Prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants and child development trajectories through 7 years

AWMF mold guideline "Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure" - Update 2023 AWMF Register No. 161/001

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Predictors of executive function among 2 year olds from a Thai birth cohort

Executive function (EF) is a critical skill for academic achievement. Research on the psychosocial and environmental predictors of EF, particularly among Southeast Asian, agricultural, and low income/rural populations, is limited. Our longitudinal study explored the influence of agricultural environmental, psychosocial, and temperamental factors on children's emerging EF. Three-hundred and nine farm worker women were recruited during the first trimester of pregnancy. We evaluated the effects of prenatal insecticide exposure and psychosocial factors on "cool" (i.e., cognitive: A-not-B task, looking version) and "hot" EF (i.e., affective, response inhibition) measures of emerging EF. Maternal urine samples were collected monthly during pregnancy, composited, and analyzed for dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites of organophosphate insecticides. Psychosocial factors included socioeconomic status, maternal psychological factors, and quality of mother-child behavioral interactions. Backward stepwise regressions evaluated predictors of children's EF at 12 (N = 288), 18 (N = 277) and 24 (N = 280) months of age. We observed different predictive models for cool EF, as measured by A-not-B task, vs. hot EF, as measured by response inhibition tasks. Report of housing quality as a surrogate for income was a significant predictor of emerging EF. However, these variables had opposite effects for cool vs. hot EF. More financial resources predicted better cool EF performance but poorer hot EF performance. Qualitative findings indicate that homes with fewer resources were in tribal areas where children must remain close to an adult for safety reasons. This finding suggests that challenging physical environments (e.g., an elevated bamboo home with no electricity or running water), may contribute to development of higher levels of response inhibition through parental socialization methods that emphasize compliance. Children who tended to show more arousal and excitability, and joy reactivity as young infants in the laboratory setting had better cognitive performance. In contrast, maternal emotional availability was a significant predictor of hot EF. As expected, increased maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy was associated with worse cognitive performance but was not associated with inhibitory control. Identifying risk factors contributing to the differential developmental pathways of cool and hot EF will inform prevention strategies to promote healthy development in this and other unstudied rural, low income Southeast Asian farming communities.

Adult-Onset Transcriptomic Effects of Developmental Exposure to Benzene in Zebrafish (Danio rerio): Evaluating a Volatile Organic Compound of Concern

Urban environments are afflicted by mixtures of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC sources that drive human exposure include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and oil spillage. The highly volatile VOC benzene has been linked to adverse health outcomes. However, few studies have focused on the later-in-life effects of low-level benzene exposure during the susceptible window of early development. Transcriptomic responses during embryogenesis have potential long-term consequences at levels equal to or lower than 1 ppm, therefore justifying the analysis of adult zebrafish that were exposed during early development. Previously, we identified transcriptomic alteration following controlled VOC exposures to 0.1 or 1 ppm benzene during the first five days of embryogenesis using a zebrafish model. In this study, we evaluated the adult-onset transcriptomic responses to this low-level benzene embryogenesis exposure (n = 20/treatment). We identified key genes, including col1a2 and evi5b, that were differentially expressed in adult zebrafish in both concentrations. Some DEGs overlapped at the larval and adult stages, specifically nfkbiaa, mecr, and reep1. The observed transcriptomic results suggest dose- and sex-dependent changes, with the highest impact of benzene exposure to be on cancer outcomes, endocrine system disorders, reproductive success, neurodevelopment, neurological disease, and associated pathways. Due to molecular pathways being highly conserved between zebrafish and mammals, developmentally exposed adult zebrafish transcriptomics is an important endpoint for providing insight into the long term-effects of VOCs on human health and disease.

Association of air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood with children's cognitive performance and behavior at age six

BACKGROUND

The impact of air pollution on neurodevelopment in children has attracted much attention in recent times. We aim to clarify the association between prenatal and postnatal air pollutant exposure and children's cognitive performance and behavior at age six.

METHODS

This study was conducted based on a birth cohort study in Japan. Children's intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and a score <85 was deemed as low intelligence. A score ≥60 on the Child Behavior Checklist indicated behavioral problems. Exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy and early childhood was estimated using a spatiotemporal model, while indoor concentrations of air pollutants inside subjects' homes were measured for a week when the child was of ages 1.5 and 3. The associations of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and after childbirth with cognitive performance and behavior were analyzed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The estimated exposure to outdoor PM2.5 during pregnancy and early childhood was not associated with decreased cognitive performance. However, exposure during the first trimester, 0-1 and 3-5 years of age was associated with children's externalizing problems (odds ratios (ORs) were 2.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-7.29], 1.66 [95%CI: 1.05-2.62], and 1.80 [95%CI: 1.19-2.74] per interquartile range (IQR) increase, respectively). Exposure to indoor PM2.5 and coarse particles after childbirth was associated with lower full scale IQ (ORs were 1.46 [95%CI: 1.03-2.08] and 1.85 [95%CI: 1.12-3.07] per IQR increase, respectively). However, some inverse associations were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to outdoor air pollution and behavioral problems, and between indoor air pollution after childbirth and cognitive performance at age six. However, the effects of exposure to outdoor PM2.5 during pregnancy on cognitive performance were not observed.

Prenatal and childhood exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive function in school-age children: Examining sensitive windows and sex-specific associations

BACKGROUND

Combined effect of both prenatal and early postnatal exposure to ambient air pollution on child cognition has rarely been investigated and periods of sensitivity are unknown. This study explores the temporal relationship between pre- and postnatal exposure to PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and child cognitive function.

METHODS

Using validated spatiotemporally resolved exposure models, pre- and postnatal daily PM2.5, PM10 (satellite based, 1 km resolution) and NO2 (chemistry-transport model, 4 km resolution) concentrations at the mother's residence were estimated for 1271 mother-child pairs from the French EDEN and PELAGIE cohorts. Scores representative of children's General, Verbal and Non-Verbal abilities at 5-6 years were constructed based on subscale scores from the WPPSI-III, WISC-IV or NEPSY-II batteries, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Associations of both prenatal (first 35 gestational weeks) and postnatal (60 months after birth) exposure to air pollutants with child cognition were explored using Distributed Lag Non-linear Models adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS

Increased maternal exposure to PM10, PM2.5 and NO2, during sensitive windows comprised between the 15th and the 33rd gestational weeks, was associated with lower males' General and Non-verbal abilities. Higher postnatal exposure to PM2.5 between the 35th and 52nd month of life was associated with lower males' General, Verbal and Non-verbal abilities. Some protective associations were punctually observed for the very first gestational weeks or months of life for both males and females and the different pollutants and cognitive scores.

DISCUSSION

These results suggest poorer cognitive function at 5-6 years among males following increased maternal exposure to PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 during mid-pregnancy and child exposure to PM2.5 around 3-4 years. Apparent protective associations observed are unlikely to be causal and might be due to live birth selection bias, chance finding or residual confounding.

Delayed in sensorimotor reflex ontogeny, slow physical growth, and impairments in behaviour as well as dopaminergic neuronal death in mice offspring following prenatally rotenone administration

The environment is varying day by day with the introduction of chemicals such as pesticides, most of which have not been effectively studied for their influence on a susceptible group of population involving infants and pregnant females. Rotenone is an organic pesticide used to prepare Parkinson's disease models. A lot of literature is available on the toxicity of rotenone on the adult brain, but to the best of our knowledge, effect of rotenone on prenatally exposed mice has never been investigated yet. Therefore, the recent work aims to evaluate the toxic effect of rotenone on mice, exposed prenatally. We exposed female mice to rotenone at the dose of 5 mg/Kg b.w. throughout the gestational period with oral gavage. We then investigated the effects of rotenone on neonate's central nervous systems as well as on postnatal day (PD) 35 offspring. In the rotenone group, we observed slow physical growth, delays in physical milestones and sensorimotor reflex in neonates and induction of anxiety and impairment in cognitive performances of offspring at PD-35. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a marked reduction in TH-positive neurons in substantia nigra. Histological examination of the cerebellum revealed a decrease in Purkinje neurons in the rotenone exposed group as compared to the control. The data from the study showed that prenatally exposure to rotenone affects growth, physical milestones, neuronal population and behaviour of mice when indirectly exposed to the offspring through their mother. This study could provide a great contribution to researchers to find out the molecular mechanism and participating signalling pathway behind these outcomes.

Pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in low- and middle-income countries: A prospective analysis of a birth cohort in rural Bangladesh and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite considerable evidence on a negative association between pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in high-income countries, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. Therefore, we assessed associations between pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development in rural Bangladesh and summarised existing literature in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We used data from 284 mother-child pairs participating in a birth cohort established in 2008. Eight urinary pesticide biomarkers were quantified in early pregnancy (mean gestational age 11.6±2.9 weeks) as an index of pesticide exposure. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition were administered at 20-40 months of age. Associations between creatinine-adjusted urinary pesticide biomarker concentrations and child development scores were estimated using multivariable generalised linear models. We searched ten databases up to November 2021 to identify prospective studies on pregnancy pesticide exposure and child development conducted in LMICs. We used a random-effects model to pool similar studies, including our original analysis. The systematic review was pre-registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021292919.

RESULTS

In the Bangladesh cohort, pregnancy 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPY) concentrations were inversely associated with motor development (-0.66 points [95% CI -1.23, -0.09]). Pregnancy 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY) concentrations were inversely associated with cognitive development, but the association was small: -0.02 points (-0.04, 0.01). We observed no associations between 4-nitrophenol and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) concentrations and child development. The systematic review included 13 studies from four LMICs. After pooling our results with one other study, we found consistent evidence that pregnancy 3-PBA concentrations were not associated with cognitive, language, or motor development.

CONCLUSION

Evidence suggests that pregnancy exposure to some organophosphate pesticides is negatively associated with child development. Interventions to reduce in-utero pesticide exposure in LMICs may help protect child development.

Poor air quality is associated with impaired visual cognition in the first two years of life: A longitudinal investigation

Background

Poor air quality has been linked to cognitive deficits in children, but this relationship has not been examined in the first year of life when brain growth is at its peak.

Methods

We measured in-home air quality focusing on particulate matter with diameter of <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and infants' cognition longitudinally in a sample of families from rural India.

Results

Air quality was poorer in homes that used solid cooking materials. Infants from homes with poorer air quality showed lower visual working memory scores at 6 and 9 months of age and slower visual processing speed from 6 to 21 months when controlling for family socio-economic status.

Conclusions

Thus, poor air quality is associated with impaired visual cognition in the first two years of life, consistent with animal studies of early brain development. We demonstrate for the first time an association between air quality and cognition in the first year of life using direct measures of in-home air quality and looking-based measures of cognition. Because indoor air quality was linked to cooking materials in the home, our findings suggest that efforts to reduce cooking emissions should be a key target for intervention.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant OPP1164153.

Chronic exposure to indoor air pollutants in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in Chinese schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

While increasing studies confirmed the adverse effects of indoor air pollution (IAP) on cardiopulmonary systems, less is known about the impact of IAP on child's brain.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the associations between multiple indoor air pollutants exposures and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in Chinese schoolchildren.

METHODS

We invited 8630 individuals aged 6-12 years from an ongoing school-based cohort study across Guangzhou from April to May 2019. There are 7495 and 7245 children were respectively evaluated on the parent- and teacher-rated Conner's Rating Scale-Revised, and 7087 children were assessed on both versions. Indoor air pollutants exposures including cooking oil fumes, incense burning, home renovation, and secondhand smoke, were measured using a questionnaire reported by parents and children, and further converted into an index. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were performed to evaluate the associations between indoor air pollutants exposures and ADHD index and the presence of ADHD symptoms.

RESULTS

As reported by parents, 321 (4.3%) children had ADHD symptoms. Each of the four pollutants was positively associated with higher ADHD index and higher odds of ADHD symptoms. Children exposed to 1, 2, and ≥ 3 types of indoor air pollutants had higher ADHD index and higher odds of ADHD symptoms than those non-exposed children. For parent-reported ADHD symptoms, the odds ratios ranged from 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-1.67] to 2.73 (95% CI: 1.86-4.01). These associations were consistent in parent- and teacher-reported ADHD symptoms, and the combination of both.

CONCLUSION

Indoor air pollutants exposures were positively associated with higher prevalence of children's ADHD symptoms assessed by whether parents or teachers.

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and childhood, cognitive function, and emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Exposure to air pollution may impact neurodevelopment during childhood, but current evidence on the association with cognitive function and mental health is inconclusive and primarily focusses on young children. Therefore, we aim to study the association of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and childhood, with cognitive function and emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents.

METHODS

We used data from 5170 participants of a birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Concentrations of fourteen air pollutants at participant's home addresses were estimated during pregnancy and childhood, using land use regression models. We included four cognitive domains (processing speed, working memory, fluid reasoning and verbal intelligence quotient (IQ)) and an estimated full-scale IQ. Internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems were self- and parent-reported. We used linear regression models to assess the association of each air pollutant, with cognitive function and emotional and behavioral problems, adjusting for socioeconomic status and lifestyle characteristics. Then, we performed multipollutant analyses using the Deletion/Substitution/Addition (DSA) algorithm.

RESULTS

Air pollution exposure was not associated with full-scale IQ, working memory, or processing speed. Higher exposure to few air pollutants was associated with higher fluid reasoning and verbal IQ scores (e.g. 0.22 points of fluid reasoning (95%CI 0.00; 0.44) per 1 μg/m³ increase in organic carbon during pregnancy). Higher exposure to some air pollutants was also associated with less internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems (e.g. -0.27 internalizing problems (95% CI -0.52; -0.02) per each 5 ng/m³ increase in copper during pregnancy).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and childhood was not associated with lower cognitive function or more emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. Based on previous literature and biological plausibility, the observed protective associations are probably explained by negative residual confounding, selection bias, or chance and do not represent a causal relationship.

In-utero exposure to air pollution and early-life neural development and cognition

Air pollution remains one of the major health threats around the world. Compared to adults, foetuses and infants are more vulnerable to the effects of environmental toxins. Maternal exposure to air pollution causes several adverse birth outcomes and may lead to life-long health consequences. Given that a healthy intrauterine environment is a critical factor for supporting normal foetal brain development, there is a need to understand how prenatal exposure to air pollution affects brain health and results in neurological dysfunction. This review summarised the current knowledge on the adverse effects of prenatal air pollution exposure on early life neurodevelopment and subsequent impairment of cognition and behaviour in childhood, as well as the potential of early-onset neurodegeneration. While inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum are closely involved in the physiological response, sex differences also occur. In general, males are more susceptible than females to the adverse effect of in-utero air pollution exposure. Considering the evidence provided in this review and the rising concerns of global air pollution, any efforts to reduce pollutant emission or exposure will be protective for the next generation.

Estimating the association between exposome and psychosis as well as general psychopathology: results from the ABCD Study

Background

The exposome comprises all nongenetic factors an individual is exposed to across their lifespan. Research suggests that exposomic vulnerability for schizophrenia is associated not only with psychosis but also, to a degree, with general psychopathology. Here, we investigated to what degree exposome factors are associated with psychosis and general psychopathology.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the 1-year follow-up assessment of a large U.S. adolescent sample (n = 11,235), the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Iterative factor analyses of environmental exposures (n = 798) allowed calculation of 6 exposome factors: household adversity, neighborhood environment, day-to-day experiences, state-level environment, family values, pregnancy/birth complications. Bifactor modeling of clinical symptoms (n = 93) allowed calculation of a general psychopathology factor (p-factor) and 6 subdomains, including a psychosis subdomain. We applied linear regression analyses to estimate the association of exposome factors with the p-factor and psychosis subdomain, respectively.

Results

Individual analyses showed that 5 exposome factors were significantly associated with the p-factor after multiple-comparison correction. In the mutually adjusted model, all exposome factors were significantly associated with the p-factor. Psychosis was particularly associated with 3 exposome factors, with the mutually adjusted model yielding the following results: household adversity (β = 0.04, 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07), day-to-day experiences (β = 0.10, 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.12), and pregnancy/birth complications (β = 0.03, 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that multifaceted environmental background is associated with mental disorders. Psychosis was particularly associated with prenatal, perinatal, and childhood (household and school) adversities, although these exposome domains were also associated with psychopathology. The exposome approach can help understand neurodevelopmental psychopathology.

A new approach for reducing pollutants level: a longitudinal cohort study of physical exercises in young people

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to evaluate the elimination of three common pollutants (dimethoate, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and bisphenol A (BPA) by different physical exercises and to assess the possible factors which could affect the pollutants elimination.

METHODS

A total of 200 individuals who chose different kinds of exercises in accordance to their own wish were recruited. The levels of urinary pollutants were measured using β-glucuronidase hydrolysis followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based method.

RESULTS

Totally, the levels of dimethoate, BaP and BPA were reduced after physical exercises. However, the elimination of BaP in male was higher than that in female but the elimination of BPA in female was higher than that in male. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the degree of heart rate (HR) change was a protective factor affecting the improvement effect of dimethoate, BaP and BPA while BMI (body mass index) was a risk factor. Nevertheless, sex was a risk factor affecting the improvement of dimethoate and BaP but had a lower efficacy on BPA improvement.

CONCLUSION

The present findings indicate that physical exercises can be considered as a novel approach to eliminate pollutants level in human body and can also give suggestions for choosing specific physical exercises to male and female individuals. Moreover, those who are with higher BMI need to lose weight before eliminating pollutant level through physical exercises.

Domestic use of pesticides during early periods of development and risk of testicular germ cell tumors in adulthood: a French nationwide case-control study

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) are the most frequent cancers in young men in developed countries and their incidence rate has doubled worldwide over the past 40 years. Early life exposures to pesticides are suspected to increase TGCT risk. Our research aimed at estimating adult TGCT risk associated with parental domestic use of pesticides during early periods of child development.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study of 304 TGCT cases, aged 18-45 years old, recruited in 20 French university hospitals, and 274 controls frequency-matched on hospital and birth year. Participants' mothers provided information on their domestic use of pesticides from 1 year before start of pregnancy to 1 year after their son's birth, for gardening activities, treatment of indoor plants, pets, wood and mold, and pest control. Odds ratios (OR) for TGCT (overall and by histological subtype) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Prevalence of reported domestic use of pesticides was 77.3% for insecticides, 15.9% for fungicides and 12.1% for herbicides. While no association was found for any use of insecticides (OR = 1.27, CI = 0.80-2.01) or herbicides (OR = 1.15, CI = 0.67-2.00), elevated risks of TGCT overall (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.04-2.87) and non-seminoma subtype (OR = 2.44, CI = 1.26-4.74) were observed for any use of fungicides. When specific purposes were examined, using fungicides and/or insecticides for woodwork (OR = 2.35, CI = 1.06-5.20) and using insecticides on cats and dogs (OR = 1.95, CI = 1.12-3.40) were associated with increased risk of non-seminoma subtype. We found no association for seminoma subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Although recall bias may partially explain the elevated ORs, our study provides some evidence of a positive association between domestic use of pesticides during early periods of development, particularly fungicides and risk of adult TGCT and non-seminoma. Given the common domestic use of pesticides in France, further research on TGCT risk is warranted.

Pesticide exposure and related health problems among farmworkers' children: a case-control study in southeast Iran

Pesticides are potentially hazardous chemicals that can cause injury to human health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) exposure in farmworkers' children aged 6 to 11 years in Jiroft city in southeastern Iran. One hundred twenty farmworkers' children as case and 53 non-farmworkers' children aged 6 to 11 years as control were selected and the serum levels of OCPs were measured by using gas chromatography in all participants. In addition, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and arylesterase activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) were measured to evaluate OPPs effects. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase3 (SOD3), glutathione peroxidase (GPx3) activities, and the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), and protein carbonyl (PC) were measured to investigate OCPs and OPPs effects on oxidative stress (OS). The serum levels of beta-HCH, 4,4 DDE, and 4,4 DDT in the case group were significantly higher than the control group. In addition, in the case group, AChE, PON-1, CAT, SOD3, and GPx3 activities and the levels TAC were significantly lower, while MDA, PC, and NO levels were significantly higher than the control group. OCPs as illegal pesticides are present in southeast Iran and children are exposed to OCPs and OPPs in the studied area. In addition, higher serum levels of pesticides may be a major contributor in OS development, as a cause of many diseases.

Early-life environmental exposure determinants of child behavior in Europe: A longitudinal, population-based study

BACKGROUND

Environmental exposures in early life influence the development of behavioral outcomes in children, but research has not considered multiple exposures. We therefore aimed to investigate the impact of a broad spectrum of pre- and postnatal environmental exposures on child behavior.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We used data from the HELIX (Human Early Life Exposome) project, which was based on six longitudinal population-based birth cohorts in Europe. At 6-11 years, children underwent a follow-up to characterize their exposures and assess behavioral problems. We measured 88 prenatal and 123 childhood environmental factors, including outdoor, indoor, chemical, lifestyle and social exposures. Parent-reported behavioral problems included (1) internalizing, (2) externalizing scores, using the child behavior checklist (CBCL), and (3) the Conner's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) index, all outcomes being discrete raw counts. We applied LASSO penalized negative binomial regression models to identify which exposures were associated with the outcomes, while adjusting for co-exposures. In the 1287 children (mean age 8.0 years), 7.3% had a neuropsychiatric medical diagnosis according to parent's reports. During pregnancy, smoking and car traffic showing the strongest associations (e.g. smoking with ADHD index, aMR:1.31 [1.09; 1.59]) among the 13 exposures selected by LASSO, for at least one of the outcomes. During childhood, longer sleep duration, healthy diet and higher family social capital were associated with reduced scores whereas higher exposure to lead, copper, indoor air pollution, unhealthy diet were associated with increased scores. Unexpected decreases in behavioral scores were found with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organophosphate (OP) pesticides.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic exposome approach identified several environmental contaminants and healthy lifestyle habits that may influence behavioral problems in children. Modifying environmental exposures early in life may limit lifetime mental health risk.

Inequalities in Exposure to Ambient Air Neurotoxicants and Disparities in Markers of Neurodevelopment in Children by Maternal Nativity Status

Exposure levels to environmental pollutants vary significantly among different populations. These inequities in exposure to hazardous air pollutants (HAP) among different populations can contribute to disparities in neurodevelopmental outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine if exposure to HAP varies by maternal nativity status, a demographic marker often overlooked in the study of health disparities. We also assessed if those inequalities in exposure levels are associated with neurodevelopmental measures in young children. To do this, we obtained data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth cohort (ECLS-B), a nationally representative sample of children born in the U.S. in the year 2001 (n = 4750). Bayley’s Short Form-Research Edition (BSF-R) was used to measure cognitive development at 2 years of age. Using residential location at nine months of age, participants were assigned exposures to ten HAPs identified as potentially neurotoxic. Linear regression models were used to assess the joint effect of maternal nativity status and HAP exposure on neurodevelopment. Results showed inequities in exposure levels to ten different HAPs among the populations, as approximately 32% of children of foreign-born mothers were exposed to high levels of HAPs, compared to 21% of children born to U.S.-born mothers. Adjusting for socioeconomic factors, both isophorone exposure (a marker of industrial pollution) (−0.04, 95% CI, −0.12, 0.04) and maternal nativity status (−0.17, 95% CI, −0.27, −0.06) were independently associated with lower standardized BSF-R mental scores in children. Interaction between nativity status and isophorone was not statistically significant, but the change in mental scores associated with isophorone exposure was greater in children of foreign-born mothers compared to children of U.S.-born mothers (−0.12, vs. −0.03, p = 0.2). In conclusion, exposure to HAPs within the highest quartile was more commonly found among children of foreign-born mothers as compared to children of US-born mothers, indicating inequities in pollutant exposure by nativity status within urban populations. Exposures associated with nativity status may negatively contribute to children’s neurodevelopment.

Prenatal exposure to air pollutants and early childhood growth trajectories: A population-based prospective birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy has been documented to be associated with impaired fetal growth and adverse birth outcomes, but the evidence regarding the effects of air pollution on early childhood growth is still limited.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the associations of exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy with childhood growth trajectories from birth to age of 6 years.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study based on the administrative registration system was conducted covering 62,540 births in Wuhan, China between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013 and followed for 6 years. Inverse distance weighted method was used to estimate the concentrations of air pollutants exposure for pregnant women. Group-based trajectory models (GBTM) were used to identify growth patterns of children: slow growth, normal growth, and rapid growth. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to air pollutants and childhood growth trajectories with adjustment for maternal age, educational status, pre-pregnancy BMI, residential areas, gestational diabetes, birth type, gender of infant, and breastfeeding duration.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) of prenatal exposure concentrations for PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ were 107.9 (30.4), 32.8(12.6), 55.8(13.1), 1081.2(293.1), and 81.6(31.0) μg/m³ respectively. Compared with normal growth trajectory, increased PM₁₀ and CO exposure were significantly associated with higher risk of slow growth trajectory but lower risk of rapid growth trajectory. An increase in prenatal exposure to NO₂ significantly increased both the risk of slow growth trajectory and rapid growth trajectory. Increased prenatal SO₂ exposure was significantly associated with rapid growth trajectory and was not associated with low growth trajectory. With O₃ exposure levels increased, risk to be rapid growth trajectory decreased. Prenatal air pollutants exposure had a greater impact on childhood growth of children who were girls, and those mothers lived in rural areas and were normal weight before pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of air pollutants exposure during pregnancy were associated with the risk of being in a trajectory with the deviation of BMI gain from birth to 6 years old. These findings suggest that efforts to identify children at risk of growth deviation in early childhood should pay attention to environmental exposure during pregnancy for their mothers.

Exposure to environmental neurotoxic substances and neurodevelopment in children from Latin America and the Caribbean

Environmental (and occupational) exposure to neurotoxic substances is a worldwide problem that can affect children's neurodevelopment (ND). In Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries there are over 300 million children living under the threat of neurodevelopmental delays due to toxic environmental exposure. Large industrial centers, intense mining and agricultural activities, along with changing complex ecosystems constitute a mosaic that drives contamination of air, water and the food chain. Neurotoxic contaminants such as pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and manganese fungicides), chemicals of industrial use (phthalates), and metals (Hg, Pb, Al, As, F, Cd, Mo, Mn) are at the center of environmental exposure studies. Exposure to neurotoxic substances singly or in combination with other compounds or socioeconomic stressors (maternal education, socio-economic and nutritional status) intertwined with occupational and para-occupational exposure can affect ND (motor, cognition, behavior) of children. Significant negative effects of pesticides and neurotoxic elements on ND were found in all studied countries, affecting especially the less-privileged children from laboring families. Studies showed that exposures to the neurotoxicants in human milk are secondary to their more lasting effects during prenatal exposure. This review integrates exposure (prenatal and breastfeeding), metabolism, and ND effects of neurotoxicants. It highlights the overwhelming evidence showing that current levels of exposures are hazardous and detrimental to children's ND in LAC countries. The evidence indicates that a reduction in neurotoxicant exposure is essential to protect children's ND. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt policies and actions that prevent and remediate region-specific children's ND issues.

Association of activities related to pesticide exposure on headache severity and neurodevelopment of school-children in the rural agricultural farmlands of the Western Cape of South Africa

OBJECTIVE

Children and adolescents living in agricultural areas are likely to be exposed to mixtures of pesticides during their daily activities, which may impair their neurodevelopment. We investigated various such activities in relation to headache severity and neurodevelopment of school-children living in rural agricultural areas in the Western Cape of South Africa.

METHOD

We used baseline date from 1001 school-children of the Child Health Agricultural Pesticide Cohort Study in South Africa (CapSA) aged 9-16 from seven schools and three agriculture areas in the Western Cape. Questionnaires were administrated to assess activities related to pesticide exposure and health symptoms addressing four types of activities: 1) child farm activities related to pesticide handling, 2) eating crops directly from the field, 3) contact with surface water around the field, and 4) seen and smelt pesticide spraying activities. Neurocognitive performance across three domains of attention, memory and processing speed were assessed by means of an iPad-based cognitive assessment tool, Cambridge Automated NeuroPsychological Battery (CANTAB). Headache severity was enquired using a standard Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) tool. Cross-sectional regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

About 50% of the cohort report to have ever been engaged in activities related to pesticide exposure including farm activities, eating crops directly from the field and leisure activities. Headache severity score was consistently increased in relation to pesticide-related farm activities (score increase of 1.99; 95% CI: 0.86, 3.12), eating crops (1.52; 0.41, 2.67) and leisure activities of playing, swimming or bathing in nearby water (1.25; 0.18, 2.33). For neurocognitive outcomes, an overall negative trend with pesticide exposure-related activities was observed. Among others, involvement in pesticide-related farm activities was associated with a lower multi-tasking accuracy score (-2.74; -5.19, -0.29), while lower strategy in spatial working memory (-0.29; -0.56; -0.03) and lower paired associated learning (-0.88; -1.60, -0.17) was observed for those who pick crops off the field compared to those who do not pick crops off the field. Eating fruits directly from the vineyard or orchard was associated with a lower motor screening speed (-0.06; -0.11, -0.01) and lower rapid visual processing accuracy score (-0.02; -0.03, 0.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Children who indicate activities related to pesticide exposure may be at higher risk for developing headaches and lower cognitive performance in the domains of attention, memory and processing speed. However, self-reported data and cross-sectional design are a limitation. Future research in CapSA will consider pesticide exposure estimations via urinary biomarkers and longitudinal assessment of cognitive functions.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene and liquidus tetracycline by anatase/rutile titanium dioxide with heterophase junction derived from materials of Institut Lavoisier-125(Ti): Degradation pathway and mechanism studies

Anatase/rutile titanium dioxide (TiO₂) with heterophase junction and large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area (50.1 m² g^-1) is successfully synthesized by calcinating Materials of Institut Lavoisier-125(Ti) (MIL-125(Ti)) with 30% O₂/Ar at the temperature of 600 °C (M-O-600). Several techniques are used to examine the physicochemical, photoelectrochemical and optical properties of samples, and their photocatalytic performances are evaluated by photodegradation of gaseous toluene and liquidus tetracycline (TC) under visible light illumination. It is found that the calcination temperature has significant influence on the crystal structure and physicochemical parameters of TiO₂. The weight fractions of rutile and anatase TiO₂ of M-O-600 are approximately 0.7 and 0.3, which displays outstanding photocatalytic activity. Through the construction of heterophase junction, M-O-600 has better oxygen adsorption and higher density of localized states, which effectively promotes the generation of superoxide radical (·O₂^-) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) species. In-situ infrared spectra indicate that toluene is oxidized to benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid in turn and then oxidized to formic acid and acetic acid before eventually degraded into H₂O and CO₂. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is also used to further investigate the degradation pathway of toluene. Degradation pathway and mechanism of TC are studied by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Moreover, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (3D EEMs) and total organic carbon (TOC) show that TC can be effectively mineralized through a series of reactions by M-O-600 during photocatalysis.

Pesticide exposure and related health problems among family members of farmworkers in southeast Iran. A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Pesticides used in agriculture are some of the most common pollutants in the world. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Organophosphorus Pesticides (OPPs) and Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) on the families of farmworkers in the southeast of Iran.

METHODS

In the present case-control study, 141 family members of farmworkers (as the case group) and 59 family members of non-farmworkers (as the controls) were recruited. Serum levels of OCPs such as α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, 2,4-DDT, and 4,4-DDT were determined. In addition, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC), nitric oxide (NO) serum levels, arylesterase activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were determined in all participants. Furthermore, distance to farmlands, education, crops, type, and the number of consumed fruits were evaluated for each individual separately.

RESULTS

The erythrocyte AChE activity and serum activities of GPx, SOD, and PON-1 and TAC levels were significantly decreased, whereas the concentration of MDA, PC, NO, and seven OCPs were significantly increased in the farmworkers' families as compared to the controls. Spearman correlation and linear regression suggest that OCPs increase the oxidative stress in farmworkers' family members. Moreover, distance, education, farming precedence, products, and ventilation had significant effects on the OCP levels and increased the odds ratio of OCP levels in farmworkers' families.

CONCLUSION

With regards to the data obtained in this study, it was revealed that OCPs as illegal pesticides and OPPs were higher than expected in the farmworkers' family members. Furthermore, exposure to OCPs and OPPs, apart from the other effects on the body, leads to oxidative stress (OS) that may cause serious diseases in the exposed populations.

The Relationship Between Air Pollution and Cognitive Functions in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Air pollution has a negative impact on one's health and on the central nervous system. We decided to assess studies that evaluated the relationship between air pollution and cognitive functions in children and adolescents by reviewing studies that had been published between January 2009 and May 2019. We searched three major databases for original works (26 studies) and for studies using brain imaging methods based on MRI (six studies). Adverse effects of air pollutants on selected cognitive or psychomotor functions were found in all of the studies. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, for example, was linked to impaired working memory, general cognitive functions, and psychomotor functions; particulate matter 2.5 was linked to difficulties in working memory, short-term memory, attention, processing speed, and fine motor function; black carbon was linked to poor verbal intelligence, nonverbal intelligence, and working memory; airborne copper was linked to impaired attentiveness and fine motor skills; isophorone was linked to lower mathematical skills; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fetal life were linked to lower intelligence scores. The studies using MRI showed that high concentrations of air pollutants were linked to changes in the brain's white matter or lower functional integration and segregation in children's brain networks. In view of the global increase in air pollution, there is a need for further research to elucidate the relationship between air pollution and cognitive and motor development in children. According to some studies, neuroinflammation, the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene, and gutathione-S-transferase gene polymorphism processes may play a role.

Association between prenatal bisphenol a exposure and promoter hypermethylation of CAPS2, TNFRSF25, and HKR1 genes in cord blood

In utero exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in early stages of development has been reported to exert adverse health effects on offspring later in life. Epigenetic alterations, particularly DNA methylation, may be one plausible biological mechanism involved. We examined the association between maternal BPA exposure and DNA methylation in cord blood. We randomly selected 96 paired samples of maternal urine and infant cord blood collected from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort. BPA levels in maternal urine were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three cord blood samples with maternal BPA levels >2.0 μg/g Cr and three samples with undetected BPA were randomly selected for genome-wide methylation analysis using methylated DNA binding domain sequencing (MBD-Seq). The genes with hypermethylated promoter regions were chosen for validation using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (Q-MSP). Based on MBD-seq results, we observed that maternal BPA exposure was primarily associated with hypermethylation of genes involved in signal transduction in the nervous system. Using Q-MSP, we further validated the association between maternal BPA exposure and promoter hypermethylation of three genes in multiple linear regression models: a log unit increase in BPA was associated with 12.63% (95%CI: 7.99, 17.26), 11.17%, (95%CI: 3.31, 19.02), and 16.57% (95% CI: 10.59, 22.56) increase in promoter of CAPS2, TNFRSF25, and HKR1 methylation, respectively. Our findings provide evidence that in utero exposure to BPA could alter the offspring's epigenome by altering DNA methylation pattern.

Photocatalytic effect of addition of TiO2 to acrylic-based paint for passive toluene degradation

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to be hazardous and associated with several human health problems. Thus, many technologies have been developed in recent years for their removal, such as thermal catalysis, photocatalysis and ozonization. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the effects of incorporating titanium dioxide into an acrylic-based paint for gaseous toluene abatement. Paints with photocatalytic properties were prepared by adding TiO₂ P25 powder to an acrylic-based paint, using the following proportions: 0, 10, 15, 20 and 50 wt% (dry basis). Toluene and CO₂ concentrations at the reactor input and output were determined using GC/MS, and GC/FID, respectively, and the toluene conversion and CO₂ formation were assessed. The compounds adsorbed onto photocatalytic paints were extracted and then identified by GC/MS. The results indicated that the addition of 50 wt% of TiO₂ P25 results in a paint of reduced quality. The addition of 20 wt% of TiO₂ P25 to the paint led to higher values for the photocatalytic conversion of toluene to CO₂. The occurrence of two simultaneous processes was observed: the photocatalytic oxidation of toluene to CO₂ and the self-degradation of the organic compounds, such as polymeric acrylic, in the paint. The adsorption of different compounds onto the photocatalytic paints was identified by GC/MS analysis. The use of photocatalytic paints is a promising technique for toluene abatement, but it requires further study and improvement particularly with regard to the effects of the self-degradation of the paint.

Prenatal exposure to the pesticide metam sodium induces sensorimotor and neurobehavioral abnormalities in mice offspring

The present study has investigated developmental neurotoxicity of Metam sodium (MS), from gestational day 6 and throughout the gestation period until delivery. Therefore, mated female mice were orally exposed on a daily basis to 0 (control), 50, 100 or 150 mg of MS/kg of body weight and their standard fertility and reproductive parameters were assessed. The offspring were examined for their sensorimotor development, depression and cognitive performance. Our results showed that MS exposure during pregnancy led to one case of mortality, two cases of abortion and disturbed fertility and reproductive parameters in pregnant dams. In offspring, MS induced an overall delay in innate reflexes and sensorimotor performances. Furthermore, all prenatally treated animals showed an increased level of depression-like behavior as well as a pronounced cognitive impairment in adulthood. These results demonstrated that prenatal exposure to MS causes a long-lasting developmental neurotoxicity and alters a wide range of behavioral functions in mice.

A survey of the secondary exposure to organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides and the impact of preventive factors in female villagers

Organophosphates (OPs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are two main types of pesticides that are widely used worldwide, and their toxicities have been reported in high-risk individuals, such as farmers and their wives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of mentioned pesticides in farmers' wives (FWs) and compare them with the control group; we also aimed to assess the effect of personal health factors on the biochemical parameters. This case-control study was conducted on two FWs and control groups, consisting of 124 and 62 individuals, respectively. Serum levels of OCPs were measured using gas chromatography (GC) method. In addition, the activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated in all participants. Additionally, the observance of personal health guidelines was assessed. Serum levels of OCPs in the FWs group were significantly higher than the controls. In addition, AChE activity in FWs was significantly lower than the controls. Moreover, it was found that higher levels of education lead to a better observation of most individual health guidelines, which results in reducing the biological adverse effects of pesticides. The results of this study indicated that the use of OCPs, as an illegal pesticide with known toxic and carcinogenic effects, has spread to southern Iran, which may have biological toxic effects. Also, observing the personal health points significantly reduced these complications and it is, therefore, recommended that more attention should be paid to this issue.