First Steps toward Harmonized Human Biomonitoring in Europe: Demonstration Project to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale

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Abstract

Background

For Europe as a whole, data on internal exposure to environmental chemicals do not yet exist. Characterization of the internal individual chemical environment is expected to enhance understanding of the environmental threats to health.

Objectives

We developed and applied a harmonized protocol to collect comparable human biomonitoring data all over Europe.

Methods

In 17 European countries, we measured mercury in hair and cotinine, phthalate metabolites, and cadmium in urine of 1,844 children (5–11 years of age) and their mothers. Specimens were collected over a 5-month period in 2011–2012. We obtained information on personal characteristics, environment, and lifestyle. We used the resulting database to compare concentrations of exposure biomarkers within Europe, to identify determinants of exposure, and to compare exposure biomarkers with health-based guidelines.

Results

Biomarker concentrations showed a wide variability in the European population. However, levels in children and mothers were highly correlated. Most biomarker concentrations were below the health-based guidance values.

Conclusions

We have taken the first steps to assess personal chemical exposures in Europe as a whole. Key success factors were the harmonized protocol development, intensive training and capacity building for field work, chemical analysis and communication, as well as stringent quality control programs for chemical and data analysis. Our project demonstrates the feasibility of a Europe-wide human biomonitoring framework to support the decision-making process of environmental measures to protect public health.

Citation

Den Hond E, Govarts E, Willems H, Smolders R, Casteleyn L, Kolossa-Gehring M, Schwedler G, Seiwert M, Fiddicke U, Castaño A, Esteban M, Angerer J, Koch HM, Schindler BK, Sepai O, Exley K, Bloemen L, Horvat M, Knudsen LE, Joas A, Joas R, Biot P, Aerts D, Koppen G, Katsonouri A, Hadjipanayis A, Krskova A, Maly M, Mørck TA, Rudnai P, Kozepesy S, Mulcahy M, Mannion R, Gutleb AC, Fischer ME, Ligocka D, Jakubowski M, Reis MF, Namorado S, Gurzau AE, Lupsa IR, Halzlova K, Jajcaj M, Mazej D, Snoj Tratnik J, López A, Lopez E, Berglund M, Larsson K, Lehmann A, Crettaz P, Schoeters G. 2015. First steps toward harmonized human biomonitoring in Europe: demonstration project to perform human biomonitoring on a European scale. Environ Health Perspect 123:255–263; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408616

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Most cited references 41

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Urinary levels of seven phthalate metabolites in the U.S. population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000.

Manori Silva, Dana Barr, John A. Reidy … (2004)

We measured the urinary monoester metabolites of seven commonly used phthalates in approximately 2,540 samples collected from participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2000, who were greater than or equal to 6 years of age. We found detectable levels of metabolites monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in > 75% of the samples, suggesting widespread exposure in the United States to diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate or diisobutylphthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively. We infrequently detected monoisononyl phthalate, mono-cyclohexyl phthalate, and mono-n-octyl phthalate, suggesting that human exposures to di-isononyl phthalate, dioctylphthalate, and dicyclohexyl phthalate, respectively, are lower than those listed above, or the pathways, routes of exposure, or pharmacokinetic factors such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination are different. Non-Hispanic blacks had significantly higher concentrations of MEP than did Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. Compared with adolescents and adults, children had significantly higher levels of MBP, MBzP, and MEHP but had significantly lower concentrations of MEP. Females had significantly higher concentrations of MEP and MBzP than did males, but similar MEHP levels. Of particular interest, females of all ages had significantly higher concentrations of the reproductive toxicant MBP than did males of all ages; however, women of reproductive age (i.e., 20-39 years of age) had concentrations similar to adolescent girls and women 40 years of age. These population data on exposure to phthalates will serve an important role in public health by helping to set research priorities and by establishing a nationally representative baseline of exposure with which population levels can be compared.

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Evidence on the Human Health Effects of Low-Level Methylmercury Exposure

Margaret R. Karagas, Anna Choi, Emily Oken … (2012)

Background: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neuro-toxicant. Emerging evidence indicates it may have adverse effects on the neuro-logic and other body systems at common low levels of exposure. Impacts of MeHg exposure could vary by individual susceptibility or be confounded by bene-ficial nutrients in fish containing MeHg. Despite its global relevance, synthesis of the available literature on low-level MeHg exposure has been limited. Objectives: We undertook a synthesis of the current knowledge on the human health effects of low-level MeHg exposure to provide a basis for future research efforts, risk assessment, and exposure remediation policies worldwide. Data sources and extraction: We reviewed the published literature for original human epidemio-logic research articles that reported a direct biomarker of mercury exposure. To focus on high-quality studies and those specifically on low mercury exposure, we excluded case series, as well as studies of populations with unusually high fish consumption (e.g., the Seychelles), marine mammal consumption (e.g., the Faroe Islands, circumpolar, and other indigenous populations), or consumption of highly contaminated fish (e.g., gold-mining regions in the Amazon). Data synthesis: Recent evidence raises the possibility of effects of low-level MeHg exposure on fetal growth among susceptible subgroups and on infant growth in the first 2 years of life. Low-level effects of MeHg on neuro-logic outcomes may differ by age, sex, and timing of exposure. No clear pattern has been observed for cardio-vascular disease (CVD) risk across populations or for specific CVD end points. For the few studies evaluating immunologic effects associated with MeHg, results have been inconsistent. Conclusions: Studies targeted at identifying potential mechanisms of low-level MeHg effects and characterizing individual susceptibility, sexual dimorphism, and non-linearity in dose response would help guide future prevention, policy, and regulatory efforts surrounding MeHg exposure.

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Assessing exposure to phthalates - the human biomonitoring approach.

Jürgen Angerer, Thomas Brüning, Matthias Wittassek … (2010)

Some phthalates are developmental and reproductive toxicants in animals. Exposure to phthalates is considered to be potentially harmful to human health as well. Based on a comprehensive literature research, we present an overview of the sources of human phthalate exposure and results of exposure assessments with special focus on human biomonitoring data. Among the general population, there is widespread exposure to a number of phthalates. Foodstuff is the major source of phthalate exposure, particularly for the long-chain phthalates such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. For short-chain phthalates such as di-n-butyl-phthalate, additional pathways are of relevance. In general, children are exposed to higher phthalate doses than adults. Especially, high exposures can occur through some medications or medical devices. By comparing exposure data with existing limit values, one can also assess the risks associated with exposure to phthalates. Within the general population, some individuals exceed tolerable daily intake values for one or more phthalates. In high exposure groups, (intensive medical care, medications) tolerable daily intake transgressions can be substantial. Recent findings from animal studies suggest that a cumulative risk assessment for phthalates is warranted, and a cumulative exposure assessment to phthalates via human biomonitoring is a major step into this direction. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Environ Health Perspect

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Environ. Health Perspect

Journal ID (publisher-id): EHP

Title: Environmental Health Perspectives

Publisher: NLM-Export

ISSN (Print): 0091-6765

ISSN (Electronic): 1552-9924

Publication date (Electronic): 11 December 2014

Publication date (Print): March 2015

Volume: 123

Issue: 3

Pages: 255-263

Affiliations

[1 ]Unit Environmental Risk and Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium

[2 ]University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

[3 ]Umweltbundesamt (UBA), Berlin, Germany

[4 ]Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain

[5 ]Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany

[6 ]Public Health England, Chilton, United Kingdom

[7 ]Environmental Health Sciences International, Hulst, the Netherlands

[8 ]Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

[9 ]University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

[10 ]BiPRO GmbH, Munich, Germany

[11 ]Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium

[12 ]State General Laboratory, Nicosia, Cyprus

[13 ]Paediatric Clinic, Larnaca General Hospital, Larnaca, Cyprus

[14 ]National Institute of Public Health, Praha, Czech Republic

[15 ]National Institute of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary

[16 ]Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland

[17 ]Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg

[18 ]Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg

[19 ]Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland

[20 ]Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

[21 ]Environmental Health Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

[22 ]Urad Verejneho Zdravotnictva Slovenskej Republiky, Bratislava, Slovakia

[23 ]Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

[24 ]Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Bern, Switzerland

[25 ]University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium

[26 ]University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

Author notes

Address correspondence to G. Schoeters, VITO–Unit Environmental Risk and Health, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. Telephone: 32 14 335167. E-mail: greet.schoeters@ 123456vito.be

Article

Publisher ID: ehp.1408616

DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408616

PMC ID: 4348748

PubMed ID: 25493439

SO-VID: a3978934-15b6-40a5-b264-53b8ebd53919

License:

Publication of EHP lies in the public domain and is therefore without copyright. All text from EHP may be reprinted freely. Use of materials published in EHP should be acknowledged (for example, “Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives”); pertinent reference information should be provided for the article from which the material was reproduced. Articles from EHP, especially the News section, may contain photographs or illustrations copyrighted by other commercial organizations or individuals that may not be used without obtaining prior approval from the holder of the copyright.

History

Date received : 28 April 2014

Date accepted : 10 December 2014

Date: 11 December 2014

Date: 01 March 2015

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First Steps toward Harmonized Human Biomonitoring in Europe: Demonstration Project to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale

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Abstract

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Citation

Related collections

Global Health Next Generation Network

Most cited references 41

Urinary levels of seven phthalate metabolites in the U.S. population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000.

Evidence on the Human Health Effects of Low-Level Methylmercury Exposure

Assessing exposure to phthalates - the human biomonitoring approach.

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Cited by 55

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