Transdisciplinary Environmental Perspectives on a Shifting World: Ecotoxicants as Drivers of Change

Transdisciplinary Environmental Perspectives on a Shifting World: Ecotoxicants as Drivers of Chang

Effects of environmental contaminants in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review

Introduction: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and it has two important forms: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Although the pathophysiology of the disease is mostly unknown, an interaction between the immune system, genetics, microbiome and environmental factors seems to be responsible for the disease onset. The role of environmental factors in the pathophysiology of this disease is reinforced if we consider the rapid growth in incidence and prevalence rates of IBD in areas where the incidence was previously low as, for example, Asia. However, the literature on the role of environmental factors in IBD is reduced and is not systematized. Hence, in this work a Systematic Review of the literature was performed. Materials and methods: For this systematic review the methodology “Navigation Guide Method for Grading Human Evidence” was used [1]. The research was carried out in three databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed / MEDLINE). The inclusion criteria used were: research articles with original human data, clinically diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, quantification of environmental contaminants and study of the association between environmental contaminants and inflammatory bowel disease. Only articles written in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish were included. Results: Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review. Of these, 13 studied Inflammatory Bowel Disease in general, 2 studies included only patients with Crohn’s Disease and 1 study included only patients with Ulcerative Colitis. The most studied environmental contaminants were sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM), perfluorooctanoic acid, aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, titanium dioxide, silicates and endotoxins. We also identified different categories of studies, 4 studies on the effects of air pollution, 3 on the intake of contaminated water and 3 on the effects of diet. Additionally, 2 studies evaluated the serum concentrations of contaminants, 1 studied the impact of exposure to house dust, 2 attempted a cell characterization of IBD patients and in another colitis was induced. Overall, the quality of evidence was rated “moderate to low” and the strength of evidence as “Inadequate evidence on toxicity”. Discussion and conclusions: In this systematic review, we have identified different classes of environmental contaminants associated with IBD, but studies reporting their concentration in biological matrices are rare. Based on a moderate to low level of quality, the available evidence gathered in this Systematic Review is insufficient to access the role of environmental contaminants in inflammatory bowel disease. New epidemiological studies are necessary

Model for Health Risk Assessment in Portuguese Housing Spaces

Currently, people spend most of their time inside their homes. However, poor conditions in terms of comfort and quality of the indoor environment can pose high risks to the inhabitants’ health. Therefore, a good quality environment is essential, since, in addition to the hazards present in indoor air (e.g., particles, (S)VOCs, CO, radon and tobacco smoke), extreme temperatures, relative humidity levels, pests (e.g., mold, dust mites and bioaerosols), noise, airborne infectious agents (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) and contamination through water and soil can cause physical injuries, respiratory diseases, damage to multiple organ systems as well as harmful effects on the mental health of the occupants. Faced with this requirement, housing evaluation models were studied together with the main types of risk that could affect the health of the inhabitants, with the objective of proposing a new evaluation model for housing health and safety risks, fitted to the occupants, and especially suitable for Portuguese dwellings, although applicable in other geographical contexts. As a result of this analysis, this article proposes a new model for evaluating health and safety risks in housing, applicable in Portugal, supported by an inspection form and, as the main difference from the existing models, parameter measurements, providing complementary data for the evaluation. This model was created based on a set of functional and regulatory requirements that were identified for the healthy use of living spaces. Twenty-eight hazards were identified, and the respective risk factors were assessed using different processes and target demographics, including visual inspection, parameter measurements, occupants’ age and location and age of housing. In order to validate the model and determine its usefulness, it was applied to a set of houses with different construction dates, locations and occupants. This exercise enabled the identification of hazard classes and the calibration and fine tuning of the model application. Finally, proposals for future work are presented in order to create a base of evolution for the model.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A circular toxicity approach to isoprostanes: From markers of oxidative stress, to epidemiological warning systems and agents of aquatic toxicity

Isoprostanes (IsoPs) are a class of oxidation products naturally formed in vivo that are indicative of endogenous oxidative stress. In individuals with chronic and oxidative stress related diseases, IsoPs are increased to pathological levels. Since they are excreted through urine into sewage systems, IsoPs can be detected in wastewater treatment plants' (WWTPs) effluents and thus can be used to evaluate the health status of a given population. The underlying principle is that higher isoprostanes WWTPs’ levels correspond to populations undergoing higher levels of oxidative stress, and thus disease. However, IsoPs are not eliminated by WWTPs and will end up being released into the aquatic environment, where they will be available for uptake by aquatic species. Being bioactive molecules, it has been suggested that IsoPs in the environment may elicit oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. In this context, we have critically reviewed the available data on IsoPs as products and effectors of toxicity, and propose the new concept of “circular toxicity”. In general, IsoPs excreted by humans as a consequence of oxidative stress are released into the aquatic environment where they may interact with aquatic organisms and induce the production of more IsoPs. These stress markers, in turn, will also be excreted, increasing the already high levels of stressors in the aquatic environment and thus create an escalating cycle of oxidative stress

Editorial: Animal Poisoning and Biomarkers of Toxicity

The worldwide incidence of animal poisoning is unknown. Despite reports pieced together by networks of veterinary clinics and poison control centers, their coverage is usually limited due to widespread under-reporting of cases (1–3). There are several reasons for this reality, being one of the major the wide gaps of knowledge regarding toxicosis agents and their profile (particularly in terms of toxicity mechanisms), since these encompass an extensive variety of synthetic chemicals, molecules of plant and animal origin, as well as drugs (both of use and abuse) (1–3). Together with the lack of specific and sensitive analytical techniques for their detection and quantification, this reality leads to reports being usually submitted in incomplete form, and presented in a case-by case manner (4–6). This situation has created uncertainty when comparing poisoning with other types of clinical findings, such as infectious diseases, traumatic injuries or malignant neoplasms, since toxicosis would come out, at least apparently, as an uncommon cause of disease (3). This has led to appeals for more cooperation and information sharing between countries and institutions (1, 3), even inside “data-rich regions” (7), which typically include North America and Europe. The disproportionately higher volumes of available information in these areas also contribute to introduce geographic biases in available information (2). This reality is perfectly illustrated by European and North American floras, that, despite their disparity in the number of hazardous species (Europe has a much lower number), are both fairly well characterized. Contrastingly, African flora, which is at least as rich in hazardous species as the North American, has been reduced to seemingly anecdotal reports (8, 9). Even in Europe, despite the already mentioned lower number of hazardous species, the number of poisonings (affecting livestock and companion animals) attributed to wild, illicit drug or houseplants (mostly by ingestion) is considerable, since they contain chemical substances in sufficient quantities to cause toxic effects. In the particular case of companion animals, the majority of reported cases refers ingestion of ornamental plants (as opposed to wild), as the source of toxicity, particularly at certain times of the year (8). In addition to plant toxicity, available information indicates that the incidence of animal toxicosis from all causes does not seem to be declining. In the 2010's, a series of reports (10–12) detailed the prevalent toxicants affecting different groups of animals. The authors identified toxic plants and mycotoxins as the most common toxic agents involved in livestock and poultry poisoning, with additional cases being reported for metals (Cu, Pb), pesticides (endosulfan, lindane), and industrial chemicals (e.g., dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzofurans) (11). Regarding companion animals, frequent causes of poisoning include the exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (coumarins), herbicides (paraquat), and insecticides (organophosphates, carbamate, strychnine, metaldehyde). Also, the inadequate use of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, and the exposure to household products accounted for a noteworthy part of registered toxicosis reports (10). Wildlife species are frequently victims of primary (deliberate), but also of secondary poisonings (typically top predators). Metals and metalloids (Pb, Zn, As, Cu, Tl, Cd, and Hg) and pesticides (mostly anticholinergics and anticoagulants) were identified as frequent, often fatal, poisoning agents. In aquatic ecosystems, point or diffuse sources of chemicals and/or from industrial, agricultural, and urban runoff contribute to poisoning incidents. Additionally, chemicals released during environmental catastrophes (which could include any of the previous categories) are a significant cause of poisoning. The type of toxicants described more than two decades ago are, in a large number of cases, not the same, since, at least in the case of synthetic chemicals (including pharmaceuticals) many of them, were banned by legislation. However, new molecules (whose harmlessness is still to be entirely proven) were developed, manufactured in large scales, and started being used in their place. Despite this (partial) change of agents, current reports indicate the continuity of poisoning events toward animals (4, 6, 13–17). Consequently, researchers in this area face the paramount task of unraveling the underlying mechanisms (such as the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics models and the adverse outcome pathways-AOPs) of new toxicants created by the continuous outpouring of new synthetic chemicals developed for the industry, the agrobusiness and household products market, as well as the growing sector of natural extracts. Biomarkers can act as indicators or signallers of events occurring in biological systems (18). By permitting the measurement of changes in molecules, biochemical processes, cells, tissues, organs and entire organisms (encompassing physiology, pathology, or behavior) in response to external insult, they provide nuclear knowledge in order to deliver accurate diagnosis under the form of biomarkers of exposure, effects and susceptibility, as well as enabling to delineate therapeutic interventions, and the improvement of key aspects of the drug development process (19). Additionally, they can be noninvasive and can translate between species. In fact, some authors consider that the most valuable are those that can be simultaneously used in animals and humans (19). In this Research Topic of Frontiers in Veterinary Science/Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, 7 manuscripts were published: 1 Review, 5 original Research Articles and 1 Brief Research Report, whose main results and contributions are briefly presented below

Tobacco smoke as a risk factor for allergic sensitization in adults: Conclusions of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Allergic sensitization to aeroallergens is a common phenomenon and a crucial step in the development of allergic diseases. Nonetheless, the influence of tobacco smoke exposure on the development of allergic sensitization in adults is quite complex and not totally understood. Therefore, our objective was to systematically review the existing evidence regarding this topic and to perform a meta-analysis of the data collected from the included studies

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda associada a desinfetantes de uso comum no organismo teste Daphnia magna

A crise pandémica causada pela COVID-19 levou ao uso generalizado de produtos desinfetantes, incluindo desinfetantes de mãos de base hidroalcoólica. Face ao uso massivo é expectável que estes produtos acabem por ser introduzidos no meio ambiente, particularmente no ambiente aquático. Nesse sentido, é importante avaliar a potencial toxicidade que estes produtos apresentam para os organismos aquáticos. Este trabalho pretende avaliar a toxicidade aguda de um desinfetante de base hidroalcoólica para o organismo modelo Daphnia magna. Neonatos de D. magna foram expostos durante 48h a uma gama de concentrações crescentes de uma solução de desinfetante adquirida numa grande superfície comercial. Os ensaios foram realizados de acordo com o Protocolo Nº 202 da OECD (toxicidade aguda). Os resultados preliminares demostraram que esta solução apresenta elevada toxicidade, com mortalidades em todas as diluições inicialmente testadas (entre 90%-100%). Após otimização das condições do ensaio foi possível calcular o valor de EC50 (Concentração responsável por 50% de imobilização dos organismos). Os resultados obtidos revelam elevada toxicidade deste desinfetante com valores de EC50 (24h)= 1.2% e EC50(48h)= 1.1%. Os resultados sugerem uma elevada toxicidade destes desinfetantes, pelo que estudos adicionais são necessários para compreender a dimensão deste problema

Acute toxicity of plant extracts towards Daphnia magna

The demand for natural based products for the cosmetics industry is increasing sharply and therefore the search for new alternatives to the traditionally used plants is growing. These alternative plants can be an important source of bioactive compounds under a circular economy approach. Within the framework of Inovep project, several plant species, some of which autochthonous from Portugal, were identified as potential sources of bioactive compounds, namely: gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer), curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), hop (Humulus lupulus), Mediterranean thyme (Thymbra capitata) and basil (Ocimum basilicum). Considering the potential future use of these plant extracts by the industry, it is necessary to assess the risk associated with their introduction into the ecosystem. This work aims to evaluate the toxic effects of different extracts of these five species. Acute toxicity tests using the model organism Daphnia magna were performed and the immobilization after 24 and 48 hours of exposure was evaluated. The EC50 (the concentration estimated to immobilize 50 per cent of the Daphnia) varied from 201.8±3.28 x10-5 mg.L-1 at 24 hours and 199.5±5.9410x10-5 mg.L-1 at 48 hours for Cistus ladanifer extract and 11.2±0.2403 mg.L- 1 at 24 hours and 11.2±0.4095 mg.L-1 at 48 hours for Thymbra capitata essential oil. For Humulus lupulus, Helichrysum italicum, Thymbra capitata in the form of hidrolate, and Ocimum basilicum no immobilization was observed until the highest concentrations tested for various types of extracts, suggesting these extracts present low to no risk towards D. magna

Project 6.60.6 - Experimental Campaign

Atualmente as pessoas passam grande parte do seu tempo no interior das habitações. Contudo, as condições de conforto e ambiente interior de espaços habitacionais podem provocar efeitos adversos na saúde dos ocupantes. Neste âmbito, está atualmente a ser desenvolvida uma campanha experimental de medição de parâmetros de caraterização de ambientes interiores em 6 habitações representativas de 6 décadas, realizada por uma equipa multidisciplinar da Universidade da Beira Interior. Foram realizadas medições semanais, sendo as amostragens efetuadas nos compartimentos representativos das principais atividades ocupacionais dos moradores. Em cada habitação foram ainda recolhidas amostras de partículas em suspensão e pó doméstico (bem como do solo da área de enquadramento da habitação) para quantificar os níveis de metais, organometais e fungos no ambiente doméstico. Pretende-se assim obter uma descrição o mais exaustiva possível das condições dos diferentes domicílios e do seu potencial reflexo nos habitantes, por forma a tecer um conjunto de recomendações sobre caraterísticas construtivas, materiais de revestimento e condições de utilização dos espaços habitacionais conducentes à redução dos riscos para a saúde e bem-estar dos ocupantes.Nowadays people spend a large amount of their time indoors. However, prevailing indoor conditions in terms of comfort and environmental quality could present health challenges to the inhabitants. In this context, a pilot campaign was launched by an interdisciplinary team from University of Beira Interior in order to collect indoor environment data from 6 households representing 6 different decades. Weekly measurements were obtained from the rooms most involved in the household activities. Additionally, suspended particles, settled dust and outdoor soil were collected in order to quantify metals, organometals and fungi. We aim to obtain a picture as detailed as possible of the household indoor characteristics and their potential reflection in its inhabitants. Ultimate this study can give rise to a set of recommendations regarding construction characteristics, finishing materials, and space usage so as to reduce health risks and hazards, as well as promoting the inhabitants well-being.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Toxic metals in indoor dust collected from houses included in the “6x60x6” Project (Covilhã, Portugal) during the cooling season

We spend more than 90 per cent of our daily lives indoors. Managing the indoor environment so that we feel comfortable and healthy is therefore very important. However, this management is only possible if rigorous data on both construction parameters and indoor environment exists. Moreover, the evolution of construction techniques and materials used modulates both aspects. As a consequence, it is necessary that the information obtained reflects a long period of time. That is the main driver for the project “Six by Sixty by Six” undertaken by the Civil Engineering and Architecture Department and the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Beira Interior. Six houses constructed in six different decades (1960’s-2010’s) were surveyed for sixty days regarding a set of parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, CO2, CO, VOCs). Additionally, dust was collected by the vacuum cleaner bag and was analyzed for specific contaminants. This work presents the results obtained for the toxics metals mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in dust samples. There is no legislation regulating maximum permissible levels for any of the studied metals in dust. A comparison with ”Portaria Nº 1450/2007” which regulates the maximum metal contents in dredged sediment that can be safely deposited in soils (here used as an action threshold) reveals that the values for As in all houses were transcended. For Cd and Hg they were only transcended in one house, whereas for lead all the values were below this threshold. Linear regression with age of construction used as independent variable revealed no relationship between this variable and metal concentrations with the exception of As (R2 adjusted= 0.41). Findings are discussed under the light of potential health outcomes upon the residents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio