Publications

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 | 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

Appl Nurs Res. 2024 Dec;80:151866. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151866. Epub 2024 Nov 9.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Most hotel workers represent disadvantaged populations in the United States. Socioecological stress-related factors increase the risk for poor mental health outcomes, yet accounts of worker perceptions of mental health are scarce.

METHODS: We conducted five focus groups among 23 hotel room cleaners and individual interviews with six hotel managers.

RESULTS: Four themes emerged: Mental health is related to mental illness, mental health is associated with being crazy, mental health can be controlled, and mental health is taboo yet universal.

CONCLUSION: These findings indicate mental health is poorly understood among this population. Education and tailored interventions are needed to address adverse mental health outcomes.

PMID:39617612 | DOI:10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151866

Environ Pollut. 2025 Feb 1;366:125415. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125415. Epub 2024 Nov 28.

ABSTRACT

Concerns persist about the potential impact of prenatal exposure to bisphenols (BP) and their replacement analogues on childhood asthma and allergies. Previous studies on single and small cohorts had limited statistical power, few investigated analogues BPF and BPS, and even fewer examined atopic outcomes. Our objective was to assess whether prenatal exposures to individual environmental bisphenols (BPA, BPF, BPS) influence risk of childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Data from the U.S. Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium were harmonized on measures of prenatal urinary BPA, BPF and BPS and asthma and allergic rhinitis (ages 5-9 years) and atopic dermatitis (up to age 3 years) from 1905 mother-child pairs that were collected between 1998 and 2017. Across the 2012 federal ban of BPA from certain infant products, median BPA levels decreased from 1.11 ng/ml to 0.86 ng/ml; median BPF levels decreased from 0.51 ng/ml to 0.39 ng/ml; and median BPS levels increased from 0.23 ng/ml to 0.31 ng/ml (dilution adjusted; p < 0.001 for all three median comparisons). Prenatal measures of BPA, BPF, and BPS were unrelated to the risk of childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis in the total population. Modest sex-dependent effects were observed: only among girls, second tertile levels of BPF was associated with a reduced odds of asthma (odds ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08, 0.93); a continuous index of prenatal BPS was associated with reduced odds of atopic dermatitis (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44, 0.93). The ongoing and changing patterns of exposure to bisphenols in the U.S. population require further study with additional attention to time windows of exposure and co-occurring social determinants of health, to continue to inform current policies and evaluate the importance of limiting exposure to BPA and its analogues on childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.

PMID:39615574 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125415

Workplace Health Saf. 2024 Nov 28:21650799241292367. doi: 10.1177/21650799241292367. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39605242 | DOI:10.1177/21650799241292367

Environ Int. 2024 Dec;194:109145. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109145. Epub 2024 Nov 13.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated chemicals linked to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms, specifically their effects on maternal inflammatory processes, are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE: We examined associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and repeated measures of inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and four cytokines [Interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)].

METHODS: We analyzed data from 469 pregnant women in a nested case-control study of preterm birth at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts (2006-2008). We measured nine PFAS in early pregnancy plasma samples (median gestation: 10 weeks), with inflammatory biomarkers measured at median gestations of 10, 18, 26, and 35 weeks. We used linear mixed models for repeated measures and multivariable regression for visit-specific analysis to examine associations between each PFAS and inflammation biomarker, adjusting for maternal demographics, pre-pregnancy BMI, and parity. We examined the effects of PFAS mixture using sum of all PFAS (∑PFAS) and quantile-based g-computation approaches.

RESULTS: We observed consistent inverse associations between most PFAS and cytokines, specifically IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α, in both single pollutant and mixture analyses. For example, an interquartile range increase in perfluorooctanesulfonic acid was associated with -10.87 (95% CI: -19.75, -0.99), -13.91 (95% CI: -24.11, -2.34), and -8.63 (95% CI: -14.51, -2.35) percent change in IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, respectively. Fetal sex, maternal race, and visit-specific analyses showed associations between most PFAS and cytokines were generally stronger in mid-pregnancy and among women who delivered males or identified as African American.

CONCLUSIONS: The observed suppression of both regulatory (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α) cytokines suggests that PFAS may alter maternal inflammatory processes or immune functions during pregnancy. Further research is needed to understand the effects of both legacy and newer PFAS on inflammatory pathways and their broader clinical implications.

PMID:39550829 | PMC:PMC11663107 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2024.109145