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Koppen G, Govarts E, Vanermen G, Voorspoels S, Govindan M, Dewolf MC, Den Hond E, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Castaño A, López ME, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Schoeters G, Covaci A. Mothers and children are related, even in exposure to chemicals present in common consumer products. Environ Res 2019; 175:297-307. [PMID: 31146101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) are detectable in the vast majority of people. Most humans are continuously exposed to these chemicals due to their presence in food or in everyday consumer products. The measurement of these compounds in family members may help to explore the impact of major lifestyle factors on exposure. Mothers and (young) children are especially interesting to study, as they mostly share considerable parts of daily life together. MATERIALS AND METHODS Phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS) were measured in first morning void urine, collected in mother-child pairs (n = 129) on the same day. The mothers (27-45y) and their children (6-11y) were recruited in the Brussels agglomeration and rural areas of Belgium in the context of the European COPHES-DEMOCOPHES human biomonitoring project. Face-to-face questionnaires gathered information on major exposure sources and lifestyle factors. Exposure determinants were assessed by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS The investigated compounds were detectable in nearly all mothers (92.8-100%) and all children (95.2-100%). The range (P90 vs. P10) of differences in urinary concentrations within each age group was for most compounds around 10-20 fold, and was very high for TCS up to 35 and 350-fold in children and mothers respectively. Some participants exceeded the tolerable daily intake guidelines as far as they were available from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Overall, for BPA, the urinary concentrations were similar among both age groups. Most urinary phthalate metabolites were higher in children compared to the mothers, except for monoethyl phthalate (MEP). TCS levels were generally higher in the mothers. Despite the difference in mothers' and children's urinary concentrations, the creatinine-corrected levels were correlated for all biomarkers (Spearman rank r = 0.32 to 0.66, p < 0.001). Furthermore, for phthalates, similar home and lifestyle factors were associated with the urinary concentrations in both age groups: home renovation during last two years or redecoration during the last year for di-ethyl phthalate (DEP); PVC in home for di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and personal care products use for DiBP and DnBP. Based on questionnaire information on general food type consumption patterns, the exposure variability could not be explained. However, comparing the phthalate intake from the current study with earlier assessed Belgian food intake calculations for both ages, food in general was estimated to be the major intake source for di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), with diminishing importance for BBzP, DiBP and DnBP. CONCLUSION Our results confirm, that children and their mothers, sharing diets and home environments, also share exposure in common consumer products related chemicals. By collecting morning urine levels on the same day, and using basic questionnaires, suspected exposure routes could be unraveled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Koppen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Guido Vanermen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | - Stefan Voorspoels
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.
| | | | - Marie-Christine Dewolf
- Environment and Health Risk Assessment Hainaut Vigilance Sanitaire - Hygiène Publique en Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ludwine Casteleyn
- University of Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Gerda Schwedler
- German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Birgit K Schindler
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), National Centre for Environmental Health (CNSA) Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), National Centre for Environmental Health (CNSA) Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Lyceumstraat 2 4561 HV Hulst, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København, Denmark.
| | - Reinhard Joas
- Senior Advisor Environment and Health/chemicals, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Anke Joas
- Senior Advisor Environment and Health/chemicals, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium; University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Public Health/ Department of Environmental Medicine, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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Exley K, Aerts D, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Castaño A, Angerer J, Koch HM, Esteban M, Schindler BK, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Sepai O. Pilot study testing a European human biomonitoring framework for biomarkers of chemical exposure in children and their mothers: experiences in the UK. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2015; 22:15821-15834. [PMID: 26036586 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4772-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to a number of environmental chemicals in UK mothers and children has been assessed as part of the European biomonitoring pilot study, Demonstration of a Study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (DEMOCOPHES). For the European-funded project, 17 countries tested the biomonitoring guidelines and protocols developed by COPHES. The results from the pilot study in the UK are presented; 21 school children aged 6-11 years old and their mothers provided hair samples to measure mercury and urine samples, to measure cadmium, cotinine and several phthalate metabolites: mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxo-hexyl)phthalate (5oxo-MEHP) and mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP). Questionnaire data was collected on environment, health and lifestyle. Mercury in hair was higher in children who reported frequent consumption of fish (geometric mean 0.35 μg/g) compared to those that ate fish less frequently (0.13 μg/g, p = 0.002). Cadmium accumulates with age as demonstrated by higher levels of urinary cadmium in the mothers (geometric mean 0.24 μg/L) than in the children(0.14 μg/L). None of the mothers reported being regular smokers, and this was evident with extremely low levels of cotinine measured (maximum value 3.6 μg/L in mothers, 2.4 μg/L in children). Very low levels of the phthalate metabolites were also measured in both mothers and children (geometric means in mothers: 5OH-MEHP 8.6 μg/L, 5oxo-MEHP 5.1 μg/L, MEHP 1.2 μg/L, MEP 26.8 μg/L, MiBP 17.0 μg/L, MBzP 1.6 μg/L and MnBP 13.5 μg/L; and in children: 5OH-MEHP 18.4 μg/L, 5oxo-MEHP 11.4 μg/L, MEHP 1.4 μg/L, MEP 14.3 μg/L, MiBP 25.8 μg/L, MBzP 3.5 μg/L and MnBP 22.6 μg/L). All measured biomarker levels were similar to or below population-based reference values published by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Germany's GerES surveys. No results were above available health guidance values and were of no concern with regards to health. The framework and techniques learnt here will assist with future work on biomonitoring in the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, UK.
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Marta Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Birgit K Schindler
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Hulst, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RQ, UK
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Fiddicke U, Becker K, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Joas R, Joas A, Biot P, Aerts D, Casteleyn L, Dumez B, Castaño A, Esteban M, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Sepai O, Exley K, Knudsen LE, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Cerna M, Krsková A, Jensen JF, Nielsen JKS, Rudnai P, Közepésy S, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Kamińska J, Reis MF, Namorado S, Lupsa IR, Gurzau AE, Halzlová K, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Rivas TC, Gómez S, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Dewolf MC, Burns D, Kellegher A, Kolossa-Gehring M. Lessons learnt on recruitment and fieldwork from a pilot European human biomonitoring survey. Environ Res 2015; 141:15-23. [PMID: 25454101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Within the European Environment and Health Action Plan an initiative to establish a coherent human biomonitoring approach in Europe was started. The project COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale ) developed recommendations for a harmonized conduct of a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey which came into action as the pilot study DEMOCOPHES (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale). Seventeen European countries conducted a survey with harmonized instruments for, inter alia, recruitment, fieldwork and sampling, in autumn/winter 2011/2012. Based on the countries' experiences of conducting the pilot study, following lessons learnt were compiled: the harmonized fieldwork instruments (basic questionnaire, urine and hair sampling) turned out to be very valuable for future HBM surveys on the European scale. A school approach was favoured by most of the countries to recruit school-aged children according to the established guidelines and country specific experiences. To avoid a low participation rate, intensive communication with the involved institutions and possible participants proved to be necessary. The communication material should also include information on exclusion criteria and offered incentives. Telephone contact to the participants the day before fieldwork during the survey can prevent the forgetting of appointments and first morning urine samples. To achieve comparable results on the European scale, training of interviewers in all issues of recruitment, fieldwork and sampling through information material and training sessions is crucial. A survey involving many European countries needs time for preparation and conduct. Materials for quality control prepared for all steps of recruitment, fieldwork and sampling proved to be important to warrant reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Argelia Castaño
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Greet Schoeters
- University of Antwerp, Belgium and Southern Denmark University, Denmark and Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Exley
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Hulst, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Milena Cerna
- National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Prague, Czech Republic and Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Krsková
- National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Peter Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEH), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Közepésy
- National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEH), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Arno C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public-Gabriel Lippmann (CRP-GL), Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | - Danuta Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Kamińska
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland
| | - M Fátima Reis
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine (IMP/FML), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sónia Namorado
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine (IMP/FML), Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Anca E Gurzau
- Environmental Health Centre (EHC), Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Katarína Halzlová
- Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic (UVZ SR), Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Teresa C Rivas
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Gómez
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marika Berglund
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Larsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Lehmann
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Berne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Crettaz
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Berne, Switzerland
| | | | - Damien Burns
- National Environmental Health Office, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne Kellegher
- Health Service Executive, Environmental Health Department, Leitrim, Ireland
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Exley K, Cano N, Aerts D, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Castaño A, Angerer J, Koch HM, Esteban M, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Dewolf MC, Van de Mieroop E, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Cerna M, Krskova A, Becker K, Fiddicke U, Seiwert M, Mørck TA, Rudnai P, Kozepesy S, Cullen E, Kellegher A, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Kamińska J, Namorado S, Reis MF, Lupsa IR, Gurzau AE, Halzlova K, Jajcaj M, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Huetos O, López A, Berglund M, Larsson K, Sepai O. Communication in a Human biomonitoring study: Focus group work, public engagement and lessons learnt in 17 European countries. Environ Res 2015; 141:31-41. [PMID: 25499539 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A communication strategy was developed by The Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (COPHES), as part of its objectives to develop a framework and protocols to enable the collection of comparable human biomonitoring data throughout Europe. The framework and protocols were tested in the pilot study DEMOCOPHES (Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale). The aims of the communication strategy were to raise awareness of human biomonitoring, encourage participation in the study and to communicate the study results and their public health significance. It identified the audiences and key messages, documented the procedure for dissemination of results and was updated as the project progressed. A communication plan listed the tools and materials such as press releases, flyers, recruitment letters and information leaflets required for each audience with a time frame for releasing them. Public insight research was used to evaluate the recruitment material, and the feedback was used to improve the documents. Dissemination of results was coordinated in a step by step approach by the participating countries within DEMOCOPHES, taking into account specific national messages according to the needs of each country. Participants received individual results, unless they refused to be informed, along with guidance on what the results meant. The aggregate results and policy recommendations were then communicated to the general public and stakeholders, followed by dissemination at European level. Several lessons were learnt that may assist other future human biomonitoring studies. Recruitment took longer than anticipated and so social scientists, to help with community engagement, should be part of the research team from the start. As a European study, involving multiple countries, additional considerations were needed for the numerous organisations, different languages, cultures, policies and priorities. Therefore, communication documents should be seen as templates with essential information clearly indicated and the option for each country to tailor the material to reflect these differences. Future studies should consider setting up multidisciplinary networks of medical professionals and communication experts, and holding training workshops to discuss the interpretation of results and risk communication. Publicity and wide dissemination of the results helped to raise awareness of human biomonitoring to the general public, policy makers and other key stakeholders. Effective and timely communication, at all stages of a study, is essential if the potential of human biomonitoring research to improve public health is to be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Exley
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, South Oxfordshire OX10 8BW, United Kingdom.
| | - Noemi Cano
- Independent TV Director and Communications Consultant, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Argelia Castaño
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Marta Esteban
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Belgium
| | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Hulst, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Els Van de Mieroop
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Milena Cerna
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Krskova
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | | | - Arno C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public Gabriel Lippmann, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | | | | | | | - Sónia Namorado
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine, Portugal
| | - M Fátima Reis
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine, Portugal
| | | | | | - Katarina Halzlova
- Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Jajcaj
- Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Olga Huetos
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana López
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Ovnair Sepai
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, South Oxfordshire OX10 8BW, United Kingdom
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Covaci A, Den Hond E, Geens T, Govarts E, Koppen G, Frederiksen H, Knudsen LE, Mørck TA, Gutleb AC, Guignard C, Cocco E, Horvat M, Heath E, Kosjek T, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Castaño A, Esteban M, Cutanda F, Ramos JJ, Berglund M, Larsson K, Jönsson BAG, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Joas R, Joas A, Bloemen L, Sepai O, Exley K, Schoeters G, Angerer J, Kolossa-Gehring M, Fiddicke U, Aerts D, Koch HM. Urinary BPA measurements in children and mothers from six European member states: Overall results and determinants of exposure. Environ Res 2015; 141:77-85. [PMID: 25440295 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
For the first time in Europe, both European-wide and country-specific levels of urinary Bisphenol A (BPA) were obtained through a harmonized protocol for participant recruitment, sampling and quality controlled biomarker analysis in the frame of the twin projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES. 674 child-mother pairs were recruited through schools or population registers from six European member states (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). Children (5-12 y) and mothers donated a urine sample. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, life style, dietary habits, and educational level of the parents was provided by mothers. After exclusion of urine samples with creatinine values below 300 mg/L or above 3000 mg/L, 653 children and 639 mothers remained for which BPA was measured. The geometric mean (with 95% confidence intervals) and 90th percentile were calculated for BPA separately in children and in mothers and were named "European reference values". After adjustment for confounders (age and creatinine), average exposure values in each country were compared with the mean of the "European reference values" by means of a weighted analysis of variance. Overall geometric means of all countries (95% CI) adjusted for urinary creatinine, age and gender were 2.04 (1.87-2.24) µg/L and 1.88 (1.71-2.07) µg/L for children (n=653) and mothers (n=639), respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant environmental, geographical, personal or life style related determinants. Consumption of canned food and social class (represented by the highest educational level of the family) were the most important predictors for the urinary levels of BPA in mothers and children. The individual BPA levels in children were significantly correlated with the levels in their mothers (r=0.265, p<0.001), which may suggest a possible common environmental/dietary factor that influences the biomarker level in each pair. Exposure of the general European population was well below the current health-based guidance values and no participant had BPA values higher than the health-based guidance values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Tinne Geens
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | | | | | - Arno C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Cedric Guignard
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Emanuelle Cocco
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Karen Exley
- Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute of Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute of Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
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6
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Mørck TA, Nielsen F, Nielsen JKS, Jensen JF, Hansen PW, Hansen AK, Christoffersen LN, Siersma VD, Larsen IH, Hohlmann LK, Skaanild MT, Frederiksen H, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Castaño A, Angerer J, Koch HM, Esteban M, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Exley K, Sepai O, Bloemen L, Joas R, Joas A, Fiddicke U, Lopez A, Cañas A, Aerts D, Knudsen LE. The Danish contribution to the European DEMOCOPHES project: A description of cadmium, cotinine and mercury levels in Danish mother-child pairs and the perspectives of supplementary sampling and measurements. Environ Res 2015; 141:96-105. [PMID: 25440293 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an important tool, increasingly used for measuring true levels of the body burdens of environmental chemicals in the general population. In Europe, a harmonized HBM program was needed to open the possibility to compare levels across borders. To explore the prospect of a harmonized European HBM project, DEMOCOPHES (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) was completed in 17 European countries. The basic measurements performed in all implemented countries of DEMOCOPHES included cadmium, cotinine and phthalate metabolites in urine and mercury in hair. In the Danish participants, significant correlations between mothers and children for mercury in hair and cotinine in urine were found. Mercury in hair was further significantly associated with intake of fish and area of residence. Cadmium was positively associated with BMI in mothers and an association between cadmium and cotinine was also found. As expected high cotinine levels were found in smoking mothers. For both mercury and cadmium significantly higher concentrations were found in the mothers compared to their children. In Denmark, the DEMOCOPHES project was co-financed by the Danish ministries of health, environment and food safety. The co-financing ministries agreed to finance a number of supplementary measurements of substances of current toxicological, public and regulatory interest. This also included blood sampling from the participants. The collected urine and blood samples were analyzed for a range of other persistent and non-persistent environmental chemicals as well as two biomarkers of effect. The variety of supplementary measurements gives the researchers further information on the exposure status of the participants and creates a basis for valuable knowledge on the pattern of exposure to various chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thit A Mørck
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Janne F Jensen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernille W Hansen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne K Hansen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Volkert D Siersma
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida H Larsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linette K Hohlmann
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Marta Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Karen Exley
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, Hulst, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Ana Lopez
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Cañas
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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7
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Joas A, Knudsen LE, Kolossa-Gehring M, Sepai O, Casteleyn L, Schoeters G, Angerer J, Castaño A, Aerts D, Biot P, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Reis MF, Lupsa IR, Katsonouri A, Cerna M, Berglund M, Crettaz P, Rudnai P, Halzlova K, Mulcahy M, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Becher G, Fréry N, Jensen G, Van Vliet L, Koch HM, Den Hond E, Fiddicke U, Esteban M, Exley K, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Ligocka D, Hohenblum P, Kyrtopoulos S, Botsivali M, DeFelip E, Guillou C, Reniero F, Grazuleviciene R, Veidebaum T, Mørck TA, Nielsen JKS, Jensen JF, Rivas TC, Sanchez J, Koppen G, Smolders R, Kozepesy S, Hadjipanayis A, Krskova A, Mannion R, Jakubowski M, Fucic JA, Pereira-Miguel J, Gurzau AE, Jajcaj M, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Lehmann A, Larsson K, Dumez B, Joas R. Policy recommendations and cost implications for a more sustainable framework for European human biomonitoring surveys. Environ Res 2015; 141:42-57. [PMID: 25526891 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The potential of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) in exposure characterisation and risk assessment is well established in the scientific HBM community and regulatory arena by many publications. The European Environment and Health Strategy as well as the Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 of the European Commission recognised the value of HBM and the relevance and importance of coordination of HBM programmes in Europe. Based on existing and planned HBM projects and programmes of work and capabilities in Europe the Seventh Framework Programme (FP 7) funded COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. The pilot study protocol was tested in 17 European countries in the DEMOCOPHES feasibility study (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) cofunded (50%) under the LIFE+ programme of the European Commission. The potential of HBM in supporting and evaluating policy making (including e.g. REACH) and in awareness raising on environmental health, should significantly advance the process towards a fully operational, continuous, sustainable and scientifically based EU HBM programme. From a number of stakeholder activities during the past 10 years and the national engagement, a framework for sustainable HBM structure in Europe is recommended involving national institutions within environment, health and food as well as European institutions such as ECHA, EEA, and EFSA. An economic frame with shared cost implications for national and European institutions is suggested benefitting from the capacity building set up by COPHES/DEMOCOPHES.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO, Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Belgium, Southern Denmark University, Denmark
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Environmental Toxicology, CNSA-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, The Netherlands
| | - M Fátima Reis
- Medical Faculty of the University of Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Milena Cerna
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Peter Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | | | | | - Arno C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg
| | | | | | - Nadine Fréry
- French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, France
| | | | | | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | | | | | - Marta Esteban
- Environmental Toxicology, CNSA-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Claude Guillou
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Italy
| | - Fabiano Reniero
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Teresa C Rivas
- Environmental Toxicology, CNSA-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Jinny Sanchez
- Environmental Toxicology, CNSA-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Adamos Hadjipanayis
- Larnaca General Hospital, Ministry of Health, School of Medicine, European University of Cyprus, Cyprus
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michal Jajcaj
- Urad Verejneho Zdravotnictva Slovenskej Republiky, Slovakia
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8
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Casteleyn L, Dumez B, Becker K, Kolossa-Gehring M, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Castaño A, Koch HM, Angerer J, Esteban M, Exley K, Sepai O, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Koppen G, Dewolf MC, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Cerná M, Krsková A, Schwedler G, Fiddicke U, Nielsen JKS, Jensen JF, Rudnai P, Közepésy S, Mulcahy M, Mannion R, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Jakubowski M, Reis MF, Namorado S, Lupsa IR, Gurzau AE, Halzlova K, Jajcaj M, Mazej D, Tratnik Snoj J, Posada M, López E, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Aerts D. A pilot study on the feasibility of European harmonized human biomonitoring: Strategies towards a common approach, challenges and opportunities. Environ Res 2015; 141:3-14. [PMID: 25746298 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2004 the European Commission and Member States initiated activities towards a harmonized approach for Human Biomonitoring surveys throughout Europe. The main objective was to sustain environmental health policy by building a coherent and sustainable framework and by increasing the comparability of data across countries. A pilot study to test common guidelines for setting up surveys was considered a key step in this process. Through a bottom-up approach that included all stakeholders, a joint study protocol was elaborated. From September 2011 till February 2012, 17 European countries collected data from 1844 mother-child pairs in the frame of DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (DEMOCOPHES).(1) Mercury in hair and urinary cadmium and cotinine were selected as biomarkers of exposure covered by sufficient analytical experience. Phthalate metabolites and Bisphenol A in urine were added to take into account increasing public and political awareness for emerging types of contaminants and to test less advanced markers/markers covered by less analytical experience. Extensive efforts towards chemo-analytical comparability were included. The pilot study showed that common approaches can be found in a context of considerable differences with respect to experience and expertize, socio-cultural background, economic situation and national priorities. It also evidenced that comparable Human Biomonitoring results can be obtained in such context. A European network was built, exchanging information, expertize and experiences, and providing training on all aspects of a survey. A key challenge was finding the right balance between a rigid structure allowing maximal comparability and a flexible approach increasing feasibility and capacity building. Next steps in European harmonization in Human Biomonitoring surveys include the establishment of a joint process for prioritization of substances to cover and biomarkers to develop, linking biomonitoring surveys with health examination surveys and with research, and coping with the diverse implementations of EU regulations and international guidelines with respect to ethics and privacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - K Becker
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
| | | | | | | | - A Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - H M Koch
- Ruhr Universität Bochum, Germany
| | | | - M Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - K Exley
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - O Sepai
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - L Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, The Netherlands
| | - M Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | - P Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment, Belgium
| | | | - M-C Dewolf
- Hainaut Vigilance Sanitaire (HVS) and Hygiene Publique in Hainaut (HPH), Belgium
| | | | | | - M Cerná
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | - A Krsková
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - P Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | - S Közepésy
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | | | | | - A C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg
| | | | - D Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M Jakubowski
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M F Reis
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Namorado
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I-R Lupsa
- Environmental Health Center, Romania
| | | | - K Halzlova
- Urad Verejneho Zdravotnictva Slovenskej Republiky, Slovakia
| | - M Jajcaj
- Urad Verejneho Zdravotnictva Slovenskej Republiky, Slovakia
| | - D Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | - M Posada
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - E López
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - M Berglund
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Larsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Lehmann
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - P Crettaz
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - D Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment, Belgium
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9
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Černá M, Malý M, Rudnai P, Középesy S, Náray M, Halzlová K, Jajcaj M, Grafnetterová A, Krsková A, Antošová D, Forysová K, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Joas R, Casteleyn L, Joas A, Biot P, Aerts D, Angerer J, Bloemen L, Castaño A, Esteban M, Koch HM, Kolossa-Gehring M, Gutleb AC, Pavloušková J, Vrbík K. Case study: Possible differences in phthalates exposure among the Czech, Hungarian, and Slovak populations identified based on the DEMOCOPHES pilot study results. Environ Res 2015; 141:118-124. [PMID: 25532669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phthalates and their metabolites are classified as endocrine modulators. They affect the hormonal balance in both children and adults. The aim of this publication was to compare the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in selected populations of the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), and Hungary (HU) in relation to the sources of phthalate exposure identified by means of questionnaire (personal care products, floor and wall coverings, plastic toys, and some kinds of foods). METHODS Data were obtained through the twin projects COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) and DEMOCOPHES (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) from 2009 to 2012. The target groups were children aged 6-11 years old and their mothers up to 45 years of age. The metabolites of phthalates (monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-cyclohexyl phthalate (MCHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5OXO-MEHP)) were analysed in first morning urine samples. After enzymatic glucuronide cleavage, the urine sample analyses were performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) in one laboratory that qualified in the External Quality Assessment exercises organised by COPHES. RESULTS Significant differences in phthalate exposure between countries were revealed for children only but not for mothers. The concentrations of 5-OH-MEHP (P<0.001), 5OXO-MEHP (P<0.001), and their sum (P<0.001) were the highest in SK compared to CZ and HU. The health based guidance values for the sum of DEHP metabolites 5-OH MEHP and 5OXO-MEHP established by the German Commission for biomonitoring of 300 µg/L and 500 µg/L for women adults and children, respectively, were only exceeded in one mother and three boys. A significant difference was also found for MEP (P=0.0149), with the highest concentrations detected in HU. In all countries, the increasing frequency of using personal care products significantly elevated the concentrations of MEP. CONCLUSION Some differences were observed between countries in the concentrations of individual urinary phthalate metabolites in children. However, the questionnaire results give no direct explanation for the differences between the countries except the variation in using personal care products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Černá
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic; Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Marek Malý
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Miklós Náray
- National Labour Office, Department for Occupational Health, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katarina Halzlová
- Authority of Public Health of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Jajcaj
- Authority of Public Health of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Anna Grafnetterová
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Krsková
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
| | - Danuše Antošová
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
| | | | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- VITO, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment-DG Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment-DG Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, Hulst, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | | | - Arno C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public-Gabriel Lippmann, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jana Pavloušková
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vrbík
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 48, Prague 10 100 42, Czech Republic
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10
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Smolders R, Den Hond E, Koppen G, Govarts E, Willems H, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Fiddicke U, Castaño A, Koch HM, Angerer J, Esteban M, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Aerts D, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Cerna M, Krskova A, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Nielsen JKS, Rudnai P, Közepesy S, Evans DS, Ryan MP, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Jakubowski M, Reis MF, Namorado S, Lupsa IR, Gurzau AE, Halzlova K, Fabianova E, Mazej D, Tratnik Snoj J, Gomez S, González S, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Schoeters G. Interpreting biomarker data from the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects: Using external exposure data to understand biomarker differences among countries. Environ Res 2015; 141:86-95. [PMID: 25440294 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2011 and 2012, the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects performed the first ever harmonized human biomonitoring survey in 17 European countries. In more than 1800 mother-child pairs, individual lifestyle data were collected and cadmium, cotinine and certain phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Total mercury was determined in hair samples. While the main goal of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects was to develop and test harmonized protocols and procedures, the goal of the current paper is to investigate whether the observed differences in biomarker values among the countries implementing DEMOCOPHES can be interpreted using information from external databases on environmental quality and lifestyle. In general, 13 countries having implemented DEMOCOPHES provided high-quality data from external sources that were relevant for interpretation purposes. However, some data were not available for reporting or were not in line with predefined specifications. Therefore, only part of the external information could be included in the statistical analyses. Nonetheless, there was a highly significant correlation between national levels of fish consumption and mercury in hair, the strength of antismoking legislation was significantly related to urinary cotinine levels, and we were able to show indications that also urinary cadmium levels were associated with environmental quality and food quality. These results again show the potential of biomonitoring data to provide added value for (the evaluation of) evidence-informed policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Smolders
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - E Den Hond
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - G Koppen
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - E Govarts
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - H Willems
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | | | | | - U Fiddicke
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
| | - A Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - H M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - J Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - M Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - O Sepai
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - K Exley
- Public Health England, United Kingdom
| | - L Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, The Netherlands
| | - M Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | - P Biot
- FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - D Aerts
- FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - A Katsonouri
- State General Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Cyprus
| | | | - M Cerna
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | - A Krskova
- National Institute of Public Health, Czech Republic
| | | | - M Seiwert
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
| | | | - P Rudnai
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | - S Közepesy
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Hungary
| | - D S Evans
- Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland
| | - M P Ryan
- University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland
| | - A C Gutleb
- Centre de Recherche Public - Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourg
| | | | - D Ligocka
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M Jakubowski
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Poland
| | - M F Reis
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Namorado
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I-R Lupsa
- Environmental Health Center, Romania
| | | | - K Halzlova
- Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky, Slovakia
| | - E Fabianova
- Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky, Slovakia
| | - D Mazej
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
| | | | - S Gomez
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | | | | | | | - A Lehmann
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - P Crettaz
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Switzerland
| | - G Schoeters
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risks and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Belgium; Southern Denmark University, Odense, Denmark
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Esteban M, Schindler BK, Jiménez JA, Koch HM, Angerer J, Rosado M, Gómez S, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Becker K, Bloemen L, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Sepai O, Exley K, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Aerts D, Biot P, Borošová D, Davidson F, Dumitrascu I, Fischer ME, Grander M, Janasik B, Jones K, Kašparová L, Larssen T, Naray M, Nielsen F, Hohenblum P, Pinto R, Pirard C, Plateel G, Tratnik JS, Wittsiepe J, Castaño A. Mercury analysis in hair: Comparability and quality assessment within the transnational COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project. Environ Res 2015; 141:24-30. [PMID: 25483984 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool for assessing actual exposure to chemicals that takes into account all routes of intake. Although hair analysis is considered to be an optimal biomarker for assessing mercury exposure, the lack of harmonization as regards sampling and analytical procedures has often limited the comparison of data at national and international level. The European-funded projects COPHES and DEMOCOPHES developed and tested a harmonized European approach to Human Biomonitoring in response to the European Environment and Health Action Plan. Herein we describe the quality assurance program (QAP) for assessing mercury levels in hair samples from more than 1800 mother-child pairs recruited in 17 European countries. To ensure the comparability of the results, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sampling and for mercury analysis were drafted and distributed to participating laboratories. Training sessions were organized for field workers and four external quality-assessment exercises (ICI/EQUAS), followed by the corresponding web conferences, were organized between March 2011 and February 2012. ICI/EQUAS used native hair samples at two mercury concentration ranges (0.20-0.71 and 0.80-1.63) per exercise. The results revealed relative standard deviations of 7.87-13.55% and 4.04-11.31% for the low and high mercury concentration ranges, respectively. A total of 16 out of 18 participating laboratories the QAP requirements and were allowed to analyze samples from the DEMOCOPHES pilot study. Web conferences after each ICI/EQUAS revealed this to be a new and effective tool for improving analytical performance and increasing capacity building. The procedure developed and tested in COPHES/DEMOCOPHES would be optimal for application on a global scale as regards implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Esteban
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - Birgit Karin Schindler
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Germany; PROOF-ACS GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - José Antonio Jiménez
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - Holger Martin Koch
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - Montserrat Rosado
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | - Silvia Gómez
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain
| | | | | | | | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Sciences International, The Netherlands
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium; University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Environmental Risk and Health, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - Daniela Borošová
- Regional Authority of Public Health of the Slovak Republic, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Miklos Naray
- Hungarian Institute of Occupational Health, Hungary
| | | | | | | | - Catherine Pirard
- CHU of Liege, Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jürgen Wittsiepe
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Germany
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Environmental Toxicology, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.
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Den Hond E, Govarts E, Willems H, Smolders R, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Fiddicke U, Castaño A, Esteban M, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Aerts D, Koppen G, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Krskova A, Maly M, Mørck TA, Rudnai P, Kozepesy S, Mulcahy M, Mannion R, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Jakubowski M, Reis MF, Namorado S, Gurzau AE, Lupsa IR, Halzlova K, Jajcaj M, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, López A, Lopez E, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Schoeters G. First steps toward harmonized human biomonitoring in Europe: demonstration project to perform human biomonitoring on a European scale. Environ Health Perspect 2015; 123:255-63. [PMID: 25493439 PMCID: PMC4348748 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For Europe as a whole, data on internal exposure to environmental chemicals do not yet exist. Characterization of the internal individual chemical environment is expected to enhance understanding of the environmental threats to health. OBJECTIVES We developed and applied a harmonized protocol to collect comparable human biomonitoring data all over Europe. METHODS In 17 European countries, we measured mercury in hair and cotinine, phthalate metabolites, and cadmium in urine of 1,844 children (5-11 years of age) and their mothers. Specimens were collected over a 5-month period in 2011-2012. We obtained information on personal characteristics, environment, and lifestyle. We used the resulting database to compare concentrations of exposure biomarkers within Europe, to identify determinants of exposure, and to compare exposure biomarkers with health-based guidelines. RESULTS Biomarker concentrations showed a wide variability in the European population. However, levels in children and mothers were highly correlated. Most biomarker concentrations were below the health-based guidance values. CONCLUSIONS We have taken the first steps to assess personal chemical exposures in Europe as a whole. Key success factors were the harmonized protocol development, intensive training and capacity building for field work, chemical analysis and communication, as well as stringent quality control programs for chemical and data analysis. Our project demonstrates the feasibility of a Europe-wide human biomonitoring framework to support the decision-making process of environmental measures to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly Den Hond
- Unit Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
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13
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Schindler BK, Esteban M, Koch HM, Castano A, Koslitz S, Cañas A, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Schoeters G, Hond ED, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Aerts D, Lopez A, Huetos O, Katsonouri A, Maurer-Chronakis K, Kasparova L, Vrbík K, Rudnai P, Naray M, Guignard C, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Janasik B, Reis MF, Namorado S, Pop C, Dumitrascu I, Halzlova K, Fabianova E, Mazej D, Tratnik JS, Berglund M, Jönsson B, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Frederiksen H, Nielsen F, McGrath H, Nesbitt I, De Cremer K, Vanermen G, Koppen G, Wilhelm M, Becker K, Angerer J. The European COPHES/DEMOCOPHES project: Towards transnational comparability and reliability of human biomonitoring results. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2014; 217:653-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Pirard C, Koppen G, De Cremer K, Van Overmeire I, Govarts E, Dewolf MC, Van De Mieroop E, Aerts D, Biot P, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Castaño A, Esteban M, Schoeters G, Den Hond E, Sepai O, Exley K, Horvat M, Bloemen L, Knudsen LE, Joas R, Joas A, Van Loco J, Charlier C. Hair mercury and urinary cadmium levels in Belgian children and their mothers within the framework of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES projects. Sci Total Environ 2014; 472:730-740. [PMID: 24333995 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A harmonized human biomonitoring pilot study was set up within the frame of the European projects DEMOCOPHES and COPHES. In 17 European countries, biomarkers of some environmental pollutants, including urinary cadmium and hair mercury, were measured in children and their mothers in order to obtain European-wide comparison values on these chemicals. The Belgian participant population consisted in 129 school children (6-11 years) and their mothers (≤ 45 years) living in urban or rural areas of Belgium. The geometric mean levels for mercury in hair were 0.383 μg/g and 0.204 μg/g for respectively mothers and children. Cadmium in mother's and children's urine was detected at a geometric mean concentration of respectively 0.21 and 0.04 μg/l. For both biomarkers, levels measured in the mothers and their child were correlated. While the urinary cadmium levels increased with age, no trend was found for hair mercury content, except the fact that mothers hold higher levels than children. The hair mercury content increased significantly with the number of dental amalgam fillings, explaining partially the higher levels in the mothers by their higher presence rate of these amalgams compared to children. Fish or seafood consumption was the other main parameter determining the mercury levels in hair. No relationship was found between smoking status and cadmium or mercury levels, but the studied population included very few smokers. Urinary cadmium levels were higher in both mothers and children living in urban areas, while for mercury this difference was only significant for children. Our small population showed urinary cadmium and hair mercury levels lower than the health based guidelines suggested by the WHO or the JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Only 1% had cadmium level slightly higher than the German HBM-I value (1 μg/l for adults), and 9% exceeded the 1 μg mercury/g hair suggested by the US EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Pirard
- CHU of Liege, Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, CHU (B35), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Koen De Cremer
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ilse Van Overmeire
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Eva Govarts
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Marie-Christine Dewolf
- Provincial Institute Hainaut Vigilance Sanitaire - Hainaut Hygiène Publique en (HVS-HPH), Boulevard Sainctelette, 55, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Els Van De Mieroop
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH), Boomgaardstraat 22 bus 1, 2600 Antwerpen, Belgium.
| | - Dominique Aerts
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Place Victor Horta 40/10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Pierre Biot
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Place Victor Horta 40/10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ludwine Casteleyn
- University of Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Gerda Schwedler
- Federal Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Angerer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Holger M Koch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Birgit K Schindler
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marta Esteban
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda - Pozuelo, Km. 2, 28220, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Flemish Institute of Technological Research, Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Karen Exley
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Milena Horvat
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Louis Bloemen
- Environmental Health Science International, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København, Denmark.
| | - Reinhard Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Anke Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Grauertstrasse 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
| | - Joris Van Loco
- Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Corinne Charlier
- CHU of Liege, Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic and Environmental Toxicology, CHU (B35), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
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15
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Joas R, Casteleyn L, Biot P, Kolossa-Gehring M, Castano A, Angerer J, Schoeters G, Sepai O, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Horvat M, Bloemen L. Harmonised human biomonitoring in Europe: activities towards an EU HBM framework. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2011; 215:172-5. [PMID: 21940209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 06/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) can be an effective tool to assess human exposure to environmental pollutants and potential health effects and is increasingly seen as an essential element in a strategy when integrating health and environment. HBM can be used (i) to prioritise actions and measures for policy making; (ii) to evaluate policy actions aimed at reducing exposure to potentially hazardous environmental stressors; and (iii) to promote more comprehensive health impact assessments of policy options. In support of the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010, European scientists, experts from authorities and other stakeholders joined forces to work towards developing a functional framework and standards for a coherent HBM in Europe. Within the European coordination action on human biomonitoring, 35 partners from 27 European countries in the COPHES consortium aggregated their experiences and expertise and developed harmonized approaches and recommendations for better comparability of HBM data in Europe via the elaboration of a harmonized study protocol. This protocol is the product of discussion and compromises on the selection of environmental exposures, national environmental health concerns, and political and health priorities. The harmonised approach includes sampling recruitment, and analytical procedures, communication strategies and biobanking initiatives. The protocols and the harmonised approach are a means to increase acceptance and policy support and to in the future to enable determination of time trends. The common pilot study protocol will shortly be tested, adapted and assessed in the framework of the DEMOCOPHES in 17 European countries, including 16 EU Member States. COPHES and DEMOCOPHES constitute important steps towards establishing human biomonitoring as a tool for EU environmental and health policy and to improve quantification of exposure of the general European population to existing and emerging pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Joas
- BiPRO GmbH, Research Institute for Integrated Solutions, Grauertstr. 12, 81545 Munich, Germany.
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16
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van Putten M, Verstappen F, Bloemen L. Physical Exercise and Industrial Respirators. Int J Sports Med 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1025937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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17
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Pauluhn J, Woolhiser MR, Bloemen L. Repeated inhalation challenge with diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate in brown Norway rats leads to a time-related increase of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage after topical induction. Inhal Toxicol 2005; 17:67-78. [PMID: 15764484 DOI: 10.1080/08958370590898434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI) is a low-molecular-weight chemical known to cause occupational asthma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the topical and inhalation routes of sensitization on the elicitation response of MDI in the Brown Norway (BN) rat model following repeated challenge exposures. BN rats were either induced topically (150 microl MDI on the flanks, booster administration to the skin of the dorsum of both ears using 75 microl/dorsum of each ear) or by inhalation (5x3 h/d, 28.3+/-3.0 mg MDI/m3 [+/-SD]). Inhalation challenge exposures with MDI (15.7+/-1.4 mg/m3, duration 30 min) were made on d 21, 35, 50, and 64. One day after each challenge, rats were rechallenged with methacholine (MCh) aerosol. Respiratory changes were monitored during challenges. One day after the MCh challenge, selected endpoints in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), the weights of lungs, and auricular and lung-associated lymph nodes were determined. After the first and last challenge, lymph nodes and lungs were examined by histopathology. Repeated challenge with MDI or MCh did not elicit marked changes in respiratory patterns at any time point. Mild but consistent time-related increased BAL neutrophils and slightly increased lung and lymph-node weights occurred in topically sensitized rats as compared to the remaining groups. In topically sensitized rats, in the lung histopathology revealed activated lymphatic tissue and an increased recruitment of airway eosinophils. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E determinations (serum and BAL) did not show any differences amongst the groups. Thus, high-dose topical induction with MDI was associated with a neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammatory response in the lung after repeated inhalation challenge with MDI, with magnitude of effect dependent on the specific methodology used.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pauluhn
- Bayer HealthCare, Wuppertal, Germany.
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18
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Green T, Dow J, Ong CN, Ng V, Ong HY, Zhuang ZX, Yang XF, Bloemen L. Biological monitoring of kidney function among workers occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene. Occup Environ Med 2004; 61:312-7. [PMID: 15031388 PMCID: PMC1740740 DOI: 10.1136/oem.2003.007153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the nephrotoxic potential of trichloroethylene in a currently exposed population using sensitive urinary markers of kidney toxicity. METHODS Renal dysfunction was monitored in a cross-sectional study of 70 workers currently exposed to trichloroethylene. An age and sex matched control population of 54 individuals was drawn from hospital and administrative staff. RESULTS The mean exposure to trichloroethylene, estimated from urinary trichloroacetic acid concentrations, was 32 ppm (range 0.5-252 ppm) with an average duration of exposure of 4.1 years (range 1-20 years). Significant differences between the exposed and control populations were found for nephrotoxicity markers N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) and albumin, and for the mode of action marker, formic acid. However, neither NAG nor albumin showed a significant correlation with either the magnitude or duration of exposure to trichloroethylene. There was a significant correlation between urinary formic acid and trichloroacetic acid concentrations. Within the exposed population there were dose dependent increases in urinary methylmalonic acid concentrations and urinary glutathione S-transferase alpha activity. Although still within the control range, these changes were clearly dose dependent and consistent with one of the proposed mechanisms of trichloroethylene induced kidney toxicity. CONCLUSION Although there was no evidence of kidney toxicity within the population studied, the results suggest that kidney damage could occur at exposure concentrations higher (>250 ppm) than those encountered in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Green
- Syngenta Central Toxicology Laboratory, UK.
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Acquavella J, Doe J, Tomenson J, Chester G, Cowell J, Bloemen L. Epidemiologic studies of occupational pesticide exposure and cancer: regulatory risk assessments and biologic plausibility. Ann Epidemiol 2003; 13:1-7. [PMID: 12547479 DOI: 10.1016/s1047-2797(02)00423-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies frequently show associations between self-reported use of specific pesticides and human cancers. These findings have engendered debate largely on methodologic grounds. However, biologic plausibility is a more fundamental issue that has received only superficial attention. The purpose of this commentary is to review briefly the toxicology and exposure data that are developed as part of the pesticide regulatory process and to discuss the applicability of this data to epidemiologic research. The authors also provide a generic example of how worker pesticide exposures might be estimated and compared to relevant toxicologic dose levels. This example provides guidance for better characterization of exposure and for consideration of biologic plausibility in epidemiologic studies of pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Acquavella
- Monsanto Company/F3WB, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167, USA.
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Ramlow J, Bloemen L. Drinking water and leukemia. Environ Health Perspect 1995; 103:538-541. [PMID: 7555998 PMCID: PMC1519141 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.95103538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
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21
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Verstappen F, Bloemen L, Van Putten M, Reuvers J. Self-contained respirators: effects of negative and positive pressure-demand types on physical exercise. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1986; 47:635-40. [PMID: 3535468 DOI: 10.1080/15298668691390368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ten volunteer subjects performed maximal exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer and a treadmill while under three breathing conditions: negative pressure-demand (NPD), positive pressure-demand (PPD) and normal breathing (N). No differences between breathing conditions were found in maximal work level, maximal heart rate or maximal blood lactate concentration. The experienced firemen among the subjects did show a lower respiration rate in NPD compared to PPD and N during submaximal exercise, but this was compensated for by an increased tidal volume. A remarkable finding concerned carbon dioxide pressure in arterialized blood, which was lower (0.5 to 0.8 kPa) during PPD compared to NPD or N, indicating an improvement in pulmonary gas exchange. In summary, it can be concluded that neither negative pressure-demand nor positive pressure-demand breathing affects maximal physical working capacity; therefore, their influence on the function of various organ systems during exercise apparently falls within normal physiological range.
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Verstappen F, Bloemen L, van Putten M. PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND SELF-CONTAINED INDUSTRIAL RESPIRATORS. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1983. [DOI: 10.1249/00005768-198315020-00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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