A comprehensive analysis of racial disparities in chemical biomarker concentrations in United States women, 1999–2014

Nguyen, Vy Kim; Kahana, Adam; Heidt, Julien; Polemi, Katelyn M.; Kvasnicka, Jacob; Jolliet, Olivier; Colacino, Justin A.

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105496

Cited by 92 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Our previous analyses of chemical biomarker concentrations measured in NHANES identified a suite of chemical biomarkers significantly elevated in in non-Hispanic Black women (Nguyen et al ., 2020). To characterize the biological activity of these chemical exposures, we linked these exposures to ToxCast data, comparing differences in biomarker concentrations to the ratio of active assays to total ToxCast assays performed per chemical, a surrogate readout of biological activity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 1 shows a graphical workflow of the overall approach. We previously identified chemical biomarkers disproportionately found in non-Hispanic Black women compared to non-Hispanic White women in NHANES (Nguyen et al ., 2020). NHANES is a cross-sectional study designed to collect data on demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related characteristics in the non-institutionalized, civilian US population.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We recently have examined racial disparities in chemical biomarker concentrations in US women. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing population-based health study conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we identified stark differences in chemical exposure biomarker concentrations across women of various racial/ethnic groups (Nguyen et al ., 2020). We identified a set of chemicals with concentrations significantly higher, on average, in African American women including pesticide metabolites (2,5-dichlorophenol, 1,4-dichlorobenzene), chemicals of personal care products (methyl paraben, propyl paraben, monoethyl phthalate), and heavy metals (mercury and lead).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying the Link Between Chemical Exposures and Breast Cancer in African American Women via ToxCast High Throughput Screening Data

Polemi

Nguyen

Heidt

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Among women, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer worldwide and has the second highest mortality rate of any cancer in the United States. The breast cancer related death rate is 40% higher in African American women compared to European American women in the US. The incidence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype of breast cancer for which there is no targeted therapy, is approximately three times higher in non-Hispanic Black women (NHBW) compared to non-Hispanic White women (NHWW). The drivers of these differences in breast cancer incidence and mortality are still poorly understood, and likely lie in an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Here, we aimed to identify chemical exposures which may play a role in breast cancer disparities. Using chemical biomonitoring data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and biological activity data from the EPA’s ToxCast program, we assessed the toxicological profiles of chemicals with higher biomarker concentrations in US NHBW. We conducted a literature search to identify a gene set of breast cancer targets included in ToxCast to analyze the response of prioritized chemicals in these assays. Forty-four chemical biomarkers are significantly higher in NHBW. Investigation of these chemicals in ToxCast resulted in a total of 33,645 assays for analysis, 5,301 of which contained nonzero values for ACC (modl_acc: the concentration at which the dose-response fitted model reaches the cutoff considered “active”) and modl_tp (scaled top value of dose response curve) data. Of these chemicals BPA, PFOS, and thiram are most comprehensively assayed. 2,5-dichlorophenol, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and methyl and propyl parabens had higher biomarker concentrations in NHBW and moderate testing and activity in ToxCast. The distribution of active concentrations for these chemicals in ToxCast assays are comparable to biomarker concentrations in NHBW. Through this integrated analysis, we have identified that multiple chemicals, including thiram, propylparaben, and p,p’ DDE, with disproportionate exposures in NHBW, have breast cancer associated biological activity at human exposure relevant doses.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying the Link Between Chemical Exposures and Breast Cancer in African American Women via ToxCast High Throughput Screening Data

Polemi

Nguyen

Heidt

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…4–9 AA populations have historically experienced environmental injustice, influenced by a variety of causes, including residential segregation and socioeconomic status. 9–11 Nguyen et al. found significant racial disparities in chemical biomarker concentrations for a variety of environmental exposures including pesticides and personal care and consumer compounds, suggesting increased exposure to environmental breast cancer risks for minority populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…found significant racial disparities in chemical biomarker concentrations for a variety of environmental exposures including pesticides and personal care and consumer compounds, suggesting increased exposure to environmental breast cancer risks for minority populations. 10 While, there are several known environmental risks for breast cancer, the state of the science is constantly evolving and information regarding these risks can be confusing, especially where there is debate regarding the degree and timing of exposure for environmental risks for breast cancer, 2,3,10,12–23 which may result in misperception of risk within the general public. 7,11–13,24…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Talk About Cancer and Build Healthy Communities”: How Visuals Are Starting the Conversation About Breast Cancer Within African-American Communities

Yelton

Brandt

Adams

et al. 2020

Int Q Community Health Educ

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African-American (AA) women are at higher risk of breast cancer mortality than women of other races. Factors influencing breast cancer risk, including exogenous environmental exposures, and debate around timing of exposure and dose-response relationship, can cause misunderstanding. Collaboration with priority populations encourages culturally relevant health messaging that imparts source reliability, influences message adoption, and improves understanding. Through six focus groups with AA individuals in rural and urban counties in the southeastern United States, this study used a community-engaged participatory approach to design an innovative visual tool for disseminating breast cancer information. Results demonstrated that participants were generally aware of environmental breast cancer risks and were willing to share new knowledge with families and community members. Recommended communication channels included pastors, healthcare providers, social media, and the Internet. Participants agreed that a collaboratively designed visual tool serves as a tangible, focused “conversation starter” to promote community prevention and education efforts.

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New directions in understanding the role of environmental contaminants in child development: Four themes

Trentacosta

Mulligan

2020

New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development

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Environmental contaminants, which include several heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and other harmful chemicals, impair several domains of child development. This article describes four themes from recent research on the impact of environmental contaminants on child development. The first theme, disparities in exposure, focuses on how marginalized communities are disproportionately exposed to harmful environmental contaminants. The second theme, complexity of exposures, encapsulates recent emphases on timing of exposures and mixtures of multiple exposures. The third theme, mechanisms that link exposures to outcomes, focuses on processes that elucidate how contaminants impact outcomes. The fourth theme, mitigating risks associated with exposures, sheds light on potential protective factors that could ameliorate many of the harmful effects of contaminant exposures. Developmental scientists are well positioned to contribute to interdisciplinary research that addresses these themes, which could foster additional conceptual and empirical innovations and inform policies and practices to mitigate risks and improve children's well-being. K E Y W O R D S child development, developmental science, environmental contaminants, environmental health, interdisciplinary research, lead exposure, toxicants The physical environment plays a critical role in human health and well-being across the lifespan. Unfortunately, exposure to harmful contaminants in the physical environment is nearly ubiquitous. Based on a recent estimate from the World Health Organization,

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A comprehensive analysis of racial disparities in chemical biomarker concentrations in United States women, 1999–2014

Cited by 92 publications

References 58 publications

Identifying the Link Between Chemical Exposures and Breast Cancer in African American Women via ToxCast High Throughput Screening Data

Identifying the Link Between Chemical Exposures and Breast Cancer in African American Women via ToxCast High Throughput Screening Data

“Talk About Cancer and Build Healthy Communities”: How Visuals Are Starting the Conversation About Breast Cancer Within African-American Communities

New directions in understanding the role of environmental contaminants in child development: Four themes

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