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Kilbo Edlund K, Xu Y, Andersson EM, Christensson A, Dehlin M, Forsblad-d'Elia H, Harari F, Ljunggren S, Molnár P, Oudin A, Svartengren M, Ljungman P, Stockfelt L. Long-term ambient air pollution exposure and renal function and biomarkers of renal disease. Environ Health 2024; 23:67. [PMID: 39123230 PMCID: PMC11313149 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01108-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite accumulating evidence of an association between air pollution and renal disease, studies on the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and renal function are still contradictory. This study aimed to investigate this association in a large population with relatively low exposure and with improved estimation of renal function as well as renal injury biomarkers. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis in the middle-aged general population participating in the Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImaging Study (SCAPIS; n = 30 154). Individual 10-year exposure to total and locally emitted fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were modelled using high-resolution dispersion models. Linear regression models were used to estimate associations between exposures and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, combined creatinine and cystatin C) and serum levels of renal injury biomarkers (KIM-1, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-18, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, FGF-23, and uric acid), with consideration of potential confounders. RESULTS Median long-term PM2.5 exposure was 6.2 µg/m3. Almost all participants had a normal renal function and median eGFR was 99.2 mL/min/1.73 m2. PM2.5 exposure was associated with 1.3% (95% CI 0.6, 2.0) higher eGFR per 2.03 µg/m3 (interquartile range, IQR). PM2.5 exposure was also associated with elevated serum matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) concentration, with 7.2% (95% CI 1.9, 12.8) higher MMP-2 per 2.03 µg/m3. There was a tendency towards an association between PM10 and higher levels of uric acid, but no associations were found with the other biomarkers. Associations with other air pollutants were null or inconsistent. CONCLUSION In this large general population sample at low exposure levels, we found a surprising association between PM2.5 exposure and a higher renal filtration. It seems unlikely that particle function would improve renal function. However, increased filtration is an early sign of renal injury and may be related to the relatively healthy population at comparatively low exposure levels. Furthermore, PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher serum concentrations of MMP-2, an early indicator of renal and cardiovascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Kilbo Edlund
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Yiyi Xu
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva M Andersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Christensson
- Department of Nephrology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mats Dehlin
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Helena Forsblad-d'Elia
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Florencia Harari
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stefan Ljunggren
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center in Linköping, and, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Molnár
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Oudin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental MedicineDepartment of Laboratory MedicineFaculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Division for Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Svartengren
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Petter Ljungman
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cardiology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leo Stockfelt
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Cosemans C, Madhloum N, Sleurs H, Alfano R, Verheyen L, Wang C, Vanbrabant K, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M. Prenatal particulate matter exposure is linked with neurobehavioural development in early life. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118879. [PMID: 38579996 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) may negatively affect neurobehavioral development in children, influencing their cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. Here, we report a study on prenatal PM2.5 exposure and neurobehavioral development focusing on different time points in the first years of life. METHODS This study was part of the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort that follows mother-child pairs longitudinally. First, the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) was employed on 88 newborns aged one to two months to assess their autonomic/physiological regulation, motor organisation, state organisation/regulation, and attention/social interaction. Second, our study included 393 children between the ages of four and six years, for which the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess the children's emotional problems, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer relationship, and prosocial behaviour. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was determined using a high-resolution spatial-temporal method based on the maternal address. Multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and neurobehavioral development in newborns and children, respectively. RESULTS A 5 μg/m³ increase in first-trimester PM2.5 concentration was associated with lower NBAS range of state cluster scores (-6.11%; 95%CI: -12.00 to -0.23%; p = 0.04) in one-to-two-month-old newborns. No other behavioural clusters nor the reflexes cluster were found to be associated with prenatal PM2.5 exposure. Furthermore, a 5 μg/m³ increment in first-trimester PM2.5 levels was linked with higher odds of a child experiencing peer problems (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.89; 95%CI: 1.39 to 10.87; p = 0.01) at ages four to six. Additionally, a 5 μg/m³ increase in second-trimester PM2.5 concentration was linked to abnormal prosocial behaviour (OR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.25 to 0.98; p = 0.04) at four to six years old. No associations were found between in utero PM2.5 exposure and hyperactivity or conduct problems. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to PM may impact neurobehavioural development in newborns and preschool children. We identified sensitive time windows during early-to-mid pregnancy, possibly impacting stage changes in newborns and peer problems and prosocial behaviour in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cosemans
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Narjes Madhloum
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hanne Sleurs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Rossella Alfano
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lore Verheyen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kenneth Vanbrabant
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Vanpoucke
- Belgian Interregional Environment Agency, IRCEL-CELINE, Gaucheretstraat 92-94, 1030, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; School of Public Health, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, Oude Markt 13, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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Chang H, Zhang X, Lu Z, Gao B, Shen H. Metabolite correlation permutation after mice acute exposure to PM 2.5: Holistic exploration of toxicometabolomics by network analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 352:124128. [PMID: 38729510 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Many environmental toxicants can cause systemic effects, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate the respiratory barrier and induce effects in multiple tissues. Although metabolomics has been used to identify biomarkers for PM2.5, its multi-tissue toxicology has not yet been explored holistically. Our objective is to explore PM2.5 induced metabolic alterations and unveil the intra-tissue responses along with inter-tissue communicational effects. In this study, following a single intratracheal instillation of multiple doses (0, 25, and 150 μg as the control, low, and high dose), non-targeted metabolomics was employed to evaluate the metabolic impact of PM2.5 across multiple tissues. PM2.5 induced tissue-specific and dose-dependent disturbances of metabolites and their pathways. The remarkable increase of both intra- and inter-tissue correlations was observed, with emphasis on the metabolism connectivity among lung, spleen, and heart; the tissues' functional specificity has marked their toxic modes. Beyond the inter-status comparison of the metabolite fold-changes, the current correlation network built on intra-status can offer additional insights into how the multiple tissues and their metabolites coordinately change in response to external stimuli such as PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China
| | - Biling Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China
| | - Heqing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, PR China; Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, PR China.
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De Ruyter T, Martens DS, Bijnens EM, De Henauw S, Nawrot TS, Michels N. Exploring the impact of lifestyle and environmental exposures on appetite hormone levels in children and adolescents: An observational study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118846. [PMID: 38582428 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appetite hormones are considered a promising target in fighting obesity as impaired appetite hormone levels have already been associated with obesity. However, further insights in the drivers of appetite hormone levels are needed. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the associations of fasting appetite hormone levels with lifestyle and environmental exposures in children and adolescents. METHODS A total of 534 fasting blood samples were collected from children and adolescents (4-16y,50% boys) and appetite hormone levels (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), leptin and ghrelin) were measured. Exposures included dietary quality (fiber-rich food intake, sugar propensity, fat propensity), psychosocial stress (happiness, negative emotions, negative life events and emotional problems), sleep duration, physical activity and environmental quality (long term black carbon (BC), particulate matter <2.5 μM (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure, and green space in a 100 m and 2000 m radius around the residence). A multi-exposure score was calculated to combine all the exposures at study in one measure. Associations of individual exposures and multi-exposure score with appetite hormone levels were evaluated using linear mixed regression models adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status, waist-to-height ratio and multiple testing. RESULTS GLP-1 was associated with air pollution exposure (NO2 β* = -0.13, BC β* = -0.15, PM2.5 β* = -0.16, all p < 0.001). Leptin was associated with green space in a 100 m radius around the residence (β* = -0.11; p = 0.002). Ghrelin was associated with negative emotions (active ghrelin β* = -0.16; p = 0.04, total ghrelin β* = -0.23; p = 0.0051) and happiness (active ghrelin β* = 0.25; p < 0.001, total ghrelin β* = 0.26; p < 0.001). Furthermore, total ghrelin levels were associated with the multi-exposure score, reflecting unhealthy exposures and lifestyle (β* = -0.22; p = 0.036). DISCUSSION Our findings provide new insights into the associations of exposures with appetite hormone levels, which are of high interest for preventive obesity research. Further research is crucial to reveal the underlying mechanisms of the observed associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs De Ruyter
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open University, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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Van Brusselen D, De Troeyer K, van Vliet MP, Avonts D, Nemery B, Liesenborghs L, Verhulst S, Van Herck K, De Bacquer D. Air pollution and bronchiolitis: a case-control study in Antwerp, Belgium. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:2431-2442. [PMID: 38470521 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05493-8] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between short-term (1 to 5 days) and medium-term (31 days) exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, BC, NO2) at home/daycare and the risk of 'severe bronchiolitis' (defined as 'requiring hospitalization for bronchiolitis') in children under 2 years in Antwerp, Belgium. We included 118 cases and 79 controls admitted to three general hospitals from October 2020 to June 2021. Exposure levels were predicted using an interpolation model based on fixed measuring stations. We used unconditional logistic regression analysis to assess associations, with adjustment for potential confounders. There were hardly any significant differences in the day-to-day air pollution values between cases and controls. Medium-term (31 days) exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 was however significantly higher in cases than controls in univariate analysis. Logistic regression revealed an association between severe bronchiolitis and interquartile range (IQR) increases of PM2.5 and PM10 at home and in daycare, as well as IQR increases of NO2 in daycare. Controls were however overrepresented in low pollution periods. Time-adjustment reduced the odds ratios significantly at home for PM2.5 and PM10 (aOR 1.54, 95%CI 0.51-4.65; and 2.69, 95%CI 0.94-7.69 respectively), and in daycare for. PM2.5 (aOR 2.43, 95%CI 0.58-10.1). However, the association between severe bronchiolitis and medium-term air pollution was retained in daycare for IQR increases of PM10 (aOR 5.13, 95%CI 1.24-21.28) and NO2 (aOR 3.88, 95%CI 1.56-9.61) in the time-adjusted model. Conclusion: This study suggests a possible link between severe bronchiolitis and medium-term (31 days) air pollution exposure (PM10 and NO2), particularly in daycare. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings. What is Known: • Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants globally and causes a yearly seasonal wave of admissions in paediatric departments worldwide. • Existing studies, mainly from the USA, show heterogeneous outcomes regarding the association between air pollution and bronchiolitis. What is New: • There is a possible link between severe bronchiolitis and medium-term (31 days) air pollution exposure (PM10 and NO2), particularly in daycare. • Larger studies are needed to validate these trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan Van Brusselen
- Department of Paediatric Infectiology, ZAS Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital and Lab of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Katrien De Troeyer
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marinus Pieter van Vliet
- Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital and Lab of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dirk Avonts
- Domus Medica, Chief Editor 'Huisarts Nu', Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Laurens Liesenborghs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stijn Verhulst
- Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital and Lab of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Dirk De Bacquer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Yang C, Wang W, Wang F, Wang Y, Zhang F, Liang Z, Liang C, Wang J, Ma L, Li P, Li S, Zhang L. Ambient PM 2.5 components and prevalence of chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:70. [PMID: 38353840 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health concern, and accumulating evidence has indicated that air pollution increases the odds of CKD. However, a limited number of studies have examined the long-term effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) components on the risk of CKD among general population; thus, major knowledge gaps remain. METHODS Using data from a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey in China and a validated PM2.5 composition dataset, we established generalized linear models to quantify the association between five major components of PM2.5 and CKD prevalence. RESULTS There were significant associations between long-term exposure to three PM2.5 components [including black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42-), organic matter (OM)] and increased odds of CKD prevalence. Along with an interquartile range (IQR) increment in BC (3.3 μg/m3), SO42- (9.7 μg/m3), and OM (16.2 μg/m3) at a 4-year moving average, the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were 1.28 (95% CI 1.07, 1.54), 1.23 (95% CI 1.03, 1.45), and 1.23 (95% CI 1.02, 1.47), respectively. We did not detect any significant association of the other two PM2.5 components [nitrate (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+)] with CKD prevalence. Stratified analyses revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.05) in the effect estimates of subgroups based on administrative region, sex, age, and other demographic characteristics. For instance, along with an IQR increment in BC at a 4-year moving average, the ORs of CKD prevalence among males and females were 1.30 (95% CI 0.98, 1.73) and 1.29 (95% CI 1.01, 1.65), respectively. The odds of CKD were generally higher with increasing PM2.5 composition concentration. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that long-term exposure to specific PM2.5 components including BC, SO42-, and OM increased CKD risk in the general population. This study could provide new insights into source-directed PM2.5 control and CKD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing, 100034, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100034, China
- Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou, 311215, China
| | - Wanzhou Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fulin Wang
- National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yueyao Wang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Feifei Zhang
- National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ze Liang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chenyu Liang
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jinwei Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing, 100034, China
- Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou, 311215, China
| | - Shuangcheng Li
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Luxia Zhang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing, 100034, China.
- Advanced Institute of Information Technology, Peking University, Hangzhou, 311215, China.
- National Institute of Health Data Science at Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Cosemans C, Bongaerts E, Vanbrabant K, Reimann B, Silva AI, Tommelein E, Poma G, Ameloot M, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M. Black carbon particles in human breast milk: assessing infant's exposure. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1333969. [PMID: 38298262 PMCID: PMC10828029 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1333969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim Human breast milk is the recommended source of nutrition for infants due to its complex composition and numerous benefits, including a decline in infection rates in childhood and a lower risk of obesity. Hence, it is crucial that environmental pollutants in human breast milk are minimized. Exposure to black carbon (BC) particles has adverse effects on health; therefore, this pilot study investigates the presence of these particles in human breast milk. Methods BC particles from ambient exposure were measured in eight human breast milk samples using a white light generation under femtosecond illumination. The carbonaceous nature of the particles was confirmed with BC fingerprinting. Ambient air pollution exposures (PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) were estimated using a spatial interpolation model based on the maternal residential address. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were obtained to assess the association between human breast milk's BC load and ambient air pollution exposure. Results BC particles were found in all human breast milk samples. BC loads in human breast milk were strongly and positively correlated with recent (i.e., 1 week) maternal residential NO2 (r = 0.79; p = 0.02) exposure and medium-term (i.e., 1 month) PM2.5 (r = 0.83; p = 0.02) and PM10 (r = 0.93; p = 0.002) exposure. Conclusion For the first time, we showed the presence of BC particles in human breast milk and found a robust association with ambient air pollution concentrations. Our findings present a pioneering insight into a novel pathway through which combustion-derived air pollution particles can permeate the delicate system of infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cosemans
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kenneth Vanbrabant
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Brigitte Reimann
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ana Inês Silva
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eline Tommelein
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Experimental Pharmacology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jette, Belgium
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- School of Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Friedman C, Dabelea D, Glueck DH, Allshouse WB, Adgate JL, Keller KP, Martenies SE, Magzamen S, Starling AP. Early-life exposure to residential black carbon and childhood cardiometabolic health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117285. [PMID: 37832765 PMCID: PMC10842121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life exposure to air pollution, such as particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), may be associated with obesity and adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in childhood. However, the toxicity of PM2.5 varies according to its chemical composition. Black carbon (BC) is a constituent of PM2.5, but few studies have examined its impact on childhood cardiometabolic health. Therefore, we examined relationships between prenatal and early childhood exposure to BC and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic health in early childhood. METHODS This study included 578 mother-child pairs enrolled in the Healthy Start study (2009-2014) living in the Denver-metro area. Using a spatiotemporal prediction model, we assessed average residential black carbon levels during pregnancy and in the year prior to the early childhood follow-up visit at approximately 5 years old. We estimated associations between prenatal and early childhood BC and indicators of adiposity and cardiometabolic biomarkers in early childhood (mean 4.8 years; range, 4.0, 8.3), using linear regression. RESULTS We found higher early childhood BC was associated with higher percent fat mass, fat mass index, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lower leptin and waist circumference at approximately 5 years old, after adjusting for covariates. For example, per interquartile range (IQR) increase in early childhood BC (IQR, 0.49 μg/m3) there was 3.32% higher fat mass (95% CI; 2.05, 4.49). Generally, we did not find consistent evidence of associations between prenatal BC and cardiometabolic health outcomes in early childhood, except for an inverse association between prenatal BC and adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone typically inversely associated with adiposity. CONCLUSIONS Higher early childhood, but not in utero, ambient concentrations of black carbon, a component of air pollution, were associated with greater adiposity and altered insulin homeostasis at approximately 5 years old. Future studies should examine whether these changes persist later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Friedman
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deborah H Glueck
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - William B Allshouse
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kayleigh P Keller
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sheena E Martenies
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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9
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Bastos-Moreira Y, Ouédraogo L, De Boevre M, Argaw A, de Kok B, Hanley-Cook GT, Deng L, Ouédraogo M, Compaoré A, Tesfamariam K, Ganaba R, Huybregts L, Toe LC, Lachat C, Kolsteren P, De Saeger S, Dailey-Chwalibóg T. A Multi-Omics and Human Biomonitoring Approach to Assessing the Effectiveness of Fortified Balanced Energy-Protein Supplementation on Maternal and Newborn Health in Burkina Faso: A Study Protocol. Nutrients 2023; 15:4056. [PMID: 37764838 PMCID: PMC10535470 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fortified balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplementation is a promising intervention for improving maternal health, birth outcomes and infant growth in low- and middle-income countries. This nested biospecimen sub-study aimed to evaluate the physiological effect of multi-micronutrient-fortified BEP supplementation on pregnant and lactating women and their infants. Pregnant women (15-40 years) received either fortified BEP and iron-folic acid (IFA) (intervention) or IFA only (control) throughout pregnancy. The same women were concurrently randomized to receive either a fortified BEP supplement during the first 6 months postpartum in combination with IFA for the first 6 weeks (i.e., intervention) or the postnatal standard of care, which comprised IFA alone for 6 weeks postpartum (i.e., control). Biological specimens were collected at different timepoints. Multi-omics profiles will be characterized to assess the mediating effect of BEP supplementation on the different trial arms and its effect on maternal health, as well as birth and infant growth outcomes. The mediating effect of the exposome in the relationship between BEP supplementation and maternal health, birth outcomes and infant growth were characterized via biomonitoring markers of air pollution, mycotoxins and environmental contaminants. The results will provide holistic insight into the granular physiological effects of prenatal and postnatal BEP supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Bastos-Moreira
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, MYTOXSOUTH Coordination Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.D.B.); (S.D.S.)
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Lionel Ouédraogo
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
- Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 390, Burkina Faso
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, MYTOXSOUTH Coordination Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.D.B.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Alemayehu Argaw
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Brenda de Kok
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Giles T. Hanley-Cook
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Lishi Deng
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Moctar Ouédraogo
- Agence de Formation de Recherche et d’Expertise en Santé pour l’Afrique (AFRICSanté), Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 298, Burkina Faso; (M.O.); (A.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Anderson Compaoré
- Agence de Formation de Recherche et d’Expertise en Santé pour l’Afrique (AFRICSanté), Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 298, Burkina Faso; (M.O.); (A.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Kokeb Tesfamariam
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Rasmané Ganaba
- Agence de Formation de Recherche et d’Expertise en Santé pour l’Afrique (AFRICSanté), Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 298, Burkina Faso; (M.O.); (A.C.); (R.G.)
| | - Lieven Huybregts
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
- Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, Department of Food and Nutrition Policy, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Laeticia Celine Toe
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
- Unité Nutrition et Maladies Métaboliques, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso 01 BP 545, Burkina Faso
| | - Carl Lachat
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Patrick Kolsteren
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Center of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, MYTOXSOUTH Coordination Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.D.B.); (S.D.S.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Gauteng 2028, South Africa
| | - Trenton Dailey-Chwalibóg
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.O.); (A.A.); (B.d.K.); (G.T.H.-C.); (L.D.); (K.T.); (L.H.); (L.C.T.); (C.L.); (P.K.)
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10
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Xu H, Song J, He X, Guan X, Wang T, Zhu Y, Xu X, Li M, Liu L, Zhang B, Fang J, Zhao Q, Song X, Xu B, Huang W. Ambient Anthropogenic Carbons and Pediatric Respiratory Infections: A Case-Crossover Analysis in the Megacity Beijing. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2023GH000820. [PMID: 37534336 PMCID: PMC10392781 DOI: 10.1029/2023gh000820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Carbon loading in airway cells has shown to worsen function of antimicrobial peptides, permitting increased survival of pathogens in the respiratory tract; however, data on the impacts of carbon particles on childhood acute respiratory infection (ARI) is limited. We assembled daily health data on outpatient visits for ARI (bronchitis, pneumonia, and total upper respiratory infection [TURI]) in children aged 0-14 years between 2015 and 2019 in Beijing, China. Anthropogenic carbons, including black carbon (BC) and its emission sources, and wood smoke particles (delta carbon, ultra-violet absorbing particulate matter, and brown carbon) were continuously monitored. Using a time-stratified case-crossover approach, conditional logistic regression was performed to derive risk estimates for each outcome. A total of 856,899 children were included, and a wide range of daily carbon particle concentrations was observed, with large variations for BC (0.36-20.44) and delta carbon (0.48-57.66 μg/m3). Exposure to these particles were independently associated with ARI, with nearly linear exposure-response relationships. Interquartile range increases in concentrations of BC and delta carbon over prior 0-8 days, we observed elevation of the odd ratio of bronchitis by 1.201 (95% confidence interval, 1.180, 1.221) and 1.048 (95% CI, 1.039, 1.057), respectively. Stronger association was observed for BC from traffic sources, which increased the odd ratio of bronchitis by 1.298 (95% CI, 1.273, 1.324). Carbon particles were also associated with elevated risks of pneumonia and TURI, and subgroup analyses indicated greater risks among children older than 6 years. Our findings suggested that anthropogenic carbons in metropolitan areas may pose a significant threat to clinical manifestations of respiratory infections in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbing Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jing Song
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Xinghou He
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xinpeng Guan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Tong Wang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic RadiationMinistry of Education of ChinaInstitute of ToxicologyCollege of Preventive MedicineArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Yutong Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xin Xu
- China National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory DiseasesRespiratory Department of Beijing Children's HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children's HealthBeijingChina
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Lingyan Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jiakun Fang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoming Song
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Baoping Xu
- China National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory DiseasesRespiratory Department of Beijing Children's HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children's HealthBeijingChina
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health SciencesPeking University School of Public HealthPeking University Institute of Environmental MedicineBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and RemodelingPeking UniversityBeijingChina
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11
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Sunyer J, Dadvand P. Air pollution and COVID-19 severity. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2300818. [PMID: 37343979 PMCID: PMC10288812 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00818-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution may elevate the risk of infection and severity (e.g. intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death) from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by modifying host susceptibility to infection and disease severity, and by elevating the risk of comorbidities [1]. An emerging body of toxicological and experimental evidence has provided insights on how acute [2] and chronic [3] air pollution exposure could play a role in COVID-19 infection and severity. There is also substantial epidemiological evidence on the effects of long-term air pollution exposure in the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 [1]. However, most epidemiological data is based on ecological studies (susceptible to group-level and cross-level confounding), passive and not active case ascertainment and outcome characterisation (susceptible to case-ascertainment bias), and poor assessment of air pollution exposure (a potential for a misclassification bias). Air pollution abatement would be a very effective way to protect our population from the impact of COVID-19 https://bit.ly/43d9A75
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, ParcSalutMar, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, ParcSalutMar, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Vos S, De Waele E, Goeminne P, Bijnens EM, Bongaerts E, Martens DS, Malina R, Ameloot M, Dams K, De Weerdt A, Dewyspelaere G, Jacobs R, Mistiaen G, Jorens P, Nawrot TS. Pre-admission ambient air pollution and blood soot particles predict hospitalisation outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2300309. [PMID: 37343978 PMCID: PMC10288811 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00309-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution exposure is one of the major risk factors for aggravation of respiratory diseases. We investigated whether exposure to air pollution and accumulated black carbon (BC) particles in blood were associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease severity, including the risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and duration of hospitalisation. METHODS From May 2020 until March 2021, 328 hospitalised COVID-19 patients (29% at intensive care) were recruited from two hospitals in Belgium. Daily exposure levels (from 2016 to 2019) for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm and <10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10, respectively), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and BC were modelled using a high-resolution spatiotemporal model. Blood BC particles (internal exposure to nano-sized particles) were quantified using pulsed laser illumination. Primary clinical parameters and outcomes included duration of hospitalisation and risk of ICU admission. RESULTS Independent of potential confounders, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure in the week before admission was associated with increased duration of hospitalisation (PM2.5 +4.13 (95% CI 0.74-7.53) days, PM10 +4.04 (95% CI 1.24-6.83) days and NO2 +4.54 (95% CI 1.53-7.54) days); similar effects were observed for long-term NO2 and BC exposure on hospitalisation duration. These effect sizes for an IQR increase in air pollution on hospitalisation duration were equivalent to the effect of a 10-year increase in age on hospitalisation duration. Furthermore, for an IQR higher blood BC load, the OR for ICU admission was 1.33 (95% CI 1.07-1.65). CONCLUSIONS In hospitalised COVID-19 patients, higher pre-admission ambient air pollution and blood BC levels predicted adverse outcomes. Our findings imply that air pollution exposure influences COVID-19 severity and therefore the burden on medical care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Vos
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- S. Vos and E. De Waele contributed equally
| | - Elien De Waele
- Hospital VITAZ Sint-Niklaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
- S. Vos and E. De Waele contributed equally
| | | | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Robert Malina
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Karolien Dams
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp (LEMP), Edegem, Belgium
| | - Annick De Weerdt
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp (LEMP), Edegem, Belgium
| | | | - Rita Jacobs
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp (LEMP), Edegem, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe Jorens
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp (LEMP), Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Rasking L, Koshy P, Bongaerts E, Bové H, Ameloot M, Plusquin M, De Vusser K, Nawrot TS. Ambient black carbon reaches the kidneys. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 177:107997. [PMID: 37269720 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrafine particles, including black carbon (BC), can reach the systemic circulation and therefore may distribute to distant organs upon inhalation. The kidneys may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of BC exposure due to their filtration function. OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that BC particles reach the kidneys via the systemic circulation, where the particles may reside in structural components of kidney tissue and impair kidney function. METHODS In kidney biopsies from 25 transplant patients, we visualized BC particles using white light generation under femtosecond-pulsed illumination. The presence of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and cystatin c (CysC) were evaluated with ELISA. We assessed the association between internal and external exposure matrices and urinary biomarkers using Pearson correlation and linear regression models. RESULTS BC particles could be identified in all biopsy samples with a geometric mean (5th, 95th percentile) of 1.80 × 103 (3.65 × 102, 7.50 × 103) particles/mm3 kidney tissue, predominantly observed in the interstitium (100 %) and tubules (80 %), followed by the blood vessels and capillaries (40 %), and the glomerulus (24 %). Independent from covariates and potential confounders, we found that each 10 % higher tissue BC load resulted in 8.24 % (p = 0.03) higher urinary KIM-1. In addition, residential proximity to a major road was inversely associated with urinary CysC (+10 % distance: -4.68 %; p = 0.01) and KIM-1 (+10 % distance: -3.99 %; p < 0.01). Other urinary biomarkers, e.g., the estimated glomerular filtration rate or creatinine clearance showed no significant associations. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our findings that BC particles accumulate near different structural components of the kidney represent a potential mechanism explaining the detrimental effects of particle air pollution exposure on kidney function. Furthermore, urinary KIM-1 and CysC show potential as air pollution-induced kidney injury biomarkers for taking a first step in addressing the adverse effects BC might exert on kidney function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Priyanka Koshy
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Bové
- Department of Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Vusser
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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14
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Van Pee T, Nawrot TS, van Leeuwen R, Hogervorst J. Ambient particulate air pollution and the intestinal microbiome; a systematic review of epidemiological, in vivo and, in vitro studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:162769. [PMID: 36907413 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A healthy indigenous intestinal microbiome is indispensable for intra- and extra-intestinal human health. Since well-established factors such as diet and antibiotic use only explain 16 % of the inter-individual variation in gut microbiome composition, recent studies have focused on the association between ambient particulate air pollution and the intestinal microbiome. We systematically summarize and discuss all evidence concerning the effect of particulate air pollution on intestinal bacterial diversity indices, specific bacterial taxa, and potential underlying intestinal mechanisms. To this end, all possibly relevant publications published between February 1982 and January 2023 were screened, and eventually, 48 articles were included. The vast majority (n = 35) of these studies were animal studies. The exposure periods investigated in the human epidemiological studies (n = 12) ranged from infancy through elderly. This systematic review found that intestinal microbiome diversity indices were generally negatively associated with particulate air pollution in epidemiological studies, with an increase in taxa belonging to Bacteroidetes (two studies), Deferribacterota (one study), and Proteobacteria (four studies), a decrease in taxa belonging to Verrucomicrobiota (one study), and no consensus for taxa belonging to Actinobacteria (six studies) and Firmicutes (seven studies). There was no unequivocal effect of ambient particulate air pollution exposure on bacterial indices and taxa in animal studies. Only one study in humans examined a possible underlying mechanism; yet, the included in vitro and animal studies depicted higher gut damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and permeability in exposed versus unexposed animals. Overall, the population-based studies showed a dose-related continuum of short- and long-term ambient particulate air pollution exposure on lower gut diversity and shifts in taxa over the entire life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thessa Van Pee
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Herestraat 49-box 706, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Romy van Leeuwen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Janneke Hogervorst
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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15
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Aslam I, Bravo M, Zundert IV, Rocha S, Roeffaers MBJ. Label-Free Identification of Carbonaceous Particles Using Nonlinear Optical Microscopy. Anal Chem 2023; 95:8045-8053. [PMID: 37172070 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The adverse health effects of ambient carbonaceous particles (CPs) such as carbon black (CB), black carbon (BC), and brown carbon (BrC) are becoming more evident and depend on their composition and emission source. Therefore, identifying and quantifying these particles in biological samples are important to better understand their toxicity. Here, we report the development of a nonlinear optical approach for the identification of CPs such as CB and BrC using imaging conditions compatible with biomedical samples. The unique visible light fingerprint of CB and BrC nanoparticles (NPs) upon illumination with a femtosecond (fs) pulsed laser at 1300 nm excitation wavelength is an effective approach for their identification in their biological context. The emission from spectral features of these CPs was investigated with time-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to further support their identification. This study is performed for different types of CPs embedded in agarose gel as well as in in vitro mammalian cells. The unique nonlinear emissive behavior of CP NPs used for their label-free identification is further complementary with fluorophores typically used for specific staining of biological samples thus providing the relevant bio-context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Aslam
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Bravo
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Indra Van Zundert
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Synthetic Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Susana Rocha
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten B J Roeffaers
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Nagrani R, Marron M, Bongaerts E, Nawrot TS, Ameloot M, de Hoogh K, Vienneau D, Lequy E, Jacquemin B, Guenther K, De Ruyter T, Mehlig K, Molnár D, Moreno LA, Russo P, Veidebaum T, Ahrens W, Buck C. Association of urinary and ambient black carbon, and other ambient air pollutants with risk of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120773. [PMID: 36455765 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The effects of exposure to black carbon (BC) on various diseases remains unclear, one reason being potential exposure misclassification following modelling of ambient air pollution levels. Urinary BC particles may be a more precise measure to analyze the health effects of BC. We aimed to assess the risk of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in relation to urinary BC particles and ambient BC and to compare their associations in 5453 children from IDEFICS/I. Family cohort. We determined the amount of BC particles in urine using label-free white-light generation under femtosecond pulsed laser illumination. We assessed annual exposure to ambient air pollutants (BC, PM2.5 and NO2) at the place of residence using land use regression models for Europe, and we calculated the residential distance to major roads (≤250 m vs. more). We analyzed the cross-sectional relationships between urinary BC and air pollutants (BC, PM2.5 and NO2) and distance to roads, and the associations of all these variables to the risk of prediabetes and MetS, using logistic and linear regression models. Though we did not observe associations between urinary and ambient BC in overall analysis, we observed a positive association between urinary and ambient BC levels in boys and in children living ≤250 m to a major road compared to those living >250 m away from a major road. We observed a positive association between log-transformed urinary BC particles and MetS (ORper unit increase = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.21; 2.45). An association between ambient BC and MetS was only observed in children living closer to a major road. Our findings suggest that exposure to BC (ambient and biomarker) may contribute to the risk of MetS in children. By measuring the internal dose, the BC particles in urine may have additionally captured non-residential sources and reduced exposure misclassification. Larger studies, with longitudinal design including measurement of urinary BC at multiple time-points are warranted to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajini Nagrani
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Manuela Marron
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzenstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzenstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emeline Lequy
- Unité "Cohortes en Population" UMS 011 Inserm/Université Paris-Cité/Université Paris Saclay/UVSQ Villejuif, France
| | - Bénédicte Jacquemin
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherché en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085,Rennes, France
| | - Kathrin Guenther
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Thaïs De Ruyter
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kirsten Mehlig
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dénes Molnár
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Luis A Moreno
- GENUD (Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón) Zaragoza, Spain and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, Avellino, Italy
| | | | - Wolfgang Ahrens
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany; Institute of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Bremen University, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christoph Buck
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
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17
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Cosemans C, Wang C, Martens DS, Janssen BG, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Smeets K, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M. In Utero Exposure to Air Pollutants and Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Neonates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:350-359. [PMID: 36516295 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are sensitive to oxidative stress, which can be caused by traffic-related air pollution. Placental mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been previously linked with air pollution. However, the relationship between prenatal air pollution and cord-blood mtDNA mutations has been poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that prenatal particulate matter (PM2.5) and NO2 exposures are associated with cord-blood mtDNA heteroplasmy. As part of the ENVIRONAGE cohort, 200 mother-newborn pairs were recruited. Cord-blood mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified by whole mitochondrial genome sequencing, and heteroplasmy levels were evaluated based on the variant allele frequency (VAF). Outdoor PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were determined by a high-resolution spatial-temporal interpolation method based on the maternal residential address. Distributed lag linear models were used to determine sensitive time windows for the association between NO2 exposure and cord-blood mtDNA heteroplasmy. A 5 μg/m3 increment in NO2 was linked with MT-D-Loop16311T>C heteroplasmy from gestational weeks 17-25. MT-CYTB14766C>T was negatively associated with NO2 exposure in mid pregnancy, from weeks 14-17, and positively associated in late pregnancy, from weeks 31-36. No significant associations were observed with prenatal PM2.5 exposure. This is the first study to show that prenatal NO2 exposure is associated with cord-blood mitochondrial mutations and suggests two critical windows of exposure in mid-to-late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cosemans
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Vanpoucke
- Belgian Interregional Environment Agency, IRCEL-CELINE, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Karen Smeets
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- School of Public Health, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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18
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Yu YL, Yang WY, Hara A, Asayama K, Roels HA, Nawrot TS, Staessen JA. Public and occupational health risks related to lead exposure updated according to present-day blood lead levels. Hypertens Res 2023; 46:395-407. [PMID: 36257978 PMCID: PMC9899691 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-022-01069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lead is an environmental hazard that should be addressed worldwide. Over time, human lead exposure in the western world has decreased drastically to levels comparable to those among humans living in the preindustrial era, who were mainly exposed to natural sources of lead. To re-evaluate the potential health risks associated with present-day lead exposure, a two-pronged approach was applied. First, recently published population metrics describing the adverse health effects associated with lead exposure at the population level were critically assessed. Next, the key results of the Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (SPHERL; NCT02243904) were summarized and put in perspective with those of the published population metrics. To our knowledge, SPHERL is the first prospective study that accounted for interindividual variability between people with respect to their vulnerability to the toxic effects of lead exposure by assessing the participants' health status before and after occupational lead exposure. The overall conclusion of this comprehensive review is that mainstream ideas about the public and occupational health risks related to lead exposure urgently need to be updated because a large portion of the available literature became obsolete given the sharp decrease in exposure levels over the past 40 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ling Yu
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wen-Yi Yang
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Department of Cardiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Azusa Hara
- grid.26091.3c0000 0004 1936 9959Division of Drug Development and Regulatory Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Asayama
- grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Harry A. Roels
- grid.12155.320000 0001 0604 5662Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Research Unit Environment and Health, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.12155.320000 0001 0604 5662Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jan A. Staessen
- Non-Profit Research Association Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine, Mechelen, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Biomedical Science Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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19
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Van Pee T, Hogervorst J, Dockx Y, Witters K, Thijs S, Wang C, Bongaerts E, Van Hamme JD, Vangronsveld J, Ameloot M, Raes J, Nawrot TS. Accumulation of Black Carbon Particles in Placenta, Cord Blood, and Childhood Urine in Association with the Intestinal Microbiome Diversity and Composition in Four- to Six-Year-Old Children in the ENVIR ONAGE Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:17010. [PMID: 36719212 PMCID: PMC9888258 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiome plays an essential role in human health. Despite the link between air pollution exposure and various diseases, its association with the gut microbiome during susceptible life periods remains scarce. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examined the association between black carbon particles quantified in prenatal and postnatal biological matrices and bacterial richness and diversity measures, and bacterial families. METHODS A total of 85 stool samples were collected from 4- to 6-y-old children enrolled in the ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing birth cohort. We performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to calculate bacterial richness and diversity indices (Chao1 richness, Shannon diversity, and Simpson diversity) and the relative abundance of bacterial families. Black carbon particles were quantified via white light generation under femtosecond pulsed laser illumination in placental tissue and cord blood, employed as prenatal exposure biomarkers, and in urine, used as a post-natal exposure biomarker. We used robust multivariable-adjusted linear models to examine the associations between quantified black carbon loads and measures of richness (Chao1 index) and diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices), adjusting for parity, season of delivery, sequencing batch, age, sex, weight and height of the child, and maternal education. Additionally, we performed a differential relative abundance analysis of bacterial families with a correction for sampling fraction bias. Results are expressed as percentage difference for a doubling in black carbon loads with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS Two diversity indices were negatively associated with placental black carbon [Shannon: -4.38% (95% CI: -8.31%, -0.28%); Simpson: -0.90% (95% CI: -1.76%, -0.04%)], cord blood black carbon [Shannon: -3.38% (95% CI: -5.66%, -0.84%); Simpson: -0.91 (95% CI: -1.66%, -0.16%)], and urinary black carbon [Shannon: -3.39% (95% CI: -5.77%, -0.94%); Simpson: -0.89% (95% CI: -1.37%, -0.40%)]. The explained variance of black carbon on the above indices varied from 6.1% to 16.6%. No statistically significant associations were found between black carbon load and the Chao1 richness index. After multiple testing correction, placental black carbon was negatively associated with relative abundance of the bacterial families Defluviitaleaceae and Marinifilaceae, and urinary black carbon with Christensenellaceae and Coriobacteriaceae; associations with cord blood black carbon were not statistically significant after correction. CONCLUSION Black carbon particles quantified in prenatal and postnatal biological matrices were associated with the composition and diversity of the childhood intestinal microbiome. These findings address the influential role of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and early life in human health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11257.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thessa Van Pee
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Janneke Hogervorst
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Katrien Witters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sofie Thijs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jonathan D Van Hamme
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jaco Vangronsveld
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Raes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Instituut, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Microbiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Rasking L, Roelens C, Sprangers B, Thienpont B, Nawrot TS, De Vusser K. Lupus, DNA Methylation, and Air Pollution: A Malicious Triad. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15050. [PMID: 36429769 PMCID: PMC9690025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains elusive to this day; however, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors have been implicated to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Recently, it was demonstrated that in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, interferon-regulated genes are hypomethylated in naïve CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B lymphocytes, and CD14+ monocytes. This suggests that interferon-regulated genes may have been epigenetically poised in SLE patients for rapid expression upon stimulation by different environmental factors. Additionally, environmental studies have identified DNA (hypo)methylation changes as a potential mechanism of environmentally induced health effects in utero, during childhood and in adults. Finally, epidemiologic studies have firmly established air pollution as a crucial SLE risk factor, as studies showed an association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and traditional SLE biomarkers related to disease flare, hospital admissions, and an increased SLEDAI score. In this review, the relationship between aberrant epigenetic regulation, the environment, and the development of SLE will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Céline Roelens
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Sprangers
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bernard Thienpont
- Department of Human Genetics, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Vusser
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Aslam I, Roeffaers MBJ. Carbonaceous Nanoparticle Air Pollution: Toxicity and Detection in Biological Samples. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12223948. [PMID: 36432235 PMCID: PMC9698098 DOI: 10.3390/nano12223948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Among the different air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of great concern due to its abundant presence in the atmosphere, which results in adverse effects on the environment and human health. The different components of PM can be classified based on their physicochemical properties. Carbonaceous particles (CPs) constitute a major fraction of ultrafine PM and have the most harmful effects. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the main components of CPs, e.g., carbon black (CB), black carbon (BC), and brown carbon (BrC), from natural and anthropogenic sources. The emission sources and the adverse effects of CPs on the environment and human health are discussed. Particularly, we provide a detailed overview of the reported toxic effects of CPs in the human body, such as respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, neurodegenerative effects, carcinogenic effects, etc. In addition, we also discuss the challenges faced by and limitations of the available analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative detection of CPs in atmospheric and biological samples. Considering the heterogeneous nature of CPs and biological samples, a detailed overview of different analytical techniques for the detection of CPs in (real-exposure) biological samples is also provided. This review provides useful insights into the classification, toxicity, and detection of CPs in biological samples.
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22
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De Ruyter T, Martens DS, Bijnens EM, Nawrot TS, De Henauw S, Michels N. A multi-exposure approach to study telomere dynamics in childhood: A role for residential green space and waist circumference. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113656. [PMID: 35691385 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are vulnerable to various environmental exposures and lifestyle factors, encompassed in the exposome. Recent research shows that telomere length is substantially determined early in life and that exposures in childhood may have important consequences in setting later life telomere length. OBJECTIVES We explore in a child population the associations of 17 exposures with telomere length and longitudinal telomere change. METHODS Children (2.8-10.3y at baseline, 51.3% boys) were followed-up for five to seven years. Relative telomere length was measured at baseline and follow-up using quantitative real-time PCR. Exposures and lifestyle factors included: body composition (body mass index and waist circumference), dietary habits (sugar- and fat-rich food intake, vegetables and fruit intake), psychosocial stress (events, emotions, behaviour), sleep duration, physical activity, and residential environmental quality (longterm black carbon, particulate matter exposure, and residential green space). Cross-sectional (n=182) and longitudinal (n=150) analyses were assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status and multiple testing. RESULTS Our longitudinal analyses showed that higher residential green space at baseline was associated with (β=0.261, p=0.002) lower telomere attrition and that children with a higher waist circumference at baseline showed a higher telomere attrition (β=-0.287, p=0.001). These two predictors were confirmed via LASSO variable selection and correction for multiple testing. In addition, children with more unhealthy exposures at baseline had a significantly higher telomere attrition over the follow-up period compared to children with more healthy exposures (β=-0.200, p=0.017). DISCUSSION Waist circumference and residential green space were identified as predictors associated with telomere attrition in childhood. These results further support the advantages of a healthy lifestyle from early age onwards and the importance of a green environment to promote molecular longevity from childhood onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs De Ruyter
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Bongaerts E, Lecante LL, Bové H, Roeffaers MBJ, Ameloot M, Fowler PA, Nawrot TS. Maternal exposure to ambient black carbon particles and their presence in maternal and fetal circulation and organs: an analysis of two independent population-based observational studies. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e804-e811. [PMID: 36208643 PMCID: PMC9553674 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal exposure to particulate air pollution during pregnancy has been linked to multiple adverse birth outcomes causing burden of disease later in the child's life. To date, there is a paucity of data on whether or not ambient particles can both reach and cross the human placenta to exert direct effects on fetal organ systems during gestation. METHODS In this analysis, we used maternal-perinatal and fetal samples collected within the framework of two independent studies: the ENVIRONAGE (Environmental Influences on Ageing in Early Life) birth cohort of mothers giving birth at the East-Limburg Hospital in Genk, Belgium, and the SAFeR (Scottish Advanced Fetal Research) cohort of terminated, normally progressing pregnancies among women aged 16 years and older in Aberdeen and the Grampian region, UK. From the ENVIRONAGE study, we included 60 randomly selected mother-neonate pairs, excluding all mothers who reported that they ever smoked. From the SAFeR study, we included 36 fetuses of gestational age 7-20 weeks with cotinine concentrations indicative of non-smoking status. We used white light generation under femtosecond pulsed illumination to detect black carbon particles in samples collected at the maternal-fetal interface. We did appropriate validation experiments of all samples to confirm the carbonaceous nature of the identified particles. FINDINGS We found evidence of the presence of black carbon particles in cord blood, confirming the ability of these particles to cross the placenta and enter the fetal circulation system. We also found a strong correlation (r ≥0·50; p<0·0001) between the maternal-perinatal particle load (in maternal blood [n=60], term placenta [n=60], and cord blood [n=60]) and residential ambient black carbon exposure during pregnancy. Additionally, we found the presence of black carbon particles in first and second trimester tissues (fetal liver [n=36], lung [n=36], and brain [n=14]) of electively terminated and normally progressing pregnancies from an independent study. INTERPRETATION We found that maternally inhaled carbonaceous air pollution particles can cross the placenta and then translocate into human fetal organs during gestation. These findings are especially concerning because this window of exposure is key to organ development. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of particle translocation. FUNDING European Research Council, Flemish Scientific Research Foundation, Kom op Tegen Kanker, UK Medical Research Council, and EU Horizon 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Hannelore Bové
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Cosemans C, Wang C, Alfano R, Martens DS, Sleurs H, Dockx Y, Vanbrabant K, Janssen BG, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Smeets K, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M. In utero particulate matter exposure in association with newborn mitochondrial ND4L 10550A>G heteroplasmy and its role in overweight during early childhood. Environ Health 2022; 21:88. [PMID: 36117180 PMCID: PMC9484069 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondria play an important role in the energy metabolism and are susceptible to environmental pollution. Prenatal air pollution exposure has been linked with childhood obesity. Placental mtDNA mutations have been associated with prenatal particulate matter exposure and MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy has been associated with BMI in adults. Therefore, we hypothesized that in utero PM2.5 exposure is associated with cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy and early life growth. In addition, the role of cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy in overweight during early childhood is investigated. METHODS This study included 386 mother-newborn pairs. Outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were determined at the maternal residential address. Cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy was determined using Droplet Digital PCR. Associations were explored using logistic regression models and distributed lag linear models. Mediation analysis was performed to quantify the effects of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on childhood overweight mediated by cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy. RESULTS Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with childhood overweight during the whole pregnancy (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.20 to 4.51; p = 0.01), which was mainly driven by the second trimester. In addition, prenatal PM2.5 exposure was associated with cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy from gestational week 9 - 13. The largest effect was observed in week 10, where a 5 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 was linked with cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.99). Cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy was also linked with childhood overweight (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.15 to 7.50; p = 0.02). The effect of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on childhood overweight was mainly direct (total effect OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.36; natural direct effect OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.36)) and was not mediated by cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy. CONCLUSIONS Cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy was linked with childhood overweight. In addition, in utero exposure to PM2.5 during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy in newborns. Our analysis did not reveal any mediation of cord blood MT-ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy in the association between PM2.5 exposure and childhood overweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cosemans
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Rossella Alfano
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hanne Sleurs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kenneth Vanbrabant
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO, Mol, Belgium
| | - Karen Smeets
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- School of Public Health, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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25
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Nauwelaerts SJD, Van Goethem N, Ureña BT, De Cremer K, Bernard A, Saenen ND, Nawrot TS, Roosens NHC, De Keersmaecker SCJ. Urinary CC16, a potential indicator of lung integrity and inflammation, increases in children after short-term exposure to PM 2.5/PM 10 and is driven by the CC16 38GG genotype. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113272. [PMID: 35439460 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Particular matter (PM) exposure is a big hazard for public health, especially for children. Serum CC16 is a well-known biomarker of respiratory health. Urinary CC16 (U-CC16) can be a noninvasive alternative, albeit requiring adequate adjustment for renal handling. Moreover, the SNP CC16 G38A influences CC16 levels. This study aimed to monitor the effect of short-term PM exposure on CC16 levels, measured noninvasively in schoolchildren, using an integrative approach. We used a selection of urine and buccal DNA samples from 86 children stored in an existing biobank. Using a multiple reaction monitoring method, we measured U-CC16, as well as RBP4 (retinol binding protein 4) and β2M (beta-2-microglobulin), required for adjustment. Buccal DNA samples were used for CC16 G38A genotyping. Linear mixed-effects models were used to find relevant associations between U-CC16 and previously obtained data from recent daily PM ≤ 2.5 or 10 μm exposure (PM2.5, PM10) modeled at the child's residence. Our study showed that exposure to low PM at the child's residence (median levels 18.9 μg/m³ (PM2.5) and 23.6 μg/m³ (PM10)) one day before sampling had an effect on the covariates-adjusted U-CC16 levels. This effect was dependent on the CC16 G38A genotype, due to its strong interaction with the association between PM levels and covariates-adjusted U-CC16 (P = 0.024 (PM2.5); P = 0.061 (PM10)). Only children carrying the 38GG genotype showed an increase of covariates-adjusted U-CC16, measured 24h after exposure, with increasing PM2.5 and PM10 (β = 0.332; 95% CI: 0.110 to 0.554 and β = 0.372; 95% CI: 0.101 to 0.643, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using an integrative approach to investigate short-term PM exposure of children, using urine to detect early signs of pulmonary damage, and taking into account important determinants such as the genetic background and adequate adjustment of the measured biomarker in urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J D Nauwelaerts
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, University Catholique de Louvain, Woluwe, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nina Van Goethem
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculty of Public Health, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Berta Tenas Ureña
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Koen De Cremer
- Platform Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alfred Bernard
- Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, University Catholique de Louvain, Woluwe, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nancy H C Roosens
- Transversal Activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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Rasking L, Koshy P, Bongaerts E, Bové H, Ameloot M, De Vusser K, Nawrot T. P11-11 Black carbon reaches the kidneys. Toxicol Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.07.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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27
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Aslam I, Fron E, Roeffaers MBJ. Label-free detection and size estimation of combustion-derived carbonaceous particles in a microfluidic approach. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:3272-3281. [PMID: 36132818 PMCID: PMC9419628 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00262k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Detection and size estimation of combustion-derived carbonaceous particles (CDCPs) are important to understand their toxicity. Size determination of individual nano- and microparticles (NMPs) based on scattered light is a straightforward method. However, detection and sizing of CDCPs in biological samples based on scattering alone are not possible due to the compositional heterogeneity of NMPs present in biological samples. Label-free identification of CDCPs based on unique white light (WL) emission, using femtosecond (fs) pulsed near-infrared (NIR) lasers, has emerged as a reliable method even in complex biological samples. However, size estimation of CDCPs in biological samples using label-free techniques is still lacking. Here we report the development of a dual-channel multiphoton flow cytometry (DCMPFC) setup for label-free identification and size-determination of CDCPs in suspensions. Scattering intensity calibration with reference polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (NPs) and Mie Theory allow us to determine the sizes of CDCPs in aqueous suspensions. Further, the relationship between particle sizes and WL emission intensity was determined, and the sizes of CDCPs in urine samples could also be estimated. This approach is believed to open new opportunities for the quantification and size determination of CDCPs, originating from exposure to air pollution, in liquid biopsies. This is an important step in determining the CDCP exposure of individual persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Aslam
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Eduard Fron
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Maarten B J Roeffaers
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
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28
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Pelgrims I, Devleesschauwer B, Keune H, Nawrot TS, Remmen R, Saenen ND, Thomas I, Gorasso V, Van der Heyden J, De Smedt D, De Clercq E. Validity of self-reported air pollution annoyance to assess long-term exposure to air pollutants in Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 210:113014. [PMID: 35218716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In epidemiological studies, assessment of long term exposure to air pollution is often estimated using air pollution measurements at fixed monitoring stations, and interpolated to the residence of survey participants through Geographical Information Systems (GIS). However, obtaining georeferenced address data from national registries requires a long and cumbersome administrative procedure, since this kind of personal data is protected by privacy regulations. This paper aims to assess whether information collected in health interview surveys, including air pollution annoyance, could be used to build prediction models for assessing individual long term exposure to air pollution, removing the need for data on personal residence address. Analyses were carried out based on data from the Belgian Health Interview Survey (BHIS) 2013 linked to GIS-modelled air pollution exposure at the residence place of participants older than 15 years (n = 9347). First, univariate linear regressions were performed to assess the relationship between air pollution annoyance and modelled exposure to each air pollutant. Secondly, a multivariable linear regression was performed for each air pollutant based on a set of variables selected with elastic net cross-validation, including variables related to environmental annoyance, socio-economic and health status of participants. Finally, the performance of the models to classify individuals in three levels of exposure was assessed by means of a confusion matrix. Our results suggest a limited validity of self-reported air pollution annoyance as a direct proxy for air pollution exposure and a weak contribution of environmental annoyance variables in prediction models. Models using variables related to the socio-economic status, region, urban level and environmental annoyance allow to predict individual air pollution exposure with a percentage of error ranging from 8% to 18%. Although these models do not provide very accurate predictions in terms of absolute exposure to air pollution, they do allow to classify individuals in groups of relative exposure levels, ranking participants from low over medium to high air pollution exposure. This model represents a rapid assessment tool to identify groups within the BHIS participants undergoing the highest levels of environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Pelgrims
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, BE-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hans Keune
- Centre of General Practice, Department Family and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, BE-2610, Antwerp, Belgium; Nature and Society, Own-Capital Research Institute for Nature and Forest (EV-INBO), Vlaams Administratief Centrum Herman, Teirlinckgebouw, Havenlaan 88 Bus 73, BE-1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan D, BE-3590, Diepenbeek, Hasselt, Belgium; Center for Environment and Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49-706, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roy Remmen
- Centre of General Practice, Department Family and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, BE-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan D, BE-3590, Diepenbeek, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Thomas
- Louvain Institute of Data Analysis and Modelling in Economics and Statistics, UCLouvain, Voie Du Roman Pays, 34 Bte L1.03.01, BE-1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Vanessa Gorasso
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johan Van der Heyden
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Delphine De Smedt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva De Clercq
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium
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Wang W, Lin Y, Yang H, Ling W, Liu L, Zhang W, Lu D, Liu Q, Jiang G. Internal Exposure and Distribution of Airborne Fine Particles in the Human Body: Methodology, Current Understandings, and Research Needs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6857-6869. [PMID: 35199997 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to airborne fine particles (PM2.5, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) severely threatens global human health. Understanding the distribution and processes of inhaled PM2.5 in the human body is crucial to clarify the causal links between PM2.5 pollution and diseases. In contrast to extensive research on the emission and formation of PM2.5 in the ambient environment, reports about the occurrence and fate of PM2.5 in humans are still limited, although many studies have focused on the exposure and adverse effects of PM2.5 with animal models. It has been shown that PM2.5, especially ultrafine particles (UFPs), have the potential to go across different biological barriers and translocate into different human organs (i.e., blood circulation, brain, heart, pleural cavity, and placenta). In this Perspective, we summarize the factors affecting the internal exposure of PM2.5 and the relevant analytical methodology and review current knowledge about the exposure pathways and distribution of PM2.5 in humans. We also discuss the research challenges and call for more studies on the identification and characterization of key toxic species of PM2.5, quantification of internal exposure doses in the general population, and further clarification of translocation, metabolism, and clearance pathways of PM2.5 in the human body. In this way, it is possible to develop toxicity-based air quality standards instead of the currently used mass-based standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yue Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Hang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Weibo Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Weican Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dawei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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Shi L, Qian Y, Shen Q, He Y, Jia Y, Wang F. The developmental toxicity and transcriptome analyses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exposed to carbon nanoparticles. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 234:113417. [PMID: 35304337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Long-term and short-term exposure to carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) can affect fetal development and subsequent adverse outcomes including preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, increased health risk linked to cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems in adulthood. The adverse developmental outcomes of CNPs were well known, but the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. In this study, zebrafish embryos were treated with CNPs of 50,100,200 μg/mL and the toxic effects were observed. Using the RNA-seq analysis approach, we examined the effects of CNPs (200 μg/mL) on gene expression in zebrafish embryos exposed from 4 to 96 h-post-fertilization (hpf). We observed that CNPs-treated embryos exhibited increased malformations and decreased hatching. A total of 236 differentially expressed genes were detected by transcriptome analyses, which were associated with phototransduction, amino acid metabolism, steroid and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Transcriptome results were verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Our results indicated that CNPs exposure was most likely to lead to differential gene changes in steroid and hormone biosynthesis pathways, thus inducing developmental toxicity such as delayed incubation of zebrafish embryos, increased malformation rate and multiple malformation phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Shi
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014040, PR China
| | - Yaru Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 10012, PR China
| | - Qian Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 10012, PR China
| | - Yanan He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 10012, PR China
| | - Yuqiao Jia
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014040, PR China.
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 10012, PR China.
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31
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Hautekiet P, Saenen ND, Demarest S, Keune H, Pelgrims I, Van der Heyden J, De Clercq EM, Nawrot TS. Air pollution in association with mental and self-rated health and the mediating effect of physical activity. Environ Health 2022; 21:29. [PMID: 35255905 PMCID: PMC8903639 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies showed that air pollution might play a role in the etiology of mental disorders. In this study we evaluated the association between air pollution and mental and self-rated health and the possible mediating effect of physical activity in this association. METHODS In 2008, 2013 and 2018 the Belgian Health Interview Survey (BHIS) enrolled 16,455 participants who completed following mental health dimensions: psychological distress, suboptimal vitality, suicidal ideation, and depressive and generalized anxiety disorder and self-rated health. Annual exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) were estimated at the participants' residence by a high resolution spatiotemporal model. Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out taking into account a priori selected covariates. RESULTS Long-term exposure to PM2.5, BC and NO2 averaged 14.5, 1.4, and 21.8 µg/m3, respectively. An interquartile range (IQR) increment in PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher odds of suboptimal vitality (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.42), poor self-rated health (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.32) and depressive disorder (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.41). Secondly, an association was found between BC exposure and higher odds of poor self-rated health and depressive and generalized anxiety disorder and between NO2 exposure and higher odds of psychological distress, suboptimal vitality and poor self-rated health. No association was found between long-term ambient air pollution and suicidal ideation or severe psychological distress. The mediation analysis suggested that between 15.2% (PM2.5-generalized anxiety disorder) and 40.1% (NO2-poor self-rated health) of the association may be mediated by a difference in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Long-term exposure to PM2.5, BC or NO2 was adversely associated with multiple mental health dimensions and self-rated health and part of the association was mediated by physical activity. Our results suggest that policies aiming to reduce air pollution levels could also reduce the burden of mental health disorders in Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Hautekiet
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Stefaan Demarest
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hans Keune
- Centre of General Practice, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
- Nature and Society, Own-Capital Research Institute for Nature and Forest (EV-INBO), Vlaams Administratief Centrum Herman, Teirlinckgebouw, Havenlaan 88 bus 73, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Pelgrims
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Johan Van der Heyden
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva M De Clercq
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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32
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Dockx Y, Bijnens EM, Luyten L, Peusens M, Provost E, Rasking L, Sleurs H, Hogervorst J, Plusquin M, Casas L, Nawrot TS. Early life exposure to residential green space impacts cognitive functioning in children aged 4 to 6 years. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 161:107094. [PMID: 35074632 PMCID: PMC8885429 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During early childhood, neuronal networks are highly susceptible to environmental factors. Previous research suggests that green space exposure is beneficial for cognitive functioning. Here, we investigate the associations between residential green space exposure and behavioral problems and cognitive development in children aged four to six years. METHOD We included children participating in the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. Residential green spaces were calculated based on high-resolution land cover data within several buffers (50-1,000 m) around the residence. The children's behavior was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) among 411 children. In addition, to evaluate cognitive function, 456 children completed four tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). We used multivariate logistic and linear regression models while accounting for potential confounders and covariables. RESULTS An interquartile (IQR) increase of residential green space within 50 m was associated with a 38% (95% CI: 56;14) lower odds of a child having hyperactivity problems. Additionally, we found a beneficial influence of residential green space in close proximity (50-100 m) on the attention and psychomotor speed, represented by the Motor Screening Task. For example, we found a decrease of 0.45 (95% CI: -0.82;-0.09) pixel units from target center with an IQR increase of residential green space in a 50 m buffer. In addition, we observed an improved visual recognition/working memory, represented by the Delayed Matching to Sample Task within all included buffers (50-1000 m). For example, we observed a decrease of 4.91% (95 %CI: -7.46;-2.36) probability of an error occurring if the previous trial was correct and a 2.02% (95 %CI: 0.08; 3.97) increase of correct trials with an IQR increase of green space within a 100 m buffer. CONCLUSION This study provides additional indications for a beneficial influence of green space exposure on the development of behavioral problems and cognitive function as young as four years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leen Luyten
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Martien Peusens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Eline Provost
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hanne Sleurs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Janneke Hogervorst
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lidia Casas
- Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Insitute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven)
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven).
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Rasking L, Vanbrabant K, Bové H, Plusquin M, De Vusser K, Roels HA, Nawrot TS. Adverse Effects of fine particulate matter on human kidney functioning: a systematic review. Environ Health 2022; 21:24. [PMID: 35135544 PMCID: PMC8822715 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00827-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient fine particulate matter (PM < 2.5 μm, PM2.5) is gaining increasing attention as an environmental risk factor for health. The kidneys are considered a particularly vulnerable target to the toxic effects that PM2.5 exerts. Alteration of kidney function may lead to a disrupted homeostasis, affecting disparate tissues in the body. This review intends to summarize all relevant knowledge published between January 2000 and December 2021 on the effects of ambient PM2.5 and the adverse effects on kidney function in adults (≥ 18 years). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Studies published in peer-reviewed journals, written in English, regarding the effects of PM2.5 on kidney function and the development and/or exacerbation of kidney disease(s) were included. Of the 587 nonduplicate studies evaluated, 40 were included, comprising of studies on healthy or diagnosed with pre-existing disease (sub)populations. Most of the studies were cohort studies (n = 27), followed by 10 cross-sectional, 1 ecological and 2 time-series studies. One longitudinal study was considered intermediate risk of bias, the other included studies were considered low risk of bias. A large portion of the studies (n = 36) showed that PM2.5 exposure worsened kidney outcome(s) investigated; however, some studies show contradictory results. Measurement of the estimated glomerular filtration rate, for instance, was found to be positively associated (n = 8) as well as negatively associated (n = 4) with PM2.5. LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSION The main limitations of the included studies include residual confounding (e.g., smoking) and lack of individual exposure levels. The majority of included studies focused on specific subpopulations, which may limit generalizability. Evidence of the detrimental effects that ambient PM2.5 may exert on kidney function is emerging. However, further investigations are required to determine how and to what extent air pollution, specifically PM2.5, exerts adverse effects on the kidney and alters its function. REGISTRATION The systematic review protocol was submitted and published by the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020175615 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kenneth Vanbrabant
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Bové
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Vusser
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harry A Roels
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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The EXIMIOUS project—Mapping exposure-induced immune effects: connecting the exposome and the immunome. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e193. [PMID: 35169671 PMCID: PMC8835560 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated, noncommunicable diseases—such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases—are chronic disorders, in which the interaction between environmental exposures and the immune system plays an important role. The prevalence and societal costs of these diseases are rising in the European Union. The EXIMIOUS consortium—gathering experts in immunology, toxicology, occupational health, clinical medicine, exposure science, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and sensor development—will study eleven European study populations, covering the entire lifespan, including prenatal life. Innovative ways of characterizing and quantifying the exposome will be combined with high-dimensional immunophenotyping and -profiling platforms to map the immune effects (immunome) induced by the exposome. We will use two main approaches that “meet in the middle”—one starting from the exposome, the other starting from health effects. Novel bioinformatics tools, based on systems immunology and machine learning, will be used to integrate and analyze these large datasets to identify immune fingerprints that reflect a person’s lifetime exposome or that are early predictors of disease. This will allow researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to grasp the impact of the exposome on the immune system at the level of individuals and populations.
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Wallach ES, Lam NL, Nuwagira E, Muyanja D, Tayebwa M, Valeri L, Tsai AC, Vallarino J, Allen J, Lai PS. Effect of a solar lighting intervention on fuel-based lighting use and exposure to household air pollution in rural Uganda: A randomized controlled trial. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12986. [PMID: 35225388 PMCID: PMC9059846 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Solar lighting is an alternative to polluting kerosene and other fuel-based lighting devices relied upon by millions of families in resource-limited settings. Whether solar lighting provides sustained displacement of fuel-based lighting sources and reductions in personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2 .5 ) and black carbon (BC) has not been examined in randomized controlled trials. Eighty adult women living in rural Uganda who utilized fuel-based (candles and kerosene lamps) and/or clean (solar, grid, and battery-powered devices) lighting were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a home solar lighting system at no cost to study participants (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03351504). Among intervention group participants, kerosene lamps were completely displaced in 92% of households using them. The intervention led to an average exposure reduction of 36.1 μg/m3 (95% CI -70.3 to -2.0) in PM2 .5 and 10.8 μg/m3 (95% CI -17.6 to -4.1) in BC, corresponding to a reduction from baseline of 37% and 91%, respectively. Reductions were greatest among participants using kerosene lamps. Displacement of kerosene lamps and personal exposure reductions were sustained over 12 months of follow-up. Solar lighting presents an immediate opportunity for achieving sustained reductions in personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC and should be considered in household air pollution intervention packages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli S. Wallach
- Schatz Energy Research Center, Humboldt State University
| | | | | | | | | | - Linda Valeri
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
| | - Alexander C. Tsai
- Mass General Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
| | - Jose Vallarino
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| | - Joseph Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
| | - Peggy S. Lai
- Harvard Medical School
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Sripada K, Wierzbicka A, Abass K, Grimalt JO, Erbe A, Röllin HB, Weihe P, Díaz GJ, Singh RR, Visnes T, Rautio A, Odland JØ, Wagner M. A Children's Health Perspective on Nano- and Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:15001. [PMID: 35080434 PMCID: PMC8791070 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy, infancy, and childhood are sensitive windows for environmental exposures. Yet the health effects of exposure to nano- and microplastics (NMPs) remain largely uninvestigated or unknown. Although plastic chemicals are a well-established research topic, the impacts of plastic particles are unexplored, especially with regard to early life exposures. OBJECTIVES This commentary aims to summarize the knowns and unknowns around child- and pregnancy-relevant exposures to NMPs via inhalation, placental transfer, ingestion and breastmilk, and dermal absorption. METHODS A comprehensive literature search to map the state of the science on NMPs found 37 primary research articles on the health relevance of NMPs during early life and revealed major knowledge gaps in the field. We discuss opportunities and challenges for quantifying child-specific exposures (e.g., NMPs in breastmilk or infant formula) and health effects, in light of global inequalities in baby bottle use, consumption of packaged foods, air pollution, hazardous plastic disposal, and regulatory safeguards. We also summarize research needs for linking child health and NMP exposures and address the unknowns in the context of public health action. DISCUSSION Few studies have addressed child-specific sources of exposure, and exposure estimates currently rely on generic assumptions rather than empirical measurements. Furthermore, toxicological research on NMPs has not specifically focused on child health, yet children's immature defense mechanisms make them particularly vulnerable. Apart from few studies investigating the placental transfer of NMPs, the physicochemical properties (e.g., polymer, size, shape, charge) driving the absorption, biodistribution, and elimination in early life have yet to be benchmarked. Accordingly, the evidence base regarding the potential health impacts of NMPs in early life remains sparse. Based on the evidence to date, we provide recommendations to fill research gaps, stimulate policymakers and industry to address the safety of NMPs, and point to opportunities for families to reduce early life exposures to plastic. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9086.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam Sripada
- Centre for Digital Life Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Aneta Wierzbicka
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Centre for Healthy Indoor Environments, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Khaled Abass
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Pesticides, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Joan O. Grimalt
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andreas Erbe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Halina B. Röllin
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Environment and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroese Hospital System, Faroe Islands
| | - Gabriela Jiménez Díaz
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Randolph Reyes Singh
- Laboratoire Biogéochimie des Contaminants Organiques, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, Nantes, France
| | - Torkild Visnes
- Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Arja Rautio
- Arctic Health, Thule Institute, University of Oulu and University of the Arctic, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jon Øyvind Odland
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of General Hygiene, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Pero-Gascon R, Hemeryck LY, Poma G, Falony G, Nawrot TS, Raes J, Vanhaecke L, De Boevre M, Covaci A, De Saeger S. FLEXiGUT: Rationale for exposomics associations with chronic low-grade gut inflammation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106906. [PMID: 34607040 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
FLEXiGUT is the first large-scale exposomics study focused on chronic low-grade inflammation. It aims to characterize human life course environmental exposure to assess and validate its impact on gut inflammation and related biological processes and diseases. The cumulative influences of environmental and food contaminants throughout the lifespan on certain biological responses related to chronic gut inflammation will be investigated in two Flemish prospective cohorts, namely the "ENVIRONAGE birth cohort", which provides follow-up from gestation to early childhood, and the "Flemish Gut Flora Project longitudinal cohort", a cohort of adults. The exposome will be characterised through biomonitoring of legacy and emerging contaminants, mycotoxins and markers of air pollution, by analysing the available metadata on nutrition, location and activity, and by applying state-of-the-art -omics techniques, including metagenomics, metabolomics and DNA adductomics, as well as the assessment of telomere length and measurement of inflammatory markers, to encompass both exposure and effect. Associations between exposures and health outcomes will be uncovered using an integrated -omics data analysis framework comprising data exploration, pre-processing, dimensionality reduction and data mining, combined with machine learning-based pathway analysis approaches. This is expected to lead to a more profound insight in mechanisms underlying disease progression (e.g. metabolic disorders, food allergies, gastrointestinal cancers) and/or accelerated biological ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Pero-Gascon
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Lieselot Y Hemeryck
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gwen Falony
- Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Microbiology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Raes
- Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Center for Microbiology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lynn Vanhaecke
- Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marthe De Boevre
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Qvarfordt M, Anderson M, Sanchez-Crespo A, Diakopoulou M, Svartengren M. Pulmonary translocation of ultrafine carbon particles in COPD and IPF patients. Inhal Toxicol 2021; 34:14-23. [PMID: 34969348 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2021.2019859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological studies indicate association between elevated air pollution and adverse health effects. Several mechanisms have been suggested, including translocation of inhaled ultrafine carbon (UFC) particles into the bloodstream. Previous studies in healthy subjects have shown no significant pulmonary translocation of UFC-particles. This study aimed to assess if UFC-particles translocate from damaged alveolar compartment in subjects suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS Eleven COPD and nine IPF subjects were exposed to a 100 nm UFC-particle-aerosol labeled with Indium-111. Activity in the body was followed up for 10 days using gamma camera planar-imaging as well as in blood and urine samples. RESULTS The pulmonary central to periphery activity ratio was significantly higher for COPD as compared to IPF subjects at exposure, 1.8 and 1.4, respectively and remained constant throughout the test period. Ten days after exposure, the estimated median pulmonary translocation of UFC particles was 22.8 and 25.8% for COPD and IPF, respectively. Bound activity was present in blood throughout the test period, peaking at 24-h postinhalation with a median concentration of 5.6 and 8.9 Bq/ml for the COPD and IPF, respectively. Median bound activity excreted in urine (% of inhaled) after 10 days was 1.4% in COPD and 0.7% in IPF. Activity accumulation in liver and spleen could not be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that UFC particles leak through the damaged alveolar barrier to the bloodstream in COPD and IPF patients probably distributing in a wide spectrum of whole-body tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Anderson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Crespo
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medical Radiation Physics & Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Diakopoulou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Witters K, Dockx Y, Op't Roodt J, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS. Dynamics of skin microvascular blood flow in 4-6-year-old children in association with pre- and postnatal black carbon and particulate air pollution exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106799. [PMID: 34358916 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiovascular health in adulthood, particularly that of the microcirculation, could find its roots during prenatal development. In this study, we investigated the association between pre- and postnatal air pollution exposure on heat-induced skin hyperemia as a dynamic marker of the microvasculature. METHODS In 139 children between the ages of 4 and 6 who are followed longitudinally within the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, we measured skin perfusion by Laser Doppler probes using the Periflux6000. Residential black carbon (BC), particulate (PM10 and PM2.5) air pollution, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were modelled for each participant's home address using a high-resolution spatiotemporal model for multiple time windows. We assessed the association between skin hyperemia and pre- and postnatal air pollution using multiple regression models while adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS Residential BC exposure during the whole pregnancy averaged (IQR) 1.42 (1.22-1.58) µg/m3, PM10 18.88 (16.64 - 21.13) µg/m3, PM2.5 13.67 (11.5 - 15.56) µg/m3 and NO2 18.39 (15.52 - 20.31) µg/m3. An IQR increment in BC exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with an 11.5 % (95% CI: -20.1 to -1.9; p = 0.020) lower skin hyperemia. Similar effect estimates were retrieved for PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 (respectively 13.9 % [95% CI: -21.9 to -3.0; p = 0.003], 17.0 % [95% CI: -26.7 to -6.1; p = 0.004] and 12.7% [95 % CI: -22.2 to -1.9; p = 0.023] lower skin hyperemia). In multipollutant models, PM2.5 showed the strongest inverse association with skin hyperemia. Postnatal exposure to BC, PM10, PM2.5 or NO2, was not associated with skin hyperemia at the age of 4 to 6, and did not alter the previous reported prenatal associations when taken into account. CONCLUSION Our findings support that BC, particulate air pollution, and NO2 exposure, even at low concentrations, during prenatal life, can have long-lasting consequences for the microvasculature. This proposes a role of prenatal air pollution exposures over and beyond postnatal exposure in the microvascular alterations which were persistent into childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Witters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Jos Op't Roodt
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Wouter Lefebvre
- Health unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Jaco Vangronsveld
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Herestraat 49-box706, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Bourdrel T. Air pollution: The most important environmental threat to the cardiovascular system. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2021; 32:499-500. [PMID: 34678421 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bourdrel
- CNRS, IMIS, ICube Laboratory, UMR 7357, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France.
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Verheyen VJ, Remy S, Bijnens EM, Colles A, Govarts E, Martin LR, Koppen G, Bruckers L, Nielsen F, Vos S, Morrens B, Coertjens D, De Decker A, Franken C, Den Hond E, Nelen V, Covaci A, Loots I, De Henauw S, van Larebeke N, Teughels C, Nawrot TS, Schoeters G. Long-term residential exposure to air pollution is associated with hair cortisol concentration and differential leucocyte count in Flemish adolescent boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111595. [PMID: 34186082 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to air pollution and traffic noise are associated with adverse health outcomes in adolescents. Chronic endocrine stress and systemic inflammation have been hypothesized to underlie the adverse health effects. Simultaneous assessment of inflammation and chronic endocrine stress in epidemiological studies is lacking. The aim of the study was to investigate biomarkers of chronic endocrine stress and inflammation in relation to long-term residential exposure to air pollution and traffic noise in adolescents. METHODS In Flemish adolescents (14-15 years), we determined hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a chronic stress biomarker in 3-cm scalp-near hair sections (n = 395), and leucocyte and leucocyte subtype counts (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes) as inflammatory biomarkers in peripheral blood (n = 385). Daily particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and black carbon (BC) concentrations were modelled at the residential address and averaged over 3-month and 1-year periods prior to sampling. Residential traffic noise level was estimated and classified in 5 dB intervals. Sex-specific associations between residential exposures and effect biomarkers were studied using linear regression models, adjusted for a priori selected covariates. RESULTS In boys, HCC increased with a factor 1.30 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.54) for an increase in 1-year mean NO2 from the 25th to 75th percentile (p75/p25), after adjustment for age, BMI, personal and neighborhood socioeconomic status. The corresponding estimate for PM10 was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.51). Total leucocyte count in boys, adjusted for the aforementioned covariates and recent health complaints, was positively associated with PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and BC. In particular, the neutrophil count increased with a factor 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.19) for a (p75/p25)-factor increase in 1-year mean BC, corresponding estimates for PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 were 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.19), 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.20) and 1.08 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.16). Lymphocyte count increased with a factor 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10) for a (p75/p25)-factor increase in 1-year mean NO2. Similar results were observed for 3-month mean exposures. Results were robust to adjustment for recent air pollution exposure. In girls, air pollutants were not associated with HCC or differential leucocyte count. Residential traffic noise level was not associated with HCC or leucocyte counts in boys nor girls. CONCLUSIONS Long-term residential exposure to air pollutants was positively associated with chronic endocrine stress and inflammation in adolescent boys, not in girls. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the early pathophysiological changes that may underlie adverse health effects of air pollution exposure in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerle J Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Laura Rodriguez Martin
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- I-BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Institute of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 17A, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Stijn Vos
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bert Morrens
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dries Coertjens
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annelies De Decker
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Franken
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilse Loots
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nicolas van Larebeke
- Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Radiotherapy and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Teughels
- Flemish Planning Bureau for the Environment and Spatial Development, Koning Albert II laan 20, bus 8, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
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42
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Aslam I, Roeffaers MBJ. Unique emissive behavior of combustion-derived particles under illumination with femtosecond pulsed near-infrared laser light. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:5355-5362. [PMID: 36132640 PMCID: PMC9417851 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00248a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to combustion-derived particles (CDPs), such as carbonaceous particulate matter (PM), has adverse effects on human health. Hence, selective detection of these particles in biological environments is required to understand their toxicity. The optical detection of carbonaceous PM is possible in biological samples based on white light (WL) emission under illumination with a femtosecond (fs) pulsed near-infrared (NIR) laser. However, it is unclear if common non-CDPs in ambient PM, such as silica and metal oxides, can interfere with CDP detection when illuminated using a fs-pulsed NIR laser. Here, we show that WL emission, when illuminated with a fs-pulsed NIR laser, is observed only for CDPs amongst other common air pollution particles. We report that the intense WL emission from CDPs spanning over the whole visible spectrum is not observed from non-CDPs. This observation is made for four different CDPs and five different, relevant non-CDPs, in wet and dried samples using biologically relevant imaging conditions. This investigation confirms the uniqueness of WL emission as a selective detection mechanism of CDPs using a multiphoton microscopy platform, commonly available in research laboratories. Furthermore, some relevant signatures for the non-CDPs are provided that could potentially lead to the selective monitoring of pollution related nanoparticles (NPs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Aslam
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Maarten B J Roeffaers
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
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43
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Feng YM, Thijs L, Zhang ZY, Bijnens EM, Yang WY, Wei FF, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS, Staessen JA. Glomerular function in relation to fine airborne particulate matter in a representative population sample. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14646. [PMID: 34282189 PMCID: PMC8290004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94136-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
From 1990 until 2017, global air-pollution related mortality increased by 40%. Few studies addressed the renal responses to ultrafine particulate [≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5)], including black carbon (BC), which penetrate into the blood stream. In a Flemish population study, glomerular filtration estimated from serum creatinine (eGFR) and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were measured in 2005–2009 in 820 participants (women, 50.7%; age, 51.1 years) with follow-up of 523 after 4.7 years (median). Serum creatinine, eGFR, chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and microalbuminuria (> 3.5/> 2.5 mg per mmol creatinine in women/men) were correlated in individual participants via their residential address with PM2.5 [median 13.1 (range 0.3–2.9) μg/m3] and BC [1.1 (0.3–18) μg/m3], using mixed models accounting for address clusters. Cross-sectional and longitudinally, no renal outcome was associated with PM2.5 or BC in models adjusted for sex and baseline or time varying covariables, including age, blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, plasma glucose, the total-to-HDL serum cholesterol ratio, alcohol intake, smoking, physical activity, socioeconomic class, and antihypertensive treatment. The subject-level geocorrelations of eGFR change with to BC and PM2.5 were 0.13 and 0.02, respectively (P ≥ 0.68). In conclusion, in a population with moderate exposure, renal function was unrelated to ultrafine particulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Mei Feng
- Department of Science and Technology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. .,Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Lutgarde Thijs
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zhen-Yu Zhang
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Center for Environment Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Wen-Yi Yang
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Fei Wei
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Center for Environment Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Center for Environment Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jan A Staessen
- Non-Profit Research Institute Alliance for the Promotion of Preventive Medicine, Mechlin, Belgium. .,Biomedical Sciences Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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44
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Bongaerts E, Aengenheister L, Dugershaw BB, Manser P, Roeffaers MBJ, Ameloot M, Nawrot TS, Bové H, Buerki-Thurnherr T. Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:144. [PMID: 34001140 PMCID: PMC8130319 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00886-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant women and developing fetuses comprise a particularly vulnerable population as multiple studies have shown associations between prenatal air pollution exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying the observed developmental toxicity are mostly unknown, in particular, if pollution particles can cross the human placenta to reach the fetal circulation. Results Here, we investigated the accumulation and translocation of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), as a model particle for combustion-derived pollution, in human perfused placentae using label-free detection by femtosecond pulsed laser illumination. The results do not reveal a significant particle transfer across term placentae within 6 h of perfusion. However, DEPs accumulate in placental tissue, especially in the syncytiotrophoblast layer that mediates a wealth of essential functions to support and maintain a successful pregnancy. Furthermore, DEPs are found in placental macrophages and fetal endothelial cells, showing that some particles can overcome the syncytiotrophoblasts to reach the fetal capillaries. Few particles are also observed inside fetal microvessels. Conclusions Overall, we show that DEPs accumulate in key cell types of the placental tissue and can cross the human placenta, although in limited amounts. These findings are crucial for risk assessment and protection of pregnant women and highlight the urgent need for further research on the direct and indirect placenta-mediated developmental toxicity of ambient particulates. ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00886-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bongaerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Leonie Aengenheister
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Battuja B Dugershaw
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Pius Manser
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcel Ameloot
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 703, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Bové
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium. .,Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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Pelgrims I, Devleesschauwer B, Guyot M, Keune H, Nawrot TS, Remmen R, Saenen ND, Trabelsi S, Thomas I, Aerts R, De Clercq EM. Association between urban environment and mental health in Brussels, Belgium. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:635. [PMID: 33794817 PMCID: PMC8015067 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10557-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health disorders appear as a growing problem in urban areas. While common mental health disorders are generally linked to demographic and socioeconomic factors, little is known about the interaction with the urban environment. With growing urbanization, more and more people are exposed to environmental stressors potentially contributing to increased stress and impairing mental health. It is therefore important to identify features of the urban environment that affect the mental health of city dwellers. The aim of this study was to define associations of combined long-term exposure to air pollution, noise, surrounding green at different scales, and building morphology with several dimensions of mental health in Brussels. Methods Research focuses on the inhabitants of the Brussels Capital Region older than 15 years. The epidemiological study was carried out based on the linkage of data from the national health interview surveys (2008 and 2013) and specifically developed indicators describing each participant’s surroundings in terms of air quality, noise, surrounding green, and building morphology. These data are based on the geographical coordinates of the participant’s residence and processed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Mental health status was approached through several validated indicators: the Symptom Checklist-90-R subscales for depressive, anxiety and sleeping disorders and the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire for general well-being. For each mental health outcome, single and multi-exposure models were performed through multivariate logistic regressions. Results Our results suggest that traffic-related air pollution (black carbon, NO2, PM10) exposure was positively associated with higher odds of depressive disorders. No association between green surrounding, noise, building morphology and mental health could be demonstrated. Conclusions These findings have important implications because most of the Brussel’s population resides in areas where particulate matters concentrations are above the World Health Organization guidelines. This suggests that policies aiming to reduce traffic related-air pollution could also reduce the burden of depressive disorders in Brussels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10557-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Pelgrims
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium. .,Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Hoogbouw, BE-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Madeleine Guyot
- Louvain Institute of Data Analysis and Modelling in Economics and Statistics, UCLouvain, Voie du Roman Pays, 34 bte L1.03.01, BE-1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Hans Keune
- Nature and Society, Own-Capital Research Institute for Nature and Forest (EV-INBO), Vlaams Administratief Centrum Herman Teirlinckgebouw, Havenlaan 88 bus 73, BE-1000, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre of General Practice, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, BE-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan D, BE-3590, Hasselt, Belgium.,Center for Environment and Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49-706, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roy Remmen
- Centre of General Practice, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, BE-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan D, BE-3590, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sonia Trabelsi
- Louvain Institute of Data Analysis and Modelling in Economics and Statistics, UCLouvain, Voie du Roman Pays, 34 bte L1.03.01, BE-1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Thomas
- Louvain Institute of Data Analysis and Modelling in Economics and Statistics, UCLouvain, Voie du Roman Pays, 34 bte L1.03.01, BE-1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.,Fund of scientific research, FNRS, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Raf Aerts
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan D, BE-3590, Hasselt, Belgium.,Division Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Kasteelpark Arenberg 31-2435, BE-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva M De Clercq
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, BE-1050, Brussels, Belgium
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Lequy E, Siemiatycki J, de Hoogh K, Vienneau D, Dupuy JF, Garès V, Hertel O, Christensen JH, Zhivin S, Goldberg M, Zins M, Jacquemin B. Contribution of Long-Term Exposure to Outdoor Black Carbon to the Carcinogenicity of Air Pollution: Evidence regarding Risk of Cancer in the Gazel Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:37005. [PMID: 33759553 PMCID: PMC7989243 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Black carbon (BC), a component of fine particulate matter [particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5)], may contribute to carcinogenic effects of air pollution. Until recently however, there has been little evidence to evaluate this hypothesis. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the associations between long-term exposure to BC and risk of cancer. This study was conducted within the French Gazel cohort of 20,625 subjects. METHODS We assessed exposure to BC by linking subjects' histories of residential addresses to a map of European black carbon levels in 2010 with back- and forward-extrapolation between 1989 and 2015. We used extended Cox models, with attained age as time-scale and time-varying cumulative exposure to BC, adjusted for relevant sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. To consider latency between exposure and cancer diagnosis, we implemented a 10-y lag, and as a sensitivity analysis, a lag of 2 y. To isolate the effect of BC from that of total PM2.5, we regressed BC on PM2.5 and used the residuals as the exposure variable. RESULTS During the 26-y follow-up period, there were 3,711 incident cancer cases (all sites combined) and 349 incident lung cancers. Median baseline exposure in 1989 was 2.65 10-5/m [interquartile range (IQR): 2.23-3.33], which generally slightly decreased over time. Using 10 y as a lag-time in our models, the adjusted hazard ratio per each IQR increase of the natural log-transformed cumulative BC was 1.17 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.29) for all-sites cancer combined and 1.31 (0.93, 1.83) for lung cancer. Associations with BC residuals were also positive for both outcomes. Using 2 y as a lag-time, the results were similar. DISCUSSION Our findings for a cohort of French adults suggest that BC may partly explain the association between PM2.5 and lung cancer. Additional studies are needed to confirm our results and further disentangle the effects of BC, total PM2.5, and other constituents. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8719.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeline Lequy
- UMS 011, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm), Villejuif, France
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l’université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jack Siemiatycki
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l’université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kees de Hoogh
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Valérie Garès
- UMR 6625 IRMAR, INSA, CNRS, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Ole Hertel
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Sergey Zhivin
- UMS 011, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm), Villejuif, France
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- UMS 011, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm), Villejuif, France
| | - Marie Zins
- UMS 011, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm), Villejuif, France
| | - Bénédicte Jacquemin
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) – UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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Neven KY, Wang C, Janssen BG, Roels HA, Vanpoucke C, Ruttens A, Nawrot TS. Ambient air pollution exposure during the late gestational period is linked with lower placental iodine load in a Belgian birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106334. [PMID: 33360673 PMCID: PMC7816215 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adequate intake of iodine is required for the production of thyroid hormones and contributes in pregnant women to a healthy brain development and growth in their offspring. To date, some evidence exists that fine particulate air pollution is linked with the fetal thyroid hormone homeostasis. However, possible effects of air pollutants on the placental iodine storage have not been investigated so far. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between air pollution exposure to particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), NO2, and black carbon and the placental iodine load. METHODS The current study is part of the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort and included 470 mother-newborn pairs. Iodine concentrations were measured in placental tissue. A high-resolution air pollution model was used to estimate the daily exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and black carbon over the entire pregnancy based on the maternal residential addresses. Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) were used to estimate gestational week-specific associations between placental iodine concentrations and the air pollutants to understand the impact of specific exposure windows. RESULTS PM2.5 showed a positive association with placental iodine concentration between the 16th and 22nd week of gestation. In contrast, a significant inverse association between PM2.5 and placental iodine concentration was observed in gestational weeks 29-35. The effect estimate, for a 5 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 concentration, was the strongest at week 32 (β -0.11 µg/kg; 95%CI: -0.18 to -0.03). No associations were observed between placental iodine concentrations and NO2 or black carbon. Assuming causality, we estimated that placental iodine mediated 26% (-0.33 pmol/L; 95%CI: -0.70 to 0.04 pmol/L) of the estimated effect of a 5 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 exposure on cord blood free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations. CONCLUSION In utero exposure to particulate matter during the third trimester of pregnancy is linked with a lower placental iodine load. Furthermore, the effect of air pollution on cord blood FT4 levels was partially mediated by the placental iodine load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Y Neven
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Harry A Roels
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Ann Ruttens
- SD, Chemical, and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium.
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48
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Hautekiet P, Nawrot TS, Janssen BG, Martens DS, De Clercq EM, Dadvand P, Plusquin M, Bijnens EM, Saenen ND. Child buccal telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content as biomolecular markers of ageing in association with air pollution. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106332. [PMID: 33388564 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pro-inflammatory conditions such as air pollution might induce biological ageing. However, the available evidence on such an impact in children is still very scarce. We studied in primary schoolchildren the association of ambient residential air pollution exposure with telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc), two important targets of the core axis of ageing. METHODS Between 2012 and 2014, buccal TL and mtDNAc were repeatedly assessed using qPCR in 197 Belgian primary schoolchildren (mean age 10.3 years) as part of the COGNAC study. At the child's residence, recent (week), sub-chronic (month) and chronic (year) exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) were estimated using a high resolution spatiotemporal model. A mixed-effects model with school and subject as random effect was used while adjusting for a priori chosen covariates. RESULTS An interquartile range (IQR) increment (1.9 µg/m3) in chronic PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 8.9% (95% CI: -15.4 to -1.9%) shorter TL. In contrast to PM2.5, chronic exposure to BC and NO2 was not associated with TL but recent exposure to BC and NO2 showed significant inverse associations with TL: an IQR increment in recent exposure to BC (0.9 µg/m3) and NO2 (10.2 µg/m3) was associated with a 6.2% (95% CI: -10.6 to -1.6%) and 6.4% (95% CI: -11.8 to -0.7%) shorter TL, respectively. Finally, an IQR increment in chronic PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 12.7% (95% CI: -21.7 to -2.6%) lower mtDNAc. However, no significant associations were seen for NO2 and BC or for other exposure windows. CONCLUSION Chronic exposure to PM2.5 below the EU threshold was associated with child's shorter buccal TL and lower mtDNAc, while traffic-related pollutants (BC and NO2) showed recent effects on telomere biology. Our data add to the literature on air pollution-induced effects of TL and mtDNAc, two measures part of the core axis of cellular ageing, from early life onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Hautekiet
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium; Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, BE-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), O&N I Herestraat 49 - bus 706, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bram G Janssen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Eva M De Clercq
- Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, BE-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Campus Mar, Dr Aiguader 88, ES-08003 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Ciber on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan gebouw D, BE-3590 Hasselt, Belgium; Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, BE-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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49
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Liu NM, Miyashita L, Maher BA, McPhail G, Jones CJP, Barratt B, Thangaratinam S, Karloukovski V, Ahmed IA, Aslam Z, Grigg J. Evidence for the presence of air pollution nanoparticles in placental tissue cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:142235. [PMID: 33181987 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled particulate matter (PM) from combustion- and friction-sourced air pollution adversely affects organs distant from the lung. A putative mechanism for the remote effect of inhaled PM is that ultrafine, nano-sized fraction (<100 nm) translocates across the air-tissue barrier, directly interacting with phagocytic tissue cells. Although PM is reported in other tissues, whether it is phagocytosed by non-respiratory tissue resident cells is unclear. Using the placenta as an accessible organ for phagocytic cells, we sought to seek evidence for air pollution-derived PM in tissue resident phagocytes. Macrophage-enriched placental cells (MEPCs) were isolated, and examined by light and electron microscopy. MEPC carbon was assessed by image analysis (mean μm2/1000 cells); particle composition and numbers were investigated using magnetic analyses and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. MEPCs phagocytic capacity was assessed by culture with diesel exhaust PM in vitro. Fifteen placentas were analysed. Black inclusions morphologically compatible with inhaled PM were identified within MEPCs from all samples (mean ± SEM carbon loading, 1000 MEPCs/participant of 0.004 ± 0.001 μm2). High resolution scanning/transmission electron microscopy revealed abundant nano-sized particle aggregates within MEPCs. MEPC PM was predominantly carbonaceous but also co-associated with a range of trace metals, indicative of high temperature (i.e. exogenous) generation. MEPCs contained readily-measurable amounts of iron-rich, ferrimagnetic particles, in concentrations/particle number concentrations ranging, respectively, from 8 to 50 ng/g and 10 to 60.107 magnetic particles/g (wet wt) MEPCs. Extracted MEPCs (n = 20/ placenta) were phagocytic for PM since all cells showed increased carbon area after culture with diesel PM in vitro (mean ± SEM increase 7.55 ± 1.26 μm2 carbon PM). These findings demonstrate that inhaled, metal-bearing, air pollution-derived PM can not only translocate to distant organs, but is taken up by tissue resident phagocytes in vivo. The human placenta, and hence probably the fetus, thus appears to be a target for such particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norrice M Liu
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
| | - Lisa Miyashita
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | | | | | - Carolyn J P Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Benjamin Barratt
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, UK
| | - Shakila Thangaratinam
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Women's Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Imad A Ahmed
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Zabeada Aslam
- Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Centre, School of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Jonathan Grigg
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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50
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Gabdrashova R, Nurzhan S, Naseri M, Bekezhankyzy Z, Gimnkhan A, Malekipirbazari M, Tabesh M, Khanbabaie R, Crape B, Buonanno G, Hopke PK, Amouei Torkmahalleh A, Amouei Torkmahalleh M. The impact on heart rate and blood pressure following exposure to ultrafine particles from cooking using an electric stove. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:141334. [PMID: 32846247 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cooking is a major source of indoor particulate matter (PM), especially ultrafine particles (UFPs). Long-term exposure to fine and ultrafine particles (UFPs) has been associated with adverse human health effects. Toxicological studies have demonstrated that exposure to PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm) may result in increased blood pressure (BP). Some clinical studies have shown that acute exposure to PM2.5 causes changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), depending on the source of particles. Studies assessing the effect of exposure to cooking PM on BP and heart rate (HR) using electric or gas stoves are not well represented in the literature. The aim of this investigation was to perform controlled studies to quantify the exposure of 50 healthy volunteer participants to fine and ultrafine particles emitted from a low-emissions recipe for frying ground beef on an electric stove. The BP and heart rate (HR) of the volunteers were monitored during exposure and after the exposure (2 h post-exposure). Maximum UFP and PM2.5 concentrations were 6.5 × 104 particles/cm3 and 0.017 mg/m3, respectively. Exposure to UFPs from frying was associated with statistically significant increases in the SBP. The lack of food and drink during the 2 h post-cooking period was also associated with a statistically significant reduction in SBP. No statistically significant changes in DBP were observed. Physiological factors, including heat stress over the stove, movements and anxiety, could be responsible for an elevation in HR at the early stages of the experiments with a subsequent drop in HR after 90 min post-cooking, when study participants were relaxed in a living room.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raikhangul Gabdrashova
- Department of Biology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Sholpan Nurzhan
- Department of Biology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Motahareh Naseri
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhibek Bekezhankyzy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Aidana Gimnkhan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Milad Malekipirbazari
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Bilkent University, Bilkent, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mahsa Tabesh
- Department of Physics, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Shariati Ave., Babol 47148-71167, Iran
| | - Reza Khanbabaie
- Department of Physics, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Shariati Ave., Babol 47148-71167, Iran
| | - Byron Crape
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Giorgio Buonanno
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, Cassino 03043, Italy
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan.
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