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Olowoyo JO, Okoya AA, Adesiyan IM, Awe YT, Lion GN, Agboola OO, Oladeji OM. Environmental health science research: opportunities and challenges for some developing countries in Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:1-25. [PMID: 38909292 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2370388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Due to ongoing developmental projects, there is a need for regular monitoring of the impact of pollutants on the environment. This review documented the challenges and opportunities in the field of environmental health sciences in some African countries. A systematic review was used to investigate opportunities and challenges in the field of environmental health science in Africa by examining published work with a specific focus on Africa. The reports showed that funding and infrastructure as the major problems. The study also highlighted recruiting study participants, retention, and compensation as a bane in the field in Africa. The absence of modern equipment also hinders research. The review, however, noted research collaboration from the region including studies on emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastic (MPs) as great opportunities. The study concluded that collaboration with other continents, exchange programs and improved governmental interventions may help.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O Olowoyo
- Department of Health Sciences and The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences, South Africa
| | - A A Okoya
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - I M Adesiyan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Y T Awe
- Environmental Management Program, Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - G N Lion
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences, South Africa
| | - O O Agboola
- Department of Botany, University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria
| | - O M Oladeji
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences, South Africa
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Chambrone L, Zucchelli G. Why is there a lack of evidence regarding errors and complications in periodontal and implant therapy? Periodontol 2000 2023; 92:13-20. [PMID: 35916780 DOI: 10.1111/prd.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of errors, complications, and adverse effects may occur as a consequence of single or multiple events related to the clinician and/or patient. Apparently, the amount of dental literature on these undesirable outcomes has not been as prolific as that obtained for conventional primary periodontal outcome measures. This review explores the potential reasons for the lack of studies reporting on errors and complications in periodontal and implant therapy, as well as other noteworthy methodological aspects, to enlighten their impact on the selection of the best (or most appropriate) "gold standard" periodontal/implant-related treatment options, and on the overall decision-making process. The following points were addressed: (a) the importance of reporting errors and complications in clinical research; (b) the adequate reporting of errors and complications in periodontology and dental implantology; and (c) efficacy trials vs effectiveness studies and their impact on the assessment and report of periodontal and implant treatment-related risks and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Chambrone
- Clinical Research Unit (CRU), Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Egas Moniz, CRL, Monte de Caparica, Portugal
- Unit of Basic Oral Investigation (UIBO), School of Dentistry, Universidad El Bosque, Bogota, Colombia
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Giovanni Zucchelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Moskowitz JM, Myung SK, Choi YJ, Hong YC. Reply to Brzozek et al. Comment on "Choi et al. Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8079". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115581. [PMID: 34073653 PMCID: PMC8197078 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel M. Moskowitz
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Correspondence: (J.M.M.); (S.-K.M.)
| | - Seung-Kwon Myung
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea
- National Cancer Center, Department of Family Medicine and Center for Cancer Prevention and Detection, Hospital, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.M.M.); (S.-K.M.)
| | - Yoon-Jung Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea; (Y.-J.C.); (Y.-C.H.)
- Environmental Health Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea; (Y.-J.C.); (Y.-C.H.)
- Environmental Health Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 03080, Korea
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Association Between Financial Conflicts of Interest and ILO Classifications for Black Lung Disease. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021; 18:1634-1641. [PMID: 33780328 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202010-1350oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE The US Department of Labor administers the Federal Black Lung Program (FBLP), an administrative system charged with managing claims by coal miners for workers' compensation for totally disabling coal mine dust lung disease. Specific case reports have raised concern that financial conflicts of interest (COI) may systematically bias physicians when they are classifying chest x-rays (CXRs) for the absence, presence and severity of pneumoconiosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the direction and magnitude of association between financial COI of physicians participating in the FBLP and international standards for the classification of radiographs of pneumoconiosis. METHODS An epidemiologic assessment of black lung claims filed to the FBLP, 2000-2013, was conducted to determine physician classifications of radiographs. FBLP court decisions for years 2002-2019 (n=7,656) were used to evaluate financial COI of each physician. The main outcome measures used were classifications of radiographs for the absence of pneumoconiosis (small opacity classifications of 0/0 or 0/1), simple pneumoconiosis (small opacity classifications of 1/0 through 3/+) and Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF; large opacities with classifications of A, B or C). RESULTS Out of 63,780 radiograph classifications made by 264 physicians, 31.4% were read positive for simple pneumoconiosis and 3.6% were read as having progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). There were 52 physicians who classified CXRs as having no evidence of pneumoconiosis in 99%+ of their readings, and 18 physicians who classified CXRs as positive for simple pneumoconiosis in 99%+ of their readings. The adjusted odds of a negative classification of pneumoconiosis was 1.46 (CI95%: 1.44, 1.47) per 10% increase in the proportion of court records demonstrating that a physician was hired by the employer. Per 10% increase in court records indicating a physician was hired by the miner-claimant, the adjusted odds ratio for classifying simple pneumoconiosis was 1.51 (CI95%: 1.49, 1.52) and for finding PMF was 1.28 (CI95%: 1.26, 1.30). CONCLUSIONS There was a strong association between source of payment and radiograph classification suggesting the importance of eliminating financial COI in what should be an objective determination of eligibility for Black Lung workers' compensation benefits.
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Baur X, Soskolne CL, Bero LA. How can the integrity of occupational and environmental health research be maintained in the presence of conflicting interests? Environ Health 2019; 18:93. [PMID: 31684947 PMCID: PMC6829996 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sciences, and especially the research subspecialties of occupational and environmental health, are being misused. The misuse serves to interfere with the advancement of policies that depend on rational evidence needed for policies to protect public health. METHODS We selectively surveyed the independent scientific literature. In addition, the efforts of respected international professional organizations of scientists whose focus is on maintaining and improving public health have been considered. This commentary is unique in assembling not only the factual basis for sounding alarms about significant bias in occupational and environmental health research, but also about the manipulative mechanisms used, and, in turn, the methods needed to keep science honest. RESULTS Scientific integrity is based on the principle that research is conducted as objectively as possible; it cannot be compromised by special interests whose primary goals are neither to seek truth nor to protect human health. Evidence demonstrates a significant risk of bias in research reports sponsored by financial interests. Practices of corporate malfeasance include the orchestrated contamination of editorial boards of peer-reviewed scientific journals with industry apologists; interference with activities of national regulatory bodies and international review panels engaged in safeguarding occupational and public health; constructing roadblocks by capitalizing on uncertainty to undermine scientific consensus for much-needed government regulation of carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting and/or immunotoxic agents; promoting "causation" criteria that lack foundation and effectively block workers' access to legal remedies for harms from occupational exposures resulting in morbidity and premature mortality; and, violating standards of professional conduct by seducing reputable scientists with financial incentives that make them beholden to corporate agendas. CONCLUSIONS Well-orchestrated assaults on science continue unabated and must now be met head-on. Success could be achieved by promoting and protecting the integrity of research. Furthermore, avoiding influence by conflicted corporate affiliates in occupational and public health regulations is needed. Identifying, managing and, ideally, eliminating corporate influence on science and science policy are needed to protect research integrity. Protecting the public's health, preventing disease, and promoting well-being must be the unambiguous goals of research in occupational and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xaver Baur
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine, P.O. Box 370514, D-14135 Berlin, Germany
| | - Colin L. Soskolne
- University of Alberta, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9 Canada
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Lisa A. Bero
- Medicines Use and Health Outcomes, The University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, D17, The Hub, 6th floor, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
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Shaffer RM, Sellers SP, Baker MG, de Buen Kalman R, Frostad J, Suter MK, Anenberg SC, Balbus J, Basu N, Bellinger DC, Birnbaum L, Brauer M, Cohen A, Ebi KL, Fuller R, Grandjean P, Hess JJ, Kogevinas M, Kumar P, Landrigan PJ, Lanphear B, London SJ, Rooney AA, Stanaway JD, Trasande L, Walker K, Hu H. Improving and Expanding Estimates of the Global Burden of Disease Due to Environmental Health Risk Factors. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:105001. [PMID: 31626566 PMCID: PMC6867191 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), produces influential, data-driven estimates of the burden of disease and premature death due to major risk factors. Expanded quantification of disease due to environmental health (EH) risk factors, including climate change, will enhance accuracy of GBD estimates, which will contribute to developing cost-effective policies that promote prevention and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. OBJECTIVES We review key aspects of the GBD for the EH community and introduce the Global Burden of Disease-Pollution and Health Initiative (GBD-PHI), which aims to work with IHME and the GBD study to improve estimates of disease burden attributable to EH risk factors and to develop an innovative approach to estimating climate-related disease burden-both current and projected. METHODS We discuss strategies for improving GBD quantification of specific EH risk factors, including air pollution, lead, and climate change. We highlight key methodological challenges, including new EH risk factors, notably evidence rating and global exposure assessment. DISCUSSION A number of issues present challenges to the scope and accuracy of current GBD estimates for EH risk factors. For air pollution, minimal data exist on the exposure-risk relationships associated with high levels of pollution; epidemiological studies in high pollution regions should be a research priority. For lead, the GBD's current methods do not fully account for lead's impact on neurodevelopment; innovative methods to account for subclinical effects are needed. Decisions on inclusion of additional EH risk-outcome pairs need to be guided by findings of systematic reviews, the size of exposed populations, feasibility of global exposure estimates, and predicted trends in exposures and diseases. Neurotoxicants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and climate-related factors should be high priorities for incorporation into upcoming iterations of the GBD study. Enhancing the scope and methods will improve the GBD's estimates and better guide prevention policy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5496.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Shaffer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Samuel P. Sellers
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marissa G. Baker
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rebeca de Buen Kalman
- Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph Frostad
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Megan K. Suter
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Susan C. Anenberg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - John Balbus
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David C. Bellinger
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Linda Birnbaum
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael Brauer
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aaron Cohen
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Health Effects Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristie L. Ebi
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Hess
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Pushpam Kumar
- United Nations Programme on the Environment, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Philip J. Landrigan
- Program in Global Public Health and the Common Good, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
- Global Observatory on Pollution and Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephanie J. London
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew A. Rooney
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Stanaway
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- NYU Global Institute of Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Walker
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Fooks GJ, Williams S, Box G, Sacks G. Corporations' use and misuse of evidence to influence health policy: a case study of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. Global Health 2019; 15:56. [PMID: 31551086 PMCID: PMC6760066 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-019-0495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) are a major source of sugar in the diet. Although trends in consumption vary across regions, in many countries, particularly LMICs, their consumption continues to increase. In response, a growing number of governments have introduced a tax on SSBs. SSB manufacturers have opposed such taxes, disputing the role that SSBs play in diet-related diseases and the effectiveness of SSB taxation, and alleging major economic impacts. Given the importance of evidence to effective regulation of products harmful to human health, we scrutinised industry submissions to the South African government’s consultation on a proposed SSB tax and examined their use of evidence. Results Corporate submissions were underpinned by several strategies involving the misrepresentation of evidence. First, references were used in a misleading way, providing false support for key claims. Second, raw data, which represented a pliable, alternative evidence base to peer reviewed studies, was misused to dispute both the premise of targeting sugar for special attention and the impact of SSB taxes on SSB consumption. Third, purposively selected evidence was used in conjunction with other techniques, such as selective quoting from studies and omitting important qualifying information, to promote an alternative evidential narrative to that supported by the weight of peer-reviewed research. Fourth, a range of mutually enforcing techniques that inflated the effects of SSB taxation on jobs, public revenue generation, and gross domestic product, was used to exaggerate the economic impact of the tax. This “hyperbolic accounting” included rounding up figures in original sources, double counting, and skipping steps in economic modelling. Conclusions Our research raises fundamental questions concerning the bona fides of industry information in the context of government efforts to combat diet-related diseases. The beverage industry’s claims against SSB taxation rest on a complex interplay of techniques, that appear to be grounded in evidence, but which do not observe widely accepted approaches to the use of either scientific or economic evidence. These techniques are similar, but not identical, to those used by tobacco companies and highlight the problems of introducing evidence-based policies aimed at managing the market environment for unhealthful commodities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12992-019-0495-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Jonas Fooks
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Simon Williams
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Graham Box
- School of Law, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Gary Sacks
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3125, Australia
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Ehrlich R, Markowitz S. The editors respond to Drs Mowat and Sheehan. Am J Ind Med 2018; 61:272-273. [PMID: 29344984 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodney Ehrlich
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Steven Markowitz
- Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment; Queens College; New York New York
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Conflict of Interest and Funding Disclosure Policies of Environmental, Occupational, and Public Health Journals. J Occup Environ Med 2018; 59:28-33. [PMID: 28045794 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze conflict of interest (COI) and funding disclosure policies of 224 journals listed in Journal Citation Reports as focusing on environmental, occupational, or public health research. METHODS A survey of journal policies and content analysis. RESULTS About 96.0% of the policies required COI disclosure, 92.4% required funding disclosure, 75.9% defined COIs, 69.6% provided examples of COIs, 68.8% addressed nonfinancial COIs, 33.9% applied to editors and reviewers, 32.1% required discussion of the role of the funding source, and 1.8% included enforcement mechanisms. Policies were significantly associated with journal impact factor and publisher. CONCLUSION Although a high percentage of journals in our sample have COI policies that provide substantial guidance to authors, there is a room for improvement. Journals that have not done so should consider developing enforcement mechanisms and applying COI policies to editors and reviewers.
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Ethics Guidelines in Environmental Epidemiology: Their Development and Challenges We Face. Curr Environ Health Rep 2017; 4:142-155. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0138-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Wells EM. Evidence Regarding the Impact of Conflicts of Interest on Environmental and Occupational Health Research. Curr Environ Health Rep 2017; 4:109-118. [PMID: 28397095 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0139-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes published literature providing evidence for financial conflicts of interest in environmental and occupational health research. Secondary goals were to describe evidence that (a) utilized quantitative methods to evaluate the association of conflicts with study outcomes, and (b) assessed undisclosed as well as disclosed conflicts of interest. RECENT FINDINGS Forty-three studies were identified which contained descriptions of the impact of financial conflicts of interest on research results; 11 of these conducted quantitative analyses to demonstrate these relationships. All 11 articles which quantified associations identified significant associations of the presence of financial conflicts of interest with study findings. In studies which measured undisclosed conflicts, these comprised a substantial proportion of all conflicts. Suggestions for improving understanding and interpretation of research results are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M Wells
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Sass J, Heine L, Hwang N. Use of a modified GreenScreen tool to conduct a screening-level comparative hazard assessment of conventional silver and two forms of nanosilver. Environ Health 2016; 15:105. [PMID: 27825359 PMCID: PMC5101654 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-016-0188-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased concern for potential health and environmental impacts of chemicals, including nanomaterials, in consumer products is driving demand for greater transparency regarding potential risks. Chemical hazard assessment is a powerful tool to inform product design, development and procurement and has been integrated into alternative assessment frameworks. The extent to which assessment methods originally designed for conventionally-sized materials can be used for nanomaterials, which have size-dependent physical and chemical properties, have not been well established. We contracted with a certified GreenScreen profiler to conduct three GreenScreen hazard assessments, for conventional silver and two forms of nanosilver. The contractor summarized publicly available literature, and used defined GreenScreen hazard criteria and expert judgment to assign and report hazard classification levels, along with indications of confidence in those assignments. Where data were not available, a data gap (DG) was assigned. Using the individual endpoint scores, an aggregated benchmark score (BM) was applied. RESULTS Conventional silver and low-soluble nanosilver were assigned the highest possible hazard score and a silica-silver nanocomposite called AGS-20 could not be scored due to data gaps. AGS-20 is approved for use as antimicrobials by the US Environmental Protection Agency. CONCLUSIONS An existing method for chemical hazard assessment and communication can be used - with minor adaptations- to compare hazards across conventional and nano forms of a substance. The differences in data gaps and in hazard profiles support the argument that each silver form should be considered unique and subjected to hazard assessment to inform regulatory decisions and decisions about product design and development. A critical limitation of hazard assessments for nanomaterials is the lack of nano-specific hazard data - where data are available, we demonstrate that existing hazard assessment systems can work. The work is relevant for risk assessors and regulators. We recommend that regulatory agencies and others require more robust data sets on each novel nanomaterial before granting market approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sass
- Natural Resources Defense Council and George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 1152 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington DC, 20005 USA
| | - Lauren Heine
- Northwest Green Chemistry and Lauren Heine Group LLC, Spokane, WA USA
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Tweedale AC. The inadequacies of pre-market chemical risk assessment's toxicity studies-the implications. J Appl Toxicol 2016; 37:92-104. [PMID: 27785833 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Industry provides essentially all the data for most (pre-market) chemical risk assessments (RA); academics study a chemical once it is marketed. For two randomly-chosen high production chemicals, despite new European Union mandates to evaluate all data, just 13% of the herbicide bentazon and 15% of the flame-retardant hexabromocyclododecane's published toxicity studies were found in their pre-market RA, and a systematic review on bentazon concludes it has greater hazards than indicated in its RA. More important, for both, academia's toxicity studies were designated as lower quality than industries were, despite showing hazards at lower doses. The accuracy of industry's test methods is analyzed and found to be replicable but insensitive, thus inaccurate. The synthetic pharmaceutical industry originated them, and by 1983 the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development mandated their test guidelines (TG) methods be accepted for any new study for pre-market RA. For existing studies, industry's "Klimisch" criterion is universally used to evaluate quality, but it only states that TG studies produce the best data. However, no TG can answer the realistic exposure effect hypotheses of academics; therefore, crucially in pre-market RA, tens of thousands of published experimental findings (increasingly at low dose) are ignored to determine the safe dose. Few appreciate this, so scientific debate on the most accurate elements of toxicity tests is urgently indicated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Tweedale
- R.I.S.K. Consultancy (Rebutting Industry Science with Knowledge), Brussels, Belgium
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Conflicts of Interest and Publication Bias. J Occup Environ Med 2016; 58:e338. [PMID: 27608155 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Response to Comments by Ryan et al. J Occup Environ Med 2016; 58:e339-40. [PMID: 27608156 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Guidotti TL. Conflict of interest in EOH research. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2016; 71:127-128. [PMID: 27027212 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2016.1171090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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