Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Chappell, Bridget Armstrong, Emma Jay, Kaitlyn Phung, Sara McCormick, Susie Grigg, Ben Waite
Summary: Estimation of consumption of illicit drugs by wastewater-based epidemiology provides insights into community drug-use patterns. This study utilized wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor three illicit drugs in New Zealand and found that methamphetamine had the highest consumption rate, while cocaine had the lowest. Consumption rates also varied across different regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ray Izquierdo-Lara, Goffe Elsinga, Leo Heijnen, Bas B. Oude Munnink, Claudia M. E. Schapendonk, David Nieuwenhuijse, Matthijs Kon, Lu Lu, Frank M. Aarestrup, Samantha Lycett, Gertjan Medema, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Miranda de Graaf
Summary: This study evaluated the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 at the community level in the Netherlands and Belgium using sewage samples, identifying the presence of prevalent clades and clustering of sewage samples with clinical samples from the same region. Additionally, novel mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome were detected, illustrating the potential of wastewater surveillance in tracking virus diversity and new outbreaks.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdulla Albastaki, Mohammed Naji, Reem Lootah, Reem Almeheiri, Hanan Almulla, Iman Almarri, Afra Alreyami, Ahmed Aden, Rashed Alghafri
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan, China led to a global pandemic, with research showing high positive rates in stool samples in Dubai. Monitoring through wastewater systems may assist decision-makers in determining appropriate precautions based on outbreak areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fabian Amman, Rudolf Markt, Lukas Endler, Sebastian Hupfauf, Benedikt Agerer, Anna Schedl, Lukas Richter, Melanie Zechmeister, Martin Bicher, Georg Heiler, Petr Triska, Matthew Thornton, Thomas Penz, Martin Senekowitsch, Jan Laine, Zsofia Keszei, Peter Klimek, Fabiana Naegele, Markus Mayr, Beatrice Daleiden, Martin Steinlechner, Harald Niederstaetter, Petra Heidinger, Wolfgang Rauch, Christoph Scheffknecht, Guenther Vogl, Gunther Weichlinger, Andreas Otto Wagner, Katarzyna Slipko, Amandine Masseron, Elena Radu, Franz Allerberger, Niki Popper, Christoph Bock, Daniela Schmid, Herbert Oberacher, Norbert Kreuzinger, Heribert Insam, Andreas Bergthaler
Summary: Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 at the national scale is effective in tracking emerging variants. The study developed a system called VaQuERo, which allows for accurate quantification of predefined variants in complex wastewater samples. The research also identified increased viral genetic diversity during the Delta variant period and proposed a framework for predicting emerging variants and measuring the reproductive advantage of variants of concern using wastewater data.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
K. K. Chau, L. Barker, E. P. Budgell, K. D. Vihta, N. Sims, B. Kasprzyk-Hordern, E. Harriss, D. W. Crook, D. S. Read, A. S. Walker, N. Stoesser
Summary: This systematic review examined studies using wastewater for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and found a high overall concordance between wastewater and human AMR prevalence estimates despite diverse approaches. Future research could benefit from time/location-matched sampling and longitudinal studies to identify optimal practices.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruud Steenbeek, Erik Emke, Dennis Vughs, Joao Matias, Tim Boogaerts, Sara Castiglioni, Marina Campos-Manas, Adrian Covaci, Pim de Voogt, Thomas ter Laak, Felix Hernandez, Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Wim G. Meijer, Mario J. Dias, Susana Simoes, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Lubertus Bijlsma, Frederic Been
Summary: This study assessed crack cocaine use on a broad scale, both temporal and in cities across Europe, using wastewater-based epidemiology. The results highlight the importance of monitoring community loads of crack cocaine use.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jana Bartackova, Vojtach Kouba, Alzbeta Dostalkova, Eliska Cermakova, Marco A. Lopez Marina, Martin Chmel, Marcela Milanova, Katerina Demnerova, Michaela Rumlova, Petr Sykora, Jan Bartacek, Kamila Zdenkova
Summary: Monkeypox virus has become a global health concern in 2022 and its spread can be detected in municipal wastewater. Through analysis of samples from Prague, it was found that the wastewater tested positive for Mpxv, indicating the presence of the virus in the population. However, the method used for confirmation of wastewater positivity was unsuccessful due to low case count and amplification of non-target bacterial DNA.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stephen F. Fitzgerald, Gianluigi Rossi, Alison S. Low, Sean P. McAteer, Brian O'Keefe, David Findlay, Graeme J. Cameron, Peter Pollard, Peter T. R. Singleton, George Ponton, Andrew C. Singer, Kata Farkas, Davey Jones, David W. Graham, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Christine Tait-Burkard, David L. Gally, Rowland Kao, Alexander Corbishley
Summary: The study found that the use of the WBE program in Scotland can effectively quantify the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and COVID-19 cases, with different sizes of wastewater treatment plants having varying predictive capabilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Katja M. Shimko, Timothy Piatkowski, Kevin Thomas, Naomi Speers, Lance Brooker, Ben J. Tscharke, Jake W. O'Brien
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology can be used to assess and monitor drug consumption in the community, potentially serving as a complementary method for monitoring PIED use and aiding public health authorities in developing targeted prevention and education programs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hossein Pakdaman, Ali Amini Harandi, Koroush Gharagozli, Farshid Alaeddini, Akram Esfandani, Seyed Hamidreza Mirbehbahani, Taher Doroudi, Pirhossein Kolivand, Parviz Bahrami, Hadi Kazemi
Summary: Epilepsy is receiving increased public health attention globally, with research in Iran suggesting a higher lifetime prevalence compared to the worldwide average. The study identified focal and generalized epilepsy as the main types, with a slightly higher proportion of male patients. This two-phase door-to-door survey method was utilized for data collection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Aqeel M. M. Alenazi, Bader A. A. Alqahtani
Summary: This study examined the national and regional prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in the Saudi population using data from a household health survey in 2017. The prevalence of HTN was 9.2% among Saudi adults aged 15 years and older, with higher rates in women (10.0%) than men (8.5%). The prevalence of HTN increased with age, accounting for 55.3% in women aged 65 years and older and 48.0% in men. There were significant regional variations in the prevalence of HTN, ranging from 6.0% in Najran region to 10.0% in Makkah region.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chiemi Hotta, Yuki Fujinuma, Takashi Ogawa, Mamiko Akita, Tomoko Ogawa
Summary: This study aimed to use wastewater surveillance to monitor infectious gastroenteritis. The results showed that norovirus GII and other gastroenteritis viruses were detected even when no gastroenteritis virus-positive samples were found. Therefore, wastewater surveillance can complement sentinel surveillance and provide an effective tool for monitoring infectious gastroenteritis.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taja Verovsek, Alberto Celma, David Heath, Ester Heath, Felix Hernandez, Lubertus Bijlsma
Summary: Drug abuse among young people has a negative impact on their well-being and prospects. The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has further complicated the situation. This study investigated the occurrence of NPS in educational institutions through wastewater analysis and found that NPS were present in all types of educational institutions, mainly synthetic stimulants.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ben Mathews, Rosana Pacella, James G. Scott, David Finkelhor, Franziska Meinck, Daryl J. Higgins, Holly E. Erskine, Hannah J. Thomas, David M. Lawrence, Divna M. Haslam, Eva Malacova, Michael P. Dunne
Summary: A national survey in Australia found that child maltreatment is common in the country, with larger proportions of women than men reporting having experienced sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. The reported prevalence of physical abuse and sexual abuse is lower among the 16-24 age group compared to the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups, suggesting recent declines in these types of maltreatment.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dandan Li, Qiuda Zheng, Zhe Wang, Yuan Ren, Kevin V. Thomas, Phong K. Thai
Summary: Understanding the consumption patterns of artificial sweeteners in China is important for public health policies. Wastewater analysis revealed that university students consume more artificial sweeteners than the general population, and there is a correlation between temperature increase and higher consumption of artificial sweeteners.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tim Boogaerts, Maarten Quireyns, Florence Maes, Maria Laimou-Geraniou, Natan Van Wichelen, Ester Heath, Bram Pussig, Bert Aertgeerts, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs
Summary: Wastewater-based epidemiology analyzes biomarkers in wastewater to gain evidence-based information about various lifestyles and health aspects of a population. Due to the complexity and trace level occurrence of biomarkers in wastewater, sensitive analytical procedures are crucial. To improve its value, more compounds, locations, and samples need to be analyzed.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Chaousis, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Colin J. Limpus, Amanda Nouwens, Liesbeth J. Weijs, Antonia Weltmeyer, Adrian Covaci, Jason P. van de Merwe
Summary: All seven species of sea turtle are facing increasing pressures from human activities that are impacting their health. Changes in blood proteins can indicate adverse health outcomes. This study examines the protein abundance in sea turtle plasma, compares protein expression between different populations, and investigates markers of contaminant exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shoji F. Nakayama, Annie St-Amand, Tyler Pollock, Petra Apel, Yu Ait Bamai, Dana Boyd Barr, Jos Bessems, Antonia M. Calafat, Argelia Castano, Adrian Covaci, Radu Corneliu Duca, Sarah Faure, Karen S. Galea, Sean Hays, Nancy B. Hopf, Yuki Ito, Maryam Zare Jeddi, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Eva Kumar, Judy S. LaKind, Marta Esteban Lopez, Henriqueta Louro, Kristin Macey, Konstantinos C. Makris, Lisa Melnyk, Aline Murawski, Josh Naiman, Julianne Nassif, Nolwenn Noisel, Devika Poddalgoda, Lesliam Quiros-Alcala, Ata Rafiee, Loic Rambaud, Maria Joao Silva, Jun Ueyama, Marc-Andre Verner, Maisarah Nasution Waras, Kate Werry
Summary: Human biomonitoring (HBM) data can be used to compare population exposures, but finding the relevant health-based biomonitoring guidance values can be time-consuming. To address this issue, an online repository called the Human Biomonitoring Health-Based Guidance Value (HB2GV) Dashboard has been created. This database provides a centralized location for researchers and decision makers to access and interpret HBM data.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Li, Xiaowen Zeng, Xiaolin Liang, Shuqin Tang, Adrian Covaci, Xiaofeng Ma, Yan Yang, Da Chen
Summary: This study aimed to characterize gestational exposure to plasticizers and antioxidants, and explore the associations with placental function related genes. Several chemicals showed significantly different concentrations between preterm and full-term deliveries, and were associated with mRNA expression levels of selected genes. The associations exhibited chemical-specific patterns and significantly differed between preterm and full-term deliveries.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Elias Iturrospe, Rani Robeyns, Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Maria van de Lavoir, Joost Boeckmans, Tamara Vanhaecke, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Despite being common, alcoholic liver disease remains poorly understood, especially in its early stages. In this study, alcoholic steatohepatitis was simulated in vitro to investigate the metabolic alterations and identify affected pathways. The researchers discovered key findings, such as the influence of TNF-alpha on hepatic triglycerides and the detection of FAHFA-containing triglycerides in human hepatocytes, which may play an important role in the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis. Additionally, ethoxylated phosphorylcholine was identified as a potential new biomarker of ethanol exposure.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shanshan Yin, Thomas J. McGrath, Adam Cseresznye, Jasper Bombeke, Giulia Poma, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are a major environmental concern and it is essential to have an effective tool for monitoring personal exposure to CPs. In this study, silicone wristbands (SWBs) were used as a personal passive sampler, and results showed that micro-environments were key contributors to dermal exposure to CPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Katyeny Manuela da Silva, Michele Woelk, Palina Nepachalovich, Elias Iturrospe, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Maria Fedorova
Summary: Epilipids, a subset of the lipidome, play a crucial role in regulating redox lipid metabolism and influencing cell fate decisions. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) combined with liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) can improve the peak capacity and separation ability for the analysis of oxidized complex lipids. This study demonstrates the advantages and limitations of implementing IMS in LC-HRMS workflows and provides insights into the annotation of oxidized complex lipids.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lidia Belova, Giulia Poma, Maarten Roggeman, Yunsun Jeong, Da-Hye Kim, Patrick Berghmans, Jan Peters, Amina Salamova, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Adrian Covaci
Summary: Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in European indoor dust were identified, characterized, and semi-quantified using ion-mobility high-resolution mass spectrometry. Targeted QACs (21) and suspect QACs (17) were detected with high detection frequencies. The concentrations of individual QACs were estimated and daily intakes for adults and toddlers were calculated. This study provides important insights into the potential human exposure to QACs.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas J. McGrath, Giulia Poma, Sebastien Hutinet, Yukiko Fujii, Robin E. Dodson, Boris Johnson-Restrepo, Dudsadee Muenhor, Gaud Dervilly, Ronan Cariou, Adrian Covaci
Summary: In this study, dust samples from Japan, Australia, Colombia, and Thailand were analyzed for different chain lengths of chlorinated paraffins. The results showed that chlorinated paraffins were detected in all samples, with the highest concentrations found in samples from Colombia and Thailand. Based on current toxicological data, it was determined that short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in indoor dust do not pose a health risk through ingestion.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisabeth Hansen, Jiachen Sun, Bjorn Helander, Jan Ove Bustnes, Igor Eulaers, Veerle L. B. Jaspers, Adrian Covaci, Marcel Eens, Sophie Bourgeon
Summary: English Summary: Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorines (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), can have adverse health effects on wildlife. White-tailed eagles in the Baltic ecosystem have suffered population declines due to severe exposure to DDT and PCB. In this study, feathers from breeding WTE pairs were analyzed to investigate the annual variations in feather corticosterone (fCORT), POPs, and dietary proxies. The results did not support fCORT as a relevant biomarker of contaminant-mediated effects in WTEs, but fCORT can be used as a non-destructive assessment of long-term stress physiology in wild raptors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulien Cleys, Lucas Panneel, Jasper Bombeke, Catalina Dumitrascu, Govindan Malarvannan, Giulia Poma, Antonius Mulder, Philippe G. Jorens, Adrian Covaci
Summary: This study reports metabolites of phthalate and alternative plasticizers in neonatal hair samples as biomarkers for exposure to these plasticizers. Results showed that hair sampled from premature neonates after a NICU stay contained significantly higher metabolite concentrations of both phthalates and alternative plasticizers compared to healthy control neonates. Prolonged NICU exposure to respiratory support devices and gastric tubes was correlated with increased concentrations in hair samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Rodriguez Martin, Liese Gilles, Emilie Helte, Agneta Akesson, Jonas Tagt, Adrian Covaci, Amrit K. Sakhi, An Van Nieuwenhuyse, Andromachi Katsonouri, Anna-Maria Andersson, Arno C. Gutleb, Beata Janasik, Brice Appenzeller, Catherine Gabriel, Cathrine Thomsen, Darja Mazej, Denis Sarigiannis, Elena Anastasi, Fabio Barbone, Hanna Tolonen, Hanne Frederiksen, Jana Klanova, Jani Koponen, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Kim Pack, Koppen Gudrun, Kristin Olafsdottir, Lisbeth E. Knudsen, Loic Rambaud, Loreta Strumylaite, Lubica Palkovicova Murinova, Lucia Fabelova, Margaux Riou, Marika Berglund, Mate Szabados, Medea Imboden, Michelle Laeremans, Milada Estokova, Natasa Janev Holcer, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Nicole Vodrazkova, Nina Vogel, Pavel Piler, Phillipp Schmidt, Rosa Lange, Sonia Namorado, Szilvia Kozepesy, Tamas Szigeti, Thorhallur I. Halldorsson, Till Weber, Tina Kold Jensen, Valentina Rosolen, Vladimira Puklova, Wojciech Wasowicz, Ovnair Sepai, Lorraine Stewart, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Argelia Castano, Jos Bessems, Greet Schoeters, Eva Govarts
Summary: This study evaluated the exposure levels of children and women in Europe over time. The results showed that exposure levels to chemicals restricted at EU level visually decreased, while the levels for some of their substitutes increased. These findings are important for policy efficacy monitoring and highlight the role of HBM in supporting policies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Rosolen, Elisa Giordani, Marika Mariuz, Maria Parpinel, Vicente Mustieles, Liese Gilles, Eva Govarts, Laura Rodriguez Martin, Kirsten Baken, Greet Schoeters, Ovnair Sepai, Eva Sovcikova, Lucia Fabelova, Jiri Kohoutek, Tina Kold Jensen, Adrian Covaci, Maarten Roggeman, Lisa Melymuk, Jana Klanova, Argelia Castano, Marta Esteban Lopez, Fabio Barbone
Summary: The knowledge about the effects of organophosphate flame retardants on children's neurodevelopment is limited. This research aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to these flame retardants and children's neurodevelopment. The study found a small, negative trend between neurodevelopment and exposure to BDCIPP and DPHP, but the evidence is limited. Further investigations are needed to explore the timing of exposure and the effect of other metabolites.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anran Cai, Sylvie Remy, Virissa Lenters, Bianca Cox, Greet Schoeters, Adrian Covaci, Roel Vermeulen, Lutzen Portengen
Summary: Childhood exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may affect metabolic outcomes. Our study found associations between certain chemicals and body mass index, abdominal obesity, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Further investigation is needed for sex-specific effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)