Pets and related allergens modify the association between early life DEHP exposure and respiratory outcomes in children.

Introduction: Throughout the perinatal period children are exposed to complex mixtures, including indoor chemicals such as phthalates, and biological agents. However, few studies focus on interactions between early-life co-exposures to shed light on how co-exposures modify their individual effects. Therefore, our study aims to assess whether early-life exposure to pets and related biological agents, namely pet allergens and endotoxin, modifies the association between di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and asthma and wheeze in preschoolers to gain insight into interactions.

Exposure to PCB52 (2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl) blunts induction of the gene for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white adipose.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are linked to cancer, learning disabilities, liver and cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Older schools often contain high levels of PCBs, and inhalation is a major source of exposure. Technical PCB mixtures, called Aroclors, and individual dioxin-like PCBs impair adipocyte function, which can lead to type II diabetes.

Residential fungal β-(1,3)-D-glucan exposure is associated with decreased pulmonary function in fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease frequently affecting the lungs. It is thought to be mediated by gene-environment interaction; for example, epidemiological data show organic aerosol exposure increases risk of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Research Question: Does exposure to bioaerosol associate with worse lung disease in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis?

Research Question: Using an observational, cohort study design, we measured residential exposure to fungal and bacterial cell wall material, β-(1,3)-D-glucan (BDG) and endotoxin, respectively, in healthy control subjects and those with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Multi-omics inhalation toxicity assessment of urban soil dusts contaminated by multiple legacy sources of lead (Pb).

Although animal studies have evaluated lead (Pb) toxicity, they are limited to soluble forms, such as Pb-acetate, which do not reflect the range found in the exposome. Recent studies on Pb speciation of residential soils in urban areas revealed that the initial Pb sources are not persistent and are extensively repartitioned into adsorbed forms of Pb rather than insoluble phosphates. We investigated the inhalation and neurological toxicity of dusts generated from a surficial soil sample collected from a residential site with an exposomic mixture of various Pb species, both adsorbed phases (Fe and Mn oxide, humate bound Pb) and mineral phases (Pb hydroxycarbonate, pyromorphite, galena).

Effects of 28-day nose-only inhalation of PCB52 (2,2',5,5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl) on the brain transcriptome.

A semi-volatile polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener, PCB52, is present in the indoor air of schools; however, the effects of inhaled PCB52 on the brain have not been investigated. This study exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats at 39 days of age and female rats at 42 days of age to PCB52 for 4 hours per day over 28 consecutive days through nose-only inhalation. Neurobehavioral tests were conducted during the last 5 days of exposure.