Environews
Sustainable Education
This month's NIEHS News (p. A460) describes the International Training and Research Program in Environmental and Occupational Health, an NIH venture that supports training of scientists from 32 less-developed nations to deal effectively with environmental and occupational health problems in their home countries.
Capacity Building, Upward and Outward
A recent study found that 90% of the world's health research focuses on problems affecting only 10% of the population--generally that portion of the population found in wealthier nations. Building scientific research capacity in less-developed countries is a critical need, yet there are several barriers to be overcome. The Focus (p. A464) looks at creative strategies being undertaken around the world to build environmental health expertise in developing nations.
Afghanistan: Wounded but on the Mend
Years of drought, militaristic rule, and war have left Afghanistan in dire environmental straits. The Spheres of Influence (p. A470) describes the findings of a recent United Nations Environment Programme report assessing the state of Afghanistan's environment, and reports on work being done in country to nurse the worst of the country's environmental and public health wounds.
Talking with the Future
Information and communications technologies (ICT) may well play an important role in creating a more sustainable society in the not-so-far-off future. The Innovations (p. A474) uses several examples of current or forthcoming ICT applications to illustrate the environmental payoffs possible with these technologies.
Research
No Evidence of Dioxin Cancer Threshold
Estimation of dioxin cancer risk based on low-dose linear extrapolation has been controversial because of concern that it may overestimate risk. A second approach suggests that there is a dioxin threshold one order of magnitude above general population exposure. Mackie et al. (p. 1145) reexamined the threshold analysis and found that the data were incorrectly weighted by cohort size and that when correct weighting is used the threshold effect disappears.
Levels of Phthalate Monoesters in Human Urine
Barr et al. (p. 1148) found lower than expected urinary levels of the di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in a large U.S. population, which raises questions about MEHP as a biomarker for DEHP exposure. Their data suggest that mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate and mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate are more sensitive indicators of DEHP exposure.
Spatial Distribution of Black-Legged Tick
Brownstein et al. (p. 1152) developed a spatially predictive logistic model for Ixodes scapularis, a fundamental component in Lyme disease risk in the United States. The autologistic analysis showed that maximum, minimum, and mean temperature, as well as vapor pressure, significantly contribute toward population maintenance with an accuracy of 95% (p < 0.0001).
Effects of Isoflavones on Gonadal Development in Medaka
Geneistein and equol are estrogenic isoflavones that have have been found in a variety of effluents and runoff. Kiparissis et al. (p. 1158) found that waterborne exposures of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) to equol and geneistein from soon after hatch to approximately 100 days posthatch induced a dose-dependent range of gonadal abnormalities in both males and females.
Phthalates and DNA Damage in Human Sperm
The general population is exposed to phthalates through consumer products, diet, and medical treatments. Duty et al. (p. 1164) measured DNA integrity in human sperm using the comet assay together with urinary levels of eight phthalate metabolites in subjects with no previously defined exposure. Monoethyl phthalate was found to be associated with increased DNA damage in sperm.
Relationship between Time-Series and Dynamic Population Studies
It has been suggested that time-series studies cannot be used to estimate mortality from short-term exposure to combustion air pollution because results are not based on cohort or dynamic population designs. Burnett et al. (p. 1170) discuss the conditions under which results from time-series studies are equivalent to estimates obtained from a dynamic population study.
High BDE-47 Burdens in California Women
Petreas et al (p. 1175) compared serum and adipose levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) in current samples of California women with levels reported in Europe and with archived samples. BDE-47 in contemporary California women ranged 3-10 times higher than those reported from Europe. PBDEs were not measurable in any archived serum samples. (Also see Science Selections, p. A480)
BPA from Polycarbonate Animal Cages
Bisphenol A (BPA), which has estrogenic activity, is used in the production of many plastics. Howdeshell et al. (p. 1180) examined whether polycarbonate animal cages release bioactive BPA into water at room temperature and neutral pH. Significant estrogenic activity, identifiable as BPA by GC/MS (up to 310 mg/L), was released from used polycarbonate animal cages.
Air Pollution and Mortality Displacement
Short-term changes in ambient particulate matter (PM10) are associated with short-term fluctuations in mortality or morbidity. Zanobetti et al. (p. 1188) confirm that most effects of air pollution are not simply advanced by a few weeks and that effects persist for over a month. The effect size estimate for PM10 doubles when considering longer-term effects for all deaths and for cardiovascular deaths and becomes 5 times higher for respiratory deaths.
Arsenic in the Middle Ganga Plain
The pandemic of arsenic poisoning caused by contaminated groundwater in West Bengal, India, and all of Bangladesh has been thought to be limited to the Ganges Delta (the Lower Ganga Plain). Chakraborti et al. (p. 1194) report analyses of arsenic content in 206 wells in the Middle Ganga Plain, where 56.8% of wells exceeded 50 µg/L, with 19.9% > 300 µg/L. Arsenic-typical neuropathy and fetal loss were also observed.
Skin Exposure to Beryllium Induces Sensitization
Occupational beryllium exposures have decreased over the last decade, but the rate of beryllium sensitization has not declined. Tinkle et al. (p. 1202) present data consistent with development of a hapten-specific, cell-mediated immune response following topical application of beryllium. The findings suggest a mechanistic link between the persistent rate of sensitization and skin exposure.
PM and the 1952 London Smog
Hunt et al. (p. 1209) report on the form and composition of December 1952 London particulate matter (PM) in archival autopsy tissues from persons who died from the smog. They differentiated exposures contemporary with death from those of earlier origin. Electron microscopic analyses revealed the dominance of retained soot and a surfeit of other particle types and support the acute toxicologic importance of metal and ultrafine carbonaceous material. (Also see Science Selections, p. A481)
Asphalt Fumes Alter Lung Xenobiotic Metabolism
Asphalt fumes contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that require bioactivation to become toxic. Ma et al. (p. 1215) exposed rats to asphalt fumes. Short-term exposure did not induce lung damage or inflammation, but did increase CYP1A1 and quinone oxidoreductase (QR) and reduce CYP2B1 in the lung. Induction of CYP1A1 and QR combined with down-regulation of CYP2B1 could alter PAH metabolism and lead to toxicity.
Methyl Sulfone PCBs in Human Tissues
Methylsulfonyl metabolites of chlorinated biphenyls (MeSO2-CBs) and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethene (p,p´-DDE) were determined in human adipose, liver, brain, and lung tissues obtained from Belgian individuals (9-62 years of age). The profiles of MeSO2-CBs and MeSO2-DDE in each tissue were similar for all subjects and different from other mammals (Chu et al., p. 1222).
Urban Housing Demolition and Lead in Dust Fall
Demolition of older housing for urban redevelopment benefits communities. Farfel et al. (p. 1228) highlight the need to minimize lead deposition during demolition and to educate planners, contractors, health agencies, and the public so that society can maximize the benefits of future demolition activities.
Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Organohalogens
In a Swedish study, Guvenius et al. (p. 1235) investigated human prenatal and postnatal transfer of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs, and pentachlorophenol. The median PBDE concentrations in maternal and cord blood plasma and in breast milk were 24, 4.3, and 75 pg/g, respectively. PCB concentrations were approximately 60 times higher.
Workers' Health in Office Buildings
Adverse health affects can be associated with general office conditions. Chao et al. (p. 1242) found that eye irritation was positively correlated with floor dust and lack of office cleanliness. Other symptoms including upper respiratory effects were associated with chair fungi, office crowding, and job satisfaction or difficulty.
Children's Health
PBDEs in Maternal and Fetal Blood
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used in consumer goods and have been found in human milk, fat, and blood. Mazdai et al. (p. 1249) measured six PBDE congeners in paired maternal and cord blood samples from a U.S. population. The concentrations of PBDEs found were 20- to 106-fold the levels previously reported in a similar population of Swedish mothers and infants. (Also see Science Selections, p. A480)
PCB Exposure in Inuit Infants
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are food-chain contaminants that induce adverse developmental effects in humans. Ayotte et al. (p. 1253) compared three biomarkers of prenatal exposure and models to predict PCB plasma concentration at 6 months postpartum. PCB-153, the most abundant and persistent PCB congener, was strongly correlated to other frequently detected PCB congeners in all biologic media.
Birth Malformations in Wheat-Producing States
Chlorophenoxy herbicides are used on 85% of the spring and durum wheat produced in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Schreinemachers (p. 1259) compared rates of adverse birth outcome among counties with high and low wheat acreage for these states during 1995-1997 and reports significant increases in circulatory/respiratory birth malformations for combined sexes in high-wheat areas. Infant death from congenital anomalies was significantly increased for males.
Particles in Inner-City Homes of Children with Asthma
Inner-city children have high rates of asthma, but particle levels in inner-city homes are not well characterized. Wallace et al. (p. 1265) found that indoor corrected PM2.5 concentrations in homes averaged 27.7 µg/m3, compared to concurrent outdoor concentrations of 13.6 µg/m3. Significant sources included smoking (the major indoor source), frying, smoky cooking, use of incense, and apartment housing.
Last Updated: June 23, 2003