Environews
Partners Addressing Ethics Challenges
The NIEHS News (p. A988) describes work being done under the institute's Partnerships to Address Ethical Challenges in Environmental Health grants program. This program promotes community-researcher collaborations that investigate local health issues while giving equal voice to all stakeholders. In other news, the NIEHS cosponsors the 2004 Biennial Scientific Symposium on Children's Health as Impacted by Environmental Contaminants.
At War in the Environment
This month's Focus (p. A994) takes a two-part look at how wartime, its aftermath, and military preparedness affect environmental health. Wars of today are not confined to traditional battlefields, and their array of weapons cause a different scale of environmental damage than has ever been seen before. The result is a greater environmental health impact, as modern threats pile atop the age-old war fallout of lack of food, shelter, water, and santitation, infectious disease risk, and psychological trauma.
The Right to Resources
The idea of human rights gained international currency with the 1948 ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. Today, many stakeholders believe that one of our rights as humans is access to the clean water, air, and other resources necessary for survival. These stakeholders argue for rights-based access to natural resources, maintaining that our planet's resources belong to all of us. Others assert the primacy of a market-driven world economy, in which natural resources boil down to commodities to be bought and sold. The Spheres of Influence (p. A1006) asks whether the two views can be reconciled.
Research
Environmental Health Disparities
Despite continued controversy, the environmental justice movement has provided some information suggesting that disadvantaged communities face greater likelihood of exposure to ambient hazards. Gee and Payne-Sturges (p. 1645) argue that residential segregation leads to differential experiences of community stress, exposure to pollutants, and access to community resources. When not counterbalanced by resources, stressors may lead to heightened vulnerability to environmental hazards.
Ceruloplasmin and Sex in Copper Response
Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is an indicator of copper status. Méndez et al. (p. 1654) studied healthy women and men belonging to the higher and lower 10% in the group ceruloplasmin distribution before and after receiving a supplement of 10 mg Cu/day for 2 months. Results showed that Cp values in serum represent a reliable indicator to differentiate subgroups in their response to Cu exposure. The response to Cu exposure depends on Cp values and on sex, such that the greatest response is exhibited in women with higher Cp values and men with lower Cp values.
Synergy of PAHs and CYP1A Inhibitors
Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause deformities in early life stages of fish. Inhibition of cytochrome P4501A, a member of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene family, can reduce the developmental toxicity of planar PAHs (pHAHs). Wassenberg and Di Guilio (p. 1658) exposed fish (Fundulus heteroclitus) embryos to PAH-type AHR agonists, 
-naphthoflavone and benzo(a)pyrene, and a pHAH-type AHR agonist, PCB-126, alone and in combination with several CYP1A inhibitors. Exposure to PCB-126 with naphthoflavone decreased deformities over PCB-126 alone, whereas exposure to PAHs with CYP1A inhibitors increased toxicity over PAH alone. The results call into question additive models of PAH embryotoxicity for environmental mixtures containing both AHR agonists and CYP1A inhibitors.
Pesticides and Human Semen Quality
Meeker et al. (p. 1665) explored whether environmental exposures to carbaryl and chlorpyrifos are associated with decreased semen quality in humans. Individual exposures were measured as spot urinary metabolite concentrations of chlorpyrifos and carbaryl. Semen quality was assessed as sperm concentration, percent motile sperm, and percent sperm with normal morphology, as well as with sperm motion parameters. The observed association between altered semen quality and carbaryl are consistent with previous studies of carbaryl exposure, whereas suggestive associations with chlorpyrifos are difficult to interpret because human and animal data are currently limited.
Noise-Induced DNA Damage in the Rat Adrenal Gland
Loud noise is considered an environmental stressor, causing negative effects on acoustic, cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. Frenzilli et al. (p. 1671) investigated the effects of noise exposure on DNA integrity in the rat adrenal gland as evaluated by the comet assay. The exposure to loud noise (100 dBA) for 12 hr caused a significant increase of DNA damage in the adrenal gland. Genetic alterations did not decrease 24 hr after cessation of the stimulus.
Blood and Tibia Lead Changes during Menopause
Despite the dramatic decline in environmental lead exposure in the United States, there is concern about mobilization of bone lead stores during menopause. Berkowitz et al. (p. 1673) conducted a prospective study of women scheduled to undergo a bilateral oophorectomy during October 1994-April 1999. A small but significant increase in median blood lead levels was observed between the baseline visit and the 6-month visit, particularly for women who were not on estrogen replacement therapy. The authors observed no significant change in blood lead values between 6 and 18 months postsurgery, nor did they find evidence of significant changes in tibia lead concentrations during this period.
Silica-Induced Inflammatory Mediators
Rao et al. (p. 1679) investigated the expression of 10 genes implicated in regulation of the inflammatory processes in the lung following exposure of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to silica in vitro or in vivo. In vitro exposure of AMs to silica up-regulated the mRNA levels of three genes (IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-2) without a concomitant increase in the protein levels. AMs isolated after intratracheal instillation of silica up-regulated mRNA levels of four additional genes (GM-CSF, IL-1b, IL-10, and iNOS). Identification of the intercellular communication in vivo is still unresolved; however, fibroblasts appear to be an important source of inflammatory mediators in the lung.
Pollutant Measurement Error Correction
Misclassification of exposure usually leads to biased estimates of response associations, particularly in cases with multiple correlated exposures. This becomes an important problem when addressing public health implications such as the one between mortality and air pollution. Zeka and Schwartz (p. 1686) used a method that deals with multiple exposures (which under certain conditions is resistant to measurement error) to reanalzye data from the the National Morbidity and Mortality Air Pollution Study (NMMAPS). Results for PM10 (particulate matter 
10 µm in aerodynamic diameter) were similar to those reported previously for NMMAPS (0.24% increase in deaths per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10).
Measurement Data with Detection Limits
Quantitative measurements of environmental factors can pose challenges because of the presence of upper or lower detection limits or interfering compounds. Lubin et al. (p. 1691) consider the regression of an environmental measurement (dependent variable) on several covariates (independent variables) and illustrate various approaches using measurements of pesticide residues in carpet dust in control subjects from a case-control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Pharmacokinetic Modeling for Study Design
Hu et al. (p. 1697) demonstrate a method in which pharmacokenetic (PK) modeling and computer simulation are used to guide the design of field studies to validate pathway models. The children's dietary intake model was used as an example. The authors identified three important requirements of the study: a) longitudinally designed study with significant changes in the exposure for a route/pathway; b) short biological half-life of a selected chemical; and a) surface loading of the selected chemical at sufficient levels. PK modeling allowed a path-specific exposure model to be evaluated using urinary metabolite biomarkers.
Chromosome Alterations in Arsenite-Induced Tumorigenic Cells
Chronic low-dose exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with an increased incidence of a variety of cancers, including skin, lung, bladder, and liver cancer. Because genetic alterations often occur in tumor cells during cancer development, Chien et al. (p. 1704) studied the types of genetic alterations induced by chronic arsenic exposure in human HaCaT cells. Results indicate that long-term exposure to low doses of arsenite transformed nontumorigenic human keratinocytes to cells that were tumorigenic in nude mice; chromosomal alterations were observed in all cell lines established from the tumors.
Bone Mineral Density in East Greenland Polar Bears
Sonne et al. (p. 1711) analyzed bone mineral density (BMD) in skulls of polar bears (Ursus maritimus; n = 139) from East Greenland sampled during 1892-2002. BMD in skulls sampled in the supposed pre-organochlorine/polybrominated diphenyl ether period (1892-1932) was significantly higher than in those from the supposed pollution period (1966-2002) for subadult females, subadult males, and adult males but not adult females. The strong correlative relationships suggested that disruption of the BMD in East Greenland polar bears may have been caused by organochlorine exposure. (Also see Science Selections, p. A1011)
GIS Modeling of TRI Facilities
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) requires certain types of facilities to report releases annually, but little is known about releases from non-TRI-reporting facilities. Little attention been given to localized equity impacts associated with air toxics releases. Dolinoy and Miranda (p. 1717) developed methods for characterizing air releases from TRI-reporting and non-TRI-reporting facilities at four levels of geographic resolution. The new methods significantly enhance the ability to model air toxics, perform equity analyses, and clarify conflicts regarding environmental justice findings.
Ethynylestradiol Causes Reproductive Failure in Fish
The pharmaceutical ethynylestradiol (EE2) is a potent endocrine modulator and is present in the aquatic environment at biologically active concentrations. Nash et al. (p. 1725) investigated effects on reproductive success and mechanisms of disruption in breeding populations of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed over multiple generations to environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2. Life-long exposure to 5 ng EE2/L in the F1 generation caused a 56% reduction in fecundity and complete population failure with no fertilization. (Also see Science Selections, p. A1010)
Variability of Urinary Phthalates
The ubiquitous use of phthalates results in human exposure through diet, dermal absorption, and inhalation, as well as from medical devices containing phthalates. Hauser et al. (p. 1734) explored the temporal variability of concentrations of eight urinary phthalate metabolites over 3 months in men. Five of the eight phthalates were frequently detected. There was substantial day-to-day and month-to-month variability in urinary phthalate metabolite levels for each individual. Results suggest that the exposure assessment strategy for a particular study may depend on the phthalates of interest.
Environmental Medicine
Epidemiology and Radiofrequency Exposure
Ahlbom et al. (p. 1741) provide a comprehensive review of epidemiologic studies on the effects of radiofrequency fields (RFs) on human health. The studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between RF exposure and adverse health effects. However, the studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association. In addition, there are almost no data on the consequences of childhood exposure, and published data largely concentrate on a small number of outcomes, especially brain tumors and leukemia.
Children's Health
Training in Pediatric Environmental Health
Pediatric medical and nursing education currently lacks the environmental health content necessary to appropriately prepare health care professionals. McCurdy et al. (p. 1755) discuss recommendations put forth by working groups created by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, in partnership with the Children's Environmental Health Network. Improvements in environmental health education specific to children are needed at all levels of medical and nursing education. Resources and expertise to set policy and provide the tools for teaching pediatric environmental health to health care providers also need to be identified.
Prenatal DDT and Anthropometry and Puberty in Boys
Compounds in the DDT family have endocrine activity and have been associated with reproductive toxicity. A previous study reported associations between prenatal exposure to p,p´-DDE and increased height and weight in adolescent boys. Gladen et al. (p. 1761) examined a group of males born in the 1960s who had participated in a previous study and had higher exposures. Anthropometric and pubertal measures from their adolescent years were available, as were stored maternal serum samples from pregnancy. The authors found no associations between prenatal exposure to any of the DDT compounds and any outcome measure.
Ambient Ozone Exposure and Swimming Pool Attendance 
Airway irritants such as ozone (O3) impair lung function and induce airway inflammation. Lagerkvist et al. (p. 1768) used lung function and serum concentrations of CC16 (Clara cell protein, an anti-inflammatory protein proposed as a marker of lung injury) to examine pulmonary responses to ambient O3 exposure and swimming pool attendance. Repeated exposure to chlorination by-products in the air of indoor swimming pools adversely affected Clara cell function in children. A possible relationship between Clara cell damage and pulmonary morbidity (e.g., asthma) should be further investigated. (Also see Science Selections, p. A1010)
Exposure to the WTC Event and Birth Outcomes
Concerns remain about the health of children who were prenatally exposed to pollutants and stress from the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. Lederman et al. (p. 1772) assessed the impact of gestational timing of the disaster and the distance from the WTC in the four weeks after the disaster on the birth outcomes of women who were pregnant at the time. Term infants born to women who were pregnant on 11 September 2001 and living within a 2-mile radius of the WTC during the month after the event showed significant decrements in term birth weight (-149 g) and birth length (-0.82 cm) compared with infants born to the other pregnant women studied.
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Last Updated: November 17, 2004
