Environmental Exposure Assessment Research Articles

Nucleic acid detection and quantitative analysis of influenza virus using exhaled breath condensate

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is increasingly being used as a non-invasive method for disease diagnosis and environmental exposure assessment. We previously detected the nucleic acids of bacterial pathogens in EBC. Influenza viruses can be transmitted through aerosols during coughing and exhaling. Existing detection methods for influenza have various limitations. The EBC collection method is convenient, non-invasive, and reduces the risk of exposure. We investigated the detection of influenza virus in EBC using a sensitive nucleic acid testing method and performed quantitative analysis to evaluate the present and content of influenza virus in the breath. We evaluated 30 patients with respiratory tract infection during the 2019 influenza season. The clinical data and samples of nasal swabs were collected for rapid influenza diagnostic (antigen) tests. Pharyngeal swab and EBC samples were used for influenza virus nucleic acid detection. Each EBC sample was assessed twice as well as at one-month follow-up of the patients. The nucleic acid test in the EBC of 30 cases revealed 20 and two cases of influenza A and B, respectively, giving a detection rate of 73.3%. The rapid influenza diagnostic (antigen) tests revealed four and 12 cases of influenza A and B, respectively, with a detection rate of 53.3%. All pharyngeal swab samples evaluated by the nucleic acid test were influenza-positive; 12 cases were positive for both influenza A and B and 18 cases were positive for influenza B alone. The influenza viral load in the EBC was 103–107 copies ml−1. Among the 16 patients followed-up after 1 month, 4 were positive (25%) in EBC samples and 10 were positive (62.5%) in pharyngeal swab samples. It was preliminary exploration that influenza virus could be detected in EBC. EBC is one of the sample types that would be used for molecular diagnosis of influenza.

Comparing the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) environmental exposure calculations with monitoring data for alkyl sulphate surfactants

BackgroundThe European surfactant and detergent industry initiated a project to conduct an EUSES-based environmental exposure assessment for the total volume of alkyl sulfate (AS) surfactants, and to verify if the EUSES assessment leads to a realistic prediction of the environmental exposure or to an over- respectively under-estimation of the environmental concentrations of the surfactants. Verification of the EUSES environmental concentration prediction (Clocaleffluent) was carried out by benchmarking them against environmental monitoring data. Recently published data from the United States of America adjusted to the European Union (EU) frame conditions were used for the assessment, as for the EU only historical data from the mid-1990s are available. In addition to the standard (default) EUSES assessment, a higher tier assessment using substance-specific properties, particularly increased biodegradation rates (192 per day instead of the default of 24 per day for WWTP), was conducted.ResultsA figure of 178,400 tonnes of AS was established as the total maximum volume (2016) handled annually in Europe. This total volume includes the volumes from all EU manufacturers and all registered AS > 100 t/a, as well as the amount of AS contained in EU REACH registered alkyl ether sulfates (AES). The total tonnage was split and assigned to the different uses as reported to ECHA in the C12 AS, Na (151-21-3) registration dossier in 2010. The EUSES calculation was limited to widespread (professional and consumer) uses, covering in total 97,889 t of AS homologues. The EUSES calculation gave a Clocaleffluent of 335 µg/L for the SimpleTreat “readily” biodegradation rate default and a Clocaleffluent of 44.6 µg/L for the AS-specific degradation rates. Recent US monitoring data showed a mean effluent concentration of 4.24 µg alkyl sulfates/L (∑ C12 + C14 + C16 homologues). Taking into account the different annual per capita AS use (including AS from AES) in the US (295 g) and the EU (348 g), the daily per capita water use (EU 200 L, US 408 L), and the WWTP efficiency in the EU and the US (comparable), an US to EU adjustment factor of 2.4 was established. Application of the adjustment factor to the US monitoring data resulted in a calculated EU mean effluent concentration = 10.18 µg alkyl sulfates/L (∑ C12, C14, C16 homologues). This value was used as an independent benchmark for the EUSES calculations.ConclusionsComparing the predicted Clocaleffluent = 335 µg alkyl sulfates/L (SimpleTreat default) and a Clocaleffluent = 44.6 µg Alkyl Sulfates/L (AS-specific degradation rates) with the 10.18 µg alkyl sulfates/L from the adjusted monitoring data it is evident, that the EUSES calculation overestimates the AS environmental exposure by factors of > 32 and > 4, respectively. Taking into consideration, that only widespread uses (covering only 50% of the total AS volume) were included in the EUSES calculation, the overestimation of the default exposure by a factor of 4 is still conservative, despite the fact, that eightfold higher, substance-specific biodegradation rates were used. In conclusion, using the 2010 C12-AS REACH dossier (CAS-No. 151-21-3) as an example, it has been shown, that EUSES model exposure calculations using default biodegradation rates significantly overestimate effluent concentrations.

Empirical and Modeling Approach for Environmental Indoor RF-EMF Assessment in Complex High-Node Density Scenarios: Public Shopping Malls Case Study

This work provides an intensive and comprehensive in-depth study from an empirical and modeling approach of the environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) radiation exposure in public shopping malls, as an example of an indoor high-node user density context aware environment, where multiple wireless communication systems coexist. For that purpose, current personal mobile communications (2G-5G FR 1) as well as Wi-Fi services (IEEE 802.11n/ac) have been precisely analyzed in order to provide clear RF-EMF assessment insight and to verify compliance with established regulation limits. In this sense, a complete measurements campaign has been performed in different countries, with frequency-selective exposimeters (PEMs), providing real empirical datasets for statistical analysis and allowing discussion and comparison regarding current health effects and safety issues between some of the most common RF-EMF exposure safety standards: ICNIRP 2020 (Spain), IEEE 2019 (Mexico) and a more restrictive regulation (Poland). In addition, environmental RF-EMF exposure assessment simulation results, in terms of spatial E-field characterization and Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) probabilities, have been provided for challenging incremental high-node user dense scenarios in worst case conditions, by means of a deterministic in-house 3D Ray-Launching (3D-RL) RF-EMF safety simulation technique, showing good agreement with the experimental measurements. Finally, discussion highlighting the contribution and effects of the coexistence of multiple heterogenous networks and services for the environmental RF-EMF radiation exposure assessment has been included, showing that for all measured results and simulated cases, the obtained E-Field levels are well below the exposure limits established in the internationally accepted standards and guidelines. In consequence, the obtained results and the presented methodology could become a starting point to stablish the RF-EMF assessment basis of future complex heterogeneous 5G FR 2 developments on the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, where massive high-node user density networks are expected.

Welcome to the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment

Welcome to the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment

Validating and Comparing Highly Resolved Commercial "Off the Shelf" PM Monitoring Sensors with Satellite Based Hybrid Models, for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment.

Particulate matter is a common health hazard, and under certain conditions, an ecological threat. While many studies were conducted in regard to air pollution and potential effects, this paper serves as a pilot scale investigation into the spatial and temporal variability of particulate matter (PM) pollution in arid urban environments in general, and Beer-Sheva, Israel as a case study. We explore the use of commercially off the shelf (COTS) sensors, which provide an economical solution for spatio-temporal measurements. We started with a comparison process against an A-grade meteorological station, where it was shown that under specific climatic conditions, a number of COTS sensors were able to produce robust agreement (mean ). The second stage examined the COTS sensors that were proven accurate in a mobile measurement campaign. Finally, data collected was compared to a validated satellite prediction model. We present how these tests and COTS sensor-kits could then be used to further explain the continuity and dispersion of particulate matter in similar areas.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Atopy: A Mini-Review.

Atopic diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR) share a common pathogenesis of inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process where epithelial cells take on a migratory mesenchymal phenotype and is essential for normal tissue repair and signal through multiple inflammatory pathways. However, while links between EMT and both asthma and AR have been demonstrated, as we outline in this mini-review, the literature investigating AD and EMT is far less well-elucidated. Furthermore, current studies on EMT and atopy are mostly animal models or ex vivo studies on cell cultures or tissue biopsies. The literature covered in this mini-review on EMT-related barrier dysfunction as a contributor to AD as well as the related (perhaps resultant) atopic diseases indicates a potential for therapeutic targeting and carry treatment implications for topical steroid use and environmental exposure assessments. Further research, particularly in vivo studies, may greatly advance the field and translate into benefit for patients and families.

Rationale and decision rules behind the ECETOC NanoApp to support registration of sets of similar nanoforms within REACH

New registration requirements for nanomaterials under REACH consider the possibility to form ‘sets of similar nanoforms’ for a joined human health and environmental hazard, exposure and risk assessment. We developed a tool to create and justify sets of similar nanoforms and to ensure that each of the nanoforms is sufficiently similar to all other nanoforms. The decision logic is following the ECHA guidance in a transparent and evidence-based manner. For each two nanoforms the properties under consideration are compared and corresponding thresholds for maximal differences are proposed. In tier1, similarity is assessed based on intrinsic properties that mostly correspond to those required for nanoform identification under REACH: composition, impurities/additives, size, crystallinity, shape and surface treatment. Moreover, potential differences in the agglomeration/aggregation state resulting from different production processes are considered. If nanoforms were not sufficiently similar based on tier1 criteria, additional data from functional assays are required in tier2. In rare cases, additional short-term in vivo rodent data could be required in a third tier. Data required by tier 2 are triggered by the intrinsic properties in the first tier that did not match the similarity criteria. Most often this will be data on dissolution and surface reactivity followed by in vitro toxicity, dispersion stability, dustiness. Out of several nanoforms given by the user, the tool concludes which nanoforms could be justified to be in the same set and which nanoforms are outside. It defines the boundaries of sets of similar nanoforms and generates a justification for the REACH registration.

Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for Imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products

BackgroundImidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs). VMPs containing Imidacloprid are formulated as spot-on products or collars and designed to protect pets, predominantly dogs and cats, from parasite infestation. Monitoring data collected under the Water Framework Directive between 2016 and 2018 showed detectable and varying levels of Imidacloprid in the UK surface water bodies. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential contribution of VMPs by developing a model for predicting the emissions from sewage treatment plants from the use of dog and cat spot-on and collar VMPs. Due to the absence of appropriate exposure models for VMPs, the model was built based on the principles of environmental exposure assessment for biocidal products.ResultsThree emission paths were considered to be the most likely routes for repeated emissions to waterways from the use of spot-on and collar VMPs, i.e., transfer to pet bedding followed by washing, washing/bathing of dogs, and walking dogs in the rain. The developed model was used to calculate the Imidacloprid concentrations in surface water after discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Realistic worst-case input parameters were deduced from sales and survey data and experimental studies. Modelled total concentrations in surface water for each pathway ranged from 0.84 to 4.8 ng/L. The calculated concentrations did not exceed the ecological thresholds for the most sensitive aquatic invertebrate organisms and were found to be much lower than the UK monitoring data for river water. For example, the calculated concentration from the bathing/washing of dogs was < 3% of the highest levels of Imidacloprid measured in surface waters.ConclusionIn conclusion, a model has been successfully built and applied. The modelled data indicate that these VMPs make only a very small contribution to the levels of Imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme. Further, calculated concentrations do not exceed ecotoxicological threshold values indicating acceptable chronic safety to aquatic organisms.

Capacity development in environmental epidemiology research in Africa: experience from ISEE sponsored short course in Nigeria

A short course on environmental epidemiology and exposure assessment sponsored by ISEE Capacity and Education committee in 2019 was aimed to strengthen the ability of African researchers to conduct more studies in Africa to fill data gaps. This complements the mission of ISEE Africa chapter. A local institution (University of Ibadan, Nigeria) was sourced to partner with ISEE Africa chapter to host the 3-day introductory training. The course was advertised extensively to all parts of Africa through social media and focus groups. Eligibility criteria for applicants are that they must be African, graduate students and scientists with basic degree in environment, health or a related discipline and ability to meet own transportation and accommodation. Applicants submitted online essay on African environmental issues, research interests and how the training will benefit own career. Training was face-to-face tutorial, videos, group work and hands-on exercises. The course faculty were four experienced tutors from 1SEE and partner institution. 213 (39%) out of 545 applications received from 15 African countries, passed the eligibility and screening criteria. Seventy-three (13%) successful applicants were invited but only 59 from Nigeria, Uganda and Guinea attended. Participants comprised 46% female and 54% male with 97% possessing a postgraduate qualification. Participants came from a heterogeneous background and for many, this was their first epidemiology course. Forty-eight participants joined ISEE. Participants feedback was very positive. There was potential for continuation of work locally. For future courses, location selection criteria should include a place that may attract participants from other countries, collaboration with reputable local institution, consideration for post-training sustainability, local organizing committee that can mobilize high number of participants and members for ISEE. Increased knowledge of environmental health risks in Africa is important to improve global public health. Therefore, capacity development in environmental epidemiology in Africa deserves priority in global scientific agenda.

How GREAT is GRADE? Taking stock of GRADE for evidence review in environmental epidemiology

It has been proposed to apply the GRADE approach to the evaluation of environmental hazards using the same criteria already used for clinical evaluation, i.e. anchored to the principle that RCT is the gold standard. GRADE defines four levels of evidence quality: very low, low, moderate, and high. Evidence is given a starting quality level (high for RCTs, lower for observational studies) that may decrease (risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, and publication bias) or increase (large magnitude of the effect, all plausible confounding would reduce the demonstrated effect or increase the effect if no effect was observed, a dose-response relationship). GRADE recommends against making modifications to the approach, although the literature on different attitudes to applying GRADE is growing. The proposed application of GRADE to environmental risks presents conceptual and operational difficulties. In clinical medicine, the aim is mostly to establish the efficacy of a treatment, whereas in the assessment of environmental exposures the harmfulness of an exposure is of concern. Two different perspectives. In the first case, the main interest is to minimize the number of false positives when the null hypothesis is true (i.e. the treatment is ineffective) with the aim of preventing an ineffective treatment to be used. In the second case, it is necessary to minimize the number of false negatives when the environmental exposure is actually harmful, because it is essential to protect the population (even at the cost of accepting false positive results). GRADE works with a system of downgrading and upgrading of evidence. However, some crucial aspects are not considered: 1. number of studies that constitute the body of the evidence; 2. consistency of the effects across populations that differ in factors such as time, location, and/or exposure assessment; 3. consistency of the effects across studies with different design features. Finally, the assessment of the risk of bias is particularly critical as currently there is no gold standard for such evaluation. In sum, it is obvious that the immediate application of GRADE to environmental issues is not straightforward.

Environmental and dietary exposure of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid in the Nakdong River, Korea.

This study performed the first environmental and dietary exposure assessment to explore plant uptake of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) from agricultural soil and irrigation water in the Nakdong River delta, South Korea. Annual average concentrations of total PFOA and PFOS ranged from 0.026 to 0.112µg L-1 (irrigation water), and from 0.818 to 1.364µgkg-1 (soil), respectively. PFOA and PFOS hotspots were identified downstream of the Nakdong River and were influenced by seasonal climatic variations. The observed average biennial concentration of the sum of PFOA and PFOS decreased in irrigation water, from 0.112µg L-1 in 2013 to 0.026µg L-1 in 2015, suggests that the 2013 Persistent Organic Pollutants Control Act may have helped to reduce levels of PFAS at this location. This study calculated some of the highest plant uptake factors reported to date, with values ranging from 0.962 in green onions to < 0.004 in plums. Leafy vegetables and rice are important components of the Korean diet; these groups had the largest contribution to the estimated dietary intake of PFOA and PFOS, which was calculated at 0.449 and 0.140ngkg bw -1 day-1, respectively. This corresponded to 66.4% for PFOA and 7.9% for PFOS of the EFSA reference dose (RfD). The dietary intake of PFOA and PFOS from crops alone did not exceed the RfD. However, when the estimated daily intake (EDI) from other sources such as tap water, meat, fish, dairy, and beverages was included in the exposure risk assessment, both of the EDIs to PFOA and PFOS exceeded the RfDs, indicating that there may be a risk to human health. This study concludes that consumption of crops might, therefore, be a significant and underappreciated pathway for human exposure to PFAS.

Understanding the Dependence of Micropollutant Biotransformation Rates on Short-Term Temperature Shifts.

Temperature is a key factor that influences chemical biotransformation potential and rates, on which exposure and fate models rely to predict the environmental (micro)pollutant fate. Arrhenius-based models are currently implemented in environmental exposure assessment to adapt biotransformation rates to actual temperatures, assuming validity in the 0-30 °C range. However, evidence on how temperature shifts affect the physicochemical and microbial features in biological systems is scarce, questioning the validity of the existing modeling approaches. In this work, laboratory-scale batch assays were designed to investigate how a mixed microbial community responds to short-term temperature shifts, and how this impacts its ability to biotransform a range of structurally diverse micropollutants. Our results revealed three distinct kinetic responses at temperatures above 20 °C, mostly deviating from the classic Arrhenius-type behavior. Micropollutants with similar temperature responses appeared to undergo mostly similar initial biotransformation reactions, with substitution-type reactions maintaining Arrhenius-type behavior up to higher temperatures than oxidation-type reactions. Above 20 °C, the microbial community also showed marked shifts in both composition and activity, which mostly correlated with the observed deviations from Arrhenius-type behavior, with compositional changes becoming a more relevant factor in biotransformations catalyzed by more specific enzymes (e.g., oxidation reactions). Our findings underline the need to re-examine and further develop current environmental fate models by integrating biological aspects, to improve accuracy in predicting the environmental fate of micropollutants.

The importance of over-the-counter-sales and product format in the environmental exposure assessment of active pharmaceutical ingredients

When assessing the environmental exposure of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the mass contributed from over the counter (OTC) sales are often not included due to difficulty obtaining this data and topical formats are overlooked completely. This study presents a comprehensive approach, investigating the significance of OTC and topical applications as sources of API releases to wastewater, in addition to temporal and subnational variations in use in the UK. The study provides methods to obtain and make use of OTC sales data which can be applied widely. The calculated releases to wastewater compared well with influent concentrations measured at several UK wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Consistent overestimation was observed, attributed to a number of factors, including in-sewer removal. OTC sales were found to make up a large proportion of the mass of ibuprofen (76%) and diclofenac (35%) consumed and topical formats were also found to be vital, contributing disproportionately to wastewater loadings per unit mass of ibuprofen and diclofenac used (43% and 99% of the total mass released, respectively). Releases of the APIs investigated did not vary temporally, but regional variation was significant and where possible should be considered for the most accurate exposure assessment of pharmaceuticals.

Key principles and operational practices for improved nanotechnology environmental exposure assessment.

Nanotechnology is identified as a key enabling technology due to its potential to contribute to economic growth and societal well-being across industrial sectors. Sustainable nanotechnology requires a scientifically based and proportionate risk governance structure to support innovation, including a robust framework for environmental risk assessment (ERA) that ideally builds on methods established for conventional chemicals to ensure alignment and avoid duplication. Exposure assessment developed as a tiered approach is equally beneficial to nano-specific ERA as for other classes of chemicals. Here we present the developing knowledge, practical considerations and key principles need to support exposure assessment for engineered nanomaterials for regulatory and research applications.

Estimation of hourly full-coverage PM2.5 concentrations at 1-km resolution in China using a two-stage random forest model

Fine particulate matter such as PM2.5 has been the focus of increasing public concerns because of its adverse effect on environment and health risks. However, existing efforts of mapping PM2.5 concentrations are always limited by coarse spatial resolutions and temporal frequencies. Addressing this shortcoming, here we explicitly estimated hourly PM2.5 concentrations at 1-km spatial resolution in China from March 2018 to February 2019 using a two-stage random forest model. In the first stage, we used a gap-filling method to generate full-coverage Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) by fusing AOD data from satellite (Himawari-8 and MODIS) and weather forecast model (CAMS), and additional meteorological and geographical variables. Gap-filled AOD was subsequently used to estimate hourly PM2.5 in the Stage II. Results showed that our model achieved accurate and robust estimations of PM2.5 concentrations, with an overall cross-validated R2 of 0.85, root mean squared error of 11.02 μg/m3, and mean absolute error of 6.73 μg/m3. CAMS-simulated PM2.5, elevation, and gap-filled AOD were identified to be important variables contributing to the model performance of PM2.5 estimation. The model performance varied over the daily temporal scale. Specifically, daily estimation model performed better in spring and winter but worse in summer and autumn. We provide an alternative to generate spatially and temporally explicit mapping of PM2.5 concentrations with fine resolutions, making it possible to achieve real-time monitoring of air pollutions. The detailed spatial heterogeneity and diurnal variability of PM2.5 concentrations will also be valuable for environmental exposure assessments.

The genotoxicity of an organic solvent mixture: A human biomonitoring study and translation of a real-scenario exposure to in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate occupational exposure to a styrene and xylene mixture through environmental exposure assessment and identify the potential genotoxic effects through biological monitoring. Secondly, we also exposed human peripheral blood cells in vitro to both xylene and styrene either alone or in mixture at concentrations found in occupational settings in order to understand their mechanism of action. The results obtained by air monitoring were below the occupational exposure limits for both substances. All biomarkers of effect, except for nucleoplasmic bridges, had higher mean values in workers (N = 17) compared to the corresponding controls (N = 17). There were statistically significant associations between exposed individuals and the presence of nuclear buds and oxidative damage. As for in vitro results, there was no significant influence on primary DNA damage in blood cells as evaluated by the comet assay. On the contrary, we did observe a significant increase of micronuclei and nuclear buds, but not nucleoplasmic bridges upon in vitro exposure. Taken together, both styrene and xylene have the potential to induce genomic instability either alone or in combination, showing higher effects when combined. The obtained data suggested that thresholds for individual chemicals might be insufficient for ensuring the protection of human health.

Environmental risk assessment of polycarboxylate polymers used in cleaning products in the United States

Polycarboxylate polymers have been common components of consumer and institutional cleaning products for decades. With interest heightened in the potential environmental impact of polymers, the American Cleaning Institute, the industry trade association of the cleaning products industry in the United States, is reassessing the state of the science regarding the environmental safety of polymers in cleaning products. In this case study, acrylic acid homopolymers and acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers are evaluated using historical ecotoxicity data that have been reported over the past three decades. The evaluation includes an environmental exposure assessment that is based on recent information regarding the occurrence of those ingredients in cleaning products and market sales data for cleaning products sold in the United States. The ecotoxicity of polycarboxylate polymers is generally low. Consequently, the potential environmental risks associated with their use in cleaning products in the United States are low even when applying very conservative assumptions to the environmental exposure assessment. In addition, there are recent supporting conclusions from assessments by the governments of Australia and Canada that polycarboxylate polymers are polymers of low concern, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has included a number of polycarboxylate polymers among the ingredients on its Safer Chemical Ingredients List based on their low hazard profile.

Scale effects in remotely sensed greenspace metrics and how to mitigate them for environmental health exposure assessment

Metrics representing exposure to the natural environment are widely used in environmental health-related studies. They are calculated using a variety of different data sources representing greenspace and a range of buffer sizes representing human interaction with the environment. Previous studies have identified issues relating to buffer distance and scaling effects on greenspace exposure assessments when using satellite image-derived metrics. We evaluate the spatial scale sensitivity of three common greenspace metrics (i.e., Normalised Difference Vegetation Index- NDVI, Leaf Area Index- LAI, and Land Use and Land Cover-LULC), using lacunarity analysis, as a scale-dependent measure of heterogeneity based on the principles of fractals. By producing a ‘lacunarity curve’ across multiple spatial scales, we defined the scale-variances for specific greenspace metrics, including the upper scale limit at which the metrics become invariant, approximately 640 m for Sentinel-2 and 480 m for Landsat-8. Each of the greenspace metrics we considered exhibited scale sensitivities, meaning that each is expected to have a different influence on the strength and significance of the statistical associations found between greenspace exposure and health depending on the spatial scale of analysis (e.g., buffer distance). Using lacunarity curves, we produced a novel composite, multi-scale greenspace ‘exposure index’ in which each input scale is weighted according to its relative scale sensitivity. We also created a multi-scale, multi-metric map combining the different vegetation measures while accounting for scale. We found that cumulative exposure gradients across a large urban conurbation are even more marked when using our multi-scale ‘exposure index’ maps compared to traditional approaches. Our multi-scale, composite greenspace ‘exposure index’ mapping techniques are not as vulnerable to scale effects as traditional approaches and can be readily transferred to the analysis of other environmental exposure variables such as air pollution.

Environmental surveillance and adverse neonatal health outcomes in foals born near unconventional natural gas development activity

Studies of neonatal health risks of unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) have not included comprehensive assessments of environmental chemical exposures. We investigated a clustering of dysphagic cases in neonatal foals born between 2014 and 2016 in an area of active UNGD in Pennsylvania (PA),USA. We evaluated equine biological data and environmental exposures on the affected PA farm and an unaffected New York (NY) farm owned by the same proprietor. Dams either spent their entire gestation on one farm or moved to the other farm in late gestation. Over the 21-month study period, physical examinations and blood/tissue samples were obtained from mares and foals on each farm. Grab samples of water, pasture soil and feed were collected; continuous passive sampling of air and water for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was performed. Dysphagia was evaluated as a binary variable; logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. Sixty-five foals were born, 17 (all from PA farm) were dysphagic. Odds of dysphagia increased with the dam residing on the PA farm for each additional month of gestation (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.7, p = 6.0E-04). Males were more likely to be born dysphagic (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 1.2, 24.5, p = 0.03) than females. Prior to installation of a water filtration/treatment system, PA water concentrations of 3,6-dimethylphenanthrene (p = 6.0E-03), fluoranthene (p = 0.03), pyrene (p = 0.02) and triphenylene (p = 0.01) exceeded those in NY water. Compared to NY farm water, no concentrations of PAHs were higher in PA following installation of the water filtration/treatment system. We provide evidence of an uncommon adverse health outcome (dysphagia) in foals born near UNGD that was eliminated in subsequent years (2017–2019) following environmental management changes. Notably, this study demonstrates that domestic large animals such as horses can serve as important sentinels for human health risks associated with UNGD activities.

Environmental lipidomics: understanding the response of organisms and ecosystems to a changing world.

Understanding the interaction between organisms and the environment is important for predicting and mitigating the effects of global phenomena such as climate change, and the fate, transport, and health effects of anthropogenic pollutants. By understanding organism and ecosystem responses to environmental stressors at the molecular level, mechanisms of toxicity and adaptation can be determined. This information has important implications in human and environmental health, engineering biotechnologies, and understanding the interaction between anthropogenic induced changes and the biosphere. One class of molecules with unique promise for environmental science are lipids; lipids are highly abundant and ubiquitous across nearly all organisms, and lipid profiles often change drastically in response to external stimuli. These changes allow organisms to maintain essential biological functions, for example, membrane fluidity, as they adapt to a changing climate and chemical environment. Lipidomics can help scientists understand the historical and present biofeedback processes in climate change and the biogeochemical processes affecting nutrient cycles. Lipids can also be used to understand how ecosystems respond to historical environmental changes with lipid signatures dating back to hundreds of millions of years, which can help predict similar changes in the future. In addition, lipids are direct targets of environmental stressors, for example, lipids are easily prone to oxidative damage, which occurs during exposure to most toxins. This is the first review to summarize the current efforts to comprehensively measure lipids to better understand the interaction between organisms and their environment. This review focuses on lipidomic applications in the arenas of environmental toxicology and exposure assessment, xenobiotic exposures and health (e.g., obesity), global climate change, and nutrient cycles. Moreover, this review summarizes the use of and the potential for lipidomics in engineering biotechnologies for the remediation of persistent compounds and biofuel production. With the preservation of certain lipids across millions of years and our ever-increasing understanding of their diverse biological roles, lipidomic-based approaches provide a unique utility to increase our understanding of the contemporary and historical interactions between organisms, ecosystems, and anthropogenically-induced environmental changes.