Testing the Limit: Evaluating Drinking Water Arsenic Regulatory Levels Based on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Bangladesh.

(1) Background: Arsenic (As) is a common drinking water contaminant that is regulated as a carcinogen. Yet, As is a systemic toxicant and there is considerable epidemiological data showing As adversely impacts reproductive health. This study used data from a birth cohort in Bangladesh (2008−2011) to examine associations between drinking water As levels and reproductive outcomes.

A prospective study of arsenic and manganese exposures and maternal blood pressure during gestation.

Background: Pregnancy is a sensitive time for maternal cardiovascular functioning and exposures to arsenic or manganese may adversely affect blood pressure (BP).

Objectives: This study examined the associations between arsenic and manganese exposures and maternal BP measured during pregnancy. Effect modification by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was evaluated.

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations and hepatitis B antibody serology in the United States (NHANES, 2003-2014).

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental contaminants that are hepatotoxic and immunotoxic. PAH exposure may modulate hepatitis B immunology.

Objective: We used data from 6 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2014) to evaluate the associations between urinary PAH metabolites and hepatitis B serology.

Identifying adipogenic chemicals: Disparate effects in 3T3-L1, OP9 and primary mesenchymal multipotent cell models.

3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes are used commonly to identify new adipogens, but this cell line has been shown to produce variable results. Here, potential adipogenic chemicals (identified in the ToxCast dataset using the Toxicological Priority Index) were tested for their ability to induce adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells, OP9 cells and primary mouse bone marrow multipotent stromal cells (BM-MSC). Ten of the 36 potential adipogens stimulated lipid accumulation in at least one model (novel: fenthion, quinoxyfen, prallethrin, allethrin, pyrimethanil, tebuconzaole, 2,4,6-tris (tert-butyl)phenol; known: fentin, pioglitazone, 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A).