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Boamah B, Siciliano S, Hogan N, Hecker M, Hanson M, Campbell P, Peters R, Al-Dissi AN, Weber L. Time-course of oral toxicity to contaminated groundwater in male Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:584-593. [PMID: 38813463 PMCID: PMC11134541 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.05.002] [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: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing toxicity of complex mixtures of contaminants from industrial sites with historic and ongoing contamination remains a challenge for risk assessors. Groundwater from a pesticide packaging site in Canada containing a complex mixture of known and unknown contaminants was examined in male rats to determine the target organ toxicity. This study determined the time-course of toxicity (7, 14, 28, and 60 days) following ad libitum oral exposure to 0.05% v/v contaminated groundwater compared to tap water (control) in male Sprague Dawley rats (n=5 /group/time). Exposure to groundwater resulted in inflammation, indicated by a statistically significant increase in plasma lymphocyte and neutrophil counts on days 7 and 60, respectively, but a reduction in the plasma alpha 2 macroglobulin levels by day 60. Gonadotoxicity was indicated by a reduced Johnsen score (grading spermatogenesis) in all exposed groups at all time points, while seminiferous epithelial height was reduced on days 7, 14, and 28 compared to controls. Plasma testosterone was reduced in exposed groups on days 7 and 28, accompanied by elevated testicular lipid peroxidation at all time points compared to control. In contrast, lipid peroxidation in the lungs from exposed rats was elevated on days 7, 14, and 28. Plasma symmetric dimethylarginine was elevated on day 14 in the exposed group indicating renal impairment. Taken together, these results indicate that testes, kidney, immune and lung are target organs for the contaminated groundwater from this industrial site. The current study highlights the challenge in hazard assessment for complex mixtures and highlights the need for effects-directed analysis and the continued, albeit limited, use of animal models in toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright Boamah
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Steven Siciliano
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Natacha Hogan
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Mark Hanson
- Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Rachel Peters
- Federated Co-operatives Limited, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ahmad N. Al-Dissi
- Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Lynn Weber
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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2
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Chiger AA, Nachman KE. Invited Perspective: Advancing Cumulative Approaches in Regulatory Decision Making. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:31303. [PMID: 38445890 PMCID: PMC10916614 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea A. Chiger
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Keeve E. Nachman
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Paylar B, Bezabhe YH, Mangu JCK, Thamke V, Igwaran A, Modig C, Jass J, Olsson PE. Assessing organism differences in mixed metal sensitivity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167340. [PMID: 37751843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167340] [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] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Metal contamination of aquatic environments remains a major concern and has received significant attention in recent years. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of metal mixtures of varying concentrations over time in a lake receiving runoff water from a decommissioned mine. By subjecting several organisms to this water, we aimed to identify the most susceptible species, thus enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the risk posed by different toxins to the biotic environment. We have evaluated the effects of mixed metal exposure on survival and stress gene expression in selected invertebrate and vertebrate model species. Our observations revealed differences in sensitivity among the invertebrate models Caenorhabditis elegans, Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Heterocypris incongruens, as well as in the vertebrate model Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and two cell lines; a zebrafish liver cell line (ZFL) and a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). While the sensitivity shows great variation among the tested species, the expression of metallothionein was consistent with the levels of metals found in the mixed exposure media. Despite differences in acute toxicity, the universal induction of mt1/A and mt2/B genes make them important biomarkers for assessing the environmental risk of metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berkay Paylar
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Yared H Bezabhe
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Viresh Thamke
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Aboi Igwaran
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Carina Modig
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jana Jass
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Per-Erik Olsson
- The Life Science Center Biology, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
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4
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Abdullahi M, Stead I, Bennett S, Orozco R, Abdallah MAE, Jabbari S, Macaskie LE, Tzella A, Krause S, Al-Duri B, Lee RG, Herbert B, Thompson P, Schalkwyk M, Getahun S, Dearn KD, Orsini L. Harnessing water fleas for water reclamation: A nature-based tertiary wastewater treatment technology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167224. [PMID: 37739075 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167224] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation, population growth, and climate change have put unprecedented pressure on water resources, leading to a global water crisis and the need for water reuse. However, water reuse is unsafe unless persistent chemical pollutants are removed from reclaimed water. State-of-the-art technologies for the reduction of persistent chemical pollutants in wastewater typically impose high operational and energy costs and potentially generate toxic by-products (e.g., bromate from ozonation). Nature-base solutions are preferred to these technologies for their lower environmental impact. However, so far, bio-based tertiary wastewater treatments have been inefficient for industrial-scale applications. Moreover, they often demand significant financial investment and large infrastructure, undermining sustainability objectives. Here, we present a scalable, low-cost, low-carbon, and retrofittable nature-inspired solution to remove persistent chemical pollutants (pharmaceutical, pesticides and industrial chemicals). We showed Daphnia's removal efficiency of individual chemicals and chemicals from wastewater at laboratory scale ranging between 50 % for PFOS and 90 % for diclofenac. We validated the removal efficiency of diclofenac at prototype scale, showing sustained performance over four weeks in outdoor seminatural conditions. A techno-commercial analysis on the Daphnia-based technology suggested several technical, commercial and sustainability advantages over established and emerging treatments at comparable removal efficiency, benchmarked on available data on individual chemicals. Further testing of the technology is underway in open flow environments holding real wastewater. The technology has the potential to improve the quality of wastewater effluent, meeting requirements to produce water appropriate for reuse in irrigation, industrial application, and household use. By preventing persistent chemicals from entering waterways, this technology has the potential to maximise the shift to clean growth, enabling water reuse, reducing resource depletion and preventing environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdullahi
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Iestyn Stead
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Daphne Water Solution Limited, B168JB Birmingham, UK.
| | - Sophie Bennett
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rafael Orozco
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | | | - Sara Jabbari
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Lynne E Macaskie
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | | | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; LEHNA - Laboratoire d'ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Bushra Al-Duri
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Robert G Lee
- Daphne Water Solution Limited, B168JB Birmingham, UK; Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Ben Herbert
- Stopford Ltd - Technology and Innovation Service Group, Mere Hall Farm Business Centre, Bucklow Hill Lane, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6LE, UK.
| | | | | | | | - Karl D Dearn
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Daphne Water Solution Limited, B168JB Birmingham, UK.
| | - Luisa Orsini
- Environmental Genomics Group, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Daphne Water Solution Limited, B168JB Birmingham, UK; The Alan Turing Institute, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB, UK.
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5
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Chi Y, Park JT, Na S, Kwak K. Environment-wide association study of elevated liver enzymes: results from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018-2022. Ann Occup Environ Med 2023; 35:e27. [PMID: 37701484 PMCID: PMC10493370 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental exposure is characterized by low concentration, chronic, and complex exposure. Traditional epidemiological studies show limitations in reflecting these characteristics since they usually focus on a single or very limited number of exposure factors at a time. In this study, we adopted the methodology of environment-wide association study (EWAS) to figure out the association of human liver function with various environmentally hazardous substances. Methods We analyzed 2,961 participants from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 4 (2018-2020). Using generalized linear model (GLM) analysis, we analyzed the association of 72 variables with 3 liver function indices (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT]). Finally, we visualized our results with Manhattan plot. Results In GLM analysis, perfluorooctanesulfonate were positively associated with ALT (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-3.46; p adjusted = 0.0147) and perfluorodecanoic acid showed positive association with GGT (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.36-5.5; p adjusted = 0.0256). Plasma mercury showed positive association with GGT (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.14-1.84; p adjusted = 0.0315). Using a plastic container while keeping food in the refrigerator was associated with elevated GGT compared to using a glass container (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.16-1.95; p adjusted = 0.0153). 2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, showed a negative trend with all 3 indices, with AST (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39-0.73; p adjusted = 0.00357), ALT (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.34-0.75; p adjusted = 0.036), GGT (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.4-0.76; p adjusted = 0.00697). Bisphenol S and frequent use of sunblock cream showed negative association with ALT (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and GGT (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.55), respectively. Conclusions We conducted an exploratory study on environmental exposure and human liver function. By using EWAS methodology, we identified 7 factors that could have potential association with liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngchan Chi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
| | - Jong-Tae Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
| | - Sewhan Na
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyeongmin Kwak
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
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6
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Chi ZH, Goodyer CG, Hales BF, Bayen S. Characterization of different contaminants and current knowledge for defining chemical mixtures in human milk: A review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107717. [PMID: 36630790 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hundreds of xenobiotics, with very diverse origins, have been detected in human milk, including contaminants of emerging concern, personal care products and other current-use substances reflecting lifestyle. The routes of exposure to these chemicals include dermal absorption, ingestion and inhalation. Specific families of chemicals are dominant among human milk monitoring studies (e.g., organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol A, dioxins), even though other understudied families may be equally toxicologically relevant (e.g., food-processing chemicals, current-use plasticizers and flame retardants, mycotoxins). Importantly, the lack of reliable human milk monitoring data for some individual chemicals and, especially, for complex mixtures, is a major factor hindering risk assessment. Non-targeted screening can be used as an effective tool to identify unknown contaminants of concern in human milk. This approach, in combination with novel methods to conduct risk assessments on the chemical mixtures detected in human milk, will assist in elucidating exposures that may have adverse effects on the development of breastfeeding infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Hao Chi
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Cindy Gates Goodyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Barbara F Hales
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
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7
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Escher BI, Lamoree M, Antignac JP, Scholze M, Herzler M, Hamers T, Jensen TK, Audebert M, Busquet F, Maier D, Oelgeschläger M, Valente MJ, Boye H, Schmeisser S, Dervilly G, Piumatti M, Motteau S, König M, Renko K, Margalef M, Cariou R, Ma Y, Treschow AF, Kortenkamp A, Vinggaard AM. Mixture Risk Assessment of Complex Real-Life Mixtures-The PANORAMIX Project. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192012990. [PMID: 36293571 PMCID: PMC9602166 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192012990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are involuntarily exposed to hundreds of chemicals that either contaminate our environment and food or are added intentionally to our daily products. These complex mixtures of chemicals may pose a risk to human health. One of the goals of the European Union's Green Deal and zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment is to tackle the existent gaps in chemical mixture risk assessment by providing scientific grounds that support the implementation of adequate regulatory measures within the EU. We suggest dealing with this challenge by: (1) characterising 'real-life' chemical mixtures and determining to what extent they are transferred from the environment to humans via food and water, and from the mother to the foetus; (2) establishing a high-throughput whole-mixture-based in vitro strategy for screening of real-life complex mixtures of organic chemicals extracted from humans using integrated chemical profiling (suspect screening) together with effect-directed analysis; (3) evaluating which human blood levels of chemical mixtures might be of concern for children's development; and (4) developing a web-based, ready-to-use interface that integrates hazard and exposure data to enable component-based mixture risk estimation. These concepts form the basis of the Green Deal project PANORAMIX, whose ultimate goal is to progress mixture risk assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate I. Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Martin Scholze
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Environmental Sciences Division, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Matthias Herzler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Hamers
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Marc Audebert
- Toxalim, UMR1331, INRAE, 31027 Toulouse, France
- PrediTox, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | - Maria João Valente
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henriette Boye
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Hospital for Children, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria König
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kostja Renko
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Margalef
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yanying Ma
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Environmental Sciences Division, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Anne Marie Vinggaard
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-35887549
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8
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Pierro JD, Ahir BK, Baker NC, Kleinstreuer NC, Xia M, Knudsen TB. Computational model for fetal skeletal defects potentially linked to disruption of retinoic acid signaling. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:971296. [PMID: 36172177 PMCID: PMC9511990 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.971296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) gradients determine skeletal patterning morphogenesis and can be disrupted by diverse genetic or environmental factors during pregnancy, leading to fetal skeleton defects. Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) frameworks for ATRA metabolism, signaling, and homeostasis allow for the development of new approach methods (NAMs) for predictive toxicology with less reliance on animal testing. Here, a data-driven model was constructed to identify chemicals associated with both ATRA pathway bioactivity and prenatal skeletal defects. The phenotype data was culled from ToxRefDB prenatal developmental toxicity studies and produced a list of 363 ToxRefDB chemicals with altered skeletal observations. Defects were classified regionally as cranial, post-cranial axial, appendicular, and other (unspecified) features based on ToxRefDB descriptors. To build a multivariate statistical model, high-throughput screening bioactivity data from >8,070 chemicals in ToxCast/Tox21 across 10 in vitro assays relevant to the retinoid signaling system were evaluated and compared to literature-based candidate reference chemicals in the dataset. There were 48 chemicals identified for effects on both in vivo skeletal defects and in vitro ATRA pathway targets for computational modeling. The list included 28 chemicals with prior evidence of skeletal defects linked to retinoid toxicity and 20 chemicals without prior evidence. The combination of thoracic cage defects and DR5 (direct repeats of 5 nucleotides for RAR/RXR transactivation) disruption was the most frequently occurring phenotypic and target disturbance, respectively. This data model provides valuable AOP elucidation and validates current mechanistic understanding. These findings also shed light on potential avenues for new mechanistic discoveries related to ATRA pathway disruption and associated skeletal dysmorphogenesis due to environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocylin D. Pierro
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Computational Toxicology and Bioinformatics Branch (CTBB), Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Bhavesh K. Ahir
- Eurofins Medical Device Testing, Lancaster, PA, United States
| | - Nancy C. Baker
- Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division (SCDCD), Leidos Contractor, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), USEPA/ORD, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Nicole C. Kleinstreuer
- Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Menghang Xia
- Division for Pre-Clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Thomas B. Knudsen
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Computational Toxicology and Bioinformatics Branch (CTBB), Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Thomas B. Knudsen, , orcid.org/0000-0002-5036-596x
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9
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Schwetschenau SE, Schubert A, Smith RJ, Guikema S, Love NG, McElmurry SP. Improved Decision-Making: A Sociotechnical Utility-Based Framework for Drinking Water Investment. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2022; 2:1475-1490. [PMID: 35991121 PMCID: PMC9380853 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.2c00008] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the goals of the Safe Drinking Water Act, state and local water authorities need to make decisions about where to direct limited funding for infrastructure improvements and currently do so in the absence of adequate evaluative metrics. We developed a framework grounded in utility theory that compares trade-offs explicitly and broadens the factors considered in prioritizing resource allocations. Relevant existing indices were reviewed to identify data applicable to drinking water decision-making. A utility-theory-based decision analysis framework was developed and applied to evaluate how different objectives affect funding decisions for lead service line replacement (LSLR) programs in Pennsylvania and Michigan, United States. The decision framework incorporates drinking water quality characteristics with community and environmental quality attributes. We compare additive and multiplicative model structures, different weights, and spatial scales. Our decision framework showed that the inclusion of additional data beyond what is usually considered in LSLR decisions could change the top 10 counties or public water systems prioritized. Further, the counties or water systems in the top 10 were influenced by the model structure and weights. Prioritization changed based on which data were included, and has implications for the use of evaluative metrics beyond traditional water system data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E. Schwetschenau
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Alyssa Schubert
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Richard J. Smith
- School
of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Seth Guikema
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Industrial & Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nancy G. Love
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shawn P. McElmurry
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
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10
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Cardenas-Iniguez C, Burnor E, Herting MM. Neurotoxicants, the developing brain, and mental health. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 2:223-232. [PMID: 35911498 PMCID: PMC9337627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While life in urban environments may confer a number of benefits, it may also result in a variety of exposures, with toxic consequences for neurodevelopment and neuropsychological health. Neurotoxicants are any of a large number of chemicals or substances that interfere with normal function and/or compromise adaptation in the central and/or peripheral nervous system. Evidence suggests that neurotoxicant effects have a greater effect when occurring in utero and during early childhood. Recent findings exploring neural-level mechanisms provide a crucial opportunity to explore the ways in which environmental conditions may get “under the skin” to impact a number of psychological behaviors and cognitive processes, ultimately allowing for greater synergy between macro- and microlevel efforts to improve mental health in the presence of neurotoxicant exposures. In this review, we provide an overview of 3 types of neurotoxicants related to the built environment and relevant to brain development during childhood and adolescence: lead exposure, outdoor particulate matter pollution, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We also discuss mechanisms through which these neurotoxicants affect central nervous system function, including recent evidence from neuroimaging literature. Furthermore, we discuss neurotoxicants and mental health during development in the context of social determinants and how differences in the spatial distribution of neurotoxicant exposures result in health disparities that disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations. Multifaceted approaches incorporating social systems and their effect on neurotoxicant exposures and downstream mental health will be key to reduce societal costs and improve quality of life for children, adolescents, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Address correspondence to Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez, Ph.D.
| | - Elisabeth Burnor
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Megan M. Herting, Ph.D.
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