The influence of maternal dietary exposure to dioxins and PCBs during pregnancy on ADHD symptoms and cognitive functions in Norwegian preschool children

BackgroundPolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (dioxins) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with potentially adverse impact on child neurodevelopment. Whether the potential detrimental effects of dioxins and PCBs on neurodevelopment are of specific or unspecific character is not clear.ObjectivesThe purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of maternal dietary exposure to dioxins and PCBs on ADHD symptoms and cognitive functioning in preschoolers. We aimed to investigate a range of functions, in particular IQ, expressive language, and executive functions.Material and methodsThis study includes n = 1024 children enrolled in a longitudinal prospective study of ADHD (the ADHD Study), with participants recruited from The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Boys and girls aged 3.5 years participated in extensive clinical assessments using well-validated tools; The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment interview (PAPA), Stanford-Binet 5th revision (SB-5), Child Development Inventory (CDI), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Preschool version (BRIEF-P). Maternal dietary exposure to dioxins and PCBs was estimated based on a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) answered mid-pregnancy and a database of dioxin and PCB concentrations in Norwegian foods. Exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-compounds) was expressed in total toxic equivalents (TEQ), and PCB-153 was used as marker for non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Generalized linear and additive models adjusted for confounders were used to examine exposure-outcome associations.ResultsExposure to PCB-153 or dl-compound was not significantly associated with any of the outcome measures when analyses were performed for boys and girls together. After stratifying by sex, adjusted analyses indicated a small inverse association with language in girls. An increase in the exposure variables of 1 SD was associated with a reduction in language score of − 0.2 [CI − 0.4, − 0.1] for PCB-153 and − 0.2 [CI − 0.5, − 0.1] for dl-compounds in girls. For boys, exposure to PCB-153 or dl-compounds was not associated with language skills. The difference between sex-specific associations was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.13). No sex-specific effects were observed for ADHD-symptoms, IQ scores, or executive functions.ConclusionsWe found no indications that variation in current low-level exposure to PCB-153 or dl-compounds in Norway is associated with variation ADHD-symptoms, verbal/non-verbal IQ, or executive functions including working memory in preschoolers. However, our findings indicated that maternal dietary exposure to PCB-153 or dl-compounds during pregnancy was significantly associated with poorer expressive language skills in preschool girls, although the sex-specific associations were not significantly different.     

Development and validation of prediction models for blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs using dietary intakes

BackgroundDioxins and PCBs accumulate in the food chain and might exert toxic effects in animals and humans. In large epidemiologic studies, exposure estimates of these compounds based on analyses of biological material might not be available or affordable.ObjectivesTo develop and then validate models for predicting concentrations of dioxins and PCBs in blood using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire and blood concentrations.MethodsPrediction models were built on data from one study (n = 195), and validated in an independent study group (n = 66). We used linear regression to develop predictive models for dioxins and PCBs, both sums of congeners and 33 single congeners (7 and 10 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDDs/PCDFs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs: 4 non-ortho and 8 mono-ortho), sum of all the 29 dioxin-like compounds (total TEQ) and sum of 4 non dioxin-like PCBs (∑ CB-101, 138, 153, 183 = PCB₄). We used the blood concentration and dietary intake of each of the above as dependent and independent variables, while sex, parity, age, place of living, smoking status, energy intake and education were covariates. We validated the models in a new study population comparing the predicted blood concentrations with the measured blood concentrations using correlation coefficients and Weighted Kappa (К_W) as measures of agreement, considering К_W > 0.40 as successful prediction.ResultsThe models explained 78% (sum dioxin-like compounds), 76% (PCDDs), 76% (PCDFs), 74% (no-PCBs), 69% (mo-PCBs), 68% (PCB₄) and 63% (CB-153) of the variance. In addition to dietary intake, age and sex were the most important covariates.The predicted blood concentrations were highly correlated with the measured values, with r = 0.75 for dl-compounds 0.70 for PCB₄, (p < 0.001) and 0.66 (p < 0.001) for CB-153. К_W was 0.68 for sum dl-compounds 0.65 for both PCB₄ and CB-153. Out of 33 congeners 16 (13 dl-compounds and 3 ndl PCBs) had К_W > 0.40.ConclusionsThe models developed had high power to predict blood levels of dioxins and PCBs and to correctly rank subjects according to high or low exposure based on dietary intake and demographic information. These models underline the value of dietary intake data for use in investigations of associations between dioxin and PCB exposure and health outcomes in large epidemiological studies with limited biomaterial for chemical analysis.     

Maternal dietary intake of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls and birth size in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

Maternal diet not only provides essential nutrients to the developing fetus but is also a source of prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants. We investigated the association between dietary intake of dioxins and PCBs during pregnancy and birth size. The study included 50,651 women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Dietary information was collected by FFQs and intake estimates were calculated by combining food consumption and food concentration of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs. We used multivariable regression models to estimate the association between dietary intake of dioxins and PCBs and fetal growth. The contribution of fish and seafood intake during pregnancy was 41% for dietary dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs and 49% for dietary non-dioxin-like PCBs. Further stratified analysis by quartiles of seafood intake during pregnancy was conducted. We found an inverse dose–response association between dietary intake of dioxins and PCBs and fetal growth after adjustment for confounders. Newborns of mothers in the upper quartile of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs intake had 62 g lower birth weight (95% CI: − 73, − 50), 0.26 cm shorter birth length (95% CI: − 0.31, − 0.20) and 0.10 cm shorter head circumference (95% CI: − 0.14, − 0.06) than newborns of mothers in the lowest quartile of intake. Similar negative associations for intake of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs were found after excluding women with intakes above the tolerable weekly intake (TWI = 14 pg TEQ/kg bw/week). The negative association of dietary dioxins and PCBs with fetal growth was weaker as seafood intake was increasing. No association was found between dietary dioxin and PCB intake and the risk for small-for-gestational age neonate. In conclusion, dietary intakes of dioxins and PCBs during pregnancy were negatively associated with fetal growth, even at intakes below the TWI.     

Human dietary intake of organohalogen contaminants at e-waste recycling sites in Eastern China

This study reports concentrations and human dietary intake of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as selected “novel” brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organochlorine pesticides, in ten staple food categories. Samples were sourced from areas in Taizhou City, eastern China, where rudimentary recycling and disposal of e-waste is commonplace, as well as from nearby non-e-waste impacted control areas. In most instances, concentrations in foods from e-waste recycling areas exceeded those from control locations. Concentrations of 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TBP) in samples from e-waste sites were 3.09–62.2 ng/g and 0.81–16.3 ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively; exceeding consistently those in foods acquired from control sites by an order of magnitude in many cases. In contrast, while concentrations of HBCD in some foods from e-waste impacted areas exceed those from control locations; concentrations in pork, shrimp, and duck liver are higher in control samples. This highlights the potential significance of non-e-waste sources of HBCD (e.g. building insulation foam) in our study areas. While concentrations of DDT in all foods examined except pork were higher in e-waste impacted samples than controls; our exposure estimates were well below the provisional tolerable daily intake of 0.01 mg/kg bw/day derived by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. Concentrations of ΣPCBs resulted in exposures (650 and 2340 ng/kg bw/day for adults and children respectively) that exceed substantially the Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) for ΣPCBs of 20 ng/kg bw/day derived by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Moreover, when expressed in terms of dioxin-like toxicity equivalency based on the four dioxin-like PCBs monitored in this study (DL-PCBs) (PCB-105, 118, 156, and 167); concentrations in e-waste impacted foods exceed limits set by the European Union in 6 of the 8 food groups studied and result in dietary exposures for children (10.2 pg TEQ/kg bw/day) that exceed the WHO tolerable daily intake of 1–4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day.     

Male specific association between xenoestrogen levels in placenta and birthweight

BackgroundFetal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals may increase the risk for adverse health effects at birth or later in life.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to analyze the combined effect of xenoestrogens on reproductive and perinatal growth outcomes (child birthweight, early rapid growth and body mass index (BMI) at 14 months) using the biomarker total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB).Methods490 placentas were randomly collected in the Spanish prospective birth cohort Environment and Childhood (INMA) project. TEXB was used to assess the estrogenicity of placental samples in two fractions: that largely attributable to environmental organohalogenated xenoestrogens (TEXB-alpha), and that mostly due to endogenous estrogens (TEXB-beta), both expressed in estrogen equivalent units (Eeq) per gram of tissue. Linear or logistic regression models were performed adjusting for cohort and confounders. Sex interactions were investigated.ResultsThe median TEXB-alpha level was 0.76 pM Eeq/g (interquartile range (iqr): 1.14). In multivariate models, higher TEXB-alpha levels (third tertile, > 1.22 pM Eeq/g; iqr: 1.73) were associated with increased birthweight in boys but not in girls (β = 148.2 g, 95% CI: 14.01, 282.53, p_int = 0.057). Additionally, higher TEXB-alpha values in boys were related with a lower risk of early rapid growth (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.88) and with a non significant association with larger BMI z-scores at 14 months of age (β = 0.29; 95% CI: − 0.11, 0.69).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that prenatal exposure to xenoestrogens may increase birthweight in boys, which might have an impact on child obesity and other later health outcomes.     

Relative effect potency estimates of dioxin-like activity for dioxins,furans, and dioxin-like PCBs in adults based on cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 gene expression in blood

BackgroundIn the risk assessment of PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like (DL) PCBs, regulatory authorities support the use of the toxic equivalency factor (TEF)-scheme derived from a heterogeneous data set of the relative effect potency (REPs) estimates.ObjectivesWe sought to determine REPs for dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) using expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells representing two different pathways.MethodsWe used a sex and age adjusted regression-based approach comparing the strength of association between each DLC and the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 mRNA expression in 320 adults residing in an organochlorine-polluted area of eastern Slovakia.ResultsWe calculated REPs based on CYP1A1 expression for 4 PCDDs, 8 PCDFs, and 1 PCB congener, and based on CYP1B1 expression for 5 PCDFs and 11 PCB congeners. REPs from CYP1A1 correlated with REPs previously derived from thyroid volume (ρ = 0.85; p < 0.001) and serum FT4 (ρ = 0.77; p = 0.009). The 13 log REPs from CYP1A1 correlated with log WHO-TEFs (r = 0.63; p = 0.015) and 11 log PCB REPs with PCB consensus toxicity factors (CTFs) for compounds with WHO-TEFs (r = 0.80; p = 0.003). The complete set of derived 56 log REPs correlated with the log CTFs (r = 0.77; p = 0.001) and log WHO-TEFs (r = 0.81; p < 0.001).ConclusionsREPs calculated from thyroid and cytochrome P450 endpoints realistically reflect human exposure scenarios because they are based on human chronic and low-dose exposures. While the CYP 1A1 seems more suitable for toxicity evaluation of PCDD/Fs, the CYP 1B1 is more apt for PCDFs and PCBs and reflects different pathways.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk from Zhejiang,China

Breast milk samples (n = 74) from the general maternal population of Zhejiang province were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Samples were divided into urban and rural groups. Mean ∑PCDD/F, ∑PCB and ∑PBDE concentrations were 71.4 ± 40.8, 42774 ± 27841 and 2679 ± 944 pg g^− 1 lipid in the urban group and 38.6 ± 38.1, 26546 ± 11375 and 2731 ± 1093 pg g^− 1 lipid in the rural group, respectively. WHO-TEQ concentrations for dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs were 2.66 ± 1.43 and 3.90 ± 2.60 pg g^− 1 lipid in the urban group and 1.83 ± 0.93 and 2.27 ± 1.55 pg g^− 1 lipid in the rural group, respectively. Congener profiles for these pollutants were compared between human samples (adipose tissue and breast milk) and foodstuffs (seafood, hen eggs, and freshwater fish). Similar PCB and PCDD/F congener patterns were observed, suggesting that dietary intake is a significant source for human exposure to PCBs and PCDD/Fs. However, much lower PBDE congener levels were detected in breast milk than in foodstuffs, which implies that pathways other than dietary intake may also account for human exposure to PBDEs.     

Dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by a population living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator. Assessment of the temporal trend

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were determined in a number of foodstuffs purchased in various locations near a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the population of the area under potential influence of the HWI was subsequently estimated. The results were compared with previous surveys performed in the same area in 1998 (baseline), 2002 and 2006. In the present study, the highest WHO-TEQ corresponded to industrial bakery (0.183 ng/kg wet weight, ww), followed by fish (0.156 ng/kg ww), oils and fats (0.112 ng/kg fat weight), and seafood (0.065 ng/kg ww). In contrast, the lowest values were observed in pulses and tubers (0.003 ng/kg ww), and cereals and fruits (0.004 ng/kg ww). The dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the general population was 33.1 pg WHO-TEQ/day, having fish and seafood (11.6 pg WHO-TEQ), oils and fats (4.61 pg WHO-TEQ), dairy products (3.79 pg WHO-TEQ), and industrial bakery (3.49 pg WHO-TEQ) as the groups showing the highest contribution to the total TEQ. The lowest daily contributions corresponded to pulses (0.08 pg WHO-TEQ) and tubers (0.25 pg WHO-TEQ). This intake was considerably lower than that found in the baseline study, 210.1 pg I-TEQ/day, and also notably lower than that found in the 2002 survey (59.6 pg I-TEQ/day), but slightly higher than the intake estimated in the 2006 survey, 27.8 pg WHO-TEQ/day. The results of this study show that any increase potentially found in the biological monitoring of the general population living in the area under evaluation should not be attributed to dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs.     

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and fertility: A case–control study in male subfertility patients

BackgroundDioxins, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, triclosan, perfluorinated compounds and phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to investigate whether higher exposure to EDCs is associated with increased subfertility in men.MethodsWe measured biomarkers of exposure in 163 men, recruited through four fertility clinics. According to WHO guidelines, we used a total motility count (TMC) of 20 million as cut-off value. We assigned patients to the case group when two semen samples – collected at least one week apart – had a TMC < 20 and to the control group when both samples had a TMC ≥ 20. To estimate the risk of subfertility and alteration in sex hormone concentrations we used multivariable-adjusted analysis, using logistic and linear regressions, respectively.ResultsFor an IQR increase in serum oxychlordane, the odds ratio for subfertility was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.07; 3.69). Furthermore, men with serum levels of BDE209 above the quantification limit had an odds of 7.22 (1.03; 50.6) for subfertility compared with those having values below the LOQ. Urinary levels of phthalates and triclosan were negatively associated with inhibin B and positively with LH. Urinary bisphenol A correlated negatively with testosterone levels.ConclusionsOur study in men showed that internal body concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals are associated with an increased risk of subfertility together with alterations in hormone levels. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to safeguard male fertility.     

Contaminant levels in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the 13-year period from 1999 to 2011

BackgroundEnvironmental pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs, heavy metals, and organochlorine pesticides are a global threat to food safety. In particular, the aquatic biota can bioaccumulate many of these contaminants potentially making seafood of concern for chronic exposure to humans.ObjectivesThe main objective was to evaluate trends of contaminant levels in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon in light of the derived tolerable intakes.MethodsThrough an EU-instigated surveillance programme, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has between 1999 and 2011 collected more than 2300 samples of Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) for contaminant analyses. The fillets of these fish were homogenised and analysed for dioxins, PCBs, heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides.ResultsThe levels of the contaminants mercury, arsenic, dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and DDT in Norwegian farmed salmon fillet have decreased during our period of analyses. The levels of cadmium, lead and several organochlorine pesticides were too close to the limit of quantification to calculate time trends. For PCB₆ and quantifiable amounts of pesticides, except DDT, stable levels were observed.ConclusionThe contaminant levels in Norwegian farmed salmon have generally decreased between 1999 and 2011. Excluding other dietary sources, the levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in 2011 allowed consumption of up to 1.3 kg salmon per week to reach the tolerable weekly intake. The group of contaminants which was the limiting factor for safe consumption of Norwegian farmed salmon, based on currently established TWI values, is the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs.     

Distribution of persistent organic pollutants in serum,omental, and parietal adipose tissue of French women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and circulating versus stored ratio as new marker of exposure

Several studies have assessed the potential role of environmental chemicals in the onset, growth, and/or physiopathology of endometriosis. However, their contour in terms of considered exposure markers remains limited. The present study aimed to characterize the internal exposure levels of 78 persistent organic pollutants (POPs, including dioxins, polychlorobiphenyls, brominated flame retardants and organochlorine pesticides) in a set of 113 adult French women (45 controls, 68 cases), and to characterize the distribution of these POPs within three biological compartments (omental adipose tissue, parietal adipose tissue, and serum). For all targeted substances, the correlation between the concentrations measured in omental versus parietal adipose tissue was found strongly significant (p < 0.0001). An equivalence of the measures performed in parietal and omental adipose tissue was moreover observed with median levels of 6.4 vs. 7.4 pg/g l.w. for WHO-TEQ₂₀₀₅ PCDD/F, 4.5 vs. 4.7 pg/g l.w. for WHO-TEQ₂₀₀₅ dl-PCB, 137.1 vs. 147.9 ng/g l.w. for sum of 6 ndl-PCB, and 2.1 vs. 2.0 ng/g l.w. for sum of 7 i-PBDE, respectively. The same observation was made for individual targeted OCs compounds. Significant correlations were also observed between these concentrations determined in adipose tissue and those measured in serum for dioxins (WHO-TEQ₂₀₀₅ PCDD/F = 6.1 pg/g l.w), PCBs (WHO-TEQ₂₀₀₅ dl-PCB = 3.6 pg/g l.w., sum of 6 ndl-PCB = 81.1 ng/g l.w.), and brominated flame-retardants (sum of 7 i-PBDE = 0.9 ng/g l.w.). The circulating versus stored ratio of some exposure markers (Sum PCDDs, 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF, slightly versus highly chlorinated PCBs ratio, PBDE 99 and PBB 153) was found statistically different for control and case individuals. These extended exposure data from deep infiltrating endometriosis patients are the first ones available for France and give a new insight about the equilibrium of chemicals between storage and circulating compartments that should be further considered as new marker of exposure in the context of exposure-health relationship studies.     

Hydroxylated and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in blood plasma of humans in Hong Kong

Hydroxylated (OH-) and methoxylated (MeO-) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are suspected endocrine disruptors. Little is known about the accumulation or sources of these chemicals in tissues of humans, particularly those residing in Hong Kong, which is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Seven MeO-BDEs, fifteen OH-BDEs and three bromophenols (BRPs) were analyzed in blood plasma of 116 humans that had been collected by the Hong Kong Red Cross. Total concentrations of MeO-BDEs, OH-BDEs and BRPs ranged from 3.8 × 10² to 52 × 10³ pg g^− 1 lipid (median 4.5 × 10³ pg g^− 1), 5.3 to 4.9 × 10² pg g^− 1 lipid (81 pg g^− 1) and ND to 1.1 × 10² pg g^− 1 lipid (3.7 pg g^− 1), respectively. 3-MeO-BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47 and 2, 4, 5-TBP were the predominant MeO-BDEs, OH-BDEs and BRPs, respectively. These results are consistent with accumulation of MeO-BDEs, OH-BDEs and BRPs in human plasma being primarily from natural products and inter-conversion of natural products. Coefficients of determination for some pairs of congeners such as 3-OH-BDE-100 and 6-OH-BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-85 and 5′-OH-BDE-99, and 2, 4-DBP and 6-OH-BDE-85, were near 1.0, which is consistent with them having common sources. Patterns of relative concentrations of the target analytes were similar in the diet, particularly fish, as in blood plasma of humans, which suggests that the diet and particularly seafood might be a source of these compounds and PBDEs. Furthermore, biotransformation of natural chemicals such as OH-BDEs to BRPs might be the primary route of their elimination from humans.     

Residential proximity to traffic and female pubertal development

BackgroundTraffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has been linked with several adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight, which are both related to onset of puberty. No studies to date have investigated the association between TRAP and altered pubertal timing.ObjectiveDetermine the association between residential proximity to traffic, as a marker of long-term TRAP exposure, and age at pubertal onset in a longitudinal study of girls.MethodsWe analyzed data for 437 girls at the CYGNET study site of the Breast Cancer and Environment Research Program. TRAP exposure was assessed using several measures of residential proximity to traffic based on address at study entry. Using accelerated failure time models, we calculated time ratios (TRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for specified traffic metrics and pubertal onset, defined as stage 2 or higher for breast or pubic hair development (respectively, B2 + and PH2 +). Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, household income, and cotinine levels.ResultsAt baseline, 71% of girls lived within 150 m of a major road. The median age of onset was 10.3 years for B2 + and 10.9 years for PH2 +. Living within 150 m downwind of a major road was associated with earlier onset of PH2 + (TR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 0.99). Girls in the highest quintile of either distance-weighted traffic density, annual average daily traffic, and/or traffic density also reached PH2 + earlier than girls in the lowest quintiles.ConclusionsIn this first study to assess the association between residential proximity to traffic and pubertal onset we found girls with higher exposure reached one pubertal milestone several months earlier than low exposed girls, even after consideration of likely confounders. Results should be expanded in larger epidemiological studies, and with measured levels of air pollutants.     

Dietary exposure to dioxins and PCBs in a large cohort of pregnant women: Results from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

Exposure to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during pregnancy and breastfeeding may result in adverse health effects in children. Prenatal exposure is determined by the concentrations of dioxins and PCBs in maternal blood, which reflect the body burden obtained by long term dietary exposure. The aims of this study were (1) to describe dietary exposure and important dietary sources to dioxins and PCBs in a large group of pregnant women and (2) to identify maternal characteristics associated with high dietary exposure to dioxins and PCBs. Dietary exposure to dioxins (sum of toxic equivalents (TEQs) from dioxin-like (dl) compounds) and PCB-153 in 83,524 pregnant women (gestational weeks 17–22) who participated in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) during the years 2002–2009 was calculated based on a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a database of dioxin and PCB concentrations in Norwegian food. The median (interquartile range, IQR) intake of PCB-153 (marker of ndl-PCBs) was 0.81 (0.77) ng/kg bw/day. For dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, the median (IQR) intake was 0.56 (0.37) pg TEQ/kg bw/day. Moreover, 2.3% of the participants had intakes exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 14 pg TEQ/kg bw/week. Multiple regression analysis showed that dietary exposure was positively associated with maternal age, maternal education, weight gain during pregnancy, being a student, and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and negatively associated with pre-pregnancy BMI and smoking. A high dietary exposure to PCB-153 or dl-compounds (TEQ) was mainly explained by the consumption of seagull eggs and/or pate with fish liver and roe. Women who according to Norwegian recommendations avoid these food items generally do not have dietary exposure above the tolerable intake of dioxins and dl-PCBs.     

Neighborhood deprivation,race/ethnicity,and urinary metal concentrations among young girls in California

BackgroundAlthough metals can adversely impact children's health, the distribution of exposures to many metals, particularly among vulnerable subpopulations, is not well characterized.ObjectivesWe sought to determine whether neighborhood deprivation was associated with urinary concentrations of thirteen metals and whether observed relationships varied by race/ethnicity.MethodsWe obtained neighborhood characteristics from the 2005–2009 American Community Survey. Demographic information and urine samples from 400 healthy young girls in Northern California were obtained during a clinical visit. Urine samples were analyzed for metals using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and levels were corrected for creatinine. We ran analysis of variance and generalized linear regression models to estimate associations of urinary metal concentrations with neighborhood deprivation and race/ethnicity and stratified multivariable models to evaluate possible interactions among predictors on metals concentrations.ResultsUrinary concentrations of three metals (barium, lead, antimony) varied significantly across neighborhood deprivation quartiles, and four (barium, lead, antimony, tin) varied across race/ethnicity groups. In models adjusted for family income and cotinine, both race/ethnicity (F_3,224 = 4.34, p = 0.01) and neighborhood deprivation (F_3,224 = 4.32, p = 0.01) were associated with antimony concentrations, but neither were associated with lead, barium, or tin, concentrations. Examining neighborhood deprivation within race/ethnicity groups, barium levels (p_interaction < 0.01) decreased with neighborhood deprivation among Hispanic girls (p_trend < 0.001) and lead levels (p_interaction = 0.06) increased with neighborhood deprivation among Asian girls (p_trend = 0.04).ConclusionsOur results indicate that children's vulnerability to some metals varies by neighborhood deprivation quartile and race/ethnicity. These differential distributions of exposures may contribute to environmental health disparities later in life.     

Exposure to multiple sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and breast cancer incidence

BackgroundDespite studies having consistently linked exposure to single-source polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to breast cancer, it is unclear whether single sources or specific groups of PAH sources should be targeted for breast cancer risk reduction.ObjectivesThis study considers the impact on breast cancer incidence from multiple PAH exposure sources in a single model, which better reflects exposure to these complex mixtures.MethodsIn a population-based case-control study conducted on Long Island, New York (N = 1508 breast cancer cases/1556 controls), a Bayesian hierarchical regression approach was used to estimate adjusted posterior means and credible intervals (CrI) for the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for PAH exposure sources, considered singly and as groups: active smoking; residential environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); indoor and outdoor air pollution; and grilled/smoked meat intake.ResultsMost women were exposed to PAHs from multiple sources, and the most common included active/passive smoking and grilled/smoked food intake. In multiple-PAH source models, breast cancer incidence was associated with residential ETS from a spouse (OR = 1.20, 95%CrI = 1.03, 1.40) and synthetic firelog burning (OR = 1.29, 95%CrI = 1.06, 1.57); these estimates are similar, but slightly attenuated, to those from single-source models. Additionally when we considered PAH exposure groups, the most pronounced significant associations included total indoor sources (active smoking, ETS from spouse, grilled/smoked meat intake, stove/fireplace use, OR = 1.45, 95%CrI = 1.02, 2.04).ConclusionsGroups of PAH sources, particularly indoor sources, were associated with a 30–50% increase in breast cancer incidence. PAH exposure is ubiquitous and a potentially modifiable breast cancer risk factor.     

Occupational exposure to pesticides and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

ObjectivesTo systematically review available cohort studies and estimate quantitatively the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsStudies were identified from a MEDLINE search through 30 November 2011 and from the reference lists of identified publications. Relative risk (RR) estimates were extracted from 12 studies published between 1985 and 2011. Meta-rate ratio estimates (mRR) were calculated according to fixed and random-effect meta-analysis models. Meta-analyses were performed on the whole set of data and separate analyses were conducted after stratification for gender, exposure characterisation, PD cases identification, geographic location, reported risk estimator and cohort study design.ResultsA statistically significant increased risk of PD was observed when all studies were combined (mRR = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.59) but there was a high heterogeneity and inconsistency among studies. The highest increased risks were observed for studies with the best design, i.e. reporting PD diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist (mRR = 2.56; CI: 1.46–4.48; n = 4), for cohort studies reporting incidence of PD (mRR = 1.95; CI: 1.29–2.97; n = 3) as well as for prospective cohorts (mRR = 1.39; CI: 1.09–1.78; n = 6). A significant increased risk was also seen for banana, sugarcane and pineapple plantation workers (mRR = 2.05; CI: 1.23–3.42; n = 2).ConclusionsThe present study provides some support for the hypothesis that occupational exposure to pesticides increases the risk of PD.     

Levels and profiles of PCDD/Fs,PCBs in mothers' milk in Shenzhen of China: Estimation of breast-fed infants’ intakes

Sixty breast milk samples were collected in Shenzhen, China from July to November in 2007. The samples were analyzed of the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The range of upper-bound for ∑ TEQ-(PCDD/Fs + PCBs) in the samples was 4.10–35.3 pg TEQ g^− 1 lipid (median: 10.6 pg TEQ g^− 1 lipid; mean: 11.9 pg TEQ g^− 1 lipid). The levels of the measured contaminants in the breast milk had significant correlations with the length of inhabitation period in Shenzhen (r = 0.487, p < 0.05 for PCDD/Fs, r = 0.431, p < 0.05 for PCBs and r = 0.478, p < 0.05 for ∑ TEQ-(PCDD/Fs + PCBs)), and the consumption rate of fish (r = 0.366, p < 0.05 for PCDD/Fs, r = 0.486, p < 0.05 for PCBs and r = 0.416, p < 0.05 for ∑ TEQ-(PCDD/Fs + PCBs)), respectively. Moreover, significant positive correlations were also detected between the participant's age (r = 0.305, p < 0.05 for ∑ TEQ-PCBs and r = 0.275, p < 0.05 for ∑ TEQ-(PCDD/Fs + PCBs)) and the body burdens of these contaminants respectively. It is estimated that the daily intake (EDI) of the sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs by the breast-fed infants was 5.60–161 pg TEQ kg^− 1 bw per day (mean: 48.2 pg TEQ kg^− 1 bw per day; median: 42.2 pg TEQ kg^− 1 bw per day). The result showed that both the body burdens of PCDD/Fs and PCBs of the recruit population and the calculated EDI of the breast-fed infants were higher than those in the non-exposed areas in mainland China. This suggests that continuous surveillance on PCDD/Fs and PCBs levels in human milk is critical to more precisely evaluate the human health risk posed by the negative environmental impact in Shenzhen in the future.     

Chronic disease prevalence in women and air pollution — A 30-year longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundAir pollution, such as fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), can increase risk of adverse health events among people with heart disease, diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by aggravating these conditions. Identifying the influence of PM_2.5 on prevalence of these conditions may help target interventions to reduce disease morbidity among high-risk populations.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to measure the association of exposure of PM_2.5 with prevalence risk of various chronic diseases among a longitudinal cohort of women.MethodsWomen from Ontario who enrolled in the Canadian National Breast Screening Study (CNBSS) from 1980 to 1985 (n = 29,549) were linked to provincial health administrative data from April 1, 1992 to March 31, 2013 to determine the prevalence of major chronic disease and conditions (heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, acute myocardial infarction, angina, stroke and cancers). Exposure to PM_2.5 was measured using satellite data collected from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2006 and assigned to resident postal-code at time of entry into study. Poisson regression models were used to describe the relationship between exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and chronic disease prevalence. Prevalence rate ratios (PRs) were estimated while adjusting for potential confounders: baseline age, smoking, BMI, marital status, education and occupation. Separate models were run for each chronic disease and condition.ResultsCongestive heart failure (PR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.51), diabetes (PR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.41), ischemic heart disease (PR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.30), and stroke (PR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.35) showed over a 20% increase in PRs per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 after adjusting for risk factors. Risks were elevated in smokers and those with BMI greater than 30.ConclusionsThis study estimated significant elevated prevalent rate ratios per unit increase in PM_2.5 in nine of the ten chronic diseases studied.     

Non-specific physical symptoms and electromagnetic field exposure in the general population: Can we get more specific? A systematic review

ObjectiveA systematic review of observational studies was performed to address the strength of evidence for an association between actual and perceived exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS) in the general population. To gain more insight into the magnitude of a possible association, meta-analyses were conducted.MethodsLiterature databases Medline, Embase, SciSearch, PsychInfo, Psyndex and Biosis and additional bibliographic sources such as reference sections of key publications were searched for the detection of studies published between January 2000 and April 2011.ResultsTwenty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. Qualitative assessment of the epidemiological evidence showed either no association between symptoms and higher EMF exposure or contradictory results. To strengthen our conclusions, random effects meta-analyses were performed, which produced the following results for the association with actual EMF; for symptom severity: Headache odds ratio (OR) = 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.88–3.08, concentration problems OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 0.56–2.94, fatigue-related problems OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 0.59–2.27, dizziness-related problems OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 0.92–2.07. For symptom frequency: headache OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.66–1.53, fatigue OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.60–2.07 and sleep problems OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.80–1.74. Associations between perceived exposure and NSPS were more consistently observed but a meta-analysis was not performed due to considerable heterogeneity between the studies.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis finds no evidence for a direct association between frequency and severity of NSPS and higher levels of EMF exposure. An association with perceived exposure seems to exist, but evidence is still limited because of differences in conceptualization and assessment methods.