Persistent organic pollutants and mortality in the United States, NHANES 1999–2011

Background: Olfactory impairment (OI) is common among older adults and independently predicts all-cause mortality and the risk of several major neurodegenerative diseases. Pesticide exposure may impair olfaction, but empirical evidence is lacking. Objective: We aimed to examine high pesticide exposure events (HPEEs) in relation to self-reported OI in participants in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS). Methods: We conducted multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between HPEEs reported at enrollment (1993–1997) and self-reported OI at the latest AHS follow-up (2013–2015) among 11,232 farmers, using farmers without HPEEs as the reference or unexposed group. Results: A total of 1,186 (10.6%) farmers reported OI. A history of HPEEs reported at enrollment was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting OI two decades later {odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28, 1.73]}. In the analyses on the HPEE involving the highest exposure, the association appears to be stronger when there was a delay between HPEE and washing with soap and water [e.g., (95% CI: 1.48, 2.89) for 4–6 h vs. (95% CI: 1.11, 1.75) for ]. Further, significant associations were observed both for HPEEs involving the respiratory or digestive tract [ (95% CI: 1.22, 1.92)] and dermal contact [ (95% CI: 1.22, 1.78)]. Finally, we found significant associations with several specific pesticides involved in the highest exposed HPEEs, including two organochlorine insecticides (DDT and lindane) and four herbicides (alachlor, metolachlor, 2,4-D, and pendimethalin). HPEEs that occurred after enrollment were also associated with OI development. Conclusions: HPEEs may cause long-lasting olfactory deficit. Future studies should confirm these findings with objectively assessed OI and also investigate potential mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3713

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“…2018; Schecter et al. 2010), and in human biosamples (Fry and Power 2017; Kim et al. 2015; Perla et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Pesticide Exposure Events and Olfactory Impairment among U.S. Farmers

Shrestha

Kamel

Umbach

et al. 2019

Environ Health Perspect

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“…In a separate analysis of NHANES data, 25 no association was found between PCBs and mortality. However, in that study, PCB levels were only evaluated as the sum of PCBs or the dioxin toxic equivalents of the DLPCBs and not as individual PCBs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Association of Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants With Mortality Risk

et al. 2019

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Key Points Question Are elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants associated with an increased mortality risk? Findings In a population-based cohort study of 992 individuals aged 70 to 80 years, 18 persistent organic pollutants were measured in plasma at 2 occasions. Elevated levels of highly chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were associated with increased mortality risk, mainly from cardiovascular diseases, during 10 years of follow-up. Meaning These results indicate that public health actions should be undertaken to limit exposure to PCBs.

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“…The consequences of developmental neurotoxicity in early life appear to persist across childhood and adolescence and even into adult life [ [220]. In the US NHANES survey, some organochlorine pesticides have been found to be associated with increased all-cause mortality and others with increased non-cancer, non-cardiovascular mortality [271]. Higher concentrations of POPs in plasma are associated with decreased survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [272].…”

Section: • Developmental Defectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Health and Ocean Pollution

Landrigan

Stegeman

Fleming

et al. 2020

Annals of Global Health

402

170

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Methods: Topic-focused reviews that examine the effects of ocean pollution on human health, identify gaps in knowledge, project future trends, and offer evidence-based guidance for effective intervention. Environmental Findings: Pollution of the oceans is widespread, worsening, and in most countries poorly controlled. It is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources. It reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, atmospheric deposition and direct discharges. It is often heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coasts of low-and middle-income countries. Plastic is a rapidly increasing and highly visible component of ocean pollution, and an estimated 10 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the seas each year. Mercury is the metal pollutant of greatest concern in the oceans; it is released from two main sources-coal combustion and small-scale gold mining. Global spread of industrialized agriculture with increasing use of chemical fertilizer leads to extension of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) to previously unaffected regions. Chemical pollutants are ubiquitous and contaminate seas and marine organisms from the high Arctic to the abyssal depths. Ecosystem Findings: Ocean pollution has multiple negative impacts on marine ecosystems, and these impacts are exacerbated by global climate change. Petroleum-based pollutants reduce photosynthesis in marine microorganisms that generate oxygen. Increasing absorption of carbon dioxide into the seas causes ocean acidification, which destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing microorganisms at the base of the marine food web, and increases the toxicity of some pollutants. Plastic pollution threatens marine mammals, fish, and seabirds and accumulates in large mid-ocean gyres. It breaks down into microplastic and nanoplastic particles containing multiple manufactured chemicals that can enter the tissues of marine organisms, including species consumed by humans. Industrial releases, runoff, and sewage increase frequency and severity of HABs, bacterial pollution, and anti-microbial resistance. Pollution and sea surface warming are triggering poleward migration of dangerous pathogens such as the Vibrio species. Industrial discharges, pharmaceutical wastes, pesticides, and sewage contribute to global declines in fish stocks. Human Health Findings: Methylmercury and PCBs are the ocean pollutants whose human health effects are best understood. Exposures of infants in utero to these pollutants through maternal consumption of contaminated seafood can damage developing brains, reduce IQ and increase children's risks for autism, ADHD and learning disorders. Adult exposures to methylmercury increase risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Manufactured chemicals-phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals...

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Persistent organic pollutants and mortality in the United States, NHANES 1999–2011

Cited by 55 publications

References 91 publications

High Pesticide Exposure Events and Olfactory Impairment among U.S. Farmers

High Pesticide Exposure Events and Olfactory Impairment among U.S. Farmers

Association of Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants With Mortality Risk

Human Health and Ocean Pollution

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