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Correction to: Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment
A Correction to this paper has been published:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00321-9 (Source: Current Environmental Health Reports)
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - July 1, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Occupational Exposures to Engineered Nanomaterials: a Review of Workplace Exposure Assessment Methods
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to consolidate exposure assessment methods for occupational research on engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) published within the past 5  years (2015–2020).Recent FindingsThe three ENMs that generated the highest volume of new research include titanium dioxide, graphene, and aluminum oxide. A multi-metric approach, using both online and offline instruments and analyses, has been found to be a useful method to characterize ENM workplace exposures and was commonly used in the recently published literature. Particle number concentration was the most common online exposure m...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - June 8, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Fine-Scale Air Pollution Models for Epidemiologic Research: Insights From Approaches Developed in the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air)
We describe the evolution in exposure assessment and assignment in air pollution epidemiology, with a focus on spatiotemporal techniques first developed to meet the needs of the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air). Initially designed to capture the substantial variation in pollutant levels and potential health impacts that can occur over small spatial and temporal scales in metropolitan areas, these methods have now matured to permit fine-scale exposure characterization across the contiguous USA and can be used for understanding long- and short-term health effects of exposure across the lifes...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - June 4, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy and Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Commonly Used in Personal Care Products
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEndocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure during pregnancy is linked to adverse maternal and child health outcomes that are racially/ethnically disparate. Personal care products (PCP) are one source of EDCs where differences in racial/ethnic patterns of use exist. We assessed the literature for racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy and prenatal PCP chemical exposures.Recent FindingsOnly 3 studies explicitly examined racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy and prenatal exposure to PCP-associated EDCs. Fifty-three articles from 12 cohorts presented EDC concentrations stratified by race/ethnicity o...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 27, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Mechanism of Gene-Environment Interactions Driving Glial Activation in Parkinson ’s Diseases
AbstractPurpose of ReviewParkinson ’s disease (PD) is the most prevalent motor disorder and is characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of the brain. Though the pathology of PD is well established, the cause of this neuronal loss is not well understood. Approximately 90% of P D cases are sporadic, and the environment plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis. The etiology of PD is highly complex, with neuroinflammation being one of the most critical factors implicated in PD. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation and its interaction w...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 27, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Letter to the Editor regarding the article “Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever 2006–2017”
(Source: Current Environmental Health Reports)
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 18, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment
This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments.Recent findingsRecent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quali...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 12, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Healthy Aging Requires a Healthy Home Care Workforce: the Occupational Safety and Health of Home Care Aides
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo identify important home care (HC) aide occupational safety and health (OSH) hazards and examine how addressing these can improve aide health and the delivery of HC services overall. Specifically, this review seeks to answer: Why is HC aide OSH important? What are the most significant OSH challenges? How can improving HC aide OSH also improve the safety and health of their clients? What implications do the findings have for future research?Recent FindingsHC is one of the fastest growing US industries. Aides comprise its largest workforce and are increasingly needed to care for the rapidly aging p...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 12, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Institutional Review Board Preparedness for Disaster Research: a Practical Approach
This article describes approaches for IRB preparedness in reviewing disaster research.Recent FindingsFrom a human research protections perspective, primary attention has focused on vulnerability of individuals and/or populations affected by a disaster who may serve as research participants [3,4]. From our review of the current literature, there is a lack of best practices and/or guidance for IRBs in the review of disaster research protocols.SummaryThe growth of the disaster research field has brought more attention to potential ethical concerns of disaster research studies. Disaster survivors, responders, and those that as...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 11, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Relationship Between the Physical Environment and Physical Activity Levels in Preschool Children: A Systematic Review
In conclusion, promoting studies on this subject from an early age will allow us to obtain information that could allow the adaptation, design, and construction of healthier homes, neighborhoods, and schools that promote children ’s health. (Source: Current Environmental Health Reports)
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 2, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Comparison of Recreational Fish Consumption Advisories Across the USA
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOur comparative analysis sought to understand the factors which drive differences in fish consumption advisories across the USA — including exposure scenarios (acute and chronic health risk, non-cancer and cancer health endpoints), toxicity values (reference dose, cancer slope factor, acute tolerance level), and meal size and bodyweight assumptions.Recent FindingsFish consumption provides essential nutrients but also results in exposure to contaminants such as PCBs and methylmercury. To protect consumers from the risks of fish contaminants, fish consumption advisories are established, most often ...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - May 1, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Temporary Urbanisms as Policy Alternatives to Enhance Health and Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic City
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile there has been extensive discussion on the various forms of temporary uses in urban settings, little is known on the ways in which temporary and health urbanisms connect. Now, a turning point has been reached regarding the interactions between health and the built environment and the contributions made by urban planning and other built environment disciplines. In the context of the post-pandemic city, there is a need to develop a health-led temporary urbanism agenda than can be implemented in various settings both in the Global South and North.Recent FindingsHealth-led temporary urbanism requ...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - April 20, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

The gut microbiome and arsenic-induced disease —iAs metabolism in mice
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolism and toxicity in mice and the gut microbiome and how iAs and the gut microbiome interact to induce diseases.Recent FindingsRecently, a variety of studies have started to reveal the interactions between iAs and the gut microbiome. Evidence shows that gut bacteria can influence iAs biotransformation and disease risks. The gut microbiome can directly metabolize iAs, and it can also indirectly be involved in iAs metabolism through the host, such as altering iAs absorption, cofactors, and genes related to iAs metabolism. Many factors, such as iAs ...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - April 14, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Low-Level Cadmium Exposure and Atherosclerosis
We present a review of cadmium toxicity, its effect on cellular activities, and a summary of reported association between environmental cadmium exposure and CVD. We also discuss the possible therapeutic benefit of cadmium chelation.Recent FindingsExperimental data suggest that cadmium affects several signaling pathways which may lead to endothelial dysfunction and vascular tissue damage, promoting atherosclerosis. This is further supported by epidemiological studies that have shown an association of even low-level cadmium exposure with an increased risk of clinical cardiovascular events. The Trial to Assess Chelation Thera...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - March 23, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Breaking Down and Building Up: Gentrification, Its drivers, and Urban Health Inequality
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMany neighborhoods which have been unjustly impacted by histories of uneven urban development, resulting in socioeconomic and racial segregation, are now at risk for gentrification. As urban renewal projects lead to improvements in the long-neglected built environments of such neighborhoods, accompanying gentrification processes may lead to the displacement of or exclusion of underprivileged residents from benefiting from new amenities and improvements. In addition, gentrification processes may be instigated by various drivers. We aimed to discuss the implications of specific types of gentrificatio...
Source: Current Environmental Health Reports - March 13, 2021 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research