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Challenges and Emerging Approaches in Environmental Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health Statistics and Risk Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 46375

Special Issue Editors

Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
Interests: system toxicology; biostatistics; big data and data analytics; exposure science; human biomonitoring; epidemiology; environmental and human-health risk assessment; internal dosimetry modeling (PBPK); climate change linked risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: child health; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; respiratory health; epidemiology; human biomonitoring; air pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Massive quantities of chemicals have already been produced, released, and accumulated in our ecosystem. Humans are exposed to multiple chemicals by multiple routes of exposure, such as ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Many of these chemicals are suspected of causing adverse health effects. In order to regulate these chemicals, risk assessment taking account of both exposure and toxicity is therefore necessary to monitor and control possible adverse effects on human health. Risk assessments have traditionally used toxicological data from animal studies and safety assessment factors to derive intakes that can be associated with an acceptable level of risk. However, there is consensus that the 21st century paradigm shift in human health risk assessment will be based on the understanding of mechanisms of toxicity rather than on the identification of apical endpoints of toxicity. This mechanistic shift has great potential for improving human health risk assessment and tailoring it to different problem formulations. Simultaneously, it also aims to provide an alternative to animal testing by the development of in vitro and in silico tools. The incorporation of integrated assessment and testing approaches (IATAs), which refers to the integration of in vitro and in silico together, is one of the important goals to be achieved in 21st century toxicity testing. There has recently been a tremendous increase in our mechanistic understanding of biology with data being generated at the levels of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics by high-throughput analysis omics technology. In parallel, in-silico tools such as PBPK, PD, systems biology, and AOPs offer an opportunity to understand the biological complexity and its multilevel connectivity in a holistic approach. Similarly, chemical risk assessment and management would profit from improved information about the extent of the population’s exposure to chemicals, including occupational exposure. Along with the development of new tools and techniques in toxicological research, it is also necessary to have a continuous re-evaluation of existing data, and to engage in its curation, integration, and knowledge-based translation that might be able to solve many current challenges in this field.

Chemical substances are also regulated under different frameworks depending on the intended use or presence in matrices of high protection value, such as food and drinking water or the environment. This leads to a lack of overarching coordination and responsibility related to limiting human and environmental exposure. Insufficient coordination in regulating intended uses that fall under the same regulatory framework has also been observed. There is a need to strengthen and harmonize the regulation of chemicals in order to promote a high protection level for human health, in particular for children and other vulnerable or highly exposed populations (including occupational exposure) and the environment. This includes both the continued implementation of existing regulatory frameworks as well as developments to face new challenges. 

The objective of this Special Issue is to cover different aspects of new-generation approaches for Environmental Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment of single or multiple chemicals, including all chemical classes (cumulative) and all routes (aggregate) of combined exposure, considered for their effects on human health.

Dr. Vikas Kumar
Dr. Maribel Casas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • human health
  • environment
  • IATA
  • human biomonitoring
  • in silico
  • in vitro
  • systems toxicology

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1971 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Commercial and Raw Pellets Available on the Italian Market: Study of Organic and Inorganic Fraction and Related Chemometric Approach
by Pietro Pandolfi, Ivan Notardonato, Sergio Passarella, Maria Pia Sammartino, Giovanni Visco, Paolo Ceci, Loretta De Giorgi, Virgilio Stillittano, Domenico Monci and Pasquale Avino
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6559; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20166559 - 11 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
Air pollution and the increasing production of greenhouse gases has prompted greater use of renewable energy sources; the EU has set a target that the use of green energy should be at 32 percent by 2030. With this in mind, in the last [...] Read more.
Air pollution and the increasing production of greenhouse gases has prompted greater use of renewable energy sources; the EU has set a target that the use of green energy should be at 32 percent by 2030. With this in mind, in the last 10 years, the demand for pellets in Italy has more than doubled, making Italy the second largest consumer in Europe. The quality of the pellets burned in stoves is crucial to indoor and outdoor pollution. Among other parameters, moisture and ash are used to classify pellets according to EN ISO 17225:2014. This work involved the analysis of the organic and inorganic fraction of both some finished products on the Italian market and some raw materials (e.g., wood chips) sampled according to the technical standard EN 14778:2011. The analytical results showed the presence of some substances potentially harmful to human health such as formaldehyde, acetone, toluene and styrene for the organic fraction and nickel, lead and vanadium for the inorganic fraction. The chemometric approach showed that it is the inorganic fraction which is most responsible for the diversification of the samples under study. The detection of some substances may be a warning bell about the impact of such materials, both for the environment and for human health. Full article
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16 pages, 2605 KiB  
Article
No Excess of Mortality from Lung Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Area at Environmental Risk: Results of an Explorative Analysis
by Francesco Addabbo, Massimo Giotta, Antonia Mincuzzi, Aldo Sante Minerba, Rosa Prato, Francesca Fortunato, Nicola Bartolomeo and Paolo Trerotoli
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5522; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20085522 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1310
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive measures associated with it placed enormous pressure on health facilities and may have caused delays in the treatment of other diseases, leading to increases in mortality compared to the expected rates. Areas with high levels of [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive measures associated with it placed enormous pressure on health facilities and may have caused delays in the treatment of other diseases, leading to increases in mortality compared to the expected rates. Areas with high levels of air pollution already have a high risk of death from cancer, so we aimed to evaluate the possible indirect effects of the pandemic on mortality from lung cancer compared to the pre-pandemic period in the province of Taranto, a polluted site of national interest for environmental risk in the south of Italy. Methods: We carried out a retrospective observational study on lung cancer data (ICD-10: C34) from the Registry of Mortality (ReMo) for municipalities in Taranto Province over the period of 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2021. Seasonal exponential smoothing, Holt–Winters additive, Holt–Winters multiplicative, and auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were used to forecast the number of deaths during the pandemic period. Data were standardized by sex and age via an indirect method and shown as monthly mortality rates (MRs), standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), and adjusted mortality rates (AMRs). Results: In Taranto Province, 3108 deaths from lung cancer were recorded between 2011 and 2021. In the province of Taranto, almost all of the adjusted monthly mortality rates during the pandemic were within the confidence interval of the predicted rates, with the exception of significant excesses in March (+1.82, 95% CI 0.11–3.08) and August 2020 (+2.09, 95% CI 0.20–3.44). In the municipality of Taranto, the only significant excess rate was in August 2020 (+3.51, 95% CI 0.33–6.69). However, in total, in 2020 and 2021, the excess deaths from lung cancer were not significant both for the province of Taranto (+30 (95% CI −77; +106) for 2020 and +28 (95% CI −130; +133) for 2021) and for the municipality of Taranto alone (+14 (95% CI −47; +74) for 2020 and −2 (95% CI −86; +76) for 2021). Conclusions: This study shows that there was no excess mortality from lung cancer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Taranto. The strategies applied by the local oncological services during the pandemic were probably effective in minimizing the possible interruption of cancer treatment. Strategies for accessing care in future health emergencies should take into account the results of continuous monitoring of disease trends. Full article
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12 pages, 1593 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Wildfire Smoke and Air Pollution on a Pediatric Population with Asthma: A Population-Based Study
by Linn E. Moore, Andre Oliveira, Raymond Zhang, Laleh Behjat and Anne Hicks
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1937; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20031937 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2428
Abstract
Wildfires are increasing yearly in number and severity as a part of the evolving climate crisis. These fires are a significant source of air pollution, a common driver of flares in cardiorespiratory disease, including asthma, which is the most common chronic disease of [...] Read more.
Wildfires are increasing yearly in number and severity as a part of the evolving climate crisis. These fires are a significant source of air pollution, a common driver of flares in cardiorespiratory disease, including asthma, which is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Poorly controlled asthma leads to significant societal costs through morbidity, mortality, lost school and work time and healthcare utilization. This retrospective cohort study set in Calgary, Canada evaluates the relationship between asthma exacerbations during wildfire smoke events and equivalent low-pollution periods in a pediatric asthma population. Air pollution was based on daily average levels of PM2.5. Wildfire smoke events were determined by combining information from provincial databases and local monitors. Exposures were assumed using postal codes in the health record at the time of emergency department visits. Provincial claims data identified 27,501 asthma exacerbations in 57,375 children with asthma between 2010 to 2021. Wildfire smoke days demonstrated an increase in asthma exacerbations over the baseline (incidence rate ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.24); this was not seen with air pollution in general. Increased rates of asthma exacerbations were also noted yearly in September. Asthma exacerbations were significantly decreased during periods of COVID-19 healthcare precautions. Full article
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12 pages, 1752 KiB  
Article
Simplified Unified BARGE Method to Assess Migration of Phthalate Esters in Ingested PVC Consumer Products
by Dana Fahad M. S. Mohamed, Du Yung Kim, Jinsung An, Minhye Kim, Sa-Ho Chun and Jung-Hwan Kwon
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1907; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20031907 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1534
Abstract
The unified bioaccessibility research group of Europe (BARGE) method (UBM) suggests using in vitro experimental conditions for simulating the release of chemicals from confined matrices, such as soils and sediments, in the human gastrointestinal tract. It contains comprehensive steps that simulate human digestion [...] Read more.
The unified bioaccessibility research group of Europe (BARGE) method (UBM) suggests using in vitro experimental conditions for simulating the release of chemicals from confined matrices, such as soils and sediments, in the human gastrointestinal tract. It contains comprehensive steps that simulate human digestion pathways and has good potential for application in the leaching of plastic additives from accidentally ingested plastic particles. However, its complexity could be a challenge for routine screening assessments of the migration of chemicals from consumer plastic products. In this study, the UBM was modified to assess the migration of plastic additives from consumer products with five model phthalate esters (i.e., dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The migration of phthalate esters was observed in four digestive phases (saliva, gastric, duodenal, and bile). Three separate experiments were conducted with the addition of (1) inorganic constituents only, (2) inorganic and organic constituents, and (3) inorganic and organic constituents in combination with digestive enzymes. While using enzymes with the UBM solution, the migrated mass for leached compounds was comparatively low (0.226 ± 0.04 μg) in most digestion phases, likely due to a self-generated coating of enzymes on the plastic materials. However, higher mass migration (0.301 ± 0.05) was observed when phthalate esters were analyzed in the UBM solution, excluding the enzymes. A ring test among six independent laboratories confirmed the robustness of the modified method. Therefore, we propose a simplified version of the original UBM designed mainly for the migration of inorganic elements using only the inorganic and organic components of the solution throughout all phases of digestion. Full article
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31 pages, 7683 KiB  
Article
Hazardous Chemicals Road Transportation Accidents and the Corresponding Evacuation Events from 2012 to 2020 in China: A Review
by Weihua Zhang, Wuyi Cheng and Wenmei Gai
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192215182 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
Based on accident data from the China Chemical Accident Information Network, detailed information was obtained from 2657 hazardous chemicals road transportation accidents (HCRTAs) and 148 evacuations caused by these accidents that occurred in China from 2012 to 2020. The characteristics and the development [...] Read more.
Based on accident data from the China Chemical Accident Information Network, detailed information was obtained from 2657 hazardous chemicals road transportation accidents (HCRTAs) and 148 evacuations caused by these accidents that occurred in China from 2012 to 2020. The characteristics and the development trend of the present HCRTAs in China and the rate of emergency are obtained via statistical analysis. Based on the probability of evacuation scenarios via historical statistics, the social cost of labor loss value of participating emergency responders, and evacuees’ placement and transfer cost as the consequences of evacuation events, an evacuation event grading model based on social risk assessment is constructed. Evaluating and classifying the risk of evacuation events caused by HCRTAs (148), the results demonstrated that the social risk caused by emergency scenarios F_61 (leakage due to overturning of hazardous chemical vehicles, which led to evacuation) and F_91 (leakage due to rear-end of hazardous chemical vehicles, which led to evacuation) was higher than other emergency scenarios. To reduce the dangers caused by HCRTAs, the framework for improving the emergency response capacity of communities is discussed and analyzed based on five aspects, which comprise land use planning, city construction, education promotion, information construction, and the layout of emergency resources. Full article
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16 pages, 2306 KiB  
Article
Pharmacophore Modeling Using Machine Learning for Screening the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeation of Xenobiotics
by Saurav Kumar, Deepika Deepika and Vikas Kumar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13471; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192013471 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
Daily exposure to xenobiotics affects human health, especially the nervous system, causing neurodegenerative diseases. The nervous system is protected by tight junctions present at the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but only molecules with desirable physicochemical properties can permeate it. This is why permeation is [...] Read more.
Daily exposure to xenobiotics affects human health, especially the nervous system, causing neurodegenerative diseases. The nervous system is protected by tight junctions present at the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but only molecules with desirable physicochemical properties can permeate it. This is why permeation is a decisive step in avoiding unwanted brain toxicity and also in developing neuronal drugs. In silico methods are being implemented as an initial step to reduce animal testing and the time complexity of the in vitro screening process. However, most in silico methods are ligand based, and consider only the physiochemical properties of ligands. However, these ligand-based methods have their own limitations and sometimes fail to predict the BBB permeation of xenobiotics. The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of the pharmacophoric features of protein–ligand interactions on BBB permeation. For these purposes, receptor-based pharmacophore and ligand-based pharmacophore fingerprints were developed using docking and Rdkit, respectively. Then, these fingerprints were trained on classical machine-learning models and compared with classical fingerprints. Among the tested footprints, the ligand-based pharmacophore fingerprint achieved slightly better (77% accuracy) performance compared to the classical fingerprint method. In contrast, receptor-based pharmacophores did not lead to much improvement compared to classical descriptors. The performance can be further improved by considering efflux proteins such as BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein), as well as P-gp (P-glycoprotein). However, the limited data availability for other proteins regarding their pharmacophoric interactions is a bottleneck to its improvement. Nonetheless, the developed models and exploratory analysis provide a path to extend the same framework for environmental chemicals, which, like drugs, are also xenobiotics. This research can help in human health risk assessment by a priori screening for neurotoxicity-causing agents. Full article
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14 pages, 2448 KiB  
Article
Effects of Tartrazine on Some Sexual Maturation Parameters in Immature Female Wistar Rats
by Elisabeth Louise Ndjengue Mindang, Charline Florence Awounfack, Derek Tantoh Ndinteh, Rui W. M. Krause and Dieudonne Njamen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10410; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191610410 - 21 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Over the past century, the average age for onset of puberty has declined. Several additives present in our food are thought to contribute significantly to this early puberty which is recognized to also affect people’s health in later life. On this basis, the [...] Read more.
Over the past century, the average age for onset of puberty has declined. Several additives present in our food are thought to contribute significantly to this early puberty which is recognized to also affect people’s health in later life. On this basis, the impact of 40-days unique oral administration of the food dye tartrazine (7.5, 27, and 47 mg/kg BW doses) was evaluated on some sexual maturation parameters on immature female Wistar rats. Vaginal opening was evaluated during the treatment period. At the end of the treatments, animals were sacrificed (estrus phase) and the relative weight of reproductive organs, pituitary gonadotrophin and sexual steroids level, cholesterol level in ovaries and folliculogenesis were evaluated. Compared to the control group, animals receiving tartrazine (47 mg/kg BW) showed significantly high percentage of early vaginal opening from day 45 of age, and an increase in the number of totals, primaries, secondaries, and antral follicles; a significant increase in serum estrogen, LH and in uterine epithelial thickness. Our findings suggest that tartrazine considerably disturbs the normal courses of puberty. These results could validate at least in part the global observations on increasingly precocious puberty in girls feeding increasingly with industrially processed foods. Full article
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13 pages, 332 KiB  
Article
Collective Protection Measures for Occupational Exposure to Carcinogenic Chemicals in France: The Links between Regulations on Chemicals and Effective Implementation
by Nathalie Havet and Alexis Penot
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8553; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19148553 - 13 Jul 2022
Viewed by 1104
Abstract
European directives stipulate that French employers take all available measures to reduce the use of carcinogenic agents. Our study explores the links between regulations on chemicals and the effective implementation of collective protection measures in France to occupational exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. Individual [...] Read more.
European directives stipulate that French employers take all available measures to reduce the use of carcinogenic agents. Our study explores the links between regulations on chemicals and the effective implementation of collective protection measures in France to occupational exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. Individual data from the French national cross-sectional survey of occupational hazards, conducted in 2017, were analysed. We investigated whether stricter regulations and longer exposures were associated with a higher level of collective protection using multivariate logistic regressions. In 2017, any collective protection measures were implemented for 35% of occupational situations involving exposure to a carcinogen. A total of 21% of exposure situations benefited from source-based controls (e.g., isolation chamber and local exhaust ventilation) and 26% from general ventilation, for which the effect is limited as collective protection. Our regressions showed that longer exposure durations were associated with more collective protection. Exposure situations to chemicals classified as proven carcinogens by the European Union (category 1A) benefited more from collective protections, which is not the case for products only classified as suspected carcinogens (category 1B). Exposures to products with a Binding Occupational Exposure Limit Value benefited more from source-based controls. Nonetheless, the time spent on the IARC list of carcinogens did not appear to influence the implementation of collective protection measures, except for local exhaust ventilation. At a time when efforts to improve the implementation of protective measures in order to drastically reduce the risks of occupational cancers are still necessary, stricter European and national regulations, but above all, better coordination with the work of the IARC and its classification, are avenues to pursue. Full article

Review

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19 pages, 2393 KiB  
Review
The Role of “Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model (PBPK)” New Approach Methodology (NAM) in Pharmaceuticals and Environmental Chemical Risk Assessment
by Deepika Deepika and Vikas Kumar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3473; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043473 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4814
Abstract
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are mechanistic tools generally employed in the pharmaceutical industry and environmental health risk assessment. These models are recognized by regulatory authorities for predicting organ concentration–time profiles, pharmacokinetics and daily intake dose of xenobiotics. The extension of PBPK models [...] Read more.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are mechanistic tools generally employed in the pharmaceutical industry and environmental health risk assessment. These models are recognized by regulatory authorities for predicting organ concentration–time profiles, pharmacokinetics and daily intake dose of xenobiotics. The extension of PBPK models to capture sensitive populations such as pediatric, geriatric, pregnant females, fetus, etc., and diseased populations such as those with renal impairment, liver cirrhosis, etc., is a must. However, the current modelling practices and existing models are not mature enough to confidently predict the risk in these populations. A multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, experimental and modeler scientist is vital to improve the physiology and calculation of biochemical parameters for integrating knowledge and refining existing PBPK models. Specific PBPK covering compartments such as cerebrospinal fluid and the hippocampus are required to gain mechanistic understanding about xenobiotic disposition in these sub-parts. The PBPK model assists in building quantitative adverse outcome pathways (qAOPs) for several endpoints such as developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Machine learning algorithms can predict physicochemical parameters required to develop in silico models where experimental data are unavailable. Integrating machine learning with PBPK carries the potential to revolutionize the field of drug discovery and development and environmental risk. Overall, this review tried to summarize the recent developments in the in-silico models, building of qAOPs and use of machine learning for improving existing models, along with a regulatory perspective. This review can act as a guide for toxicologists who wish to build their careers in kinetic modeling. Full article
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14 pages, 7537 KiB  
Review
Bibliometric Analysis of the Toxicity of Bisphenol A
by Mengmei Ni, Xiaomeng Li, Lishi Zhang, Vikas Kumar and Jinyao Chen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7886; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19137886 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used worldwide and research on the toxicity of BPA has advanced rapidly in the last few decades. This study aimed to evaluate the global scientific output of toxicity of BPA and explore the hot spots and research trends. All [...] Read more.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used worldwide and research on the toxicity of BPA has advanced rapidly in the last few decades. This study aimed to evaluate the global scientific output of toxicity of BPA and explore the hot spots and research trends. All available articles related to the toxicity of BPA until 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The VOSviewer, a bibliometric analysis software, was used to analyze the information of included articles, including countries/institutions, international cooperation, journals, citations, and keywords. Among 1644 retrieved articles, 1611 eligible studies were identified for analysis, and the annual publications increased with time in the past three decades. China and the United States were the most active contributors in this field. Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Dow chemical company conducted relatively more research than others about BPA toxicity. The journal “Chemosphere” published the most studies on “BPA toxicity”. Before 2015, most research focused on estrogenic activity and the test system mainly utilized animal experiments. However, in recent years, research related to toxic mechanisms of BPA at the cellular level and the toxicity of its analogs have received widespread attention. Considering some critical research gaps, future research on BPA toxicology should probably focus on the molecular biology of toxic mechanism, mixture toxicity, and co-exposure of BPA substitutes. This study will help researchers understand past and current research trends, hot spots, and trends of toxicity studies of BPA and, thus, contribute to further research and risk management of BPA. Full article
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25 pages, 976 KiB  
Review
Medical Waste from COVID-19 Pandemic—A Systematic Review of Management and Environmental Impacts in Australia
by Lynda Andeobu, Santoso Wibowo and Srimannarayana Grandhi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031381 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 8568
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global medical emergency. The unforeseen occurrence of a pandemic of this magnitude has resulted in overwhelming levels of medical waste and raises questions about management and disposal practices, and environmental impacts. The amount of medical waste [...] Read more.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global medical emergency. The unforeseen occurrence of a pandemic of this magnitude has resulted in overwhelming levels of medical waste and raises questions about management and disposal practices, and environmental impacts. The amount of medical waste generated from COVID-19 since the outbreak is estimated to be 2.6 million tons/day worldwide. In Australia, heaps of single-use gowns, facemasks/face shields, aprons, gloves, goggles, sanitizers, sharps, and syringes are disposed everyday as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, the establishment of new home/hotel quarantine facilities and isolation/quarantine centres in various Australian states and territories have increased the risks of transmission among people in these facilities and the likelihoods of general waste becoming contaminated with medical waste. This warrants the need to examine management and disposal practices implemented to reduce the transmission and spread of the virus. This study reviews the various management and disposal practices adopted in Australia for dealing with medical waste from the COVID-19 pandemic and their impacts on public health and the environment. To achieve the aims of this study, prior studies from 2019–2021 from various databases are collected and analysed. The study focuses on generation of medical waste from COVID-19, management and disposal methods, current problems/challenges and environmental and public health impacts. Considering the enormous risks involved and the significance of appropriate handling and disposal of medical waste from COVID-19, this study provides insights on short and long term responses towards managing COVID-19 waste in Australia. The study contributes to Australia’s efforts against the transmission and spread of COVID-19 and provides recommendations for the development of workable and sustainable strategies for mitigating similar pandemics in the future. Full article
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24 pages, 2204 KiB  
Review
Impact of Contaminants on Microbiota: Linking the Gut–Brain Axis with Neurotoxicity
by Jordina Balaguer-Trias, Deepika Deepika, Marta Schuhmacher and Vikas Kumar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031368 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6744
Abstract
Over the last years, research has focused on microbiota to establish a missing link between neuronal health and intestine imbalance. Many studies have considered microbiota as critical regulators of the gut–brain axis. The crosstalk between microbiota and the central nervous system is mainly [...] Read more.
Over the last years, research has focused on microbiota to establish a missing link between neuronal health and intestine imbalance. Many studies have considered microbiota as critical regulators of the gut–brain axis. The crosstalk between microbiota and the central nervous system is mainly explained through three different pathways: the neural, endocrine, and immune pathways, intricately interconnected with each other. In day-to-day life, human beings are exposed to a wide variety of contaminants that affect our intestinal microbiota and alter the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain, causing neuronal disorders. The interplay between xenobiotics, microbiota and neurotoxicity is still not fully explored, especially for susceptible populations such as pregnant women, neonates, and developing children. Precisely, early exposure to contaminants can trigger neurodevelopmental toxicity and long-term diseases. There is growing but limited research on the specific mechanisms of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA), making it challenging to understand the effect of environmental pollutants. In this review, we discuss the biological interplay between microbiota–gut–brain and analyse the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Bisphenol A (BPA), Chlorpyrifos (CPF), Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in MGBA perturbations and subsequent neurotoxicity. The complexity of the MGBA and the changing nature of the gut microbiota pose significant challenges for future research. However, emerging in-silico models able to analyse and interpret meta-omics data are a promising option for understanding the processes in this axis and can help prevent neurotoxicity. Full article
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13 pages, 1338 KiB  
Review
Human Body Burden of Heavy Metals and Health Consequences of Pb Exposure in Guiyu, an E-Waste Recycling Town in China
by Wenlong Huang, Xiaoling Shi and Kusheng Wu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12428; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182312428 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3018
Abstract
Guiyu accommodates millions of tons of e-waste from overseas and domestic sources each year and is notorious for its e-waste dismantling industry. As a consequence, Guiyu has been described as “the world’s most toxic place” and “junk town”. Informal e-waste recycling activities have [...] Read more.
Guiyu accommodates millions of tons of e-waste from overseas and domestic sources each year and is notorious for its e-waste dismantling industry. As a consequence, Guiyu has been described as “the world’s most toxic place” and “junk town”. Informal e-waste recycling activities have caused severe pollution to the local environment and are associated with extensive health problems to the residents. This review provides updated insights on the body burden of heavy metals derived from e-waste and health outcomes resulted from lead (Pb) exposure. The review identified that Guiyu has been highly contaminated by heavy metals, especially Pb. Excessive exposure to Pb has been associated with multi-system and long-term effects in neonates and children, covering nervous, cardiovascular, adaptive immune, and hematologic systems as well as chromosome and DNA damage. Our review indicates strong associations that emphasize the need to develop strong regulations for prevention of exposure and health consequences in Guiyu and similar sites around the world. Full article
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15 pages, 780 KiB  
Perspective
Controversy in Electromagnetic Safety
by Chung-Kwang Chou
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16942; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192416942 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2063
Abstract
The dramatic increase in electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the environment has led to public health concerns around the world. Based on over 70 years of research in this field, the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that scientific knowledge in this area is [...] Read more.
The dramatic increase in electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the environment has led to public health concerns around the world. Based on over 70 years of research in this field, the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals and that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields. However, controversy on electromagnetic safety continues. Two international groups, the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, have been addressing this issue for decades. While the goal of both groups is to provide human exposure limits that protect against established or substantiated adverse health effects, there are groups that advocate more stringent exposure limits, based on possible biological effects. Both biological and engineering complexities make the validity of many EMF studies questionable. Controversies in research, publication, standards, regulations and risk communication concerning electromagnetic safety will be addressed in this article. The WHO is conducting systematic reviews on the RF biological effects literature. If scientists would discuss the safety issues of EMFs based on validated scientific facts and not on unreproducible possible effects and opinions, the controversy would be minimized or resolved. Full article
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14 pages, 1329 KiB  
Concept Paper
Mixture Risk Assessment of Complex Real-Life Mixtures—The PANORAMIX Project
by Beate I. Escher, Marja Lamoree, Jean-Philippe Antignac, Martin Scholze, Matthias Herzler, Timo Hamers, Tina Kold Jensen, Marc Audebert, Francois Busquet, Dieter Maier, Michael Oelgeschläger, Maria João Valente, Henriette Boye, Sebastian Schmeisser, Gaud Dervilly, Matteo Piumatti, Soléne Motteau, Maria König, Kostja Renko, Maria Margalef, Ronan Cariou, Yanying Ma, Andreas Frederik Treschow, Andreas Kortenkamp and Anne Marie Vinggaardadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 12990; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192012990 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2824
Abstract
Humans are involuntarily exposed to hundreds of chemicals that either contaminate our environment and food or are added intentionally to our daily products. These complex mixtures of chemicals may pose a risk to human health. One of the goals of the European Union’s [...] Read more.
Humans are involuntarily exposed to hundreds of chemicals that either contaminate our environment and food or are added intentionally to our daily products. These complex mixtures of chemicals may pose a risk to human health. One of the goals of the European Union’s Green Deal and zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment is to tackle the existent gaps in chemical mixture risk assessment by providing scientific grounds that support the implementation of adequate regulatory measures within the EU. We suggest dealing with this challenge by: (1) characterising ‘real-life’ chemical mixtures and determining to what extent they are transferred from the environment to humans via food and water, and from the mother to the foetus; (2) establishing a high-throughput whole-mixture-based in vitro strategy for screening of real-life complex mixtures of organic chemicals extracted from humans using integrated chemical profiling (suspect screening) together with effect-directed analysis; (3) evaluating which human blood levels of chemical mixtures might be of concern for children’s development; and (4) developing a web-based, ready-to-use interface that integrates hazard and exposure data to enable component-based mixture risk estimation. These concepts form the basis of the Green Deal project PANORAMIX, whose ultimate goal is to progress mixture risk assessment of chemicals. Full article
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