The goal of this study was to assess biomarkers of exposure to glyphosate and assess potential associations with renal function in children. Glyphosate is used ubiquitously in agriculture worldwide. While previous studies have indicated that glyphosate may have nephrotoxic effects, few have examined potential effects on kidney function in children. We leveraged three cohorts across different phases of child development and measured urinary levels of glyphosate. We evaluated associations of glyphosate with three biomarkers of kidney injury: albuminuria (ACR), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury marker 1 (KIM-1). Multivariable regression analyses examined associations of glyphosate with kidney injury biomarkers controlling for covariates. We identified glyphosate in 11.1% of the total participants. The herbicide was detected more frequently in the neonate population (30%). Multivariable regression models failed to identify significant associations of log-transformed glyphosate with any of the kidney injury biomarkers, controlling for covariates age, sex, and maternal education. While we confirm detectability of glyphosate in children’s urine at various ages and stages of life, there is no evidence in this study for renal injury in children exposed to low levels of glyphosate. Further studies of larger sample size are indicated to better understand putative deleterious effects of the herbicide after different levels of exposure.

In Iraq, war contamination is the result of dispensed bombs, bullets, detonation of chemical and conventional weapons, and burn-pit emissions by US bases. Increases in congenital anomalies were reported from Iraqi cities post-2003. These cities were heavily bombed and encircled by US bases with burn-pits. Thorium is a radioactive compound and a direct depleted-uranium decay-product. Radioactive materials, including depleted uranium, are routinely stored in US bases and they have been shown to leak into the environment. We conducted a case-control study to investigate associations of residential proximity to Tallil Air Base, a US military base near Nasiriyah, as well as levels of uranium and thorium in hair and deciduous teeth with congenital anomalies. The study was based on a sample of 19 cases and 10 controls who were recruited during late Summer and early Fall of 2016. We developed mixed effects logistic regression models with village as the random effect, congenital anomaly as the outcome and distance to the US base and hair metal levels (one at a time) as the predictor variable, controlling for child's age, sex and paternal education. We also explored the mediation of the association between proximity to the base and congenital anomalies by hair metal levels. We found an inverse association between distance to Tallil Air Base and risk of congenital anomalies and hair levels of thorium and uranium. The results of our mediation analyses were less conclusive. Larger studies are necessary to understand the scope of war contamination and its impact on congenital anomalies in Iraq.

Pyrethroids are a class of man-made insecticides associated with various adverse health outcomes including respiratory problems. However, there were limited evidences on the relation between 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) as a metabolite of pyrethroids and pulmonary function, particularly among elderly population who have declining pulmonary function. Therefore, we collected urine samples and performed pulmonary function test (PFT) repeatedly in a total of 559 Korean elderly living in Seoul as an urban area. After measurement of urinary 3-PBA levels, cross-sectional relations of visit-to-visit variation in 3-PBA level on visit-to-visit variation in PFT parameters were evaluated using linear mixed effect models and generalized additive mixed models after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, education, visit episode, and phthalate metabolite levels. The Korean elderly were highly exposed to pyrethroids with 30.2% of elderly people with 3-PBA level over reference value derived on the 95th percentile of representative samples (2 ng/mL). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF₂₅–₇₅) as PFT parameters showed significant reductions by an increase of 3-PBA level (FEV₁, β = −1.48, p-value < 0.01; FVC, β = −1.14, p-value < 0.01; and FEF₂₅₋₇₅, β = −1.11, p-value = 0.03). The negative associations of 3-PBA level with FEV₁, FVC, and FEF₂₅₋₇₅ were found only for females (FEV₁, β = −1.64, p-value < 0.01; FVC, β = −1.47, p-value < 0.01; and FEF₂₅₋₇₅, β = −1.06, p-value = 0.07), but not for males. However, the longitudinal effect of 3-PBA level on the trajectory of FEV₁, FVC, and FEF₂₅₋₇₅ declines in females was not found. Community-level exposure to pyrethroids was associated with pulmonary function reduction in elderly population, indicating that more stringent control of pyrethroids is necessary to protect the elderly who have declining pulmonary function.

Epidemiological investigations regarding temperature influence on human health have focused on mortality rather than morbidity. In addition, most information comes from developed countries despite the increasing evidence that climate change will have devastating impacts on disadvantaged populations living in developing countries. In the present study, we assessed the impact of daily temperature range on upper and lower respiratory infections in Cordoba, Argentina, and explored the effect modification of socio-economic factors and influence of airborne particles We found that temperature range is a strong risk factor for admissions due to both upper and lower respiratory infections, particularly in elderly individuals, and that these effects are more pronounced in sub-populations with low education level or in poor living conditions. These results indicate that socio-economic factors are strong modifiers of the association between temperature variability and respiratory morbidity, thus they should be considered in risk assessments.

The general population is continuously exposed to phthalates via various consumer products. Epidemiological research relating phthalate exposure to thyroid function during non-developmental periods is limited. This study aimed to investigate the associations between specific serum phthalate metabolites and indicators of thyroid function in adults. We measured 10 serum phthalate metabolites and thyroid hormones – total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) – in a subsample of 207 adults from the GraMo cohort. This subsample was made up of men and women (in equal proportions) of middle age (49 ± 17 years) and from Southern Spain (province of Granada). Data on age, sex, body mass index, residence area, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and attained education were obtained from a questionnaire. Phthalate metabolites were log-transformed and categorized into tertiles. Cross-sectional associations of each metabolite with thyroid hormones were analyzed using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. The mixture effect of metabolite phthalates was assessed using weighted quantile sum regression. After multivariable-adjustment, the following phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with TT3 in a dose-response manner: MMP (β = 0.90: 95% confidence interval 0.68,1.12), MEP (β = 0.67: 0.44, 0.90), MiBP (β = 0.49: 0.21, 0.77), MiDP (β = 0.27: 0.03, 0.52), MBzP (β = 0.51: 0.28, 0.73), MEHP (β = −0.59: −0.82, −0.35) and MiNP (β = -0.43: −0.71, −0.14), when comparing highest vs. lowest exposed. The sum of all metabolites was also linked to FT4 levels. No significant associations were observed for TSH except for MiNP. Although phthalate metabolites with different molecular weight showed opposite associations, overall metabolite concentrations seem to associate with increased TT3 and FT4 serum levels. The cross-sectional nature of this analysis limits causal inference.

There is growing interest in understanding the contribution of environmental toxicant exposure in early life to development of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in adulthood. We aimed to assess associations of early life exposure to arsenic and cadmium with biomarkers of CMD in children in rural Bangladesh. From a longitudinal mother-child cohort in Matlab, Bangladesh, we followed up 540 pairs. Exposure to arsenic (U–As) and cadmium (U–Cd) was assessed by concentrations in urine from mothers at gestational week 8 (GW8) and children at ages 4.5 and 9 years. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured at 4.5 and 9 years. Metabolic markers (lipids, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, adipokines, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined in plasma/blood of 9 years old children. In linear regression models, adjusted for child sex, age, height-for-age z score (HAZ), BMI-for-age z score (BAZ), socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal education, each doubling of maternal and early childhood U–Cd was associated with 0.73 and 0.82 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) respectively. Both early and concurrent childhood U–Cd was associated with diastolic (D)BP (β = 0.80 at 4.5 years; β = 0.75 at 9 years). Each doubling of U–Cd at 9 years was associated with decrements of 4.98 mg/dL of total cholesterol (TC), 1.75 mg/dL high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 3.85 mg/dL low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 0.43 mg/dL glucose and 4.29 units eGFR. Each doubling of maternal U–Cd was associated with a decrement of 1.23 mg/dL HDL. Both maternal and childhood U–As were associated with decrement in TC and HDL. Multiple comparisons were checked with family-wise error rate Bonferroni-type-approach. The negative associations of arsenic and cadmium with biomarkers of CMD in preadolescent children indicated influence of both metal(loid)s on fat and carbohydrate metabolism, while cadmium additionally influenced kidney function and BP. Thus, fewer outcomes were associated with U–As compared to U–Cd at preadolescence.

Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through fish is a global public health problem. Exposure monitoring is essential for health risk assessment, especially in pregnant women and children due to the documented neurotoxicity. Herein, we evaluate a time series of MeHg exposure via fish in primiparous Swedish women, covering a time period of 23 years (1996–2019). The 655 included mothers were part of the POPUP study (Persistent Organic Pollutants in Uppsala Primiparas) conducted by the Swedish Food Agency (SFA). MeHg exposure was assessed via measurements of total mercury (Hg) in hair using either cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, showing very good linear agreement (R² = 0.97). Maternal characteristics and fish consumption were obtained via questionnaires. The median concentration of total Hg in hair was 0.38 mg/kg (range 0.17–1.5) in 1996 and 0.25 mg/kg (range 0.03–1.1) in 2019. On average the women consumed 11 ± 8.2 meals of fish per month, and fish consumption was positively correlated with total Hg in hair (Spearman correlation: 0.39; p < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses, the geometric mean annual decrease of total Hg in hair was −2.5% (95% CI: -3.2, −1.8%). Total fish consumption increased up to 2011 (B: 0.32 times/month per year; 95% CI 0.17, 0.46) after which it started to decline (B: -0.66 times/month per year; 95% CI -0.92, −0.40). Moreover, both total Hg in hair and fish consumption was positively associated with maternal age and education, and inversely associated with pre-pregnancy BMI. In conclusion, the exposure to MeHg via fish appears to be slowly declining among Swedish pregnant women.

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is ubiquitous. EDC exposure, especially during critical periods of development like the prenatal window, may interfere with the body’s endocrine system, which can affect growth and developmental outcomes such as puberty. Most studies have examined one EDC at a time in relation to disease; however, humans are exposed to many EDCs. By studying mixtures, the human experience can be more closely replicated. We investigated the association of prenatal exposure to persistent EDCs (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)) as mixtures with early menarche among female offspring in a nested case-control study within the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) recruited in the United Kingdom in 1991–1992. Concentrations of 52 EDCs were quantified in maternal serum samples collected during pregnancy. Daughter’s age at menarche was ascertained through mailed questionnaires sent annually. We used repeated holdout weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine the association between prenatal exposure to multiple EDCs and early menarche (<11.5 (n = 218) vs. ≥11.5 years (n = 230)) for each chemical class separately (PFAS, PCBs, and OCPs) and for all three classes combined. Models adjusted for maternal age at menarche, maternal education, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal age, prenatal smoking, and gestational week at sample collection. Mixture models showed null associations between prenatal exposure to EDC mixtures and early menarche. Using WQS regression, the odds ratio for early menarche for a one-decile increase in chemical concentrations for all three classes combined was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.05); using BKMR, the odds ratio when all exposures were at the 60th percentile compared to the median was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.91, 1.05). Results suggest the overall effect of prenatal exposure to persistent EDC mixtures is not associated with early menarche.

Pesticides used in agriculture are some of the most common pollutants in the world. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Organophosphorus Pesticides (OPPs) and Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) on the families of farmworkers in the southeast of Iran.In the present case-control study, 141 family members of farmworkers (as the case group) and 59 family members of non-farmworkers (as the controls) were recruited. Serum levels of OCPs such as α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, 2,4-DDE, 4,4-DDE, 2,4-DDT, and 4,4-DDT were determined. In addition, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC), nitric oxide (NO) serum levels, arylesterase activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were determined in all participants. Furthermore, distance to farmlands, education, crops, type, and the number of consumed fruits were evaluated for each individual separately.The erythrocyte AChE activity and serum activities of GPx, SOD, and PON-1 and TAC levels were significantly decreased, whereas the concentration of MDA, PC, NO, and seven OCPs were significantly increased in the farmworkers’ families as compared to the controls. Spearman correlation and linear regression suggest that OCPs increase the oxidative stress in farmworkers’ family members. Moreover, distance, education, farming precedence, products, and ventilation had significant effects on the OCP levels and increased the odds ratio of OCP levels in farmworkers’ families.With regards to the data obtained in this study, it was revealed that OCPs as illegal pesticides and OPPs were higher than expected in the farmworkers’ family members. Furthermore, exposure to OCPs and OPPs, apart from the other effects on the body, leads to oxidative stress (OS) that may cause serious diseases in the exposed populations.

Pregnancy is a period when the mother and her offspring are susceptible to the toxic effects of metals. We investigated associations of intake of frequently consumed foods with urinary metals concentrations among pregnant women in the Pacific Northwest. We measured urinary cadmium (U-Cd), arsenic (U-As) and molybdenum (U-Mo) concentrations from spot urine samples in early pregnancy (15 weeks of gestation, on average) among 558 women from Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. We assessed periconceptional dietary intake using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We also determined early pregnancy zinc concentrations in serum. Statistical analyses involved multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for smoking status, age, race/ethnicity, multivitamin and supplement use, education, estimated total energy intake, and gravidity. The geometric mean and range in μg/g creatinine for U-Cd, U-As and U-Mo were 0.29 (0.1–8.2), 18.95 (3–550), and 72.1 (15–467), respectively. U-Cd was positively associated with dietary zinc intake (P-value = 0.004) and serum zinc (P-value<0.001) while it was negatively associated with coffee intake (P-value = 0.03). U-As was positively associated with dietary fish [(Lean fish, fatty fish, shellfish and non-fried fish) (P-values<0.01)], selenium (P-value = 0.004), zinc (P-value = 0.017), vegetables (P-value = 0.004), and low-fat yogurt (P-value = 0.03). Women who reported higher intake of dietary magnesium (Mg)(P-value = 0.04), insoluble fiber (P-value = 0.03), and low-fat yogurt (P-value = 0.04) had higher U-Mo concentrations. Our study suggests that vegetables, fish, fiber and yogurt might be significant dietary sources of metals. Future studies aimed at investigating the risk of exposure to metals from other various food sources among reproductive-age and pregnant women are needed.