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Pulliam HR, Springer SD, Rice DL, Ende GC, Johnson HJ, Willett MP, Wilson TW, Taylor BK. Neurotoxic effects of home radon exposure on oscillatory dynamics serving attentional orienting in children and adolescents. Neuroimage 2024; 292:120606. [PMID: 38604538 PMCID: PMC11097196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120606] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that contributes significantly to radiation in the environment and is the second leading cause of lung cancer globally. Previous studies have shown that other environmental toxins have deleterious effects on brain development, though radon has not been studied as thoroughly in this context. This study examined the impact of home radon exposure on the neural oscillatory activity serving attention reorientation in youths. Fifty-six participants (ages 6-14 years) completed a classic Posner cuing task during magnetoencephalography (MEG), and home radon levels were measured for each participant. Time-frequency spectrograms indicated stronger theta (3-7 Hz, 300-800 ms), alpha (9-13 Hz, 400-900 ms), and beta responses (14-24 Hz, 400-900 ms) during the task relative to baseline. Source reconstruction of each significant oscillatory response was performed, and validity maps were computed by subtracting the task conditions (invalidly cued - validly cued). These validity maps were examined for associations with radon exposure, age, and their interaction in a linear regression design. Children with greater radon exposure showed aberrant oscillatory activity across distributed regions critical for attentional processing and attention reorientation (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex). Generally, youths with greater radon exposure exhibited a reverse neural validity effect in almost all regions and showed greater overall power relative to peers with lesser radon exposure. We also detected an interactive effect between radon exposure and age where youths with greater radon exposure exhibited divergent developmental trajectories in neural substrates implicated in attentional processing (e.g., bilateral prefrontal cortices, superior temporal gyri, and inferior parietal lobules). These data suggest aberrant, but potentially compensatory neural processing as a function of increasing home radon exposure in areas critical for attention and higher order cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley R Pulliam
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Seth D Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Danielle L Rice
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Grace C Ende
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Hallie J Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Madelyn P Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Taylor BK, Pulliam H, Smith OV, Rice DL, Johnson HJ, Coutant AT, Glesinger R, Wilson TW. Effects of chronic home radon exposure on cognitive, behavioral, and mental health in developing children and adolescents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1330469. [PMID: 38469220 PMCID: PMC10925658 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330469] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is well-established that chronic exposure to environmental toxins can have adverse effects on neuropsychological health, particularly in developing youths. However, home radon, a ubiquitous radiotoxin, has been seldom studied in this context. In the present study, we investigated the degree to which chronic everyday home radon exposure was associated with alterations in transdiagnostic mental health outcomes. Methods A total of 59 children and adolescents ages 6- to 14-years-old (M = 10.47 years, SD = 2.58; 28 males) completed the study. Parents completed questionnaires detailing aspects of attention and executive function. We used a principal components analysis to derive three domains of neuropsychological functioning: 1) task-based executive function skills, 2) self-and emotion-regulation abilities, and 3) inhibitory control. Additionally, parents completed a home radon test kit and provided information on how long their child had lived in the tested home. We computed a radon exposure index per person based on the duration of time that the child had lived in the home and their measured home radon concentration. Youths were divided into terciles based on their radon exposure index score. Using a MANCOVA design, we determined whether there were differences in neuropsychological domain scores across the three groups, controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results There was a significant multivariate effect of radon group on neuropsychological dysfunction (λ = 0.77, F = 2.32, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.12). Examination of univariate effects revealed specific increases in self-and emotion-regulation dysfunction among the youths with the greatest degree of chronic home radon exposure (F = 7.21, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.21). There were no significant differences by group in the other tested domains. Discussion The data suggest potential specificity in the neurotoxic effects of everyday home radon exposure in developing youths, with significant aberrations in self-and emotion-regulation faculties. These findings support the need for better public awareness and public health policy surrounding home radon safety and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany K. Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Haley Pulliam
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - OgheneTejiri V. Smith
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Danielle L. Rice
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Anna T. Coutant
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
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Demir E, Kacew S. Environmental Toxicology and Human Health. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:555. [PMID: 38203725 PMCID: PMC10779361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010555] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans and animals may be exposed on a continuous daily basis to a mixture of environmental contaminants that may act on several organ systems through differing mechanisms [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Esref Demir
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques Programme, Vocational School of Health Services, Antalya Bilim University, 07190 Antalya, Turkey
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sam Kacew
- Institute of Population Health, R. Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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Urrutia-Pereira M, Chatkin JM, Chong-Neto HJ, Solé D. Radon exposure: a major cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. J Bras Pneumol 2023; 49:e20230210. [PMID: 38055388 PMCID: PMC10760439 DOI: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20230210] [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: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to radon can impact human health. This is a nonsystematic review of articles written in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese published in the last decade (2013-2023), using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and SciELO. Search terms selected were radon, human health, respiratory diseases, children, and adults. After analyzing the titles and abstracts, the researchers initially identified 47 studies, which were subsequently reduced to 40 after excluding reviews, dissertations, theses, and case-control studies. The studies have shown that enclosed environments such as residences and workplaces have higher levels of radon than those outdoors. Moreover, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, especially in nonsmokers. An association between exposure to radon and development of other lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, was also observed. It is crucial to increase public awareness and implement governmental control measures to reduce radon exposure. It is essential to quantify radon levels in all types of buildings and train professionals to conduct such measurements according to proven efficacy standards. Health care professionals should also be informed about this threat and receive adequate training to deal with the effects of radon on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Urrutia-Pereira
- . Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA - Uruguaiana (RS) Brasil
| | - José Miguel Chatkin
- . Disciplina de Medicina Interna e Pneumologia, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS - Porto Alegre (RS) Brasil
| | | | - Dirceu Solé
- . Disciplina de Pediatria, Escola Paulista de Medicina - EPM - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo (SP) Brasil
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Hahn EJ, Haneberg WC, Stanifer SR, Rademacher K, Backus J, Rayens MK. Geologic, seasonal, and atmospheric predictors of indoor home radon values. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2023; 1:025011. [PMID: 37701077 PMCID: PMC10496436 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/acdcb3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to tobacco smoke and radon cause lung cancer. Radioactive decay of naturally occurring uranium in bedrock produces radon. Seasonality, bedrock type, age of home, and topography have been associated with indoor radon, but the research is mixed. The study objective was to examine the relationships of geologic (soil radon and bedrock) and seasonal (warm and cold times of the year) factors with indoor home radon values in citizen scientists' homes over time, controlling for atmospheric conditions, topography, age of home, and home exposure to tobacco smoke. We collected and analyzed indoor radon values, soil radon gas concentrations, and dwelling- and county-level geologic and atmospheric conditions on 66 properties in four rural counties during two seasons: (1) summer 2021 (n = 53); and (2) winter/spring 2022 (n = 52). Citizen scientists measured indoor radon using Airthings radon sensors, and outdoor temperature and rainfall. Geologists obtained soil radon measurements using RAD7 instruments at two locations (near the dwelling and farther away) at each dwelling, testing for associations of indoor radon values with soil values, bedrock type, topography, and atmospheric conditions. Bedrock type, near soil radon levels, home age, and barometric pressure were associated with indoor radon. Dwellings built on carbonate bedrock had indoor radon values that were 2.8 pCi/L (103.6 Bq m-3) higher, on average, compared to homes built on siliclastic rock. Homes with higher near soil radon and those built <40 ago were more likely to have indoor radon ⩾4.0 pCi/L (148 Bq m-3). With higher atmospheric barometric pressure during testing, observed indoor radon values were lower. Seasonality and topography were not associated with indoor radon level. Understanding relationships among bedrock type, soil radon, and indoor radon exposure allows the development of practical predictive models that may support pre-construction forecasting of indoor radon potential based on geologic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen J Hahn
- BREATHE, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - William C Haneberg
- Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Stacy R Stanifer
- BREATHE, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Kathy Rademacher
- BREATHE, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Jason Backus
- Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Mary Kay Rayens
- BREATHE, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
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Liu X, Sun Y, Wang C, Lv L, Liang Y. Fabrication of Ni−MOF−74@PA−PEI for Radon Removal under Ambient Conditions. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11041069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Radon is one of the 19 carcinogenic substances identified by the World Health Organization, posing a significant threat to human health and the environment. Properly removing radon under ambient conditions remains challenging. Compared with traditional radon−adsorbent materials such as activated carbon and zeolite, metal–organic framework (MOF) materials provide a high specific surface area, rich structure, and designability. However, MOF material powders demonstrate complications regarding practical use, such as easy accumulation, deactivation, and difficult recovery. Ni−MOF−74 was in situ grown on a porous polyacrylic acid (PA) spherical substrate via stepwise negative pressure impregnation. Ni−MOF−74 was structured as one−dimensional rod−shaped crystals (200–300 nm) in large−pore PA microspheres, whose porous structure increased the diffusion of radon gas. The radon adsorption coefficient of a Ni−MOF−74@PA−polyethyleneimine composite material was 0.49 L/g (293 K, relative humidity of 20%, air carrier). In comparison with pristine Ni−MOF−74 powder, our composite material exhibited enhanced adsorption and longer penetration time. The radon adsorption coefficient of the composite material was found to be from one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of zeolite and silica gel. The proposed material can be used for radon adsorption while overcoming the formation problem of MOF powders. Our preparation approach can provide a reference for the composite process of MOFs and polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Chunlai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Li Lv
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Yun Liang
- School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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