Blood levels of 21 metals and metalloids in riverside villagers of the Brazilian Amazon: A human biomonitoring study with associations with sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

Human biomonitoring of toxic and essential trace elements is critically important for public health protection. Amazonian riverine communities exhibit distinctive dietary patterns, heavily reliant on locally sourced fish, fruits, and vegetables. These habits may result in unique exposure profiles compared to urban populations. However, comprehensive assessments of their exposure to toxic and essential metals are lacking, representing a critical gap in understanding the health risks faced by these communities. This study aimed to establish baseline levels of 21 metals and metalloids in human blood and explore the influence of sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices as potential sources of exposure to these elements. A cross-sectional biomonitoring investigation was conducted with 1,024 individuals from 13 communities in the Tapajós and Amazon Basins (Pará, Brazil). Most of the elements in study was determined for the first time in the region. Blood samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The levels of all elements were summarized by quantiles and compared with cutoff values from other Brazilian populations. Multiple linear regression was used to assess possible associations between element concentrations and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices. High detection rates (64%-100%) were observed, indicating the widespread presence of these elements. Elevated blood concentrations were found for mercury (median 21.1 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 12-34 µg.L-1), selenium (median 166 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 137-208 µg.L-1), and lead (median 34 µg.L-1, interquartile range: 20.8-64 µg.L-1). Regression analysis revealed a positive association between mercury levels and fish consumption, while manioc flour intake showed no relationship to lead levels. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and public policy development for these vulnerable populations. Further studies should assess long-term trends and investigate the health implications of prolonged exposure to diverse chemicals in Amazonian riverside communities.

Hearing health and noise exposure in population between 18 to 64 years old in Bogotá, Colombia, 2014-2018 / Salud auditiva y exposición a ruido ambiental en población de 18 a 64 años de Bogotá, Colombia, entre el 2014 y el 2018.

Introduction: Hearing health is a public health concern that affects the quality of life and can be disturbed by noise exposure, generating auditory and extra-auditory symptoms. Objective. To identify the hearing health status in adults living in Bogotá and its association with environmental noise exposure and individual and otological factors. Objective: To identify the hearing health status in adults living in Bogotá and its association with environmental noise exposure and individual and otological factors. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a database with 10,311 records from 2014 to 2018, consigned in a structured survey of noise perception and hearing screening. We performed a descriptive, bivariate, and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the included participants, 35.4% presented hearing impairment. In the perception component, 13.0 % reported not hearing well; 28.8 % had extra-auditory symptoms, 53.3 % informed otological antecedents and 69.0 % presented discomfort due to extramural noise. In the logistic regression, the variables with the highest association for hearing impairment were living in noisy areas (OR = 1.50) (95% CI: 1.34-1.69), being male (OR = 1.85) (95% CI: 1.64-2.09), increasing age (for each year of life, the risk of hearing impairment increased 6%), and having history of extra-auditory symptoms (OR = 1.86) (95% CI: 1.66-2.08). Conclusions: Hearing impairment is multi-causal in the studied population. The factors that promote its prevalence are increasing age, being male, smoking, ototoxic medications, living in areas with high noise exposure, and extra-auditory symptoms.

Introducción. La salud auditiva es un tema de interés en salud pública que afecta la calidad de vida y que puede afectarse por la exposición continua al ruido, un factor de riesgo que genera síntomas auditivos y extraauditivos. Objetivo. Identificar el estado de salud auditiva de adultos que viven en Bogotá, y su asociación con factores de exposición a ruido ambiental, individuales y otológicos. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal mediante el análisis de una base de datos con 10.311 registros, obtenidos entre los años 2014 y 2018, producto de una encuesta estructurada de percepción de ruido y tamizaje auditivo. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo bivariado y una regresión logística binaria. Resultados. El 35,4 % de los participantes presentó disminución auditiva. En el componente de percepción: 13,0 % refirió no escuchar bien, 28,8 % informó síntomas extraauditivos, 53,3 % tenía antecedentes otológicos, y 69,0 % manifestó molestia por ruido extramural. En la regresión logística, las variables más asociadas con disminución auditiva fueron: de las ambientales, vivir en zonas de mayor ruido (OR = 1,50) (IC95%: 1,34-1,69); de las individuales, ser hombre (OR = 1,85) (IC95%: 1,64-2,09) y la edad (por cada año de vida, el riesgo de disminución auditiva aumentó 6 %); y de las otológicas, tener antecedente de síntomas otológicos (OR = 1,86) (IC95%: 1,66-2,08). Conclusiones. La disminución auditiva es multicausal en la población evaluada. Los factores que aumentan su prevalencia son incremento de la edad, ser hombre, tabaquismo, medicamentos ototóxicos, vivir en zonas de mayor exposición a ruido y presentar síntomas extraauditivos.

Blood levels of metallic chemical element exposure patterns and associated factors in a population living in an Industrial District in Brazil.

AIM: to estimate the level of metallic chemical elements in the population living in the Steel company vicinity in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and estimate the association between exposure to the Steel company and the blood metals concentrations patterns. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 463 individuals aged 18+ years old residing 1+ years in the Steel company vicinity. Mg, Be, Co, Ba, Ni, Cd, Al, and Pb were assessed in blood by DRC-ICP-MS. Metallic chemical element concentration patterns were obtained by exploratory factor analysis in the studied population. Exposure was set as the distance (Km) from each participant's residence to the Steel company in Santa Cruz, georeferenced by GPS. The outcome was set as the positive factor loadings in the factor analysis, including Mg and Be (Factor-1), Co, Ba, and Ni (Factor-2), Cd, Al, and Pb (Factor-4). Crude and adjusted OR, and their respective 95 %CI, were estimated to explore associations between independent variables and the exposures to metallic elements positively associated with the factors using polychotomous logistic regression. RESULTS: A reduction of 19 % was found between each km distance from the residence and the Steel company and P50 concentration of Cd, Al, and Pb (ORP50=0.81; 95 %CI:0.67-0.97), after adjusting by age, sex, and smoking. No statistically significant associations were observed for the distance from residences and the Steel company, after adjusting for age, gender, having a domestic vegetable garden and chewing gum for Mg and Be concentrations (Factor-1) (ORP50=0.84; 95 %CI:0.70-1.01; ORP75=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.34); nor for Co, Ba and Ni (Factor-2) blood concentrations(ORP50=1.10; 95 %CI:0.91-1.33; ORP75=1.03; 95 %CI:0.84-1.26), in the adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For each Km distance from residences to the Steel company, a 19 % reduction in the risk of Cd, Al, and Pb blood concentration was observed in the population living in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Risk for Waterborne Transmission and Environmental Persistence of Avian Influenza Virus in a Wildlife/Domestic Interface in Mexico.

Aquatic habitats provide a bridge for influenza transmission among wild and domestic species. However, water sources pose highly variable physicochemical and ecological characteristics that affect avian influenza virus (AIV) stability. Therefore, the risk of survival or transmissibility of AIV in the environment is quite variable and has been understudied. In this study, we determine the risk of waterborne transmission and environmental persistence of AIV in a wild/domestic bird interface in the Central Mexico plateau (North America) during the winter season using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). A total of 13 eco-epidemiological factors were selected from public-access databases to develop the risk assessment. The MCDA showed that the Atarasquillo wetland presents a higher persistence risk in January. Likewise, most of the backyard poultry farms at this wild-domestic interface present a high persistence risk (50%). Our results suggest that drinking water may represent a more enabling environment for AIV persistence in contrast with wastewater. Moreover, almost all backyard poultry farms evidence a moderate or high risk of waterborne transmission especially farms close to water bodies. The wildlife/domestic bird interface on the Atarasquillo wetland holds eco-epidemiological factors such as the presence of farms in flood-prone areas, the poultry access to outdoor water, and the use of drinking-water troughs among multiple animal species that may enhance waterborne transmission of AIV. These findings highlight the relevance of understanding the influence of multiple factors on AIV ecology for early intervention and long-term control strategies.

Exploring Heavy Metal and Metalloid Exposure in Children: A Pilot Biomonitoring Study near a Sugarcane Mill.

Sugarcane production has been linked to the release of heavy metals and metalloids (HM/MTs) into the environment, raising concerns about potential health risks. This study aimed to assess the levels of 19 HM/MTs in children living near a sugarcane mill through a pilot biomonitoring investigation. We investigated sex-related differences in these element levels and their correlations. A cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing data from 20 children in the latter part of 2023. Spearman correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the relationships between urinary HM/MT levels. Detectable levels of 17 out of the 19 HM/MTs were found across the entire study sample, with arsenic and copper detectable in 95% of the children. Titanium exhibited higher levels in boys compared to girls (p = 0.017). We identified 56 statistically significant correlations, with 51 of them being positive, while the remaining coefficients indicated negative relationships. This study characterized HM/MT levels in school-aged children residing near a sugarcane mill through a pilot biomonitoring investigation. Further research employing larger sample sizes and longitudinal assessments would enhance our understanding of the dynamics and health impacts of HM/MT exposure in this vulnerable population.

Environmental and occupational exposure to pesticides according to sociodemographic factors that affect cancer patients in Mato Grosso, Brazil / Exposição ambiental e ocupacional a agrotóxicos segundo fatores sociodemográficos em pacientes com câncer em Mato Grosso, Brasil

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of environmental and occupational exposure to pesticides according to sociodemographic factors among cancer patients. It is a cross-sectional study with cancer patients in the state of Mato Grosso. The prevalence of environmental and occupational exposure to pesticides was calculated as to the variables gender, age, macro-region, and education. Pesticide use per agricultural crops in liters was estimated, and a thematic map was constructed following the macro-region of the agricultural economy. Of the 998 patients, most were female (54.9%), aged between 50 and 69 years old (50.1%), had less than eight years of schooling (60.7%), and resided in the South-Central macro-region (55.4%). Regarding environmental and occupational exposure, 53.1% of the patients live or have lived in a municipality with agricultural plantations; 17.4% lived near crops; 43.4% worked in agriculture, livestock, or extractivism; and 22.9% worked or work directly with pesticides. Environmental and occupational exposure was higher in males, in the older age groups, schooling from 0 to 4 years, and in the macro-regions with higher pesticide use. The study concluded that environmental and occupational exposure among cancer patients is associated to sociodemographic characteristics and macro-regions of the agricultural economy.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de exposição ambiental e ocupacional aos agrotóxicos conforme fatores sociodemográficos entre pacientes com câncer. Trata-se de um estudo observacional de delineamento transversal com pacientes com câncer do estado de Mato Grosso. Foi calculada a prevalência de exposição ambiental e ocupacional aos agrotóxicos conforme as variáveis sexo, faixa etária, região e escolaridade. Foram estimados o uso de agrotóxicos por culturas agrícolas em litros e construído mapa temático segundo a macrorregião de economia agropecuária. Dos 998 pacientes, a maioria era do sexo feminino (54,9%), tinha entre 50 e 69 anos (50,1%), possuía menos de oito anos de escolaridade (60,7%) e residiam na macrorregião Centro-Sul (55,4%). Em relação à exposição ambiental e ocupacional, 53,1% dos pacientes moram ou moraram em município com plantação agrícola, 17,4% residiam próximo à lavoura, 43,4% trabalharam na agricultura, pecuária ou extrativismo e 22,9% trabalharam ou trabalham diretamente com agrotóxicos. A exposição ambiental e ocupacional foi maior no sexo masculino, nas faixas etárias mais elevadas, escolaridade de 0 a 4 anos e nas macrorregiões de maior uso de agrotóxicos. Conclui-se que a exposição ambiental e ocupacional entre pacientes com câncer se associou as características sociodemográficas e macrorregiões de economia agropecuária.

Carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic risk, and attributable cases to organochlorine pesticide exposure in women from Northern Mexico.

This study aimed to estimate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk as well as the attributable cases due to exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorophenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor, and chlordane. From serum concentrations of pesticides of interest in a sample of 908 women from Northern Mexico, the risk for both cancer and non-cancer health effects was evaluated. The population attributable fraction (PAF) was also calculated based on summary association estimates between exposure to OCPs and different health events. Findings revealed that due to their OCP exposure slightly less than half of the women in the sample were at increased risk of developing non-cancerous diseases. Moreover, approximately 25% and 75% of participants were at risk of develop some type of cancer associated with their HCB and DDE concentrations, respectively. In addition, it was estimated that 40.5% of type 2 diabetes, 18.7% of endometriosis, and 23.1% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases could have been prevented if women had not been exposed to these OCPs. Results suggest that the use of OCPs may have contributed to the disease burden in the study area and, based on the time required for these substances to be eliminated from the body, there are probably some women who are still at elevated risk of developing diseases associated to OCPs.

Exposição ambiental e risco à saúde - Brasil / Environmental exposure and health risks in Brazil

Objetivo: Identificar possíveis fatores sociodemográficos, econômicos, de saúde, ambientais e de hábitos de vida associados a efeitos adversos sobre a saúde de moradores em três cidades brasileiras. Método: Estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa realizado nas cidades de Imperatriz (Maranhão), Palmas (Tocantins) e Salvador (Bahia). Participaram 975 pacientes (18 a 75 anos) atendidos em unidades básicas de saúde no período de junho de 2021 a junho de 2022. Esses indivíduos foram selecionados aleatoriamente (amostra de conveniência). Foi aplicado o questionário padronizado sobre fatores sociodemográficos e exposição a fatores ambientais, assim como o de hábitos de vida. Empregou-se a situação de saúde (excelente/boa x regular/ má/péssima) como desfecho, foi realizada análise multivariada seguida por regressão logística respeitando-se cada município individualmente e o seu coletivo. Os dados foram apresentados como odds ratio (OR) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: Em todas as cidades houve predomínio de pacientes do sexo feminino: 58,3% em Imperatriz, 67,5% em Tocantins e 65,4% em Salvador. A prevalência de tabagismo (presente e/ou passado) foi significantemente mais elevada em Salvador, assim como a de consumo de álcool. Houve maior referência de saúde regular/má/péssima entre os moradores de Imperatriz, apesar de em Salvador haver o maior relato de comorbidades. Os fatores ambientais associados à condição precária de saúde, em ambos os modelos de análise, foram: ter sido exposto durante a infância a fogão a lenha/carvão/querosene/outro; passar mais de duas horas na cozinha, com fogão em funcionamento; e residir próximo a uma fonte poluidora. Morar em Imperatriz revelou chance 1,8 vezes maior de ter saúde debilitada quando comparado aos moradores de Salvador, e de 1,7 vezes para os de Palmas. Conclusões: Profissionais de saúde deverão orientar a população quanto as questões socioambientais que interferem nos índices de saúde. Os dados demográficos, ambientais e econômicos podem interferir nas condições de saúde.

Objective: To identify potential sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health, environmental, and lifestyle factors associated with adverse health effects in residents of 3 Brazilian cities. Methods: This cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the cities of Imperatriz (Maranhão), Palmas (Tocantins), and Salvador (Bahia). A total of 975 patients aged 18 to 75 years treated at primary health care units from June 2021 to June 2022 were selected via convenience sampling. A standardized questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to environmental factors, and lifestyle habits was administered. The outcome measured was health status (excellent/good vs fair/bad/very poor). Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression, respecting each municipality individually and collectively. Data were presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95%CIs. Results: Women predominated in all cities: 58.3% in Imperatriz, 67.5% in Tocantins, and 65.4% in Salvador. The prevalence of smoking (present and/or past) was significantly higher in Salvador, as was the prevalence of alcohol consumption. Despite Salvador having the highest rate of comorbidities, residents of Imperatriz reported more instances of fair/poor/very poor health. Environmental factors significantly associated with poor health conditions in both analysis models included exposure to wood/ coal/kerosene/other stoves during childhood, spending more than 2 hours in the kitchen with a working stove, and living close to a pollution source. Residents of Imperatriz were 1.8 times and 1.7 times more likely to have poor health compared with residents of Salvador (a more developed center with more health resources) and Palmas, respectively. Conclusions: Health professionals should guide the population regarding socio-environmental issues affecting health indices. Demographic, environmental, and economic data can impact health conditions.

Early-life external exposome in children 2-5 years old in Colombia.

Exposome studies are advancing in high-income countries to understand how multiple environmental exposures impact health. However, there is a significant research gap in low- and middle-income and tropical countries. We aimed to describe the spatiotemporal variation of the external exposome, its correlation structure between and within exposure groups, and its dimensionality. A one-year follow-up cohort study of 506 children under 5 in two cities in Colombia was conducted to evaluate asthma, acute respiratory infections, and DNA damage. We examined 48 environmental exposures during pregnancy and 168 during childhood in eight exposure groups, including atmospheric pollutants, natural spaces, meteorology, built environment, traffic, indoor exposure, and socioeconomic capital. The exposome was estimated using geographic information systems, remote sensing, spatiotemporal modeling, and questionnaires. The median age of children at study entry was 3.7 years (interquartile range: 2.9-4.3). Air pollution and natural spaces exposure decreased from pregnancy to childhood, while socioeconomic capital increased. The highest median correlations within exposure groups were observed in meteorology (r = 0.85), traffic (r = 0.83), and atmospheric pollutants (r = 0.64). Important correlations between variables from different exposure groups were found, such as atmospheric pollutants and meteorology (r = 0.76), natural spaces (r = -0.34), and the built environment (r = 0.53). Twenty principal components explained 70%, and 57 explained 95% of the total variance in the childhood exposome. Our findings show that there is an important spatiotemporal variation in the exposome of children under 5. This is the first characterization of the external exposome in urban areas of Latin America and highlights its complexity, but also the need to better characterize and understand the exposome in order to optimize its analysis and applications in local interventions aimed at improving the health conditions and well-being of the child population and contributing to environmental health decision-making.

Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia.

Background: A heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly, related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC). Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted. Children <18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained. Results: A total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed. Of these, 408 (38.7%) were distributed across eight SCs detected. A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster. Similar results were noted for the remaining seven ones. Additionally, a proximity between SCs, electrical installations and petrochemical facilities was observed. Conclusions: The identification of SCs in certain regions of GMC suggest the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL.

Brazilian Thoracic Society recommendations for the diagnosis and monitoring of asbestos-exposed individuals

ABSTRACT Asbestos was largely used in Brazil. It is a mineral that induces pleural and pulmonary fibrosis, and it is a potent carcinogen. Our objective was to develop recommendations for the performance of adequate imaging tests for screening asbestos-related diseases. We searched peer-reviewed publications, national and international technical documents, and specialists' opinions on the theme. Based on that, the major recommendations are: Individuals exposed to asbestos at the workplace for ≥ 1 year or those with a history of environmental exposure for at least 5 years, all of those with a latency period > 20 years from the date of initial exposure, should initially undego HRCT of the chest for investigation. Individuals with pleural disease and/or asbestosis should be considered for regular lung cancer monitoring. Risk calculators should be adopted for lung cancer screening, with a risk estimate of 1.5%.

An Evaluation of the Impact of Air Pollution on the Lung Functions of High School Students Living in a Ceramic Industrial Park Zone.

Santa Gertrudes (SG) and Rio Claro (RC), Sao Paulo, Brazil, are located in a ceramic industrial park zone, and their particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10) concentration levels has been among the highest in recently monitored cities in Brazil. Local PM10 was mostly composed of silica. A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the lung functions of public high school students in SG, RC, and São Pedro (SP) (control location), Brazil, in 2018. The prevalence of asthma, mean PM10, FVC (forced vital capacity), and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second) were compared between the locations, and regression analyses were performed. A total of 450 students were included (SG: 158, RC: 153, and SP: 139). The mean FVC% (SG: 95.0% ± 11.8%, RC: 98.8% ± 12.9%, SP: 102.4% ± 13.8%, p < 0.05), the mean FEV1% (SG: 95.7% ± 10.4%, RC: 99.7% ± 12.0%, SP: 103.2% ± 12.0%, p < 0.05) and the mean PM10 (SG: 77.75 ± 38.08 µg/m3, RC: 42.59 ± 23.46 µg/m3, SP: 29.52 ± 9.87 µg/m3, p < 0.01) differed between locations. In regression models, each increase in PM10 by 10 µg/m3 was associated with a decrease in FVC% by 1.10% (95% CI 0.55%-1.65%) and a decrease in FEV1% by 1.27% (95% CI 0.75%-1.79%). Exposure to high levels of silica-rich environmental PM10 was found to be associated with lower FVC and FEV1.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survival and spatial analysis of socio-environmental risks in Mexico.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) etiology remains largely unknown; incidence patterns by age, sex, and geographical distribution suggest a potential environmental role. Aim: To identify ALL clusters from four contrasting urban areas of Mexico and to characterize the sources of environmental carcinogens. Methods: Hospital-based ALL cases (n = 443) diagnosed in children <19 years old from the Metropolitan Zones of Merida and San Luis Potosi, the State of Mexico, and Tijuana were analyzed (2015-2020). ALL cases were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. ALL clusters were identified by Kernel Density, and excess risk was estimated. Data of particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) concentrations measured by community-monitoring stations were analyzed. Geocoded datasets of benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and PM2.5 sources were analyzed to characterize patterns of exposure in ALL clusters. Results: The survival rate for ALL ranged from 61.5% to 78.6%. Seven ALL clusters with excess risk (RR 1.4-2.3, p < 0.05) were identified. The carcinogen sources included artisanal brick kilns, gas stations, cement works, carpentry, paint, and chemical manufacturing establishments. PM2.5 levels ranged from 15 µg/m3 to 37 µg/m3 among study areas. Conclusion: ALL clusters were identified at the community level; the excess risk could be explained by small-scale carcinogen sources. The levels of PM2.5 in outdoor air ranged from 3 to 6 times above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. Healthcare providers must raise awareness of the increased risk of ALL in children living near sources of environmental carcinogens; cancer control and prevention strategies must be steered from a multi-sectoral and multi-action perspective to protect children's health.

Association between urinary concentrations of toxic metals/metalloids and oxidative stress in Brazilians living in areas affected by the Fundão dam failure.

The Fundão Dam failure has been the most significant environmental disaster in Brazil. The catastrophe released large amounts of mining waste into the environment, including toxic metals/metalloids, which are recognized to induce carcinogenic effects. The urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), a widely accepted oxidative stress and carcinogenesis biomarker, provide a potential tool for assessing the disaster's health implications. This study investigated the association between urinary levels of some toxic metals/metalloids and 8OHdG in Brazilian individuals living in areas affected by the Fundão dam failure. Urinary concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while 8OHdG was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Non-parametric bootstrap regression was used to estimate the associations between the urinary levels of toxic elements and 8OHdG. The results showed that except for Hg, urinary concentrations of all metals/metalloids analyzed here exceeded the reference ranges for the Brazilian population. The regression analysis revealed that As (0.337; CI 95%: 0.203; 0.474), Cd (0.268; CI 95%: 0.036; 0.520), and Ni (0.296; CI 950.108; 0.469) were positively associated with creatinine-adjusted urinary 8OHdG levels. Associations were not found for Hg (0.0122; CI 95%: -0.155; 0.183) and Pb (0.201; CI 95%: -0.040; 0.498). The current findings suggest that high exposure to toxic metals/metalloids might increase 8OHdG levels with potential adverse health effects. This study is the first one in which the relationship between toxic metals/metalloids and oxidative stress biomarkers is investigated in populations affected by environmental disasters. Further prospective studies are necessary to monitor exposure levels and explore additional health impacts.

In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Al and Mn in ambient concentrations detected in groundwater intended for human consumption.

Environmental exposure to metals can induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in cells and affect the health of the exposed population. To investigate the effects of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), we evaluated their cytogenotoxicity using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed to these metals at previously quantified concentrations in groundwater intended for human consumption. The cell viability, membrane integrity, nuclear division index (NDI), oxidative stress, cell death, cell cycle, and DNA damage were analyzed in PBMCs exposed to Al (0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L) and Mn (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 1.5 for 48 h. We found that Al induced late apoptosis; decreased cell viability, NDI, membrane integrity; and increased DNA damage. However, no significant alterations in the early apoptosis, cell cycle, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. In contrast, exposure to Mn altered all evaluated parameters related to cytogenotoxicity. Our data show that even concentrations allowed by the Brazilian legislation for Al and Mn in groundwater intended for human consumption cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in PBMCs. Therefore, in view of the results found, a comprehensive approach through in vivo investigations is needed to give robustness and validity to the results obtained, thus broadening the understanding of the impacts of metals on the health of environmentally exposed people.

Long exposure to a mixture of endocrine disruptors prediposes the ventral prostate of rats to preneoplastic lesions.

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are compounds dispersed in the environment that modify hormone biosynthesis, affecting hormone-dependent organs such as the prostate. Studies have only focused on evaluating the effects of ED alone or in small groups and short intervals and have not adequately portrayed human exposure. Therefore, we characterized the prostate histoarchitecture of rats exposed to an ED mixture (ED Mix) mimicking human exposure. Pregnant females of the Sprague-Dawley strain were randomly distributed into two experimental groups: Control group (vehicle: corn oil, by gavage) and ED Mix group: received 32.11 mg/kg/day of the ED mixture diluted in corn oil (2 ml/kg), by gavage, from gestational day 7 (DG7) to post-natal day 21 (DPN21). After weaning at DPN22, the male pups continued to receive the complete DE mixture until they were 220 days old when they were euthanized. The ED Mix decreased the epithelial compartment, increased the fractal dimension, and decreased glandular dilation. In addition, low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was observed in addition to regions of epithelial atrophy in the group exposed to the ED Mix. Exposure to the mixture decreased both types I and III collagen area in the stroma. We concluded that the ED Mix was able to cause alterations in the prostatic histoarchitecture and induce the appearance of preneoplastic lesions.

Exposição a agrotóxicos e o risco de tumores do Sistema Nervoso Central em crianças: revisão sistemática com metanálise / Pesticide exposure and risk of Central Nervous System tumors in children: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Resumo Os tumores do Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC) representam mais da metade das neoplasias infantis malignas que acometem crianças. Objetivou-se analisar o risco de exposição a agrotóxicos relacionado com o desenvolvimento de tumores do SNC em crianças. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed/MEDILINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus e CINAHL. Foram incluídos estudos de coorte e caso-controle sobre o desenvolvimento de tumores do SNC (todos os tipos histológicos do grupo III Classificação de Câncer Infantil) decorrentes da exposição a agrotóxicos em crianças de 0-14 anos. Na metanálise utilizou-se o modelo de efeito aleatório e o método estatístico de Mantel-Haenszel. A Razão de Chances (RC) ou Odds Ratio (OR) foi a medida de associação aplicada. A revisão foi registrada no International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) sob o número CRD42021209354. A busca identificou 1.158 estudos, dos quais 14 compuseram a revisão. Verificou-se evidência de associação entre o desenvolvimento de astrocitomas e a exposição a todas as classes de pesticidas (OR 1,50; IC95% 1,15-1,96; p=0,03). A síntese dos resultados apontou para uma relação da exposição aos agrotóxicos com o desfecho de alguns tipos histológicos de tumores do SNC na infância.

Abstract Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors represent more than half of all childhood malignant neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between environmental exposure to pesticides and the development of CNS tumors in children. We conducted a systematic review of the literature in the PubMed/MEDILINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. The inclusion criteria were cohort and case-control studies investigating the association between exposure to pesticides and CNS tumors (all histological types included in group III of the WHO Classification of Childhood Cancer) in children aged 0-14 years. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model and the Mantel-Haenszel method. Strength of association was measured using odds ratios (OR). The review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under identification number CRD42021209354. The search identified 1,158 studies, 14 of which were included in the review. There was evidence of an association between the development of astrocytomas and exposure to all classes of pesticides (OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.15-1.96; p=0.03). The synthesis of the evidence pointed to a relationship between exposure to pesticides and some histological types of CNS tumors in childhood.

Assessment of cellular damage with cytome assay among environmental/occupational triazole.

The use of triazole fungicides is common in Minas Gerais, Brazil. However, the risk arising from excessive and often unprotected exposure can be harmful to farmers. Therefore, we evaluated volunteers, exposed to triazole fungicides for cellular damage caused by this pesticide. In the buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt), cells were analyzed. Urinary triazoles were analyzed by the Liquid-Liquid Extraction coupled with Gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (LLE-GC/MS). Statistical differences were found for all cell types evaluated in residents of rural areas (n = 145). Analysis of variance showed statistical difference in kariolytic and pyknotic cells, between the groups of men and women living in rural areas, with higher incidence in the male group. Likewise, higher concentrations triazoles in urine samples in the male group were observed. Greater cellular damage suggests increases in DNA damage, chromossomal instability and cell deaths. The results showed the urgency of the public management with the implementation of measures to minimize the pesticides exposure.

Pesticides exposure in pregnant Argentinian women: Potential relations with the residence areas and the anthropometric neonate parameters.

Intrauterine environment is the first chemical exposure scenario in life, through transplacental transfer. In this study, the aim was to determine concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and selected current use pesticides in the placentas of pregnant women from Argentina. Socio-demographic information, the mother's lifestyle and neonatal characteristics were also analysed and related to pesticides residue concentrations. Thus, 85 placentas were collected at birth, from an area of intensive fruit production for the international market, in Patagonia Argentina. Concentrations of 23 pesticides including, trifluralin (herbicide), the fungicides chlorothalonil and HCB, and the insecticides chlorpyrifos, HCHs, endosulfans, DDTs, chlordanes, heptachlors, drins and metoxichlor, were determined by GC-ECD and GC-MS. Results were first analysed all together and then grouped by their residential settings, in urban and rural groups. Total mean pesticide concentration was 582.6 ± 1034.4 ng/g lw, where DDTs (325.9 ± 950.3 ng/g lw) and chlorpyrifos (188.4 ± 365.4 ng/g lw) showed a high contribution. Pesticide levels found exceeded those reported in low, middle and high income countries from Europe, Asia and Africa. In general, pesticides concentrations were not associated with neonatal anthropometric parameters. When the results were analysed by residence place, significantly higher concentrations of total pesticides and chlorpyrifos (Mann Whitney test p = 0.0003 and p = 0.032, respectively) were observed in placentas collected from mothers living in rural settings compared to urban areas. Rural pregnant women presented the highest pesticide burden (5.9 µg), where DDTs and chlorpyrifos were the major constituents. These results suggested that all pregnant women are highly exposed to complex pesticide mixtures, including banned OCPs and the widely used chlorpyrifos. Based on the pesticide concentrations found, our results warn of possible health impacts from prenatal exposure through transplacental transfer. This is one of the first reports of both chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil concentrations in placental tissue, and contributes to the knowledge of current pesticide exposure in Argentina.

Influence of Environmental Exposure to Steel Waste on Endocrine Dysregulation and PER3 Gene Polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between environmental exposure to the following chemical substances: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), benzene (BZN), and toluene (TLN), and Period Circadian Regulator 3 (PER3) gene variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphisms, according to chronotype in a population living in a steel residue-contaminated area. METHODS: This assessment comprises a study conducted from 2017 to 2019 with 159 participants who completed health, work, and Pittsburgh sleep scale questionnaires. Cd, Pb, Ni, Mn, BZN, and TLN concentrations in blood and urine were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) and Headspace Gas Chromatography (GC), and genotyping was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 47% of the participants were afternoon chronotype, 42% were indifferent, and 11% were morning chronotype. Insomnia and excessive sleepiness were associated with the indifferent chronotype, while higher urinary manganese levels were associated with the morning chronotype (Kruskal-Wallis chi-square = 9.16; p < 0.01). In turn, the evening chronotype was associated with poorer sleep quality, higher lead levels in blood, and BZN and TLN levels in urine (χ2 = 11.20; p < 0.01) in non-occupationally exposed individuals (χ2 = 6.98; p < 0.01) as well as the highest BZN (χ2 = 9.66; p < 0.01) and TLN (χ2 = 5.71; p < 0.01) levels detected in residents from the influence zone 2 (far from the slag). CONCLUSION: Mn, Pb, benzene, and toluene contaminants may have influenced the different chronotypes found in the steel residue-exposed population.