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Anthropogenic pollution may disrupt wildlife immune function and increase susceptibility to, and ability to withstand, infection. Of particular concern is avian influenza virus (AIV), which in its low-pathogenic form is endemic in many wild bird populations, notably waterfowl and shorebirds, and in its high-pathogenic form poses a threat to wildlife, livestock and people. Many pollutants have immunomodulative properties, yet little is known about how these pollutants affect AIV infection risk specifically. We examined concentrations of known immunomodulatory compounds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and assessed their influence on AIV infection in three reservoir species, red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis, n=121), pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa, n=57) and grey teal (Anas gracilis, n= 62). Using data on viral prevalence (cloacal/oropharyngeal swabs) and seroprevalence (AIV anti-nucleoprotein antibodies), we found no significant effect of PFASs pollution (total PFASs

Current treatment options for organic waste contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are generally limited to incineration, composting or landfilling, all resulting in emissions. Dry pyrolysis is a promising emerging alternative to these practices, but there is uncertainty related to the fate of PFAS during this process. The present work first developed a robust method for the determination of PFAS in complex matrices, such as sewage sludge and biochar. Then, a mass balance was established for 56 different PFAS during full-scale pyrolysis (2–10 kg biochar hr-1, 500–800 °C) of sewage sludges, food waste reject, garden waste and waste timber. PFAS were found in all wastes (56–3651 ng g-1), but pyrolysis resulted in a ≥ 96.9% removal. Residual PFAS (0.1–3.4 ng g-1) were detected in biochars obtained at temperatures up to 750 °C and were dominated by long chain PFAS. Emitted PFAS loads ranged from 0.01 to 3.1 mg tonne-1 of biochar produced and were dominated by short chain PFAS. Emissions made up < 3% of total PFAS-mass in the wastes. Remaining uncertainties are mainly related to the presence of thermal degradation products in flue gas and condensation oils.

A hybrid solid phase extraction (HybridSPE) protocol tailored to ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPC2-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of 19 steroid hormones in grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) blood plasma. In this study, the protocol demonstrated acceptable absolute recoveries ranging from 33 to 90%. The chromatographic separation was carried out using a gradient elution program with a total run time of 5 min. The method repeatability ranged from 1.9% to 24% for most target analytes and the method limits of quantification (mLOQs) ranged from 0.03 to 1.67 ng/mL. A total of 9 plasma samples were analysed to demonstrate the applicability of the developed method in blood plasma from a wildlife species. A total of 13 steroid hormones were quantified in grey seal pup plasma. The most prevalent steroids: cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were detected at concentrations in the range of 9.09–40.1, 7.10–24.2, 0.742–10.7, 1.06–5.72, 0.38–4.38 and

Occupational exposure to lead (Pb) continues to be a serious public health concern and may pose an elevated risk of genetic oxidative damage. In Brazil, car battery manufacturing and recycling factories represent a great source of Pb contamination, and there are no guidelines on how to properly protect workers from exposure or to dispose the process wastes. Previous studies have shown that Pb body burden is associated with genetic polymorphisms, which consequently may influence the toxicity of the metal. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Pb exposure on DNA oxidative damage, as well as the modulation of hemochromatosis (HFE) polymorphisms on Pb body burden, and the toxicity of Pb, through the analysis of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), in subjects occupationally exposed to the metal. Male Pb-exposed workers (n = 236) from car battery manufacturing and recycling factories in Brazil participated in the study. Blood and plasma lead levels (BLL and PLL, respectively) were determined by ICP-MS and urinary 8-OHdG levels were measured by LC-MS/MS, and genotyping of HFE SNPs (rs1799945, C → G; and 1800562, G → A) was performed by TaqMan assays. Our data showed that carriers of at least one variant allele for HFE rs1799945 (CG + GG) tended to have higher PLL than those with the non-variant genotype (β = 0.34; p = 0.043); further, PLL was significantly correlated with the levels of urinary 8-OHdG (β = 0.19; p = 0.0060), while workers that carry the variant genotype for HFE rs1800562 (A-allele) showed a prominent increase in 8-OHdG, as a function of PLL (β = 0.78; p = 0.046). Taken together, our data suggest that HFE polymorphisms may modulate the Pb body burden and, consequently, the oxidative DNA damage induced by the metal.

The seasonal effect on chemical composition and contaminants in European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) captured in Norwegian waters was investigated in three seasons (September, December, April). Fillets were compared by analysing proximate composition, lipid and protein profile, including fatty acids, lipid class distribution, free and total amino acids. Trace elements and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were determined to assess the potential health risk of consumption. Results on proximate composition reveal differences in water, ash, lipid, and protein content between the seasons. Beneficial levels of n3 fatty acids, including a sufficient n3/n6 ratio (6.1–8.7), were observed. Phospholipids and cholesterol were negatively correlated with total lipid content, adding to high triacylglycerol concentrations observed in December samples. No elevated levels for toxic trace elements, yet detrimental concentrations of dioxin-like PCB-118 were found. Results show that European plaice is highly nutritious with desirable amino and fatty acid profile throughout the year, and with few potential risks.

Bisphenols and benzophenone UV-filters are hazardous, high production volume chemicals. There is concern that these contaminants could leach into the environment or be recycled into new products during waste management. To investigate this, nine bisphenols and five benzophenones were quantified in Norwegian e-waste and car fluff. To understand their leachability, equilibrium passive sampling methodology, using polyoxymethylene (POM), was calibrated for these substances, many of which for the first time. This method can differentiate freely dissolved substances in the aqueous phase from those sorbed to suspended colloids and microplastics in the leachate water. Equilibrium POM partitioning was reached within 14 days of shaking; all bisphenols and benzophenone UV-filters exhibited linear isotherms (R2 ranged from 0.83 to 1.0), when deriving POM-water partition coefficients (KPOM). Bisphenol A and bisphenol F displayed the highest concentrations, with maximum levels of 246,000 and 42,400 ng g−1, respectively. Logarithms of waste-water partition coefficients (log Kwaste) ranged from 1.7 (benzophenone 2) to 4.5 (bisphenol P). The established KPOM values agreed with measured Kwaste values (within a factor of ~3), unlike octanol-water partition coefficients. This indicated that POM is a better surrogate for waste plastic partitioning than octanol. Results are discussed in the context of assessing risks from waste management in a circular economy.

The use of sewage sludge to produce biochar-based sorbents for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal from water and soil may be an economically and environmentally sustainable waste management option. This study compared the sorption of six perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) by two sewage sludge biochars (SSBCs) and one wood chip biochar (WCBC), dry pyrolyzed at 700 °C. Batch sorption tests were conducted by adding individual PFCAs and a PFCA-mixture to pure biochars and mixtures of biochar and a sandy soil (1.3% TOC). PFAS-sorption to the SSBCs exhibited log-linear biochar-water distribution coefficients (log Kd), comparable to those previously reported for commercial activated carbons (e.g., 5.73 ± 0.02 for perfluorooctanoic acid at 1 µg/L). The strong sorption of PFCAs was attributed to the SSBCs relatively high pore volumes in the pore size range that can accommodate these compounds. Sorption was attenuated by the presence of soil (by factors 3–10), by the presence of a mixture of PFCAs (by factors of 6–532) and by both together (by factors of 8–6581), indicating strongly competitive sorption between PFCA-congeners, and less severe sorption attenuation by soil organic matter. These findings could enable sustainable value chains for SSBs in soil remediation and water filtration solutions.

In land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), the accumulation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) can have detrimental effects on water quality impacting the system performance, microbial community, and consequently fish health and welfare. Ozone is used in the RAS water treatment process to improve water quality and remove DOM. However, little is known about the molecular composition of DOM in RAS and its transformation when exposed to ozone. In this study, we performed a detailed molecular characterization of DOM in RAS and explored its transformation induced by ozonation of RAS waters. Ultra-high resolution (UHR) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) was used to characterize the DOM matrix of RAS waters (pump-sump and tanks) and to evaluate its transformation by ozonation. The analysis of DOM extracted from makeup water and feed samples allowed for the determination of DOM sources in RAS prior to ozonation. The CHO and unsaturated group of compounds were the most abundant class found in water samples. On the contrary, the DOM from feed samples was unique and consisted mainly of CHO, CHON and unsaturated group of compounds. After the ozonation of RAS waters, humic-like and unsaturated compounds [positive oxygen subtracted double bond equivalent per carbon (DBE–O)/C)] were decomposed, particularly the CHO-DOM that contained fewer -CH2- features. Fulvic-like compounds and several hundred saturated compounds [negative (DBE–O)/C)] were formed post ozonation, particularly the CHON and CHONS group of compounds that were associated with fish diets, makeup waters and transformation products from the ozonation of the RAS waters. This study showed that the high accuracy of the ultra-high resolution FTICR MS can be applied to characterize and monitor the changes of DOM at a molecular level in RAS waters. To our knowledge, this is the first study where FTICR MS was incorporated for the characterization of DOM and its sources in RAS.

Background Exposure to bisphenols may affect fetal growth and development. The trimester-specific effects of bisphenols on repeated measures of fetal growth remain unknown. Our objective was to assess the associations of maternal bisphenol urine concentrations with fetal growth measures and birth outcomes and identify potential critical exposure periods. Methods In a population-based prospective cohort study among 1379 pregnant women, we measured maternal bisphenol A, S and F urine concentrations in the first, second and third trimester. Fetal head circumference, length and weight were measured in the second and third trimester by ultrasound and at birth. Results An interquartile range increase in maternal pregnancy-averaged bisphenol S concentrations was associated with larger fetal head circumference (difference 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 0.34) standard deviation scores (SDS), p-value Conclusions Higher maternal bisphenol S urine concentrations, especially in the first trimester, seem to be related with larger fetal head circumference, higher weight and a lower risk of being small size for gestational age at birth.

Background: Prenatal exposure to mixtures of nonpersistent chemicals is universal. Most studies examining these chemicals in association with fetal growth have been restricted to single exposure models, ignoring their potentially cumulative impact. Objective: We aimed to assess the association between prenatal exposure to a mixture of phthalates, bisphenols, and organophosphate (OP) pesticides and fetal measures of head circumference, femur length, and weight. Methods: Within the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort in Netherlands (n=776), urinary concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites, 3 bisphenols, and 5 dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured at 25 weeks of gestation and averaged. Ultrasound measures of head circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight (EFW) were taken at 18-25 and > 25 weeks of gestation, and measurements of head circumference, length, and weight were performed at delivery. We estimated the difference in each fetal measurement per quartile increase in all exposures within the mixture with quantile g-computation. Results: The average EFW at 18-25 wk and > 25 wk was 369 and 1,626g, respectively, and the average birth weight was 3,451g. Higher exposure was associated with smaller fetal and newborn growth parameters in a nonlinear fashion. At 18-25 wk, fetuses in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of exposure (Q2-Q4) had 26g [95% confidence intervals (CI): − 38, −13], 35g (95% CI:−55, −15), and 27g (95% CI: −54, 1) lower EFW compared with those in the first quartile (Q1). A similar dose-response pattern was observed at > 25wk, but all effect sizes were smaller, and no association was observed comparing Q4 to Q1. At birth, we observed no differences in weight between Q1-Q2 or Q1-Q3. However, fetuses in Q4 had 91g (95% CI: −258, 76) lower birth weight in comparison with those in Q1. Results observed at 18-25 and > 25wk were similar for femur length; however, no differences were observed at birth. No associations were observed for head circumference. Discussion: Higher exposure to a mixture of phthalates, bisphenols, and OP pesticides was associated with lower EFW in the midpregnancy period. In late pregnancy, these differences were similar but less pronounced. At birth, the only associations observed appeared when comparing individuals from Q1 and Q4. This finding suggests that even low levels of exposure may be sufficient to influence growth in early pregnancy, whereas higher levels may be necessary to affect birth weight. Joint exposure to nonpersistent chemicals may adversely impact fetal growth, and because these exposures are widespread, this impact could be substantial. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9178. This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) (ZIAES101575). It was additionally supported by grants from the NIH (RO1ES022972 and RO1ES029779) and NIEHS, NIH (HHSN273201500003C). H.T. was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) VICI grant (NWO-ZonMW: 016. VICI.170.200). M.G. is funded by a Miguel Servet fellowship (MS13/00054, CP18/00018) awarded by the Spanish Institute of Health Carlos III. We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the State Research Agency through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023” Program (CEX2018-000806-S), and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program. The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement 733206 (LifeCycle), 874583 (ATHLETE) and 824989 (EUCAN-Connect). V.W.V.J. received grant ERC-2014-CoG-648916 from the European Research Council. R.G. received funding from the Dutch Heart Foundation (grant number 2017T013), the Dutch Diabetes Foundation (grant number 2017.81.002) and Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (NWO, ZonMW, grant number 543003109).

Olive oil mills and enterprises demand fast and low-cost detection of adulteration from vegetable and seed oils, such as hazelnut, sunflower, soybean, cannabis, corn and almond oil, according to their food fraud mitigation plans. This study describes a method for the detection of adulteration using the k232 and k268 (specific extinctions at wavelengths 232 nm and 268 nm, respectively), and the ��k (the variation of the absolute value of the extinction) values as independent variables in chemometric approaches. Different percentages of seed oils were added to the extra virgin olive oil and the results showed that vegetable and seed oil adulteration above 7.5% (w/w) was easily detected. The developed methodology is low cost, rapid, and simple for adoption by olive oil enterprises in comparison to other techniques. This is the first time that such an easy method may be applied for the olive mills for the protection of consumers using a well-organized food fraud mitigation plan.

Importance: Exposure to phthalates may affect fetal growth, but previous studies are inconsistent and have not explored the trimester-specific effects of phthalates on repeated measures of fetal growth. Objective: To assess the associations of maternal phthalate metabolites urine concentrations with fetal growth measures and birth outcomes and identify potential windows of vulnerability to exposure. Design: Population-based prospective cohort study, the Generation R Study (2002–2006). Data analysis was performed from November 2019 to June 2020. Setting: Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Participants: 1379 pregnant women. Exposures: Maternal phthalate metabolites urine concentrations in first, second and third trimester. Main outcomes and measures: Fetal head circumference, length and weight measured in the second and third trimester by ultrasound and at birth and preterm birth and small size for gestational age at birth. Results: Higher pregnancy-averaged phthalic acid, low molecular weight phthalate (LMWP), high molecular weight phthalate (HMWP) and di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) concentrations tended to be associated with lower fetal weight SDS across gestation. The associations of phthalic acid and LMWP with fetal weight became stronger as pregnancy progressed (differences −0.08 (95% CI −0.14 to −0.02) SDS and −0.09 (95% CI −0.16 to −0.02) SDS at 40 weeks per interquartile range increase in phthalic acid and LMWP, respectively). Higher concentrations of specific LMWP, HMWP and DEHP metabolites were also associated with smaller head circumference and lower length SDS at birth and an increased risk of preterm birth and small size for gestational age at birth (p-values < 0.05). We observed differences by timing of exposure in these associations. Conclusions and relevance: Higher maternal phthalate metabolites urine concentrations seem to be related with fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. Phthalates may have trimester specific effects on fetal growth and birth outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term consequences.

There is a growing concern about the occurrence of bisphenols and benzophenone UV filters in natural ecosystems, while data are limited regarding their actual occurrence in wildlife species, especially in raptors. In this study, concentrations of bisphenol and benzophenone UV filter analogues were determined in liver tissue samples (n = 38) from white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) that were found dead in Smøla (2006–2018), which is a Norwegian municipality that holds one of the densest breeding populations of white-tailed eagles in Europe. Bisphenol AF (BPAF; a fluorinated analogue) was the most ubiquitous contaminant since it was detected in 32 liver samples at concentrations ranging from 1.08 to 6.68 ng/g wet weight (w.w.), followed by bisphenol A (BPA, mean 10.4 ng/g w.w.), benzophenone-1 (BzP-1, mean 3.24 ng/g w.w.), and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BzP, mean 0.62 ng/g w.w.). The concentrations found in livers suggested that white-tailed eagles potentially accumulate bisphenols and benzophenone UV filters, which raises concern, as these plastic and personal care product-related emerging contaminants can show endocrine-disrupting properties. The high detection frequency of the fluorinated BPAF warrants further attention as other fluorinated compounds have proven to be extremely persistent and potentially harmful to wildlife.

Background: Experimental evidence suggests that exposures to phthalates and bisphenols may interfere with processes related to glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and body weight. Few studies have considered the possible influence of chemical exposures during pregnancy on maternal weight gain or metabolic health outcomes postpartum. Objective: To examine the associations of early and mid-pregnancy bisphenol and phthalate urine concentrations with maternal weight gain 6 years postpartum. Methods: We analyzed urine samples for bisphenol, phthalate and creatinine concentrations from early and mid-pregnancy in 1192 women in a large, population-based birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and examined postpartum weight gain using maternal anthropometrics before pregnancy and 6 years postpartum. We have used covariate-adjusted linear regressions to evaluate associations of early and mid-pregnancy bisphenols and phthalate metabolites with weight change. Mediator and interaction models have been used to assess the role of gestational weight gain and breastfeeding, respectively. Sensitivity analysis is performed among women without subsequent pregnancies. Results: Among all 1192 mothers included in the analysis, each log unit increase in the average bisphenol A and all assessed phthalate groupings were associated with increased maternal weight gain. As a proxy for phthalate exposure, each log unit increase in averaged phthalic acid was associated with 734 g weight gain (95% CI 273–1196 g) between pre-pregnancy and 6 years postpartum. Mediation by gestational weight gain was not present. Breastfeeding and ethnicity did not modify the effects. Stratification revealed these associations to be strongest among overweight and obese women. Among women without subsequent pregnancies (n = 373) associations of bisphenols, HMW phthalate metabolites and di-2-ethylhexylphthalate metabolites attenuated. For phthalic acid, LMW phthalate metabolites and di-n-octylphthalate metabolites associations increased. Similarly to the whole group, stratification yielded significant results among overweight and obese women. Discussion: In a large population-based birth cohort, early and mid-pregnancy phthalate exposures are associated with weight gain 6 years postpartum, particularly among overweight and obese women. These data support ongoing action to replace phthalates with safer alternatives.

Raptors (birds of prey and owls) have been widely used as suitable bioindicators of environmental pollution. They occupy the highest trophic positions in their food chains and are documented to bioaccumulate high concentrations of persistent pollutants such as toxic metals and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs).Whereas raptors played a critical role in developing awareness of and policy for chemical pollution, they have thus far played a much smaller role in current research on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Given the critical knowledge obtained from monitoring 'legacy contaminants' in raptors, more information on the levels and effects of CECs on raptors is urgently needed. This study critically reviews studies on raptors from Europe reporting the occurrence of CECs with focus on the investigated species, the sampled matrices, and the bioanalytical methods applied. Based on this, we aimed to identify future needs for monitoring CECs in Europe. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), novel flame retardants (NFRs), and to a lesser extent UV-filters, neonicotinoids, chlorinated paraffins, parabens and bisphenols have been reported in European raptors. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) were the most frequently studied raptor species. Among matrices, eggs, feathers and plasma were the most widely employed, although the potential role of the preen gland as an excretory organ for CECs has recently been proposed. This review highlights the following research priorities for pollution research on raptors in Europe: 1) studies covering all the main classes of CECs; 2) research in other European regions (mainly East Europe); 3) identification of the most suitable matrices and species for the analysis of different CECs; and 4) the application of alternative sample treatment strategies (e.g. QuEChERS or pressurized liquid extraction) is still limited and conventional solvent-extraction is the preferred choice.

Expression of adaptive reaction norms of life-history traits to spatio-temporal variation in food availability is crucial for individual fitness. Yet little is known about the neural signalling mechanisms underlying these reaction norms. Previous studies suggest a role for the dopamine system in regulating behavioural and morphological responses to food across a wide range of taxa. We tested whether this neural signalling system also regulates life-history reaction norms by exposing the zooplankton Daphnia magna to both dopamine and the dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion, an antidepressant that enters aquatic environments via various pathways. We recorded a range of life-history traits across two food levels. Both treatments induced changes to the life-history reaction norm slopes. These were due to the effects of the treatments being more pronounced at restricted food ration, where controls had lower somatic growth rates, higher age and larger size at maturation. This translated into a higher population growth rate ( r ) of dopamine and bupropion treatments when food was restricted. Our findings show that the dopamine system is an important regulatory mechanism underlying life-history trait responses to food abundance and that bupropion can strongly influence the life history of aquatic species such as D. magna . We discuss why D. magna do not evolve towards higher endogenous dopamine levels despite the apparent fitness benefits.

Microplastic fibres (MPFs) often make up the largest fraction of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, yet little is known about their degradative fate and persistence. This study investigates the environmentally relevant photodegradation of common MPFs: polyester (PET), polyamide (PA) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), their respective additive chemical profile, together with their potential for additive leaching. MPFs were subject to ultraviolet (UV) exposure in seawater and freshwater media over 10 months. PET and PA MPFs showed significant fragmentation and surface changes following UV exposure, additionally PA showed evidence of chemical changes. PAN did not undergo significant photodegradation in the same exposure period. Chemicals tentatively identified in MPFs and aqueous leachates via non-target gas chromatography-mass spectrometry include monomers, UV stabilisers and degradation products. Characterisation of several bisphenols (BPs) and benzophenones (BzPs) was performed via ultraperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Bisphenol A, bisphenol S and benzophenone-3 were quantified in all MPFs and wool at concentrations between 4.3 - 501 ng/g, with wool displaying the highest sum concentration of BPs and BzPs at 863 and 27 ng/g, respectively. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background and aims: Fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors such as phthalates and bisphenols may lead to developmental metabolic adaptations. We examined associations of maternal phthalate and bisphenol urine concentrations during pregnancy with lipids, insulin, and glucose concentrations at school age. Methods: In a population-based, prospective cohort study among 757 mother–child pairs, we measured maternal phthalate and bisphenol urine concentrations in first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. We measured non-fasting lipids, glucose and insulin blood concentrations of their children at a mean age of 9.7 (standard deviation 0.2) years. Analyses were performed for boys and girls separately. Results: An interquartile range (IQR) higher natural log transformed third trimester maternal urine phthalic acid concentration was associated with a 0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.34) standard deviation score (SDS) higher triglycerides concentration among boys. Maternal bisphenol urine concentrations were not associated with non-fasting lipid concentrations during childhood. An IQR higher natural log transformed second trimester maternal high molecular weight phthalates (HMWP) and di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) urine concentration were associated with a 0.19 (95% CI 0.31–0.07) respectively 0.18 (95% CI 0.31–0.06) SDS lower glucose concentration among boys. An IQR higher natural log transformed third trimester maternal bisphenol F urine concentration was associated with a 0.22 (95% CI 0.35–0.09) SDS lower non-fasting insulin concentration among boys. Conclusions: Our results suggest potential persisting sex specific effects of fetal exposure to phthalates and bisphenols on childhood lipid concentrations and glucose metabolism. Future studies are needed for replication and exploring underlying mechanisms.

Bisphenols and benzophenone UV filters are contaminants present in a wide variety of plastic materials and consumer products. The scientific attention towards these contaminants has increased in recent years due to their presence in microplastics, their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment, and their known endocrine disrupting health effects. In this study, the occurrence of nine bisphenol and five benzophenone UV-filter analogues was assessed in wild brown mussels (Perna perna) collected from different sampling sites along the coast of Algoa Bay, South Africa. Eleven out of fourteen target analytes were detected, and bisphenol AP (BPAP) was detected for the first time in mussels, presenting the highest median concentration of 150 ng g

Background Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to synthetic chemicals such as bisphenols and phthalates can influence fecundability. The current study describes associations of first trimester urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), BPA analogs, and phthalate metabolites with time to pregnancy (TTP). Methods Among 877 participants in the population-based Generation R pregnancy cohort, we measured first trimester urinary concentrations of bisphenols and phthalates [median gestational age, 12.9 weeks (interquartile range, 12.1, 14.4)]. We used fitted covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models to examine associations of bisphenol and phthalate concentrations with TTP. Participants who conceived using infertility treatment were censored at 12 months. Biologically plausible effect measure modification by folic acid supplement use was tested. Results In the main models, bisphenol and phthalate compounds were not associated with fecundability. In stratified models, total bisphenols and phthalic acid were associated with longer TTP among women who did not use folic acid supplements preconceptionally [respective fecundability ratios per each natural log increase were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.81 to 1.00) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.99)]. Using an interaction term for the exposure and folic acid supplement use showed additional effect measure modification by folic acid supplement use for high-molecular-weight phthalate metabolites. Conclusions We found no associations of bisphenols and phthalates with fecundability. Preconception folic acid supplementation seems to modify effects of bisphenols and phthalates on fecundability. Folic acid supplements may protect against reduced fecundability among women exposed to these chemicals. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and investigate potential mechanisms.

A liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-qQq-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of 89 legal neuropsychiatric pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs (both parent compounds and metabolites) and other micropollutants in unfiltered wastewater and freshwater. The target chemicals fall under the classes of amphetamine-type stimulants, cocaine compounds, opiates and opioids, benzodiazepines, lysergic compounds, antipsychotics, anesthetics, antiepileptics, antidepressants, sympathomimetics, cannabinoids, blood thinners, antihistamines, β-blockers, caffeine derivatives, nicotine derivatives, z-drugs, new designer drugs, and Alzheimer medications. The sample preparation procedure was designed for unfiltered wastewater and freshwater without the need to separate the particulate matter (if any) from the aqueous phase prior to extraction. Samples were pre-concentrated by rotary evaporation in the presence of a solvent. Method precision (absolute values; N = 6 replicate analyses at the fortification level of 50 ng, k = 6 days) for 87 out of 89 target analytes ranged from 2.8 to 34% (RSD %). The limits of detection ranged from 0.11 to 202 ng L−1, and the matrix effects ranged from +16 to −84%. A total of 10 samples, 8 wastewater, 1 drinking water, and 1 lake water, were collected from New York State, USA, and were analyzed for the target compounds to demonstrate the applicability of the developed method. This is the first study to report the analysis of multiple classes of pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and other micropollutants in unfiltered wastewater.

Background: Insufficient or excessive gestational weight gain are associated with increased risks of adverse birth and childhood outcomes. Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to bisphenols and phthalates may disrupt hormonal pathways and thereby influence gestational weight gain. Objective: To examine the associations of early and mid-pregnancy bisphenol and phthalate urine concentrations with gestational weight gain. Methods: In a population-based prospective cohort study among 1,213 pregnant women, we measured early and mid-pregnancy bisphenol and phthalate urine concentrations. Maternal anthropometrics before pregnancy were obtained by questionnaire and repeatedly measured at our research center during pregnancy. We used linear and logistic regressions to evaluate the associations of bisphenols and phthalates with total and period-specific gestational weight gain. Results: Higher maternal total bisphenols and bisphenol S were associated with a lower total gestational weight gain at nominal level. Stratification by body mass index group showed that higher total bisphenols and bisphenol S were associated with lower total gestational weight gain specifically in normal weight women (respectively −509 g [95% CI −819, −198] and −398 g [95% CI −627, −169]). Each log unit increase in early pregnancy total bisphenol and bisphenol A urine concentrations were associated with lower mid- to late pregnancy gestational weight gain in the whole group (effect estimates −218 g/log unit increase [95% CI −334, −102] and −132 g/log unit increase [95% CI −231, −34], respectively). These associations were independent of mid-pregnancy compounds. Mid-pregnancy bisphenols and phthalates concentrations were not associated with gestational weight gain. Discussion: Higher maternal bisphenol urine concentrations in early pregnancy may lead to reduced gestational weight in second half of pregnancy. Further research is needed to assess the effects of maternal bisphenols and phthalates urine concentrations on placental and fetal growth and development. Keywords: Bisphenol, Phthalate, Gestational weight gain, Cohort studies

Background Exposure to bisphenols and phthalates might influence bone health. We hypothesized that exposure to bisphenols and phthalates during fetal life has persistent effects on bone development. Objectives To analyze the associations of fetal exposure to bisphenols and phthalates with bone health in school-aged children. Methods Among 1,362 mother-child pairs participating in a population-based cohort study, we measured maternal urinary concentrations of bisphenols and phthalates at first, second and third trimester with high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone area (BA) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at 6 and 10 years, and were both used to calculate bone mineral content (BMC) and area-adjusted BMC (aBMC, a measure of volumetric BMD). Results Maternal bisphenol concentrations were not associated with childhood bone measures at 6 years. After adjustment for covariates and multiple testing correction, an interquartile range increase in maternal first trimester bisphenol S (BPS) concentrations was associated with lower BMD and aBMC at 10 years (−6.08 (95% confidence interval (CI), −9.97 to −2.19) mg/cm2 and -0.12 (95% CI, −0.20 to −0.04) g). Maternal third trimester low molecular weight (LMW) phthalate concentrations were associated with higher aBMC at 6 years whereas, maternal third trimester di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP) concentrations were associated with lower aBMC at 10 years. However, these associations did not remain statistically significant after multiple testing correction. Discussion Maternal first trimester BPS concentrations are associated with lower BMD and aBMC in school-aged children. These findings should be considered as hypothesis generating and need further replication and exploration of potential underlying mechanisms.