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Xu H, Jia Y, Sun Z, Su J, Liu QS, Zhou Q, Jiang G. Environmental pollution, a hidden culprit for health issues. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:31-45. [PMID: 38078200 PMCID: PMC10702928 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2023]
Abstract
The environmental and health impacts from the massive discharge of chemicals and subsequent pollution have been gaining increasing public concern. The unintended exposure to different pollutants, such as heavy metals, air pollutants and organic chemicals, may cause diverse deleterious effects on human bodies, resulting in the incidence and progression of different diseases. The article reviewed the outbreak of environmental pollution-related public health emergencies, the epidemiological evidence on certain pollution-correlated health effects, and the pathological studies on specific pollutant exposure. By recalling the notable historical life-threatening disasters incurred by local chemical pollution, the damning evidence was presented to criminate certain pollutants as the main culprit for the given health issues. The epidemiological data on the prevalence of some common diseases revealed a variety of environmental pollutants to blame, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), fine particulate matters (PMs) and heavy metals. The retrospection of toxicological studies provided illustrative clues for evaluating ambient pollutant-induced health risks. Overall, environmental pollution, as the hidden culprit, should answer for the increasing public health burden, and more efforts are highly encouraged to strive to explore the cause-and-effect relationships through extensive epidemiological and pathological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanqing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yang Jia
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhendong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Jiahui Su
- 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, 100049, China
| | - Qian S. Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Qunfang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310000, 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
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310000, China
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Wang C, Yang L, Wang S, Zhang Z, Yu Y, Wang M, Cromie M, Gao W, Wang SL. The classic EDCs, phthalate esters and organochlorines, in relation to abnormal sperm quality: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19982. [PMID: 26804707 PMCID: PMC4726156 DOI: 10.1038/srep19982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and human sperm quality is controversial due to the inconsistent literature findings, therefore, a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. Through the literature search and selection based on inclusion criteria, a total of 9 studies (7 cross-sectional, 1 case-control, and 1 pilot study) were analyzed for classic EDCs (5 studies for phthalate esters and 4 studies for organochlorines). Funnel plots revealed a symmetrical distribution with no evidence of publication bias (Begg’s test: intercept = 0.40; p = 0.692). The summary odds ratios (OR) of human sperm quality associated with the classic EDCs was 1.67 (95% CI: 1.31–2.02). After stratification by specific chemical class, consistent increases in the risk of abnormal sperm quality were found in phthalate ester group (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.09–1.95) and organochlorine group (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.34–2.62). Additionally, identification of official data, and a comprehensive review of the mechanisms were performed, and better elucidated the increased risk of these classic EDCs on abnormal sperm quality. The present systematic review and meta-analysis helps to identify the impact of classic EDCs on human sperm quality. However, it still highlights the need for additional epidemiological studies in a larger variety of geographic locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
| | - Lu Yang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
| | - Shu Wang
- Kangda Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R. China
| | - Zhan Zhang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
| | - Yongquan Yu
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
| | - Meilin Wang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
| | - Meghan Cromie
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA
| | - Weimin Gao
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA
| | - Shou-Lin Wang
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Rd., Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.,Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, P.R.China
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Weiss JM, Bauer O, Blüthgen A, Ludwig AK, Vollersen E, Kaisi M, Al-Hasani S, Diedrich K, Ludwig M. Distribution of persistent organochlorine contaminants in infertile patients from Tanzania and Germany. J Assist Reprod Genet 2006; 23:393-9. [PMID: 17019632 PMCID: PMC3455105 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-006-9069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2006] [Accepted: 08/23/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test whether environmental pollutants could affect fertility in humans. METHODS 31 women and 16 men from Tanzania and 21 couples from Germany were included (n = 89). Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in serum, follicular fluid or seminal plasma by gaschromatography and related to sperm quality and pregnancy rates. RESULTS Higher concentrations of DDT+DDE and dieldrin in Tanzania and higher concentrations of PCBs in Germany and in men were detected. All compounds showed higher concentrations in serum and lowest concentrations in seminal plasma. A lower pregnancy rate in German women with high serum concentrations of DDT+DDE was observed. The toxins had no impact on sperm quality. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of toxins between agricultural and industrial countries is different. Seminal plasma seems to be inert against chemicals. In patients with high serum concentrations of DDT and DDE pregnancy rates were impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen M Weiss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany.
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Kuriyama SN, Talsness CE, Grote K, Chahoud I. Developmental exposure to low dose PBDE 99: effects on male fertility and neurobehavior in rat offspring. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2005; 113:149-54. [PMID: 15687051 PMCID: PMC1277857 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2004] [Accepted: 11/04/2004] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In utero exposure to a single low dose of 2,2 ,4,4 ,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-99) disrupts neurobehavioral development and causes permanent effects on the rat male reproductive system apparent in adulthood. PBDEs, a class of flame retardants, are widely used in every sector of modern life to prevent fire. They are persistent in the environment, and increasing levels of PBDEs have been found in biota and human breast milk. In the present study we assessed the effects of developmental exposure to one of the most persistent PBDE congeners (PBDE-99) on juvenile basal motor activity levels and adult male reproductive health. Wistar rat dams were treated by gavage on gestation day 6 with a single low dose of 60 or 300 microg PBDE-99/kg body weight (bw). In offspring, basal locomotor activity was evaluated on postnatal days 36 and 71, and reproductive performance was assessed in males at adulthood. The exposure to low-dose PBDE-99 during development caused hyperactivity in the offspring at both time points and permanently impaired spermatogenesis by the means of reduced sperm and spermatid counts. The doses used in this study (60 and 300 microg/kg bw) are relevant to human exposure levels, being approximately 6 and 29 times, respectively, higher than the highest level reported in human breast adipose tissue. This is the lowest dose of PBDE reported to date to have an in vivo toxic effect in rodents and supports the premise that low-dose studies should be encouraged for hazard identification of persistent environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio N Kuriyama
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Toxicology, Charité University Medical School Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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