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Wang YL, Ikuma K, Brown AMV, Deonarine A. Global survey of hgcA-carrying genomes in marine and freshwater sediments: Insights into mercury methylation processes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 352:124117. [PMID: 38714231 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) methylation is a microbially mediated process that produces methylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative neurotoxin. A highly conserved gene pair, hgcAB, is required for Hg methylation, which provides a basis for identifying Hg methylators and evaluating their genomic composition. In this study, we conducted a large-scale omics analysis in which 281 metagenomic freshwater and marine sediment samples from 46 geographic locations across the globe were queried. Specific objectives were to examine the prevalence of Hg methylators, to identify horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events involving hgcAB within Hg methylator communities, and to identify associations between hgcAB and microbial biochemical functions/genes. Hg methylators from the phyla Desulfobacterota and Bacteroidota were dominant in both freshwater and marine sediments while Firmicutes and methanogens belonging to Euryarchaeota were identified only in freshwater sediments. Novel Hg methylators were found in the Phycisphaerae and Planctomycetia classes within the phylum Planctomycetota, including potential hgcA-carrying anammox metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from Candidatus Brocadiia. HGT of hgcA and hgcB were identified in both freshwater and marine methylator communities. Spearman's correlation analysis of methylator genomes suggested that in addition to sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfite, and ammonia may be important parameters for Hg methylation processes in sediments. Overall, our results indicated that the biochemical drivers of Hg methylation vary between marine and freshwater sites, lending insight into the influence of environmental perturbances, such as a changing climate, on Hg methylation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Li Wang
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Kaoru Ikuma
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Amanda M V Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Amrika Deonarine
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.
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2
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Rumiantseva O, Komov V, Kutuzov M, Zaroual H, Mizina K, Belova M, Nikitin I, Stolyarova A, Mashin D, Vilkova D. Hair Mercury Levels in Pregnant Women: Fish Consumption as a Determinant of Exposure. TOXICS 2024; 12:366. [PMID: 38787145 PMCID: PMC11126067 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The consumption of fish in food may contain mercury, a harmful element and dangerous chemical detrimental to human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the mercury level in the hair of pregnant women with different fish intakes in their diets. The concentration of total mercury in hair was determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. In this study, 98 pregnant women were invited to participate (aged from 18 to 48 years). The mean content of mercury in the hair of pregnant women in Northwestern Russia was 0.428 mg/kg (ranging from 0.018 to 3.1 mg/kg). As a result, 22% of women had mercury values above 0.58 mg/kg, which is considered dangerous for the fetus. The hair mercury concentration in a village area was higher than that in a city area (i.e., 0.548 mg/kg and 0.326 mg/kg). Moreover, the maximum level of mercury was noted for a group of pregnant women who consumed more than 5 kg/month of fish and fish products. Furthermore, the consumption of freshwater fish in the diet leads to a higher mercury content in the hair of pregnant women than the consumption of marine fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rumiantseva
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
| | - Viktor Komov
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
- Physiology and Toxicology Laboratory, Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, 152742 Borok, Russia
| | - Mikhail Kutuzov
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
| | - Hicham Zaroual
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
- Sustainable AgriFoodtech Innovation & Research (SAFIR), 62000 Arras, France
- Applied Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez M-30000, Morocco
| | - Ksenia Mizina
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
| | - Maria Belova
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
| | - Igor Nikitin
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
- Research Laboratory of Nutritional Systems Biotechnology, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, 36 Stremyanny per., 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology of Food Products from Plant and Animal Raw Materials, K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University), 73 Zemlyanoy Val, 109004 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alla Stolyarova
- Research Laboratory of Nutritional Systems Biotechnology, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, 36 Stremyanny per., 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Management and Economics, State University of Humanities and Social Studies, 30 Zelenaya st., 140400 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Dmitry Mashin
- Department of Management and Economics, State University of Humanities and Social Studies, 30 Zelenaya st., 140400 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Daria Vilkova
- Research Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology, Cherepovets State University, 5 Lunacharsky pr., 162602 Cherepovets, Russia; (V.K.); (M.K.); (H.Z.); (K.M.); (M.B.); (I.N.)
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3
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Tal T, Myhre O, Fritsche E, Rüegg J, Craenen K, Aiello-Holden K, Agrillo C, Babin PJ, Escher BI, Dirven H, Hellsten K, Dolva K, Hessel E, Heusinkveld HJ, Hadzhiev Y, Hurem S, Jagiello K, Judzinska B, Klüver N, Knoll-Gellida A, Kühne BA, Leist M, Lislien M, Lyche JL, Müller F, Colbourne JK, Neuhaus W, Pallocca G, Seeger B, Scharkin I, Scholz S, Spjuth O, Torres-Ruiz M, Bartmann K. New approach methods to assess developmental and adult neurotoxicity for regulatory use: a PARC work package 5 project. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1359507. [PMID: 38742231 PMCID: PMC11089904 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1359507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In the European regulatory context, rodent in vivo studies are the predominant source of neurotoxicity information. Although they form a cornerstone of neurotoxicological assessments, they are costly and the topic of ethical debate. While the public expects chemicals and products to be safe for the developing and mature nervous systems, considerable numbers of chemicals in commerce have not, or only to a limited extent, been assessed for their potential to cause neurotoxicity. As such, there is a societal push toward the replacement of animal models with in vitro or alternative methods. New approach methods (NAMs) can contribute to the regulatory knowledge base, increase chemical safety, and modernize chemical hazard and risk assessment. Provided they reach an acceptable level of regulatory relevance and reliability, NAMs may be considered as replacements for specific in vivo studies. The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) addresses challenges to the development and implementation of NAMs in chemical risk assessment. In collaboration with regulatory agencies, Project 5.2.1e (Neurotoxicity) aims to develop and evaluate NAMs for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) and adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and to understand the applicability domain of specific NAMs for the detection of endocrine disruption and epigenetic perturbation. To speed up assay time and reduce costs, we identify early indicators of later-onset effects. Ultimately, we will assemble second-generation developmental neurotoxicity and first-generation adult neurotoxicity test batteries, both of which aim to provide regulatory hazard and risk assessors and industry stakeholders with robust, speedy, lower-cost, and informative next-generation hazard and risk assessment tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Tal
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
- University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oddvar Myhre
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Uppsala University, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kai Craenen
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Caroline Agrillo
- Uppsala University, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patrick J. Babin
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Pessac, France
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kristine Dolva
- University of Oslo, Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Olso, Norway
| | - Ellen Hessel
- Dutch Nation Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Harm J. Heusinkveld
- Dutch Nation Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Yavor Hadzhiev
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - Selma Hurem
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ås, Norway
| | - Karolina Jagiello
- University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Beata Judzinska
- University of Gdansk, Laboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Nils Klüver
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Knoll-Gellida
- Université de Bordeaux, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), Pessac, France
| | - Britta A. Kühne
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- University of Konstanz, In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine/CAAT-Europe, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Malene Lislien
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health – NIPH, Department of Chemical Toxicology, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan L. Lyche
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ås, Norway
| | - Ferenc Müller
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - John K. Colbourne
- University of Birmingham, Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, Birmingham, UK
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center Health and Bioresources, Vienna, Austria
- Danube Private University, Faculty of Dentistry and Medicine, Department of Medicine, Krems, Austria
| | - Giorgia Pallocca
- University of Konstanz, In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine/CAAT-Europe, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Bettina Seeger
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ilka Scharkin
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Scholz
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Chemicals in the Environment Research Section, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ola Spjuth
- Uppsala University and Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Monica Torres-Ruiz
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Environmental Toxicology Unit, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Kristina Bartmann
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
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4
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Zhong H, Tang W, Li Z, Sonne C, Lam SS, Zhang X, Kwon SY, Rinklebe J, Nunes LM, Yu RQ, Gu B, Hintelmann H, Tsui MTK, Zhao J, Zhou XQ, Wu M, Liu B, Hao Y, Chen L, Zhang B, Tan W, Zhang XX, Ren H, Liu YR. Soil Geobacteraceae are the key predictors of neurotoxic methylmercury bioaccumulation in rice. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:301-311. [PMID: 38605129 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00954-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Contamination of rice by the potent neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) originates from microbe-mediated Hg methylation in soils. However, the high diversity of Hg methylating microorganisms in soils hinders the prediction of MeHg formation and challenges the mitigation of MeHg bioaccumulation via regulating soil microbiomes. Here we explored the roles of various cropland microbial communities in MeHg formation in the potentials leading to MeHg accumulation in rice and reveal that Geobacteraceae are the key predictors of MeHg bioaccumulation in paddy soil systems. We characterized Hg methylating microorganisms from 67 cropland ecosystems across 3,600 latitudinal kilometres. The simulations of a rice-paddy biogeochemical model show that MeHg accumulation in rice is 1.3-1.7-fold more sensitive to changes in the relative abundance of Geobacteraceae compared to Hg input, which is recognized as the primary parameter in controlling MeHg exposure. These findings open up a window to predict MeHg formation and accumulation in human food webs, enabling more efficient mitigation of risks to human health through regulations of key soil microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China.
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Zizhu Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India.
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
- Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Luís M Nunes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Ri-Qing Yu
- Department of Biology, Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Department of Chemistry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School of Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Quan Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Beibei Liu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Baogang Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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5
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Feinberg A, Jiskra M, Borrelli P, Biswakarma J, Selin NE. Deforestation as an Anthropogenic Driver of Mercury Pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38328901 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Deforestation reduces the capacity of the terrestrial biosphere to take up toxic pollutant mercury (Hg) and enhances the release of secondary Hg from soils. The consequences of deforestation for Hg cycling are not currently considered by anthropogenic emission inventories or specifically addressed under the global Minamata Convention on Mercury. Using global Hg modeling constrained by field observations, we estimate that net Hg fluxes to the atmosphere due to deforestation are 217 Mg year-1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 134-1650 Mg year-1) for 2015, approximately 10% of global primary anthropogenic emissions. If deforestation of the Amazon rainforest continues at business-as-usual rates, net Hg emissions from the region will increase by 153 Mg year-1 by 2050 (CI: 97-418 Mg year-1), enhancing the transport and subsequent deposition of Hg to aquatic ecosystems. Substantial Hg emissions reductions are found for two potential cases of land use policies: conservation of the Amazon rainforest (92 Mg year-1, 95% CI: 59-234 Mg year-1) and global reforestation (98 Mg year-1, 95% CI: 64-449 Mg year-1). We conclude that deforestation-related emissions should be incorporated as an anthropogenic source in Hg inventories and that land use policy could be leveraged to address global Hg pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryeh Feinberg
- Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Martin Jiskra
- Environmental Geosciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | | | - Jagannath Biswakarma
- Environmental Geosciences, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
- Department of Water Resources and Drinking Water, Eawag, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Noelle E Selin
- Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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6
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Wen Z, Zheng D, Wu J, Tian H, Yang Q, Chen L, Ji Z, Chen Y, Li Z. Integral trends in research of lead exposure and child health from 2012 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:9251-9271. [PMID: 38191730 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31744-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Lead poisoning in children is a non-negligible and ongoing threat to children's health and optimal development worldwide. There is no sufficient scientometric analysis available on this subject, though. Aiming to uncover the research development, hotspots, and possible future orientation, we performed a scientometric analysis of related publications from 2012 to 2022. Initial information was accessed using the "Analysis Results" and "Create Citation Report" sections of the Web of Science core collection database, which were utilized to find original publications in this field of research. Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software were applied to further analyze and visualize the data. The research addressed a range of topics, including yearly publications, highly cited articles, co-cited references, journals, authors, nations, organizations, and keywords. A total of 883 articles were retrieved. From 2018 to 2021, the annual publication output was abundant and peaked in 2019. Among 111 countries, the USA obtained the highest number of documents issued, total citations, and total link strength. Meanwhile, most of the top 15 institutions, including the top four, are located in the USA. Further, we spotted greater scopes with development potential, including enhancing records to lessen exposure to harmful risks, improving methods for observing lead sources, and elucidating the gradient link between lead poisoning symptoms and concentrations. We anticipate that our research will assist researchers in summarizing previous research and providing perspectives for workable prospective study topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuolin Wen
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Daitian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyao Wu
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiting Tian
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuping Yang
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhi Chen
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeqi Ji
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yexi Chen
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyang Li
- Department of Thyroid, Breast and Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 69 North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Tang W, Bai X, Zhou Y, Sonne C, Wu M, Lam SS, Hintelmann H, Mitchell CPJ, Johs A, Gu B, Nunes L, Liu C, Feng N, Yang S, Rinklebe J, Lin Y, Chen L, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Wang J, Li S, Wu Q, Ok YS, Xu D, Li H, Zhang XX, Ren H, Jiang G, Chai Z, Gao Y, Zhao J, Zhong H. A hidden demethylation pathway removes mercury from rice plants and mitigates mercury flux to food chains. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:72-82. [PMID: 38177223 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Dietary exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) causes irreversible damage to human cognition and is mitigated by photolysis and microbial demethylation of MeHg. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been identified as a major dietary source of MeHg. However, it remains unknown what drives the process within plants for MeHg to make its way from soils to rice and the subsequent human dietary exposure to Hg. Here we report a hidden pathway of MeHg demethylation independent of light and microorganisms in rice plants. This natural pathway is driven by reactive oxygen species generated in vivo, rapidly transforming MeHg to inorganic Hg and then eliminating Hg from plants as gaseous Hg°. MeHg concentrations in rice grains would increase by 2.4- to 4.7-fold without this pathway, which equates to intelligence quotient losses of 0.01-0.51 points per newborn in major rice-consuming countries, corresponding to annual economic losses of US$30.7-84.2 billion globally. This discovered pathway effectively removes Hg from human food webs, playing an important role in exposure mitigation and global Hg cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Bai
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India.
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
- Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Department of Chemistry and School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander Johs
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Luís Nunes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Cun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Naixian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Yan Lin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingru Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program and Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Diandou Xu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Chai
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China.
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8
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Banzhaf HS, Banzhaf MR. Impact of in utero airborne lead exposure on long-run adult socio-economic outcomes: A population analysis using U.S. survey and administrative data. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293443. [PMID: 37992007 PMCID: PMC10664929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As a neurotoxin, early exposure to lead has long been assumed to affect socioeconomic outcomes well into adulthood. However, the empirical literature documenting such effects has been limited. This study documents the long-term effects of in utero exposure to air lead on adult socio-economic outcomes, including real earnings, disabilities, employment, public assistance, and education, using US survey and administrative data. Specifically, we match individuals in the 2000 US Decennial Census and 2001-2014 American Community Surveys to average lead concentrations in the individual's birth county during his/her 9 months in utero. We then estimate the effects of shocks to airborne lead conditional on observable characteristics, county fixed effects, county-specific time trends, and month-year fixed effects. We find a 0.5 μg/m3 decrease in air lead, representing the average 1975-85 change resulting from the passage of the U.S. Clean Air Act, is associated with an increase in earnings of 3.5%, or a present value, at birth, of $21,400 in lifetime earnings. Decomposing this effect, we find greater exposure to lead in utero is associated with an increase in disabilities in adulthood, an increase in receiving public assistance, and a decrease in employment. Looking at effects by sex, long-term effects for girls seem to fall on participation in the formal labor market, whereas for boys it appears to fall more on hours worked. This is the first study to document such long-term effects from lead using US data. We estimate the present value in 2020, from all earnings impacts from 1975 forward, to be $4.23 Trillion using a discount rate of 3%. In 2020 alone, the benefits are $252 B, or about 1.2% of GDP. Thus, our estimates imply the Clean Air Act's lead phase out is still returning a national dividend of over 1% every year.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Spencer Banzhaf
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Melissa Ruby Banzhaf
- Federal Statistical Research Data Centers, United States (US) Census Bureau, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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9
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Médieu A, Lorrain A, Point D. Are tunas relevant bioindicators of mercury concentrations in the global ocean? ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:994-1009. [PMID: 37328690 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02679-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to toxic methylmercury mainly by consuming marine fish. The Minamata Convention aims at reducing anthropogenic mercury releases to protect human and ecosystem health, employing monitoring programs to meet its objectives. Tunas are suspected to be sentinels of mercury exposure in the ocean, though not evidenced yet. Here, we conducted a literature review of mercury concentrations in tropical tunas (bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack) and albacore, the four most exploited tunas worldwide. Strong spatial patterns of tuna mercury concentrations were shown, mainly explained by fish size, and methylmercury bioavailability in marine food web, suggesting that tunas reflect spatial trends of mercury exposure in their ecosystem. The few mercury long-term trends in tunas were contrasted and sometimes disconnected to estimated regional changes in atmospheric emissions and deposition, highlighting potential confounding effects of legacy mercury, and complex reactions governing the fate of mercury in the ocean. Inter-species differences of tuna mercury concentrations associated with their distinct ecology suggest that tropical tunas and albacore could be used complementarily to assess the vertical and horizontal variability of methylmercury in the ocean. Overall, this review elevates tunas as relevant bioindicators for the Minamata Convention, and calls for large-scale and continuous mercury measurements within the international community. We provide guidelines for tuna sample collection, preparation, analyses and data standardization with recommended transdisciplinary approaches to explore tuna mercury content in parallel with observation abiotic data, and biogeochemical model outputs. Such global and transdisciplinary biomonitoring is essential to explore the complex mechanisms of the marine methylmercury cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Médieu
- IRD, Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR 6539, LEMAR, Plouzané, France.
| | - Anne Lorrain
- IRD, Univ Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR 6539, LEMAR, Plouzané, France
| | - David Point
- Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, GET, UMR CNRS 5563/IRD 234, Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France
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10
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González-Rubio JM, Domínguez-Morueco N, Pedraza-Díaz S, Cañas Portilla A, Lucena MÁ, Rodriguez A, Castaño A, Esteban-López M. A simple method for direct mercury analysis in dried blood spots (DBS) samples for human biomonitoring studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 177:107958. [PMID: 37285712 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to mercury can have serious health effects, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and fetuses. The use of dried blood spot (DBS) samples to collect capillary blood greatly facilitates sample collection and fieldwork, being a less invasive alternative to blood collection by venipuncture, needing a small volume of sample, and does not require specialized medical staff. Moreover, DBS sampling reduces logistical and financial barriers related to transport and storage of blood samples. We propose here a novel method to analyze total mercury in DBS samples in a Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) that allow the control of the volume of the DBS samples. This method has shown good results in terms of precision (<6% error), accuracy (<10% coefficient of variation) and recovery (75-106%). The applicability of the method in human biomonitoring (HBM) was demonstrated in a pilot study involving 41 adults aged 18-65. Mercury concentrations of DBS samples from capillary blood collected by finger prick (real DBS samples) were determined in the DMA and compared with those determined in whole blood (venous blood) by ICP-MS, the method usually used in HBM. The sampling procedure was also validated by comparison of real DBS samples and DBS generated artificially in the laboratory by depositing venous samples in cellulose cards (laboratory DBS). There were no statistically significant differences in the results obtained using both methodologies (DMA: Geometric Mean (confidence interval 95%) = 3.87 (3.12-4.79) µg/L; ICP-MS: Geometric Mean (confidence interval 95%) = 3.46 (2.80-4.27) µg/L). The proposed method is an excellent alternative to be applied in clinical settings as screening methodology for assessing mercury exposure in vulnerable groups, such us pregnant woman, babies and children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Cañas Portilla
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Lucena
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - 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
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11
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Sprong C, Te Biesebeek JD, Chatterjee M, Wolterink G, van den Brand A, Blaznik U, Christodoulou D, Crépet A, Hamborg Jensen B, Sokolić D, Rauscher-Gabernig E, Ruprich J, Kortenkamp A, van Klaveren J. A case study of neurodevelopmental risks from combined exposures to lead, methyl-mercury, inorganic arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and fluoride. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 251:114167. [PMID: 37149958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114167] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
We performed a mixture risk assessment (MRA) case study of dietary exposure to the food contaminants lead, methylmercury, inorganic arsenic (iAs), fluoride, non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), all substances associated with declines in cognitive abilities measured as IQ loss. Most of these chemicals are frequently measured in human biomonitoring studies. A component-based, personalised modified reference point index (mRPI) approach, in which we expressed the exposures and potencies of our chosen substances as lead equivalent values, was applied to perform a MRA for dietary exposures. We conducted the assessment for four different age groups (toddlers, children, adolescents, and women aged 18-45 years) in nine European countries. Populations in all countries considered exceeded combined tolerable levels at median exposure levels. NDL-PCBs in fish, other seafood and dairy, lead in grains and fruits, methylmercury in fish and other seafoods, and fluoride in water contributed most to the combined exposure. We identified uncertainties for the likelihood of co-exposure, assessment group membership, endpoint-specific reference values (ESRVs) based on epidemiological (lead, methylmercury, iAs, fluoride and NDL-PCBs) and animal data (PBDE), and exposure data. Those uncertainties lead to a complex pattern of under- and overestimations, which would require probabilistic modelling based on expert knowledge elicitation for integration of the identified uncertainties into an overall uncertainty estimate. In addition, the identified uncertainties could be used to refine future MRA for cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Sprong
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Jan Dirk Te Biesebeek
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mousumi Chatterjee
- Brunel University London, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Gerrit Wolterink
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Annick van den Brand
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Urska Blaznik
- National Institute of Public Health, Environmental Health Centre, Trubarjeva 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Amélie Crépet
- ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Assessment Department, Methodology and Studies Unit, 947001, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Bodil Hamborg Jensen
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Research group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO, Kemitorvet, Building 201, DK 2800, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Darja Sokolić
- HAPIH, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, Vinkovačka cesta 63C, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Elke Rauscher-Gabernig
- AGES, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiri Ruprich
- National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Centre for Health, Nutrition and Food, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Brunel University London, Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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12
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Xing Z, Chang R, Song Z, Zhang Y, Muntean M, Feng K, Liu Y, Ma Z, Wang J, Zhang J, Wang H. International trade shapes global mercury-related health impacts. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad128. [PMID: 37228509 PMCID: PMC10205471 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad128] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a strong neurotoxin with substantial dangers to human health. Hg undergoes active global cycles, and the emission sources there of can also be geographically relocated through economic trade. Through investigation of a longer chain of the global biogeochemical Hg cycle from economic production to human health, international cooperation on Hg control strategies in Minamata Convention can be facilitated. In the present study, four global models are combined to investigate the effect of international trade on the relocation of Hg emissions, pollution, exposure, and related human health impacts across the world. The results show that 47% of global Hg emissions are related to commodities consumed outside of the countries where the emissions are produced, which has largely influenced the environmental Hg levels and human exposure thereto across the world. Consequently, international trade is found to enable the whole world to avoid 5.7 × 105 points for intelligence quotient (IQ) decline and 1,197 deaths from fatal heart attacks, saving a total of $12.5 billion (2020 USD) in economic loss. Regionally, international trade exacerbates Hg challenges in less developed countries, while resulting in an alleviation in developed countries. The change in economic loss therefore varies from the United States (-$4.0 billion) and Japan (-$2.4 billion) to China (+$2.7 billion). The present results reveal that international trade is a critical factor but might be largely overlooked in global Hg pollution mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhengcheng Song
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: ;
| | - Marilena Muntean
- Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, Air and Climate Unit, European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, VA I-21027, Italy
| | - Kuishuang Feng
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yifan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zongwei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jigan Wang
- School of Business, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Business, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
| | - Haikun Wang
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: ;
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13
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Pang Q, Gu J, Wang H, Zhang Y. Global Health Impact of Atmospheric Mercury Emissions from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining. iScience 2022; 25:104881. [PMID: 36039300 PMCID: PMC9418800 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the leading source of mercury (Hg), a global neurotoxin. Past research has focused on the health impacts on miners and nearby residents; here, we estimate the risk for global general populations by employing a comprehensive atmosphere-land-ocean-ecosystem and exposure-risk-valuation model framework. Our results suggest that ASGM sources contribute 12%, 10%, and 0.63% to the atmospheric Hg deposition, plankton methylmercury concentrations, and soil total Hg concentrations at present day, respectively, and cause 5.8×105 points of intelligence quotient decrements and 1,430 deaths for global general populations per year. The monetized global health impact of ASGM ($154 billion) is 1.5 times its local impact and accounts for half of the total revenue of ASGM ($319 billion). A major spatial decoupling between the health impact and economic gains is also revealed, suggesting that intervention measures such as awareness-raising, capacity-building, and technology transfer funded by the Global North are cost-effective. Contributions of ASGM to MeHg concentrations in different organisms are calculated The global health impact of atmospheric Hg from ASGM is first revealed The health impacts and economic gains of ASGM are compared Intervention measures for ASGM are proved to be cost-effective
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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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Cossa D, Knoery J, Bănaru D, Harmelin-Vivien M, Sonke JE, Hedgecock IM, Bravo AG, Rosati G, Canu D, Horvat M, Sprovieri F, Pirrone N, Heimbürger-Boavida LE. Mediterranean Mercury Assessment 2022: An Updated Budget, Health Consequences, and Research Perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:3840-3862. [PMID: 35244390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) and especially its methylated species (MeHg) are toxic chemicals that contaminate humans via the consumption of seafood. The most recent UNEP Global Mercury Assessment stressed that Mediterranean populations have higher Hg levels than people elsewhere in Europe. The present Critical Review updates current knowledge on the sources, biogeochemical cycling, and mass balance of Hg in the Mediterranean and identifies perspectives for future research especially in the context of global change. Concentrations of Hg in the Western Mediterranean average 0.86 ± 0.27 pmol L-1 in the upper water layer and 1.02 ± 0.12 pmol L-1 in intermediate and deep waters. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Hg measurements are in the same range but are too few to determine any consistent oceanographical pattern. The Mediterranean waters have a high methylation capacity, with MeHg representing up to 86% of the total Hg, and constitute a source of MeHg for the adjacent North Atlantic Ocean. The highest MeHg concentrations are associated with low oxygen water masses, suggesting a microbiological control on Hg methylation, consistent with the identification of hgcA-like genes in Mediterranean waters. MeHg concentrations are twice as high in the waters of the Western Basin compared to the ultra-oligotrophic Eastern Basin waters. This difference appears to be transferred through the food webs and the Hg content in predators to be ultimately controlled by MeHg concentrations of the waters of their foraging zones. Many Mediterranean top-predatory fish still exceed European Union regulatory Hg thresholds. This emphasizes the necessity of monitoring the exposure of Mediterranean populations, to formulate adequate mitigation strategies and recommendations, without advising against seafood consumption. This review also points out other insufficiencies of knowledge of Hg cycling in the Mediterranean Sea, including temporal variations in air-sea exchange, hydrothermal and cold seep inputs, point sources, submarine groundwater discharge, and exchanges between margins and the open sea. Future assessment of global change impacts under the Minamata Convention Hg policy requires long-term observations and dedicated high-resolution Earth System Models for the Mediterranean region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cossa
- Université Grenoble Alpes, ISTerre, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Joël Knoery
- Ifremer, Centre Atlantique de Nantes, BP 44311, 44980 Nantes, France
| | - Daniela Bănaru
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, CNRS/Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP)/Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Ian M Hedgecock
- Istituto sull'inquinamento atmosferico, CNR-IIA, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Rosati
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisca Sperimentale (OGS), 34010 Trieste, Italy
| | - Donata Canu
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisca Sperimentale (OGS), 34010 Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Pirrone
- Istituto sull'inquinamento atmosferico, CNR-IIA, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Lars-Eric Heimbürger-Boavida
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
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16
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Ma H, Chen Y, Chen Q, Liu D, Zhang J, Tonina D. Dam cascade unveils sediment methylmercury dynamics in reservoirs. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118059. [PMID: 35124561 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) can be bioaccumulated through food chains and adversely affect human health. Reservoirs are reported to stimulate MeHg production, however, the characteristics of MeHg dynamics in cascade reservoirs and the associated relations to sedimentation as well as reservoir properties remained unclear. Here we investigated sediment MeHg dynamics in eight cascade reservoirs in the upper Mekong River. We found significant differences in sediment MeHg concentration between the reservoirs, showing an increase with fluctuations along the reservoirs cascade. However, a novel relationship was found between sediment%MeHg (MeHg/Hg) and the ratio of reservoir hydraulic residence time (HRT) to reservoir age. This relationship is formed by the joint effects of the original deposit of Hg and organic carbon (OC) before impoundment and the subsequent sedimentation of Hg and OC after impoundment. The original deposit is continuously transformed as the reservoir ages, whereas the latter is driven by the annual hydrological cycle and HRT, of which the HRT is dominant. This finding cannot be easily revealed in a single reservoir or by comparing multiple reservoirs in different rivers. The discovery is of great significance to understand Hg geochemical cycling in reservoirs, which is quickly increasing in rivers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghai Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China; Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Qiuwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Green Development, Nanjing, 210029, China; Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China.
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Green Development, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Daniele Tonina
- Center for Ecohydraulics Research, University of Idaho, Boise, ID, 83702, USA
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17
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Li Y, Chen L, Liang S, Zhou H, Liu YR, Zhong H, Yang Z. Looping Mercury Cycle in Global Environmental-Economic System Modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2861-2879. [PMID: 35129955 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Minamata Convention on Mercury calls for Hg control actions to protect the environment and human beings from the adverse impacts of Hg pollution. It aims at the entire life cycle of Hg. Existing studies on the Hg cycle in the global environmental-economic system have characterized the emission-to-impact pathway of Hg pollution. That is, Hg emissions/releases from the economic system can have adverse impacts on human health and ecosystems. However, current modeling of the Hg cycle is not fully looped. It ignores the feedback of Hg-related environmental impacts (including human health impacts and ecosystem impacts) to the economic system. This would impede the development of more comprehensive Hg control actions. By synthesizing recent information on Hg cycle modeling, this critical review found that Hg-related environmental impacts would have feedbacks to the economic system via the labor force and biodiversity loss. However, the interactions between Hg-related activities in the environmental and economic systems are not completely clear. The cascading effects of Hg-related environmental impacts to the economic system throughout global supply chains have not been revealed. Here, we emphasize the knowledge gaps and propose possible approaches for looping the Hg cycle in global environmental-economic system modeling. This progress is crucial for formulating more dynamic and flexible Hg control measures. It provides new perspectives for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Li
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Sai Liang
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Haifeng Zhou
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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18
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Resveratrol attenuates methylmercury-induced neurotoxicity by modulating synaptic homeostasis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 440:115952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.115952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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19
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Kupsco A, Lee JJ, Prada D, Valvi D, Hu L, Petersen MS, Coull BA, Weihe P, Grandjean P, Baccarelli AA. Marine pollutant exposures and human milk extracellular vesicle-microRNAs in a mother-infant cohort from the Faroe Islands. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106986. [PMID: 34991248 PMCID: PMC8742869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Early life exposures to marine contaminants can adversely impact child health but modes of action are unclear. Human milk contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can transport biologically relevant cargo from mother to infant, including microRNAs (miRNAs), and may partly mediate the effects of pollutants on child health. However, the role of marine pollutants on miRNA expression in milk EVs is unexplored. METHODS We isolated EV RNA from 333 milk samples collected between 2 and 74 days postpartum from a Faroese birth cohort born 1997-2000 and sequenced 2083 miRNAs using a targeted library preparation method. We quantified five perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticide metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and the sum of three major polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) in maternal serum at 34 weeks of gestation and maternal hair total mercury (Hg) at birth. We used negative binomial regressions to estimate associations between individual pollutants and 418 reliably expressed EV-miRNAs adjusted for potential confounders. We performed sparse principal components (PCs) analysis to derive the first four components of the EV-miRNA data and examined associations between pollutants and PCs using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). RESULTS We observed no associations between pollutants and individual EV-miRNA expression after controlling the false discovery rate at 0.1. However, BKMR suggested that Hg was positively associated with PC1 and negatively associated with PC3, while ΣPCBs was negatively associated with PC3, and two PFAS were associated with PC4. Exploration of PC loadings followed by pathway analyses suggested that miRNAs in PC1 (miR-200b-3p, miR-664a-3p, miR-6738-5p, miR-429, miR-1236-5p, miR-4464, and miR-30b-5p) may be related to Hg neurotoxicity, while remaining PCs require further research. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that groups of milk EV-miRNAs may better serve as environmental biomarkers than individual miRNAs. Future studies are needed to elucidate the role of milk EV-miRNAs in child health following prenatal exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Kupsco
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10023, United States.
| | - Jenny Jyoung Lee
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Diddier Prada
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10023, United States; Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Lisa Hu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10023, United States
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Center of Health Science, University of The Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pal Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Center of Health Science, University of The Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10023, United States
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20
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Belmonte A, Muñoz P, Santos-Echeandía J, Romero D. Tissue Distribution of Mercury and Its Relationship with Selenium in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus L.). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413376. [PMID: 34948982 PMCID: PMC8708749 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an important heavy metal to consider in marine predators, while selenium (Se) has a natural antagonistic effect on this metal in fish. The Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT, Thunnus thynnus) is a pelagic top-level predator of the trophic web and their Hg muscular content is an object of concern in food safety. Nevertheless, little is known about levels of this metal in remaining tissues, which may be important as by-product source, and its relationship with Se. Thus, concentration of both elements in liver, kidney, brain, gill and bone, in addition to muscle, of ABFT were determined. The kidney was the tissue with the highest concentration of Hg (Total-Hg, THg) and Se, and the Se/THg concentration ratio was similar in all tissues, except bone and muscle. The Selenium Health Benefit Value (HBVSe) was positive in each specimen and tissue, indicating that the Se plays an important role against Hg not only in the muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Belmonte
- TAXON Estudios Ambientales S.L. C/Uruguay s/n, 30820 Alcantarilla, Spain;
| | - Pilar Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | | | - Diego Romero
- Área de Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-868-884-318
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21
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Rumiantseva O, Ivanova E, Komov V. High variability of mercury content in the hair of Russia Northwest population: the role of the environment and social factors. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:1027-1042. [PMID: 34694485 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01812-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this work is to study mercury levels in the hair of different social and demographic groups of the population of the Vologda region in Northwest Russia. This region is selected due to a heterogeneous distribution of rivers and lakes-a resource base for fishing. METHODS The mercury content was determined in the hair from the root with a length of about 2 cm. The concentration of total mercury in human hair was determined by the atomic absorption method without preliminary sample preparation using an RA-915M mercury analyzer and a PYRO-915 + pyrolysis unit. RESULTS The average level of mercury in the human hair was 0.445 μg/g (median 0.220 μg/g). The concentration of mercury in the hair of people older than 44 years (0.875 μg/g) was three times higher than in the hair of children under 18 years of age (0.270 μg/g). People who eat fish less than once per month had a hair mercury concentration of 0.172 μg/g, for 1-2 times a month 0.409 μg/g, once a week 0.555 μg/g, and several times a week 0.995 μg/g. The concentration of mercury in the hair of smokers (0.514 μg/g) was higher than in the hair of non-smokers (0.426 μg/g). CONCLUSION Significantly higher concentrations of mercury were observed in the hair of participants from the western part of the region, where reservoirs are the main commercial sources of fish products. The data showed that the main source of people's mercury intake was fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rumiantseva
- Department of Biology, Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia, 162600.
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Department of Biology, Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia, 162600
| | - Viktor Komov
- Department of Biology, Cherepovets State University, Cherepovets, Russia, 162600
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, Russia, 152742
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22
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Feldmann M, Bataillard C, Ehrler M, Ullrich C, Knirsch W, Gosteli-Peter MA, Held U, Latal B. Cognitive and Executive Function in Congenital Heart Disease: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2021-050875. [PMID: 34561266 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-050875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Cognitive function and executive function (EF) impairments contribute to the long-term burden of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, the degree and profile of impairments are insufficiently described. OBJECTIVE To systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence on cognitive function and EF outcomes in school-aged children operated for CHD and identify the risk factors for an unfavorable outcome. DATA SOURCES Cochrane, Embase, Medline, and PsycINFO. STUDY SELECTION Original peer-reviewed studies reporting cognitive or EF outcome in 5- to 17-year old children with CHD after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. DATA EXTRACTION Results of IQ and EF assessments were extracted, and estimates were transformed to means and SE. Standardized mean differences were calculated for comparison with healthy controls. RESULTS Among 74 studies (3645 children with CHD) reporting total IQ, the summary estimate was 96.03 (95% confidence interval: 94.91 to 97.14). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and univentricular CHD cohorts performed significantly worse than atrial and ventricular septum defect cohorts (P = .0003; P = .027). An older age at assessment was associated with lower IQ scores in cohorts with transposition of the great arteries (P = .014). Among 13 studies (774 children with CHD) reporting EF compared with controls, the standardized mean difference was -0.56 (95% confidence interval: -0.65 to -0.46) with no predilection for a specific EF domain or age effect. LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity between studies was large. CONCLUSIONS Intellectual impairments in CHD are frequent, with severity and trajectory depending on the CHD subtype. EF performance is poorer in children with CHD without a specific EF profile. The heterogeneity in studied populations and applied assessments is large. A uniform testing guideline is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Feldmann
- Child Development Centre and Children's Research Centre.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Célina Bataillard
- Child Development Centre and Children's Research Centre.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Ehrler
- Child Development Centre and Children's Research Centre.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cinzia Ullrich
- Child Development Centre and Children's Research Centre.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walter Knirsch
- Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, and
| | | | - Ulrike Held
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Latal
- Child Development Centre and Children's Research Centre .,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Yang S, Wang B, Qin C, Yin R, Li P, Liu J, Point D, Maurice L, Sonke JE, Zhang L, Feng X. Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis Provides New Insights for Tracking Human Monomethylmercury Exposure Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12493-12503. [PMID: 34468125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Monomethylmercury (MMHg) exposure can induce adverse neurodevelopmental effects in humans and is a global environmental health concern. Human exposure to MMHg occurs predominately through the consumption of fishery foods and rice in Asia, but it is challenging to quantify these two exposure sources. Here, we innovatively utilized MMHg compound-specific stable isotope analyses (MMHg-CSIA) of the hair to quantify the human MMHg sources in coastal and inland areas, where fishery foods and rice are routinely consumed. Our data showed that the fishery foods and rice end members had distinct Δ199HgMMHg values in both coastal and inland areas. The Δ199HgMMHg values of the human hair were comparable to those of fishery foods but not those of rice. Positive shifts in the δ202HgMMHg values of the hair from diet were observed in the study areas. Additionally, significant differences in δ202Hg versus Δ199Hg were detected between MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) in the human hair but not in fishery foods and rice. A binary mixing model was developed to estimate the human MMHg exposures from fishery foods and rice using Δ199HgMMHg data. The model results suggested that human MMHg exposures were dominated (>80%) by fishery food consumption and were less affected by rice consumption in both the coastal and inland areas. This study demonstrated that the MMHg-CSIA method can provide unique information for tracking human MMHg exposure sources by excluding the deviations from dietary surveys, individual MMHg absorption/demethylation efficiencies, and the confounding effects of IHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
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24
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Lei P, Zhang J, Zhu J, Tan Q, Kwong RWM, Pan K, Jiang T, Naderi M, Zhong H. Algal Organic Matter Drives Methanogen-Mediated Methylmercury Production in Water from Eutrophic Shallow Lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:10811-10820. [PMID: 34236181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Algal blooms bring massive amounts of algal organic matter (AOM) into eutrophic lakes, which influences microbial methylmercury (MeHg) production. However, because of the complexity of AOM and its dynamic changes during algal decomposition, the relationship between AOM and microbial Hg methylators remains poorly understood, which hinders predicting MeHg production and its bioaccumulation in eutrophic shallow lakes. To address that, we explored the impacts of AOM on microbial Hg methylators and MeHg production by characterizing dissolved organic matter with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy and quantifying the microbial Hg methylation gene hgcA. We first reveal that the predominance of methanogens, facilitated by eutrophication-induced carbon input, could drive MeHg production in lake water. Specifically, bioavailable components of AOM (i.e., CHONs such as aromatic proteins and soluble microbial byproduct-like materials) increased the abundances (Archaea-hgcA gene: 438-2240% higher) and activities (net CH4 production: 16.0-44.4% higher) of Archaea (e.g., methanogens). These in turn led to enhanced dissolved MeHg levels (24.3-15,918% higher) for three major eutrophic shallow lakes in China. Nevertheless, our model results indicate that AOM-facilitated MeHg production could be offset by AOM-induced MeHg biodilution under eutrophication. Our study would help reduce uncertainties in predicting MeHg production, providing a basis for mitigating the MeHg risk in eutrophic lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jinjie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Qiaoguo Tan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies, College of the Environment and Ecology and Center for Marine Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Raymond W M Kwong
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Ke Pan
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå SE-90183, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Naderi
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
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25
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Zhang Y, Song Z, Huang S, Zhang P, Peng Y, Wu P, Gu J, Dutkiewicz S, Zhang H, Wu S, Wang F, Chen L, Wang S, Li P. Global health effects of future atmospheric mercury emissions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3035. [PMID: 34031414 PMCID: PMC8144432 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23391-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that poses health risks to the global population. Anthropogenic mercury emissions to the atmosphere are projected to decrease in the future due to enhanced policy efforts such as the Minamata Convention, a legally-binding international treaty entered into force in 2017. Here, we report the development of a comprehensive climate-atmosphere-land-ocean-ecosystem and exposure-risk model framework for mercury and its application to project the health effects of future atmospheric emissions. Our results show that the accumulated health effects associated with mercury exposure during 2010-2050 are $19 (95% confidence interval: 4.7-54) trillion (2020 USD) realized to 2050 (3% discount rate) for the current policy scenario. Our results suggest a substantial increase in global human health cost if emission reduction actions are delayed. This comprehensive modeling approach provides a much-needed tool to help parties to evaluate the effectiveness of Hg emission controls as required by the Minamata Convention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxu Zhang
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Zhengcheng Song
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Shaojian Huang
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhang
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Peng
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Peipei Wu
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Jing Gu
- grid.41156.370000 0001 2314 964XSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Stephanie Dutkiewicz
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Huanxin Zhang
- grid.214572.70000 0004 1936 8294Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA ,grid.259979.90000 0001 0663 5937Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI USA
| | - Shiliang Wu
- grid.259979.90000 0001 0663 5937Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI USA ,grid.259979.90000 0001 0663 5937Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI USA
| | - Feiyue Wang
- grid.21613.370000 0004 1936 9609Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada
| | - Long Chen
- grid.22069.3f0000 0004 0369 6365Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shuxiao Wang
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, P. R. China ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ping Li
- grid.458468.30000 0004 1806 6526State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, P. R. China
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26
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Cleary BM, Romano ME, Chen CY, Heiger-Bernays W, Crawford KA. Comparison of Recreational Fish Consumption Advisories Across the USA. Curr Environ Health Rep 2021; 8:71-88. [PMID: 33934293 PMCID: PMC8208921 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-021-00312-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Our comparative analysis sought to understand the factors which drive differences in fish consumption advisories across the USA — including exposure scenarios (acute and chronic health risk, non-cancer and cancer health endpoints), toxicity values (reference dose, cancer slope factor, acute tolerance level), and meal size and bodyweight assumptions. Recent Findings Fish consumption provides essential nutrients but also results in exposure to contaminants such as PCBs and methylmercury. To protect consumers from the risks of fish contaminants, fish consumption advisories are established, most often by state jurisdictions, to estimate the amount of a certain fish species a person could consume throughout their lifetime without harm. However, inconsistencies in advisories across the USA confuse consumers and undermine the public health goals of fish advisory programs. To date, no rigorous comparison of state and national fish consumption advisories has been reported. Summary Our work identifies discrepancies in key assumptions used to derive risk-based advisories between US states, reflecting differences in the interpretation of toxicity science. We also address the implications for these differences by reviewing advisories issued by contiguous states bordering two waterbodies: Lake Michigan and the Lower Mississippi River. Our findings highlight the importance of regional collaboration when issuing advisories, so that consumers of self-caught fish are equipped with clear knowledge to make decisions to protect their health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40572-021-00312-w.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan E. Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH USA
| | - Celia Y. Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Wendy Heiger-Bernays
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kathryn A. Crawford
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH USA
- Program in Environmental Studies, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT USA
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Monetary Valuation of Children's Cognitive Outcomes in Economic Evaluations from a Societal Perspective: A Review. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8050352. [PMID: 33946651 PMCID: PMC8146900 DOI: 10.3390/children8050352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive ability in childhood is positively associated with economic productivity in adulthood. Expected gains in economic output from interventions that protect cognitive function can be incorporated in benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analyses conducted from a societal perspective. This review summarizes estimates from high-income countries of the association of general cognitive ability, standardized as intelligence quotient (IQ), with annual and lifetime earnings among adults. Estimates of the association of adult earnings with cognitive ability assessed in childhood or adolescence vary from 0.5% to 2.5% per IQ point. That range reflects differences in data sources and analytic methods. We take a conservative published estimate of a 1.4% difference in market productivity per IQ point in the United States from a recent study that controlled for confounding by family background and behavioral attributes. Using that estimate and the present value of lifetime earnings calculated using a 3% discount rate, the implied lifetime monetary valuation of an IQ point in the United States is USD 10,600-13,100. Despite uncertainty and the exclusion of non-market productivity, incorporation of such estimates could lead to a fuller assessment of the benefits of public health and clinical interventions that protect the developing brains of fetuses, infants, and young children.
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Landrigan PJ, Stegeman JJ, Fleming LE, Allemand D, Anderson DM, Backer LC, Brucker-Davis F, Chevalier N, Corra L, Czerucka D, Bottein MYD, Demeneix B, Depledge M, Deheyn DD, Dorman CJ, Fénichel P, Fisher S, Gaill F, Galgani F, Gaze WH, Giuliano L, Grandjean P, Hahn ME, Hamdoun A, Hess P, Judson B, Laborde A, McGlade J, Mu J, Mustapha A, Neira M, Noble RT, Pedrotti ML, Reddy C, Rocklöv J, Scharler UM, Shanmugam H, Taghian G, van de Water JA, Vezzulli L, Weihe P, Zeka A, Raps H, Rampal P. Human Health and Ocean Pollution. Ann Glob Health 2020; 86:151. [PMID: 33354517 PMCID: PMC7731724 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pollution - unwanted waste released to air, water, and land by human activity - is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world today. It is responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths per year, enormous economic losses, erosion of human capital, and degradation of ecosystems. Ocean pollution is an important, but insufficiently recognized and inadequately controlled component of global pollution. It poses serious threats to human health and well-being. The nature and magnitude of these impacts are only beginning to be understood. Goals (1) Broadly examine the known and potential impacts of ocean pollution on human health. (2) Inform policy makers, government leaders, international organizations, civil society, and the global public of these threats. (3) Propose priorities for interventions to control and prevent pollution of the seas and safeguard human health. Methods Topic-focused reviews that examine the effects of ocean pollution on human health, identify gaps in knowledge, project future trends, and offer evidence-based guidance for effective intervention. Environmental Findings Pollution of the oceans is widespread, worsening, and in most countries poorly controlled. It is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources. It reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. It is often heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coasts of low- and middle-income countries. Plastic is a rapidly increasing and highly visible component of ocean pollution, and an estimated 10 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the seas each year. Mercury is the metal pollutant of greatest concern in the oceans; it is released from two main sources - coal combustion and small-scale gold mining. Global spread of industrialized agriculture with increasing use of chemical fertilizer leads to extension of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to previously unaffected regions. Chemical pollutants are ubiquitous and contaminate seas and marine organisms from the high Arctic to the abyssal depths. Ecosystem Findings Ocean pollution has multiple negative impacts on marine ecosystems, and these impacts are exacerbated by global climate change. Petroleum-based pollutants reduce photosynthesis in marine microorganisms that generate oxygen. Increasing absorption of carbon dioxide into the seas causes ocean acidification, which destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing microorganisms at the base of the marine food web, and increases the toxicity of some pollutants. Plastic pollution threatens marine mammals, fish, and seabirds and accumulates in large mid-ocean gyres. It breaks down into microplastic and nanoplastic particles containing multiple manufactured chemicals that can enter the tissues of marine organisms, including species consumed by humans. Industrial releases, runoff, and sewage increase frequency and severity of HABs, bacterial pollution, and anti-microbial resistance. Pollution and sea surface warming are triggering poleward migration of dangerous pathogens such as the Vibrio species. Industrial discharges, pharmaceutical wastes, pesticides, and sewage contribute to global declines in fish stocks. Human Health Findings Methylmercury and PCBs are the ocean pollutants whose human health effects are best understood. Exposures of infants in utero to these pollutants through maternal consumption of contaminated seafood can damage developing brains, reduce IQ and increase children's risks for autism, ADHD and learning disorders. Adult exposures to methylmercury increase risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Manufactured chemicals - phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals, many of them released into the seas from plastic waste - can disrupt endocrine signaling, reduce male fertility, damage the nervous system, and increase risk of cancer. HABs produce potent toxins that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested, these toxins can cause severe neurological impairment and rapid death. HAB toxins can also become airborne and cause respiratory disease. Pathogenic marine bacteria cause gastrointestinal diseases and deep wound infections. With climate change and increasing pollution, risk is high that Vibrio infections, including cholera, will increase in frequency and extend to new areas. All of the health impacts of ocean pollution fall disproportionately on vulnerable populations in the Global South - environmental injustice on a planetary scale. Conclusions Ocean pollution is a global problem. It arises from multiple sources and crosses national boundaries. It is the consequence of reckless, shortsighted, and unsustainable exploitation of the earth's resources. It endangers marine ecosystems. It impedes the production of atmospheric oxygen. Its threats to human health are great and growing, but still incompletely understood. Its economic costs are only beginning to be counted.Ocean pollution can be prevented. Like all forms of pollution, ocean pollution can be controlled by deploying data-driven strategies based on law, policy, technology, and enforcement that target priority pollution sources. Many countries have used these tools to control air and water pollution and are now applying them to ocean pollution. Successes achieved to date demonstrate that broader control is feasible. Heavily polluted harbors have been cleaned, estuaries rejuvenated, and coral reefs restored.Prevention of ocean pollution creates many benefits. It boosts economies, increases tourism, helps restore fisheries, and improves human health and well-being. It advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These benefits will last for centuries. Recommendations World leaders who recognize the gravity of ocean pollution, acknowledge its growing dangers, engage civil society and the global public, and take bold, evidence-based action to stop pollution at source will be critical to preventing ocean pollution and safeguarding human health.Prevention of pollution from land-based sources is key. Eliminating coal combustion and banning all uses of mercury will reduce mercury pollution. Bans on single-use plastic and better management of plastic waste reduce plastic pollution. Bans on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have reduced pollution by PCBs and DDT. Control of industrial discharges, treatment of sewage, and reduced applications of fertilizers have mitigated coastal pollution and are reducing frequency of HABs. National, regional and international marine pollution control programs that are adequately funded and backed by strong enforcement have been shown to be effective. Robust monitoring is essential to track progress.Further interventions that hold great promise include wide-scale transition to renewable fuels; transition to a circular economy that creates little waste and focuses on equity rather than on endless growth; embracing the principles of green chemistry; and building scientific capacity in all countries.Designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will safeguard critical ecosystems, protect vulnerable fish stocks, and enhance human health and well-being. Creation of MPAs is an important manifestation of national and international commitment to protecting the health of the seas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John J. Stegeman
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, GB
- University of Exeter Medical School, GB
| | | | - Donald M. Anderson
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | | | - Nicolas Chevalier
- Université Côte d’Azur, FR
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR
| | - Lilian Corra
- International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), CH
- Health and Environment of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), AR
| | | | - Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, FR
- IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, DK
- Ecotoxicologie et développement durable expertise ECODD, Valbonne, FR
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, FR
| | | | - Dimitri D. Deheyn
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, US
| | | | - Patrick Fénichel
- Université Côte d’Azur, FR
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Inserm, C3M, FR
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark E. Hahn
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Philipp Hess
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation des Mers, FR
| | | | | | - Jacqueline McGlade
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, GB
- Strathmore University Business School, Nairobi, KE
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Lagos, NG
- Imperial College London, GB
| | | | | | | | - Christopher Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, SE
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pál Weihe
- University of the Faroe Islands and Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, FO
| | | | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC
| | - Patrick Rampal
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, MC
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Sustainable Development, MC
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García-Serna AM, Morales E. Neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal vitamin D in humans: systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2468-2481. [PMID: 30696940 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0357-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Diverse studies have investigated the impact of prenatal exposure to vitamin D levels on brain development; however, evidence in humans has never been systematically reviewed. This article summarized evidence of the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in maternal blood in pregnancy or newborn blood at birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cognition, psychomotor performance, language development, behavioral difficulties, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autistic traits. PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched for epidemiologic studies published through May 2018 using keywords. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Of 260 identified articles, 25 were included in the present review. Comparing the highest vs. the lowest category of prenatal 25(OH)D levels, the pooled beta coefficients were 0.95 (95% CI -0.03, 1.93; p = 0.05) for cognition, and 0.88 (95% CI -0.18, 1.93; p = 0.10) for psychomotor development. The pooled relative risk for ADHD was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59, 0.89; p = 0.002), and the pooled odds ratio for autism-related traits was 0.42 (95% CI, 0.25, 0.71; p = 0.001). There was little evidence for protective effects of high prenatal 25(OH)D for language development and behavior difficulties. This meta-analysis provides supporting evidence that increased prenatal exposure to 25(OH)D levels is associated with improved cognitive development and reduced risk of ADHD and autism-related traits later in life. Associations represent a potentially high public health burden given the current prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among childbearing aging and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azahara M García-Serna
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Eva Morales
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain. .,University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. .,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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Næss S, Kjellevold M, Dahl L, Nerhus I, Midtbø LK, Bank MS, Rasinger JD, Markhus MW. Effects of seafood consumption on mercury exposure in Norwegian pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 141:105759. [PMID: 32388274 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seafood provides nutrients that are important for optimal development of the unborn child. However, seafood is also a source of contaminants including mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) that may have adverse effects on neurodevelopment of the fetus. Humans are predominantly exposed to MeHg through seafood consumption, however, levels of MeHg vary considerably between species. OBJECTIVES Investigate, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) during pregnancy, if an increased intake of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), a fish species with relatively low levels of MeHg contamination, influences total hair Hg (THHg) concentrations in humans. METHODS Pregnant women (n = 137) were enrolled in the RCT "Mommy's Food" (2016-2017), which was designed to increase iodine status. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (400 g of cod fillets per week) or control (continued habitual diet) groups for 16 weeks (gestational week 20-36). THHg concentrations were measured at baseline and post-intervention using thermal decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (US EPA method 7473). The trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02610959. RESULTS Post-intervention, the intervention group had median (inter-quartile range) THHg concentrations of 554 (392-805) µg/kg, and the control group 485 (341-740) µg/kg (p = 0.186). When adjusting for baseline THHg concentrations, there was a significant difference between the groups in those participants with baseline THHg concentrations below 534 µg/kg. Post-intervention, 8% of the study population exceeded the US EPA reference dose in hair (1,000 µg/kg) (intervention group: n = 6, control group: n = 4). CONCLUSION THHg concentrations were generally low in both study groups of pregnant women, despite the relatively high seafood intake. While the intervention with 400 g of cod per week slightly increased THHg concentrations, it did not lead to an increase in number of subjects exceeding the US EPA reference dose; a dose level at which no adverse effects are expected to occur over a period of lifetime exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Synnøve Næss
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817 Bergen, Norway.
| | | | - Lisbeth Dahl
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ive Nerhus
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Michael S Bank
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), 5817 Bergen, Norway; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Li X, Zhang J, Gong Y, Yang S, Ye M, Yu X, Ma J. Status of mercury accumulation in agricultural soils across China (1976-2016). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 197:110564. [PMID: 32278826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Soil contamination with mercury (Hg) is a serious and widespread issue in China, with particularly severe effects on the quality of agricultural soils. To analyse long-term, nation-wide trends in Hg contamination of agriculture soil, we conducted a review of Hg concentrations in agricultural soils over four decades, based on 791 studies comprising 1411 sites, published between 1976 and 2016. We assessed spatiotemporal variations in Hg concentration, along with ecological and health risks. While Hg concentrations in agricultural soils showed an increasing trend between 1979 and 2010, they declined thereafter. Moreover, Hg concentrations in agricultural soils were generally high in western (e.g. Guizhou), southern (e.g. Hunan) and north-eastern provinces (e.g. Liaoning), where mining activities were concentrated. Using the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and other ecological and health risk indices, we found most sampling sites to be uncontaminated, or to have a low level of contamination, although some mining sites showed moderate to extreme Hg contamination. The noncarcinogenic risk to exposure groups followed the order of children (4.42) > adult females (2.71) > adult males (2.45). Therefore, children were identified as the priority risk group. Noncarcinogenic risk values exceeded 100 in some areas in Guizhou and Hunan provinces; these areas should be prioritised for Hg control measures. This review examined Hg pollution in Chinese agricultural soils to provide insight to policymakers for the development of targeted contamination prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jingru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Guangdong Provincal Academic of Environmental Science, Guangzhou, 510045, China
| | - Yiwei Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Shuhui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Mai Ye
- Guangdong Provincal Academic of Environmental Science, Guangzhou, 510045, China
| | - Xuan Yu
- Guangdong Provincal Academic of Environmental Science, Guangzhou, 510045, China
| | - Jin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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Reuben A, Frischtak H, Berky A, Ortiz EJ, Morales AM, Hsu‐Kim H, Pendergast LL, Pan WK. Elevated Hair Mercury Levels Are Associated With Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Children Living Near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Peru. GEOHEALTH 2020; 4:e2019GH000222. [PMID: 32490301 PMCID: PMC7240868 DOI: 10.1029/2019gh000222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Children living near artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are at risk of exposure to mercury, a neurotoxicant. It is not certain whether such exposures are harming development, as they occur in underresourced contexts entwined with other stressors, such as malnutrition and enteric infection. This study sought to investigate the association between hair-mercury levels and visual-motor, cognitive, and physical development among children living near ASGM in the Peruvian Amazon. Total hair-mercury levels were measured in 164 children ages 5-12 living in Madre de Dios, Peru. Primary outcomes included Visual-Motor Integration assessed via the Beery-VMI Developmental Test, General Cognitive Ability assessed via the Batería-III Woodcock-Munoz (Spanish-language Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities), and Physical Health assessed via anthropometry/hemoglobin counts. Mean (SD) hair-mercury level was 2.06 (2.43) μg/g. Fifty-four children (32.9%) had hair-mercury levels above the World Health Organization reference level of 2.0 μg/g. After controlling for sex, child age, maternal education, and family socioeconomic status, each one unit increase in log hair-mercury level was associated with a 1.01 unit decrease in Visual-Motor Integration (95%CI: -2.06, 0.05, p = 0.061), a 2.59 unit decrease in General Cognitive Ability (95%CI: -4.52, -0.66, p = 0.012), and a 2.43 unit decrease in Physical Health (95%CI: -5.34, 0.49, p = 0.096). After adjustment for covariates, children with hair-mercury levels exceeding the World Health Organization reference level scored 4.68 IQ points lower in Cognitive Ability than their peers. Mercury exposures related to ASGM may be harming child development in the Peruvian Amazon. Children in this region may benefit from intervention to reach their full developmental potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Reuben
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | | | - Axel Berky
- Global Health InstituteDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Ernesto J. Ortiz
- Global Health InstituteDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Ana Maria Morales
- Centro de Estudios, Investigaciones y Servicios en Salud Publica (CENSAP)Puerto MaldonadoPeru
| | - Heileen Hsu‐Kim
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Laura L. Pendergast
- Department of Psychological Studies in EducationTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - William K. Pan
- Global Health InstituteDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
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Yang L, Zhang Y, Wang F, Luo Z, Guo S, Strähle U. Toxicity of mercury: Molecular evidence. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125586. [PMID: 31881386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Minamata disease in Japan and the large-scale poisoning by methylmercury (MeHg) in Iraq caused wide public concerns about the risk emanating from mercury for human health. Nowadays, it is widely known that all forms of mercury induce toxic effects in mammals, and increasing evidence supports the concern that environmentally relevant levels of MeHg could impact normal biological functions in wildlife. The information of mechanism involved in mercurial toxicity is growing but knowledge gaps still exist between the adverse effects and mechanisms of action, especially at the molecular level. A body of data obtained from experimental studies on mechanisms of mercurial toxicity in vivo and in vitro points to that disruption of the antioxidant system may play an important role in the mercurial toxic effects. Moreover, the accumulating evidence indicates that signaling transduction, protein or/and enzyme activity, and gene regulation are involving in mediating toxic and adaptive response to mercury exposure. We conducted here a comprehensive review of mercurial toxic effects on wildlife and human, in particular synthesized key findings of molecular pathways involved in mercurial toxicity from the cells to human. We discuss the molecular evidence related mercurial toxicity to the adverse effects, with particular emphasis on the gene regulation. The further studies relying on Omic analysis connected to adverse effects and modes of action of mercury will aid in the evaluation and validation of causative relationship between health outcomes and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 211166, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Zidie Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012, Beijing, China
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Liu M, Cheng M, Zhang Q, Hansen G, He Y, Yu C, Lin H, Zhang H, Wang X. Significant elevation of human methylmercury exposure induced by the food trade in Beijing, a developing megacity. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105392. [PMID: 31864030 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) poses health risks to humans worldwide. The investigation of a longer chain of biogeochemical MeHg transport from production to consumption than that addressed in previous studies could provide additional scientific foundation for the reduction of risks. The main objective of this study is to identify the impacts of the interregional food trade along with the age, gender and socioeconomic status of people on human MeHg exposure in a developing megacity. Based on a field investigation, sampling and measurements, we provide experimental evidence regarding the substantial displacement of human MeHg exposure from production areas to consumption areas induced by the food trade. In 2018, 20% and 64% of the exposure in Beijing originated from the international and interprovincial food trade, respectively. Meanwhile, the ingestion of fish contributed 79% to the total exposure, followed by rice (4.4%), crab (3.8%) and shrimp (2.7%), and the exposure risk in urban districts was higher than that in rural areas by a factor of 2.2. A significantly higher contribution of imported deep-sea species to exposure among young people than among older people was observed (P < 0.01**), and a larger contribution of the international food trade to the MeHg exposure risk for women of childbearing age (average: 27%) than that among other groups (average: 10%) was found. Overall, our efforts demonstrate the dramatic impact of the food trade on MeHg exposure in a developing megacity, and we suggest that MeHg-susceptible populations in China should choose indigenous fish species (e.g., hairtail, yellow croaker and carp species) rather than imported deep-sea species as their dietary protein source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maodian Liu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Menghan Cheng
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qianru Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gunnar Hansen
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Yipeng He
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Chenghao Yu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huiming Lin
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Remy S, Hambach R, Van Sprundel M, Teughels C, Nawrot TS, Buekers J, Cornelis C, Bruckers L, Schoeters G. Intelligence gain and social cost savings attributable to environmental lead exposure reduction strategies since the year 2000 in Flanders, Belgium. Environ Health 2019; 18:113. [PMID: 31881883 PMCID: PMC6935110 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent lead (Pb) exposure reduction strategies enabled to lower children's blood lead levels (B-Pb) worldwide. This study reports the estimated intelligence gain and social cost savings attributable to recent exposure reduction based on reported B-Pb levels observed in adolescents sampled within the framework of the Flemish Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS, Belgium), i.e. in 2003-2004 (FLEHSI), in 2008-2009 (FLEHSII), and in 2013-2014 (FLEHSIII). METHODS Intelligence Quotient (IQ) loss per 100,000 individuals - attributable to B-Pb above 20 μg/L - was estimated based on widely accepted dose response functions between children's B-Pb and IQ (- 1.88 IQ points for a duplication in B-Pb from 20 μg/L onwards; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): - 1.16;-2.59) and B-Pb exposure distribution parameters of FLEHS studies. The results were translated to the Flemish population of 15-year-olds. Given a 3-year time gap between subsequent sampling periods, the exposure distribution of each study was assumed 3 years prior to the study as well. Economic impact was estimated based on expected decrease in lifetime earnings (€ 19,464 per decreasing IQ point in 2018). RESULTS The percentage of the adolescent population exceeding a B-Pb of 20 μg/L decreased from 57% (FLEHSI) to 23% (FLEHSII), and even further to 2.5% (FLEHSIII). The estimated IQ loss per 100,000 individuals was 94,280 (95% CI: 58,427-130,138) in FLEHSI, 14,993 (95% CI: 9289-20,695) in FLEHSII, and 976 (95% CI: 604-1347) in FLEHSIII. This translates into a total loss of 378,962 (95%CI: 234,840-523,091) IQ points within the Flemish population of 15-year-olds between 2000 and 2014. Assuming that current exposure levels do not reincrease, the expected IQ loss during the subsequent period of 15 years is estimated to be maximally 10,275 (95%CI: 6363-14,182) points. CONCLUSIONS 7176 (95%CI: 4447-9905) million € of social cost savings were achieved by Pb reduction strategies in Flanders over 15 years. If current exposure levels further reduce to B-Pb below 20 μg/L for the whole population, social cost savings may increase up to 7376 (95%CI: 4571-10,181) million €. Given the relatively low lead contamination in Flanders, the global impact of ongoing reduction strategies is expected to be tremendous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Remy
- Sustainable Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium.
- Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Ramona Hambach
- Occupational Health Service Attentia Prevention & Protection, Keizer Karellaan 584, 1082, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Sprundel
- Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Caroline Teughels
- Vlaams Planbureau voor Omgeving, Koning Albert II laan 20, bus 8, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University, Herestraat 49 - bus 706, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Buekers
- Sustainable Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Christa Cornelis
- Sustainable Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- I-BioStat, University of Hasselt, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Sustainable Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense, Denmark
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Trdin A, Snoj Tratnik J, Mazej D, Fajon V, Krsnik M, Osredkar J, Prpić I, Špirić Z, Petrović O, Marc J, Neubauer D, Kodrič J, Kobal AB, Barbone F, Falnoga I, Horvat M. Mercury speciation in prenatal exposure in Slovenian and Croatian population - PHIME study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 177:108627. [PMID: 31421448 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, several studies have addressed the issue of prenatal exposure to methylmercury (MeHg); however, few have actually analysed MeHg blood concentrations. Our study population included mothers and their new-borns from Slovenia (central region; N = 584) and Croatia (coastal region; N = 234). We have measurements of total Hg (THg) and MeHg in maternal hair, maternal peripheral blood, and cord blood. Cord blood Hg concentrations were low to moderate (median THg = 1.84 ng/g and MeHg = 1.69 ng/g). The proportion of THg as MeHg (%MeHg) in maternal and cord blood varied between 4% and 100% (coefficient of variation, CV = 32%) and between 8% and 100% (CV = 20%), respectively. Our data shows that variability of %MeHg was higher at lower blood THg levels. Concentrations of MeHg in maternal blood and cord blood were highly correlated (Rs = 0.943), in the case of inorganic Hg correlation was significant but weaker (Rs = 0.198). MeHg levels in maternal blood and cord blood were positively associated with seafood intake, maternal age, and negatively associated with pre-pregnancy BMI. Additionally, MeHg in maternal blood was positively associated with plasma selenium levels, and cord blood MeHg was negatively associated with parity. The results of multiple linear regression models showed that speciation analysis provides more defined estimation of prenatal exposure in association modelling. Associations between Hg exposure and cognitive performance of children (assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler development) adjusted for maternal or child Apolipoprotein E genotypes showed higher model R2 and lower p-values when adjusted for MeHg compared to THg. This study demonstrates that Hg speciation improves the association between exposure and possible negative health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Trdin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Mazej
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Fajon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mladen Krsnik
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Joško Osredkar
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Prpić
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | - Oleg Petrović
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Janja Marc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Neubauer
- Department of Child, Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jana Kodrič
- Department of Child, Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alfred B Kobal
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Ingrid Falnoga
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Subhavana KL, Qureshi A, Roy A. Mercury levels in human hair in South India: baseline, artisanal goldsmiths and coal-fired power plants. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2019; 29:697-705. [PMID: 30631141 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-018-0107-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
India is a major emitter of mercury to the environment, mainly due to emissions from coal-fired power plants. Consumption of fish and rice, two important pathways for human exposure to mercury, is particularly high in South India. Here, we report concentrations of total mercury in hair (THghair) in 668 participants from South India. Three cities were covered: (i) a city on the east coast with four active coal-fired thermal power plants (Nellore), (ii) a city on the west coast with no major mercury source (Vasco da Gama), and (iii) a metropolitan city in the interior with no major mercury source (Hyderabad). Geometric mean of THghair of the entire study population is 0.14 µg/g (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.13-0.15 µg/g). Significant predictor variables are age, fish consumption, and occupations such as dental studies, subsistence fishing, and artisanal goldsmithing (which is different from artisanal scale gold mining). Our results support the hypothesis that people living in a city with active coal-fired power plants may have higher THghair than those in cities with no major mercury source.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Subhavana
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS, 502285, India
| | - Asif Qureshi
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS, 502285, India.
| | - Arpita Roy
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Kandi, TS, 502285, India
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Schartup AT, Thackray CP, Qureshi A, Dassuncao C, Gillespie K, Hanke A, Sunderland EM. Climate change and overfishing increase neurotoxicant in marine predators. Nature 2019; 572:648-650. [PMID: 31391584 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
More than three billion people rely on seafood for nutrition. However, fish are the predominant source of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), a potent neurotoxic substance. In the United States, 82% of population-wide exposure to MeHg is from the consumption of marine seafood and almost 40% is from fresh and canned tuna alone1. Around 80% of the inorganic mercury (Hg) that is emitted to the atmosphere from natural and human sources is deposited in the ocean2, where some is converted by microorganisms to MeHg. In predatory fish, environmental MeHg concentrations are amplified by a million times or more. Human exposure to MeHg has been associated with long-term neurocognitive deficits in children that persist into adulthood, with global costs to society that exceed US$20 billion3. The first global treaty on reductions in anthropogenic Hg emissions (the Minamata Convention on Mercury) entered into force in 2017. However, effects of ongoing changes in marine ecosystems on bioaccumulation of MeHg in marine predators that are frequently consumed by humans (for example, tuna, cod and swordfish) have not been considered when setting global policy targets. Here we use more than 30 years of data and ecosystem modelling to show that MeHg concentrations in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) increased by up to 23% between the 1970s and 2000s as a result of dietary shifts initiated by overfishing. Our model also predicts an estimated 56% increase in tissue MeHg concentrations in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) due to increases in seawater temperature between a low point in 1969 and recent peak levels-which is consistent with 2017 observations. This estimated increase in tissue MeHg exceeds the modelled 22% reduction that was achieved in the late 1990s and 2000s as a result of decreased seawater MeHg concentrations. The recently reported plateau in global anthropogenic Hg emissions4 suggests that ocean warming and fisheries management programmes will be major drivers of future MeHg concentrations in marine predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina T Schartup
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Colin P Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Asif Qureshi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, India
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyle Gillespie
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St Andrews Biological Station, St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Alex Hanke
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St Andrews Biological Station, St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Snoj Tratnik J, Mazej D, Horvat M. Analytical Quality Requirements in Human Biomonitoring Programs: Trace Elements in Human Blood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16132287. [PMID: 31261622 PMCID: PMC6651690 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) programs consist of several interrelated and equally important steps. Of these steps, the study design must answer a specific question: How many individuals must be recruited in order to define the spatial or temporal trends of exposure to environmental pollutants in a given HBM study? Two components must be considered at this stage: the population variability of the expected exposure and the performance characteristics of the analytical methods used. The objective of the present study was to quantify the contribution to the required sample size arising from (i) measurement uncertainty and (ii) inter-laboratory measurement variability. For this purpose, the sample size was calculated using the measurement uncertainty of one laboratory, inter-laboratory comparison exercise data, and population variability for commonly studied metals (mercury, cadmium, and lead) in blood. Measurement uncertainty within one laboratory proved to have little influence on the sample size requirements, while the inter-laboratory variability of the three metals increased the requirements considerably, particularly in cases of low population variability. The multiple laboratories approach requires that laboratory variability be considered as early as the planning stage; a single-laboratory approach is thus a cost-effective compromise in HBM to reduce variability due to the participation of different laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Snoj Tratnik
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Darja Mazej
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milena Horvat
- 'Jožef Stefan' Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 'Jožef Stefan' International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Chen L, Liang S, Liu M, Yi Y, Mi Z, Zhang Y, Li Y, Qi J, Meng J, Tang X, Zhang H, Tong Y, Zhang W, Wang X, Shu J, Yang Z. Trans-provincial health impacts of atmospheric mercury emissions in China. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1484. [PMID: 30940811 PMCID: PMC6445112 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09080-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exposure poses substantial risks to human health. Investigating a longer chain from economic activities to human health can reveal the sources and critical processes of Hg-related health risks. Thus, we develop a more comprehensive assessment method which is applied to mainland China-the largest global Hg emitter. We present a map of Hg-related health risks in China and estimate that 0.14 points of per-foetus intelligence quotient (IQ) decrements and 7,360 deaths from fatal heart attacks are related to the intake of methylmercury in 2010. This study, for the first time, reveals the significant impacts of interprovincial trade on Hg-related health risks across the whole country. For instance, interprovincial trade induced by final consumption prevents 0.39 × 10-2 points for per-foetus IQ decrements and 194 deaths from fatal heart attacks. These findings highlight the importance of policy decisions in different stages of economic supply chains to reduce Hg-related health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China.
| | - Maodian Liu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujun Yi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhifu Mi
- The Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumeng Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianchuan Qi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Meng
- Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 9DT, UK
| | - Xi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiong Shu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, People's Republic of China.
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Kromerová K, Bencko V. Added value of human biomonitoring in assessment of general population exposure to xenobiotics. Cent Eur J Public Health 2019; 27:68-72. [DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Wu P, Kainz MJ, Bravo AG, Åkerblom S, Sonesten L, Bishop K. The importance of bioconcentration into the pelagic food web base for methylmercury biomagnification: A meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 646:357-367. [PMID: 30055496 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) transfer from water into the base of the food web (bioconcentration) and subsequent biomagnification in the aquatic food web leads to most of the MeHg in fish. But how important is bioconcentration compared to biomagnification in predicting MeHg in fish? To answer this question we reviewed articles in which MeHg concentrations in water, plankton (seston and/or zooplankton), as well as fish (planktivorous and small omnivorous fish) were reported. This yielded 32 journal articles with data from 59 aquatic ecosystems at 22 sites around the world. Although there are many case studies of particular aquatic habitats and specific geographic areas that have examined MeHg bioconcentration and biomagnification, we performed a meta-analysis of such studies. Aqueous MeHg was not a significant predictor of MeHg in fish, but MeHg in seston i.e., the base of the aquatic food web, predicted 63% of the variability in fish MeHg. The MeHg bioconcentration factors (i.e., transfer of MeHg from water to seston; BCFw-s) varied from 3 to 7 orders of magnitude across sites and correlated significantly with MeHg in fish. The MeHg biomagnification factors from zooplankton to fish varied much less (logBMFz-f, 0.75 ± 0.31), and did not significantly correlate with fish MeHg, suggesting that zooplanktivory is not as important as bioconcentration in the biomagnification of fish MeHg across the range of ecosystems represented in our meta-analysis. Partial least square (PLS) and linear regression analyses identified several environmental factors associated with increased BCF, including low dissolved organic carbon, low pH, and oligotrophy. Our study reveals the widespread importance of MeHg bioconcentration into the base of the aquatic food web for MeHg at higher trophic levels in aquatic food webs, as well as the major influences on the variability in this bioconcentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pianpian Wu
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Martin J Kainz
- WasserCluster - Biologische Station Lunz, Inter-University Center for Aquatic Ecosystems Research, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Andrea G Bravo
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Staffan Åkerblom
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Sonesten
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Methanogens and Iron-Reducing Bacteria: the Overlooked Members of Mercury-Methylating Microbial Communities in Boreal Lakes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.01774-18. [PMID: 30242005 PMCID: PMC6238055 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01774-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the global awareness that mercury, and methylmercury in particular, is a neurotoxin to which millions of people continue to be exposed, there are sizable gaps in the understanding of the processes and organisms involved in methylmercury formation in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, we shed light on the diversity of the microorganisms responsible for methylmercury formation in boreal lake sediments. All the microorganisms identified are associated with the processing of organic matter in aquatic systems. Moreover, our results show that the well-known mercury-methylating sulfate-reducing bacteria constituted only a minor portion of the potential mercury methylators. In contrast, methanogens and iron-reducing bacteria were important contributors to methylmercury formation, highlighting their role in mercury cycling in the environment. Methylmercury is a potent human neurotoxin which biomagnifies in aquatic food webs. Although anaerobic microorganisms containing the hgcA gene potentially mediate the formation of methylmercury in natural environments, the diversity of these mercury-methylating microbial communities remains largely unexplored. Previous studies have implicated sulfate-reducing bacteria as the main mercury methylators in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, we characterized the diversity of mercury-methylating microbial communities of boreal lake sediments using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and hgcA genes. Our results show that in the lake sediments, Methanomicrobiales and Geobacteraceae also represent abundant members of the mercury-methylating communities. In fact, incubation experiments with a mercury isotopic tracer and molybdate revealed that only between 38% and 45% of mercury methylation was attributed to sulfate reduction. These results suggest that methanogens and iron-reducing bacteria may contribute to more than half of the mercury methylation in boreal lakes. IMPORTANCE Despite the global awareness that mercury, and methylmercury in particular, is a neurotoxin to which millions of people continue to be exposed, there are sizable gaps in the understanding of the processes and organisms involved in methylmercury formation in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, we shed light on the diversity of the microorganisms responsible for methylmercury formation in boreal lake sediments. All the microorganisms identified are associated with the processing of organic matter in aquatic systems. Moreover, our results show that the well-known mercury-methylating sulfate-reducing bacteria constituted only a minor portion of the potential mercury methylators. In contrast, methanogens and iron-reducing bacteria were important contributors to methylmercury formation, highlighting their role in mercury cycling in the environment.
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Bellinger DC. Applying methods of the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors study to developmental neurotoxicants: a commentary. Environ Health 2018; 17:53. [PMID: 29866119 PMCID: PMC5987417 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-018-0397-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this commentary is to consider whether the methods of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) can provide accurate estimates of the impact of developmental neurotoxicant exposures on population health. The discussion focuses on two concerns. First, GBD implicitly largely endorses a "high risk" or "disease" approach to estimating health loss rather than a "population-based" approach. Exposure to many developmental neurotoxicants is highly prevalent but, for most individuals, it does not affect functional health to such an extent that diagnostic criteria for a disease are met. Nevertheless, the impacts are real and can be substantial when viewed in terms of the aggregate impact on a population. Second, in GBD the disability weights used for the most common sequelae of developmental neurotoxicant exposures, based on judgments provided by general population respondents, are not commensurate with the import that these sequelae have for an individual's lifelong well-being, including their ability to fulfill educational, occupational, and social potential. It would be unfortunate if priorities were set or policy decisions made based on how developmental neurotoxicants compare to other risk factors using the current GBD methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Bellinger
- Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Dix-Cooper L, Kosatsky T. Blood mercury, lead and cadmium levels and determinants of exposure among newcomer South and East Asian women of reproductive age living in Vancouver, Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:1409-1419. [PMID: 29734617 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomarkers of the reproductive and neuro-developmental toxicants mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) have been found at higher concentrations in women born outside Canada than in Canadian-born women. We measured blood Hg, Pb and Cd in women ages 19 to 45years living in greater Vancouver (Canada) within five years of their arrival from South Asia (India) or East Asia (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and related their biomarker concentration levels with exposures and behaviors since their coming to Canada. METHODS Participants were recruited through advertisements in relevant ethnic media, locations and groups. Concentrations of blood Hg, Pb and Cd were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-Q-MS) and compared with population values. Biomarker concentrations were regressed against exposures and behaviors assessed by culturally-relevant questionnaire. RESULTS The study recruited 53 South and 111 East Asian women. Median (95th percentile) blood Pb in South Asians was 1.15 (2.71) μg/dL compared with 1.01 (1.81) μg/dL in East Asians. On the other hand, blood Hg at 2.5 (7.3) μg/L was higher in East Asians compared to 0.20 (0.83) μg/L in South Asians. Blood Cd was also higher in the East Asian group: East 0.53 (1.1) μg/L; South 0.27 (0.82) μg/L. Higher blood Hg was associated with seafood consumption, dental amalgams and traditional remedies; blood Pb with home renovations, sucking on metal jewelry, and cosmetics. Blood Pb and Cd concentrations were inversely associated with dairy consumption. CONCLUSIONS Asian women recently arrived in Vancouver had higher blood Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations than same-age Canadian women measured in a national survey. Among South Asian newcomer women of reproductive age, exposure to Cd may continue after arrival. Local exposures to Hg occur through seafood and potentially through ingestion of imported traditional remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Dix-Cooper
- Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control, LL0073 655 West 12 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z4R4, Canada.
| | - Tom Kosatsky
- Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control, LL0073 655 West 12 Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z4R4, Canada
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Sunderland EM, Li M, Bullard K. Decadal Changes in the Edible Supply of Seafood and Methylmercury Exposure in the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:017006. [PMID: 29342451 PMCID: PMC6014700 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment and cardiovascular health. Previous work indicates most MeHg is from marine fish sold in the commercial market, but does not fully resolve supply regions globally. This information is critical for linking changes in environmental MeHg levels to human exposure in the U.S. population. OBJECTIVES We used available data to estimate the geographic origins of seafood consumed in the United States (major ocean basins, coastal fisheries, aquaculture, freshwater) and how shifts in edible supply affected MeHg exposures between 2000-2002 and 2010-2012. METHODS Source regions for edible seafood and MeHg exposure in the United States were characterized from national and international landing, export and import data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. RESULTS Our analysis suggests 37% of U.S. population-wide MeHg exposure is from mainly domestic coastal systems and 45% from open ocean ecosystems. We estimate that the Pacific Ocean alone supplies more than half of total MeHg exposure. Aquaculture and freshwater fisheries together account for an estimated 18% of total MeHg intake. Shifts in seafood types and supply regions between 2000-2002 and 2010-2012 reflect changes in consumer preferences (e.g., away from canned light meat tuna), global ecosystem shifts (e.g., northern migration of cod stocks), and increasing supply from aquaculture (e.g., shrimp and salmon). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate global actions that reduce anthropogenic Hg emissions will be beneficial for U.S. seafood consumers because open ocean ecosystems supply a large fraction of their MeHg exposure. However, our estimates suggest that domestic actions can provide the greatest benefit for coastal seafood consumers. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2644.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Miling Li
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kurt Bullard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Spatial, Temporal, and Dietary Variables Associated with Elevated Mercury Exposure in Peruvian Riverine Communities Upstream and Downstream of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14121582. [PMID: 29244775 PMCID: PMC5751000 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a primary contributor to global mercury and its rapid expansion raises concern for human exposure. Non-occupational exposure risks are presumed to be strongly tied to environmental contamination; however, the relationship between environmental and human mercury exposure, how exposure has changed over time, and risk factors beyond fish consumption are not well understood in ASGM settings. In Peruvian riverine communities (n = 12), where ASGM has increased 4–6 fold over the past decade, we provide a large-scale assessment of the connection between environmental and human mercury exposure by comparing total mercury contents in human hair (2-cm segment, n = 231) to locally caught fish tissue, analyzing temporal exposure in women of child bearing age (WCBA, 15–49 years, n = 46) over one year, and evaluating general mercury exposure risks including fish and non-fish dietary items through household surveys and linear mixed models. Calculations of an individual’s oral reference dose using the total mercury content in locally-sourced fish underestimated the observed mercury exposure for individuals in many communities. This discrepancy was particularly evident in communities upstream of ASGM, where mercury levels in river fish, water, and sediment measurements from a previous study were low, yet hair mercury was chronically elevated. Hair from 86% of individuals and 77% of children exceeded a USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) provisional level (1.2 µg/g) that could result in child developmental impairment. Chronically elevated mercury exposure was observed in the temporal analysis in WCBA. If the most recent exposure exceeded the USEPA level, there was a 97% probability that the individual exceeded that level 8–10 months of the previous year. Frequent household consumption of some fruits (tomato, banana) and grains (quinoa) was significantly associated with 29–75% reductions in hair mercury. Collectively, these data demonstrate that communities located hundreds of kilometers from ASGM are vulnerable to chronically elevated mercury exposure. Furthermore, unexpected associations with fish mercury contents and non-fish dietary intake highlight the need for more in-depth analyses of exposure regimes to identify the most vulnerable populations and to establish potential interventions.
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Grandjean P, Bellanger M. Calculation of the disease burden associated with environmental chemical exposures: application of toxicological information in health economic estimation. Environ Health 2017; 16:123. [PMID: 29202828 PMCID: PMC5715994 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0340-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Calculation of costs and the Burden of Disease (BoD) is useful in developing resource allocation and prioritization strategies in public and environmental health. While useful, the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) metric disregards subclinical dysfunctions, adheres to stringent causal criteria, and is hampered by gaps in environmental exposure data, especially from industrializing countries. For these reasons, a recently calculated environmental BoD of 5.18% of the total DALYs is likely underestimated. We combined and extended cost calculations for exposures to environmental chemicals, including neurotoxicants, air pollution, and endocrine disrupting chemicals, where sufficient data were available to determine dose-dependent adverse effects. Environmental exposure information allowed cost estimates for the U.S. and the EU, for OECD countries, though less comprehensive for industrializing countries. As a complement to these health economic estimations, we used attributable risk valuations from expert elicitations to as a third approach to assessing the environmental BoD. For comparison of the different estimates, we used country-specific monetary values of each DALY. The main limitation of DALY calculations is that they are available for few environmental chemicals and primarily based on mortality and impact and duration of clinical morbidity, while less serious conditions are mostly disregarded. Our economic estimates based on available exposure information and dose-response data on environmental risk factors need to be seen in conjunction with other assessments of the total cost for these environmental risk factors, as our estimate overlaps only slightly with the previously estimated environmental DALY costs and crude calculations relying on attributable risks for environmental risk factors. The three approaches complement one another and suggest that environmental chemical exposures contribute costs that may exceed 10% of the global domestic product and that current DALY calculations substantially underestimate the economic costs associated with preventable environmental risk factors. By including toxicological and epidemiological information and data on exposure distributions, more representative results can be obtained from utilizing health economic analyses of the adverse effects associated with environmental chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Yusà V, Pérez R, Suelves T, Corpas-Burgos F, Gormáz M, Dualde P, Coscolla C, Quiles J, Roca M, Vento M. Biomonitoring of mercury in hair of breastfeeding mothers living in the Valencian Region (Spain). Levels and predictors of exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 187:106-113. [PMID: 28843116 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the evaluation of the levels of total mercury in hair among 120 breastfeeding mothers aged 20 to 45 -. The concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.07 to 6.87 μg/g with a geometric mean (GM) of 1.22 μg/g. This GM is six times higher than the average internal exposure of mothers from other 17 European countries (0.225 μg/g). Near 70% of mothers presented levels of Hg above the USA EPA internal exposure guideline of 1 μg/g, and 27% exceeded the EFSA health-based guidance value of 1.9 μg/g. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, smoking and fish consumption (sword fish, small fat fish, small lean fish) were the major predictors of mercury in hair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicent Yusà
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain; Analytical Chemistry Department, University of Valencia, Edifici Jeroni Muñoz, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain; Public Health Laboratory of Valencia, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Rosa Pérez
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Trinidad Suelves
- Public Health Laboratory of Valencia, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisca Corpas-Burgos
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Gormáz
- Neonatal Division at the University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Avenida Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Dualde
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Coscolla
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Joan Quiles
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, 21, Avenida Catalunya, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Roca
- Analytical Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Avenida Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Máximo Vento
- Neonatal Division at the University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Avenida Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Hofrichter M, Nimtz L, Tigges J, Kabiri Y, Schröter F, Royer-Pokora B, Hildebrandt B, Schmuck M, Epanchintsev A, Theiss S, Adjaye J, Egly JM, Krutmann J, Fritsche E. Comparative performance analysis of human iPSC-derived and primary neural progenitor cells (NPC) grown as neurospheres in vitro. Stem Cell Res 2017; 25:72-82. [PMID: 29112887 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) testing performed in rats is resource-intensive (costs, time, animals) and bears the issue of species extrapolation. Thus, reliable alternative human-based approaches are needed for predicting neurodevelopmental toxicity. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent a basis for an alternative method possibly being part of an alternative DNT testing strategy. Here, we compared two hiPSC neural induction protocols resulting in 3D neurospheres: one using noggin and one cultivating cells in neural induction medium (NIM protocol). Performance of Nestin+/SOX2+ hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) was compared to primary human NPCs. Generally, primary hNPCs first differentiate into Nestin+ and/or GFAP+ radial glia-like cells, while the hiPSC-derived NPCs (hiPSC-NPC) first differentiate into βIII-Tubulin+ neurons suggesting an earlier developmental stage of hiPSC-NPC. In the 'Neurosphere Assay', NIM generated hiPSC-NPC produced neurons with higher performance than with the noggin protocol. After long-term differentiation, hiPSC-NPC form neuronal networks, which become electrically active on microelectrode arrays after 85days. Finally, methylmercury chloride inhibits hiPSC-NPC and hNPC migration with similar potencies. hiPSC-NPCs-derived neurospheres seem to be useful for DNT evaluation representing early neural development in vitro. More system characterization by compound testing is needed to gain higher confidence in this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxi Hofrichter
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura Nimtz
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Tigges
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Yaschar Kabiri
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Friederike Schröter
- Institute for Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Brigitte Royer-Pokora
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Barbara Hildebrandt
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Schmuck
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexey Epanchintsev
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire: IGBMC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, INSERUM, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephan Theiss
- Institute of clinical neuroscience and medical psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - James Adjaye
- Institute for Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Egly
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire: IGBMC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, INSERUM, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean Krutmann
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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