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Wielsøe M, Long M, Bønløkke JH, Bossi R, Ebbehøj NE, Rasmussen K, Sigsgaard T, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Persistent organic pollutants among seafood processing workers in West Greenland. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2025; 263:114484. [PMID: 39514925 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114484] [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: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 10/29/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
The Greenlandic population is highly exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the consumption of traditional marine food, including marine mammals. Central to Greenland's economy and cultural identity, the fishing industry employes about 15% of the working population. This study investigated POP exposure, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), among seafood processing workers at the Greenlandic west coast. We examined determinants for the POPs including age, smoking habits, ethnicity, and working place. Additionally, we explored the association between POPs and the prevalence of asthma, allergy, and lung function. With samples taken during 2016-2018, the study encompassed 382 workers, primarily of Inuit descent (93%), employed across three large factories located in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat, four smaller factories in settlements (Kangaatsiaq, Ikerasaarsuk, Sarfannguaq, Qeqertarsuaq), and four factory trawlers. Data collected include clinical examinations, questionnaires on ethnicity, occupational exposure status, health indicators, and smoking habits, and serum selenium and POP analyses. We used ANCOVA with adjustment for relevant confounders to assess differences in POPs between groups (e.g. ethnic groups and working place), and multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess associations between POPs and lung function, allergy and asthma. Significant differences in POPs were observed among ethnic groups; Faroese workers had the highest concentrations of lipophilic POPs (lipPOPs; PCBs and OCPs), while Inuit workers exhibited highest PFASs. All subsequent analyses were focused on the Inuit workers (n = 337). The PFASs were significantly higher in workers at small factories, followed by large factories and trawlers, whereas no differences were seen for lipPOPs. The differences between the working places were most likely due to differences in lifestyle and diet, but occupational exposures cannot be excluded. LipPOP and PFAS concentrations associated positively with selenium, and PFASs positively associated with lung function. However, upon adjustment of selenium, the associations between PFASs and lung function became non-significant and attenuated towards null. No significant associations were found between POPs and the prevalence of asthma or allergy. Compared to the general population in the same area and period, the seafood processing workers exhibited 2-6 times higher POP levels. The higher exposure level among seafood processing workers, as well as the difference across workplaces, underscore the need for further investigation of environmental and occupational sources of POPs in this population. These findings may contribute to future public health strategies and regulatory measures to reduce POP exposure in Arctic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jakob Hjort Bønløkke
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Havrevangen 1, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej, 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Niels E Ebbehøj
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Gammel Ringstedvej 4B, 4300, Holbæk, Denmark
| | - Kurt Rasmussen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Center, Regional Hospital Goedstrup, Hospitalsparken 16, 7400, Herning, Denmark
| | - Torben Sigsgaard
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
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Wielsøe M, Long M, Søndergaard J, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Metal exposure in the Greenlandic ACCEPT cohort: follow-up and comparison with other Arctic populations. Int J Circumpolar Health 2024; 83:2381308. [PMID: 39078885 PMCID: PMC11290292 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2381308] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans are exposed to metals through diet and lifestyle e.g. smoking. Some metals are essential for physiologically body functions, while others are non-essential and can be toxic to humans. This study follows up on metal concentrations in the Greenlandic ACCEPT birth-cohort (mothers and fathers) and compares with other Arctic populations. The data from 2019 to 2020 include blood metal concentrations, lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires from 101 mothers and 76 fathers, 24-55 years, living in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat. A high percentage (25-45%) exceeded international guidance values for Hg. For the mothers, the metal concentrations changed significantly from inclusion at pregnancy to this follow-up 3-5 years after birth; some increased and others decreased. Most metals differed significantly between mothers and fathers, while few also differed between residential towns. Several metals correlated significantly with marine food intake and socio-economic factors, but the direction of the correlations varied. Traditional marine food intake was associated positively with Se, As and Hg. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the most recent data on metal exposure of both men and women in Greenland, elucidating metal exposure sources among Arctic populations, and documents the need for continuing biomonitoring to follow the exceeding of guidance values for Hg. [Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuussuaq, Greenland
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Li S, Ding J, Sun X, Feng L, Zhou W, Gui Z, Mao J. Selenium Concentration Is Positively Associated with Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Triglyceride Glucose-Body Mass Index in Adults: Data from NHANES 2011-2018. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:401-409. [PMID: 37145256 PMCID: PMC10764531 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03684-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Compiling evidence supports that selenium plays a vital role in glucose metabolism. Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and triglyceride-glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) are commonly used in epidemiologic studies to evaluate insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. This study is aimed to investigate the association between whole blood selenium concentration and TyG and TyG-BMI. A total of 6290 participants (age ≥ 20 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 were included. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association between blood selenium quartiles and TyG and TyG-BMI. Subgroup analysis stratified by diabetes status was also performed. The adjusted model showed a positive association between TyG and blood selenium concentration (β [95%CI] = 0.099 [0.063, 0.134], p < 0.001) and TyG-BMI (β [95%CI] = 3.185 [2.102, 4.268], p < 0.001). The association persisted after stratification by diabetes status (p < 0.001). Participants were stratified into four quartiles based on selenium concentration (Q1: 1.08-2.24 μmol/L, Q2: 2.25-2.42 μmol/L, Q3: 2.43-2.62 µmol/L, Q4: 2.63-8.08). Compared with the Q1 group, TyG in the Q3 and Q4 groups was significantly higher (β = 0.075 [95%CI 0.039 to 0.112] and β = 0.140 [95%CI 0.103 to 0.176], respectively). Additionally, TyG-BMI in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was higher than that in the Q1 group (β = 1.189 [95%CI 0.065 to 2.314], β = 2.325 [95%CI 1.204 to 3.446], and β = 4.322 [95%CI 3.210 to 5.435], respectively). Blood level of selenium was positively associated with TyG and TyG-BMI, indicating that excessive blood selenium may be associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Li
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Sun
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Li Feng
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Weihong Zhou
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China.
| | - Zhen Gui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Jiangfeng Mao
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Frederiksen AL, Laustsen BH, Bælum J, Pedersen ML, Bønløkke JH. Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Bronchitis Among Predominantly Smoking Workers in the Seafood Industry in Greenland. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2022; 17:1167-1177. [PMID: 35620348 PMCID: PMC9128641 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s349106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction For decades, the prevalence of smoking has been high in Greenland. Even so, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a smoking-related disease, remains largely unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD and chronic bronchitis (CB) among Inuit workers in the seafood industry in Greenland. Methods A total of 355 participants, 254 males and 101 females, met the inclusion criteria. Participants had a mean age of 38 years (standard deviation 13.5; range 17–68 years). COPD was diagnosed based on post-bronchodilator ratio between forced expiratory volume within one second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) below the lower limit of normal (LLN) according to the Global Lung Function Initiative. Participants completed a questionnaire aiming to diagnose CB. Results The overall prevalence was 9.9% for COPD; 7.4% for CB. Participants were predominantly smokers; 73.2% active smokers, 91.8% active or former smokers. The prevalence of COPD was high, especially among those under 40 years of age. Both COPD and CB were associated with smoking status. Discussion This study among Greenlandic seafood workers found that smoking was a risk factor for COPD and CB among Greenlanders of Inuit origin. The high prevalence of COPD and the high prevalence of smoking underlines the importance of further initiatives to reduce smoking in Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgitte Hamann Laustsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jesper Bælum
- Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jakob Hjort Bønløkke
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Correspondence: Jakob Hjort Bønløkke, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Havrevangen 1, Aalborg, 9000, Denmark, Tel + 45 97664109, Email
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