Research and Faculty

Environ Res. 2025 Feb 17:121131. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121131. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39971110 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121131

Am J Community Psychol. 2025 Feb 13. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12792. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Agricultural work presents significant physical and social challenges globally and in the United States, with women farmworkers facing unique risks that remain underexplored. This study examines the social and occupational hazards confronted by women farmworkers in Michigan using data from the Michigan Farmworker Project. In-depth interviews with farmworkers were thematically analyzed. Results highlight five main dimensions of working and living conditions: gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, reproductive health concerns, pregnancy challenges, and work-life balance issues. Women and men participants (n = 35; average age of 42 years; 57% women) reported hazardous and exploitative conditions including sexual harassment, chemical exposures, and challenges with proper hygiene and sanitation-especially during menstruation-including lack of bathroom access and other problems leading to urinary tract infections. Participants discussed pregnancy-specific concerns and concerns regarding work-life balance and childcare (i.e., insufficient time for family, challenges with coordination of childcare). Findings underscore the need for policies to address these disparities, especially for single women farmworkers. Interventions and policies informed by this study can improve the well-being of women workers and their families in agricultural settings.

PMID:39949185 | DOI:10.1002/ajcp.12792

Am J Community Psychol. 2025 Feb 13. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12792. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Agricultural work presents significant physical and social challenges globally and in the United States, with women farmworkers facing unique risks that remain underexplored. This study examines the social and occupational hazards confronted by women farmworkers in Michigan using data from the Michigan Farmworker Project. In-depth interviews with farmworkers were thematically analyzed. Results highlight five main dimensions of working and living conditions: gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, reproductive health concerns, pregnancy challenges, and work-life balance issues. Women and men participants (n = 35; average age of 42 years; 57% women) reported hazardous and exploitative conditions including sexual harassment, chemical exposures, and challenges with proper hygiene and sanitation-especially during menstruation-including lack of bathroom access and other problems leading to urinary tract infections. Participants discussed pregnancy-specific concerns and concerns regarding work-life balance and childcare (i.e., insufficient time for family, challenges with coordination of childcare). Findings underscore the need for policies to address these disparities, especially for single women farmworkers. Interventions and policies informed by this study can improve the well-being of women workers and their families in agricultural settings.

PMID:39949185 | DOI:10.1002/ajcp.12792

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Feb 18;59(6):2987-2999. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c10390. Epub 2025 Feb 6.

ABSTRACT

Consumer product chemicals pose an environmental risk to public health. Exposure during pregnancy to consumer product chemicals, particularly phthalates and phenols, may increase the susceptibility to pregnancy disorders by dysregulating inflammation and oxidative stress. However, existing studies rely on downstream and nonmodifiable markers of these processes. Oxylipins are oxidized lipids that act as key upstream drivers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, oxylipins are responsive to therapeutic interventions and thus potentially modifiable. Using recent advances in lipidomics and statistical approaches to address both individual chemical biomarkers and their mixtures, we determined associations between early pregnancy biomarkers of consumer product chemical exposure and oxylipins in a large prospective cohort. Overall, our results revealed associations among oxylipins produced across several biosynthetic pathways, suggesting a pattern indicative of dysregulated inflammation and elevated levels of oxidative stress. Phthalate metabolites were the primary drivers of associations, particularly for metabolites of low molecular weight phthalates, often used in personal care products. However, we found similar associations for a biomarker of a phthalate replacement that is increasingly used in consumer products. Our study provides observational evidence of specific physiological pathways that may be dysregulated by exposure to consumer product chemicals, including legacy phthalates and phthalate replacements.

PMID:39913660 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c10390

Toxics. 2025 Jan 15;13(1):58. doi: 10.3390/toxics13010058.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study investigates associations between fine particulate air pollution (PM_2.5) exposure and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy in Puerto Rican individuals, a vulnerable population facing socioeconomic and environmental disparities.

METHODS: This research draws on data from the PROTECT cohort study and involves 1040 participants to measure the effect of PM_2.5 on developmentally important thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, and FT4). Pollution concentrations were linked to participant locations using EPA air quality data and analyzed across two visits during gestational weeks 16-20 and 24-28.

RESULTS: The results suggest that PM_2.5 exposure is positively associated with maternal T3, T4, and FT4 levels but not TSH. These effects vary by timing, with T3 showing stronger associations later in pregnancy and T4/FT4 earlier. Nonlinear dose-response relationships were observed, suggesting thresholds for certain hormones.

DISCUSSION: These findings support previous studies linking altered thyroid hormones to adverse birth outcomes and highlight the potential role of air pollution in disrupting maternal thyroid function and its implications for fetal development, calling for further research into mechanisms and interventions to mitigate these risks.

PMID:39853056 | PMC:PMC11769198 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13010058

BMC Public Health. 2025 Jan 16;25(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21386-3.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Levels of plant-based aeroallergens are rising as growing seasons lengthen and intensify with anthropogenic climate change. Increased exposure to pollens could increase risk for mortality from respiratory causes, particularly among older adults. We determined short-term, lag associations of four species classes of pollen (ragweed, deciduous trees, grass pollen and evergreen trees) with respiratory mortality (all cause, chronic and infectious related) in Michigan, USA.

METHODS: We obtained records for all Michigan deaths from 2006-2017 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Deaths from infectious and chronic respiratory-related causes were selected using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Pollen data were obtained from a prognostic model of daily pollen concentrations at 25 km resolution. Case-crossover models with distributed lag non-linear crossbases for pollen were used to estimate associations between lags of daily pollen concentrations with mortality and to explore effect modification by sex and racial groups.

RESULTS: 127,163 deaths were included in the study. Cumulative daily high concentrations (90th percentile) of deciduous broadleaf, grass and ragweed were associated with all-cause respiratory mortality at early lags with e.g., a 1.81 times higher risk of all respiratory deaths at cumulative 7 day lag exposure to deciduous broadleaf pollen at the 90th percentile (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 3.15). Exposure to high concentrations of grass and ragweed pollens was associated with increased risk for death from chronic respiratory causes. No association was found for any pollen species with death from infectious respiratory causes though there was a positive but non-significant association of exposure to deciduous broadleaf and ragweed pollens. We found no evidence to suggest effect modification by race or sex.

CONCLUSIONS: Modelled exposures to high concentrations of pollen taxa were associated with increased all-cause and chronic respiratory mortality among older adults. Results suggest that pollen exposure may become more important to respiratory mortality as the temperatures increase and pollen seasons lengthen.

PMID:39815234 | PMC:PMC11737261 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-21386-3

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003280. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hotel workers are at risk for burnout. We tested the association between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and burnout.

METHODS: Participants were recruited through social media and completed an online survey. ERI and burnout were analyzed using an adjusted multivariable regression model.

RESULTS: 224 hotel workers were surveyed. 83% were female, 38% were guest room attendants, and 19% were in leadership. Most were white (62%), non-unionized (78%), and worked full-time (76%). The mean age was 39.4 (SD = 13). The mean burnout score was 41.8 (SD = 6.6, range of 20.0-59.0). 50.5% of participants reported high ERI, especially among leadership, food workers, and guest room attendants.

CONCLUSIONS: High ERI was associated with higher burnout. Older age was associated with reduced burnout. Hotel workers experience high levels of stress. Targeted interventions are necessary to foster coping and mitigate risk factors.

PMID:39805134 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003280

Environ Int. 2025 Jan;195:109227. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109227. Epub 2024 Dec 24.

ABSTRACT

Melamine, its analogues, and aromatic amines (AAs) were commonly detected in a previous study of pregnant women in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. While these chemicals have identified toxicities, little is known about their influences on fetal development. We measured these chemicals in gestational urine samples in 3 ECHO cohort sites to assess associations with birth outcomes (n = 1,231). We estimated beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using adjusted linear mixed models with continuous dilution-standardized concentrations (log₂ transformed and scaled by interquartile range, IQR) or binary indicators for detection. As secondary analyses, we repeated analyses using categorical outcomes. Forty-one of 45 analytes were detected in at least one sample, with > 95 % detection of melamine, cyanuric acid, ammelide, and aniline. Higher melamine concentration was associated with longer gestational age (β^ per IQR increase of log₂-transformed: 0.082 [95 % CI: -0.012, 0.177]; 2nd vs 1st tertile: 0.173 [-0.048, 0.394]; 3rd vs 1st tertile: 0.186 [-0.035, 0.407]). Similarly in secondary analyses using categorical outcomes, an IQR increase in log₂(melamine) was associated with 1.22 [0.99, 1.50] higher odds of post-term (>40 & ≤42 weeks) as compared to full-term (≥38 & ≤40 weeks). Several AAs were associated with birthweight and gestational length, with the direction of associations varying by AA. Some stronger associations were observed in females. Our findings suggest melamine and its analogs and AAs may influence gestational length and birthweight.

PMID:39740267 | PMC:PMC11826381 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2024.109227

Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024 Nov;95(11):831-840. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.6393.2024.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: As next-generation space exploration missions require increased autonomy from crews, real-time diagnostics of astronaut health and performance are essential for mission operations, especially for determining extravehicular activity readiness. An augmented reality (AR) system may be a viable tool allowing holographic visual cueing to replace physical objects used in traditional assessments.

METHODS: In this study, 20 healthy adults were compared in an Ingress and Egress Task and Obstacle Weave Task with holographic and physical objects to determine the effect of AR on performance. Subjects performed each task three times within each modality.

RESULTS: AR exhibited increased task completion times with greater head pitch angles across the two tasks. The head and torso angular velocity showed a reduction in magnitude in both tasks within AR, while decreased magnitudes of head and torso acceleration were observed for the Obstacle Weave Task. The subjects were more deliberate and careful in their task completion during the Ingress and Egress Task within AR, stepping higher and lowering their heads further.

DISCUSSION: Subjects successfully completed both tasks using AR and meaningful assessments of their performance were obtained. The increased head pitch observed supported the hologram visualization with the reduced AR field of view. The increased task time and reduced torso angular velocity were compared to strategies used by astronauts postflight while experiencing sensorimotor impairments. AR may be a useful instrumentation solution for assessing in-flight performance, providing embedded sensors and onboard computations; however, thresholds for assessing extravehicular activity readiness must be developed. Weiss H, Stirling L. Augmented reality assessments to support human spaceflight performance evaluation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(11):831-840.

PMID:39711343 | DOI:10.3357/AMHP.6393.2024

Lancet. 2025 Dec 21;404(10471):2543-2583. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01821-X. Epub 2024 Dec 9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The six global nutrition targets (GNTs) related to low birthweight, exclusive breastfeeding, child growth (ie, wasting, stunting, and overweight), and anaemia among females of reproductive age were chosen by the World Health Assembly in 2012 as key indicators of maternal and child health, but there has yet to be a comprehensive report on progress for the period 2012 to 2021. We aimed to evaluate levels, trends, and observed-to-expected progress in prevalence and attributable burden from 2012 to 2021, with prevalence projections to 2050, in 204 countries and territories.

METHODS: The prevalence and attributable burden of each target indicator were estimated by age group, sex, and year in 204 countries and territories from 2012 to 2021 in the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, the most comprehensive assessment of causes of death, disability, and risk factors to date. Country-specific relative performance to date was evaluated with a Bayesian meta-regression model that compares prevalence to expected values based on Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of societal development status. Target progress was forecasted from 2021 up to 2050 by modelling past trends with meta-regression using a combination of key quantities and then extrapolating future projections of those quantities.

FINDINGS: In 2021, a few countries had already met some of the GNTs: five for exclusive breastfeeding, four for stunting, 96 for child wasting, and three for child overweight, and none met the target for low birthweight or anaemia in females of reproductive age. Since 2012, the annualised rates of change (ARC) in the prevalence of child overweight increased in 201 countries and territories and ARC in the prevalence of anaemia in females of reproductive age decreased considerably in 26 countries. Between 2012 and 2021, SDI was strongly associated with indicator prevalence, apart from exclusive breastfeeding (|r-|=0·46-0·86). Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa had a decrease in the prevalence of multiple indicators that was more rapid than expected on the basis of SDI (the differences between observed and expected ARCs for child stunting and wasting were -0·5% and -1·3%, respectively). The ARC in the attributable burden of low birthweight, child stunting, and child wasting decreased faster than the ARC of the prevalence for each in most low-income and middle-income countries. In 2030, we project that 94 countries will meet one of the six targets, 21 countries will meet two targets, and 89 countries will not meet any targets. We project that seven countries will meet the target for exclusive breastfeeding, 28 for child stunting, and 101 for child wasting, and no countries will meet the targets for low birthweight, child overweight, and anaemia. In 2050, we project that seven additional countries will meet the target for exclusive breastfeeding, five for low birthweight, 96 for child stunting, nine for child wasting, and one for child overweight, and no countries are projected to meet the anaemia target.

INTERPRETATION: Based on current levels and past trends, few GNTs will be met by 2030. Major reductions in attributable burden for exclusive breastfeeding and anthropometric indicators should be recognised as huge scientific and policy successes, but the comparative lack of progress in reducing the prevalence of each, along with stagnant anaemia in women of reproductive age and widespread increases in child overweight, suggests a tenuous status quo. Continued investment in preventive and treatment efforts for acute childhood illness is crucial to prevent backsliding. Parallel development of effective treatments, along with commitment to multisectoral, long-term policies to address the determinants and causes of suboptimal nutrition, are sorely needed to gain ground.

FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

PMID:39667386 | PMC:PMC11703702 | DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01821-X