous chemicals, and these exposures have been linked to the higher rates of some cancer in firefighters. However, additional research that characterizes firefighters' exposure is needed to fully elucidate the impacts on health risks. In this pilot study, we used silicone wristbands to quantify off-duty and on-duty chemical exposures experienced by 20 firefighters in Durham, North Carolina. By using each firefighter's off-duty wristband to represent individual baseline exposures, we assessed occupation-related exposures (i.e. on-duty exposures). We also investigated the influence of responding to a fire event while on-duty. In total, 134 chemicals were quantified using both GC-MS and LC-MS/MS targeted methods. Seventy-one chemicals were detected in at least 50% of all silicone wristbands, including 7 PFAS, which to our knowledge, have not been reported in wristbands previously. Of these, phthalates were generally measured at the highest concentrations, followed by brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs). PFAS were measured at lower concentrations overall, but firefighter PFOS exposures while on-duty and responding to fires were 2.5 times higher than off-duty exposures. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), BFRs, and some OPEs were occupationally associated, with firefighters experiencing 0.5 to 8.5 times higher exposure while on-duty as compared to off-duty. PAH exposures were also higher for firefighters who respond to a fire than those who did not while on-duty. Additional research with a larger population of firefighters that builds upon this pilot investigation may further pinpoint exposure sources that may contribute to firefighters' risk for cancer, such as those from firefighter gear or directly from fires. This research demonstrates the utility of using silicone wristbands to quantify occupational exposure in firefighters and the ability to disentangle exposures that may be specific to fire events as opposed to other sources that firefighters might experience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Nicholas J Herkert
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Ellen Cooper
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Duncan Hay
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
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Siddique S, Farhat I, Kubwabo C, Chan P, Goodyer CG, Robaire B, Chevrier J, Hales BF. Exposure of men living in the greater Montreal area to organophosphate esters: Association with hormonal balance and semen quality. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 166:107402. [PMID: 35839669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) is extensive, yet few studies have investigated their association with hormone levels or semen quality. Here, we studied the association between urinary concentrations of OPEs and their metabolites with hormone levels and semen parameters in men (n = 117) predominantly in the 20-29 years age range who were recruited from the greater Montreal area between 2009 and 2012. Urine, serum, and semen samples were analyzed for OPEs, hormones, and semen quality, respectively. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP), bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) hydrogen phosphate (B2,4DtBPP), tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), bis (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP) and di-cresyl phosphate (DCPs) were detected in urine at a frequency ≥ 95%. The highest geometric mean concentration was observed for DPHP (18.54 ng/mL) and the second highest was B2,4DtBPP (6.23 ng/mL). Associations between a doubling in analyte concentrations in urine and hormone levels and semen quality parameters were estimated using multivariable linear regression. B2,4DtBPP levels were positively associated with total T3 (β = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.17). DPHP was inversely associated with estradiol (β = -2.56; 95% CI: -5.00, -0.17), and TCIPP was inversely associated with testosterone (β = -0.78; 95% CI: -1.40, -0.17). Concentrations of BCIPP were inversely associated with sperm concentrations (β = -7.76; 95% CI: -14.40, -0.61), progressive motility (β = - 4.98; 95% CI: -8.71, -1.09), and the sperm motility index (β = -9.72; 95% CI: -17.71, -0.96). In contrast, urinary DPHP concentrations were positively associated with the sperm motility (β = 4.37; 95% CI: 0.76, 8.12) and fertility indices (β = 6.64; 95% CI: 1.96, 11.53). Thus, OPE detection rates were high and exposure to several OPEs was associated with altered hormone levels and semen parameters. The possibility that OPEs affect male reproduction warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabana Siddique
- Exposure and Biomonitoring Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Imen Farhat
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cariton Kubwabo
- Exposure and Biomonitoring Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Chan
- Division of Urology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cynthia G Goodyer
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jonathan Chevrier
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Barbara F Hales
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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12
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Hamzai L, Lopez Galvez N, Hoh E, Dodder NG, Matt GE, Quintana PJ. A systematic review of the use of silicone wristbands for environmental exposure assessment, with a focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:244-258. [PMID: 34302044 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00359-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure assessment is critical for connecting environmental pollutants to health outcomes and evaluating impacts of interventions or environmental policies. Silicone wristbands (SWBs) show promise for multi-pollutant exposure assessment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a ubiquitous class of toxic environmental pollutants. OBJECTIVE To review published studies where SWBs were worn on the wrist for human environmental exposure assessments and evaluate the ability of SWBs to capture personal exposures, identify gaps which need to be addressed to implement this tool, and make recommendations for future studies to advance the field of exposure science through utilization of SWBs. METHODS We performed a systematic search and a cited reference search in Scopus and extracted key study descriptions. RESULTS Thirty-nine unique studies were identified, with analytes including PAHs, pesticides, flame retardants, and tobacco products. SWBs were shipped under ambient conditions without apparent analyte loss, indicating utility for global exposure and health studies. Nineteen articles detected a total of 60 PAHs in at least one SWB. Correlations with other concurrent biological and air measurements indicate the SWB captures exposure to flame retardants, tobacco products, and PAHs. SIGNIFICANCE SWBs show promise as a simple-to-deploy tool to estimate environmental and occupational exposures to chemical mixtures, including PAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Hamzai
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Eunha Hoh
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nathan G Dodder
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Georg E Matt
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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13
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Wise CF, Hammel SC, Herkert NJ, Ospina M, Calafat AM, Breen M, Stapleton HM. Comparative Assessment of Pesticide Exposures in Domestic Dogs and Their Owners Using Silicone Passive Samplers and Biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1149-1161. [PMID: 34964617 PMCID: PMC10150270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides are used extensively in residential settings for lawn maintenance and in homes to control household pests including application directly on pets to deter fleas and ticks. Pesticides are commonly detected in the home environment where people and pets can be subject to chronic exposure. Due to increased interest in using companion animals as sentinels for human environmental health studies, we conducted a comparative pesticide exposure assessment in 30 people and their pet dogs to determine how well silicone wristbands and silicone dog tags can predict urinary pesticide biomarkers of exposure. Using targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, we quantified eight pesticides in silicone samplers and used a suspect screening approach for additional pesticides. Urine samples were analyzed for 15 pesticide metabolite biomarkers. Several pesticides were detected in >70% of silicone samplers including permethrin, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), and chlorpyrifos. Significant and positive correlations were observed between silicone sampler levels of permethrin and DEET with their corresponding urinary metabolites (rs = 0.50-0.96, p < 0.05) in both species. Significantly higher levels of fipronil were observed in silicone samplers from participants who reported using flea and tick products containing fipronil on their dog. This study suggests that people and their dogs have similar pesticide exposures in a home environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Wise
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Stephanie C Hammel
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Nicholas J Herkert
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Maria Ospina
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MSS103-2, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MSS103-2, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Matthew Breen
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
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14
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Fuentes ZC, Schwartz YL, Robuck AR, Walker DI. Operationalizing the Exposome Using Passive Silicone Samplers. CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS 2022; 8:1-29. [PMID: 35004129 PMCID: PMC8724229 DOI: 10.1007/s40726-021-00211-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The exposome, which is defined as the cumulative effect of environmental exposures and corresponding biological responses, aims to provide a comprehensive measure for evaluating non-genetic causes of disease. Operationalization of the exposome for environmental health and precision medicine has been limited by the lack of a universal approach for characterizing complex exposures, particularly as they vary temporally and geographically. To overcome these challenges, passive sampling devices (PSDs) provide a key measurement strategy for deep exposome phenotyping, which aims to provide comprehensive chemical assessment using untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry for exposome-wide association studies. To highlight the advantages of silicone PSDs, we review their use in population studies and evaluate the broad range of applications and chemical classes characterized using these samplers. We assess key aspects of incorporating PSDs within observational studies, including the need to preclean samplers prior to use to remove impurities that interfere with compound detection, analytical considerations, and cost. We close with strategies on how to incorporate measures of the external exposome using PSDs, and their advantages for reducing variability in exposure measures and providing a more thorough accounting of the exposome. Continued development and application of silicone PSDs will facilitate greater understanding of how environmental exposures drive disease risk, while providing a feasible strategy for incorporating untargeted, high-resolution characterization of the external exposome in human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Coates Fuentes
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Yuri Levin Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Anna R. Robuck
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
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15
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Zhang Y, Jia DD, Zhang YF, Cheng MD, Zhu WX, Li PF, Zhang YF. The emerging function and clinical significance of circRNAs in Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1731-1741. [PMID: 33994857 PMCID: PMC8120456 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.55381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. The incidence of TC, especially that of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); has increased rapidly in recent decades. Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is closely related to TC and has an estimated prevalence of 5%. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for TC and AITD. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with covalently bonded circular structures that lack 5'-3' polarity and polyadenylated tails. Several circRNAs play crucial roles in the development of various diseases, including TC and AITD, and could be important new biomarkers and/or targets for the diagnosis and therapy of such disorders. Although there are four subtypes of TC, research on circRNA has largely focused on its connection to PTC. Therefore, this review mainly summarizes the relationships between circRNAs and PTC and AITD, including the molecular mechanisms underlying these relationships. In particular, the functions of “miRNA sponges” and their interactions with proteins and RNA are discussed. The possible targeting of circRNAs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TC and AITD is also described. CircRNAs could be potential biomarkers of TC and AITD, although validation will be required before they can be implemented in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Dong-Dong Jia
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yi-Fei Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Meng-Die Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Institute for Translational Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wen-Xiu Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Institute for Translational Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Pei-Feng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yin-Feng Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
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