Effect of prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter and intake of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) in pregnancy on eczema occurrence in early childhood

The goal of the study was to test the hypothesis that prenatal Paracetamol exposure increases the risk of developing eczema in early childhood and that this association may be stronger in children who are exposed in fetal period to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). The study sample consisted of 322 women recruited from January 2001 to February 2004 in the Krakow inner city area who gave birth to term babies and completed 5-year follow-up. Paracetamol use in pregnancy was collected by interviews and prenatal personal exposure to PM_2.5 over 48 h was measured in recruited women in the second trimester of pregnancy. After delivery, every three months in the first 24 months of the newborn's life and every 6 months later, a detailed standardized face-to-face interview on the infant's health was administered to each mother by trained interviewers. During the interviews at each of the study periods after birth, a history of eczema was recorded.The incident rate ratio (IRR) for frequency of eczema events over the follow-up was estimated from the Poisson regression model and the overall effect of main exposure variables on eczema was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) by the logistic model. The estimated relative risk of eczema occurring whenever in the follow-up was related significantly neither with prenatal Paracetamol nor higher PM_2.5 exposure, however, their joint effect was significant (OR interaction term = 6.04; 95%CI: 1.04-35.16). Of potential confounders considered in the analysis only damp/moldy home significantly increased the risk of eczema (OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.14-2.05). In contrast, there was an inverse significant association between the presence of older siblings and eczema (OR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.35-0.84). The joint effect of the main exposure variables significantly increased frequency of eczema events (IRR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.22-2.61).In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that Paracetamol use by mothers in pregnancy is not an independent risk factor for eczema in children, however, even very small doses of Paracetamol taken in pregnancy may contribute to the occurrence of allergic symptoms in early childhood if there is prenatal co-exposure to higher airborne fine particulate matter.     

Predictors of noise annoyance in noisy and quiet urban streets

Objectives

Although noise annoyance is a major public health problem in urban areas, there is a lack of published data on predictors for noise annoyance in acoustically different urban environments. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of various factors on noise annoyance in noisy and quiet urban streets.

Methods

Equivalent noise levels [Leq (dBA)] were measured during day, evening and night times in all of the streets of a central Belgrade municipality. Based on 24-hour noise levels, the streets were denoted as noisy (24-hour Leq over 65 dBA), or quiet (24-hour Leq under 55 dBA). A cross-sectional study was performed on 1954 adult residents (768 men and 1186 women), aged 18-80 years. Noise annoyance was estimated using a self-report five-graded scale. In both areas, two multivariate logistic regression models were fitted: the first one with nighttime noise indicators and the other one with parameters for 24-hour noise exposure.

Results

In noisy streets, the relevant predictors of high annoyance were: the orientation of living room/bedroom toward the street, noise annoyance at workplace, and noise sensitivity. Significant acoustical factors for high noise annoyance were: nighttime noise level [OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00-1.04 (per decibel)], nighttime heavy traffic [OR = 1.01, 95%CI = 1.00-1.02 (per vehicle)]; or day-evening-night noise level (Lden) [OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.00-1.07 (per decibel)]. In quiet streets, the significant predictors were: noise sensitivity, the time spent at home daily, light vehicles at nighttime or heavy vehicles at daytime.

Conclusions

Our study identified subjective noise sensitivity as a common annoyance predictor, regardless of noise exposure. Noise levels were important indicators of annoyance only in noisy streets, both for nighttime and 24-hour exposure. We propose that noise sensitivity is the most relevant personal trait for future studies and that nighttime noise levels might be as good as Lden in predicting annoyance in noisy urban areas.     

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and TSH status in newborns from Southern Spain

Objective

To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in male newborns.

Methods

Exposure to 17 OCPs was analyzed in 220 placentas from a male birth cohort in Southern Spain, and TSH was measured in the umbilical cord blood. OCP concentrations were quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between pesticide exposure and neonatal TSH levels, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Newborn boys with higher exposure to endrin in placenta had higher odds of TSH cord blood levels ≥ 5 mU/L (80th percentile) (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.01, 4.18; p = 0.05), whereas higher prenatal exposure to endosulfan-sulfate was associated with lower odds of TSH ≥ 5 mU/L (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.77; p = 0.008). A marginally significant negative association was found between TSH and hexachlorobenzene levels (β = − 0.15; 95% CI = − 0.31, 0.02; p = 0.09), and exposure to p,p′-DDE showed a marginally-significant higher odds of TSH ≥ 5 mU/L (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.83; p = 0.09). No association was found between TSH and the remaining pesticides.

Conclusions

Early exposure to certain environmental chemicals with endocrine-disruption activity may interfere with neonatal thyroid hormone status; however, the pattern of interference is not yet clearly elucidated.     

Household biomass fuel use is associated with chronic childhood malnutrition: Result from a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Bangladesh

Despite significant investment, childhood malnutrition continues to be a significant public health problem especially in least developed countries. The aim of this study was to find association between household biomass fuel (BMF) use and childhood malnutrition in Bangladesh using data from Demographic and Health Survey 2011. We included a total 6891 children under 5 years of age in the analysis. The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting from BMF using household was 16.1% (n = 997; 95%CI, 15.1–17.3), 39.0% (n = 2399; 95%CI, 37.1–40.9), and 43.3% (n = 2620; 95%CI, 41.6–45.1), respectively. Underweight and stunting were significantly higher among children from households using BMF compared with the children from CF using households (underweight, biomass vs clean fuel: 39.0% vs. 23.5%, p < 0.001; stunting, biomass vs clean fuel: 43.3 vs. 31.5%, p < 0.001). The use of BMF in the household was significantly associated with underweight (OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.10–1.73) and stunting (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.18–1.98) among children <5 years of age after adjusting possible confounders in mixed effect logistic regression analysis. This study found a significant association between chronic childhood malnutrition and household BMF use which is indicating possible alternative risk factor for malnutrition. Further prospective research is required to explore the mechanism of how BMF use results in chronic malnutrition.     

The effect of particle size on cardiovascular disorders--the smaller the worse

Background

Previous studies observed associations between airborne particles and cardio-vascular disease. Questions, however, remain as to which size of the inhalable particles (coarse, fine, or ultrafine) exerts the most significant impact on health.

Methods

For this retrospective study, data of the total number of 23,741 emergency service calls, registered between February 2002 and January 2003 in the City of Leipzig, were analysed, identifying 5326 as being related to cardiovascular incidences. Simultaneous particle exposure was determined for the particle sizes classes < 100 nm (UFP), < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and < 10 μm (PM10). We used a time resolution of 1 day for both parameters, emergency calls and exposure.

Results

Within the group of cardiovascular diseases, the diagnostic category of hypertensive crisis showed a significant association with particle exposure. The significant effect on hypertensive crisis was found for particles with a size of < 100 nm in diameter and starting with a lag of 2 days after exposure. No consistent influence could be observed for PM2.5 and PM10. The Odds Ratios on hypertensive crisis were significant for the particle size < 100 nm in diameter from day 2 post exposure OR = 1.06 (95%CI: 1.02-1.10, p = 0.002) up to day 7 OR = 1.05 (95%CI 1.02-1.09, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Ultrafine particles affect cardiovascular disease adversely, particularly hypertensive crises. Their effect is significant compared with PM2.5 and PM10. It appears necessary, from a public health point of view, to consider regulating this type of particles using appropriate measurands as particle number.     

A rigorous small area modelling-study for the helicobacter pylori epidemiology

This paper presents an investigation into spatial risk differences over small distances for the Helicobacter pylori infection in the city of Leipzig, Germany and two rural districts. A model, using Bayesian inference, was developed that adjusts the risk for individual-specific factors, and for spatial or individual over-dispersion, respectively. Additionally, the model takes into account conditional spatial autocorrelation. We found a significant positive association to the H. pylori infection risk for: “more than three children live in the household” (OR = 2.4, p = 0.001), “more persons live per sq.m than average” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.03), “home situated at main road” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.04) and “using well water” (OR = 2.3, p = 0.05). A protective effect was identified for “travelled to low prevalence region” (OR = 0.4, p < 0.0001) and “born in Germany” (OR = 0.2, p < 0.0001). Three administrative areas with significantly increased spatial risk were identified: one in the rural district and two in the city of Leipzig. The model explained 24.9% of the total deviance. Contrary to expectations, the largest part of deviance of the data was not explained by the identified significant risk factors, but by individual-specific heterogeneities. We conclude that further - so far not discussed - factors influence the risk and the spatial variation of the H.pylori infection. Furthermore, from the results we speculate about a possible impact of long-time air pollution and surface water.     

Risk of limb birth defects and mother's home proximity to cornfields

Background

Although previous studies have linked proximity to crops and birth defects, they lacked individual-level exposure data and none was based on using planted area instead of linear proximity to crops as the exposure metric. We studied birth defects in relation to the area of corn or soybeans within 500 m of the mother's residence.

Methods

We selected all singleton births from rural areas conceived during the 2000-2004 spring-summer months (n = 48,216). We determined whether the area with corn or soybeans around the home was associated with birth defects using multiple unconditional logistic regression.

Results

We found that limb birth defects (ICD-9-CM 754.5, 755) increased in relation to cornfields (Adjusted OR = 1.22; 95 % CI = 1.01, 1.47 per additional 10 ha planted with corn within 500 m). None of the birth defect types studied was associated with soybeans.

Conclusions

In the Midwest, a significant and expanding proportion of the population is now living in close proximity to cornfields. Our results suggest that additional studies should be conducted to identify which factor(s) associated with cornfields are behind the observed increase in limb birth defects.     

Predicting blood lead levels from current and past environmental data in Europe

The present case study on lead in Europe illustrates the use of the Integrated Monitoring Framework Strategy to assess the health outcome of environmental pollution by evaluating the associations between lead in various environmental compartments (air, soil, dust, drinking water and diet) and lead concentrations in blood (B-Pb) for various age-related sub-populations. The case study was aimed to investigate whether environmental, exposure and biomonitoring data at general population level, covering all EU member states, could be integrated. Although blood lead has been monitored extensively in Europe, consistent datasets are not yet available. Data diverge with regard to objectives, regional scale, sampling years, gender, age groups and sample size.Significant correlations were found between B-Pb and the concentrations of Pb in air and diet. The significant decrease of the Pb in air over time from 0.31 μg/m³ (P95: 0.94; n = 98) prior to 1990 to 0.045 μg/m³ (P95: 0.11; n = 256) in 2007 (latest observations included) (Δ = − 85%) corresponds to a decline in B-Pb by 48% and 57% in adult women and adult men, respectively. For pre-school children a more shallow decline in B-Pb of 16% was calculated over the same period. Similarly, the reduction in Pb-dietary intake from on average 68.7 μg/d (P95: 161.6; n = 19) in 1978 to 35.7 μg/d (P95: 82.3; n = 33) in the years post 2000 (Δ = − 48%) is paralleled by a decline in B-Pb of 32, 33 and 19% in adult women, primary- and pre-school children, respectively. Insufficient data exist for other age groups to calculate statistically significant correlations.Although regression models have been derived to predict B-Pb for different sub-populations in Europe based on Pb concentrations in air and soil as well as dietary intake, it is concluded that the available data are insufficient to accurately predict actual and future simultaneous exposure to Pb from various environmental compartments, and as a consequence the health impact of Pb for various target populations at EU scale. At least due to data availability, air Pb remains the best predictor of B-Pb in the population. However, lead emission sources have largely been reduced and inhalation of lead in air is not causal to B-Pb levels. Therefore, there is a need of adequate data for Pb in soil and house dust, and in diet and drinking water as these are causal exposure sources with a longer Pb half-life than air. An extended and more harmonized surveillance system monitoring B-Pb, especially in children, is urgently required in order to identify, quantify and reduce still remaining sources of Pb exposure.     

The impact of the 2003 heat wave on mortality in Shanghai, China

In 2003, Shanghai recorded the hottest summer in over 50 years. We investigated the impact on the mortality of a heat wave in 2003 in Shanghai. We calculated excess mortality and rate ratios (RRs) during the heat wave (July 19-August 6, 2003) compared to a reference (non-heatwave) period (June 28-July 9, and August 16-August 22). During the heat wave, the RR of total mortality was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.06-1.20), and the impact was greatest for cardiovascular (RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08-1.32) and respiratory (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02-1.48) mortality. Gender did not make a statistically significant difference for the heat-wave impact. Elderly people (over 65 years) were most vulnerable to the heat wave. Our analysis showed that the 2003 heat wave had a substantial effect on mortality in Shanghai. Public health programs should be implemented to prevent heat wave-related health problems in the city.     

Mercury (Hg) burden in children: the impact of dental amalgam

The risks and benefits of using mercury (Hg) in dental amalgam have long been debated. This study was designed to estimate Hg body burden and its association with dental amalgam fillings in 182 children (ages: 5-15 years) living in Taif City. Hg was measured in urine (UHg), hair (HHg) and toenails (NHg) by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with Vapor Generator Accessory system. Urinary Hg levels were calculated as both micrograms per gram creatinine (μg/g creatinine) and micrograms per liter (μg/L). We found that children with amalgam fillings (N = 106) had significantly higher UHg-C levels than children without (N = 76), with means of 3.763 μg/g creatinine versus 3.457 μg/g creatinine, respectively (P = 0.019). The results were similar for UHg (P = 0.01). A similar pattern was also seen for HHg, with means of 0.614 μg/g (N = 97) for children with amalgam versus 0.242 μg/g (N = 74) for those without amalgam fillings (P = 0). Although the mean NHg was higher in children without amalgam (0.222 μg/g, N = 61) versus those with (0.163 μg/g, N = 101), the relationship was not significant (P = 0.069). After adjusting for many confounders, the multiple logistic regression model revealed that the levels of UHg-C and HHg were 2.047 and 5.396 times higher, respectively, in children with dental amalgam compared to those without (P < 0.01). In contrast, a significant inverse relationship was seen between NHg levels and dental amalgam fillings (P = 0.003). Despite the controversy surrounding the health impact of dental amalgam, this study showed some evidence that amalgam-associated Hg exposure might be related with symptoms of oral health, such as aphthous ulcer, white patches, and a burning-mouth sensation. Further studies are needed to reproduce these findings. The present study showed that significant numbers of children with or without amalgam had Hg levels exceeding the acceptable reference limits. The detrimental neurobehavioral and/or nephrotoxic effects of such an increased Hg on children should be a cause of concern, and further investigation is warranted. Our results are alarming and indicate an urgent need for biomonitoring and assessment of exposure. Changes in dental practices involving amalgam, especially for children, are highly recommended in order to avoid unnecessary exposure to Hg.     

Studying associations between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cardiovascular diseases in the United States

The association between background, enduring environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cardiovascular diseases has not been well studied in the general population. In this study, we used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 to investigate the associations between eight monohydroxy PAHs (OH-PAHs) and self-report CVD. In a logistic regression model adjusting for cigarette smoking and other covariates, phenanthrene metabolite, 2-hydroxyphennathrene (2-PHEN), was significantly associated with self-report CVD. Compared to subjects within the lowest tertile of 2-PHEN, subjects within the middle and highest tertiles had higher self-report CVD (the 2nd tertile: AOR = 1.29, 95%CI: 0.97-1.72; the 3rd tertile: AOR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.01-2.07; p for trend = 0.04). In addition, fluorene metabolite (i.e. 2-hydroxyfluorene) also showed a marginally significant linear trend with self-report CVD (p for trend = 0.07). Further studies are necessary to explore the associations between these highly prevalent pollutants and CVD.     

Blood pressure of 8-14 year old children in relation to traffic noise at home — Results of the German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV)

Objectives

The German Environment Agency carried out its fourth German Environmental Survey (GerES IV) from 2003 to 2006, which was especially for children. 1048 children, 8-14 years of age, were randomly selected from all over Germany. The sample is representative of children in this age group living in Germany with respect to gender, community size, and region.

Methods

Blood pressure was measured under standardized conditions at clinical study centers. During home visits the children and their parents were asked about leisure activities, housing conditions and environmental factors, including traffic exposure of their homes. Orientating short-term noise measurements were carried out in front of the children's (bed-) room to validate the subjective ratings of the traffic volume (categories: no street, low, moderately, high/extremely high).

Results

With respect to the subjective rating of “type of street” (traffic volume) the lowest blood pressure readings were found in children whose room was facing a street with ‘low traffic’. The highest readings were found in the group where the children's rooms were facing a street with a ‘high or extremely high traffic’ volume. The difference between the two groups was 1.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.1 to 3.5, p = 0.036) for systolic and 1.0 mm Hg (95% CI: − 0.4 to 2.4, p = 0.148) for diastolic blood pressure. With respect to the short-term noise measurements, significant blood pressure increases of 1.0 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.6, p = 0.004) and 0.6 mm Hg (95% CI: 0.1 to 1.2, p = 0.025), respectively, were found per 10 dB(A) increment of the noise level.

Conclusions

The results show that road traffic noise at home is a stressor that could affect children's blood pressure.     

Ambient wood smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms in Tasmania, Australia

Wood smoke exposure has been associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes, with much of the current research focused on wood smoke from domestic heating and cooking. This study examined the association between respiratory symptoms and outdoor wood smoke in Launceston, Tasmania, where ~ 30% of homes use wood burners for domestic heating. This ecological study examined data from participants of the 2004 Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study postal survey and compared the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Launceston (n = 601) with that in Hobart (n = 1071), a larger Tasmanian city with much less wood smoke. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations of interest while adjusting for gender, atopy, history of allergic disease and current smoking status. There were no significant differences in symptom prevalence between Launceston and Hobart. Two subgroup analyses, which examined participants with pre-existing chronic respiratory disease, and those who reported actively using a wood burner in their home, also did not find significant differences. Any impact of wood smoke on non-specific respiratory symptoms might have been overshadowed by other important determinants of respiratory health, such as vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoking, or were too small to have been detected. However, the lack of detectable differences in symptom prevalence might also reflect the success of regulatory action by local governments to reduce wood smoke emissions in Launceston. The results of other epidemiological studies support an association between ambient wood smoke exposure and adverse respiratory health. Further investigations of wood smoke exposure in Australian settings are needed to investigate the lack of significant associations found in this study, especially studies of indoor air quality and health impacts in children and elderly populations.     

Association between blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) and inattention-hyperactivity and neurocognitive profiles in school-aged Korean children

Objectives

The association between low blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) and the inattention-hyperactivity symptoms and neurocognitive profiles of school-aged Korean children was investigated.

Methods

We measured blood lead levels in 256 Korean children aged 8-10 years. Teachers completed the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (T-ARS)-IV to assess inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Parents completed the Korean version of the Learning Disability Evaluation Scale (K-LDES). Children performed neurocognitive tests [The Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Children's Color Trails Test, and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT)].

Results

A linear regression analysis indicated that the blood lead concentrations were associated with the inattention scores [B = 4.8, S.E. = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5-8.0], the hyperactivity subscores (3.1, 1.4, 0.3-5.9), and the total score (7.9, 2.9, 2.1-13.6) on the T-ARS; the number of omission errors on the CPT (20.6, 7.1, 6.5-34.6); the listening (−1.4, 0.7, −2.8 to −0.1), reading (−2.1, 0.7, −3.4 to −0.7), writing (−2.0, 0.7, −3.4 to −0.6), spelling (−2.2, 0.7, −3.7 to −0.7), and calculating (−1.8, 0.7, −3.1 to −0.4) scores on the K-LDES; and the color-word score on the SCWT (−6.7, 3.4, −13.3 to −0.1). A logistic regression analysis indicated that the probability of inattentive and hyperactive symptoms was increased with higher blood lead levels in boys with an odds ratio of 2.768 [B = 1.018, S.E. = 0.487, p = 0.036, 95% CI: 1.066-7.187].

Conclusion

This study suggests that even low blood lead levels (< 5 μg/dL) are associated with inattentive and hyperactivity symptoms and learning difficulties in school-aged children.     

Characterization of road traffic noise exposure and prevalence of hypertension in central Taiwan

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that road traffic noise exposure is associated with hypertension in European, but the associations related to traffic sources and in other population are unclear. This study investigated the association between road traffic noise exposure and the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension among 321 male and 499 female resided near main roads in Taichung, Taiwan. Road traffic noise levels and traffic flow rates were measured simultaneously during 0900-1700 on weekdays in 2008. Multivariate logistic regressions were applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for hypertension by adjusting for potential confounders. Road traffic noise levels were significantly associated with traffic flow rates of motorcycles, light-duty gasoline vehicles, light-duty diesel trucks and heavy-duty diesel trucks and had the highest correlation with motorcycles. Per one unit (vehicle per hour) increase in the log-transformed traffic flow rate of motorcycles was significantly related to the increment of 7.20 ± 1.40 A-weighted decibels (dBA) in the traffic noise exposure. The high-exposure group (82.2 ± 1.7 dBA, n = 358) had the significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (adjusted OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.08-4.26) than the low-exposure group (77.2 ± 1.6 dBA, n = 462). There was an increasing trend (p = 0.023) between the prevalence of hypertension and residents exposed to < 77 dBA, 77-80 dBA, 80-83 dBA and ≥ 83 dBA, respectively. Such an association was pronounced after adjusting for the total traffic flow rate. The study findings suggest that road traffic noise exposure may be associated with hypertension and the dominant source of traffic noise is motorcycles in central Taiwan.     

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and missed abortion in early pregnancy in a Chinese population

Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during incomplete burning of fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco products. High PAH exposure has been associated with low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth, but little is known about its impact on adverse outcomes in early pregnancy such as in-utero fetal death.

Objectives

To examine associations between exposure to PAHs and missed abortion in which the embryo has died but a miscarriage has not yet occurred during early pregnancy in a Chinese population in Tianjin.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted from April to November, 2007 in Tianjin, China. Cases experienced a missed abortion while controls underwent elective abortions before 14 weeks of pregnancy. Eighty-one cases were recruited from four hospitals, with the same number of controls matched on hospital, maternal age (± 8 years), gravidity (1 or >1), and gestational age (± 30 days). Two maternal measures of PAH exposures were obtained based on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) DNA adducts in 1) aborted tissues and 2) maternal blood (for a subset of subjects). In addition, proxy measures for PAH exposures from different sources were derived from maternal interviews.

Results

In conditional logistic regression analyses, we estimated more than 4-fold increase in risk of having experienced a missed abortion in women with above the median levels of blood BaP-DNA adducts (adjusted OR = 4.27; 95% CI, 1.41-12.99); but no increase with adduct levels in aborted tissues (adjusted OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.37-1.54). BaP-DNA adduct levels in maternal blood and aborted tissues were poorly correlated (r = − 0.12; n = 102). Missed abortion risk also was higher among women reporting traffic congestion near the residence, commuting by walking, and performing regular cooking activities during pregnancy.

Conclusion

High levels of maternal PAH exposures may contribute to an increased risk of experiencing a missed abortion during early pregnancy.     

Low serum levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in children and adults from Afghanistan

Applications of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have led to a PFC exposure of the general population worldwide. Most PFC human biomonitoring data are available from developed countries. Here we report for the first time PFC levels in serum from children and adults living in the low developed country of Afghanistan. Among a health cooperation project we had the chance to collect blood samples from 12 children (age 2.5-9 years) and 43 adults (age 20-65 years). 25 participants were from Kabul and 30 lived in a rural area. Drinking water samples were collected from 10 tap water and 16 well water sources. PFC levels were determined by HPLC and MS/MS detection after offline protein precipitation with acetonitrile. PFOS could be quantified in all blood samples (limit of quantification, LOQ: 0.1 µg/l). Median (range) was 1.2 µg/l (0.21-11.8 µg/l). Most PFOA (n = 43) and PFHxS levels (n = 42) were below LOQ of 0.5 µg/l. Maximum levels were 1.5 (PFOA) and 3.0 µg/l (PFHxS). All PFOS and PFOA concentrations in drinking water were below LOQ (PFOA 0.03 µg/l and PFOS 0.015 µg/l). It is concluded that exposure to PFCs also occurs in Afghanistan but on a very low level.     

Respiratory Symptoms and Housing Characteristics

A health and housing questionnaire was administered to children, ages 9-11, living in 24 communities in the United States and Canada. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between respiratory health symptoms (bronchitic, asthmatic and lower respiratory) and housing factors. The health risks (expressed as relative odds) were controlled for gender, parental asthma, parental chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and parental education, as well as between-city differences. Lower respiratory symptoms had significantly higher odds ratios reported in older homes (1.12), homes with smokers (1.24), air conditioners (1.14), air cleaners (1.37), and humidifiers (1.47). Home dampness (1.48) and the individual mold and water variables were all significantly associated with increased symptoms. Similar results were reported for bronchitic and asthmatic symptoms. While air conditioners and air cleaners were confounded with symptoms, humidifiers remained significant after controlling for childhood atopy.     

Nonlinear associations between blood lead in children, age of child, and quantity of soil lead in metropolitan New Orleans

Previous studies identified a curvilinear association between aggregated blood lead (BL) and soil lead (SL) data in New Orleans census tracts. In this study we investigate the relationships between SL (mg/kg), age of child, and BL (μg/dL) of 55,551 children in 280 census tracts in metropolitan New Orleans, 2000 to 2005. Analyses include random effects regression models predicting BL levels of children (μg/dL) and random effects logistic regression models predicting the odds of BL in children exceeding 15, 10, 7, 5, and 3 μg/dL as a function of age and SL exposure. Economic benefits of SL reduction scenarios are estimated. A unit raise in median SL^0.5 significantly increases the BL level in children (b = 0.214 p = < 0.01), and a unit change in Age^0.5 significantly increases child BL (b = 0.401, p = < 0.01). A unit change in Age^0.5 increases the odds of a child BL exceeding 10 μg/dL by a multiplicative factor of 1.23 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.25), and a unit (mg/kg) addition of SL increases the odds of child BL > 10 μg/dL by a factor of 1.13 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.14). Extrapolating from regression results, we find that a shift in SL regulatory standard from 400 to 100 mg/kg provides each child with an economic benefit ranging from $4710 to $12,624 ($US 2000). Children's BL is a curvilinear function of both age and level of exposure to neighborhood SL. Therefore, a change in SL regulatory standard from 400 to 100 mg/kg provides children with substantial economic benefit.     

Do the VOCs that evaporate from a heavily polluted river threaten the health of riparian residents?

To understand the potential threat of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the health of residents living close to a heavily polluted river, this study investigated the species and the concentration of VOCs evaporating from a river and surveyed the health condition of the nearby residents. Air samples were taken seasonally at the upstream, midstream, and downstream water surfaces of the river, and at different locations at certain distances from the river. These samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively through gas chromatography and electron capture detector (GC/ECD) for chlorinated organic compounds, and through gas chromatography and flame ionization detector (GC/FID) for ordinary hydrocarbons. The health data obtained from valid health questionnaires of 908 residents were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Twenty-six species of VOCs were identified in the environment adjacent the river, many of which are carcinogenic or believed to be carcinogenic to humans. However, results of this study shows that the VOCs evaporating from the polluted river have not been definitively identified as a major factor of cancer in the residents. However, the risk of suffering from certain chronic diseases may increase in residents living less than 225 m away from the river due to the high levels of evaporated VOCs. Residents living less than 225 m away from the river and with nearby specific industries are 3.130 times more at risk of suffering from chronic diseases than those with no nearby specific industries.