The urban exposome profile of Limassol, Cyprus: integration of biomonitoring data with drinking water and quality of life indicators

Abstract

Background and aim: Cities currently host the majority of the global population and generate more than 80% of the global gross domestic product. Societal changes, e.g., urbanization and migration shape population health, quality of life and urban exposures. Extending the human exposome framework, the urban exposome can be defined as the totality of environmental and health indicators that shape quality of life and urban populations’ health, using the city and smaller, intra-city areas as measurement units. The aim of this study is to describe the urban exposome profile of Limassol in summer 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipality of Limassol, Cyprus with collection of household tap water samples, urine samples and questionnaire data from residents. We integrated data on drinking water and quality of life indicators with urinary data on untargeted metabolomics and biomarkers of pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides. We mapped the urban exposome parameters (i.e., water quality, urinary pesticides, green space access) across the urban center and explored associations among them. Results: Overall, 132 residents participated in the study, 83% of which provided two urine samples (different days). 89% of the participants self-reported very good or good health. 64% reported living close to green spaces, which based on their assessment were not well-maintained, and thus, not used. Overall, 2% of households’ tap water exceeded 100 μg/L of total trihalomethanes and less than 1% were outside the parametric values for E. coli and Enterococci spp (zero CFU/100 mL). Correlations between all parameters were explored and linear-mixed effect models described associations among the urban exposome variables. Conclusions: The application of urban exposome concept and its exposomic tools allowed continuous monitoring of urban health indicators to inform policy makers for the development of public health interventions for healthier living in sustainable societies. Keywords: urban health; exposome; metabolomics; epidemiology