| 1. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A., et al.
(author)
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Non-renal effects and the risk assessment of environmental cadmium exposure.
- 2014
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In: Environmental health perspectives. - : Environmental Health Perspectives. - 1552-9924 .- 0091-6765. ; 122:5, s. 431-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exposure to cadmium (Cd) has long been recognized as a health hazard, both in industry and in general populations with high exposure. Under the currently prevailing health risk assessment, the relationship between urinary Cd (U-Cd) concentrations and tubular proteinuria is used. However, doubts have recently been raised regarding the justification of basing the risk assessment on this relationship at very low exposure.
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| 2. |
- Rodríguez, Teresa, 1966-
(author)
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Environmental Pesticide Exposure and Neurobehavioral Effects among Children of Nicaraguan Agricultural Workers
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Children exposed to pesticides are susceptible for neurodevelopmental disruption. Data from developing countries are scarce.Aim: Assessing long-term and recent pesticide exposure in Nicaraguan children in relation to parental pesticide use and examining potential associated neurobehavioral effects.Methods: In the first study, pre- and post-spraying urinary residues of the chlorpyrifos metabolite TCPY and diazinon metabolite IMPY were measured among 7 subsistence farmers and 10 plantation workers, and in one child per worker. In the second study, for 110 children in an agricultural village and 22 in a non-agricultural village, aged 7-9, parental pesticide use was assessed by hours of spraying and kilograms of active ingredients during pre-and-postnatal time windows, as proxies for children’s long term pesticide exposures. Urinary TCPY, 3-PBA (pyrethroid metabolite), and 2,4-D were determined in 211 samples of 74 children of the agricultural village. IQ components and total IQ (WISC-IV) were evaluated in all agricultural village children. Behavior was evaluated with the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale-Revised: Short. Multivariate linear regression models assessed associations between long-term and recent exposure to organophosphates and pyrethroids and cognitive and behavioral scales.Results: In study 1, post-spraying urinary levels of pesticide metabolites of subsistence farmers and their children were highly correlated (r=0.85), but not those of plantation workers and their children. In study 2, a wide range of exposures was reported by parents for all pesticides and time windows. The median urinary TCPY (3.7 μg/g creatinine), 3-PBA (2.8), and 2,4-D (0.9) were comparable to other studies for TCPY and 3-PBA but high for 2,4-D. Maximum levels were the highest reported for all compounds. Prenatal use of organophosphates affected working memory, and methamidophos also verbal comprehension and total IQ. Urinary TCPY was associated with poorer working memory. Organophosphate exposures were not associated with children’s behavior. Pyrethroid exposure during the first year of life associated with poorer perceptual reasoning and behavior, and urinary 3-PBA with a number of cognitive functions and ADHD in girls but not in boys.Conclusion: Nicaraguan children in poor agricultural areas are highly exposed to pesticides, which is influenced by parental pesticide use in subsistence farms. Organophosphate and pyrethroid exposures adversely affect their neurobehavioral development.
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| 3. |
- Adlard, B., et al.
(author)
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Future directions for monitoring and human health research for the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
- 2018
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In: Global Health Action. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For the last two and a half decades, a network of human health experts under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) has produced several human health assessment reports. These reports have provided a base of scientific knowledge regarding environmental contaminants and their impact on human health in the Arctic. These reports provide scientific information and policy-relevant recommendations to Arctic governments. They also support international agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Key topics discussed in this paper regarding future human health research in the circumpolar Arctic are continued contaminant biomonitoring, health effects research and risk communication. The objective of this paper is to describe knowledge gaps and future priorities for these fields.
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| 4. |
- Adlard, Bryan, et al.
(author)
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MercuNorth–monitoring mercury in pregnant women from the Arctic as a baseline to assess the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention
- 2021
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In: International Journal of Circumpolar Health. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1239-9736 .- 2242-3982. ; 80:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Exposure to mercury (Hg) is a global concern, particularly among Arctic populations that rely on the consumption of marine mammals and fish which are the main route of Hg exposure for Arctic populations.The MercuNorth project was created to establish baseline Hg levels across several Arctic regions during the period preceding the Minamata Convention. Blood samples were collected from 669 pregnant women, aged 18–44 years, between 2010 and 2016 from sites across the circumpolar Arctic including Alaska (USA), Nunavik (Canada), Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Northern Lapland (Finland) and Murmansk Oblast (Russia). Descriptive statistics were calculated, multiple pairwise comparisons were made between regions, and unadjusted linear trend analyses were performed.Geometric mean concentrations of total Hg were highest in Nunavik (5.20 µg/L) and Greenland (3.79 µg/L), followed by Alaska (2.13 µg/L), with much lower concentrations observed in the other regions (ranged between 0.48 and 1.29 µg/L). In Nunavik, Alaska and Greenland, blood Hg concentrations have decreased significantly since 1992, 2000 and 2010 respectively with % annual decreases of 4.7%, 7.5% and 2.7%, respectively.These circumpolar data combined with fish and marine mammal consumption data can be used for assessing long-term Hg trends and the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.
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| 5. |
- Ankarberg, Emma, et al.
(author)
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Regionala skillnader i intag av persistenta organiska miljögifter hos förstföderskor i Uppsala, Göteborg och Lycksele
- 2007
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Under perioden 2000-2006 samlades bröstmjölk in från förstföderskor i Uppsala, Göteborg, Lund och Lycksele. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om det finns några regionala skillnader i halter av polyklorerade bifenyler (PCBer), klorerade pesticider (hexaklorbensen (HCB), ß-hexaklorocyklohexan (ß-HCH), oxyklordan, trans-nonaklor, DDT och DDT-metaboliter) och bromerade flamskyddsmedel (polybromerade difenyletrar (PBDE) och hexabromcyklododekan (HBCD)) i bröstmjölk. Resultaten visade att vissa signifikanta regionala skillnader i halter av de studerade substanserna förelåg. Skillnaderna var dock små, och inga säkra slutsatser om orsaker till skillnaderna kunde dras. Vissa regionala skillnader i halter av organiska miljögifter i livsmedel har också observerats. I en matkorgsstudie utförd 1999 (Darnerud et al. 2006) köptes livsmedel in i fyra olika städer i Sverige (Malmö, Göteborg, Uppsala och Sundsvall), och högre halter av ΣPCB, ΣDDT och ΣPBDE kunde ses i livsmedel från de södra delarna av Sverige i jämförelse med de norra. Denna tendens till nord-sydlig gradient observerades också i en senare matkorgsstudie som utfördes i samma städer 2005 (Ankarberg et al. 2006). Även den omfattande fiskundersökning som utfördes vid Livsmedelsverket 2000-2003 visade på regionala skillnader i halter i vissa fiskarter (NFA 2003). Studien som redovisas i denna rapport syftar till att genom intagsberäkningar undersöka om det finns regionala skillnader i exponering för organiska miljögifter (dioxiner, dioxinlika PCBer, PCB 153 och p,p´-DDE) från mat. Intagsberäkningarna grundas på en kostenkät, ifylld av mödrarna vid bröstmjölksinsamlingen, med frågor gällande konsumtionen av kött, fågel, fisk, mjölkprodukter, vegetabiliskt fett och ägg under året före graviditeten. Haltdata för de studerade substanserna i olika livsmedel hämtades från undersökningar och kontrollprogram vid Livsmedelsverket. De regionala jämförelser som gjordes inkluderade Uppsala, Göteborg och Lycksele. Den kostenkät som användes i Lund skiljde sig åt från de som användes i Uppsala, Göteborg och Lycksele. Resultaten från Lund kunde därför inte användas i denna undersökning. Trots vissa skillnader i konsumtionsmönster mellan de olika regionerna kunde inte några skillnader i intag av miljögifterna påvisas. Det beräknade medianintaget av dioxiner och dioxinlika PCBer varierade mellan 0,9 och 1,2 pg WHO-TEQ/kg kroppsvikt/dag, mellan 1,3 och 1,9 ng/kg kroppsvikt/dag för PCB 153 och mellan 2,5 och 3,5 ng/kg kroppsvikt/dag för 2 p,p´-DDE. Fisk och skaldjur bidrog till den största delen av intaget av WHO-TEQ (52-61 %). Enligt beräkningarna hade 14 % av kvinnorna intagsnivåer som överskred EU’s tolerabla veckointag för dioxiner och dioxinlika PCBer (14 pg WHO-TEQ/kg kroppsvikt/vecka). Livsmedelsverkets konsumtionsråd gällande fet fisk från Östersjön överskreds av 4 % av kvinnorna, och samtliga av dessa åtta individer fanns med bland dem som överskred TWI. Högexponerade individer karaktäriserades generellt av hög konsumtion av fisk och mjölkprodukter. Det finns inte någon tolerabel intagsnivå framtagen för icke dioxinlika PCBer (t.ex. PCB 153), så för dessa var det inte möjligt att göra några jämförelser. Ingen kvinna i studien överskred JECFA’s tolerabla dagliga intagsnivå för DDT-föreningar (10 μg/kg kroppsvikt/dag). En osäkerhet i de beräknade intagsnivåerna är att det är mycket svårt att minnas och korrekt ange sin konsumtion av olika livsmedel under ett år tillbaka. Dessutom är det troligt att konsumtionen av lax från Östersjön är överskattad eftersom det är mycket ovanligt med sådan fisk i butik. De haltdata som använts i beräkningarna är medel- och medianhalter som kommer från olika analysprojekt vid Livsmedelsverket. Dessa halter kan skilja sig åt från de verkliga nivåerna i de livsmedel som kvinnorna konsumerat. Dessutom användes samma haltdata för samtliga kvinnor, och hänsyn togs alltså inte till eventuella regionala skillnader i livsmedelshalter. Trots dessa osäkerheter tyder resultaten på att svenska förstföderskor från olika delar av landet har exponerats för liknande nivåer av de studerade föreningarna. En korrelationsanalys kunde inte påvisa några samband mellan de beräknade intagen av PCB 153 och p,p´-DDE och nivåerna av dessa substanser i bröstmjölk. Detta beror sannolikt till viss del på att bröstmjölkshalterna av persistenta organiska miljögifter speglar den totala exponeringen under livstiden, och inte bara exponeringen under det senaste året.
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| 6. |
- Anticona, Cynthia, et al.
(author)
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Easier said than done : applying the Ecohealth principles to a study of heavy metals exposure among indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon
- 2013
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In: BMC Public Health. - London : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2458. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The renewed interest in community participation in health research is linked to its potential for bridging gaps between research and practice. Its main attributes are the generation of knowledge that can lead to socially robust, long-lasting solutions and the creation of a colearner relationship between researchers and research users. Following this philosophy, Ecohealth has evolved into a specialized framework for participatory research on the impact of pollution on ecosystems and human health. However, its principles pose considerable challenges. Its outcomes are strongly influenced by contextual factors that are impossible to control for ahead of time.This paper describes how the Ecohealth principles were applied to an epidemiological study of heavy metals exposure among indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon. It illustrates how knowledge generated from participatory research does not necessarily imply solving a public health problem. This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the benefits and barriers of following the basic principles of the Ecohealth approach, and assist researchers working in similar contexts.Research process Based upon their personal experience as participant observers, the authors describe the research process; then, they discuss the most important challenges faced, their implications, and the attempted strategies for resolution.Challenges Challenges were grouped into four themes: (1) building trust; (2) one partnership, many stakeholders, multiple agendas; (3) being a researcher; and (4) communicating complex and unexpected findings.Conclusions Integrating the principles of transdisciplinarity and participation posed a series of challenges to the research process that were difficult, and sometimes impossible to overcome. However, positive outcomes from this experience were the lessons learned by the different actors. Despite the lack of immediate action, it is expected that useful interventions to prevent and control lead exposure in the Corrientes population will be implemented in the medium term.
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| 7. |
- Anticona, Cynthia, et al.
(author)
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Lead exposure among children from native communities of the Peruvian Amazon basin
- 2012
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In: Revista panamericana de salud pùblica. - 1020-4989 .- 1680-5348. ; 31:4, s. 296-302
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To assess potential risk factors associated with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) among children in two communities from the Corrientes River basin in the Peruvian Amazon. Methods. Children aged 0-17 years were screened for BLLs, hemoglobin levels, and anthropometric measures. Dwelling, family, and child data were collected through a parental questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive and bivariate analysis. Multiple linear and logistic regressions using generalized estimating equations were also conducted to determine associated risk factors. A map of each community was drawn to examine the spatial distribution of BLLs.Results. Of 208 children (88 from 23 households of the Peruanito community and 120 from 28 households of Santa Isabel), 27.4% had BLLs >= 10 mu g/dL. The geometric mean (+/- standard deviation) BLL was 8.7 +/- 4.0 mu g/dL (range 3.0-26.8 mu g/dL). In the total population, linear regression analysis indicated that age was positively associated with BLLs (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that boys had 2.12 times greater odds of having BLLs >= 10 mu g/dL than girls (P < 0.05). Among the children 0-3 years, those whose mothers had BLLs >= 10 mu g/dL had 45.0% higher odds of presenting BLLs >= 10 mu g/dL than children whose mothers had BLLs < 10 mu g/dL (P < 0.05).Conclusions. Older age, male gender, and mothers' BLL >= 10 mu g/dL were the main risk factors for elevated BLLs. The higher risk in boys 7-17 years suggests that exposure could be related to specific activities in this group, such as fishing and hunting. Continuous monitoring of BLLs in the Corrientes River population is recommended.
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| 8. |
- Anticona, Cynthia, et al.
(author)
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Lead exposure in indigenous communities of the Amazon basin, Peru
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 1618-131X .- 1438-4639. ; 215:1, s. 59-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since 2006, three studies have reported elevated levels of lead (Pb) among the indigenous population of the Corrientes river, in the Amazon basin of Peru. Due to the large evidence of environmental pollution related to oil exploitation in the area, this activity has been suggested as the source of exposure. This study aimed to evaluate Pb levels in the population and environment of two communities exposed and one community non-exposed to the oil exploitation activity. Blood lead levels (BLL) were determined by the instrument Leadcare. A comparison with the graphite furnace atomic absorption technique was performed in order to validate the Leadcare results. Environmental samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Among 361 capillary samples, the mean BLL was 9.4 mu g/dl). Mean BLL of the communities exposed (n = 171, (x) over bar = 9.5 mu g/dl) and non-exposed (n = 190, (x) over bar = 9.2 mu g/dl) to the oil activity were not significantly different. PI) levels in environmental samples were below the maximum permissible levels. The sources of exposure could not be identified. Elevated levels of Pb in the oil-non-exposed community pointed out at other sources not yet clarified. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Anticona, Cynthia, et al.
(author)
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Sources and risk factors for lead exposure in indigenous children of the Peruvian Amazon, disentangling connections with oil activity
- 2012
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In: International journal of occupational and environmental health. - : Maney Publishing. - 1077-3525 .- 2049-3967. ; 18:4, s. 268-277
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: In the Corrientes river basin, Peruvian Amazon, lead exposure among indigenous communities was first reported in 2006. To address controversy regarding the main source of exposure, this study aimed to identify the sources and risk factors for lead exposure among children from the communities in question, and to clarify the potential relationship with oil activity.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in six communities. Participants were children aged 0–17 years and their mothers. Data collection included blood lead levels (BLLs) and hemoglobin determination, a questionnaire on risk factors and environmental sampling. We used age-stratified multivariate regression models, with generalized estimating equation to account for correlation within households.Results: Twenty-seven percent of the children had BLLs ≧10 μg/dl. Mother's BLLs ≧10 μg/dl, playing and chewing lead scraps, fishing ≧three times/week, and living in highly oil-exposed communities increased the risk of having BLLs ≧10 μg/dl. Lead concentrations in sediment, soil, dust, and fish samples were below reference values.Conclusions: Mother's BLLs ≧10 μg/dl, playing and chewing lead scraps to manufacture fishing sinkers were the most important risk factors for children’s BLLs ≧10 μg/dl. The connection with oil activity appears to be through access to metal lead from the industry's wastes.
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| 10. |
- Anticona Huaynate, Cynthia, 1983-
(author)
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Lead exposure in indigenous children of the Peruvian Amazon : seeking the hidden source,venturing into participatory research
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction. In 2006, a Peruvian environmental agency reported the presence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in indigenous communities of the Corrientes river basin. This is a territory in the Peruvian Amazon where oil activity has been associated with serious environmental effects, with impact on an ongoing social conflict. This PhD project aimed to determine the lead sources, risk factors and pathways in children of these communities and to suggest control and prevention strategies. Given the arguments attributing the lead source to the oil activity pollution, the second objective was to clarify any potential connection between the two. This project was conducted by a collaborative research partnership with the regional health authorities and the community-based organization. The third objective was to characterize the challenges, facilitating factors and the lessons learned from the research process.Methods. Two epidemiological studies were conducted. Study I (2009) was carried out in three communities and study II (2010) in six communities with different levels of exposure to oil activity. The participants were children 0–17 years old. Data collection included: determination of BLLs, hemoglobin levels and anthropometric indicators, a risk factor questionnaire, an environmental assessment and a risk map. Data analysis included univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Data for the third objective came from field notes, documents, interviews and a process of collective reflection.Results. Study I (n= 221) found no significant difference in the geometric mean(GM) BLLs between the communities exposed and not exposed to oil activity. Older age and being a boy were found as risk factors for BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL. In study II (n= 346), age stratified logistic regression models indicated that children 0–3 years whose mothers had BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL, children 0–6 years who played with pieces of lead and children 7–17 years who fished 3 times or more per weekor chewed pieces of lead to manufacture fishing sinkers had a significant increased risk of having BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL. Children who lived in communities near oil battery facilities also had a significant increased risk of having BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL. In both studies, environmental samples showed lead concentrations below reference levels. The challenges and facilitating factors identified focused on five interrelated themes: i) mutual trust, ii) multiple agendas, iii) equal participation, iv) competing research paradigms and v) complex and unexpected findings.Conclusions. Metal lead appeared to be the main source of exposure. Playing with pieces of lead and chewing pieces of lead to construct fishing sinkers appeared to be pathways of exposure for children aged 0–6 years and 7–17 years, respectively. Mothers’ BLLs > 10 μg/dL was a risk factor for BLLs > 10 μg/dL in children aged 0–3 years. Living in a community with high exposure to oil activity was a risk factor for BLLs > 10 μg/dL. The identified connection with oil activity was the proximity of communities to oil battery facilities and thus greater access to lead from cables and other industrial waste. Despite the numerous challenges, participatory research appears to be the most appropriate approach for this type of context. The study findings led us to recommend:i) a comprehensive community-based lead control and prevention plan,ii) the introduction of substitute non-harmful material(s) for fishing sinkers and iii) secure containment of the oil company’s waste deposits.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Berg, Vivian, et al.
(author)
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Pre- and post-diagnostic blood profiles of chlorinated persistent organic pollutants and metabolic markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and controls : a pilot study
- 2021
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In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 195
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Several risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are also associated with blood concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and factors related to the disease may affect POP concentrations, and subsequent associations between POPs and T2DM. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the change in concentrations of lipids, hormones and POPs pre- and post-diagnosis in T2DM cases compared to healthy controls and their associations with T2DM.Methods: We measured POPs, lipids, and thyroid and steroid hormones in plasma from 44 female cases collected prior to (pre-diagnostic) and following (post-diagnostic) T2DM diagnosis, and in 44 healthy female age-matched controls. We compared cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes within and between matched cases and controls with t-tests and multivariable linear regression models. Associations between POP concentrations and T2DM were investigated using conditional logistic regression.Results: Between the pre- and post-diagnostic measurement, cases developed more favorable lipid profiles and the longitudinal changes in lipid-normalized concentrations of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin-like PCBs, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), HCB, and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane (p,p'-DDE) differed significantly between cases and controls. The longitudinal changes in POPs were mainly driven by changes in bodyweight, total lipids and T2DM status. Cases had significantly higher pre-diagnostic concentrations of POPs and triglycerides, and lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and free thyroxin than controls. Pre-diagnostic POP concentrations were not significantly associated with incident T2DM, whereas several post-diagnostic POP concentrations were significantly positively associated with prevalent T2DM.Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that factors related to T2DM affect blood concentrations of POPs and may partly explain the positive associations between POPs and T2DM.
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| 15. |
- Bergdahl, Ellinor, 1981-
(author)
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Depression among the very old
- 2007
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Emotional suffering in old age is largely caused by various psychiatric conditions, of which depression is the most common. Depression is associated with a decline in both well-being and daily functioning and reduces both morale and social capacity among the very old, which may produce high health and social costs for society. The overall aim of the thesis was to study the prevalence of depression among the very old, to identify factors associated with depression and to evaluate the prognosis of depression among the very old. In total, 363 people were evaluated for depression, 242 from an urban municipality in the year 2000 and 121 from five rural municipalities in 2002. In 2005, those still alive in the urban municipality were asked to participate again, and were therefore re-evaluated. The prevalence of depression was 27% in the urban municipality, 34% in the rural municipalities and 29% in the total sample. Of those depressed, about 67% were receiving antidepressive treatment, and of those, approximately 50% had responded to treatment. In the rural municipality, the depressed were less often treated with Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor medications, receiving instead Tri-Cyclic Antidepressants. In the rural municipalities, only 38% of the depressed had responded to treatment. A higher proportion of women were diagnosed as depressed, 33% vs. 19%, p=0.006, although the response rate was the same for men and women. Depression was twice as common among those with dementia, 44% vs. 23%. There were discrepancies concerning associated factors between the depressed participants with dementia and those without. Experiencing the death of a child during the preceding ten years was associated with depression and independently associated with depression among men and participants with dementia. In all the studies, the depressed were less often able to go outside independently and to visit others. They also received fewer visits from others and often experienced loneliness. The great majority of those who were depressed in 2000 died during the subsequent five years, only 13 out of 65, 22%, were still alive in 2005, compared to 41% of those who were not depressed, p=0.003. Of 13 who survived, only two had recovered. Twenty-four out of 70 non-depressed people, 34%, had developed depression during the five years (2000-2005), and the total prevalence in year 2005 was 42% (35 out of 83 participants). Ten out of the 24 who had developed depression were prescribed antidepressants. Of those ten, four were regarded as responders. In the group with persistent depression, nine out of eleven were receiving antidepressants and 67% were responders. In conclusion, a large proportion of the very old suffer from under-diagnosed and undertreated depression. The response rate to treatment seems to be low, and the quality of treatment and follow-up also seems to be poor. The mortality rate among the depressed was high. The spectrum of factors associated with depression in people with dementia is different from that associated with depression among non-demented. Depression among the very old clearly emerges as a common and serious public health problem, with probably the most serious impact on quality of life. More efforts have to be made to improve the quality of assessments, treatment and research regarding depression among the very old.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A, et al.
(author)
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Biomonitoring of lead exposure-alternatives to blood
- 2008
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In: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A: Current Issues. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1087-2620 .- 1528-7394. ; 71:18, s. 1235-1243
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lead (Pb) is one of the most important models for biomonitoring of exposure, with the blood Pb concentration as a predominant choice in practice and in epidemiology. In this article the alternatives for biomarkers to blood are reviewed. This overview focuses on a number of different qualities that are of importance in the evaluation of a biomarker's usefulness and performance. The qualities scrutinized included: (1) analytical accuracy and precision; (2) cost; (3) practical issues; (4) what is reflected by the biomarker; (5) relationship to exposure; and (6) relationship to effects. Data indicate that the best biomarker in some circumstances may be blood, but bone or teeth (for past exposures), feces (for current gastrointestinal exposure), or urine (for organic Pb) are sometimes more useful. A striking feature is that no generally accepted biomarker of bioavailable Pb exists, though plasma, bone, teeth, urine, and hair have all been discussed. For one of the most used applications of blood Pb, monitoring of lead workers' exposure, blood has important shortcomings in that it shows a poor response to changes in exposure at high levels. The alternative of plasma has not been sufficiently evaluated to be considered an alternative in occupational health services, although previous analytical problems are basically overcome. Possibly, urine deserves also more attention. Almost all biomarkers lack systematic data on variation within and between individuals.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A., et al.
(author)
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Lead binding to delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in human erythrocytes
- 1997
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In: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. - : Wiley. - 0901-9928. ; 81:4, s. 153-158
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over 99% of the lead present in blood is usually found in erythrocytes. To investigate the nature of this selective accumulation of lead in erythrocytes, the specific binding of lead to proteins in human erythrocytes was studied using liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS). The principal lead-binding protein had a mass of approximately 240 kDa, and adsorption to specific antibodies showed that protein was delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD). Thus, the previous notion that lead in erythrocytes was bound primarily to haemoglobin has to be revised. Furthermore, in lead-exposed workers, the percentage of lead bound to ALAD was influenced by a common polymorphism in the ALAD gene. Specifically, in seven carriers of the ALAD2 allele, 84% of the protein-bound lead recovered was bound to ALAD compared to 81% in seven homozygotes for the ALAD1 allele whose erythrocytes were matched for blood-lead concentration. The small difference was statistically significant in Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test (P = 0.03). No ALAD allele-specific difference in ALAD-bound lead was found among 20 unexposed controls. Perhaps the difference in ALAD-bound lead can provide an explanation for the previously reported finding of higher blood-lead levels among carriers of the ALAD2 allele than among ALAD1 homozygotes in lead-exposed populations.
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| 20. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A
(author)
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Lead in blood. ICP-MS studies of lead in plasma, blood and erythrocyte proteins
- 1997
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the determination of lead in blood plasma has been developed. The detection limit was below 0.1 microgram/liter, and the precision 5%. There was no significant difference between levels in plasma and serum. Studies of individuals with varying lead exposure showed that in the general population the plasma concentrations were less than 1% of the levels in blood, and up to a few percent in highly lead-exposed individuals. There was a non-linear relationship between blood- and plasma-lead concentrations. The non-linearity could be described by a model based on high-affinity erythrocyte lead-binding proteins with a limited binding capacity. The association was relatively close, with an inter-individual variation in plasma lead of 30% relative standard deviation at a given blood-lead concentration. Neither age, sex, current lead exposure, nor the polymorphism in the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) gene affected the distribution of lead between cells and plasma. Moreover, lead-binding erythrocyte proteins were studied by gel-chromatography with ICP-MS detection. The studies showed that the protein with the highest affinity for lead was ALAD. Together with a smaller protein, with an apparent molecular mass of 45 kDa, it bound more than half of the lead in the erythrocytes. There was also a small lead-binding component; the quantity of lead bound to it its not known. Lead in erythrocytes appeared not to be bound to hemoglobin.
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| 21. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A, et al.
(author)
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Lung cancer and exposure to quartz and diesel exhaust in Swedish iron ore miners with concurrent exposure to radon
- 2010
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In: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 67:8, s. 513-518
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Studies of underground miners have documented an increased risk of lung cancer mainly linked to radon exposure but possibly influenced by other concurrent exposures. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out in 8321 iron ore miners with low exposure to radon, employed in 1923-1998 and followed up for lung cancer in 1958-2000. Historical exposures to radon, crystalline silica and diesel exhaust were assessed. Data including exposure to radon, quartz and diesel exhaust from another mine with higher exposure to radon were reanalysed. RESULTS: Miners had increased risk for lung cancer (SIR 1.48 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.78), based on 112 cases during 227,000 person-years). The increased risk could not be explained by exposure to radon or diesel exhaust but was associated with exposure to crystalline silica: SIR 0.96 (0.53 to 1.62), 1.45 (1.10 to 1.87), 1.99 (1.31 to 2.90) and 1.77 (0.92 to 3.10) in groups with exposure to 0, 0-2, 2-5 and >5 mg years/m3, respectively. Reanalysis of data from the other mine indicated that quartz was a possible confounder in the analysis of relationship between radon and lung cancer. In the highest radon exposed group, the point estimate for the RR decreased from 5.65 to 3.90 when adjusting for concurrent exposure to quartz. CONCLUSIONS: Crystalline silica, a known carcinogen, probably affects lung cancer risk in iron ore miners. The main implication of the results is for interpretation of the dose-response curve for radon and lung cancer in underground iron ore miners. Since exposure to radon and quartz is often correlated, quartz exposure can be an important confounder.
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| 22. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A., et al.
(author)
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Mercury in serum predicts low risk of death and myocardial infarction in Gothenburg women.
- 2013
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In: International archives of occupational and environmental health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 86:1, s. 71-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Purpose Markers of mercury (Hg) exposure have shown both positive and negative associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed the association between serum Hg (S–Hg) and risk of cardiovascular disease in a prospective population-based cohort, with attention to the roles of dental health and Wsh consumption. Methods Total mortality, as well as morbidity and mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke, was followed up for 32 years in 1,391 women (initially age 38–60), in relation to S–Hg at baseline, using Cox regression models. Potential confounders (age, socioeconomic status, serum lipids, alcohol consumption, dental health, smoking, hypertension, waist-hip ratio, and diabetes) and other covariates (e.g., Wsh consumption) were also considered. Results Hazard ratios (HR) adjusted only for age showed strong inverse associations between baseline S–Hg and total mortality [highest quartile: hazard ratio (HR) 0.76; 95% conWdence interval (CI) 0.59–0.97], incident AMI (HR 0.56; CI 0.34–0.93), and fatal AMI (HR 0.31; CI 0.15–0.66). Adjustment for potential confounding factors, especially dental health, had a strong impact on the risk estimates, and after adjustment, only the reduced risk of fatal AMI remained statistically signiWcant. Conclusions There was a strong inverse association between Hg exposure and CVD. Likely, reasons are confounding with good dental health (also correlated with the number of amalgam Wllings in these age groups) and/or Wsh consumption. The results suggest potential eVects of dental health and/or Wsh consumption on CVD that deserve attention in preventive medicine.
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| 23. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A, et al.
(author)
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Metallmätningar hos gravida kvinnor i Västerbotten : Rapport till Miljöövervakningsenheten, Naturvårdsverketkontrakt nr 215 0305
- 2006
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I denna studie har vi 2003-04 undersökt koncentrationerna av kvicksilver, kadmiumoch bly i blod från 96 gravida kvinnor i Västerbotten. För kvicksilver har vi ävenundersökt koncentrationen i hår. Västerbotten har tidvis haft ett betydandekvicksilvernedfall. Dessutom är fritidsfiske, inte minst i insjöar och mindrevattendrag, en vanlig hobby. Det finns därför skäl att undersöka om gravida kvinnor iVästerbotten har högre kvicksilvernivåer än i andra delar av Sverige.Drygt 40% av kvinnorna brukade äta insjöfisk och drygt en fjärdedel hade ätitinsjöfisk senaste månaden. Detta är högre andelar än vad man sett på andra orter.Dock hade endast 3 kvinnor ätit sådana arter som Livsmedelsverket rekommenderargravida att undvika. Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i blod var 0,02-3,5 (median: 0,6)μg/L. Det mesta var i organisk form (0,0-3,2; median: 0,5 μg/L). För kadmium varkoncentrationen 0,04-2,5 (median: 0,14) μg/L och för bly 4-47 (median: 9) μg/L.Kvicksilverkoncentrationen i hår var 0,05-1,0 (median: 0,19) μg/g.De kvicksilverkoncentrationer vi fann var likvärdiga eller lägre än vad som tidigareuppmätts på andra orter i Sverige. Det är alltså inte så att gravida i Västerbotten harsärskilt höga kvicksilverkoncentrationer, trots det kvicksilvernedfall som förekommitoch den relativt höga konsumtionen av insjöfisk. Bly- och kadmiumkoncentrationernaär att betrakta som låga, vilket dock inte innebär att säkerhetsmarginalen till nivåerdär effekter konstaterats är särskilt stor.
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| 24. |
- Bergdahl, Ingvar A, et al.
(author)
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Plasma-lead concentration: investigations into its usefulness for biological monitoring of occupational lead exposure.
- 2006
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In: American journal of industrial medicine. - New York : Wiley. - 0271-3586 .- 1097-0274. ; 49:2, s. 93-101
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The lead concentration in plasma is correlated to that in whole blood with a two to fourfold variation. It has never been investigated if this variation is inter-individual. METHODS: Lead and hemoglobin were determined in blood and plasma from 13 lead workers with a history of relatively high blood-lead concentrations, sampled three times during 1 day. The variation in the distribution of lead between cells and plasma was studied, but not the variation in the lead concentrations as such. RESULTS: Blood hemoglobin decreased with rising plasma lead (0.9-3.0 microg/L). Regarding the distribution of lead, no effect of current exposure during the day or of recent meals appeared. As much as 84% of the overall variance of the distribution of lead between cells and plasma could be attributed to individual factors. After adjustment for erythrocyte volume fraction this decreased to 67%. Plasma samples with elevated hemoglobin concentrations (due to in vitro hemolysis) had somewhat elevated lead concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma lead is not significantly altered by variation in a single day's exposure and, therefore, the choice of time of the day is not critical for sampling. However, plasma lead is negatively correlated to blood hemoglobin and mild hemolysis (not visible by the eye) in a sample may increase plasma lead with up to 30%. Finally, plasma provides lead exposure information that differs from whole blood, but it is not clear which one of these is the biomarker with the closest relation to exposure and/or effects.
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| 25. |
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