| 1. |
- Barregård, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Cadmium, mercury, and lead in kidney cortex of living kidney donors: Impact of different exposure sources.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Environmental research. - 1096-0953. ; 110:1, s. 47-54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Most current knowledge on kidney concentrations of nephrotoxic metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), or lead (Pb) comes from autopsy studies. Assessment of metal concentrations in kidney biopsies from living subjects can be combined with information about exposure sources like smoking, diet, and occupation supplied by the biopsied subjects themselves. Objectives: To determine kidney concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb in living kidney donors, and assess associations with common exposure sources and background factors. Methods: Metal concentrations were determined in 109 living kidney donors aged 24-70 years (median 51), using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Cd and Pb) and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (Hg). Smoking habits, occupation, dental amalgam. fish consumption, and iron stores were evaluated. Results: The median kidney concentrations were 12.9 mu g/g (wet weight) for cadmium, 0.21 mu g/g for mercury, and 0.08 mu g/g for lead. Kidney Cd increased by 3.9 mu g/g for a 10 year increase in age, and by 3.7 mu g/g for an extra 10 pack-years of smoking. Levels in non-smokers were similar to those found in the 1970s. Low iron stores (low serum ferritin) in women increased kidney Cd by 4.5 mu g/g. Kidney Hg increased by 6% for every additional amalgam surface, but was not associated with fish consumption. Lead was unaffected by the background factors surveyed. Conclusions: In Sweden, kidney Cd levels have decreased due to less smoking, while the impact of diet seems unchanged. Dental amalgam is the main determinant of kidney Hg. Kidney Pb levels are very low due to decreased exposure. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Kocbach Bølling, Anette, et al.
(författare)
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Health effects of residential wood smoke particles:
- 2009
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Ingår i: Particle and fibre toxicology. - 1743-8977. ; 6
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Residential wood combustion is now recognized as a major particle source in many developed countries, and the number of studies investigating the negative health effects associated with wood smoke exposure is currently increasing. The combustion appliances in use today provide highly variable combustion conditions resulting in large variations in the physicochemical characteristics of the emitted particles. These differences in physicochemical properties are likely to influence the biological effects induced by the wood smoke particles. Outline: The focus of this review is to discuss the present knowledge on physicochemical properties of wood smoke particles from different combustion conditions in relation to wood smoke-induced health effects. In addition, the human wood smoke exposure in developed countries is explored in order to identify the particle characteristics that are relevant for experimental studies of wood smoke-induced health effects. Finally, recent experimental studies regarding wood smoke exposure are discussed with respect to the applied combustion conditions and particle properties. Conclusion: Overall, the reviewed literature regarding the physicochemical properties of wood smoke particles provides a relatively clear picture of how these properties vary with the combustion conditions, whereas particle emissions from specific classes of combustion appliances are less well characterised. The major gaps in knowledge concern; (i) characterisation of the atmospheric transformations of wood smoke particles, (ii) characterisation of the physicochemical properties of wood smoke particles in ambient and indoor environments, and (iii) identification of the physicochemical properties that influence the biological effects of wood smoke particles.
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| 3. |
- Axelsson, Gösta, 1950-, et al.
(författare)
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Annoyance and worry in a petrochemical industrial area - prevalence, time trends and risk indicators
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - 1660-4601. ; 10:4, s. 1418-1438
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract: In 1992, 1998, and 2006, questionnaires were sent to stratified samples of residents aged 18–75 years living near petrochemical industries (n = 600–800 people on each occasion) and in a control area (n = 200–1,000). The aims were to estimate the long-term prevalence and change over time of annoyance caused by industrial odour, industrial noise, and worries about possible health effects, and to identify risk indicators. In 2006, 20% were annoyed by industrial odour, 27% by industrial noise (1–4% in the control area), and 40–50% were worried about health effects or industrial accidents (10–20% in the control area). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed significantly lower prevalence of odour annoyance in 1998 and 2006 than in 1992, while industrial noise annoyance increased significantly over time. The prevalence of worry remained constant. Risk of odour annoyance increased with female sex, worry of health effects, annoyance by motor vehicle exhausts and industrial noise. Industrial noise annoyance was associated with traffic noise annoyance and worry of health effects of traffic. Health-risk worry due to industrial air pollution was associated with female sex, having children, annoyance due to dust/soot in the air, and worry of traffic air pollution.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Axelsson, Gösta, 1950-, et al.
(författare)
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Cancer incidence in a petrochemical industry area in Sweden
- 2010
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - 0048-9697. ; 408:20, s. 4482-4487
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Emissions from petrochemical industries may contain suspected or established carcinogens. As increased incidence of cancer in residential areas close to petrochemical industries has been reported in the literature, we conducted a study of cancer incidence in Stenungsund, Sweden, where petrochemical industries were established in the mid 1960s. A number of cancer cases in the central parts of Stenungsund were collected from the regional cancer registry for each year between 1974 and 2005. In addition to the total number of cases, the numbers of leukemia, lymphoma, liver cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer were also collected. Expected numbers for each year were calculated based on age- and sex-specific incidence rates in reference areas. Levels of carcinogenic volatile hydrocarbons (VOC) were estimated from measurements and emission data. A dispersion model was used to classify Stenungsund into a "low" and "high" ethylene level area. Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) for all cancer for the entire period was 1.02 (95% CI 0.97-1.08). The occurrence of leukemia, lymphoma, and cancer in the central nervous system was slightly lower than expected for the entire period. SIR for lung cancer was 1.37 (95% CI 1.10-1.69), and SIR for liver cancer was 1.50 (0.82-2.53). VOC levels were low. Taking estimated exposure and demographic factors into account, our assessment is that occurrence of cancer was not affected by industrial emissions in any of the studied sites.
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| 6. |
- Barregård, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Experimental exposure to wood smoke: effects on airway inflammation and oxidative stress.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Occupational and environmental medicine. - 1470-7926. ; 65:5, s. 319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Particulate air pollution affects cardiovascular and pulmonary disease and mortality. A main hypothesis about the mechanisms involved is that particles induce inflammation in lower airways, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether short-term exposure to wood smoke in healthy subjects affects markers of pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress. METHODS: 13 subjects were exposed first to clean air and then to wood smoke in a chamber during 4-hour sessions, 1 week apart. The mass concentrations of fine particles at wood smoke exposure were 240-280 mug/m(3), and number concentrations were 95 000-180 000/cm(3), about half of the particles being ultrafine (<100 nm). Blood and breath samples were taken before and at various intervals after exposure to wood smoke and clean air and examined for exhaled nitric oxide and Clara cell protein in serum and urine, and malondialdehyde in exhaled breath condensate. RESULTS: Exposure to wood smoke increased alveolar nitric oxide 3 hours post-exposure while malondialdehyde levels in breath condensate were higher both immediately after and 20 hours after exposure. Serum Clara cell protein was increased 20 hours after exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Wood smoke at levels that can be found in smoky indoor environments caused an inflammatory response and signs of increased oxidative stress in the respiratory tract, especially in the lower airways.
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| 7. |
- Barregård, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Leukaemia incidence in people living close to an oil refinery.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Environmental research. - 1096-0953. ; 109:8, s. 985
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of leukaemia in an area downwind of a large oil refinery emitting carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene. METHODS: Using a dispersion model and the prevailing wind direction, two parishes with about 5000 inhabitants were a priori considered to be exposed to VOCs from the refinery. Numbers of observed and expected leukaemia cases in 1975-2004 were calculated using regional sex- and age-specific incidence rates. In addition, five nearby parishes (12000 inhabitants), considered unaffected by the emissions, served as a local reference area. Based on emission data, dispersion modelling and VOC measurements, the refinery's contribution to the population's exposure to carcinogenic VOCs was estimated. Published "unit risks" for carcinogenic VOCs were used to estimate the expected excess leukaemia risk. RESULTS: The incidence of leukaemia in the "exposed parishes" was significantly increased in 1975-2004 (33 cases v. 22 expected cases), owing to an increase in the last 10-year period, from 1995 to 2004 (19 cases v. 8.5 expected cases). The leukaemia incidence in the local control area was normal (50 cases v. 56 expected cases). The estimated contribution from the refinery to VOC concentrations was, however, only about 2 microg/m(3) (yearly average) for benzene, 2 microg/m(3) for ethylene, 0.5 microg/m(3) for 1,3-butadiene and 5 microg/m(3) for propene. Calculations of expected excess risk using published risk estimates would indicate a much lower excess risk in the exposed parishes. CONCLUSIONS: Using risk estimates extrapolated from high-level exposure, we would not expect an increase of leukaemia at low exposure to VOC emissions. Nevertheless, the clear elevation of leukaemia in the priori selected, exposed parishes was remarkable. Our finding may reflect a causal association due to emissions, but it could also be due to unknown confounding, or chance.
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| 8. |
- Barregård, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Urinary mercury in people living near point sources of mercury emissions.
- 2006
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Ingår i: The Science of the total environment. - 0048-9697. ; 368:1, s. 326-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As part of the European Mercury Emissions from Chlor Alkali Plants (EMECAP) project, we tested the hypothesis that contamination of ambient air with mercury around chlor alkali plants using mercury cells would increase the internal dose of mercury in people living close to the plants. Mercury in urine (U-Hg) was determined in 225 individuals living near a Swedish or an Italian chlor alkali plant, and in 256 age- and sex-matched individuals from two reference areas. Other factors possibly affecting mercury exposure were examined. Emissions and concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) around the plants were measured and modeled. No increase in U-Hg could be demonstrated in the populations living close to the plants. This was the case also when the comparison was restricted to subjects with no dental amalgam and low fish consumption. The emissions of mercury to air doubled the background level, but contributed only about 2 ng/m(3) to long-term averages in the residential areas. The median U-Hg levels in subjects with dental amalgam were 1.2 microg/g creatinine (micro/gC) in Italy and 0.6 microg/gC in Sweden. In individuals without dental amalgam, the medians were 0.9 microg/gC and 0.2 microg/gC, respectively. The number of amalgam fillings, as well as chewing, fish consumption, and female sex were associated with higher U-Hg. The difference between the countries is probably due to higher fish consumption in Italy, demethylated methyl mercury (MeHg) being partly excreted in urine. Post hoc power calculations showed that if the background mercury exposure is low it may be possible to demonstrate an increase in U-Hg of as little as about 10 ng/m(3) as a contribution to ambient mercury from a point source.
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| 9. |
- Basu, Samar, et al.
(författare)
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Regulatory factors of basal F(2)-isoprostane formation: population, age, gender and smoking habits in humans.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Free radical research. - 1029-2470. ; 43:1, s. 85-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oxidative stress is assumed to be the key underlying factor in the pathogenesis of many common diseases. This study describes the basal levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha ), a major F(2)-isoprostane and an in vivo oxidative stress biomarker in healthy subjects from three countries, namely Italy, Poland and Sweden, in relation to their smoking habits, age and gender. It studied urinary 8-iso-PGF(2alpha ) in 588 subjects from Sweden (n=220), Italy (n=203) and Poland (n=165). Polish subjects had the highest levels of F(2)-isoprostanes followed by the Swedish and Italians when adjusted for smoking, age, sex and creatinine and the inter-country differences were statistically significant. Smokers had significantly higher levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha ) compared to non-smokers in all countries and there was a moderate decrease with age. Women had only slightly lower 8-iso-PGF(2alpha ) than men. There is a difference in F(2)-isoprostane levels in vivo between countries. Smoking, age and gender affect isoprostane formation and should be taken into consideration in clinical studies of oxidative stress.
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| 10. |
- Cooke, Marcus S, et al.
(författare)
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Interlaboratory comparison of methodologies for the measurement of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Biomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals. - 1366-5804. ; 14:2, s. 103
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) is widely used as a marker of oxidative stress. Here we report the comparison of two, distinct chromatographic assays with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The chromatographic assays displayed good agreement (r =:0.89, p < 0.0001), whereas there was markedly worse, albeit still significant, agreement with the ELISA (high-pressure liquid chromatography followed by gas chromatography (HPLC-GC/MS), r = 0.43; HPLC with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC), r = 0.56; p < 0.0001). Mean values differed significantly between the chromatographic assays and the ELISA (HPLC-GC/MS 3.86, HPLC-EC 4.20, ELISA 18.70 ng mg(-1) creatinine; p < 0.0001). While it is reassuring to note good agreement between chromatographic assays, this study reveals significant short-comings in the ELISA, which brings into question its continued use in its present form.
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