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Bakali U, Baum JLR, Louzado-Feliciano P, Killawala C, Santiago KM, Pauley JL, Dikici E, Schaefer Solle N, Kobetz EN, Bachas LG, Deo SK, Caban-Martinez AJ, Daunert S. Characterization of fire investigators' polyaromatic hydrocarbon exposures using silicone wristbands. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116349. [PMID: 38714081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116349] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposures to polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contribute to cancer in the fire service. Fire investigators are involved in evaluations of post-fire scenes. In the US, it is estimated that there are up to 9000 fire investigators, compared to approximately 1.1 million total firefighting personnel. This exploratory study contributes initial evidence of PAH exposures sustained by this understudied group using worn silicone passive samplers. OBJECTIVES Evaluate PAH exposures sustained by fire investigators at post-fire scenes using worn silicone passive samplers. Assess explanatory factors and health risks of PAH exposure at post-fire scenes. METHODS As part of a cross-sectional study design, silicone wristbands were distributed to 16 North Carolina fire investigators, including eight public, seven private, and one public and private. Wristbands were worn during 46 post-fire scene investigations. Fire investigators completed pre- and post-surveys providing sociodemographic, occupational, and post-fire scene characteristics. Solvent extracts from wristbands were analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results were used to estimate vapor-phase PAH concentration in the air at post-fire scenes. RESULTS Fire investigations lasted an average of 148 minutes, standard deviation ± 93 minutes. A significant positive correlation (r=0.455, p<.001) was found between investigation duration and PAH concentrations on wristbands. Significantly greater time-normalized PAH exposures (p=0.039) were observed for investigations of newer post-fire scenes compared to older post-fire scenes. Regulatory airborne PAH exposure limits were exceeded in six investigations, based on exposure to estimated vapor-phase PAH concentrations in the air at post-fire scenes. DISCUSSION Higher levels of off-gassing and suspended particulates at younger post-fire scenes may explain greater PAH exposure. Weaker correlations are found between wristband PAH concentration and investigation duration at older post-fire scenes, suggesting reduction of off-gassing PAHs over time. Exceedances of regulatory PAH limits indicate a need for protection against vapor-phase contaminants, especially at more recent post-fire scenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Bakali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeramy L R Baum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Paola Louzado-Feliciano
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Chitvan Killawala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Katerina M Santiago
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Pauley
- International Association of Arson Investigators, Bowie, MD, USA
| | - Emre Dikici
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami (BioNIUM), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Erin N Kobetz
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Leonidas G Bachas
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Sapna K Deo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami (BioNIUM), Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alberto J Caban-Martinez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute of the University of Miami (BioNIUM), Miami, FL, USA
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Yin S, den Ouden F, Cleys P, Klimowska A, Bombeke J, Poma G, Covaci A. Personal environmental exposure to plasticizers and organophosphate flame retardants using silicone wristbands and urine: Patterns, comparisons, and correlations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172187. [PMID: 38582107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172187] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Plasticizers (PLs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their widespread use and potential for leaching from consumer products. Environmental exposure is a critical aspect of the human exposome, revealing complex interactions between environmental contaminants and potential health effects. Silicone wristbands (SWBs) have emerged as a novel and non-invasive sampling device for assessing personal external exposure. In this study, SWBs were used as a proxy to estimate personal dermal adsorption (EDdermal) to PLs and OPFRs in Belgian participants for one week; four morning urine samples were also collected and analyzed for estimated daily intake (EDI). The results of the SWBs samples showed that all the participants were exposed to these chemicals, and the exposure was found to be highest for the legacy and alternative plasticizers (LP and AP), followed by the legacy and emerging OPFRs (LOPFR and EOPFR). In urine samples, the highest levels were observed for metabolites of diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) among LPs and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) for APs. Outliers among the participants indicated that there were other sources of exposure that were not identified. Results showed a significant correlation between EDdermal and EDI for DiBP, tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP). These correlations indicated their suitability for predicting exposure via SWB monitoring for total chemical exposure. The results of this pilot study advance our understanding of SWB sampling and its relevance for predicting aggregate environmental chemical exposures, while highlighting the potential of SWBs as low-cost, non-invasive personal samplers for future research. This innovative approach has the potential to advance the assessment of environmental exposures and their impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Fatima den Ouden
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paulien Cleys
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anna Klimowska
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jasper Bombeke
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Teixeira J, Bessa MJ, Delerue-Matos C, Sarmento B, Santos-Silva A, Rodrigues F, Oliveira M. Firefighters' personal exposure to gaseous PAHs during controlled forest fires: A case study with estimation of respiratory health risks and in vitro toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168364. [PMID: 37963534 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168364] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are daily exposed to adverse health-hazardous pollutants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), well known endocrine disruptors with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, are among the most relevant pollutants. The characterization of firefighters' occupational exposure to airborne PAHs remains limited; information is scarce for European firefighters. Also, the in vitro assessment of firefighters' respiratory health risks is inexistent. To reply to these scientific gaps, this work characterizes the levels of gaseous PAH in firefighters' personal air during regular working activities at controlled forest fires and at fire stations (control group). Breathable levels were 2.2-26.7 times higher during fire events than in the control group (2.63-32.63 μg/m3versus 1.22 μg/m3, p < 0.001); the available occupational guidelines (100 and 200 μg/m3 defined by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the North American Occupational Safety and Health Administration, respectively) were not exceeded. Concentrations of (possible/probable) carcinogenic PAHs were 1.9-15.3 times superior during firefighting (p < 0.001). Increased values of total benzo(a)pyrene equivalents (p = 0.101), dose rates (p < 0.001), and carcinogenic risks (p = 0.063) were estimated in firefighters during controlled fires comparatively with the control group. Firefighters' breathable gaseous phase collected during fire events contributed to induce a significant viability decrease (<70 %; p < 0.05) in A549 and Calu-3 cell lines. The principal component analysis (PCA) allowed the differentiation between firefighters participating in controlled fire events from the control group. PCA analysis demonstrated the potential of PAHs to distinguish different sources of firefighters´ occupational exposure and of combining estimated health risk parameters with in vitro toxicities determined with human-breathable air collected during real-life scenarios. Overall, the participation in controlled fire events contributes to the respiratory health burden of firefighting forces. However, more studies are needed to corroborate these preliminary findings, explore the respiratory toxicological mechanisms, and support the implementation of preventive actions and mitigation strategies to pursue firefighters' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Teixeira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; REQUIMTE/UCIBIO, Unidade de Ciências Biomoleculares Aplicadas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Bessa
- UNIPRO - Unidade de Investigação em Patologia e Reabilitação Oral, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- UNIPRO - Unidade de Investigação em Patologia e Reabilitação Oral, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alice Santos-Silva
- REQUIMTE/UCIBIO, Unidade de Ciências Biomoleculares Aplicadas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Laboratório Associado i4HB, Instituto para a Saúde e a Bioeconomia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisca Rodrigues
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal.
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Bralewska K. Air pollution inside fire stations: State-of-the-art and future challenges. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 255:114289. [PMID: 37976582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are frequently exposed to products of combustion and pyrolysis. Exposure to these substances occurs not only during fires but also at fire stations, particularly where fire equipment and fire uniforms are stored after firefighting operations. The aims of this study were to review the research on the concentrations of various air pollutants in fire stations, identify the limitations and strengths of such research, identify research gaps and related future challenges, and highlight potential solutions for reducing firefighter exposure to air pollution at fire stations. A total of 32 articles published in international journals during 1987-2023 were selected for analysis. The most frequently studied pollutants in fire stations were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and diesel particulate matter. Research was most often conducted on changing rooms and garages. Firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, fire trucks, and combustion tools were identified as the main sources of pollution at fire stations. Recommendations aimed at reducing the concentration of pollutants in fire stations were mainly concerned with the systematic decontamination of equipment and the introduction of ventilation solutions that would remove exhaust fumes from garages. This in-depth literature review indicates a lack of comprehensive research on the state and quality of air at fire stations. It also highlights the emerging need for more knowledge on the concentrations of air pollutants in fire stations, health exposure related to these substances, and an analysis of the effectiveness of the proposed solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Bralewska
- Institute of Safety Engineering, Fire University (formerly Main School of Fire Service), 52/54 Slowackiego Street, Warsaw, 01-629, Poland.
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5
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Keir JLA, Papas W, Wawrzynczak A, Aranda-Rodriguez R, Blais JM, White PA. Use of silicone wristbands to measure firefighters' exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during live fire training. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117306. [PMID: 37797669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117306] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters experience exposures to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Silicone wristbands (SWBs) have been used as passive samplers to assess firefighters' exposures over the course of a shift but their utility in measuring short term exposures, source of exposure, and correlations with other measurements of exposure have not yet been investigated. In this study, SWBs were used to measure the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs inside and outside of firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) while firefighting. SWBs were placed on the wrist and jacket of 20 firefighters conducting live fire training. Correlations were made with matching data from a sister project that measured urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites and PAH concentrations from personal air samples from the same participants. Naphthalene, acenaphthylene and phenanthrene had the highest geometric mean concentrations in both jacket and wrist SWB, with 1040, 320, 180 ng/g SWB for jacket and 55.0, 4.9, and 6.0 ng/g SWB for wrist, respectively. Ratios of concentrations between the jacket and wrist SWBs were calculated as worker protection factors (WPFs) and averaged 40.1 for total PAHs and ranged from 2.8 to 214 for individual PAHs, similar to previous studies. Several significant correlations were observed between PAHs in jacket SWBs and air samples (e.g., total and low molecular weight PAHs, r = 0.55 and 0.59, p < 0.05, respectively). A few correlations were found between PAHs from SWBs worn on the wrist and jacket, and urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites and PAH concentrations in air samples. The ability of the SWBs to accurately capture exposures to various PAHs was likely influenced by short sampling time, high temperatures, and high turbulence. Future work should further examine the limitations of SWBs for PAH exposures in firefighting, and other extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L A Keir
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - William Papas
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Adam Wawrzynczak
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Rocio Aranda-Rodriguez
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Paul A White
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada; Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9, Canada
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6
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Brindhadevi K, Vasantharaj S, Le QH, Devanesan S, Farhat K, Liu X. Fabrication and characterization of manganese dioxide (MnO 2) nanoparticles and its degradation potential of benzene and pyrene. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 343:140123. [PMID: 37690563 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
MnO2 nanoparticles have a wide range of applications, including catalytic abilities due to their oxygen reduction potential. Industrial processes and the burning of organic materials released PAHs into the biosphere which have adverse effects on living organisms when continually exposed. In this study, MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized chemically using sodium thiosulphate as reducing agent. MnO2 nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible adsorption spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A X-Ray Diffraction Spectrophotometer (XRD), a Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzer (SEM-EDAX), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used to identify the crystalline nature and particle size of the fabricated MnO2 nanoparticles. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to identify the optimal conditions for better benzene and pyrene adsorption from aqueous solution using MnO2 nanoparticles. They are also effective in degrading benzene and pyrene by batch adsorption as determined by their adsorption isotherms and kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathirvel Brindhadevi
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam; Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam.
| | | | - Quynh Hoang Le
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam; Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam
| | - Sandhanasamy Devanesan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karim Farhat
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xinghui Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, China
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Mohammed S, Koekkoek J, Hodgson IOA, de Boer J, Lamoree M. Silicone wristband as a sampling tool for insecticide exposure assessment of vegetable farmers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117094. [PMID: 37683782 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of passive sampling devices (PSDs) as an appropriate alternative to conventional methods of assessing human exposure to environmental toxicants was studied. One-time purposive sampling by a silicone wristband was used to measure insecticide residues in 35 volunteer pepper farmers in the Vea irrigation scheme in the Guinea savannah and the Weija irrigation scheme in the coastal savannah ecological zones of Ghana. A GC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantifying 18 insecticides used by farmers in Ghana. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) ranged from 0.64 to 67 and 2.2-222 ng per wristband, respectively. The selected insecticides showed a range of concentrations in the various silicone wristbands from not detected to 27 μg/wristband. The concentrations of 13 insecticides were above their LOQs. Chlorpyrifos had the highest detection frequencies and concentrations, followed by cyhalothrin and then allethrin. This study shows that silicone wristbands can be used to detect individual insecticide exposures, providing a valuable tool for future exposure studies. Ghanaian vegetable farmers are substantially exposed to insecticides. Hence, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saada Mohammed
- Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CSIR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 38, Achimota, Ghana.
| | - Jacco Koekkoek
- Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jacob de Boer
- Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Wang LT, Liu KY, Wang SN, Lin MH, Liao YM, Lin PC, Huang SK, Hsu SH, Chiou SS. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-kynurenine axis promotes oncogenic activity in BCP-ALL. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:1471-1487. [PMID: 35687267 PMCID: PMC10425300 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09734-0] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), the most common childhood cancer, originates from lymphoid precursor cells in bone marrow committed to the B-cell lineage. Environmental factors and genetic abnormalities disturb the normal maturation of these precursor cells, promoting the formation of leukemia cells and suppressing normal hematopoiesis. The underlying mechanisms of progression are unclear, but BCP-ALL incidence seems to be increasing in parallel with the adoption of modern lifestyles. This study hypothesized that air pollution and haze are risk factors for BCP-ALL progression. The current study revealed that indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IP), a major component of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air, promotes oncogenic activities (proliferation, transformation, and disease relapse) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IP treatment activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDOs) axis, thereby enhancing tryptophan metabolism and kynurenine (KYN) level and consequent promoting the KYN-AHR feedback loop. IP treatment decreased the time to disease relapse and increased the BCP-ALL cell count in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Additionally, in 50 clinical BCP-ALL samples, AHR and IDO were co-expressed in a disease-specific manner at mRNA and protein levels, while their mRNA levels showed a significant correlation with disease-free survival duration. These results indicated that PAH/IP exposure promotes BCP-ALL disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ting Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kwei-Yan Liu
- Department of Respirology & Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shen-Nien Wang
- Division of General and Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Mei Liao
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chin Lin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shau-Ku Huang
- Department of Respirology & Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shih-Hsien Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
| | - Shyh-Shin Chiou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center of Applied Genomics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Everaert S, Schoeters G, Claes K, Raquez JM, Buffel B, Vanhaecke T, Moens J, Laitinen J, Van Larebeke N, Godderis L. Balancing Acute and Chronic Occupational Risks: The Use of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Undergloves by Firefighters to Reduce Exposure to Toxic Contaminants. TOXICS 2023; 11:534. [PMID: 37368634 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are exposed via multi-route exposure to a multitude of chemicals (PAHs, VOCs, flame retardants, dioxins, etc.) that may cause acute and long-term health effects. The dermal absorption of contaminants is a major contributor to the overall exposure and can be reduced by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. As leather firefighters' gloves cannot be decontaminated regularly by wet cleaning, many Belgian firefighters wear supplementary undergloves made of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) to protect against the accumulation of toxicants. However, the safety of this practice has been questioned. In this commentary, the current practice and risks are outlined for the first time, assessed by an interdisciplinary working group of the Belgian Superior Health Council. As NBR sticks to the skin more at high temperatures, the contact time on removal will be prolonged, posing an additional risk for deeper burns. However, based on the physicochemical properties of NBR and the existing experience of firefighters and burn centers, it is estimated that such incidents occur relatively rarely in practice. On the other hand, the risk of repeated exposure to contaminated gloves if no undergloves are worn is unacceptable. Despite the slightly increased risk for deeper burns, it is concluded that wearing disposable NBR gloves under regular firefighters' gloves is an appropriate and effective preventive measure against toxic contamination. The nitrile butadiene rubber must always be fully covered to avoid any contact with the heat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Everaert
- Chemical Environmental Factors Group, Superior Health Council, 1060 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Karel Claes
- Burn Center & Department of Plastic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Raquez
- Polymer and Composite Materials Department, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Bart Buffel
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, 8200 Bruges, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jonas Moens
- Belgian Poison Centre, 1120 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Juha Laitinen
- Pelastusopisto, Emergency Services Academy Finland, 70821 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nicolas Van Larebeke
- Department of Radiotherapy and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
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10
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Figueiredo DM, Lô S, Krop E, Meijer J, Beeltje H, Lamoree MH, Vermeulen R. Do cats mirror their owner? Paired exposure assessment using silicone bands to measure residential PAH exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115412. [PMID: 36736760 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that domestic animals can serve as sentinels for human exposures. In this study our objectives were to demonstrate that i) silicone collars can be used to measure environmental exposures of (domestic) animals, and that ii) domestic animals can be used as sentinels for human residential exposure. For this, we simultaneously measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using silicone bands worn by 30 pet cats (collar) and their owner (wristband). Collars and wristbands were worn for 7 days and analyzed via targeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Demographics and daily routines were collected for humans and cats. Out of 16 PAHs, 9 were frequently detected (>50% of samples) in both wristbands and collars, of which Phenanthrene and Fluorene were detected in all samples. Concentrations of wristbands and collars were moderately correlated for these 9 PAHs (Median Spearman's r = 0.51 (range 0.16-0.68)). Determinants of PAH concentrations of cats and humans showed considerable overlap, with vacuum cleaning resulting in higher exposures and frequent changing of bed sheets in lower exposures. This study adds proof-of-principle data for the use of silicone collars to measure (domestic) animal exposure and shows that cats can be used as sentinels for human residential exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Figueiredo
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Serigne Lô
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda Krop
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Meijer
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henry Beeltje
- TNO Environmeral Modelling, Sensing & Analysis, Princetonlaan 8, 3584 CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands; AQUON, De Blomboogerd 12, 4003 BX, Tiel, the Netherlands
| | - Marja H Lamoree
- Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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11
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Bonner EM, Horn GP, Smith DL, Kerber S, Fent KW, Tidwell LG, Scott RP, Adams KT, Anderson KA. Silicone passive sampling used to identify novel dermal chemical exposures of firefighters and assess PPE innovations. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114095. [PMID: 36508961 PMCID: PMC9930175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114095] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A plethora of chemicals are released into the air during combustion events, including a class of compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs have been implicated in increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, both of which are disease endpoints of concern in structural firefighters. Current commercially available personal protective equipment (PPE) typically worn by structural firefighters during fire responses have gaps in interfaces between the ensemble elements (e.g., hood and jacket) that allow for ingress of contaminants and dermal exposure. This pilot study aims to use silicone passive sampling to assess improvements in dermal protection afforded by a novel configuration of PPE, which incorporates a one-piece liner to eliminate gaps in two critical interfaces between pieces of gear. The study compared protection against parent and alkylated PAHs between the one-piece liner PPE and the standard configuration of PPE with traditional firefighting jacket and pants. Mannequins (n = 16) dressed in the PPE ensembles were placed in a Fireground Exposure Simulator for 10 min, and exposed to smoke from a combusting couch. Silicone passive samplers were placed underneath PPE at vulnerable locations near interfaces in standard PPE, and in the chamber air, to measure PAHs and calculate the dermal protection provided by both types of PPE. Silicone passive sampling methodology and analyses using gas chromatography with mass-spectrometry proved to be well-suited for this intervention study, allowing for the calculation and comparison of worker protection factors for 51 detected PAHs. Paired comparisons of the two PPE configurations found greater sum 2-3 ring PAH exposure underneath the standard PPE than the intervention PPE at the neck and chest, and at the chest for 4-7 ring PAHs (respective p-values: 0.00113, 0.0145, and 0.0196). Mean worker protection factors of the intervention PPE were also greater than the standard PPE for 98% of PAHs at the neck and chest. Notably, the intervention PPE showed more than 30 times the protection compared to the standard PPE against two highly carcinogenic PAHs, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[c]fluorene. Nine of the detected PAHs in this study have not been previously reported in fireground exposure studies, and 26 other chemicals (not PAHs) were detected using a large chemical screening method on a subset of the silicone samplers. Silicone passive sampling appears to be an effective means for measuring dermal exposure reduction to fireground smoke, providing evidence in this study that reducing gaps in PPE interfaces could be further pursued as an intervention to reduce dermal exposure to PAHs, among other chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Bonner
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agricultural & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Gavin P Horn
- Fire Safety Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Columbia, MD, 21045, USA; Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Denise L Smith
- Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, 815 N Broadway St, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, USA; Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Steve Kerber
- Fire Safety Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Columbia, MD, 21045, USA.
| | - Kenneth W Fent
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA.
| | - Lane G Tidwell
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agricultural & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Richard P Scott
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agricultural & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Kaley T Adams
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agricultural & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Kim A Anderson
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 1007 Agricultural & Life Sciences Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
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12
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Okeme JO, Koelmel JP, Johnson E, Lin EZ, Gao D, Pollitt KJG. Wearable Passive Samplers for Assessing Environmental Exposure to Organic Chemicals: Current Approaches and Future Directions. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023:10.1007/s40572-023-00392-w. [PMID: 36821032 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We are continuously exposed to dynamic mixtures of airborne contaminants that vary by location. Understanding the compositional diversity of these complex mixtures and the levels to which we are each exposed requires comprehensive exposure assessment. This comprehensive analysis is often lacking in population-based studies due to logistic and analytical challenges associated with traditional measurement approaches involving active air sampling and chemical-by-chemical analysis. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of wearable passive samplers as alternative tools to active samplers in environmental health research. The review highlights the advances and challenges in using wearable passive samplers for assessing personal exposure to organic chemicals and further presents a framework to enable quantitative measurements of exposure and expanded use of this monitoring approach to the population scale. RECENT FINDINGS Overall, wearable passive samplers are promising tools for assessing personal exposure to environmental contaminants, evident by the increased adoption and use of silicone-based devices in recent years. When combined with high throughput chemical analysis, these exposure assessment tools present opportunities for advancing our ability to assess personal exposures to complex mixtures. Most designs of wearable passive samplers used for assessing exposure to semi-volatile organic chemicals are currently uncalibrated, thus, are mostly used for qualitative research. The challenge with using wearable samplers for quantitative exposure assessment mostly lies with the inherent complexity in calibrating these wearable devices. Questions remain regarding how they perform under various conditions and the uncertainty of exposure estimates. As popularity of these samplers grows, it is critical to understand the uptake kinetics of chemicals and the different environmental and meteorological conditions that can introduce variability. Wearable passive samplers enable evaluation of exposure to hundreds of chemicals. The review presents the state-of-the-art of technology for assessing personal exposure to environmental chemicals. As more studies calibrate wearable samplers, these tools present promise for quantitatively assessing exposure at both the individual and population levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O Okeme
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Emily Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Dong Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 523, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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13
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Wei X, Huang Z, Jiang L, Li Y, Zhang X, Leng Y, Jiang C. Charting the landscape of the environmental exposome. IMETA 2022; 1:e50. [PMID: 38867899 PMCID: PMC10989948 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The exposome depicts the total exposures in the lifetime of an organism. Human exposome comprises exposures from environmental and humanistic sources. Biological, chemical, and physical environmental exposures pose potential health threats, especially to susceptible populations. Although still in its nascent stage, we are beginning to recognize the vast and dynamic nature of the exposome. In this review, we systematically summarize the biological and chemical environmental exposomes in three broad environmental matrices-air, soil, and water; each contains several distinct subcategories, along with a brief introduction to the physical exposome. Disease-related environmental exposures are highlighted, and humans are also a major source of disease-related biological exposures. We further discuss the interactions between biological, chemical, and physical exposomes. Finally, we propose a list of outstanding challenges under the exposome research framework that need to be addressed to move the field forward. Taken together, we present a detailed landscape of environmental exposome to prime researchers to join this exciting new field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Zinuo Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Liuyiqi Jiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Yueer Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of GeneticsStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yuxin Leng
- Department of Intensive Care UnitPeking University Third HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Chao Jiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
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14
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Samon SM, Hammel SC, Stapleton HM, Anderson KA. Silicone wristbands as personal passive sampling devices: Current knowledge, recommendations for use, and future directions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107339. [PMID: 36116363 PMCID: PMC9713950 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Personal chemical exposure assessment is necessary to determine the frequency and magnitude of individual chemical exposures, especially since chemicals present in everyday environments may lead to adverse health outcomes. In the last decade, silicone wristbands have emerged as a new chemical exposure assessment tool and have since been utilized for assessing personal exposure to a wide range of chemicals in a variety of populations. Silicone wristbands can be powerful tools for quantifying personal exposure to chemical mixtures in a single sample, associating exposure with health outcomes, and potentially overcoming some of the challenges associated with quantifying the chemical exposome. However, as their popularity grows, it is crucial that they are used in the appropriate context and within the limits of the technology. This review serves as a guide for researchers interested in utilizing silicone wristbands as a personal exposure assessment tool. Along with briefly discussing the passive sampling theory behind silicone wristbands, this review performs an in-depth comparison of wristbands to other common exposure assessment tools, including biomarkers of exposure measured in biospecimens, and evaluates their utility in exposure assessments and epidemiological studies. Finally, this review includes recommendations for utilizing silicone wristbands to evaluate personal chemical exposure and provides suggestions on what research is needed to recognize silicone wristbands as a premier chemical exposure assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Samon
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Stephanie C Hammel
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kim A Anderson
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.
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15
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Levasseur JL, Hoffman K, Herkert NJ, Cooper E, Hay D, Stapleton HM. Characterizing firefighter's exposure to over 130 SVOCs using silicone wristbands: A pilot study comparing on-duty and off-duty exposures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155237. [PMID: 35447169 PMCID: PMC9728008 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Firefighters are occupationally exposed to an array of hazardous chemicals, and these exposures have been linked to the higher rates of some cancer in firefighters. However, additional research that characterizes firefighters' exposure is needed to fully elucidate the impacts on health risks. In this pilot study, we used silicone wristbands to quantify off-duty and on-duty chemical exposures experienced by 20 firefighters in Durham, North Carolina. By using each firefighter's off-duty wristband to represent individual baseline exposures, we assessed occupation-related exposures (i.e. on-duty exposures). We also investigated the influence of responding to a fire event while on-duty. In total, 134 chemicals were quantified using both GC-MS and LC-MS/MS targeted methods. Seventy-one chemicals were detected in at least 50% of all silicone wristbands, including 7 PFAS, which to our knowledge, have not been reported in wristbands previously. Of these, phthalates were generally measured at the highest concentrations, followed by brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs). PFAS were measured at lower concentrations overall, but firefighter PFOS exposures while on-duty and responding to fires were 2.5 times higher than off-duty exposures. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), BFRs, and some OPEs were occupationally associated, with firefighters experiencing 0.5 to 8.5 times higher exposure while on-duty as compared to off-duty. PAH exposures were also higher for firefighters who respond to a fire than those who did not while on-duty. Additional research with a larger population of firefighters that builds upon this pilot investigation may further pinpoint exposure sources that may contribute to firefighters' risk for cancer, such as those from firefighter gear or directly from fires. This research demonstrates the utility of using silicone wristbands to quantify occupational exposure in firefighters and the ability to disentangle exposures that may be specific to fire events as opposed to other sources that firefighters might experience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Nicholas J Herkert
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Ellen Cooper
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Duncan Hay
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
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16
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Hamzai L, Lopez Galvez N, Hoh E, Dodder NG, Matt GE, Quintana PJ. A systematic review of the use of silicone wristbands for environmental exposure assessment, with a focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:244-258. [PMID: 34302044 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00359-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure assessment is critical for connecting environmental pollutants to health outcomes and evaluating impacts of interventions or environmental policies. Silicone wristbands (SWBs) show promise for multi-pollutant exposure assessment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a ubiquitous class of toxic environmental pollutants. OBJECTIVE To review published studies where SWBs were worn on the wrist for human environmental exposure assessments and evaluate the ability of SWBs to capture personal exposures, identify gaps which need to be addressed to implement this tool, and make recommendations for future studies to advance the field of exposure science through utilization of SWBs. METHODS We performed a systematic search and a cited reference search in Scopus and extracted key study descriptions. RESULTS Thirty-nine unique studies were identified, with analytes including PAHs, pesticides, flame retardants, and tobacco products. SWBs were shipped under ambient conditions without apparent analyte loss, indicating utility for global exposure and health studies. Nineteen articles detected a total of 60 PAHs in at least one SWB. Correlations with other concurrent biological and air measurements indicate the SWB captures exposure to flame retardants, tobacco products, and PAHs. SIGNIFICANCE SWBs show promise as a simple-to-deploy tool to estimate environmental and occupational exposures to chemical mixtures, including PAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Hamzai
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Eunha Hoh
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nathan G Dodder
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Georg E Matt
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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17
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O'Connell SG, Anderson KA, Epstein MI. Determining chemical air equivalency using silicone personal monitors. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 32:268-279. [PMID: 33953340 PMCID: PMC8920887 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silicone personal samplers are increasingly being used to measure chemical exposures, but many of these studies do not attempt to calculate environmental concentrations. OBJECTIVE Using measurements of silicone wristband uptake of organic chemicals from atmospheric exposure, create log Ksa and ke predictive models based on empirical data to help develop air equivalency calculations for both volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. METHODS An atmospheric vapor generator and a custom exposure chamber were used to measure the uptake of organic chemicals into silicone wristbands under simulated indoor conditions. Log Ksa models were evaluated using repeated k-fold cross-validation. Air equivalency was compared between best-performing models. RESULTS Log Ksa and log ke estimates calculated from uptake data were used to build predictive models from boiling point (BP) and other parameters (all models: R2 = 0.70-0.94). The log Ksa models were combined with published data and refined to create comprehensive and effective predictive models (R2: 0.95-0.97). Final estimates of air equivalency using novel BP models correlated well over an example dataset (Spearman r = 0.984) across 5-orders of magnitude (<0.05 to >5000 ng/L). SIGNIFICANCE Data from silicone samplers can be translated into air equivalent concentrations that better characterize environmental concentrations associated with personal exposures and allow direct comparisons to regulatory levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kim A Anderson
- Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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18
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Wacławik M, Rodzaj W, Wielgomas B. Silicone Wristbands in Exposure Assessment: Analytical Considerations and Comparison with Other Approaches. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19041935. [PMID: 35206121 PMCID: PMC8872583 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to numerous potentially harmful chemicals throughout their lifetime. Although many studies have addressed this issue, the data on chronic exposure is still lacking. Hence, there is a growing interest in methods and tools allowing to longitudinally track personal exposure to multiple chemicals via different routes. Since the seminal work, silicone wristbands (WBs) have been increasingly used to facilitate human exposure assessment, as using WBs as a wearable sampler offers new insights into measuring chemical risks involved in many ambient and occupational scenarios. However, the literature lacks a detailed overview regarding methodologies being used; a comprehensive comparison with other approaches of personal exposure assessment is needed as well. Therefore, the aim of this review is fourfold. First, we summarize hitherto conducted research that employed silicone WBs as personal passive samplers. Second, all pre-analytical and analytical steps used to obtain exposure data are discussed. Third, we compare main characteristics of WBs with key features of selected matrices used in exposure assessment, namely urine, blood, hand wipes, active air sampling, and settled dust. Finally, we discuss future needs of research employing silicone WBs. Our work shows a variety of possibilities, advantages, and caveats associated with employment of silicone WBs as personal passive samplers. Although further research is necessary, silicone WBs have already been proven valuable as a tool for longitudinal assessment of personal exposure.
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19
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Wise CF, Hammel SC, Herkert NJ, Ospina M, Calafat AM, Breen M, Stapleton HM. Comparative Assessment of Pesticide Exposures in Domestic Dogs and Their Owners Using Silicone Passive Samplers and Biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1149-1161. [PMID: 34964617 PMCID: PMC10150270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides are used extensively in residential settings for lawn maintenance and in homes to control household pests including application directly on pets to deter fleas and ticks. Pesticides are commonly detected in the home environment where people and pets can be subject to chronic exposure. Due to increased interest in using companion animals as sentinels for human environmental health studies, we conducted a comparative pesticide exposure assessment in 30 people and their pet dogs to determine how well silicone wristbands and silicone dog tags can predict urinary pesticide biomarkers of exposure. Using targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, we quantified eight pesticides in silicone samplers and used a suspect screening approach for additional pesticides. Urine samples were analyzed for 15 pesticide metabolite biomarkers. Several pesticides were detected in >70% of silicone samplers including permethrin, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), and chlorpyrifos. Significant and positive correlations were observed between silicone sampler levels of permethrin and DEET with their corresponding urinary metabolites (rs = 0.50-0.96, p < 0.05) in both species. Significantly higher levels of fipronil were observed in silicone samplers from participants who reported using flea and tick products containing fipronil on their dog. This study suggests that people and their dogs have similar pesticide exposures in a home environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Wise
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Stephanie C Hammel
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Nicholas J Herkert
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Maria Ospina
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MSS103-2, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MSS103-2, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Matthew Breen
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
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Fuentes ZC, Schwartz YL, Robuck AR, Walker DI. Operationalizing the Exposome Using Passive Silicone Samplers. CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS 2022; 8:1-29. [PMID: 35004129 PMCID: PMC8724229 DOI: 10.1007/s40726-021-00211-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The exposome, which is defined as the cumulative effect of environmental exposures and corresponding biological responses, aims to provide a comprehensive measure for evaluating non-genetic causes of disease. Operationalization of the exposome for environmental health and precision medicine has been limited by the lack of a universal approach for characterizing complex exposures, particularly as they vary temporally and geographically. To overcome these challenges, passive sampling devices (PSDs) provide a key measurement strategy for deep exposome phenotyping, which aims to provide comprehensive chemical assessment using untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry for exposome-wide association studies. To highlight the advantages of silicone PSDs, we review their use in population studies and evaluate the broad range of applications and chemical classes characterized using these samplers. We assess key aspects of incorporating PSDs within observational studies, including the need to preclean samplers prior to use to remove impurities that interfere with compound detection, analytical considerations, and cost. We close with strategies on how to incorporate measures of the external exposome using PSDs, and their advantages for reducing variability in exposure measures and providing a more thorough accounting of the exposome. Continued development and application of silicone PSDs will facilitate greater understanding of how environmental exposures drive disease risk, while providing a feasible strategy for incorporating untargeted, high-resolution characterization of the external exposome in human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Coates Fuentes
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Yuri Levin Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Anna R. Robuck
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Ave, New York, NY USA
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21
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Bakali U, Baum JLR, Killawala C, Kobetz EN, Solle NS, Deo SK, Caban-Martinez AJ, Bachas LG, Daunert S. Mapping carcinogen exposure across urban fire incident response arenas using passive silicone-based samplers. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 228:112929. [PMID: 34768049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Carcinogens are emitted in significant quantities at fire scenes and are a major contributor in the increased cancer risk observed in firefighters when compared to the general population. A knowledge gap exists in the current understanding of the distribution of these toxic compounds within a localized fire incident response arena. Here, we employ stationary silicone-based passive samplers at controlled live fire trainings to evaluate the deposition behavior of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted by fires. Our findings indicate significantly greater total PAH exposure in fires fueled by biomass and wood compared to fires burning cleaner fuels, such as propane. A 22% increase in total PAH deposition and a 68% increase in high molecular weight PAH deposition was recorded for biomass fueled fires compared to propane fueled fires. Furthermore, we observe that heavier molecular weight PAHs exhibit a pronounced deposition front within a certain radius of the hot zone, whereas low molecular weight PAHs are more uniformly distributed throughout the area. These findings highlight that the warm zones and cold zones of fire situations yield elevated levels of carcinogen exposure to first responders within them. We anticipate that these findings will help inform decisions made by emergency personnel when evaluating risk for the hot zone, warm zone, and cold zone of urban fires helping ease the carcinogenic risk experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Bakali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeramy L R Baum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Chitvan Killawala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Erin N Kobetz
- Public Health Sciences and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA; Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
| | - Sapna K Deo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
| | - Alberto J Caban-Martinez
- Public Health Sciences and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Daunert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA.
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22
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Ekpe OD, Sim W, Choi S, Choo G, Oh JE. Assessment of Exposure of Korean Firefighters to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Their Measurement in Serum and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Urine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14015-14025. [PMID: 34435767 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the occupational exposure of Korean firefighters to a suite of combustion-related pollutants. Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed by measurement of their levels in serum and metabolites in urine (i.e., monohydroxylated PAHs, OH-PAHs). The mean level of ∑PBDEs in the serum of firefighters (17.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw)) was significantly higher than that of the general population (1.39 ng/g lw) (Mann-Whitney U Test, p < 0.05), which is similar to the ∑PAH levels (1286 ng/g lw for firefighters and 1016 ng/g lw for the general population). Individual OH-PAH levels showed 2.1- to 4.2-fold increases in postfire urine samples compared to the control urine samples, with the mean ∑OH-PAHs being significantly higher in postfire urine samples (22,658 ng/g creatinine) than in the control urine samples (10,253 ng/g creatinine) (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). It was found that ∑PBDEs correlated with firefighters' length of service and years dedicated to on-site dispatch, while ∑OH-PAHs was strongly associated with firefighters' exposure duration, age, length of service, and years dedicated to on-site dispatch. Indeed, the results of the present study indicate that Korean firefighters are prone to elevated risk of exposure to toxic combustion-related pollutants compared with the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okon Dominic Ekpe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjin Sim
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sol Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyojin Choo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, Busan 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Oh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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23
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Assessing Approaches of Human Inhalation Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18063124. [PMID: 33803562 PMCID: PMC8003068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of important organic pollutants widely emitted from anthropogenic activities, with a general distribution in the gas and particulate phases. Some PAHs are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic. Inhalation exposure to PAHs is correlated with adverse health outcomes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Thus, it is significant to determine the exposure level of the general population. This study summarizes the evaluation methods for PAH exposure, focusing on different exposure parameters. External exposure can be determined via the collection of the environmental pollution concentration through active samplers or passive samplers during environmental monitoring or personal sampling. Time-activity patterns give critical exposure information that captures the exposure period, origin, and behaviors. Modeling is a labor-less approach for human exposure estimation, and microenvironmental exposure requires specific research. It is important to select appropriate methods to quantify the exposure level to provide accurate data to establish the exposure–risk relationship and make scientific suggestions for the protection of public health.
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24
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Santiago KM, Louzado‐Feliciano P, Baum J, Bakali U, Caban‐Martinez AJ. Self-reported and objectively measured occupational exposures, health, and safety concerns among fishermen: A cross-sectional Fishing Industry Safety and Health (FISH) pilot study. Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:58-69. [PMID: 33155709 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fishing industry workers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, engage in strenuous labor, and work long hours in variable weather conditions. Despite these known employment challenges, little is known of their perceived occupational health and safety concerns. In this pilot study, we: (1) describe fishermen's perceptions on worker- and organizational-level characteristics that impact occupational health and safety; and (2) estimate environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) encountered during fishing activities. METHODS We collected both qualitative and quantitative data from Mississippi and Florida fishermen. Using an ethnographic approach, the study team conducted 1-h key informant interviews, administered a one-page demographic survey, and collected objective measurements to PAHs using silicone-based passive sampling wristbands. RESULTS Study participants (n = 17) had a mean age of 50.9 years (SD = 11.7), 88.2% were male, 94.1% white, 100.0% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 52.9% were married. Approximately, 87.5% reported fishing as their primary job, with a mean of 26.4 years in the industry (SD = 15.3). Four broad themes describing the culture of the fishing industry, common workplace exposures that impact fishermen's safety and health, and facilitators and barriers to safety while working in the fishing industry were documented. Deckhands had the lowest mean exposure to PAHs (8.3 ppb), followed by crew members (11.0 ppb), captains (82.64 ppb), and net makers (208.1 ppb). CONCLUSIONS Gulf coast fishermen expressed specific occupational health and safety concerns and were exposed to carcinogenic PAHs during regular work. Opportunities exist and strategies are needed for health protection and health promotion interventions among Gulf fishermen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina M. Santiago
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Paola Louzado‐Feliciano
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Jeramy Baum
- Department of Chemistry, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Umer Bakali
- Department of Chemistry, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami Florida USA
| | - Alberto J. Caban‐Martinez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine University of Miami Miami Florida USA
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