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An Integrated Socio-Environmental Model of Health and Well-Being: a Conceptual Framework Exploring the Joint Contribution of Environmental and Social Exposures to Health and Disease Over the Life Span
AbstractPurpose of the reviewEnvironmental and social determinants of health often co-occur, particularly among socially disadvantaged populations, yet because they are usually studied separately, their joint effects on health are likely underestimated. Building on converging bodies of literature, we delineate a conceptual framework to address these issues.Recent findingsPrevious models provided a foundation for study in this area, and generated research pointing to additional important issues. These include a stronger focus on biobehavioral pathways, both positive and adverse health outcomes, and intergenerational effects...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Assessment of Health Effects of Exogenous Urea: Summary and Key Findings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewUrea has been utilized as a reductant in diesel fuels to lower emission of nitrogen oxides, igniting interest in probable human health hazards associated with exposure to exogenous urea. Here, we summarize and update key findings on potential health effects of exogenous urea, including carcinogenicity.Recent FindingsNo definitive target organs for oral exposure were identified; however, results in animal studies suggest that the liver and kidney could be potential target organs of urea toxicity. The available human-subject literature suggests that the impact on lung function is minimal. Based on th...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Correction to: Extreme Precipitation, Public Health Emergencies, and Safe Drinking Water in the USA
Unfortunately, the original publication of this article contained mistakes. The publisher introduced an error after proofreading where the name of the co-author was mistakenly captured as “David P. E. Harvey”. The correct name should be “David E. Harvey”. (Source: Current Environmental Health Reports)
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

The Fate of Synthetic and Endogenous Hormones Used in the US Beef and Dairy Industries and the Potential for Human Exposure
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGrowth-enhancing chemicals used by the beef and dairy industries may be bioavailable to humans via milk, meat, and other environmental matrices. This review evaluates the potential for environmental transport and bioavailability of the active chemical to humans.Recent FindingsBovine somatostatin is detectable in milk; however, there is no evidence that the protein persists in the environment nor that it is active in humans. In contrast, steroids are transported through milk and meat to humans where they may exert biological activity. Furthermore, environmental matrices such as raw water and dust ma...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 12, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Outbreaks of Legionnaires ’ Disease and Pontiac Fever 2006–2017
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe global importance of Legionnaires ’ disease (LD) and Pontiac fever (PF) has grown in recent years. While sporadic cases of LD and PF do not always provide contextual information for evaluating causes and drivers ofLegionella risks, analysis of outbreaks provides an opportunity to assess these factors.Recent FindingsA review was performed and provides a summary of LD and PF outbreaks between 2006 and 2017. Of the 136 outbreaks, 115 were LD outbreaks, 4 were PF outbreaks, and 17 were mixed outbreaks of LD and PF. Cooling towers were implicated or suspected in the a large portion of LD or PF out...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 9, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Breastfeeding as a Predictor of Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Reproductive-Aged Women and Young Children: A Rapid Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of reviewPer- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals widely detected in human serum, and at low levels in breast milk. We conducted a rapid systematic review on breastfeeding practices and serum concentrations of PFASs —specifically PFOS and PFOA—among reproductive-aged women and young children using the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology.Recent findingsWe included 14 studies examining associations between breastfeeding and PFASs in infants/toddlers or pregnant/postnatal women. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with lower PFASs exposure among women and ...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 8, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Climate Change Impacts on Waterborne Diseases: Moving Toward Designing Interventions
AbstractPurposeClimate change threatens progress achieved in global reductions of infectious disease rates over recent decades. This review summarizes literature on potential impacts of climate change on waterborne diseases, organized around a framework of questions that can be addressed depending on available data.Recent FindingsA growing body of evidence suggests that climate change may alter the incidence of waterborne diseases, and diarrheal diseases in particular. Much of the existing work examines historical relationships between weather and diarrhea incidence, with a limited number of studies projecting future disea...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 2, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Potable Water Reuse: What Are the Microbiological Risks?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWith the increasing interest in recycling water for potable reuse purposes, it is important to understand the microbial risks associated with potable reuse. This review focuses on potable reuse systems that use high-level treatment and de facto reuse scenarios that include a quantifiable wastewater effluent component.Recent FindingsIn this article, we summarize the published human health studies related to potable reuse, including both epidemiology studies and quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRA). Overall, there have been relatively few health-based studies evaluating the microbial risks ...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 2, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Assessment of Health Effects of Exogenous Urea: Summary and Key Findings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewUrea has been utilized as a reductant in diesel fuels to lower emission of nitrogen oxides, igniting interest in probable human health hazards associated with exposure to exogenous urea. Here, we summarize and update key findings on potential health effects of exogenous urea, including carcinogenicity.Recent FindingsNo definitive target organs for oral exposure were identified; however, results in animal studies suggest that the liver and kidney could be potential target organs of urea toxicity. The available human-subject literature suggests that the impact on lung function is minimal. Based on th...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 1, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Extreme Precipitation, Public Health Emergencies, and Safe Drinking Water in the USA
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review examines the effectiveness of drinking water regulations to inform public health during extreme precipitation events. This paper estimates the vulnerability of specific populations to flooding in their public water system, reviews the literature linking precipitation to waterborne outbreaks, examines the role that Safe Drinking Water Act and Public Notification (PN) Rule have in public health emergencies, and reviews the effectiveness of the PN Rule during the 2017 Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.Recent FindingsPublic water systems in large metropolitan areas have substantial portions of...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - April 23, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment and Infectious Disease Transmission Modeling of Waterborne Enteric Pathogens
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWaterborne enteric pathogens remain a global health threat. Increasingly, quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) and infectious disease transmission modeling (IDTM) are used to assess waterborne pathogen risks and evaluate mitigation. These modeling efforts, however, have largely been conducted independently for different purposes and in different settings. In this review, we examine the settings where each modeling strategy is employed.Recent FindingsQMRA research has focused on food contamination and recreational water in high-income countries (HICs) and drinking water and wastewater in lo...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - April 20, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

A Meta-analysis of Arsenic Exposure and Lung Function: Is There Evidence of Restrictive or Obstructive Lung Disease?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHundreds of millions of people worldwide are exposed to arsenic via contaminated water. The goal of this study was to identify whether arsenic-associated lung function deficits resemble obstructive- or restrictive-like lung disease, in order to help illuminate a mechanistic pathway and identify at-risk populations.Recent FindingsWe recently published a qualitative systematic review outlining the body of research on arsenic and non-malignant respiratory outcomes. Evidence from several populations, at different life stages, and at different levels of exposure showed consistent associations of arsenic...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - April 10, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

An Integrated Socio-Environmental Model of Health and Well-Being: a Conceptual Framework Exploring the Joint Contribution of Environmental and Social Exposures to Health and Disease Over the Life Span
AbstractPurpose of the reviewEnvironmental and social determinants of health often co-occur, particularly among socially disadvantaged populations, yet because they are usually studied separately, their joint effects on health are likely underestimated. Building on converging bodies of literature, we delineate a conceptual framework to address these issues.Recent findingsPrevious models provided a foundation for study in this area, and generated research pointing to additional important issues. These include a stronger focus on biobehavioral pathways, both positive and adverse health outcomes, and intergenerational effects...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - March 24, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Public Health Consequences of Lead in Drinking Water
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLead can enter drinking water from lead service lines and lead-containing plumbing, particularly in the presence of corrosive water. We review the current evidence on the role of drinking water as a source of lead exposure and its potential impacts on health, with an emphasis on children. Drinking water guidelines and mitigation strategies are also presented.Recent FindingsThe impact of lead on neurodevelopmental effects in children even at low levels of exposure is well established. Population and toxicokinetic modeling studies have found a clear relationship between water lead levels and blood le...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - March 19, 2018 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research