Contamination of food crops by unintentionally released PCB 47, PCB 51 and PCB 68 in the vicinity of silicone production sites and their relevance for human health assessment.

Since it was shown that silicone rubber production can unintentionally release PCBs, these production sites have become a focus of investigation. The use of the cross-linking agent bis(2,4)-dichlorobenzoylperoxide (2,4-DCBP) can lead to emissions of the PCB congeners PCB 47, PCB 51 and PCB 68 into the environment and cause their accumulation e. g. in food crops. To determine the presence and extent of this uptake, we used the newly developed method dandelion screening. Samples were taken from wild dandelion plants near nine production sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and analysed for PCBs. In some cases, the regional orientation values for the maximum background level (OMB) were exceeded by up to nine times. Overall, background levels were exceeded at seven of the nine sites investigated and mitigation measures were initiated at the production sites. In order to validate the dandelion screening results, kale was exposed, which allowed for a health assessment. A wide-ranging consumption recommendation was then issued in four out of nine study areas. At this point in the investigations, risk reduction measures had already been implemented at all production sites investigated, so it can be assumed that the exposures at sites not yet in focus are significantly greater. This is a globally relevant problem, as 2,4-DCBP is used in many countries.

Environmental release of non-Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyls by a silicone rubber production site did not lead to elevated plasma levels in the nearby population.

In 2019, high concentrations of the non-Aroclor PCB congeners 47, 51, and 68 were released by a silicone rubber production site in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Local authorities announced a consumption alert for home-grown fruits and vegetables for the affected area which led to a great level of insecurity among the population regarding potential health effects. The aim of study was to determine the plasma levels of the non-Aroclor congeners and the six ndl-indicator congeners (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) in children and women with child-bearing potential living close to the production site. Altogether n = 111 participants, with n = 73 female adults and n = 38 children were included in this analysis. For the non-Aroclor-PCBs as well as the lower-clorinated ndl-indicator PCBs 28, 52, and 101, the median plasma concentrations were below the LOQ. Only one adult showed an elevated PCB 47 value. In conclusion, no elevated plasma levels could be detected for PCB 47, 51, or 68 in the nearby population of the silicone-rubber production site. However, our study was highly important for risk characterisation as well as risk communication.

Long-term exposure to NO2 and PM10 and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a prospective cohort of women.

We assessed whether long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality during a period of declining particulate matter concentrations. Approximately 4800 women aged 55 years from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were followed for up to 18 years. Exposure to air pollution was assessed in two ways: (1) using the distance between the residential address and the nearest major road, as calculated from Geographic Information System data and (2) calculating 1-year average particulate matter concentrations below 10 µm (PM(10)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) levels using data from the nearest air-monitoring station data to the subjects' residences. Ninety-two per cent of all subjects lived in the same community during the entire follow-up period. Associations between mortality and exposure were assessed using Cox's proportional hazards models, including confounder adjustment. Sixteen per cent of women passed away during the follow-up period. An increase of 7 µg/m(3) PM(10) (IQR) was associated with an increased HR for all-cause (HR 1.15, 95% CI (1.04 to 1.27)), cardiopulmonary (HR 1.39, 95% CI (1.17 to 1.64)), and lung cancer mortality (HR 1.84, 95% CI (1.23 to 2.74)). An increase of 16 µg/m(3) (IQR) NO(2) exposure was associated with all-cause (HR 1.18, 95% CI (1.07 to 1.30)) and cardiopulmonary mortality (HR 1.55, 95% CI (1.30 to 1.84)). The association between cardiopulmonary mortality and PM(10) was reduced for the extended follow-up period, during which PM(10) concentrations (but not NO(2) concentrations) were lower. Living close to a major road was associated with an increased relative risk for all-cause, cardiopulmonary and respiratory mortality. These associations were temporally stable. Long-term exposure to ambient PM(10) and NO(2) was associated with increased mortality rates.

Perfluorinated compounds in fish and blood of anglers at Lake Möhne, Sauerland area, Germany.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in fish samples and blood plasma of anglers in a cross-sectional study at Lake Möhne, Sauerland area, Germany. Human plasma and drinking water samples were analyzed by solid phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). PFCs in fish fillet were measured by ion pair extraction followed by HPLC and MS/MS. PFOS concentrations in 44 fish samples of Lake Möhne ranged between 4.5 and 150 ng/g. The highest median PFOS concentrations have been observed in perches (median: 96 ng/g) and eels (77 ng/g), followed by pikes (37 ng/g), whitefish (34 ng/g), and roaches (6.1 ng/g). In contrast, in a food surveillance program only 11% of fishes at retail sale contained PFOS at detectable concentrations. One hundred five anglers (99 men, 6 women; 14-88 years old; median 50.6 years) participated in the human biomonitoring study. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma ranged from 1.1 to 650 µg/L (PFOA: 2.1-170 µg/L; PFHxS: 0.4-17 µg/L; LOD: 0.1 µg/L). A distinct dose-dependent relationship between fish consumption and internal exposure to PFOS was observed. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma of anglers consuming fish 2-3 times per month were 7 times higher compared to those without any fish consumption from Lake Möhne. The study results strongly suggest that human internal exposure to PFC is distinctly increased by consumption of fish from PFC-contaminated sites.

Two-year follow-up biomonitoring pilot study of residents' and controls' PFC plasma levels after PFOA reduction in public water system in Arnsberg, Germany.

Residents in Arnsberg, Germany, had been supplied by drinking water contaminated with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). Biomonitoring data from 2006 evidenced that plasma PFOA concentrations of residents from Arnsberg were 4.5-8.3 times higher than those in reference groups. The introduction of charcoal filtration in July 2006 distinctly reduced PFOA concentrations in drinking water. Our one-year follow-up study showed a 10-20% reduction of PFOA plasma levels in residents from Arnsberg. Here we report the first results of the two-year follow-up study Arnsberg 2008. Additionally, the results of the two-year follow-up examination of the reference group are included. Paired plasma samples of 138 study participants (45 children, 46 mothers and 47 men) collected in 2006 and 2008 were considered in the statistical analyses. Within the two years plasma concentrations of PFOA, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) decreased in residents from Arnsberg and in control groups. The geometric means of PFOA plasma levels declined by 39% (children and mothers) and 26% (men) in Arnsberg and by 13-15% in the corresponding subgroups from the reference areas. For the population from Arnsberg a geometric mean plasma PFOA half-life of 3.26 years (range 1.03-14.67 years) was calculated. Our results confirm an ongoing reduction of the PFOA load in residents from Arnsberg. The decline of PFC levels in plasma of participants from the reference areas reflects the general decrease of human PFC exposure during the very recent years.

One-year follow-up of perfluorinated compounds in plasma of German residents from Arnsberg formerly exposed to PFOA-contaminated drinking water.

In Arnsberg, Sauerland area Germany, 40000 residents were exposed to PFOA-contaminated drinking water (500-640ng PFOA/l; May 2006). In July 2006, the PFOA-concentrations in drinking water were lowered significantly by activated charcoal filtering in the waterworks, mostly below the limit of detection (10ng/l). A first human biomonitoring study performed in autumn 2006 revealed that PFOA-concentrations in blood plasma of residents living in Arnsberg were 4.5-8.3 times higher than in the reference groups. One year after the first survey, all participants (2006: 164 mothers, 90 children, 101 men) were invited to take part in a follow-up study. It was the aim of the study to determine the decline of the PFOA-concentrations in blood plasma. 288 persons (81%) were included in the statistical analysis. The (geometric) mean PFOA-concentrations in blood plasma of Arnsberg's residents decreased from 22.1 to 17.4 microg/l in children, from 23.4 to 18.8 microg/l in mothers and from 25.3 to 23.4 microg/l in men within one year. The average (geometric mean) changes in each individual's PFOA-concentrations were approximately 10 (men), 17 (mothers) and 20 (children) percent/year. The observed decline in PFOA-concentrations indicates a slow elimination in humans. This finding in groups of the general population is in agreement with data on long elimination half-lives observed in occupationally exposed workers.

Childhood social position and associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence indicates that environmental exposures are more prevalent among socially disadvantaged groups. We investigated the distribution of environmental exposures and health outcomes in preschool children, and examined the role of social position on their associations. METHODS: We analysed data from a cross-sectional study on 968 preschool children from three districts in the Ruhr Area and one rural community in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2000. Parents filled in a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, environmental exposures, respiratory infections and allergic diseases. Residential annual total suspended particulate matter (TSP) mass concentrations were derived from a small-scale interpolation model. Lung function, allergic sensitisation and immunologic function were assessed. We analysed the associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes in social subgroups with logistic regression. RESULTS: High TSP concentrations at the home address and unfavourable living conditions were more prevalent in the socially disadvantaged groups, while allergic and respiratory infectious diseases were reported more frequently in the privileged groups. The odds ratio for the association between TSP and history of allergic diseases was 1.17 (95% CI 0.95-1.45) in children without immigration background and 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.95) with immigration background. Heterogeneity for exposure-outcome associations was also seen between TSP and lung function as well as unfavourable living conditions and allergic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence for an influence of social position on environment-health associations. Possible explanations for heterogeneity include social group-specific over- and underreporting and effect measure modification, which need to be taken into account when designing and analysing environmental health studies.

Preliminary observations on perfluorinated compounds in plasma samples (1977-2004) of young German adults from an area with perfluorooctanoate-contaminated drinking water.

In May 2006, a serious environmental contamination with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) became evident in a rural area of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) (Region Sauerland), Germany. In autumn 2006, we performed a human biomonitoring study in which a 4-8-fold increase in perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)-plasma concentrations of children, their mothers and men living in Arnsberg (District Hochsauerlandkreis, NRW) was observed compared with a reference population. The exposure was clearly related to the consumption of PFOA-contaminated tap water. However, there is no clear information on the duration of this contamination. The current investigation involves the analysis of PFCs in 30 blood samples of young adults (age 20-31 years) who had ever lived in the affected area. The samples were taken between 1977 and 2004 and stored at the German Environmental Specimen Bank for Human Tissues. Analyses of PFOA, perfluoroctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoropentanoate (PFPA) and perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) in blood plasma were performed by solid-phase extraction, HPLC and MS/MS detection. PFOA values (median, range) were 6.1, 1.7-40.7 microg/l, PFOS values were 18.8, 8.1-150.7 microg/l and PFHxS values were 1.7, 0.5-4.6 microg/l. The concentrations of PFHxA, PFPA and PFBS in plasma were all below limit of detection. Time-trend analysis showed that between 1977 and 2004 PFOA and PFOS levels remained fairly stable. PFOS and PFOA levels were in the range of current background levels of the general population. In contrast, PFHxS plasma levels have steadily increased since 1977. There was a close association between PFOS and PFOA-plasma levels. From this pilot study there are no indications for an increased exposure to PFCs of residents in Arnsberg in the years 1977-2004 prior to the contamination in 2006.

Assessment and management of the first German case of a contamination with perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in the Region Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia.

In May 2006 the first serious German perfluorinated compounds (PFC) case of contamination became evident. Industrial waste with high concentrations of PFC was manufactured into a soil improver by a recycling company and spread by farmers on agricultural land of the rural area Sauerland, and led to substantial environmental pollution. In parts of the affected area, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations in drinking water were > 0.5 microg/L. The German Drinking Water Commission assessed PFC in drinking water and set a health-based guidance value for safe lifelong exposure of all population groups at 0.3 microg/L (sum of perfluorooctane sulfonate [PFOS] and PFOA). The Ministry of Environment together with regional institutions initiated monitoring measurements and actions to minimize further contamination. A human biomonitoring study with mother-child pairs and men revealed that increased PFOA exposure via drinking water led to about four- to eightfold higher PFOA levels in plasma compared to nonexposed groups. Analysis of PFC in breast milk showed comparatively low levels, which seemed not to pose a risk for lactating infants. Due to high levels of PFOS in fish from contaminated lakes and rivers, recommendations for anglers to reduce fish consumption were initiated. Remediation of the affected area is ongoing and PFC levels in various matrices are still above background levels.

Biomonitoring of perfluorinated compounds in children and adults exposed to perfluorooctanoate-contaminated drinking water.

OBJECTIVE: 40,000 residents in Arnsberg, Germany, had been exposed to drinking water contaminated with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Internal exposure of the residents of Arnsberg to six PFCs was assessed in comparison with reference areas. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy children (5-6 years of age), 317 mothers (23-49 years), and 204 men (18-69 years) took part in the cross-sectional study. MEASUREMENTS: Individual consumption of drinking water and personal characteristics were assessed by questionnaire and interview. Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanoate, perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoropentanoate, and perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) in blood plasma and PFOA/PFOS in drinking water samples were measured by solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatrography, and tandem mass spectrometry detection. RESULTS: Of the various PFCs, PFOA was the main compound found in drinking water (500-640 ng/L). PFOA levels in blood plasma of residents living in Arnsberg were 4.5-8.3 times higher than those for the reference population (arithmetic means Arnsberg/controls: children 24.6/5.2 microg/L, mothers 26.7/3.2 microg/L, men 28.5/6.4 microg/L). Consumption of tap water at home was a significant predictor of PFOA blood concentrations in Arnsberg. PFHxS concentrations were significantly increased in Arnsberg compared with controls (p < 0.05). PFBS was detected in 33% of the children, 4% of the women, and 13% of the men in Arnsberg compared with 5%, 0.7%, and 3%, respectively, in the reference areas (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that age and male sex were significant predictors of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS; associations of other regressors (diet, body mass index) varied among PFCs. CONCLUSIONS: PFC concentrations in blood plasma of children and adults exposed to PFC-contaminated drinking water were increased 4- to 8-fold compared with controls.

The Duisburg birth cohort study: influence of the prenatal exposure to PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs on thyroid hormone status in newborns and neurodevelopment of infants until the age of 24 months.

Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) can affect neurobehavioral development of infants and children. This effect may be mediated through disruption of thyroid hormone homeostasis. However, epidemiological studies reveal no consistent influence of PCDD/Fs and PCBs on thyroid status and neurodevelopment at environmental background levels. The effects may resolve with time of further decreasing exposure to these compounds. The aim of this study was to find out if there are still effects related to prenatal PCDD/F and PCB observable at the meanwhile decreased levels of exposure by using the same methods which have been applied in similar studies during the last 10 years in Europe. The birth cohort study was initiated in the year 2000 in the industrialized city of Duisburg, Germany. 232 healthy mother-infant pairs were recruited between 2000 and 2002. Dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and six indicator PCBs were analyzed in maternal blood during pregnancy and in maternal milk following extraction and sample clean-up by HRGC/HRMS. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were measured in serum samples of the pregnant women and in cord serum samples by chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Neurological examinations were performed at ages 2 weeks and 18 months using the neurological optimality score (NOS), mental and motor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) at ages 12 and 24 months. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to describe the association of PCDD/F and PCB in maternal blood or milk with the outcome measurements after adjustment for confounding. Blood levels (n=182) of WHO 2005 toxic equivalents (TEQ) (PCDD/F+PCB) were in the range of 3.8-58.4 pg/glipid base (median: 19.3 pg/glipid base). The corresponding data for human milk (n=149) were 2.6-52.4 pg/glipid base (median: 19.7 pg/glipid base). Multiple regression analysis showed no decrease of thyroid hormones related to WHO 2005 TEQ in blood and milk of mothers and their newborns. Furthermore, no associations between exposure and neurological and developmental measures were observed. This study supports the view that the current decreased exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs does not impair thyroid function of newborns and neurodevelopment of infants until the age of 24 months.

Justice heals: the impact of impunity and the fight against it on the recovery of severe human rights violations' survivors.

Case studies show that traumatized refugees, who are survivors of serious human rights violations, suffer from persisting impunity in their home countries. Ongoing impunity--the inability to overcome the legal protection of the perpetrators assured by impunity laws, incomplete truthfinding, missing integral reparation and a lack of the necessary acknowledgement by society--represents an important obstacle for the recovery of survivors of serious human rights violations. There are reports describing that a high percentage of survivors shows an elevated mental vulnerability caused by impunity. Mental health problems resulting from traumatic experiences can persist or be reactivated by certain events. In particular, family members of the forcibly disappeared suffer from an incomplete mourning due to the uncertain fate of their beloved ones. The ongoing search for the forcibly disappeared under an atmosphere of impunity puts family members under high risk of retraumatization. Studies from other continents also prove that impunity severely affects mental health. Due to the global character of impunity there can be only little evidence about a positive impact of justice on mental health. Nevertheless, a few examples, in particular from Latin America, show that the combined implementation of memory, truth and justice can have a healing impact on those who suffer from trauma. They demonstrate that the fight against impunity is not only a legitimate moral struggle for human rights, but also a basic need for the sustainable recovery of survivors.

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and cardiopulmonary mortality in women.

BACKGROUND: Living close to major roads or highways has been suggested to almost double the risk of dying from cardiopulmonary causes. We assessed whether long-term exposure to air pollution originating from motorized traffic and industrial sources is associated with total and cause-specific mortality in a cohort of women living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. METHODS: The study was a follow-up of a series of cross-sectional studies carried out during the 1980s and 1990s on the health of women (age 50-59 years). Approximately 4800 women were followed up for vital status and migration. Exposure to air pollution was defined by distance to major roads calculated from Geographic Information System data and by 1- and 5-year average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particle (PM10) concentrations calculated from air monitoring station data. We analyzed associations between exposure and mortality using Cox's proportional hazards models adjusting for confounders. Relative risks (RRs) refer to an interquartile range increase in exposure (16 microg/m for NO2; 7 microg/m for PM10). RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 8% of the women died, 3% from cardiopulmonary causes. Cardiopulmonary mortality was associated with living within a 50-meter radius of a major road (adjusted RR = 1.70; 95% confidence interval = 1.02-2.81), with NO2 (1.57; 1.23-2.00 for 1-year average), and with PM10 (1.34; 1.06-1.71 for 1-year average). Exposure to NO2 was also associated with all-cause mortality (1.17; 1.02-1.34). No association was seen with noncardiopulmonary nonlung cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Living close to major roads and chronic exposure to NO2 and PM10 may be associated with an increased mortality due to cardiopulmonary causes.

Health effects of particles in ambient air.

A summary of a critical review by a working group of the German commission on Air Pollution Prevention of VDI and DIN of the actual data on exposure and health effects (excluding cancer) of fine particulate air pollution is presented. EXPOSURE: Typical ambient particle concentrations for PM10 (PM2.5) in Germany are in the range of 10-45 (10-30) microg/m3 as annual mean and 50-200 (40-150) microg/m3 as maximum daily mean. The ratio of PM2.5/PM10 generally amounts between 0.7 and 0.9. HEALTH EFFECTS: During the past 10 years many new epidemiological and toxicological studies on health effects of particulate matter (PM) have been published. In summary, long-term exposure against PM for years or decades is associated with elevated total, cardiovascular, and infant mortality. With respect to morbidity, respiratory symptoms, lung growth, and function of the immune system are affected. Short-term studies show consistant associations of exposure to daily concentrations of PM with mortality and morbidity on the same day or the subsequent days. Patients with asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases as well as patients with cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes are especially affected. The strongest associations are found for PM2.5 followed by PM10, with no indication of a threshold value for the health effects. The data base for ultra fine particles is too small for final conclusions. The available toxicological data support the epidemiological findings and give hints as to the mechanisms of the effects. CONCLUSION: The working group concludes that a further reduction of the limit values proposed for 2005 will substantially reduce health risks due to particulate air pollution. Because of the strong correlation of PM10 with PM2.5 at most German sites there is no specific need for limit values of PM2.5 for Germany in addition to those of PM10.