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vom Saal FS, Antoniou M, Belcher SM, Bergman A, Bhandari RK, Birnbaum LS, Cohen A, Collins TJ, Demeneix B, Fine AM, Flaws JA, Gayrard V, Goodson WH, Gore AC, Heindel JJ, Hunt PA, Iguchi T, Kassotis CD, Kortenkamp A, Mesnage R, Muncke J, Myers JP, Nadal A, Newbold RR, Padmanabhan V, Palanza P, Palma Z, Parmigiani S, Patrick L, Prins GS, Rosenfeld CS, Skakkebaek NE, Sonnenschein C, Soto AM, Swan SH, Taylor JA, Toutain PL, von Hippel FA, Welshons WV, Zalko D, Zoeller RT. The Conflict between Regulatory Agencies over the 20,000-Fold Lowering of the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Bisphenol A (BPA) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:45001. [PMID: 38592230 PMCID: PMC11003459 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended lowering their estimated tolerable daily intake (TDI) for bisphenol A (BPA) 20,000-fold to 0.2 ng / kg body weight ( BW ) / day . BPA is an extensively studied high production volume endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) associated with a vast array of diseases. Prior risk assessments of BPA by EFSA as well as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have relied on industry-funded studies conducted under good laboratory practice protocols (GLP) requiring guideline end points and detailed record keeping, while also claiming to examine (but rejecting) thousands of published findings by academic scientists. Guideline protocols initially formalized in the mid-twentieth century are still used by many regulatory agencies. EFSA used a 21st century approach in its reassessment of BPA and conducted a transparent, but time-limited, systematic review that included both guideline and academic research. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) opposed EFSA's revision of the TDI for BPA. OBJECTIVES We identify the flaws in the assumptions that the German BfR, as well as the FDA, have used to justify maintaining the TDI for BPA at levels above what a vast amount of academic research shows to cause harm. We argue that regulatory agencies need to incorporate 21st century science into chemical hazard identifications using the CLARITY-BPA (Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity) nonguideline academic studies in a collaborative government-academic program model. DISCUSSION We strongly endorse EFSA's revised TDI for BPA and support the European Commission's (EC) apparent acceptance of this updated BPA risk assessment. We discuss challenges to current chemical risk assessment assumptions about EDCs that need to be addressed by regulatory agencies to, in our opinion, become truly protective of public health. Addressing these challenges will hopefully result in BPA, and eventually other structurally similar bisphenols (called regrettable substitutions) for which there are known adverse effects, being eliminated from all food-related and many other uses in the EU and elsewhere. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13812.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick S. vom Saal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael Antoniou
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Scott M. Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ake Bergman
- Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ramji K. Bhandari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Linda S. Birnbaum
- Scientist Emeritus and Former Director, National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Scholar in Residence, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aly Cohen
- Integrative Rheumatology Associates, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Terrence J. Collins
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Comparative Physiology Laboratory, Natural History Museum, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie Fine
- Environmental Medicine Education International, Mancos, Colorado, USA
| | - Jodi A. Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Veronique Gayrard
- ToxAlim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - William H. Goodson
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrea C. Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jerrold J. Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patricia A. Hunt
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Christopher D. Kassotis
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Robin Mesnage
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Angel Nadal
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE) and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Retha R. Newbold
- Scientist Emeritus, NTP, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Paola Palanza
- Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Parmigiani
- Unit of Evolutionary and Functional Biology, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lyn Patrick
- Environmental Medicine Education International, Mancos, Colorado, USA
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Niels E. Skakkebaek
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Sonnenschein
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ana M. Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shanna H. Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia A. Taylor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Pierre-Louis Toutain
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
- NTHERES, INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Frank A. von Hippel
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Wade V. Welshons
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel Zalko
- ToxAlim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - R. Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Fishburn JLA, Larson HL, Nguyen A, Welch CJ, Moore T, Penn A, Newman J, Mangino A, Widman E, Ghobashy R, Witherspoon J, Lee W, Mulligan KA. Bisphenol F affects neurodevelopmental gene expression, mushroom body development, and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2024; 102:107331. [PMID: 38301979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2024.107331] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol F (BPF) is a potential neurotoxicant used as a replacement for bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. We investigated the neurodevelopmental impacts of BPF exposure using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Our transcriptomic analysis indicated that developmental exposure to BPF caused the downregulation of neurodevelopmentally relevant genes, including those associated with synapse formation and neuronal projection. To investigate the functional outcome of BPF exposure, we evaluated neurodevelopmental impacts across two genetic strains of Drosophila- w1118 (control) and the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) model-by examining both behavioral and neuronal phenotypes. We found that BPF exposure in w1118 Drosophila caused hypoactive larval locomotor activity, decreased time spent grooming by adults, reduced courtship activity, and increased the severity but not frequency of β-lobe midline crossing defects by axons in the mushroom body. In contrast, although BPF reduced peristaltic contractions in FXS larvae, it had no impact on other larval locomotor phenotypes, grooming activity, or courtship activity. Strikingly, BPF exposure reduced both the severity and frequency of β-lobe midline crossing defects in the mushroom body of FXS flies, a phenotype previously observed in FXS flies exposed to BPA. This data indicates that BPF can affect neurodevelopment and its impacts vary depending on genetic background. Further, BPF may elicit a gene-environment interaction with Drosophila fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (dFmr1)-the ortholog of human FMR1, which causes fragile X syndrome and is the most common monogenetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith L A Fishburn
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Heather L Larson
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - An Nguyen
- Department of Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, San José State University, 6000 J Street, San José, CA 95819, United States
| | - Chloe J Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Taylor Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Aliyah Penn
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Johnathan Newman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Anthony Mangino
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Erin Widman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Rana Ghobashy
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Jocelyn Witherspoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States
| | - Wendy Lee
- Department of Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, San José State University, 6000 J Street, San José, CA 95819, United States
| | - Kimberly A Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States.
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Ma J, Wang NY, Jagani R, Wang HS. Proarrhythmic toxicity of low dose bisphenol A and its analogs in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and human cardiac organoids through delay of cardiac repolarization. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 328:138562. [PMID: 37004823 PMCID: PMC10121900 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs are common environmental chemicals with many potential adverse health effects. The impact of environmentally relevant low dose BPA on human heart, including cardiac electrical properties, is not understood. Perturbation of cardiac electrical properties is a key arrhythmogenic mechanism. In particular, delay of cardiac repolarization can cause ectopic excitation of cardiomyocytes and malignant arrhythmia. This can occur as a result of genetic mutations (i.e., long QT (LQT) syndrome), or cardiotoxicity of drugs and environmental chemicals. To define the impact of low dose BPA on electrical properties of cardiomyocytes in a human-relevant model system, we examined the rapid effects of 1 nM BPA in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) using patch-clamp and confocal fluorescence imaging. Acute exposure to BPA delayed repolarization and prolonged action potential duration (APD) in hiPSC-CMs through inhibition of the hERG K+ channel. In nodal-like hiPSC-CMs, BPA acutely increased pacing rate through stimulation of the If pacemaker channel. Existing arrhythmia susceptibility determines the response of hiPSC-CMs to BPA. BPA resulted in modest APD prolongation but no ectopic excitation in baseline condition, while rapidly promoted aberrant excitations and tachycardia-like events in myocytes that had drug-simulated LQT phenotype. In hiPSC-CM-based human cardiac organoids, the effects of BPA on APD and aberrant excitation were shared by its analog chemicals, which are often used in "BPA-free" products, with bisphenol AF having the largest effects. Our results reveal that BPA and its analogs have repolarization delay-associated pro-arrhythmic toxicity in human cardiomyocytes, particularly in myocytes that are prone to arrhythmias. The toxicity of these chemicals depends on existing pathophysiological conditions of the heart, and may be particularly pronounced in susceptible individuals. An individualized approach is needed in risk assessment and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Ravikumar Jagani
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Escher BI, Altenburger R, Blüher M, Colbourne JK, Ebinghaus R, Fantke P, Hein M, Köck W, Kümmerer K, Leipold S, Li X, Scheringer M, Scholz S, Schloter M, Schweizer PJ, Tal T, Tetko I, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Wick LY, Fenner K. Modernizing persistence-bioaccumulation-toxicity (PBT) assessment with high throughput animal-free methods. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1267-1283. [PMID: 36952002 PMCID: PMC10110678 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), and toxicity (T) of a chemical is a crucial first step at ensuring chemical safety and is a cornerstone of the European Union's chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals). Existing methods for PBT assessment are overly complex and cumbersome, have produced incorrect conclusions, and rely heavily on animal-intensive testing. We explore how new-approach methodologies (NAMs) can overcome the limitations of current PBT assessment. We propose two innovative hazard indicators, termed cumulative toxicity equivalents (CTE) and persistent toxicity equivalents (PTE). Together they are intended to replace existing PBT indicators and can also accommodate the emerging concept of PMT (where M stands for mobility). The proposed "toxicity equivalents" can be measured with high throughput in vitro bioassays. CTE refers to the toxic effects measured directly in any given sample, including single chemicals, substitution products, or mixtures. PTE is the equivalent measure of cumulative toxicity equivalents measured after simulated environmental degradation of the sample. With an appropriate panel of animal-free or alternative in vitro bioassays, CTE and PTE comprise key environmental and human health hazard indicators. CTE and PTE do not require analytical identification of transformation products and mixture components but instead prompt two key questions: is the chemical or mixture toxic, and is this toxicity persistent or can it be attenuated by environmental degradation? Taken together, the proposed hazard indicators CTE and PTE have the potential to integrate P, B/M and T assessment into one high-throughput experimental workflow that sidesteps the need for analytical measurements and will support the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability of the European Union.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany.
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, E72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Munich-German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH) at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - John K Colbourne
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ralf Ebinghaus
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michaela Hein
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Köck
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Kümmerer
- Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
- International Sustainable Chemistry Collaboration Centre (ISC3), Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, D-53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sina Leipold
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
- Department for Political Science, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstr. 18k, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Scholz
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Schloter
- Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Environmental Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich - German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Pia-Johanna Schweizer
- Research Institute for Sustainability-Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, Berliner Strasse 130, 14467, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tamara Tal
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Igor Tetko
- Institute of Structural Biology, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Centre, Helmholtz Munich - German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Environmental Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Environmental Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich - German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Y Wick
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, E04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kathrin Fenner
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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5
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Kamai EM, Calderon A, Van Horne YO, Bastain TM, Breton CV, Johnston JE. Perceptions and experiences of environmental health and risks among Latina mothers in urban Los Angeles, California, USA. Environ Health 2023; 22:8. [PMID: 36641468 PMCID: PMC9840262 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental exposures during pregnancy and early childhood can have acute and chronic adverse health impacts. As minoritized populations are more likely to reside in areas with greater pollution, it is important to understand their views and lived experiences to inform action. The purpose of this community-driven qualitative research study was to understand how urban Latina mothers in Los Angeles County, California perceived environmental health and risks. METHODS We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with Latina pregnant women and mothers of young children, recruited through existing collaborations with community organizations. Interviews conducted in either English or Spanish and were coded inductively according to a modified grounded theory approach. RESULTS Thirty-six Latina mothers completed interviews between August-October 2016. Participants lived primarily in low-income communities of South-Central Los Angeles and East Los Angeles. We identified three major themes based on the participants' responses during interviews: Defining the Environment, Environment & Health Risks, and Social & Political Responsibility. Women defined their environment in terms of both "nature" and "hazards." They consistently identified foul odors, dirtiness, noise, trash, bugs, smoke, and other visible blights as indicators of household and neighborhood environmental hazards. They expressed fear and uncertainty about how their environment could affect their health and that of their children, as well as specific concerns about respiratory health, asthma, allergies, cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mothers often changed individual behaviors around diet and cleaning during pregnancy but were frustrated by power imbalances that left them unable to change their home or neighborhood environments, despite their desire to do so. DISCUSSION Our study is among the first to describe how urban Latina mothers perceive and experience environmental health risks during pregnancy and early childhood. Our research suggests additional attention is needed by public health professionals and researchers to address the environmental health risks that matter most to urban Latina mothers. They also highlight the tension that many urban Latina mothers feel between wanting to protect their families' health and well-being and feeling powerless to change their environment. Broad policy changes, rather than additional individual recommendations, are needed to address the concerns of this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Kamai
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Andrea Calderon
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jill E Johnston
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Vandenberg LN, Rayasam SDG, Axelrad DA, Bennett DH, Brown P, Carignan CC, Chartres N, Diamond ML, Joglekar R, Shamasunder B, Shrader-Frechette K, Subra WA, Zarker K, Woodruff TJ. Addressing systemic problems with exposure assessments to protect the public's health. Environ Health 2023; 21:121. [PMID: 36635700 PMCID: PMC9835264 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding, characterizing, and quantifying human exposures to environmental chemicals is critical to protect public health. Exposure assessments are key to determining risks to the general population and for specific subpopulations given that exposures differ between groups. Exposure data are also important for understanding where interventions, including public policies, should be targeted and the extent to which interventions have been successful. In this review, we aim to show how inadequacies in exposure assessments conducted by polluting industries or regulatory agencies have led to downplaying or disregarding exposure concerns raised by communities; that underestimates of exposure can lead regulatory agencies to conclude that unacceptable risks are, instead, acceptable, allowing pollutants to go unregulated; and that researchers, risk assessors, and policy makers need to better understand the issues that have affected exposure assessments and how appropriate use of exposure data can contribute to health-protective decisions. METHODS We describe current approaches used by regulatory agencies to estimate human exposures to environmental chemicals, including approaches to address limitations in exposure data. We then illustrate how some exposure assessments have been used to reach flawed conclusions about environmental chemicals and make recommendations for improvements. RESULTS Exposure data are important for communities, public health advocates, scientists, policy makers, and other groups to understand the extent of environmental exposures in diverse populations. We identify four areas where exposure assessments need to be improved due to systemic sources of error or uncertainty in exposure assessments and illustrate these areas with examples. These include: (1) an inability of regulatory agencies to keep pace with the increasing number of chemicals registered for use or assess their exposures, as well as complications added by use of 'confidential business information' which reduce available exposure data; (2) the failure to keep assessments up-to-date; (3) how inadequate assumptions about human behaviors and co-exposures contribute to underestimates of exposure; and (4) that insufficient models of toxicokinetics similarly affect exposure estimates. CONCLUSION We identified key issues that impact capacity to conduct scientifically robust exposure assessments. These issues must be addressed with scientific or policy approaches to improve estimates of exposure and protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Swati D G Rayasam
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Phil Brown
- Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney C Carignan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas Chartres
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rashmi Joglekar
- Earthjustice, New York, NY, USA
- Earthjustice, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bhavna Shamasunder
- Department of Urban & Environmental Policy and Public Health, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kristin Shrader-Frechette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
- Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Wilma A Subra
- Louisiana Environmental Action Network, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Ken Zarker
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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7
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Assessing Knowledge and Use Practices of Plastic Food Packaging among Young Adults in South Africa: Concerns about Chemicals and Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010576. [PMID: 34682322 PMCID: PMC8535462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Chemicals associated with health problems can migrate from packaging into food matrices. Therefore, consumers need to be aware of health concerns associated with incorrectly used plastic food packaging. However, little is known about consumers’ knowledge and their plastics usage practices. This study assessed this knowledge and practices among young South African adult consumers. Our online survey of 293 participants focused on their objective (actual) and subjective (self-perceived) knowledge about plastic food packaging care and safety, their utilization practices, and their sources of information about safe use of plastics. Participants’ utilization practices showed broad misuse. Their subjective knowledge about the correct use of plastic packaging was in most respects contradicted by their limited objective knowledge. We found that plastic identification codes on packaging largely failed in their informative purpose; instead, participants mainly consulted informal information sources about plastics. The knowledge gaps, unsafe plastic use practices, and information source deficiencies identified here can help to guide future improvements. We call for consumer education, across all demographics, about plastic utilization practices and associated health concerns about plastic chemicals. We also highlight the need for the government, food and plastics industries to join forces in ensuring that consumers are informed about safe plastic packaging usage.
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Patisaul HB. REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY: Endocrine disruption and reproductive disorders: impacts on sexually dimorphic neuroendocrine pathways. Reproduction 2021; 162:F111-F130. [PMID: 33929341 PMCID: PMC8484365 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We are all living with hundreds of anthropogenic chemicals in our bodies every day, a situation that threatens the reproductive health of present and future generations. This review focuses on endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), both naturally occurring and man-made, and summarizes how they interfere with the neuroendocrine system to adversely impact pregnancy outcomes, semen quality, age at puberty, and other aspects of human reproductive health. While obvious malformations of the genitals and other reproductive organs are a clear sign of adverse reproductive health outcomes and injury to brain sexual differentiation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis can be much more difficult to discern, particularly in humans. It is well-established that, over the course of development, gonadal hormones shape the vertebrate brain such that sex-specific reproductive physiology and behaviors emerge. Decades of work in neuroendocrinology have elucidated many of the discrete and often very short developmental windows across pre- and postnatal development in which this occurs. This has allowed toxicologists to probe how EDC exposures in these critical windows can permanently alter the structure and function of the HPG axis. This review includes a discussion of key EDC principles including how latency between exposure and the emergence of consequential health effects can be long, along with a summary of the most common and less well-understood EDC modes of action. Extensive examples of how EDCs are impacting human reproductive health, and evidence that they have the potential for multi-generational physiological and behavioral effects are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Rahman MS, Adegoke EO, Pang MG. Drivers of owning more BPA. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126076. [PMID: 34004580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental toxin worldwide. Despite the many studies documenting the toxicity of this substance, it remains a popular choice for consumer products. The internet, magazine articles, and newspaper reports are replete with tips on how to avoid BPA exposure, which mostly spread contradictory and often unscientific information. Therefore, based on a comprehensive search of the available biomedical literature, we summarized several confounding factors that may be directly or indirectly related to human BPA exposure. We found that the unique properties of BPA materials (i.e. low cost, light-weight, resistance to corrosion, and water/air-tightness), lack of personal health and hygiene education, fear of BPA-substitutes (with yet unknown risks), inappropriate production, processing, and marketing of materials containing BPA, as well as the state of regulatory guidance are influencing the increased exposure to BPA. Besides, we detailed the disparities between scientifically derived safe dosages of BPA and those designated as "safe" by government regulatory agencies. Therefore, in addition to providing a current assessment of the states of academic research, government policies, and consumer behaviors, we make several reasonable and actionable recommendations for limiting human exposure to BPA through improved labeling, science-based dosage limits, and public awareness campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Elikanah Olusayo Adegoke
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Geol Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Maertens A, Golden E, Hartung T. Avoiding Regrettable Substitutions: Green Toxicology for Sustainable Chemistry. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2021; 9:7749-7758. [PMID: 36051558 PMCID: PMC9432817 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c09435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Green chemistry seeks to design less hazardous chemicals, but many of the efforts to replace chemicals have resulted in so-called "Regrettable Substitutions", when a chemical with an unknown or unforeseen hazard is used to replace a chemical identified as problematic. Here, we discuss the literature on regrettable substitution and focus on an oft-mentioned case, Bisphenol A, which was replaced with Bisphenol S-and the lessons that can be learned from this history. In particular, we focus on how Green Toxicology can offer a way to make better substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maertens
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Emily Golden
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States; CAAT-Europe, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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Xiao Z, Wang R, Suo D, Wang S, Li X, Dong S, Li T, Su X. Deposition, depletion, and potential bioaccumulation of bisphenol F in eggs of laying hens after consumption of contaminated feed. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 270:115721. [PMID: 33321439 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concerns over bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) and its adverse effects on both humans and animals have led to the substitution by structural analogs, such as bisphenol F (BPF), in many application areas. Information regarding to the carry-over of this emerging chemical in farm animals is essential for legislation and risk assessment purposes. In this study, a large-scale number of animal experiments were designed to investigate the transfer of BPF from feed to eggs. One control and three experimental groups of laying hens (72 hens per group) were fed with basal diets and BPF-contaminated feed at concentration levels of 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg kg-1, respectively, for two weeks. The hens were then fed with BPF-free diets for a further four weeks. Eggs were collected daily, and separated into egg yolk and white for BPF analysis. The effects of different levels of BPF exposure on laying performance followed a non-monotonic dose-response curve, since low level BPF (0.1 mg kg-1) exposure did increase the laying rate, mean egg weight and daily feed intake, while high level BPF (2.5 mg kg-1) exposure showed a decreasing trend. BPF residues were detected in both egg yolks and whole eggs after two days of administration, and plateau phase was achieved within 9-18 days. There are clear linear dose-response relationships between the plateau BPF concentrations in feed and eggs. The residue of BPF was found mainly in egg yolks with conjugated form and depleted slowly (still detected 21 days after feeding the BPF-free diet of the high level group). Mean carry-over rate of 0.59% BPF from feed to eggs was obtained. Compared with the carry-over rates of PCBs and dioxins, BPF showed a relatively minor trend of bioaccumulation in eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the deposition, depletion, and bioaccumulation study of bisphenols in farm animals. The quantity of data can therefore be helpful in the frame of risk assessment, especially for a comprehensive estimation of consumer exposure to the residues of bisphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Xiao
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ruiguo Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Decheng Suo
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shi Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Shujun Dong
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Tong Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiaoou Su
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Novel computer-assisted separation prediction strategy for online-enrichment-HPLC-FLD in simultaneous monitoring of bisphenols in children's water bottles. Food Chem 2020; 339:127766. [PMID: 32866697 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An on-line enrichment-liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (LC-FD) method was developed for simultaneous determination of nine bisphenols (BPs). In this process, we predicted the separation based on an in-house developed software allowing for calculating both retention time (tR) and half-peak width (W1/2) of the solute by mobile phase fraction (φ) under gradient conditions. The proposed strategy was applied to separation prediction of BPs with high accuracy. Under the optimized conditions, good linearity was obtained with the correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.998 to 1.000. The recoveries in spiked samples were 91.3-110.7% with the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation ranging 0.4-9.6% and 0.5-10.2%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.13-66.7 ng L-1 and 0.40-200 ng L-1. The developed approach was used to monitor the nine BPs in 28 children's water bottles. The developed method provides an effective way for monitoring bisphenols in other similar matrix.
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Russo G, Varriale F, Barbato F, Grumetto L. Are Canned Beverages Industries Progressively Switching to Bisphenol AF? J Food Sci 2019; 84:3303-3311. [DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Russo
- Dept. of PharmacySchool of Medicine and SurgeryUniv. of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano, 49 I‐80131 Naples Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario INBB Viale Medaglie d'Oro, 305 I‐00136 Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Varriale
- Dept. of PharmacySchool of Medicine and SurgeryUniv. of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano, 49 I‐80131 Naples Italy
| | - Francesco Barbato
- Dept. of PharmacySchool of Medicine and SurgeryUniv. of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano, 49 I‐80131 Naples Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario INBB Viale Medaglie d'Oro, 305 I‐00136 Rome Italy
| | - Lucia Grumetto
- Dept. of PharmacySchool of Medicine and SurgeryUniv. of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano, 49 I‐80131 Naples Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario INBB Viale Medaglie d'Oro, 305 I‐00136 Rome Italy
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Young AS, Allen JG, Kim UJ, Seller S, Webster TF, Kannan K, Ceballos DM. Phthalate and Organophosphate Plasticizers in Nail Polish: Evaluation of Labels and Ingredients. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:12841-12850. [PMID: 30302996 PMCID: PMC6222550 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In the 2000s, nail polish manufacturers started promoting "3-Free" products, phasing out three widely publicized toxic chemicals: toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DnBP). However, DnBP was sometimes replaced by another endocrine-disrupting plasticizer, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). Many new " n-Free" labels have since appeared, without any standardization on which n chemicals are excluded. This study aimed to compare measured plasticizer content against nail polish labels. First, we summarized definitions of labels. Then, we measured 12 phthalate and 10 organophosphate plasticizers in 40 nail polishes from 12 brands selected for popularity and label variety. We found labels ranging from 3- to 13-Free; 10-Free was the most inconsistently defined (six definitions). Our samples contained TPHP and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) at up to 7940 and 331 μg/g, respectively. The 5- to 13-Free samples had lower TPHP levels than unlabeled or 3-Free samples (median <0.002 vs 3730 μg/g, p < 0.001). The samples that did not contain TPHP had higher DEHP levels (median 68.5 vs 1.51 μg/g, p < 0.05). We measured plasticizers above 100 μg/g in five brands that did not disclose them and in two that excluded them in labels. This study highlights inconsistencies in nail polish labels and identifies TPHP and DEHP as ingredient substitutes for DnBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Young
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Phone: (617) 432-1270; e-mail: (A.S.Y.)
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Un-Jung Kim
- Wadsworth
Center, New York State Department
of Health, Albany, New York 12201, United
States
| | - Stephanie Seller
- Boston
Public Health Commission, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Thomas F. Webster
- Department
of Environmental Health, Boston University
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Wadsworth
Center, New York State Department
of Health, Albany, New York 12201, United
States
| | - Diana M. Ceballos
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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15
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Han S, Song Y, Guan H, Chen T, Chi Y, Deng H. A new selection principle for model compounds in quantitative structure-retention relationship by HPLC for the determination of n
-octanol/water partition coefficients of bisphenols. SEPARATION SCIENCE PLUS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/sscp.201800041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Han
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
| | - Yilin Song
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
| | - Hanyu Guan
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
| | - Tao Chen
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
| | - Yumei Chi
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
| | - Haishan Deng
- College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing China
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Abstract
Purpose
Despite societal investment in providing health information to young parents, little is known about the health information practices of young parents themselves. The purpose of this paper is to explore young parents’ health information practices in context.
Design/methodology/approach
This constructivist grounded theory study investigates the health information practices of young mothers and fathers (age 16-23) in Greater Vancouver, Canada. Data were collected over 16 months via individual interviews with 39 young parents (37 mothers, 2 fathers) and observations at young parent programs. Inductive analysis was iterative with data collection.
Findings
Young parent health information practices emerged, clustering around concepts of information seeking, assessment, and use, with sharing conceptualised as a form of use. Many young parents were sophisticated information seekers, and most were highly networked using mobile technology. While access to information was rarely a barrier, assessment of the large quantity of health-related information posed challenges.
Research limitations/implications
These findings are not generalisable to all populations. Newly identified information-seeking practices such as defensive and subversive seeking should be explored further in future research.
Practical implications
Rather than focusing on quantity of information, health and information professionals trying to reach young parents should focus on fostering information literacy skills and building relationships as trusted information providers.
Social implications
Young parent experiences of social marginalisation influenced their information practices and should be taken into consideration.
Originality/value
This first investigation of young parent information practices can guide services and resources for young parents, suggests that sharing might be conceptualised as a subset of use, and highlights new information-seeking practices by marginalised individuals, such as defensive and subversive seeking.
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Gallo P, Di Marco Pisciottano I, Esposito F, Fasano E, Scognamiglio G, Mita GD, Cirillo T. Determination of BPA, BPB, BPF, BADGE and BFDGE in canned energy drinks by molecularly imprinted polymer cleaning up and UPLC with fluorescence detection. Food Chem 2017; 220:406-412. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Trentacosta CJ, Davis-Kean P, Mitchell C, Hyde L, Dolinoy D. Environmental Contaminants and Child Development. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Determination of bisphenols in beverages by mixed-mode solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1422:230-238. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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20
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What's behind a 'genetically engineered' label? Nat Biotechnol 2015; 33:451-3. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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