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Krauss M, Huber C, Schulze T, Bartel-Steinbach M, Weber T, Kolossa-Gehring M, Lermen D. Assessing background contamination of sample tubes used in human biomonitoring by non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108426. [PMID: 38228043 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108426] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Controlling and minimising background contamination is crucial for maintaining a high quality of samples in human biomonitoring targeting organic chemicals. We assessed the contamination of three previous types and one newly introduced medical-grade type of sample tubes used for storing human body fluids at the German Environmental Specimen Bank. Aqueous extracts from these tubes were analysed by non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) before and after a dedicated cleaning procedure. After peak detection using MZmine, Bayesian hypothesis testing was used to group peaks into those originating either from instrumental and laboratory background contamination, or actual tube contaminants, based on if their peak height was reduced, increased or not affected by the cleaning procedure. For all four tube types 80-90% of the 2475 peaks (1549 in positive and 926 in negative mode) were assigned to laboratory/instrumental background, which we have to consider as potential sample tube contaminants. Among the tube contaminants, results suggest a considerable difference in the contaminant peak inventory and the absolute level of contamination among the different sample tube types. The cleaning procedure did not affect the largest fraction of peaks (50-70%). For the medical grade tubes, the removal of contaminants by the cleaning procedure was strongest compared to the previous tubes, but in all cases a small fraction increased in intensity after cleaning, probably due to a release of oligomers or additives. The identified laboratory background contaminants were mainly semi-volatile polymer additives such as phthalates and phosphate esters. A few compounds could be assigned solely as tube-specific contaminants, such as N,N-dibutylformamide and several constituents of the oligomeric light stabiliser Tinuvin-622. A cleaning procedure before use is an effective way to standardise the used sample tubes and minimises the background contamination, and therefore increases sample quality and therewith analytical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Krauss
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Exposure Science, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Carolin Huber
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Exposure Science, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Goethe University Frankfurt Biologicum, Campus Riedberg, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Exposure Science, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martina Bartel-Steinbach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280 Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280 Sulzbach, Germany.
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2
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Wrobel SA, Bury D, Koslitz S, Hayen H, Koch HM, Brüning T, Käfferlein HU. Quantitative Metabolism and Urinary Elimination Kinetics of Seven Neonicotinoids and Neonicotinoid-Like Compounds in Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19285-19294. [PMID: 37939249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Reverse dosimetry, i.e., calculating the dose of hazardous substances that has been taken up by humans based on measured analyte concentrations in spot urine samples, is critical for risk assessment and requires metabolic and kinetic data. We quantitatively studied the metabolism of seven major neonicotinoid and neonicotinoid-like compounds (NNIs) after single oral doses in male volunteers and determined key kinetic parameters and urinary elimination for NNIs together with their metabolites. Complete and consecutive urine samples were collected over 48 h. All samples were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry, following liquid or gas chromatographic separation. Single- and group-specific NNI metabolites were quantified, i.e., hydroxylated and N-dealkylated NNIs and NNI-associated carboxylic acids and their glycine derivatives. Large, substance-dependent variations of key toxicokinetic parameters were observed. Mean times of concentration maxima (tmax) in urine varied between 2.0 (imidacloprid) and 25.8 h (N-desmethyl-clothianidin), whereas mean urinary elimination half-times (t1/2) were between 2.5 (acetamiprid) and 49.5 h (sulfoxaflor). Mean 48 h excretion fractions (Fue's) were between 0.03% (2-chloro-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid glycine) and 84% (clothianidin). In contrast, the interindividual differences of Fue's between the volunteers for each of the NNIs and their metabolites remained low (below a factor of 2 between the maximum and minimum derived Fue with the exception of 6-chloronicotinic acid in the acetamiprid dose study). The obtained quantitative data enabled choosing appropriate biomarkers for exposure assessment and, at the same time, for risk assessment by reverse dosimetry at current environmental exposures, i.e., comparing the calculated doses that have been taken up to currently available acceptable daily intakes of NNIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja A Wrobel
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephan Koslitz
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Heiko Hayen
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Heiko U Käfferlein
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance─Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
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3
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Rodriguez Martin L, Gilles L, Helte E, Åkesson A, Tägt J, Covaci A, Sakhi AK, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Katsonouri A, Andersson AM, Gutleb AC, Janasik B, Appenzeller B, Gabriel C, Thomsen C, Mazej D, Sarigiannis D, Anastasi E, Barbone F, Tolonen H, Frederiksen H, Klanova J, Koponen J, Tratnik JS, Pack K, Gudrun K, Ólafsdóttir K, Knudsen LE, Rambaud L, Strumylaite L, Murinova LP, Fabelova L, Riou M, Berglund M, Szabados M, Imboden M, Laeremans M, Eštóková M, Janev Holcer N, Probst-Hensch N, Vodrazkova N, Vogel N, Piler P, Schmidt P, Lange R, Namorado S, Kozepesy S, Szigeti T, Halldorsson TI, Weber T, Jensen TK, Rosolen V, Puklova V, Wasowicz W, Sepai O, Stewart L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Esteban-López M, Castaño A, Bessems J, Schoeters G, Govarts E. Time Patterns in Internal Human Exposure Data to Bisphenols, Phthalates, DINCH, Organophosphate Flame Retardants, Cadmium and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in Europe. TOXICS 2023; 11:819. [PMID: 37888670 PMCID: PMC10610666 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) data in Europe are often fragmented and collected in different EU countries and sampling periods. Exposure levels for children and adult women in Europe were evaluated over time. For the period 2000-2010, literature and aggregated data were collected in a harmonized way across studies. Between 2011-2012, biobanked samples from the DEMOCOPHES project were used. For 2014-2021, HBM data were generated within the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. Time patterns on internal exposure were evaluated visually and statistically using the 50th and 90th percentiles (P50/P90) for phthalates/DINCH and organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in children (5-12 years), and cadmium, bisphenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in women (24-52 years). Restricted phthalate metabolites show decreasing patterns for children. Phthalate substitute, DINCH, shows a non-significant increasing pattern. For OPFRs, no trends were statistically significant. For women, BPA shows a clear decreasing pattern, while substitutes BPF and BPS show an increasing pattern coinciding with the BPA restrictions introduced. No clear patterns are observed for PAHs or cadmium. Although the causal relations were not studied as such, exposure levels to chemicals restricted at EU level visually decreased, while the levels for some of their substitutes increased. The results support policy efficacy monitoring and the policy-supportive role played by HBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rodriguez Martin
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Emilie Helte
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (E.H.); (A.Å.); (J.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (E.H.); (A.Å.); (J.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Jonas Tägt
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (E.H.); (A.Å.); (J.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Amrit K. Sakhi
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway; (A.K.S.); (C.T.)
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Rue Louis Rech 1, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg;
| | | | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.-M.A.); (H.F.)
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arno C. Gutleb
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland; (B.J.); (W.W.)
| | | | - Catherine Gabriel
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (C.G.); (D.S.)
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway; (A.K.S.); (C.T.)
| | - Darja Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.M.); (J.S.T.)
| | - Denis Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (C.G.); (D.S.)
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Environmental Health Engineering, Institute of Advanced Study, Palazzo del Broletto–Piazza Della Vittoria 15, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Anastasi
- State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, 2081 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.K.); (E.A.)
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Hanna Tolonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (J.K.)
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.-M.A.); (H.F.)
| | - Jana Klanova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Jani Koponen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 00271 Helsinki, Finland; (H.T.); (J.K.)
| | | | - Kim Pack
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Koppen Gudrun
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Kristin Ólafsdóttir
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Hofsvallagata 53, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland; (K.Ó.); (T.I.H.)
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Section of Environmental Health, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé Publique France, 94410 Saint Maurice, France (M.R.)
| | - Loreta Strumylaite
- Neuroscience Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Lubica Palkovicova Murinova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, 833 03 Bratislava, Slovakia; (L.P.M.)
| | - Lucia Fabelova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, 833 03 Bratislava, Slovakia; (L.P.M.)
| | - Margaux Riou
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Santé Publique France, 94410 Saint Maurice, France (M.R.)
| | - Marika Berglund
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (E.H.); (A.Å.); (J.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Maté Szabados
- National Public Health Center, Albert Florian 2-6, 1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.S.); (S.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Medea Imboden
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (M.I.); (N.P.-H.)
| | - Michelle Laeremans
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Milada Eštóková
- Department of Environment and Health, Public Health Authority, 83105 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Natasa Janev Holcer
- Division for Environmental Health, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefellerova 7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Bráce Branchetta 20/1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (M.I.); (N.P.-H.)
| | - Nicole Vodrazkova
- Centre for Health and Environment, National Institute of Public Health, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (N.V.); (V.P.)
| | - Nina Vogel
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Pavel Piler
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Phillipp Schmidt
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Rosa Lange
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Sónia Namorado
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Szilvia Kozepesy
- National Public Health Center, Albert Florian 2-6, 1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.S.); (S.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Tamás Szigeti
- National Public Health Center, Albert Florian 2-6, 1097 Budapest, Hungary; (M.S.); (S.K.); (T.S.)
| | - Thorhallur I. Halldorsson
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Hofsvallagata 53, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland; (K.Ó.); (T.I.H.)
| | - Till Weber
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Central Directorate for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Via Cassa di Risparmio 10, 34121 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Vladimira Puklova
- Centre for Health and Environment, National Institute of Public Health, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (N.V.); (V.P.)
| | - Wojciech Wasowicz
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland; (B.J.); (W.W.)
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- UKHSA UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Science Park, Chilton OX11 0RQ, UK; (O.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Lorraine Stewart
- UKHSA UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Science Park, Chilton OX11 0RQ, UK; (O.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (K.P.); (N.V.); (P.S.); (R.L.); (T.W.)
| | - Marta Esteban-López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (M.E.-L.); (A.C.)
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain; (M.E.-L.); (A.C.)
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (L.G.); (K.G.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.S.); (E.G.)
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Kolossa-Gehring M, Schoeters G, Castaño A, Barouki R, Haines D, Polcher A, Weise P. Special issue editorial: Key results of the european human biomonitoring initiative - HBM4EU. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 253:114197. [PMID: 37291032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- Head of Section II 1.2 Toxicology, Health Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Environment and Health, Dept of Biomedical Sciences & Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Center for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Robert Barouki
- Unité UMR-S 1124 T3S Inserm-Université Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75270, Paris, France; France Service de Biochimie Métabolomique et Protéomique, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Philipp Weise
- Section II 1.2 Toxicology, Health Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
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Ubong D, Stewart L, Sepai O, Knudsen LE, Berman T, Reynders H, Van Campenhout K, Katsonouri A, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Ingelido AM, Castaño A, Pedraza-Díaz S, Eiríksdóttir ÁV, Thomsen C, Hartmann C, Gjorgjev D, De Felip E, Tolonen H, Santonen T, Klanova J, Norström K, Kononenko L, Silva MJ, Uhl M, Kolossa-Gehring M, Apel P, Jõemaa M, Jajcaj M, Estokova M, Luijten M, Lebret E, von Goetz N, Holcer NJ, Probst-Hensch N, Cavaleiro R, Barouki R, Tarroja E, Balčienė RM, Strumylaite L, Latvala S, Namorado S, Szigeti T, Ingi Halldorsson T, Olafsdottir K, Wasowicz W. Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 251:114170. [PMID: 37207539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Most countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population's internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals' internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy. To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project. The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www.hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme. The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM. This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dragan Gjorgjev
- Institute of Public Health, Republic of North Macedonia, Macedonia
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6
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Vorkamp K, Esteban López M, Gilles L, Göen T, Govarts E, Hajeb P, Katsonouri A, Knudsen LE, Kolossa-Gehring M, Lindh C, Nübler S, Pedraza-Díaz S, Santonen T, Castaño A. Coordination of chemical analyses under the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU): Concepts, procedures and lessons learnt. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 251:114183. [PMID: 37148759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) ran from 2017 to 2022 with the aim of advancing and harmonizing human biomonitoring in Europe. More than 40,000 analyses were performed on human samples in different human biomonitoring studies in HBM4EU, addressing the chemical exposure of the general population, temporal developments, occupational exposure and a public health intervention on mercury in populations with high fish consumption. The analyses covered 15 priority groups of organic chemicals and metals and were carried out by a network of laboratories meeting the requirements of a comprehensive quality assurance and control system. The coordination of the chemical analyses included establishing contacts between sample owners and qualified laboratories and monitoring the progress of the chemical analyses during the analytical phase, also addressing status and consequences of Covid-19 measures. Other challenges were related to the novelty and complexity of HBM4EU, including administrative and financial matters and implementation of standardized procedures. Many individual contacts were necessary in the initial phase of HBM4EU. However, there is a potential to develop more streamlined and standardized communication and coordination in the analytical phase of a consolidated European HBM programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Thomas Göen
- Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Parvaneh Hajeb
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Lindh
- Lund University, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Nübler
- Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
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7
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Vogel N, Lange R, Schmidt P, Rodriguez Martin L, Remy S, Springer A, Puklová V, Černá M, Rudnai P, Középesy S, Janasik B, Ligocka D, Fábelová L, Kolena B, Petrovicova I, Jajcaj M, Eštóková M, Esteban-Lopez M, Castaño A, Tratnik JS, Stajnko A, Knudsen LE, Toppari J, Main KM, Juul A, Andersson AM, Jørgensen N, Frederiksen H, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Åkesson A, Hartmann C, Dewolf MC, Koppen G, Biot P, Den Hond E, Voorspoels S, Gilles L, Govarts E, Murawski A, Gerofke A, Weber T, Rüther M, Gutleb AC, Guignard C, Berman T, Koch HM, Kolossa-Gehring M. Exposure to Phthalates in European Children, Adolescents and Adults since 2005: A Harmonized Approach Based on Existing HBM Data in the HBM4EU Initiative. TOXICS 2023; 11:241. [PMID: 36977006 PMCID: PMC10057641 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers and are associated inter alia with adverse effects on reproductive functions. While more and more national programs in Europe have started monitoring internal exposure to phthalates and its substitute 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (DINCH), the comparability of results from such existing human biomonitoring (HBM) studies across Europe is challenging. They differ widely in time periods, study samples, degree of geographical coverage, design, analytical methodology, biomarker selection, and analytical quality assurance level. The HBM4EU initiative has gathered existing HBM data of 29 studies from participating countries, covering all European regions and Israel. The data were prepared and aggregated by a harmonized procedure with the aim to describe-as comparably as possible-the EU-wide general population's internal exposure to phthalates from the years 2005 to 2019. Most data were available from Northern (up to 6 studies and up to 13 time points), Western (11; 19), and Eastern Europe (9; 12), e.g., allowing for the investigation of time patterns. While the bandwidth of exposure was generally similar, we still observed regional differences for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) with pronounced decreases over time in Northern and Western Europe, and to a lesser degree in Eastern Europe. Differences between age groups were visible for Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), where children (3 to 5-year olds and 6 to 11-year olds) had lower urinary concentrations than adolescents (12 to 19-year-olds), who in turn had lower urinary concentrations than adults (20 to 39-year-olds). This study is a step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries, although standardized data were not available, targeting European data sets harmonized with respect to data formatting and calculation of aggregated data (such as developed within HBM4EU), and highlights further suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosa Lange
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Phillipp Schmidt
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sylvie Remy
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Andrea Springer
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vladimíra Puklová
- National Institute of Public Health, Centre for Health and Environment, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milena Černá
- National Institute of Public Health, Centre for Health and Environment, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Péter Rudnai
- National Public Health Center, Environmental Health Unit of the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Középesy
- National Public Health Center, Environmental Health Unit of the Department of Public Health Laboratory, 1097 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland
| | - Danuta Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland
| | - Lucia Fábelová
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kolena
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Ida Petrovicova
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Michal Jajcaj
- Public Health Authority, Department of Environment and Health, 83105 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Milada Eštóková
- Public Health Authority, Department of Environment and Health, 83105 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Stajnko
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Katharina M. Main
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway
| | - Amrit Kaur Sakhi
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Gudrun Koppen
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, 1060 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Department of Environment and Health, Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH), 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefan Voorspoels
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Liese Gilles
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Aline Murawski
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Rüther
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Arno C. Gutleb
- Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Cedric Guignard
- Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Tamar Berman
- Department of Environmental Health, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9446724, Israel
| | - Holger M. Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance—Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Department of Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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8
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Lobo Vicente J, Ganzleben C, Gasol R, Marnane I, Gilles L, Buekers J, Bessems J, Colles A, Gerofke A, David M, Barouki R, Uhl M, Sepai O, Loots I, Crabbé A, Coertjens D, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schoeters G. HBM4EU results support the Chemicals' Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero-Pollution Action Plan. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114111. [PMID: 36706581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
One of the major goals of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) was to bridge the gap between science and policy by consulting both policy makers and national scientists and generating evidence of the actual exposure of residents to chemicals and whether that exposure would be suggest a potential health risk. Residents' perspectives on chemical exposure and risk were also investigated. HBM4EU's research was designed to answer specific short-term and long-term policy questions at national and European levels, and for its results to directly support regulatory action on chemicals. A strategy was established to prioritise chemicals for analysis in human matrices, with a total of 18 substances/substance groups chosen to be investigated throughout the five-and a -half-year project. HBM4EU produced new evidence of human exposure levels, developed reference values for exposure, investigated determinants of exposure and derived health-based guidance values for those substances. In addition, HBM4EU promoted the use of human biomonitoring data in chemical risk assessment and developed innovative tools and methods linking chemicals to possible health impacts, such as effect biomarkers. Furthermore, HBM4EU advanced understand of effects from combined exposures and methods to identify emerging chemicals. With the aim of supporting policy implementation, science-to-policy workshops were organised, providing opportunities for joint reflection and dialogue on research results. I, and indicators were developed to assess temporal and spatial patterns in the exposure of European population. A sustainable human biomonitoring monitoring framework, producing comparable quality assured data would allow: the evaluation of time trends; the exploration of spatial trends: the evaluation of the influence of socio-economic conditions on chemical exposure. Therefore, such a framework should be included in the European Chemicals' Strategy for Sustainability and the data would support the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lobo Vicente
- European Environment Agency (EEA), Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Catherine Ganzleben
- European Environment Agency (EEA), Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Roser Gasol
- European Environment Agency (EEA), Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Ian Marnane
- European Environment Agency (EEA), Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Buekers
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Madlen David
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency, Spittelauer Lände 5, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Harwell Science Park, Chilton, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Ilse Loots
- University of Antwerp, Department of Sociology (CRESC and IMDO), Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ann Crabbé
- University of Antwerp, Department of Sociology (CRESC and IMDO), Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dries Coertjens
- University of Antwerp, Department of Sociology (CRESC and IMDO), Sint-Jacobstraat 2, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Dept of Biomedical Sciences and Toxicological Centre, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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9
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Gerofke A, David M, Schmidt P, Vicente JL, Buekers J, Gilles L, Colles A, Bessems J, Bastiaensen M, Covaci A, Den Hond E, Koppen G, Laeremans M, Verheyen VJ, Černá M, Klánová J, Krsková A, Zvonař M, Knudsen LE, Koch HM, Jensen TK, Rambaud L, Riou M, Vogel N, Gabriel C, Karakitsios S, Papaioannou N, Sarigiannis D, Kakucs R, Középesy S, Rudnai P, Szigeti T, Barbone F, Rosolen V, Guignard C, Gutleb AC, Sakhi AK, Haug LS, Janasik B, Ligocka D, Estokova M, Fabelova L, Kolena B, Murinova LP, Petrovicova I, Richterova D, Horvat M, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Runkel AA, Castaño A, Esteban-López M, Pedraza-Díaz S, Åkesson A, Lignell S, Vlaanderen J, Zock JP, Schoeters G, Kolossa-Gehring M. From science to policy: How European HBM indicators help to answer policy questions related to phthalates and DINCH exposure. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 247:114073. [PMID: 36434900 PMCID: PMC9758616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Within the European Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Initiative HBM4EU we derived HBM indicators that were designed to help answering key policy questions and support chemical policies. The result indicators convey information on chemicals exposure of different age groups, sexes, geographical regions and time points by comparing median exposure values. If differences are observed for one group or the other, policy measures or risk management options can be implemented. Impact indicators support health risk assessment by comparing exposure values with health-based guidance values, such as human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). In general, the indicators should be designed to translate complex scientific information into short and clear messages and make it accessible to policy makers but also to a broader audience such as stakeholders (e.g. NGO's), other scientists and the general public. Based on harmonized data from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies (2014-2021), the usefulness of our indicators was demonstrated for the age group children (6-11 years), using two case examples: one phthalate (Diisobutyl phthalate: DiBP) and one non-phthalate substitute (Di-isononyl cyclohexane-1,2- dicarboxylate: DINCH). For the comparison of age groups, these were compared to data for teenagers (12-18 years), and time periods were compared using data from the DEMOCOPHES project (2011-2012). Our result indicators proved to be suitable for demonstrating the effectiveness of policy measures for DiBP and the need of continuous monitoring for DINCH. They showed similar exposure for boys and girls, indicating that there is no need for gender focused interventions and/or no indication of sex-specific exposure patterns. They created a basis for a targeted approach by highlighting relevant geographical differences in internal exposure. An adequate data basis is essential for revealing differences for all indicators. This was particularly evident in our studies on the indicators on age differences. The impact indicator revealed that health risks based on exposure to DiBP cannot be excluded. This is an indication or flag for risk managers and policy makers that exposure to DiBP still is a relevant health issue. HBM indicators derived within HBM4EU are a valuable and important complement to existing indicator lists in the context of environment and health. Their applicability, current shortcomings and solution strategies are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Gerofke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Madlen David
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Phillipp Schmidt
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jurgen Buekers
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Colles
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jos Bessems
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Michelle Laeremans
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Veerle J. Verheyen
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Milena Černá
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Krsková
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zvonař
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic,Faculty of Sport Studies, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen Øster Farimagsgade 5 DK Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Holger M. Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance − Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- Santé publique France, French Public Health Agency (SpFrance), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Margaux Riou
- Santé publique France, French Public Health Agency (SpFrance), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catherine Gabriel
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Spyros Karakitsios
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Nafsika Papaioannou
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece
| | - Denis Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece,Environmental Health Engineering, Institute of Advanced Study, Palazzo del Broletto - Piazza Della Vittoria 15, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Réka Kakucs
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Középesy
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Rudnai
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Szigeti
- National Public Health Center, Albert Flórián út 2-6., 1097, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Department of Medicine—DAME, University of Udine, Via Colugna 50, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Valentina Rosolen
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cedric Guignard
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Arno C. Gutleb
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | | | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, St. Teresy 8, Lodz, Poland
| | - Danuta Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, St. Teresy 8, Lodz, Poland
| | - Milada Estokova
- Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, Trnavska cesta 52, 826 45, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Fabelova
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kolena
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A Hlinku 1, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | | | - Ida Petrovicova
- Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A Hlinku 1, 94901 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Denisa Richterova
- Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Limbova 12, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Agneta Annika Runkel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban-López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Swedish Food Agency, PO Box 622, SE-751 26, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jelle Vlaanderen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Paul Zock
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Unit Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
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10
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Rooney JPK, Michalke B, Geoghegan G, Heverin M, Bose-O'Reilly S, Hardiman O, Rakete S. Urine concentrations of selected trace metals in a cohort of Irish adults. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:75356-75364. [PMID: 35655008 PMCID: PMC9553804 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21169-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring studies are of increasing importance in regulatory toxicology; however, there is a paucity of human biomonitoring data for the Irish population. In this study, we provide new data for urinary biomarker concentrations of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, lead and selenium. One hundred urine samples, collected between 2011 and 2014 from healthy participants of the EuroMOTOR project, were randomly selected. Metal concentrations were measured via ICPMS. Descriptive statistics for each of the metals stratified by gender were performed. There were 58 male and 42 female participants and metals were detectable for all samples. Geometric mean urinary concentrations for each metal in males were as follows: aluminium 8.5 μg/L, arsenic 8.1 μg/L, cadmium 0.3 μg/L, chromium 0.5 μg/L, copper 5.1 μg/L, mercury 0.4 μg/L, manganese 0.3 μg/L, lead 1.3 μg/L and selenium 10.8 μg/L; and in females: aluminium 8.5 μg/L, arsenic 10.2 μg/L, cadmium 0.4 μg/L, chromium 0.6 μg/L, copper 5.6 μg/L, mercury 0.3 μg/L, manganese 0.2 μg/L, lead 1.6 μg/L and selenium 13.7 μg/L. We observed higher geometric mean concentrations in women for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and selenium, with equal geometric mean concentrations for aluminium and manganese, leaving only mercury with lower geometric mean concentrations in women. Aluminium, cadmium, chromium, lead and urinary concentrations of metals were slightly elevated compared to European data, while for arsenic, copper, manganese and selenium, Irish levels were lower. Our findings highlight that there are differences in urinary metal concentrations between European populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P K Rooney
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational-, Social- and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Bernhard Michalke
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gráinne Geoghegan
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Heverin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational-, Social- and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Medical Informatics and Technology, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - Private University for Health Sciences, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stefan Rakete
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational-, Social- and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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11
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Zare Jeddi M, Hopf NB, Louro H, Viegas S, Galea KS, Pasanen-Kase R, Santonen T, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Verhagen H, Bopp SK, Antignac JP, David A, Mol H, Barouki R, Audouze K, Duca RC, Fantke P, Scheepers P, Ghosh M, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Lobo Vicente J, Trier X, Rambaud L, Fillol C, Denys S, Conrad A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Paini A, Arnot J, Schulze F, Jones K, Sepai O, Ali I, Brennan L, Benfenati E, Cubadda F, Mantovani A, Bartonova A, Connolly A, Slobodnik J, Bruinen de Bruin Y, van Klaveren J, Palmen N, Dirven H, Husøy T, Thomsen C, Virgolino A, Röösli M, Gant T, von Goetz N, Bessems J. Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107476. [PMID: 36067553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control / quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands.
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics, Lisbon and ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), P.O. Box 40, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans Verhagen
- University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research - part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- EEA - European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Xenia Trier
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Clémence Fillol
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Sebastien Denys
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Dessau-Roßlau/Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Jon Arnot
- ARC Arnot Research and Consulting, Inc., Toronto ONM4M 1W4, Canada
| | - Florian Schulze
- European Center for Environmental Medicine, Weserstr. 165, 12045 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE - Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | | | | | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alena Bartonova
- NILU Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
| | - Alison Connolly
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- NORMAN Association, Rue Jacques Taffanel - Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Space, Security and Migration, Geel, Belgium
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Nicole Palmen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine Husøy
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório Associado TERRA, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Tim Gant
- Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | | | - Jos Bessems
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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12
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Harmonization of Human Biomonitoring Studies in Europe: Characteristics of the HBM4EU-Aligned Studies Participants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116787. [PMID: 35682369 PMCID: PMC9180444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring has become a pivotal tool for supporting chemicals’ policies. It provides information on real-life human exposures and is increasingly used to prioritize chemicals of health concern and to evaluate the success of chemical policies. Europe has launched the ambitious REACH program in 2007 to improve the protection of human health and the environment. In October 2020 the EU commission published its new chemicals strategy for sustainability towards a toxic-free environment. The European Parliament called upon the commission to collect human biomonitoring data to support chemical’s risk assessment and risk management. This manuscript describes the organization of the first HBM4EU-aligned studies that obtain comparable human biomonitoring (HBM) data of European citizens to monitor their internal exposure to environmental chemicals. The HBM4EU-aligned studies build on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies. The HBM4EU-aligned studies focus on three age groups: children, teenagers, and adults. The participants are recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11 to 12 primary sampling units that are geographically distributed across Europe. Urine samples are collected in all age groups, and blood samples are collected in children and teenagers. Auxiliary information on socio-demographics, lifestyle, health status, environment, and diet is collected using questionnaires. In total, biological samples from 3137 children aged 6–12 years are collected for the analysis of biomarkers for phthalates, HEXAMOLL® DINCH, and flame retardants. Samples from 2950 teenagers aged 12–18 years are collected for the analysis of biomarkers for phthalates, Hexamoll® DINCH, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and samples from 3522 adults aged 20–39 years are collected for the analysis of cadmium, bisphenols, and metabolites of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The children’s group consists of 50.4% boys and 49.5% girls, of which 44.1% live in cities, 29.0% live in towns/suburbs, and 26.8% live in rural areas. The teenagers’ group includes 50.6% girls and 49.4% boys, with 37.7% of residents in cities, 31.2% in towns/suburbs, and 30.2% in rural areas. The adult group consists of 52.6% women and 47.4% men, 71.9% live in cities, 14.2% in towns/suburbs, and only 13.4% live in rural areas. The study population approaches the characteristics of the general European population based on age-matched EUROSTAT EU-28, 2017 data; however, individuals who obtained no to lower educational level (ISCED 0–2) are underrepresented. The data on internal human exposure to priority chemicals from this unique cohort will provide a baseline for Europe’s strategy towards a non-toxic environment and challenges and recommendations to improve the sampling frame for future EU-wide HBM surveys are discussed.
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13
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Tolonen H, Moore S, Lermen D, Virgolino A, Knudsen LE, Andersson AM, Rambaud L, Ancona C, Kolossa-Gehring M. What is required to combine human biomonitoring and health surveys? Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 242:113964. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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14
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Bartel-Steinbach M, Lermen D, Gwinner F, Schäfer M, Göen T, Conrad A, Weber T, von Briesen H, Kolossa-Gehring M. Long-term monitoring of mercury in young German adults: Time trend analyses from the German Environmental Specimen Bank, 1995-2018. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112592. [PMID: 34973943 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As highlighted in the Minamata Convention, Mercury (Hg) in its various forms poses a substantial risk to human health and the environment. The health relevance of Hg is also recognized by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which classifies Hg as a priority substance, since considerable knowledge and data gaps on Hg exposure levels and their changes over time still exist in Europe. The German Environmental Specimen Bank (German ESB) provides valuable policy relevant data and long-term trends of substance exposure on a national level for international comparison and evaluation. In this study we analysed data of the German ESB on Hg exposure of young adults aged 20 to 29 including data on urinary Hg levels from 1995 to 2018 and whole blood Hg levels from 2001 to 2010. Results show a clear decrease in both, about 86% in urine total daily Hg excretion from 1995 (0.76 μg/L) to 2018 (0.11 μg/L) (n = 10,069) and about 57% in blood concentrations of Hg from 2001 (1.76 μg/L) to 2010 (0.77 μg/L) (n = 4085). Over the investigated timeframe only a few values exceeded the toxicologically derived health based guidance value HBM I for blood and urine, with these exceedances decreasing over time in line with the general trend. The factors mostly influencing Hg excretion identified in this study are dental amalgam as well as fish and seafood consumption. Besides other factors (e.g. age and sex), also airborne Hg exposure appears to be a low but evident influencing factor in Germany. Although a considerable decrease in internal Hg exposure is recognized in the last decades, the current low-level exposure may cause adverse health effects especially to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. To further elucidate and evaluate current exposure sources and to reduce human exposure to Hg, continuous environmental and human biomonitoring is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Frederik Gwinner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Moritz Schäfer
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
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15
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Diurnal Variation in Biomarkers of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Their Association with Oxidative Damage in Norwegian Adults: The EuroMix Study. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10040181. [PMID: 35448442 PMCID: PMC9028082 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Much evidence on the adverse health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has accumulated during recent decades. EDCs are commonly found in various foods and personal care products (PCP). Data documenting a diurnally varying EDC metabolism in humans is scarce. This study examined (i) the time-of-day effect on the diurnal magnitude and variance of urinary biomarkers of exposure to EDCs, and (ii) the association between EDC exposures and oxidative damage in a Norwegian adult subpopulation. This was a cross-sectional panel study using biobanked samples from the EuroMix project. During a typical weekday, participants were asked to collect all day’s urine voids and record dietary and PCP habitual uses in a diary. Collected time stamps of urine voids were classified into three distinct periods in the day (morning 6 a.m.−12 p.m., mid-day 12 p.m.−6 p.m., evening 6 p.m.−6 a.m.). Questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, personal care product usage, and dietary habits were completed. Urinary levels of EDCs (phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols) were measured using mass spectrometry and adjusted for urinary volume using specific gravity. Urinary 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured using an immunoassay kit. Linear mixed-effect models identified EDCs under the influence of a diurnal variation effect that was adjusted for dietary habits and PCP use and examined associations between EDC and 4HNE. p-values were FDR-adjusted. Most phthalates appeared to be diurnally varying with higher urinary levels towards the evening (q < 0.001) than those measured during mid-day; this strong diurnal variation effect was not present for parabens and bisphenols. Significant (q < 0.001) positive associations were observed between all phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols (except bisphenol S) and 4HNE. This study’s findings highlighted the diurnal variation of excretion for certain EDC, but not for others, in real-life conditions. The degree of EDC chronotoxicity in distinct diurnal windows of the day warrants further investigation with longitudinal human studies.
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16
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Assessment of Exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) Metabolites and Bisphenol A (BPA) and Its Importance for the Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12020167. [PMID: 35208241 PMCID: PMC8878475 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposomics analyses have highlighted the importance of biomonitoring of human exposure to pollutants, even non-persistent, for the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely used in industry and in a large range of daily life products that increase the risk of endocrine and cardiometabolic diseases especially if the exposure starts during childhood. Thus, biomonitoring of exposure to these compounds is important not only in adulthood but also in childhood. This was the goal of the LIFE-PERSUADED project that measured the exposure to phthalates (DEHP metabolites, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP) and BPA in Italian mother–children couples of different ages. In this paper we describe the method that was set up for the LIFE PERSUADED project and validated during the proficiency test (ICI/EQUAS) showing that accurate determination of urinary phthalates and BPA can be achieved starting from small sample size (0.5 mL) using two MS techniques applied in cascade on the same deconjugated matrix.
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17
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Proficiency and Interlaboratory Variability in the Determination of Phthalate and DINCH Biomarkers in Human Urine: Results from the HBM4EU Project. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10020057. [PMID: 35202244 PMCID: PMC8878211 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A quality assurance/quality control program was implemented in the framework of the EU project HBM4EU to assess and improve the comparability of biomarker analysis and to build a network of competent laboratories. Four rounds of proficiency tests were organized for 15 phthalate and two DINCH urinary biomarkers (0.2–138 ng/mL) over a period of 18 months, with the involvement of 28 laboratories. A substantial improvement in performance was observed after the first round in particular, and by the end of the program, an average satisfactory performance rate of 90% was achieved. The interlaboratory reproducibility as derived from the participants’ results varied for the various biomarkers and rounds, with an average of 24% for the biomarkers of eight single-isomer phthalates (e.g., DnBP and DEHP) and 43% for the more challenging biomarkers of the mixed-isomer phthalates (DiNP, DiDP) and DINCH. When the reproducibility was based only on the laboratories that consistently achieved a satisfactory performance, this improved to 17% and 26%, respectively, clearly demonstrating the success of the QA/QC efforts. The program thus aided in building capacity and the establishment of a network of competent laboratories able to generate comparable and accurate HBM data for phthalate and DINCH biomarkers in 14 EU countries. In addition, global comparability was ensured by including external expert laboratories.
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18
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Garí M, Moos R, Bury D, Kasper-Sonnenberg M, Jankowska A, Andysz A, Hanke W, Nowak D, Bose-O’Reilly S, Koch HM, Polanska K. Human-Biomonitoring derived exposure and Daily Intakes of Bisphenol A and their associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes among children of the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study. Environ Health 2021; 20:95. [PMID: 34433458 PMCID: PMC8390261 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00777-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical mostly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins and thermal paper. Several studies have reported adverse health effects with BPA exposures, namely metabolic disorders and altered neurodevelopment in children, among others. The aim of this study was to explore BPA exposure, its socio-demographic and life-style related determinants, and its association with neurodevelopmental outcomes in early school age children from Poland. METHODS A total of 250 urine samples of 7 year-old children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) were analyzed for BPA concentrations using high performance liquid chromatography with online sample clean-up coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (online-SPE-LC-MS/MS). Socio-demographic and lifestyle-related data was collected by questionnaires or additional biomarker measurements. Emotional and behavioral symptoms in children were assessed using mother-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Cognitive and psychomotor development was evaluated by Polish adaptation of the Intelligence and Development Scales (IDS) performed by trained psychologists. RESULTS Urinary BPA concentrations and back-calculated daily intakes (medians of 1.8 μg/l and 46.3 ng/kg bw/day, respectively) were similar to other European studies. Urinary cotinine levels and body mass index, together with maternal educational level and socio-economic status, were the main determinants of BPA levels in Polish children. After adjusting for confounding factors, BPA has been found to be positively associated with emotional symptoms (β: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.022; 0.27). Cognitive and psychomotor development were not found to be related to BPA levels. CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first report of BPA levels and their determinants in school age children in Poland. The exposure level was found to be related to child emotional condition, which can have long-term consequences including social functioning and scholastic achievements. Further monitoring of this population in terms of overall chemical exposure is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Garí
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich. Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Rebecca Moos
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Jankowska
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Andysz
- Department of Health and Work Psychology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Hanke
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Bose-O’Reilly
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger M. Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Kinga Polanska
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
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19
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Gilles L, Govarts E, Rambaud L, Vogel N, Castaño A, Esteban López M, Rodriguez Martin L, Koppen G, Remy S, Vrijheid M, Montazeri P, Birks L, Sepai O, Stewart L, Fiddicke U, Loots I, Knudsen LE, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schoeters G. HBM4EU combines and harmonises human biomonitoring data across the EU, building on existing capacity - The HBM4EU survey. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113809. [PMID: 34455198 PMCID: PMC8504197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
As part of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) initiative a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey is conducted in 21 countries. This survey builds on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies. The survey targets 3 age groups (i) children aged 6-11 years, (ii) teenagers aged 12-19 years and (iii) young adults aged 20-39 years and includes a total of 9493 participants (3151 children, 2953 teenagers and 3389 young adults). Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and substitute Hexamoll® DINCH, brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per-/poly-fluorinated compounds, cadmium, bisphenols and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are assessed. The main goal of the programme is to obtain quality controlled and comparable HBM data of exposure to chemicals, prioritized under HBM4EU, with European wide coverage to inform the development of environment and health policies. This paper describes the framework of the HBM4EU survey and the approach that has been applied to align European HBM initiatives across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- Santé Publique France, French Public Health Agency (ANSP), Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Nina Vogel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Center for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban López
- National Center for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Parisa Montazeri
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Birks
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ilse Loots
- Department of Sociology (CRESC) and IMDO, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Public Health, Department of Environmental Medicine, Odense, Denmark
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20
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Esteban López M, Göen T, Mol H, Nübler S, Haji-Abbas-Zarrabi K, Koch HM, Kasper-Sonnenberg M, Dvorakova D, Hajslova J, Antignac JP, Vaccher V, Elbers I, Thomsen C, Vorkamp K, Pedraza-Díaz S, Kolossa-Gehring M, Castaño A. The European human biomonitoring platform - Design and implementation of a laboratory quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programme for selected priority chemicals. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 234:113740. [PMID: 33774419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental objective of the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU) is to progress toward comparable and robust exposure data for a wide variety of prioritized chemicals in human samples. A programme for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) was designed in HBM4EU with the purpose of creating a network of European laboratories providing comparable analytical data of high quality. Two approaches were chosen for two sets of prioritized chemicals with different timelines: (i) Scheme 1, where interested candidate laboratories participated in multiple rounds of proficiency tests (ii) Scheme 2, where selected expert laboratories participated in three rounds of interlaboratory comparison investigations. In both cases, the results were used to identify laboratories capable of generating consistent and comparable results for sample analysis in the frame of HBM4EU. In total, 84 laboratories from 26 countries were invited to participate in Scheme 1 that covered up to 73 biomarkers from Hexamoll® DINCH, phthalates, bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), organophosporous flame retardants (OPFRs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), cadmium, chromium and aromatic amines. 74 of the participants were successful for at least one biomarker in Scheme 1. Scheme 2 involved 22 biomarkers and successful results were obtained by 2 expert laboratories for arsenic, 5 for acrylamide, 4 for mycotoxins, 2 for pesticides and 2 for UV-filters in skin care products. The QA/QC programme allowed the identification of major difficulties and needs in HBM analysis as well of gaining insight in the analytical capacities of European laboratories. Furthermore, it is the first step towards the establishment of a sustainable European network of HBM laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Esteban López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (IPASUM), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Nübler
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (IPASUM), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karin Haji-Abbas-Zarrabi
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (IPASUM), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University-Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University-Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Darina Dvorakova
- Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT), Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hajslova
- Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT), Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Ingrid Elbers
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, Part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University (AU), Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain.
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21
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Kannan K, Stathis A, Mazzella MJ, Andra SS, Barr DB, Hecht SS, Merrill LS, Galusha AL, Parsons PJ. Quality assurance and harmonization for targeted biomonitoring measurements of environmental organic chemicals across the Children's Health Exposure Analysis Resource laboratory network. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 234:113741. [PMID: 33773388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A consortium of laboratories established under the Children's Health Exposure Analysis Resource (CHEAR) used a multifaceted quality assurance program to promote measurement harmonization for trace organics analyses of human biospecimens that included: (1) participation in external quality assurance (EQA)/proficiency testing (PT) programs; (2) analyses of a urine-based CHEAR common quality control (QC) pool with each analytical batch across all participating laboratories; (3) method validation against NIST Standard Reference Materials® (SRMs); and (4) analyses of blinded duplicates and other project-specific QC samples. The capability of five CHEAR laboratories in organic chemical analysis increased across the 4-year period, and performance in the external PT program improved over time - recent challenges reporting >90% analytes with satisfactory performance. The CHEAR QC pools were analyzed for several classes of organic chemicals including phthalate metabolites and environmental phenols by the participating laboratories with every batch of project samples, which provided a rich source of measurement data for the assessment of intra- and inter-laboratory variance. Within-laboratory and overall variabilities in measurements across laboratories were calculated for target chemicals in urine QC pools; the coefficient of variation (CV) was generally below 25% across batches, studies and laboratories and indicated acceptable analytical imprecision. The suite of organic chemicals analyzed in the CHEAR QC pool was broader than those reported for commercially available reference materials. The accuracy of each of the laboratories' methods was verified through the analysis of several NIST SRMs and was, for example, 97 ± 5.2% for environmental phenols and 95 ± 11% for phthalates. Analysis of blinded duplicate samples showed excellent agreement and reliability of measurements. The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for phthalate metabolites analyzed in various batches across three CHEAR laboratories showed excellent reliability (typically >0.90). Overall, the multifaceted quality assurance protocols followed among the CHEAR laboratories ensured reliable and reproducible data quality for several classes of organic chemicals. Increased participation in external PT programs through inclusion of additional target analytes will further enhance the confidence in data quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Alexa Stathis
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA
| | - Matthew J Mazzella
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Syam S Andra
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Stephen S Hecht
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | | | - Aubrey L Galusha
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Patrick J Parsons
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12237, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
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22
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Virgolino A, Santos O, Costa J, Fialho M, Iavicoli I, Santonen T, Tolonen H, Samoli E, Katsouyanni K, Baltatzis G, Ruggieri F, Abballe A, Petrovičová I, Kolena B, Šidlovská M, Ancona C, Eržen I, Sepai O, Castaño A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Fiddicke U. Challenges to Evidence Synthesis and Identification of Data Gaps in Human Biomonitoring. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2830. [PMID: 33802154 PMCID: PMC8000824 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18062830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The increasing number of human biomonitoring (HBM) studies undertaken in recent decades has brought to light the need to harmonise procedures along all phases of the study, including sampling, data collection and analytical methods to allow data comparability. The first steps towards harmonisation are the identification and collation of HBM methodological information of existing studies and data gaps. Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses have been traditionally put at the top of the hierarchy of evidence, being increasingly applied to map available evidence on health risks linked to exposure to chemicals. However, these methods mainly capture peer-reviewed articles, failing to comprehensively identify other important, unpublished sources of information that are pivotal to gather a complete map of the produced evidence in the area of HBM. Within the framework of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) initiative-a project that joins 30 countries, 29 from Europe plus Israel, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission-a comprehensive work of data triangulation has been made to identify existing HBM studies and data gaps across countries within the consortium. The use of documentary analysis together with an up-to-date platform to fulfil this need and its implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (O.S.); (J.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Osvaldo Santos
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (O.S.); (J.C.); (M.F.)
- Unbreakable Idea Research, Lda, 2550-426 Painho, Portugal
| | - Joana Costa
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (O.S.); (J.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Mónica Fialho
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (O.S.); (J.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland;
| | - Hanna Tolonen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 00300 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Evangelia Samoli
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (E.S.); (K.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Klea Katsouyanni
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (E.S.); (K.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Georgios Baltatzis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (E.S.); (K.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Flavia Ruggieri
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute for Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.A.)
| | - Annalisa Abballe
- Department of Environment and Health, National Institute for Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.A.)
| | - Ida Petrovičová
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (I.P.); (B.K.); (M.Š.)
| | - Branislav Kolena
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (I.P.); (B.K.); (M.Š.)
| | - Miroslava Šidlovská
- Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; (I.P.); (B.K.); (M.Š.)
| | - Carla Ancona
- Department of Epidemiology, Local Health Authority Rome E, 00147 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ivan Eržen
- Public Health School, National Institute of Public Health, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Public Health England, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot OX 11 0RQ, UK;
| | - Argelia Castaño
- CNSA, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Ulrike Fiddicke
- German Environment Agency, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (M.K.-G.); (U.F.)
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23
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Nübler S, López ME, Castaño A, Mol H, Schäfer M, Haji-Abbas-Zarrabi K, Bury D, Koch HM, Vaccher V, Antignac JP, Dvorakova D, Hajslova J, Thomsen C, Vorkamp K, Göen T. Interlaboratory comparison investigations (ICI) and external quality assurance schemes (EQUAS) for cadmium in urine and blood: Results from the HBM4EU project. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 234:113711. [PMID: 33714064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) of cadmium is essential to assess and prevent toxic exposure. Generally, low cadmium levels in urine and blood of the general population place particularly high demands on quality assurance and control measures (QA/QC) for cadmium determination. One of the aims of the HBM4EU project is to harmonize and advance HBM in Europe. Cadmium is one of the chemicals selected as a priority substance for HBM implementation in the 30 European countries under HBM4EU. For this purpose, analytical comparability and accuracy of the analytical laboratories of participating countries was investigated in a QA/QC programme comprising interlaboratory comparison investigations (ICI) and external quality assurance schemes (EQUAS). This paper presents the evaluation process and discusses the results of four ICI/EQUAS rounds for the determination of cadmium in urine and blood. The majority of the 43 participating laboratories achieved satisfactory results, although low limits of quantification were required to quantify Cd concentrations at general population exposure levels. The relative standard deviation of the participants' results obtained from all ICI and EQUAS runs ranged from 8 to 36% for cadmium in urine and 8-28% for cadmium in blood. Applying inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using an internal standard, and eliminating molybdenum oxide interferences was favourable for the accurate determination of cadmium in urine and blood. Furthermore, the analysis of cadmium in urine was found to have a critical point at approximately 0.05 μg/l, below which variability increased and laboratory proficiency decreased. This QA/QC programme succeeded in establishing a network of laboratories with high analytical comparability and accuracy for the analysis of cadmium across 20 European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Nübler
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marta Esteban López
- National Center for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda a Pozuelo km2,2, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Center for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda a Pozuelo km2,2, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research, part of Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708, WB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Moritz Schäfer
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karin Haji-Abbas-Zarrabi
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vincent Vaccher
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d'Etude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Antignac
- Oniris, INRAE, UMR 1329 Laboratoire d'Etude des Résidus et Contaminants dans les Aliments (LABERCA), F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - Darina Dvorakova
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 5, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hajslova
- University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 5, 16000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 9-11, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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24
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Lermen D, Weber T, Göen T, Bartel-Steinbach M, Gwinner F, Mueller SC, Conrad A, Rüther M, von Briesen H, Kolossa-Gehring M. Long-term time trend of lead exposure in young German adults - Evaluation of more than 35 Years of data of the German Environmental Specimen Bank. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 231:113665. [PMID: 33221633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a ubiquitous pollutant with well-known effects on human health. As there is no lower toxicological threshold for lead in blood and since data gaps on lead exposure still exist in many European countries, HBM data on lead is of high importance. To address this, the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU classified lead as a priority substance. The German Environmental Specimen Bank (German ESB) has monitored lead exposure since more than 35 years. Using data from the early 1980s to 2019 we reveal and discuss long-term trends in blood lead levels (BLLs) and current internal exposure of young adults in Germany. BLLs in young adults decreased substantially in the investigated period. As results from the ESB sampling site Muenster demonstrate, the geometric mean of BLLs of young adults decreased from 1981 (78,7 μg/L) to 2019 (10.4 μg/L) by about 87%. Trends in human exposure closely correlate with air lead levels (ALLs) provided by the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP). Hence, the decrease of BLLs largely reflects the drop in air lead pollution. Known associations of sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and housing situation with BLLs are confirmed with data of the German ESB. Although internal lead exposure in Germany decreased substantially, the situation might be different in other European countries. Since 2010, BLLs of young adults in Germany levelled out at approximately 10 μg/L. The toxicity of lead even at low levels is known to cause adverse health effects especially in children following exposure of the child or the mother during pregnancy. To identify current exposure sources and to minimize future lead exposure, continuous monitoring of lead intake and exposure levels is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany.
| | - Till Weber
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Frederik Gwinner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Sabine C Mueller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Rüther
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
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25
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David M, Schwedler G, Reiber L, Tolonen H, Andersson AM, Esteban López M, Joas A, Schöpel M, Polcher A, Kolossa-Gehring M. Learning from previous work and finding synergies in the domains of public and environmental health: EU-funded projects BRIDGE Health and HBM4EU. Arch Public Health 2020; 78:78. [PMID: 32944237 PMCID: PMC7488312 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-020-00460-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the last decade, the European Union initiated several projects in the domains of public and environmental health. Within this framework, BRIDGE Health (Bridging Information and Data Generation for Evidence-based Health policy and Research) and HBM4EU (European human biomonitoring initiative) have been implemented. Whereas, the focus of BRIDGE Health was towards a sustainable and integrated health information system (HIS), the aim of HBM4EU is to improve evidence of the internal exposure of European citizens to environmental chemicals by human biomonitoring (HBM) and the impact of internal exposure on health. As both, environmental and public health determinants are important for health promotion, disease prevention and policy, BRIDGE Health and HBM4EU have overlapping aims and outcomes. In order to improve health information regarding public health and environmental health issues, best use and exchange of respective networks and project results is necessary. METHODS Both projects have implemented health information (HI) and HBM tasks in order to provide adequate environmental and public health information of the European population. Synergies of the projects were identified in the working progress and because of overlapping networks and experts a focused analysis of both projects was envisaged. This paper elaborates on the aims and outcomes of both projects and the benefit of merging and channelling research results for the use of better health information and policy making that may be of relevance for any other project in these research fields. RESULTS The need for focused exchanges and collaborations between the projects were identified and benefits of exchanges were highlighted for the specific areas of indicator development, linkage of data repositories and the combination of HBM studies and health examination surveys (HES). Further recommendations for a European wide harmonisation among different tasks in the fields of public health and environmental health are being developed. CONCLUSIONS Lessons learned from HBM4EU and BRIDGE Health show that continuous efforts must be undertaken, also by succeeding projects, to guarantee the exchange between public health and environmental health issues. Networks covering both are essential to provide better evidence of knowledge. The experiences from BRIDGE Health and HBM4EU give a valuable input for any future activity in these domains. Avoiding overlaps and streamlining further exchange of public health and environmental health contributes to best use of research results and allows to develop new strategies and tools for improvement of health information and thus enhances people's health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hanna Tolonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marta Esteban López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Anke Joas
- Ramboll Deutschland GmbH, Munich, Germany
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26
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Runkel AA, Snoj-Tratnik J, Mazej D, Horvat M. Urinary phthalate concentrations in the slovenian population: An attempt to exposure assessment of family units. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109548. [PMID: 32334174 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are widespread contaminants with differing chemical characteristics, which largely determine their product applications, and they can leach into the environment. Due to their endocrine disruptive properties at long-term low-level exposure, they propose a health threat to people that has been associated with several adverse health effects such as: decreased male fertility and impacts on neurological development. People are exposed to different phthalates on a daily basis. Accordingly, this study aims to determine urinary concentrations of seven phthalate metabolites in Slovenian mothers (n = 155), fathers (n = 77), and children (n = 155) within the European project DEMOCOPHES and to identify potential sources of exposure using questionnaire data on sociodemographic characteristics. Furthermore, the appropriateness of two adjustment methods (creatinine and specific gravity) has been evaluated. First morning urine samples were obtained from one urban and one rural location in 2011. Samples were analysed with Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry according to the COPHES SOP protocol by VITO NV laboratory in Belgium. All investigated metabolites were detected in all populations. Children's urinary concentrations exceeded those of adults for most metabolites. We observed variations in concentrations depending on sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, such as food and product sources (e.g. plastic packaging, tins, personal care products, PVC) as well as lifestyle and habits (e.g. living space, time spent outside). We observed geographic and sociodemographic differences in our populations that could be confirmed for the three populations separately and for family units. Concentrations are significantly higher at the rural sampling location as well as in households with a lower level of education. We found both the urinary concentrations and the intake doses to be within the European range as presented in the literature. Between creatinine and specific gravity, we found specific gravity the more appropriate option for phthalates. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating exposure to phthalates in the Slovenian population while considering the common exposure of family units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta A Runkel
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Darja Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova Cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lermen D, Gwinner F, Bartel-Steinbach M, Mueller SC, Habermann JK, Balwir MB, Smits E, Virgolino A, Fiddicke U, Berglund M, Åkesson A, Bergstrom A, Leander K, Horvat M, Snoj Tratnik J, Posada de la Paz M, Castaño Calvo A, Esteban López M, von Briesen H, Zimmermann H, Kolossa-Gehring M. Towards Harmonized Biobanking for Biomonitoring: A Comparison of Human Biomonitoring-Related and Clinical Biorepositories. Biopreserv Biobank 2020; 18:122-135. [PMID: 32281895 PMCID: PMC7185365 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2019.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) depends on high-quality human samples to identify status and trends in exposure and ensure comparability of results. In this context, much effort has been put into the development of standardized processes and quality assurance for sampling and chemical analysis, while effects of sample storage and shipment on sample quality have been less thoroughly addressed. To characterize the currently applied storage and shipment procedures within the consortium of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which aims at harmonization of HBM in Europe, a requirement analysis based on data from an online survey was conducted. In addition, the online survey was addressed to professionals in clinical biobanking represented by members of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) to identify the current state-of-the-art in terms of sample storage and shipment. Results of this survey conducted in these two networks were compared to detect processes with potential for optimization and harmonization. In general, many similarities exist in sample storage and shipment procedures applied by ESBB members and HBM4EU partners and many requirements for ensuring sample quality are already met also by HBM4EU partners. Nevertheless, a need for improvement was identified for individual steps in sample storage, shipment, and related data management with potential impact on sample and data quality for HBM purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for crucial first steps to further strengthen sample quality, and thus foster advancement in HBM on a pan-European level are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Frederik Gwinner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Martina Bartel-Steinbach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Sabine C. Mueller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Jens K. Habermann
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- University Clinical Center Schleswig-Holstein, University of Luebeck, Translational Surgical Oncology and Biobanking, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Matharoo-Ball Balwir
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- Nottingham University Hospital, Translational Research and Nottingham Health Science Biobank (NHSB), Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elke Smits
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Division of Medical Director, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ana Virgolino
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ulrike Fiddicke
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Marika Berglund
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Bergstrom
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Leander
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Milena Horvat
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Manuel Posada de la Paz
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Rare Diseases Research, CIBERER, EuroBiobanK, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argelia Castaño Calvo
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental CNSA, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban López
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental CNSA, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Heiko Zimmermann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
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van der Meer TP, van Faassen M, Frederiksen H, van Beek AP, Wolffenbuttel BHR, Kema IP, van Vliet-Ostaptchouk JV. Development and Interlaboratory Validation of Two Fast UPLC-MS-MS Methods Determining Urinary Bisphenols, Parabens and Phthalates. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 43:452-464. [PMID: 31044238 PMCID: PMC6655542 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
People are constantly exposed to a wide variety of chemicals. Some of these compounds, such as parabens, bisphenols and phthalates, are known to have endocrine disrupting potencies. Over the years, these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been a rising cause for concern. In this study, we describe setup and validation of two methods to measure EDCs in human urine, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The phenol method determines methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, n-butyl- and benzylparaben and bisphenol A, F and S. The phthalate method determines in total 13 metabolites of dimethyl, diethyl, diisobutyl, di-n-butyl, di(2-ethylhexyl), butylbenzyl, diiso-nonyl and diisodecyl phthalate. Runtime was 7 and 8 min per sample for phenols and phthalates, respectively. The methods were validated by the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) for 13 compounds. In addition, EDCs were measured in forty 24-h urine samples, of which 12 EDCs were compared with the same samples measured in an established facility (Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark). The intra-assay coefficient of variability (CV) was highest at 10% and inter-assay CV was highest at 12%. Recoveries ranged from 86 to 115%. The limit of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.43 ng/mL. Of 21 compounds, 10 were detected above limit of detection in ≥93% of the samples. Eight compounds were in accordance to NIST reference concentrations. Differences in intercept were found for two compounds whereas slope differed for six compounds between our method and that used in the Danish facility. In conclusion, we set up and validated two high-throughput methods with very short runtime capable of measuring 5 parabens, 3 bisphenols and 13 different metabolites of 8 phthalates. Sensitivity of the phenol method was increased by using ammonium fluoride in the mobile phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P van der Meer
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn van Faassen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - André P van Beek
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bruce H R Wolffenbuttel
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ido P Kema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jana V van Vliet-Ostaptchouk
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Nehring A, Bury D, Ringbeck B, Kling HW, Otter R, Weiss T, Brüning T, Koch HM. Metabolism and urinary excretion kinetics of di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) in four human volunteers after a single oral dose. Toxicol Lett 2020; 321:95-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Iavicoli I, Leso V, Fontana L. The reference values in the interpretation of toxicological data. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2019; 110:251-270. [PMID: 31475687 PMCID: PMC7809994 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v110i4.8662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide gradual expansion of industrialization has led to a dramatic increase in the production and use of chemical substances. This has resulted in a greater dispersion of these elements in the environment and in an increased exposure of the general population and workers. In this scenario, a thorough knowledge of exposure levels is needed in order to assess chemical risks in environmental and occupational settings. Biological monitoring is among the most useful tools for assessing exposure. However, in order to provide really effective guidance in the application/implementation of risk management measures, biomonitoring results need to be compared with appropriate references. Reference values (RVs) are an excellent resource since useful information for a correct interpretation of toxicological data can be obtained by comparing them with biomonitoring results. In the field of public health, this may enable us to identify potential sources of exposure, define the principal and most frequently exploited routes of exposure, and outline chemical absorption. Similarly, in occupational medicine, RVs can be used to give meaning to biomonitoring findings, especially when a biological limit value is not available for the chemical in question. Furthermore, these values are a valid tool for assessing exposure to chemical carcinogens. Therefore, by integrating reference values in an appropriate and complete system of guide values that also includes action levels and biological limit values, we could obtain both an adequate assessment of exposure and a better understanding of toxicological data.
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Koppen G, Govarts E, Vanermen G, Voorspoels S, Govindan M, Dewolf MC, Den Hond E, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Castaño A, López ME, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Schoeters G, Covaci A. Mothers and children are related, even in exposure to chemicals present in common consumer products. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:297-307. [PMID: 31146101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) are detectable in the vast majority of people. Most humans are continuously exposed to these chemicals due to their presence in food or in everyday consumer products. The measurement of these compounds in family members may help to explore the impact of major lifestyle factors on exposure. Mothers and (young) children are especially interesting to study, as they mostly share considerable parts of daily life together. MATERIALS AND METHODS Phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) were measured in first morning void urine, collected in mother-child pairs (n = 129) on the same day. The mothers (27-45y) and their children (6-11y) were recruited in the Brussels agglomeration and rural areas of Belgium in the context of the European COPHES-DEMOCOPHES human biomonitoring project. Face-to-face questionnaires gathered information on major exposure sources and lifestyle factors. Exposure determinants were assessed by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS The investigated compounds were detectable in nearly all mothers (92.8-100%) and all children (95.2-100%). The range (P90 vs. P10) of differences in urinary concentrations within each age group was for most compounds around 10-20 fold, and was very high for TCS up to 35 and 350-fold in children and mothers respectively. Some participants exceeded the tolerable daily intake guidelines as far as they were available from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Overall, for BPA, the urinary concentrations were similar among both age groups. Most urinary phthalate metabolites were higher in children compared to the mothers, except for monoethyl phthalate (MEP). TCS levels were generally higher in the mothers. Despite the difference in mothers' and children's urinary concentrations, the creatinine-corrected levels were correlated for all biomarkers (Spearman rank r = 0.32 to 0.66, p < 0.001). Furthermore, for phthalates, similar home and lifestyle factors were associated with the urinary concentrations in both age groups: home renovation during last two years or redecoration during the last year for di-ethyl phthalate (DEP); PVC in home for di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and personal care products use for DiBP and DnBP. Based on questionnaire information on general food type consumption patterns, the exposure variability could not be explained. However, comparing the phthalate intake from the current study with earlier assessed Belgian food intake calculations for both ages, food in general was estimated to be the major intake source for di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), with diminishing importance for BBzP, DiBP and DnBP. CONCLUSION Our results confirm, that children and their mothers, sharing diets and home environments, also share exposure in common consumer products related chemicals. By collecting morning urine levels on the same day, and using basic questionnaires, suspected exposure routes could be unraveled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Guido Vanermen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Stefan Voorspoels
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | | | - Marie-Christine Dewolf
- Environment and Health Risk Assessment Hainaut Vigilance Sanitaire - Hygiène Publique en Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ludwine Casteleyn
- University of Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Gerda Schwedler
- German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Birgit K Schindler
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), National Centre for Environmental Health (CNSA) Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), National Centre for Environmental Health (CNSA) Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Lyceumstraat 2 4561 HV Hulst, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København, Denmark.
| | - Reinhard Joas
- Senior Advisor Environment and Health/chemicals, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Anke Joas
- Senior Advisor Environment and Health/chemicals, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium; University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Public Health/ Department of Environmental Medicine, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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Urinary metabolites of the UV filter 2-Ethylhexyl salicylate as biomarkers of exposure in humans. Toxicol Lett 2019; 309:35-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Caspersen IH, Thomsen C, Haug LS, Knutsen HK, Brantsæter AL, Papadopoulou E, Erlund I, Lundh T, Alexander J, Meltzer HM. Patterns and dietary determinants of essential and toxic elements in blood measured in mid-pregnancy: The Norwegian Environmental Biobank. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 671:299-308. [PMID: 30928759 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate stores or intakes of essential minerals in pregnancy, or too high exposure to both toxic and essential elements, can have adverse effects on mother and child. The main aims of this study were to 1) describe the concentrations and patterns of essential and toxic elements measured in maternal whole blood during pregnancy; 2) identify dietary, lifestyle and sociodemographic determinants of element status; and 3) explore the impact of iron deficiency on blood element concentrations. METHODS This study is based on blood samples collected from 2982 women in gestational week 18 in The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study (MoBa) which were analyzed as part of the Norwegian Environmental Biobank. We derived blood element patterns by exploratory factor analysis, and associations between blood element patterns and diet were explored using sparse partial least squares (sPLS) regression. RESULTS Blood concentrations were determined for the essential elements (in the order of most abundant) Zn > Cu > Se > Mn > Mo > Co, and the toxic metals Pb > As > Hg > Cd > Tl. The concentrations were in ranges that were similar to or sometimes more favorable than in other pregnant and non-pregnant European women. We identified two blood element patterns; one including Zn, Se and Mn and another including Hg and As. For the Zn-Se-Mn pattern, use of multimineral supplements was the most important dietary determinant, while a high score in the Hg-As pattern was mainly determined by seafood consumption. Concentrations of Mn, Cd and Co were significantly higher in women with iron deficiency (plasma ferritin < 12 μg/L) than in women with plasma ferritin ≥ 12 μg/L. CONCLUSION Our study illustrates complex relationships and coexistence of essential and toxic elements. Their potential interplay adds to the challenges of studies investigating health effects related to either diet or toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Henriette Caspersen
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line Småstuen Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helle K Knutsen
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eleni Papadopoulou
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Iris Erlund
- Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institution of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jan Alexander
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helle Margrete Meltzer
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Castaño A, Pedraza-Díaz S, Cañas AI, Pérez-Gómez B, Ramos JJ, Bartolomé M, Pärt P, Soto EP, Motas M, Navarro C, Calvo E, Esteban M. Mercury levels in blood, urine and hair in a nation-wide sample of Spanish adults. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 670:262-270. [PMID: 30903899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is among the top 10 environmental chemicals of major public health concern (WHO). The Minamata Convention on Mercury (United Nations Environment Program, 2017), commits signing countries to control anthropogenic mercury emissions and reduce human exposure. Human biomonitoring (HBM) programs, are the most straight-forward approaches to get information on the actual exposure levels in the population and assess over time. We report here the results of a HBM study in a nationwide cross-section of Spanish adults (18-65y) as baseline values obtained before the Minamata Convention entered into force. Subsequent follow-ups will show if the Convention has been successful. The study includes 1880 blood samples, 1704 urine samples and 577 hair samples from all Spanish regions collected and analysed under a strictly quality controlled and quality assured protocol. The EU-DEMOCOPHES project demonstrated that fish and seafood are the major sources of mercury exposure and that the Spanish as well as the Portuguese populations have higher levels than other European countries. The data from the present study confirms this pattern at national level and that inhabitants in coastal regions have higher values than from inland regions. The geometric mean (GM) for blood is 6.35 μg Hg/l, in urine is 1.11 μg Hg/l and for hair is 1.91 μg Hg/g. In an international comparison these values are not exceptional. Spanish concentrations fall into the group of Easter Mediterranean populations. Although information on gender, age, occupational sector, geographical area, sampling period and frequency of fish consumption is reported in the tables, the purpose of this paper has not been to analyse the determinants of exposure in detail but to provide baseline data for future assessments and for regional authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Castaño
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Pedraza-Díaz
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A I Cañas
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Pérez-Gómez
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - J J Ramos
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Bartolomé
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Pärt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish Agricultural University, Sweden
| | - E P Soto
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Motas
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Navarro
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Calvo
- Ibermutuamur, Ramirez de Arellano 27, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Esteban
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Mengozzi A, Carli F, Biancalana E, Della Latta V, Seghieri M, Gastaldelli A, Solini A. Phthalates Exposure as Determinant of Albuminuria in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:1491-1499. [PMID: 30462244 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Recent epidemiological observations have reported an association among phthalates exposure and insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes but have not related exposure to these environmental pollutants with microvascular complications of diabetes. OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between phthalates and renal function in subjects with diabetes. DESIGN Cross-sectional, case-only study. Concentrations of three urinary metabolites of di-2-ethylhexylphthalate were quantified in a spot morning urine sample, normalized for creatinine urinary excretion, and related to clinical parameters and phenotype, adjusting for confounders. PATIENTS Two hundred and nine patients with diabetes consecutively referred to our clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Relationship between phthalates and renal function [evaluated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria]. RESULTS Creatinine-adjusted urinary concentrations of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate were 7.53 µg/g (range, 4.84 to 12.60), 3.04 µg/g (range, 1.03 to 5.14), and 10.70 µg/g (7.02 to 17.40), respectively. Age, sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, smoking, blood pressure, glycated Hb, and eGFR did not influence their levels. Exposure to MEHP and MEOHP was greater in individuals with microalbuminuria/macroalbuminuria (MEHP, P = 0.0173; MEOHP, P = 0.0306). The fourth vs first quartile showed a greater risk of albuminuria (MEHP: OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.45 to 16.06; P = 0.0297; MEOHP: OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.08 to 10.04); P = 0.0352). MEOHP was greater (P = 0.034) in subjects with cardiovascular events; MEHP showed a positive trend (P = 0.061). CONCLUSION Our findings have revealed an association between exposure to di-2-ethylhexylphthalate metabolites and the degree of albuminuria in subjects with diabetes; the lack of a relationship with eGFR suggests their urinary levels are independent of renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mengozzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Carli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Edoardo Biancalana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Marta Seghieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amalia Gastaldelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Solini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Bury D, Brüning T, Koch HM. Determination of metabolites of the UV filter 2-ethylhexyl salicylate in human urine by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2019; 1110-1111:59-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Urinary metabolites of the UV filter octocrylene in humans as biomarkers of exposure. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:1227-1238. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02408-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Snoj Tratnik J, Kosjek T, Heath E, Mazej D, Ćehić S, Karakitsios SP, Sarigiannis DA, Horvat M. Urinary bisphenol A in children, mothers and fathers from Slovenia: Overall results and determinants of exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 168:32-40. [PMID: 30253314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels were reported for the first time in the Slovenian general population and were evaluated with regard to dietary and non-dietary exposure sources, and compared according to age, gender and area of residence. First morning urine was collected from children (6-11 years), their mothers (30-52 years) and fathers (30-53 years), living in urban and rural areas of Slovenia. Besides basic questionnaire data on general population characteristics, socio-economic status and dietary habits, BPA-specific data was also collected, including consumption of food and beverages from plastic and canned containers, presence of white dental fillings, the use of specific consumer products and hormonal treatments. Urine samples were analysed for both free and conjugated BPA using GC-MS/MS. The urinary levels of total BPA in children, mothers and fathers were low, with geometric means of 1.51, 0.79, and 0.20 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The levels were comparable with the levels reported for other European countries and were all below the current health-based guidance values. In line with large-scale surveys, the data revealed age-dependant BPA urinary levels, with the highest levels in the youngest age group. In mothers, urinary levels of BPA were determined by hormonal interactions more than dietary sources, while a positive association between urinary BPA and diet was apparent in children (canned food/drink and food from plastic material) and fathers (canned food/drink). The study clearly shows that physiological and behavioural differences account for differences in levels of urinary BPA among study groups, a finding that sets the priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Kosjek
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ester Heath
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sulejma Ćehić
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Spyros P Karakitsios
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece; HERACLES Health and Exposome Research Centre, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Centre, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece; School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazza della Vittoria 15, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Dimosthenis A Sarigiannis
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece; HERACLES Health and Exposome Research Centre, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Centre, Bldg. B, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece; School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Piazza della Vittoria 15, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Haug LS, Sakhi AK, Cequier E, Casas M, Maitre L, Basagana X, Andrusaityte S, Chalkiadaki G, Chatzi L, Coen M, de Bont J, Dedele A, Ferrand J, Grazuleviciene R, Gonzalez JR, Gutzkow KB, Keun H, McEachan R, Meltzer HM, Petraviciene I, Robinson O, Saulnier PJ, Slama R, Sunyer J, Urquiza J, Vafeiadi M, Wright J, Vrijheid M, Thomsen C. In-utero and childhood chemical exposome in six European mother-child cohorts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:751-763. [PMID: 30326459 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harmonized data describing simultaneous exposure to a large number of environmental contaminants in-utero and during childhood is currently very limited. OBJECTIVES To characterize concentrations of a large number of environmental contaminants in pregnant women from Europe and their children, based on chemical analysis of biological samples from mother-child pairs. METHODS We relied on the Early-Life Exposome project, HELIX, a collaborative project across six established population-based birth cohort studies in Europe. In 1301 subjects, biomarkers of exposure to 45 contaminants (i.e. organochlorine compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, toxic and essential elements, phthalate metabolites, environmental phenols, organophosphate pesticide metabolites and cotinine) were measured in biological samples from children (6-12 years) and their mothers during pregnancy, using highly sensitive biomonitoring methods. RESULTS Most of the exposure biomarkers had high detection frequencies in mothers (35 out of 45 biomarkers with >90% detected) and children (33 out of 45 biomarkers with >90% detected). Concentrations were significantly different between cohorts for all compounds, and were generally higher in maternal compared to children samples. For most of the persistent compounds the correlations between maternal and child concentrations were moderate to high (Spearman Rho > 0.35), while for most non-persistent compounds correlations were considerably lower (Spearman Rho < 0.15). For mercury, PFOS and PFOA a considerable proportion of the samples of both mothers and their children exceeded the HBM I value established by The Human Biomonitoring Commission of the German Federal Environment Agency. DISCUSSION Although not based on a representative sample, our study suggests that children across Europe are exposed to a wide range of environmental contaminants in fetal life and childhood including many with potential adverse effects. For values exceeding the HBM I value identification of specific sources of exposure and reducing exposure in an adequate way is recommended. Considerable variability in this "chemical exposome" was seen between cohorts, showing that place of residence is a strong determinant of one's personal exposome. This extensive dataset comprising >100,000 concentrations of environmental contaminants in mother-child pairs forms a unique possibility for conducting epidemiological studies using an exposome approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maribel Casas
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Léa Maitre
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Xavier Basagana
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Sandra Andrusaityte
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Social Medicine, University of Crete, Greece; Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Genetics & Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Muireann Coen
- Computational and Systems Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK; Discovery Safety, Drug Safety and Metabolism, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeroen de Bont
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Audrius Dedele
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Joane Ferrand
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Inserm, CNRS, University Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, Joint research center (U1209), La Tronche, Grenoble, France; CHU Grenoble Alpes, CIC Pédiatrique, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | - Hector Keun
- Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | | | | | - Inga Petraviciene
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Oliver Robinson
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Pierre-Jean Saulnier
- Clinical Investigation Center CIC1402, Inserm, CHU Poitiers, School of Medicine, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Inserm, CNRS, University Grenoble Alpes, Institute of Advanced Biosciences, Joint research center (U1209), La Tronche, Grenoble, France
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - José Urquiza
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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Imo D, Muff S, Schierl R, Byber K, Hitzke C, Bopp M, Maggi M, Bose-O'Reilly S, Held L, Dressel H. Human-biomonitoring and individual soil measurements for children and mothers in an area with recently detected mercury-contaminations and public health concerns: a cross-sectional study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2018; 28:391-406. [PMID: 29962229 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2018.1479517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we assessed intracorporal mercury concentrations in subjects living on partially mercury-contaminated soils in a defined area in Switzerland. We assessed 64 mothers and 107 children who resided in a defined area for at least 3 months. Mercury in biological samples (urine and hair) was measured, a detailed questionnaire was administered for each individual, and individual mercury soil values were obtained. Human biomonitoring results were compared with health-related and reference values. Mothers and children in our study had geometric means (GMs) of 0.22 µg Hg/g creatinine in urine (95th percentile (P95) = 0.85 µg Hg/g) and 0.16 µg Hg/g (P95 = 0.56 µg Hg/g), respectively. In hair, mothers and children had GMs of 0.21 µg Hg/g (P95 = 0.94 µg/g) and 0.18 µg/g (P95 = 0.60 µg/g), respectively. We found no evidence for an association between mercury values in soil and those in human specimens nor for a health threat in residential mothers and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Imo
- a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Muff
- b Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Rudolf Schierl
- c WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine , University Hospital Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Katarzyna Byber
- a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Christine Hitzke
- a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Matthias Bopp
- d Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Marion Maggi
- a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- c WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine , University Hospital Munich , Munich , Germany
- e Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment , UMIT (University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology) , Hall in Tirol , Austria
| | - Leonhard Held
- b Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Holger Dressel
- a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute , University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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Barnett-Itzhaki Z, Esteban López M, Puttaswamy N, Berman T. A review of human biomonitoring in selected Southeast Asian countries. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 116:156-164. [PMID: 29684824 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Rapid development and industrialization in Southeast (SE) Asia has led to environmental pollution, potentially exposing the general population to environmental contaminants. Human biomonitoring (HBM), measurement of chemical and/or their metabolites in human tissues and fluids, is an important tool for assessing cumulative exposure to complex mixtures of chemicals and for monitoring chemical exposures in the general population. While there are national HBM programs in several developed countries, there are no such national programs in most of the SE Asian countries. However, in recent years there has been progress in the field of HBM in many of the SE Asian countries. In this review, we present recent HBM studies in five selected SE Asian countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. While there is extensive HBM research in several SE Asian countries, such as Thailand, in other countries HBM studies are limited and focus on traditional environmental pollutants (such as lead, arsenic and mercury). Further development of this field in SE Asia would be benefited by establishment of laboratory capacity, improving quality control and assurance, collaboration with international experts and consortiums, and sharing of protocols and training both for pre-analytical and analytical phases. This review highlights the impressive progress in HBM research in selected SE Asian countries and provides recommendations for development of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki
- Ministry of Health, Jeremiya Street 39, Jerusalem 9446724, Israel; Bioinformatics Department, School of Life and Health Science, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Área de Toxicología Ambiental, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Naveen Puttaswamy
- Center for Air Quality, Climate and Health, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, India
| | - Tamar Berman
- Ministry of Health, Jeremiya Street 39, Jerusalem 9446724, Israel
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42
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Abass K, Huusko A, Knutsen HK, Nieminen P, Myllynen P, Meltzer HM, Vahakangas K, Rautio A. Quantitative estimation of mercury intake by toxicokinetic modelling based on total mercury levels in humans. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 114:1-11. [PMID: 29455008 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a toxic metal that can be disseminated into the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Human exposure to the metal stems mainly from food, and more particularly from the consumption of fish and other seafoods. Examining dietary exposure and measuring mercury levels in body tissues are two ways of estimating exposure to mercury. In this study, we utilized a modelling system consisting of three linear toxicokinetic models for describing the fate of methyl mercury, inorganic mercury, and metallic mercury in the body, in order to estimate daily intake of mercury as measured through total mercury concentrations in the blood. We then compared the results stemming from our modelling system to those of the detailed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of the Norwegian Fish and Game (NFG) Study, a project that focused on dietary mercury exposure. The results indicate that toxicokinetic modelling based on blood levels gave higher daily intake values of mercury compared to those of the FFQ. Furthermore, the former had a wider range of estimates than the latter. The properties of the toxicokinetic model or limitations in the dietary exposure assessment could be posited as reasons for the differences between the respective methods. Moreover, the results may have been influenced by sources of mercury exposure that cannot be described as dietary, such as amalgam fillings.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Abass
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - A Huusko
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - H K Knutsen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - P Nieminen
- Medical Informatics and Statistics Research Group, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - P Myllynen
- Northern Laboratory Centre NordLab, Oulu FI-90220, Finland
| | - H M Meltzer
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - K Vahakangas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy/Toxicology, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - A Rautio
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine; and Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
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DEHP deregulates adipokine levels and impairs fatty acid storage in human SGBS-adipocytes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3447. [PMID: 29472605 PMCID: PMC5823900 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21800-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
DEHP is a plasticizer which has been used in plastic products of everyday use for decades. Studies in mice and murine cell culture models identified DEHP as an endocrine disruptor that may also act as an obesogen. As this is of high concern in respect of the worldwide obesity epidemic, our aim is the translation of these findings into a human model system. On the basis of DOHaD, we investigated the influence of an environmentally relevant dose of DEHP [50 µg/ml] on adipogenesis in the human cell culture model SGBS. Pre-adipocytes were exposed to DEHP and differentiated into mature adipocytes. At different stages of differentiation, markers of adipogenesis like GLUT4, FABP4, LPL and PPARs, and of signaling pathways like AMPK/ACC2, JAK/STAT and MAPK were analyzed. Functional markers like adipokine secretion and triglyceride content as well as ROS production were measured in mature adipocytes. We found significantly lower expression levels of adipogenic markers, a reduction in lipid accumulation, higher leptin- and reduced adiponectin levels in the supernatant of treated adipocytes. Moreover, ROS production was significantly elevated after DEHP-exposure. In conclusion, DEHP led to lower grade of adipogenic differentiation in human SGBS-adipocytes under the chosen conditions.
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44
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Skakkebaek NE. A Brief Review of the Link between Environment and Male Reproductive Health: Lessons from Studies of Testicular Germ Cell Cancer. Horm Res Paediatr 2018; 86:240-246. [PMID: 26871895 DOI: 10.1159/000443400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past few decades there has been a significantly increasing trend in germ cell tumours all over the world, particularly in countries with Caucasian populations. The changes in incidence have occurred so fast that only environmental factors can explain this development. This review focuses on the hypothesis that testicular germ cell cancer, which originates from germ cell neoplasia in situ, is of foetal origin and associated with other male reproductive problems through a testicular dysgenesis syndrome, also including foetal origin of impaired spermatogenesis, hypospadias and cryptorchidism. There is little doubt that environmental factors associated with modern lifestyles have - in a broad sense - had an adverse influence on male reproductive health. The hypothesis that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals plays a fundamental role in this trend is plausible. This is based on evidence from animal studies that demonstrate adverse reproductive effects caused by a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to which humans are exposed as part of our modern lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Skakkebaek
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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45
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Sakhi AK, Sabaredzovic A, Cequier E, Thomsen C. Phthalate metabolites in Norwegian mothers and children: Levels, diurnal variation and use of personal care products. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:1984-1992. [PMID: 28558421 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to phthalates has been associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity. Data on levels of these compounds in the Norwegian population is limited. In this study, urine samples were collected from 48 mothers and their children in two counties in Norway. Eleven different phthalate metabolites originating from six commonly used phthalates in consumer products were determined. Concentrations of phthalate metabolites were significantly higher in children compared to mothers except for mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP). The mothers provided several urine samples during 24hours (h) and diurnal variation showed that the concentrations in the morning urine samples (24-8h) were significantly higher than at other time-periods for most of the phthalate metabolites. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for 24-hour time-period were in the range of 0.49-0.81. These moderate to high ICCs indicate that one spot urine sample can be used to estimate the exposure to phthalates. Since a significant effect of time of day was observed, it is still advisable to standardize the collection time point to reduce the variation. For the mothers, the use of personal care products (PCPs) were less associated with morning urine samples than early day (8-12h) and evening (16-24h) urine samples. The use of perfume and hair products were positively associated with the urinary concentrations of low molecular weight phthalates. Use of shower soap and shampoo were positively associated with urinary concentration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites. For children, face cream use was positively associated with phthalate metabolites in the morning samples, and hand soap use was negatively associated with concentration of urinary DEHP metabolites in afternoon/evening samples. Since different PCPs were associated with the urinary phthalate metabolites in different time-periods during a day, more than one spot urine sample might be required to study associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and the use of PCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Kaur Sakhi
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway
| | - Enrique Cequier
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway
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Correia-Sá L, Kasper-Sonnenberg M, Schütze A, Pälmke C, Norberto S, Calhau C, Domingues VF, Koch HM. Exposure assessment to bisphenol A (BPA) in Portuguese children by human biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:27502-27514. [PMID: 28980160 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0358-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is known to be widespread and available data suggests that BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor. Diet is generally regarded as the dominant BPA exposure source, namely through leaching to food from packaging materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of 110 Portuguese children (4-18 years old), divided in two groups: the regular diet group (n = 43) comprised healthy normal weight/underweight children with no dietary control; the healthy diet group (n = 67) comprised children diagnosed for obesity/overweight (without other known associated diseases) that were set on a healthy diet for weight control. First morning urine samples were collected and total urinary BPA was analyzed after enzymatic hydrolysis via on-line HPLC-MS/MS with isotope dilution quantification. Virtually, all the children were exposed to BPA, with 91% of the samples above the LOQ (limit of quantification) of 0.1 μg/L. The median (95th percentile) urinary BPA levels for non-normalized and creatinine-corrected values were 1.89 μg/L (16.0) and 1.92 μg/g creatinine (14.4), respectively. BPA levels in the regular diet group were higher than in the healthy diet group, but differences were not significant. Calculated daily BPA intakes, however, were significantly higher in children of the regular diet group than in children of healthy diet group. Median (95th percentile) daily intakes amounted to 41.6 (467) ng/kg body weight/day in the regular diet group, and 23.2 (197) ng/kg body weight/day in the healthy diet group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that children in the healthy diet group had 33% lower intakes than children in the regular diet group (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.89). For both groups, however, urinary BPA levels and daily BPA intakes were within the range reported for other children's populations and were well below health guidance values such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) temporary tolerable daily intake (t-TDI) of 4 μg/kg body weight/day. In addition, lower daily BPA intakes were more likely linked with the inherent dietary approach rather than with high BMI or obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Correia-Sá
- REQUIMTE/LAQV - Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS - Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação em Saúde, Centro de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 2° piso, edif. Nascente, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa s/n, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - André Schütze
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Claudia Pälmke
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sónia Norberto
- CINTESIS - Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação em Saúde, Centro de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 2° piso, edif. Nascente, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa s/n, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Conceição Calhau
- CINTESIS - Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias e Sistemas de Informação em Saúde, Centro de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, 2° piso, edif. Nascente, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa s/n, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal
| | - Valentina F Domingues
- REQUIMTE/LAQV - Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
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Cullen E, Evans D, Griffin C, Burke P, Mannion R, Burns D, Flanagan A, Kellegher A, Schoeters G, Govarts E, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Castaño A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Esteban M, Schwedler G, Koch HM, Angerer J, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Dumez B, Sepai O, Exley K, Aerts D. Urinary Phthalate Concentrations in Mothers and Their Children in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14121456. [PMID: 29186834 PMCID: PMC5750875 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Phthalates are chemicals which are widespread in the environment. Although the impacts on health of such exposure are unclear, there is evidence of a possible impact on the incidence of a diverse range of diseases. Monitoring of human exposure to phthalates is therefore important. This study aimed to determine the extent of phthalate exposure among mothers and their children in both rural and urban areas in Ireland, and to identify factors associated with elevated concentrations. It formed part of the ‘Demonstration of a study to Co-ordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale’ (DEMOCOPHES) pilot biomonitoring study. Methods: the concentration of phthalate metabolites were determined from a convenience sample of 120 mother/child pairs. The median age of the children was 8 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information regarding lifestyle and environmental conditions of the children and mothers. Rigorous quality assurance within DEMOCOPHES guaranteed the accuracy and international comparability of results. Results: Phthalate metabolites were detected in all of the samples from both children and mothers. Concentrations were significantly higher in respondents from families with lower educational attainment and in those exposed to such items as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fast food and personal care products (PCP). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that human biomonitoring for assessing exposure to phthalates can be undertaken in Ireland and that the exposure of the population is widespread. Further work will be necessary before the consequences of this exposure are understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Cullen
- Department of Community of Health, Health Service Executive, St. Mary’s, Naas, Kildare W91 NR29, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-45-882-403
| | - David Evans
- Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive, Galway H91973, Ireland;
| | - Chris Griffin
- Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Dublin D02 P667, Ireland;
| | - Padraig Burke
- Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland; (P.B.); (R.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Rory Mannion
- Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland; (P.B.); (R.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Damien Burns
- Project Manager, Health Service Executive, Palmerstown, Dublin D20 X318, Ireland;
| | - Andrew Flanagan
- Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland; (P.B.); (R.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Ann Kellegher
- Environmental Health Service, Health Service Executive, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim N41 XC59, Ireland;
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Sustainable Health Mol B-2400, Belgium; (G.S.); (E.G.)
- Biomedical Department, University of Antwerp, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Sustainable Health Mol B-2400, Belgium; (G.S.); (E.G.)
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium;
| | - Ludwine Casteleyn
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.C.); (B.D.)
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Carlos 111 Institute of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain; (A.C.); (M.E.)
| | | | - Marta Esteban
- Carlos 111 Institute of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain; (A.C.); (M.E.)
| | - Gerda Schwedler
- German Environment Agency, Berlin 14195, Germany; (M.K.-G.); (G.S.)
| | - Holger M. Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany; (H.M.K.); (J.A.)
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany; (H.M.K.); (J.A.)
| | - Lisbeth E. Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1353, Denmark;
| | | | - Anke Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Munich 81545, Germany; (R.J.); (A.J.)
| | - Birgit Dumez
- Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.C.); (B.D.)
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire OX11 ORQ, UK; (O.S.); (K.E.)
| | - Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire OX11 ORQ, UK; (O.S.); (K.E.)
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium;
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Pérez R, Domenech E, Coscollà C, Yusà V. Human Biomonitoring of food contaminants in Spanish children: Design, sampling and lessons learned. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2017; 220:1242-1251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Forysová K, Pinkr-Grafnetterová A, Malý M, Krsková A, Mráz J, Kašparová L, Čejchanová M, Sochorová L, Rödlová S, Černá M. Urinary Cadmium and Cotinine Levels and Hair Mercury Levels in Czech Children and Their Mothers Within the Framework of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES Projects. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2017; 73:421-430. [PMID: 28526941 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0412-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin project was performed in 2011-2012 in 17 European countries to harmonize all steps of the human biomonitoring survey. Urinary cadmium, cotinine, phthalate metabolites, and hair mercury were measured in children (N = 120, 6-11 years) and their mothers of reproductive age, living in urban or rural areas. Cadmium in mothers' and children's urine was detected at a geometric mean (GM) concentration 0.227 and 0.109 μg/L, respectively; 95th percentile (P95) was 0.655 and 0.280 μg/L in mothers and children, respectively. No age-related, education-related, or urban versus rural differences were observed within the frame of each population group. Cadmium urinary level in mothers was about twofold compared with children. Higher levels were obtained in all smoking mothers but not in occasionally smoking or mothers and children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Mercury values in mothers were significantly higher in urban than in rural populations but not in children. GM and P95 for mercury in children's hair were 0.098 and 0.439 μg/g and in mothers' hair were 0.155 and 0.570 μg/g. Concentrations for mercury in the Czech samples were lower than European average. Hair mercury increased significantly with consumption of fish or seafood and with number of amalgam tooth fillings (in children). A positive association was found with family educational level. No influence of age was observed. Urinary cadmium and hair mercury levels were lower than health-based guidelines with one exception. High levels of urinary cotinine were found in the 12 smoking mothers (GM approximately 500 μg/L); lower levels in occasionally smoking mothers, N = 11 (34.5 μg/L). The mean cotinine levels in nonsmoking mothers who reported daily exposure to ETS was 10.7 μg/L. A similar mean value (10.8 μg/L) was obtained in six children who had daily exposure to ETS. In children without exposure to ETS, the mean cotinine level was 1.39 μg/L urine. Cotinine in the urine of children demonstrates limited protection of the Czech children against exposure to ETS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Forysová
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Regional Public Health Authority in Liberec, Liberec, Czechia
| | | | - Marek Malý
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | | | - Jaroslav Mráz
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | | | | | | | - Sylva Rödlová
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milena Černá
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
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50
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Bevan R, Brown T, Matthies F, Sams C, Jones K, Hanlon J, La Vedrine M. Human biomonitoring data collection from occupational exposure to pesticides. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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