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Toxics
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Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health
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Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Exposome Analysis and Risk Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 42032

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Virgínia Cruz Fernandes

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Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: analytical chemistry; chromatography; contaminants: pesticides; flame retardants, PCBs; environmental, food and human samples; monitoring and biomonitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Diogo Pestana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CINTESIS & NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: basic, clinical and population studies; diet and environmental exposure to toxic chemicals; endocrine disruptors; human biomonitoring; human health; obesity and metabolic-related pathologies; risk–benefit analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human and industrial activities generate various forms of residual wastes and by-products in a solid, liquid or gaseous state. Waste generation starts with simple processes such as living, eating and breathing. Managing waste and minimizing associated environmental impacts have become more challenging as worldwide populations and economies continue to grow. Once these hazardous chemicals are present in the environment, people can become exposed to them. Human health can be influenced by many factors, including exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants in the environment.

This Special Issue will comprise research articles, short communications and reviews related to all the aspects related to the environmental exposure to multiple toxic chemicals and human health. Manuscripts dedicated to toxicology, biomonitoring, exposure and risk assessment and new analytical approaches in human matrices are welcome. Furthermore, other aspects such as endocrine disruptors, determinants of exposure and effect, as well as contaminated sites and occupational exposure will also be embraced.  

As such, with this Special Issue, we intend to collect a broad overview of the environmental exposure to several toxic chemicals (e.g., heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, micro(nano)plastics, plastic-related chemicals) and human health.   

Main Goals:

Evaluate the extent to which people are exposed to contaminants in the air, water, soil, sediments and through food ingestion; how these exposures affect human health; and what levels of exposure are harmful.

Prof. Dr. Virgínia Cruz Fernandes
Prof. Dr. Diogo Pestana
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental exposure
  • toxic chemicals
  • emerging pollutants
  • micro(nano)plastics
  • analytical methods
  • biomonitoring
  • human health
  • risk assessment

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

4 pages, 230 KiB  
Editorial
Environmental Chemicals: Integrative Approach to Human Biomonitoring and Health Effects
by Virgínia Cruz Fernandes and Diogo Pestana
Toxics 2022, 10(6), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10060314 - 10 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2025
Abstract
In recent decades, citizen awareness of toxic chemicals has been a topic of interest, particularly concerning national and international policy decision makers, expert/scientific platforms, and health protection organizations (WHO, UNEP, CDC, EFSA, IPEN, etc [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)

Research

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16 pages, 1200 KiB  
Article
Association of 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid Exposure during Pregnancy with Maternal Outcomes and Newborn Anthropometric Measures: Results from the IoMum Cohort Study
by Juliana Guimarães, Isabella Bracchi, Cátia Pinheiro, Nara Xavier Moreira, Cláudia Matta Coelho, Diogo Pestana, Maria do Carmo Prucha, Cristina Martins, Valentina F. Domingues, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Cláudia C. Dias, Luís Filipe R. Azevedo, Conceição Calhau, João Costa Leite, Carla Ramalho, Elisa Keating and Virgínia Cruz Fernandes
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020125 - 27 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2516
Abstract
The aims of this study were to characterize the exposure of pregnant women living in Portugal to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and to evaluate the association of this exposure with maternal outcomes and newborn anthropometric measures. We also aimed to compare exposure in summer [...] Read more.
The aims of this study were to characterize the exposure of pregnant women living in Portugal to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and to evaluate the association of this exposure with maternal outcomes and newborn anthropometric measures. We also aimed to compare exposure in summer with exposure in winter. Pregnant women attending ultrasound scans from April 2018 to April 2019 at a central hospital in Porto, Portugal, were invited to participate. Inclusion criteria were: gestational week between 10 and 13, confirmed fetal vitality, and a signature of informed consent. 3-PBA was measured in spot urine samples by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The median 3-PBA concentration was 0.263 (0.167; 0.458) µg/g creatinine (n = 145). 3-PBA excretion was negatively associated with maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.049), and it was higher during the summer when compared to winter (p < 0.001). The frequency of fish or yogurt consumption was associated positively with 3-PBA excretion, particularly during the winter (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively), when environmental exposure is low. Moreover, 3-PBA was associated with levothyroxine use (p = 0.01), a proxy for hypothyroidism, which could be due to a putative 3-PBA—thyroid hormone antagonistic effect. 3-PBA levels were not associated with the anthropometric measures of the newborn. In conclusion, pregnant women living in Portugal are exposed to 3-PBA, particularly during summer, and this exposure may be associated with maternal clinical features. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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14 pages, 851 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Health Economic Loss Due to Particulate Matter Pollution in the Seoul Subway, South Korea
by Prakash Thangavel, Kyoung Youb Kim, Duckshin Park and Young-Chul Lee
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020113 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2283
Abstract
Evaluating an illness’s economic impact is critical for developing and executing appropriate policies. South Korea has mandatory national health insurance in the form of NHIS that provides propitious conditions for assessing the national financial burden of illnesses. The purpose of our study is [...] Read more.
Evaluating an illness’s economic impact is critical for developing and executing appropriate policies. South Korea has mandatory national health insurance in the form of NHIS that provides propitious conditions for assessing the national financial burden of illnesses. The purpose of our study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of PM2.5 exposure in the subway and a comparative analysis of cause-specific mortality outcomes based on the prevalent health-risk assessment of the health effect endpoints (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and ischemic heart disease (IHD)). We used the National Health Insurance database to calculate the healthcare services provided to health-effect endpoints, with at least one primary diagnosis in 2019. Direct costs associated with health aid or medicine, treatment, and indirect costs (calculated based on the productivity loss in health effect endpoint patients, transportation, and caregivers, including morbidity and mortality costs) were both considered. The total cost for the exposed population for these endpoints was estimated to be USD 437 million per year. Medical costs were the largest component (22.08%), followed by loss of productivity and premature death (15.93%) and other costs such as transport and caregiver costs (11.46%). The total incurred costs (per 1000 persons) were accounted to be USD 0.1771 million, USD 0.42 million, and USD 0.8678 million for COPD, Asthma, and IHD, respectively. Given that the economic burden will rise as the prevalence of these diseases rises, it is vital to adopt effective preventative and management methods strategies aimed at the appropriate population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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12 pages, 898 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Paint Production Plants: Levels and Potential Human Health Risks
by Safiye Ghobakhloo, Amir Hossein Khoshakhlagh, Simone Morais and Ashraf Mazaheri Tehrani
Toxics 2023, 11(2), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020111 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4665
Abstract
A wide range of volatile organic solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones, are used in the production of paints, and they comprise more than 30% of the ingredients of paints. The present study was designed to evaluate the occupational exposure [...] Read more.
A wide range of volatile organic solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones, are used in the production of paints, and they comprise more than 30% of the ingredients of paints. The present study was designed to evaluate the occupational exposure to 15 volatile organic compounds (VOCs, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, n-butyl acetate, n-octane, n-decane, dichlorofluoromethane, and acetone) in Iranian paint production factories and subsequently, the associated health risks. The samples were collected from the respiratory zone of workers using the NIOSH 1501 method, and their qualitative and quantitative characterization was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, respectively. The individual concentrations of VOCs ranged from 23.76 ± 0.57 µg m−3 (acetone) to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m−3 (m,p-xylene). The predominant compounds were m,p-xylene (up to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m−3), ethylbenzene (up to 91188.95 ± 0.34 µg m−3), and toluene (up to 46088.84 ± 0.14 µg m−3). The non-cancer risks of benzene, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, xylene, and ethylbenzene surpassed the reference value in most of the sectors. In addition, total lifetime risks of cancer were in the range of 1.8 × 10−5–3.85 × 10−3, suggesting that there was a risk of carcinogenesis in all studied sections, mainly due to ethylbenzene and benzene. Considering their high exposure concentrations and their associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, biological monitoring of workers and the use of technical and modern engineering control measures are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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10 pages, 1039 KiB  
Article
Differential Expression of AhR in Peripheral Mononuclear Cells in Response to Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mexican Women
by José Antonio Varela-Silva, Miguel Ernesto Martínez-Leija, Sandra Teresa Orta-García, Ivan Nelinho Pérez-Maldonado, Jesús Adrián López, Hiram Hernández-López, Roberto González-Amaro, Emma S. Calderón-Aranda, Diana Patricia Portales-Pérez and Mariana Salgado-Bustamante
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010028 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2037
Abstract
The exposure to air pollutants causes significant damage to health, and inefficient cooking and heating practices produce high levels of household air pollution, including a wide range of health-damaging pollutants such as fine particles, carbon monoxide and PAHs. The exposure to PAHs has [...] Read more.
The exposure to air pollutants causes significant damage to health, and inefficient cooking and heating practices produce high levels of household air pollution, including a wide range of health-damaging pollutants such as fine particles, carbon monoxide and PAHs. The exposure to PAHs has been associated with the development of neoplastic processes, asthma, genotoxicity, altered neurodevelopment and inflammation. The effects on the induction of proinflammatory cytokines are attributed to the activation of AhR. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the PAHs produce proinflammatory effects are unknown. This study was performed on a group of 41 Mexican women from two rural communities who had stoves inside their houses, used wood as biomass fuel, and, thus, were vulnerable. According to the urinary 1-OHP concentration, the samples were stratified into two groups for determination of the levels of TNF-α, AhR, CYP1B1, miR-125b and miR-155 expression. Our results showed that the CYP1B1, TNF-α, miR-125b and miR-155 expression levels were not statistically different between women with the lowest and highest levels of 1-OHP. Interestingly, high levels of PAHs promoted augmented expression of AhR, which is a protein involved in the modulation of inflammatory pathways in vivo, suggesting that cell signaling of AhR may be implicated in several pathogenesis processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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20 pages, 5051 KiB  
Article
Human Exposure to Pesticides in Dust from Two Agricultural Sites in South Africa
by Céline Degrendele, Roman Prokeš, Petr Šenk, Simona Rozárka Jílková, Jiří Kohoutek, Lisa Melymuk, Petra Přibylová, Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie, Martin Röösli, Jana Klánová and Samuel Fuhrimann
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100629 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3172
Abstract
Over the last decades, concern has arisen worldwide about the negative impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health. Exposure via dust ingestion is important for many chemicals but poorly characterized for pesticides, particularly in Africa. We investigated the spatial and temporal [...] Read more.
Over the last decades, concern has arisen worldwide about the negative impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health. Exposure via dust ingestion is important for many chemicals but poorly characterized for pesticides, particularly in Africa. We investigated the spatial and temporal variations of 30 pesticides in dust and estimated the human exposure via dust ingestion, which was compared to inhalation and soil ingestion. Indoor dust samples were collected from thirty-eight households and two schools located in two agricultural regions in South Africa and were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We found 10 pesticides in dust, with chlorpyrifos, terbuthylazine, carbaryl, diazinon, carbendazim, and tebuconazole quantified in >50% of the samples. Over seven days, no significant temporal variations in the dust levels of individual pesticides were found. Significant spatial variations were observed for some pesticides, highlighting the importance of proximity to agricultural fields or of indoor pesticide use. For five out of the nineteen pesticides quantified in dust, air, or soil (i.e., carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, diuron and propiconazole), human intake via dust ingestion was important (>10%) compared to inhalation or soil ingestion. Dust ingestion should therefore be considered in future human exposure assessment to pesticides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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16 pages, 3140 KiB  
Article
The NOAEL Equivalent of Environmental Cadmium Exposure Associated with GFR Reduction and Chronic Kidney Disease
by Soisungwan Satarug, Aleksandra Buha Đorđević, Supabhorn Yimthiang, David A. Vesey and Glenda C. Gobe
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100614 - 15 Oct 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2674
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal pollutant present in virtually all food types. Health guidance values were established to safeguard against excessive dietary Cd exposure. The derivation of such health guidance figures has been shifted from the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) to the [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal pollutant present in virtually all food types. Health guidance values were established to safeguard against excessive dietary Cd exposure. The derivation of such health guidance figures has been shifted from the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) to the lower 95% confidence bound of the benchmark dose (BMD), termed BMDL. Here, we used the PROAST software to calculate the BMDL figures for Cd excretion (ECd) associated with a reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Data were from 1189 Thai subjects (493 males and 696 females) mean age of 43.2 years. The overall percentages of smokers, hypertension and CKD were 33.6%, 29.4% and 6.2%, respectively. The overall mean ECd normalized to the excretion of creatinine (Ecr) as ECd/Ecr was 0.64 µg/g creatinine. ECd/Ecr, age and body mass index (BMI) were independently associated with increased prevalence odds ratios (POR) for CKD. BMI figures ≥24 kg/m2 were associated with an increase in POR for CKD by 2.81-fold (p = 0.028). ECd/Ecr values of 0.38–2.49 µg/g creatinine were associated with an increase in POR for CKD risk by 6.2-fold (p = 0.001). The NOAEL equivalent figures of ECd/Ecr based on eGFR reduction in males, females and all subjects were 0.839, 0.849 and 0.828 µg/g creatinine, respectively. The BMDL/BMDU values of ECd/Ecr associated with a 10% increase in CKD prevalence were 2.77/5.06 µg/g creatinine. These data indicate that Cd-induced eGFR reduction occurs at relatively low body burdens and that the population health risk associated with ECd/Ecr of 2.77–5.06 µg/g creatinine was not negligible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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22 pages, 2682 KiB  
Article
TDP-43 CSF Concentrations Increase Exponentially with Age in Metropolitan Mexico City Young Urbanites Highly Exposed to PM2.5 and Ultrafine Particles and Historically Showing Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Hallmarks. Brain TDP-43 Pathology in MMC Residents Is Associated with High Cisternal CSF TDP-43 Concentrations
by Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas, Elijah W. Stommel, Ingolf Lachmann, Katharina Waniek, Chih-Kai Chao, Angélica González-Maciel, Edgar García-Rojas, Ricardo Torres-Jardón, Ricardo Delgado-Chávez and Partha S. Mukherjee
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100559 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2788
Abstract
Environmental exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ultrafine particle matter (UFPM) are associated with overlapping Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) hallmark protein pathologies in young Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) urbanites. We measured CSF concentrations of TDP-43 in [...] Read more.
Environmental exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ultrafine particle matter (UFPM) are associated with overlapping Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) hallmark protein pathologies in young Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) urbanites. We measured CSF concentrations of TDP-43 in 194 urban residents, including 92 MMC children aged 10.2 ± 4.7 y exposed to PM2.5 levels above the USEPA annual standard and to high UFPM and 26 low pollution controls (11.5 ± 4.4 y); 43 MMC adults (42.3 ± 15.9 y) and 14 low pollution adult controls (33.1 ± 12.0 y); and 19 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (52.4 ± 14.1 y). TDP-43 neuropathology and cisternal CSF data from 20 subjects—15 MMC (41.1 ± 18.9 y) and 5 low pollution controls (46 ± 16.01 y)—were included. CSF TDP-43 exponentially increased with age (p < 0.0001) and it was higher for MMC residents. TDP-43 cisternal CSF levels of 572 ± 208 pg/mL in 6/15 MMC autopsy cases forecasted TDP-43 in the olfactory bulb, medulla and pons, reticular formation and motor nuclei neurons. A 16 y old with TDP-43 cisternal levels of 1030 pg/mL exhibited TDP-43 pathology and all 15 MMC autopsy cases exhibited AD and PD hallmarks. Overlapping TDP-43, AD and PD pathologies start in childhood in urbanites with high exposures to PM2.5 and UFPM. Early, sustained exposures to PM air pollution represent a high risk for developing brains and MMC UFPM emissions sources ought to be clearly identified, regulated, monitored and controlled. Prevention of deadly neurologic diseases associated with air pollution ought to be a public health priority and preventive medicine is key. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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14 pages, 1628 KiB  
Article
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Exposure Triggers Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in BALB/c Mice: A Pilot Study
by Gabriel A. Rojas, Nicolás Saavedra, Kathleen Saavedra, Montserrat Hevia, Cristian Morales, Fernando Lanas and Luis A. Salazar
Toxics 2022, 10(9), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10090497 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2419
Abstract
The particulate matter present in air pollution is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles that vary in size, origin, and composition, among which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Although exposure to PAHs has become an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, [...] Read more.
The particulate matter present in air pollution is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles that vary in size, origin, and composition, among which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Although exposure to PAHs has become an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the mechanisms by which these compounds contribute to increased cardiovascular risk have not been fully explored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of PAH exposure on systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of endothelial dysfunction. An intervention was designed using a murine model composed of twenty BALB/c male mice separated into controls and three groups exposed to a mixture of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene using three different concentrations. The serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines and gene expression of adhesion molecules located on endothelial cells along with inflammatory markers related to PAH exposure in aortic tissue were determined. Furthermore, the expression of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins was evaluated. The data showed significant differences in IL-6 and IFN-γ in the serum. In the gene expression, significant differences for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-Selectin were observed. The results suggest that phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene, present in air pollution, stimulate the increase in serum inflammatory cytokines and the expression of markers of endothelial dysfunction in the murine model studied, both relevant characteristics associated with the onset of disease atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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15 pages, 993 KiB  
Article
Antibiotics in Raw Meat Samples: Estimation of Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment
by Athina Stavroulaki, Manolis N. Tzatzarakis, Vasiliki Karzi, Ioanna Katsikantami, Elisavet Renieri, Elena Vakonaki, Maria Avgenaki, Athanasios Alegakis, Miriana Stan, Matthaios Kavvalakis, Apostolos K. Rizos and Aristidis Tsatsakis
Toxics 2022, 10(8), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080456 - 6 Aug 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4625
Abstract
The extensive use of antibiotics in livestock farming poses increased concerns for human health as residues of these substances are present in edible tissues. The aim of this study was the determination of the levels of four groups of antibiotics (sulfonamides—SAs, tetracyclines—TCs, streptomycines—STr [...] Read more.
The extensive use of antibiotics in livestock farming poses increased concerns for human health as residues of these substances are present in edible tissues. The aim of this study was the determination of the levels of four groups of antibiotics (sulfonamides—SAs, tetracyclines—TCs, streptomycines—STr and quinolones—QNLs) in meat samples (muscles, livers and kidneys from beef, chicken and pork) and the estimation of the dietary exposure to antibiotics from meat consumption and the potential hazard for human health. Fifty-four samples of raw meat were randomly collected in 2018 from the Cretan market, Greece and analyzed both with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). According to the results derived from the ELISA method, only 2% of the meat samples were free from antibiotics, 2% were detected with 4 antibiotics and the great majority of the samples (87%) were detected with 2 to 3 antibiotics. SAs presented the highest detection frequencies for all samples whereas TCs were not detected in any bovine sample. The highest median concentration was detected for STr in bovine muscles (182.10 μg/kg) followed by QNLs (93.36 μg/kg) in pork kidneys whereas the chicken samples had higher burdens of QNLs compared to the other meat samples. LC–MS analysis showed that oxytetracycline (OTC) was the most common antibiotic in all samples. The highest median concentration of all antibiotics was detected for doxycycline (DOX) (181.73 μg/kg in pork kidney) followed by OTC in bovine liver (74.46 μg/kg). Risk characterization was applied for each of the two methods; The hazard quotients (HQ) did not exceed 0.059 for the ELISA method and 0.113 for the LC–MS method for any group of antibiotics, whereas the total hazard indexes (HI) were 0.078 and 0.021, respectively. The results showed the presence of different groups of antibiotics in meat from the Cretan market and that the health risk to antibiotics is low. A risk assessment analysis conducted for meat consumption and corrected for the aggregated exposure revealed no risk for the consumers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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20 pages, 1219 KiB  
Article
Bisphenol S Impairs Oestradiol Secretion during In Vitro Basal Folliculogenesis in a Mono-Ovulatory Species Model
by Claire Vignault, Véronique Cadoret, Peggy Jarrier-Gaillard, Pascal Papillier, Ophélie Téteau, Alice Desmarchais, Svetlana Uzbekova, Aurélien Binet, Fabrice Guérif, Sebastien Elis and Virginie Maillard
Toxics 2022, 10(8), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080437 - 30 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2076
Abstract
Bisphenol S (BPS) affects terminal folliculogenesis by impairing steroidogenesis in granulosa cells from different species. Nevertheless, limited data are available on its effects during basal folliculogenesis. In this study, we evaluate in vitro the effects of a long-term BPS exposure on a model [...] Read more.
Bisphenol S (BPS) affects terminal folliculogenesis by impairing steroidogenesis in granulosa cells from different species. Nevertheless, limited data are available on its effects during basal folliculogenesis. In this study, we evaluate in vitro the effects of a long-term BPS exposure on a model of basal follicular development in a mono-ovulatory species. We cultured ovine preantral follicles (180–240 μm, n = 168) with BPS (0.1 μM (possible human exposure dose) or 10 μM (high dose)) and monitored antrum appearance and follicular survival and growth for 15 days. We measured hormonal secretions (oestradiol (at day 13 [D13]), progesterone and anti-Müllerian hormone [D15]) and expression of key follicular development and redox status genes (D15) in medium and whole follicles, respectively. BPS (0.1 µM) decreased oestradiol secretion compared with the control (−48.8%, p < 0.001), without significantly impairing antrum appearance, follicular survival and growth, anti-Müllerian hormone and progesterone secretion and target gene expression. Thus, BPS could also impair oestradiol secretion during basal folliculogenesis as it is the case during terminal folliculogenesis. It questions the use of BPS as a safe BPA substitute in the human environment. More studies are required to elucidate mechanisms of action of BPS and its effects throughout basal follicular development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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Review

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25 pages, 1617 KiB  
Review
Cadmium: A Focus on the Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus) Industry and Potential Human Health Risks
by Ronan Lordan and Ioannis Zabetakis
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100591 - 6 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3471
Abstract
Cadmium is a major health risk globally and is usually associated with pollution and anthropogenic activity. The presence of cadmium in food is monitored to ensure that the health and safety of consumers are maintained. Cadmium is ubiquitous in the Asian and Western [...] Read more.
Cadmium is a major health risk globally and is usually associated with pollution and anthropogenic activity. The presence of cadmium in food is monitored to ensure that the health and safety of consumers are maintained. Cadmium is ubiquitous in the Asian and Western diets, with the highest levels present in grains, leafy greens, and shellfish. As part of their natural lifecycle of moulting and shell renewal, all crustaceans—including the brown crab (Cancer pagurus)—bioaccumulate cadmium from their environment in their hepatopancreas. The brown crab is an important species to the crab-fishing industries of many European countries, including Ireland. However, the industry has come under scrutiny in Europe due to the presence of cadmium in the brown crab meat intended for live export to Asia. This review explores evidence regarding the effects of cadmium consumption on human health, with a focus on the brown crab. Differences in cadmium surveillance have given rise to issues in the crab industry, with economic consequences for multiple countries. Currently, evidence suggests that brown crab consumption is safe for humans in moderation, but individuals who consume diets characterised by high levels of cadmium from multiple food groups should be mindful of their dietary choices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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12 pages, 1629 KiB  
Systematic Review
Pesticide Exposure and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Jiraporn Chittrakul, Ratana Sapbamrer and Wachiranun Sirikul
Toxics 2022, 10(5), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10050207 - 21 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4918
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that affects people all over the world and can be caused by a variety of factors. Exposure to pesticides is one of the risk factors for the development of RA. However, the evidence of exposure to pesticides [...] Read more.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that affects people all over the world and can be caused by a variety of factors. Exposure to pesticides is one of the risk factors for the development of RA. However, the evidence of exposure to pesticides linked with the development of RA is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to pesticides and RA by a systematic review of relevant literature and a meta-analysis. Full-text articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar between 1956 and 2021 were reviewed and evaluated. A total of eight studies were eligible for inclusion (two cohort studies, four case-control studies, and two cross-sectional studies). The adjusted odds ratio for pesticide exposure on RA was 1.20 for insecticides (95% CI = 1.12–1.28), 0.98 for herbicides (95% CI = 0.89–1.08), 1.04 for fungicides (95% CI = 0.86–1.27), and 1.15 in for non-specific pesticides (95% CI = 1.09–1.21). There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to insecticides (especially fonofos, carbaryl, and guanidines) contributes to an increased risk of RA. However, the evidence is limited because of a small number of studies. Therefore, further epidemiological studies are needed to substantiate this conclusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals and Human Health)
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