Environmental Public Health Commons^™

Quantification And Analysis Of Micro-Level Activities Data From Children Aged 1-12 Years Old For Use In The Assessments Of Exposure To Recycled Tire On Turf And Playgrounds., Nicolas Lopez-Galvez, Jocelyn Claude, Patty Wong, Asa Bradman, Carly Hyland, Rosemary Castorina, Robert A Canales, Dean Billheimer, Elmira Torabzadeh, James O Leckie, Paloma I Beamer

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: There are growing health concerns about exposure to toxicants released from recycled tire rubber, which is commonly used in synthetic turf and playground mats. To better estimate children's exposure and risk from recycled tire rubber used in synthetic turf and playground mats, there is a need to collect detailed accurate information on mouthing activity and dermal contact behaviors. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyze micro-level activity time series (MLATS) data from children aged 1-12 years old while playing (non-sport-related games) at turf-like locations and playgrounds. Another objective was to estimate the incidental ingestion rate of …

Association Between Increasing Agricultural Use Of 2,4-D And Population Biomarkers Of Exposure: Findings From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2014., Marlaina S. Freisthler, C Rebecca Robbins, Charles M Benbrook, Heather A. Young, David M Haas, Paul D Winchester, Melissa J Perry

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most extensively used herbicides in the United States. In 2012, 2,4-D was the most widely used herbicide in non-agricultural settings and the fifth most heavily applied pesticide in the US agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to examine trends in 2,4-D urinary biomarker concentrations to determine whether increases in 2,4-D application in agriculture are associated with increases in biomonitoring levels of urine 2,4-D.

METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with available urine 2,4-D biomarker measurements from survey cycles between 2001 and 2014 were utilized. Urine …

Global Pediatric Pulmonology Alliance (Gppa) Proposal For Covid-19 Vaccination In Children., Lance E Rodewald, Kun-Ling Shen, Yong-Hong Yang, Gary Wing-Kin Wong, Leyla Namazova-Baranova, Lanny J Rosenwasser, Adel S Alharbi, Anne B Chang, Jim Buttery, Basil Elnazir, Ruth A. Etzel, Anne Goh, Hilary Hoey, Rosemary Horne, Eitan Kerem, Antonella Muraro, Chris O'Callaghan, Kazunobu Ouchi, Varinder Singh, Jiu-Yao Wang, Spencer Li, Yu Guan, Yue-Jie Zheng, Zhengde Xie, Gen Lu, Yi Jiang, Xing-Wang Li, Rong-Meng Jiang, Xiao-Chuan Wang, Ji-Kui Deng, Xiao-Xia Lu, Bao-Ping Xu, Zhuang Wei, Lu-Zhao Feng, Zheng-Yan Zhao

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Intersex Wildlife As Sentinels For Human Health And Endocrine Disruption Near Superfund Sites: A Systematic Review, Olivia Anderson, Melissa Perry

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Fish and wildlife are often used as sentinels for human health. This systematic review examines one aspect of wildlife health, intersex (both ovarian and testicular tissue) animals and their prevalence or severity near Superfund sites (EPA designated toxic waste sites). The body of evidence demonstrates some evidence of this indicator and more research is needed, specifically a meta-analysis that is outside the scope of this study.

Florida Red Tide Exposure: Analyzing The Respiratory Effects Experienced By The Gulf Coast Population, Katrina Zdanowicz, Cindy Liu

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: Florida red tide occurs in the Gulf of Mexico annually and has been linked to complaints of negative respiratory symptoms. Little is known about the exact association and long term effects of the exposure. Objectives: We applied the Navigation Guide to conduct a systematic review of the existing body of literature on Florida red tide exposure and respiratory effects. Methods: We applied inclusion criteria to studies found through searches of 5 scientific databases. Included studies were analyzed for risk of bias and overall strength and quality of evidence. Included studies provided self-reported symptoms and quantitative measurements of pulmonary function …

Measuring The Effects Of Thc On Human Sperm Parameters Using Biomonitoring Analysis, Roxana Amaya-Fuentes, Heather Young, Courtney Irwin, Jonathan Crites, David Moody, Melissa Perry

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Marijuana is one of the most common substances used in the United States with more men utilizing marijuana compared to women. The effects of marijuana on the brain are well known, however, there is limited research on its effects on human sperm parameters. We examined the association between THC and human sperm parameters in participants in the Washington D.C. area. Our preliminary results suggested that THC was associated with low sperm morphology.

Background: Marijuana has a long history of human usage for medicinal, ceremonial, and religious purposes. As of January 2018, nine states including Washington D.C. have legalized it for …

Isoprene Emission Rates From Extreme Heat Exposure Due To Climatic Changes On Quercus And Populus Tree Genera: A Systematic Review, Isabella Kaser, Susan Anenberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

This systematic literature review explores whether isoprene emission rates from common tree species would be exacerbated in a warming world. When isoprene reacts with other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, tropospheric ozone is formed. Ozone is harmful to human health and is shown to decrease lung function among many other negative respiratory effects. If the rates of emissions continue at their current levels, there may be increased rates of asthma-related ED visits and respiratory diseases among the general population.

Acute Particulate Matter Exposure And Suicide In North East Asia: A Literature Review, Shannon Haines, Lance Price, Amanda Northcross

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

A systematic literature review was conducted on research exploring the relationship between acute exposures to ambient particulate matter and changes in suicide rates in North East Asian countries. From the eight studies analyzed limited evidence was found and additional research about the association is suggested.

Occupational Risk Of Migrant Farm Workers In North Carolina: A Systematic Review, Ellie Ginsberg, David Michaels

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Latnix Migrant Farmworkers in North Carolina face a variety of occupational hazards while working in the fields. These hazards include exposure to the natural elements, pesticides, and tobacco. Sub standard housing conditions and lack of comprehensive workers compensation coupled with these hazards create an extremely dangerous working environment for these farmworkers.

Does Food Insecurity Predict Obesity And Educational Achievement: A Systematic Literature Review, Emily Youner, Ami Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

The objective of this study was to determine whether food availability predicts health outcomes among children in the U.S., such as obesity rates and academic performance. Though there was some inconsistency in the findings, based on the Navigation Guide methodology, we concluded that there is inadequate evidence of correlation between food insecurity and obesity rates, yet limited evidence of correlation between food insecurity and educational achievement. Given these findings, further research is warranted to inform policy action to mitigate the effects food insecurity.

Cognitive And Behavioral Effects Of Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure In Primary School Children: A Systematic Review, Dara L. Brown, Matias Attene Ramos

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies evaluating the relationship between nitrogen dioxide emissions and cognitive and behavioral health in children. Eight studies were identified, reviewed, and analyzed according to specific inclusion criteria. The results of the review show that there is strong evidence for an inverse relationship between nitrogen dioxide exposure and cognitive and behavioral health in primary school children. However, further research is needed to confirm the observed associations between nitrogen dioxide exposure and cognitive and behavioral health.

The Ramazzini Institute 13-Week Study On Glyphosate-Based Herbicides At Human-Equivalent Dose In Sprague Dawley Rats: Study Design And First In-Life Endpoints Evaluation., Simona Panzacchi, Daniele Mandrioli, Fabiana Manservisi, Luciano Bua, Laura Falcioni, Melissa J Perry, +Several Additional Authors

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used pesticides worldwide, and glyphosate is the active ingredient of such herbicides, including the formulation known as Roundup. The massive and increasing use of GBHs results in not only the global burden of occupational exposures, but also increased exposure to the general population. The current pilot study represents the first phase of a long-term investigation of GBHs that we are conducting over the next 5 years. In this paper, we present the study design, the first evaluation of in vivo parameters and the determination of glyphosate and its major metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid …

Breastfeeding As A Predictor Of Serum Concentrations Of Per- And Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances In Reproductive-Aged Women And Children: A Rapid Systematic Review, Brianna N. Vannoy, Juleen Lam, Ami R. Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose of Review: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals widely detected in human serum, and at low levels in breast milk. We conducted a rapid systematic review on breastfeeding practices and serum concentrations of PFASs – specifically PFOS and PFOA - among reproductive-aged women and young children using the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology.

Recent Findings: We included 14 studies examining associations between breastfeeding and PFASs in infants/toddlers or pregnant/postnatal women. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with lower PFASs exposure among women and higher PFASs exposure among children. Summary: We concluded there was “sufficient” evidence supporting an association …

How Climate Effects The Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease: A Critical And Systematic Review Of The Literature, Anita Desikan, Matias Attene Ramos

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Lyme disease (LD) is a common vector-borne disease in North America. Understanding the causes behind inter-annual fluctuations of LD incidence can help warn healthcare providers of upcoming outbreaks.

Objective

Identifying what specific climate variables affects the vector, Ixodes scapularis ticks, and ultimately LD incidence.

Methods

A systematic review was carried out to understand how climate variables affect the tick population variables that are related to LD.

Results

Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was generally rated “low” or “probably low” and quality of evidence was rated “moderate”. Strength of evidence was assessed for tick abundance, a …

Occupational Exposure To Solvents And Associated Neurotoxicity In Construction Painters: A Systematic Review, Allison Cailliau

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Existing evidence suggests that occupational exposure to solvents can have devastating and adverse effects on cognitive function. Individuals in the construction industry, specifically construction painters, often come in contact with these harmful chemicals on a regular basis. A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve, suspend, or extract other materials without chemical change to the solvent itself. They are present in a wide range of industries and can be used for extraction of fats and oils, degreasing, or manufacturing of paints and plastics. Their main routes of exposure are through inhalation and skin absorption, and they have a tendency …

Impact Of Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene Interventions On Environmental Enteric Dysfunction In Children In Developing Countries: A Systematic Literature Review, Abdoulaye Bangoura, Susan Anenberg

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is a global disturbance of intestinal structure and function that has its origin in environmental factors (Owino et al. 2016). As a response to prolonged and persistent inflammation, the intestine morphology is altered. EED is an important contributor to poor child cognitive development, child stunting, poor oral vaccine response, acute infections, and childhood mortality globally (Trehan et al. 2016) in developing countries.

We hypothesized that WASH interventions could reduce the risk of EED, thereby positively impacting children’s overall health. The Navigation Guide review methodology and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE) were followed to …

Occupational Exposure To Organophosphate Pesticides And Its Effects On Human Sperm Parameters: A Systematic Review, Roxana E. Amaya-Fuentes, Melissa J. Perry

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Previous research has indicated there is a decrease in sperm quality in the last 40 years. There have been a few reports that have associated occupational exposure to Organophosphate pesticides with a decrease in sperm count, abnormalities in the head or tail, and motility leading to infertility over time. Organophosphates are the most common pesticides used in the United States and have been classified as toxic to bees, wildlife, and humans by the EPA even at low exposures. Furthermore, Organophosphates are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals altering the normal function of the endocrine system. This occurs by interfering with the …

Evaluation Of Pm Emissions Of A Diesel Engine Fueled With Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel: A Systematic Review, Omobolanle H. Oshinusi, George M. Gray

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: The Navigation Guide developed by Johnson et al was used to conduct a robust systematic review of six experimental intervention studies looking at particulate matter (PM)emissions from conventional petroleum diesel and a biodiesel alternative utilizing waste cooking oil in heavy-duty petroleum diesel engines. Waste cooking oil biodiesel is thought to be a more sustainably sourced alternative to its fossil fuel counterpart.

Objectives: Application of the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology to answer the question: Does the replacement of petroleum diesel with waste cooking oil biodiesel reduce hazardous PMemissions? Methods: The study question was specified, evidence was selected and the …

Systematic Literature Review Of Indoor School Exposure To Pm2.5 In Children, Brittany Wagner, Ami Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that puts a strain on lung function and breathing. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism and hospitalization for American children. Genetics play a major role in allergy related disease development such as asthma, but environmental exposures are proving to be a potential contributor to childhood asthma. Despite the sufficient data regarding air pollution, there is a huge knowledge gap regarding indoor air quality and its relationship with health outcomes such as asthma. Many of the studies available only look at outdoor air pollution levels, while children spend the majority of their time …

Implications Of Foodborne Bacteria On Human Health: Isolation And Antibiotic Resistance Of Salmonella Enterica And Campylobater Spp. On Retail Chicken Sold In California, Grace Rahman, Lance Price, Hanna-Grace Rabanes

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which continues to be a growing threat to human health. In the United States, industrial food animal production (IFAP) is a formidable driver for antibiotic use. Prior work has focused on the link between antimicrobial use in poultry and human AMR infections. Common foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) along with Campylobacter coli (C. coli) and Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) are commonly associated with human gastroenteritis. However, it has been shown that these pathogens are capable of causing disease outside of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically urinary tract infections (UTIs). …

(Video) Characterizing The Exposome: Critical Analysis Of Exposome-Wide Association Studies, Marlee Nelson, Matias Attene Ramos

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose: The exposome is a conceptual framework of all exposures encountered by an individual in his or her lifetime. Studying the exposome is thereby a monumental feat that may require extensive research, conceptualization, and proof-of-concept analyses. Researchers have begun studying the exposome by developing exposome- and environment-wide association studies (EWAS). Since EWAS is such a novel technique, this critical analysis of existing EWAS in the literature sought to determine whether the studies utilized common research methods, how the data were analyzed, and whether the analyses were similar. The analysis also sought to explore ways in which these studies could inform …

Environmental Degradation In Baía De Todos Os Santos, Brazil: A Review Of The Evidence, Amanda Chen, Amanda Northcross, Shanell Folger

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

The communities living in Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS) has been subjected to toxicants released into the environment by the growing petrochemical industry surrounding the area. Community members are concerned about the effects that these chemicals have on the health and wellbeing of the people, as well as the natural environment. Many of the communities are artisanal fishers and rely on the fish and shellfish produced by the bay for a living. Working in collaboration with the Movement of Artisanal Fisher People (MPP), this research aims to summarize previous research conducted in the BTS. The research describes the environmental …

Combining Community Engagement And Scientific Approaches In Next-Generation Monitor Siting: The Case Of The Imperial County Community Air Network., Michelle Wong, Esther Bejarano, Graeme Carvlin, Katie Fellows, Galatea King, Humberto Lugo, Michael Jerrett, Dan Meltzer, Amanda Northcross, Luis Olmedo, Edmund Seto, Alexa Wilkie, Paul English

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Air pollution continues to be a global public health threat, and the expanding availability of small, low-cost air sensors has led to increased interest in both personal and crowd-sourced air monitoring. However, to date, few low-cost air monitoring networks have been developed with the scientific rigor or continuity needed to conduct public health surveillance and inform policy. In Imperial County, California, near the U.S./Mexico border, we used a collaborative, community-engaged process to develop a community air monitoring network that attains the scientific rigor required for research, while also achieving community priorities. By engaging community residents in the project design, monitor …

The Association Of Long-Term Exposure To Particulate Matter Air Pollution With Brain Mri Findings: The Aric Study., Melinda C Power, Archana P Lamichhane, Duanping Liao, Xiaohui Xu, Clifford R Jack, Rebecca F Gottesman, Thomas Mosley, James D Stewart, Jeff D Yanosky, Eric A Whitsel

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence links higher particulate matter (PM) air pollution exposure to late-life cognitive impairment. However, few studies have considered associations between direct estimates of long-term past exposures and brain MRI findings indicative of neurodegeneration or cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to quantify the association between brain MRI findings and PM exposures approximately 5 to 20 y prior to MRI in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

METHODS: ARIC is based in four U.S. sites: Washington County, Maryland; Minneapolis suburbs, Minnesota; Forsyth County, North Carolina; and Jackson, Mississippi. A subset of ARIC participants underwent 3T brain MRI in …

Long-Term Exposure Of Fine Particulate Matter Causes Hypertension By Impaired Renal D1 Receptor-Mediated Sodium Excretion Via Upregulation Of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase Type 4 Expression In Sprague-Dawley Rats., Xi Lu, Zhengmeng Ye, Shuo Zheng, Hongmei Ren, Jing Zeng, Xinquan Wang, Pedro A Jose, Ken Chen, Chunyu Zeng

Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence supports an important association between air pollution exposure and hypertension. However, the mechanisms are not clear.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Our present study found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes hypertension and impairs renal sodium excretion, which might be ascribed to lower D1 receptor expression and higher D1 receptor phosphorylation, accompanied with a higher G-protein-coupled receptor kinase type 4 (GRK4) expression. The in vivo results were confirmed in in vitro studies (ie, PM2.5 increased basal and decreased D1 receptor mediated inhibitory effect on Na+-K+ ATPase activity, decreased D1 receptor expression, and increased D1 receptor phosphorylation …

Genomic Differences Between Nasal Staphylococcus Aureus From Hog Slaughterhouse Workers And Their Communities., Yaqi You, Li Song, Bareng A S Nonyane, Lance B Price, Ellen K Silbergeld

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

New human pathogens can emerge from the livestock-human interface and spread into human populations through many pathways including livestock products. Occupational contact with livestock is a risk factor for exposure to those pathogens and may cause further spreading of those pathogens in the community. The current study used whole genome sequencing to explore nasal Staphylococcus aureus obtained from hog slaughterhouse workers and their community members, all of whom resided in a livestock-dense region in rural North Carolina. Sequence data were analyzed for lineage distribution, pathogenicity-related genomic features, and mobile genetic elements. We observed evidence of nasal S. aureus differences between …

Colonizing Opportunistic Pathogens (Cops): The Beasts In All Of Us., Lance B Price, Bruce A Hungate, Benjamin J Koch, Gregg S Davis, Cindy M Liu

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Colonizing opportunistic pathogens (COPs) are microbes that asymptomatically colonize the human body and, when the conditions are right, can cause infections. Their ability to persist indefinitely and to be transmitted without detection [1] gives COPs a unique epidemiology that warrants special consideration. There are examples of COPs among bacteria, fungi (e.g., Candida albicans [2]), protozoa (e.g., Blastocystis [3, 4]), and viruses (e.g., Rhinovirus [5]), but bacterial COPs are of particular relevance because of their major contribution to today’s antibiotic resistance crisis. The COPs include a long list of notorious bacteria that …

Colonizing Opportunistic Pathogens (Cops): The Beasts In All Of Us., Lance B Price, Bruce A Hungate, Benjamin J Koch, Gregg S Davis, Cindy M Liu

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Colonizing opportunistic pathogens (COPs) are microbes that asymptomatically colonize the human body and, when the conditions are right, can cause infections. Their ability to persist indefinitely and to be transmitted without detection [1] gives COPs a unique epidemiology that warrants special consideration. There are examples of COPs among bacteria, fungi (e.g., Candida albicans [2]), protozoa (e.g., Blastocystis [3, 4]), and viruses (e.g., Rhinovirus [5]), but bacterial COPs are of particular relevance because of their major contribution to today’s antibiotic resistance crisis. The COPs include a long list of notorious bacteria that …

The Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network: A Model For Community-Based Environmental Monitoring For Public Health Action., Paul B English, Luis Olmedo, Ester Bejarano, Humberto Lugo, Eduardo Murillo, Edmund Seto, Michelle Wong, Galatea King, Alexa Wilkie, Dan Meltzer, Graeme Carvlin, Michael Jerrett, Amanda Northcross

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

The Imperial County Community Air Monitoring Network (the Network) is a collaborative group of community, academic, nongovernmental, and government partners designed to fill the need for more detailed data on particulate matter in an area that often exceeds air quality standards. The Network employs a community-based environmental monitoring process in which the community and researchers have specific, well-defined roles as part of an equitable partnership that also includes shared decision-making to determine study direction, plan research protocols, and conduct project activities. The Network is currently producing real-time particulate matter data from 40 low-cost sensors throughout Imperial County, one of the …

Heat Exposure And Maternal Health In The Face Of Climate Change., Leeann Kuehn, Sabrina Mccormick

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Climate change will increasingly affect the health of vulnerable populations, including maternal and fetal health. This systematic review aims to identify recent literature that investigates increasing heat and extreme temperatures on pregnancy outcomes globally. We identify common research findings in order to create a comprehensive understanding of how immediate effects will be sustained in the next generation. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide, we systematically reviewed articles from PubMed and Cochrane Reviews. We included articles that identify climate change-related exposures and adverse health effects for pregnant women. There is evidence that temperature extremes adversely …