Aug 2026· Journal of Xenobiotics· Vol 16, pp. 152· 0 citations· 44 references
Medicine
Abstract
Environmental contamination by potentially toxic elements remains a public health concern in groundwater-dependent regions. This exploratory community-based cross-sectional study examined associations among a historical area-level arsenic screening classification, questionnaire-derived potential-exposure indicators, and self-reported symptom count in 275 adults from 37 standardized locality clusters in Satu Mare County, Romania. The arsenic Health Risk Index (HRI) screening classification was derived entirely from drinking-water measurements collected in a preceding regional study during 2022–2024; no water samples or exposure biomarkers were obtained in the present survey. The questionnaire-derived potential exposure index was calculated as the unweighted sum of seven binary indicators covering residential, drinking-water, occupational, dental, and dietary characteristics (theoretical range, 0–7; observed range, 0–6) and was analyzed continuously. Symptom count (theoretical range, 0–8) was analyzed primarily using negative binomial regression with locality-clustered standard errors and adjustment for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, HRI classification, and self-reported comorbidity. Each one-point increase in the potential exposure index was associated with a modestly higher expected symptom count (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.106, 95% CI: 1.031–1.186; p = 0.005), whereas the area-level HRI classification was not statistically associated with symptom count (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.135, 95% CI: 0.829–1.554; p = 0.431). The association remained positive across alternative index specifications, although the drinking-water-focused estimate was smaller and less precise. These findings represent exploratory associations between reported potential-exposure characteristics and nonspecific self-reported symptoms; they do not establish individual arsenic exposure, contaminant-specific effects, or causality.
South Texas colonias experience persistent water insecurity and disproportionate environmental health burdens. Although arsenic is a well-established drinking water contaminant, limited community-level research has examined whether chronic low-level exposure below current regulatory standards is associated with adverse health outcomes in colonia residents. From May 2023 to March 2024, we conducted a community-engaged cross-sectional study in two colonias in Hidalgo County, Texas (Santa Amalia in Progreso and South Tower Estates in Alamo). Trained community health workers administered Spanish-language household surveys to collect sociodemographic information and participant self-reported health data, including chronic conditions, cancer history, family-member cancer history within the household, and health-related quality of life measured using the SF-12. Drinking water samples were collected from enrolled households and analyzed for arsenic using atomic absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We compared SF-12 domain and composite scores to the United States norm of 50 using one-sample t tests and estimated prevalence odds ratios for adverse health outcomes per unit increase in arsenic concentration using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 203 households participated (85% response rate), with most respondents reporting less than a high school education (63.6%) and annual household income below $14,999 (57.1%). All arsenic concentrations were below the EPA and WHO guideline of 10 ppb (median 2.9 ppb; mean 3.0 ppb). The mean physical component score was significantly below the national norm (45.3; 95% CI 43.8 to 46.8), with particularly low general health scores. In adjusted models, higher arsenic concentrations were associated with increased odds of reduced vitality and reporting any chronic condition, while associations with cancer outcomes were imprecise. In two South Texas colonias, drinking water arsenic concentrations were uniformly below regulatory standards, yet residents reported substantially worse physical health than the United States norm, and higher arsenic levels within this low range were associated with select adverse health indicators. These findings support continued investigation of cumulative risks and low-level arsenic exposure in structurally marginalized communities and can inform future biomonitoring, water quality surveillance, and health equity–focused policy discussions.
Lindsay Sansom, T. Roh, Tiffany Radcliff et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
The need for integrated mitigation strategies that address both environmental exposure and nutritional vulnerability to reduce the health impacts of As among primary schoolchildren from As-affected and apparently control areas is highlighted.
Sharmistha Majumder, Dona Roy, Archita Dey et al.· Exposure and Health· 0 citations
Residents of agricultural regions are exposed to complex mixtures of agricultural and household pesticides, yet determinants of exposure remain poorly characterized in low-and middle-income countries, limiting accurate exposure assessment and health risk evaluation. This study aimed to identify self-reported recent and ever behavioural and environmental factors associated with urinary pesticide biomarker levels among children living in three agricultural areas of the Western Cape, South Africa. Between 2017 and 2019, 533 children aged 9-15 years provided 1,814 spot urine samples and completed exposure questionnaires up to five times. Parents and children provided information on exposure factors such as farm residence, use of household pesticides, seeing spray drifts and various pesticide exposure activities. Fourteen biomarkers of pyrethroids, organophosphates, triazoles and dithiocarbamates were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and corrected for specific gravity. Associations between exposure factors and biomarker levels were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. Recent household pesticide use was associated with up to 57% higher levels of 12 biomarkers, while recent spray drifts exposure was associated with up to 30% higher levels of eight biomarkers. Ever household pesticide use and ever exposure to spray drifts were associated with up to 30% higher levels of IMPy, 2,4-D and 4F3PBA. Use of open drinking water sources was associated with higher TCPy, BCP and ETU levels. Recent exposure factors were consistently associated with urinary biomarker levels than ever exposure factors. The identified exposure factors can inform pesticide exposure characterization in epidemiological analyses and targeted interventions to reduce children's exposure in agricultural communities.
Regina Ntsubise Molomo, A. Veludo, Marc Grünig et al.· Environmental Pollution· 0 citations
Temporal comparison showed that concentration reductions did not necessarily translate into proportional reductions in dietary exposure when vegetable consumption patterns changed, and support complementing concentration-based standards with exposure-based surveillance that accounts for evolving dietary patterns.
Yue Wang, Qihuang Wang, Yanni Zhang et al.· Journal of Environmental Man...· 0 citations
Introduction: Diarrhea is a major global public health concern that contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality. Environmental factors, including inadequate sanitation infrastructure and poor hygiene practices, have been associated with diarrhea. This study aimed to analyze the associations between environmental and sociodemographic factors and diarrhea occurrence in East Kalimantan Province.Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from 15,854 respondents in the East Kalimantan subset of 2023 SKI. The variables included gender, age, education, drinking water sources, water quality and treatment, storage containers, raw water sources, wastewater disposal, waste management, sanitation access, and hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using chi-square and multivariable binary logistic regressions. Survey weights, strata, and primary sampling units were incorporated to account for the complex sampling designs.Results: The weighted prevalence of diarrhea was 2.1%. Bivariate analysis showed associations between diarrhea occurrence and age group, education, drinking water source, physical quality of drinking water, raw water source, waste management, and sanitation hygiene (p<0.05). The higher-risk age group (<5 and >70 years) was associated with higher odds of diarrhea than the lower-risk age group (aged 5–70 years) (AOR=2.933; 95% CI: 2.105–4.098; P <0.001). Unmet physical quality standards drinking water was also associated with higher odds of diarrhea (AOR=2.078; 95% CI: 1.254–3.443; p=0.005).Conclusion: Higher-risk age groups and drinking water that unmet physical quality standards drinking water were associated with diarrhea. Efforts to improve water quality and provide greater protection for vulnerable age groups may contribute to broader diarrheal prevention strategies in East Kalimantan Province.
M. Fitrah, Ayudhia Rachmawati, V. Elvira et al.· Journal of public health for...· 0 citations
Pesticide use represents an important One Health challenge due to its interconnected effects on human health, environmental quality, and food production systems. This study evaluated occupational exposure to pesticides and multidimensional risk perception among family onion farmers in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 89 farmers from São José do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, using a structured questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, occupational practices, pesticide use, personal protective equipment (PPE), health conditions, and perceptions of risks related to environmental contamination, human and animal health, food quality, and occupational exposure. Most participants were male (75.3%), older than 40 years (78.6%), and reported year-round agricultural activity (85.4%). Herbicides were the most frequently used pesticides, and several fungicides and insecticides were applied at doses exceeding the recommended levels. Although environmental risk perception was relatively high, particularly regarding water contamination, adherence to PPE remained low, with 83.1% reporting inadequate use. Musculoskeletal, dermatological, and neuropsychological symptoms were commonly reported. Younger farmers demonstrated higher environmental risk perception, while married individuals and those with prolonged occupational exposure generally showed lower perception levels. Conversely, chronic conditions such as pulmonar and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer were associated with increased risk perception. The findings suggest that repeated occupational exposure may contribute to the normalization of hazardous practices, reducing awareness of pesticide-related risks. From a One Health perspective, the results highlight the need for integrated interventions involving occupational health surveillance, environmental monitoring, health education, and the promotion of safer and more sustainable agricultural practices in rural communities.
Vitória Machado da Silva, Júlia Oliveira Penteado, R. de Lima Brum et al.· Journal of Environmental Sci...· 0 citations
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