Iodine and thyroid status during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth: A population-based nested case-control study.

Prior research suggests that severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy may be associated with stillbirth. However, the relationship between mild to moderate iodine insufficiency, which is prevalent even in developed countries, and risk of stillbirth is unclear. We thus examined associations of iodine status and risk of stillbirth in a prospective population-based nested case-control study in Finland, a mild to moderately iodine insufficient population.

Solid-phase microextraction for the human biomonitoring of environmental chemicals: Current applications and future perspectives.

Sample preparation is one of the crucial steps in the analytical chemistry including human biomonitoring studies. Although there are several traditional approaches available, solid-phase microextraction is emerged as one of the pioneering techniques due to its simplicity, rapidness, wide applicability, and miniaturization of traditional sample preparation (e.g.

The Joint Role of Iodine Status and Thyroid Function on Risk for Preeclampsia in Finnish Women: a Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study.

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder that includes hypertension and proteinuria, is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Some studies, but not all, have found that women with preeclampsia have significantly lower iodine levels than healthy pregnant women. Resolving this issue is important because iodine deficiency in pregnancy is common in the USA and parts of Europe including Finland.

Occurrence, distribution and dynamics of perchlorate in soil, water, fertilizers, vegetables and fruits and associated human exposure in Chile.

Perchlorate (ClO) has been identified as a persistent environmental contaminant of concern. Perchlorate exposure is a potential health concern because it interferes with hormone production by thyroid gland. Food (fruits and vegetables) and drinking water are an important source of human exposure to perchlorate.

Occurrence and distribution of organophosphate esters in sediment from northern Chinese coastal waters.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used as flame retardants and plasticizers in many consumer products. Owing to OPEs' toxicity, exposure of organisms in aquatic ecosystems is a concern. Information that pertains to the occurrence and distribution of OPEs in marine aquatic environment, however, is scarce.

The Joint Role of Thyroid Function and Iodine Status on Risk of Preterm Birth and Small for Gestational Age: A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study of Finnish Women.

Normal maternal thyroid function during pregnancy is essential for fetal development and depends upon an adequate supply of iodine. Little is known about how iodine status is associated with preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) in mildly iodine insufficient populations. Our objective was to evaluate associations of early pregnancy serum iodine, thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with odds of preterm birth and SGA in a prospective, population-based, nested case-control study from all births in Finland (2012-2013).

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles oral exposure to pregnant rats and its distribution.

Background: Titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles are among the most manufactured nanomaterials in the industry, and are used in food products, toothpastes, cosmetics and paints. Pregnant women as well as their conceptuses may be exposed to TiO nanoparticles; however, the potential effects of these nanoparticles during pregnancy are controversial, and their internal distribution has not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the potential effects of oral exposure to TiO nanoparticles and their distribution during pregnancy.

Occurrence and human exposure to bromate via drinking water, fruits and vegetables in Chile.

Bromate (BrO) is an anionic contaminant known possess carcinogenic potential. Although some studies have reported the occurrence of bromate in drinking water, very little is known about its presence in fruits and vegetables, especially in Chile. In this study, we quantified bromate in soils (n = 29), drinking water (n = 43), surface water (n = 6), groundwater (n = 6), fertilizers (n = 7), fruits (n = 12) and vegetables (n = 42) collected across Chile.

Occurrence of and human exposure to organophosphate flame retardants/plasticizers in indoor air and dust from various microenvironments in the United States.

The occurrence and profiles of 15 organophosphate flame retardants/plasticizers (OPFRs) (3 chlorinated [Cl-], 2 aryl-, 5 non-Cl alkyl-, and 5 other types of OPFRs) were investigated in indoor air and dust collected from various microenvironments, including homes in the Albany area of New York State, United States. Concurrent indoor air and dust were collected from floors and window sills at homes and fire stations to investigate the partitioning of OPFRs between the vapor and particulate phases of air and dust. The total concentrations of OPFRs in bulk air (vapor plus particulate phases) were found at several tens to hundreds of ng/m, with mean concentrations that ranged from 0.

The joint role of thyroid function and iodine concentration on gestational diabetes risk in a population-based study.

Introduction: Iodine is essential for thyroid function, and iodine deficiency during pregnancy is common in Europe and the USA. However, no published studies have examined the role of iodine deficiency in the relation between thyroid function and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Material And Methods: We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study within the Finnish Maternity Cohort using pregnancy and perinatal outcome data from the Finnish Maternal Birth Register.

Phthalate and Organophosphate Plasticizers in Nail Polish: Evaluation of Labels and Ingredients.

In the 2000s, nail polish manufacturers started promoting "3-Free" products, phasing out three widely publicized toxic chemicals: toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DnBP). However, DnBP was sometimes replaced by another endocrine-disrupting plasticizer, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). Many new " n-Free" labels have since appeared, without any standardization on which n chemicals are excluded.

Mass-flow-based removal and transformation potentials for TBBPA, HBCDs and PBDEs during wastewater treatment processes.

At a sewage treatment plant, 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers, 17 methoxylated brominated diphenyl ethers, nine hydroxylated brominated diphenyl ethers, three hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers, and tetrabromobisphenol A were monitored at five major treatment stages (the influent, primary settlement stage, biological reaction stage, secondary settlement stage, and the UV irradiation disinfection stage). Hexabromocyclododecanes were the dominant chemicals, contributing 40% of the total concentrations of the chemicals in the dissolved phase of the sewage. Brominated flame retardant mass flow in the wastewater was lower after than before the biological reaction stage, and more than 70% of the inflowing mass load was removed from the mainstream wastewater by becoming associated with the sludge.

Occurrence and Distribution of Organophosphate Flame Retardants/Plasticizers in Surface Waters, Tap Water, and Rainwater: Implications for Human Exposure.

The occurrence and profiles of 14 triester organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and plasticizers were investigated in surface water, tap water, rainwater, and seawater collected from New York State. In total, 150 samples collected from rivers ( n = 35), lakes ( n = 39), tap water ( n = 58), precipitation/rainwater ( n = 15), and seawater ( n = 3) were analyzed for 14 organophosphate esters (OPEs). An additional nine Hudson River water samples were collected periodically to delineate seasonal trends in OPE levels.

A Review of Environmental Occurrence, Fate, Exposure, and Toxicity of Benzothiazoles.

Benzothiazole and its derivatives (BTs) are high production volume chemicals that have been used for several decades in a large number of industrial and consumer products, including vulcanization accelerators, corrosion inhibitors, fungicides, herbicides, algicides, and ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers. Several benzothiazole derivatives are used commercially, and widespread use of these chemicals has led to ubiquitous occurrence in diverse environmental compartments. BTs have been reported to be dermal sensitizers, respiratory tract irritants, endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and genotoxicants.

Method for the Determination of Iodide in Dried Blood Spots from Newborns by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Dried blood spots (DBS), collected for newborn screening programs in the United States, have been used to screen for congenital metabolic diseases in newborns for over 50 years. DBS provide an easy and inexpensive way to collect and store peripheral blood specimens and present an excellent resource for studies on the assessment of chemical exposures in newborns. In this study, a selective and sensitive method was developed for the analysis of iodide in DBS by high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

PBDEs and their structural analogues in marine environments: Fate and expected formation mechanisms compared with diverse environments.

The concentrations and relative distributions of 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 17 methoxylated (MeO-) and 8 hydroxylated (OH-) BDEs were determined in marine environments including sediments, bivalves, and seawater along the southern coast of South Korea to understand their fates and possible formation mechanisms. The relative and substituent distributions of the PBDEs and their structural analogues varied according to the characteristics of the media. PBDEs were dominant in marine sediments and seawater, whereas MeO-BDEs made the highest contributions in bivalves.

Occurrence, Removal, and Environmental Emission of Organophosphate Flame Retardants/Plasticizers in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in New York State.

The occurrence and fate of 14 triester organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and plasticizers and their two diester metabolites were investigated in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the Albany area of New York State. All target OPFRs were found in wastewater, with average concentrations that ranged from 20.1 ng/L for tris(methylphenyl) phosphate (TMPP) to 30 100 ng/L for tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBOEP) in influents and from 7.

DNA aptamers for selective identification and separation of flame retardant chemicals.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are group of chemicals which are representative persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and used as brominated flame retardants for many consumer products. PBDEs were phased out since 2009 but are still frequently observed in various environmental matrices and human body. Here, we report ssDNA aptamers which bind to BDE47, one of the PBDE congeners commonly found in various environmental matrices, and show affinity to other major tri-to hepta- BDE congeners.

Occurrence, removal and release characteristics of dissolved brominated flame retardants and their potential metabolites in various kinds of wastewater.

The dissolved phase compound and congener specific distribution characteristics of three widely used brominated flame retardants (BFRs) comprising 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 12 hydroxylated and methoxylated metabolites (OH- and MeO-BDEs), 3 hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were investigated in influents and effluents of various kinds of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), with varying source of wastewater and type of treatment, and nearby rivers in Korea. The concentration of total BFRs were the highest in industrial WWTPs nearby large industrial complexes specialized in heavy chemicals. The distribution of BFRs was differed according to composition of wastewater, with predominance of TBBPA in WWTPs with higher portion of inflowing industrial wastewater.

Perfluoroalkyl substances in serum from South Korean infants with congenital hypothyroidism and healthy infants--Its relationship with thyroid hormones.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may disrupt thyroid systems, though the specific effects of PFASs are still being elucidated. Since research regarding exposure in infants is highly limited, our goal was to investigate exposure levels of PFASs in infant serum and correlate these levels with thyroid hormones (THs). This was accomplished by analyzing 16 PFASs in sera from a case group of infants with congenital hypothyroidism and a control group.

Distribution and seasonal occurrence of UV filters in rivers and wastewater treatment plants in Korea.

The occurrence and distribution of eight UV filters benzophenone (BP), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (OD-PABA), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), isoamyl benzoate, and benzyl cinnamate in eleven sites among three rivers, five sewage treatment plants (STPs), and four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in different parts of Korea was investigated. The total concentrations of UV filters in the three sampled seasons were 62.9-412 ng L(-1) (river), 417-5055 ng L(-1) (STP influent), 108-2201 ng L(-1) (STP effluent), 122-4154 ng L(-1) (WWTP influent), and 120-849 ng L(-1) (WWTP effluent).

Assessment of organotin and tin-free antifouling paints contamination in the Korean coastal area.

Twelve organotins (methyl-, octyl-, butyl-, and phenyl-tin), and eight tin-free antifouling paints and their degradation products were measured in marine sediments from the Korean coastal area, and Busan and Ulsan bays, the largest harbor area in Korea. The total concentration of tin-free antifouling paints was two- to threefold higher than the total concentration of organotins. Principal component analysis was used to identify sites with relatively high levels of contamination in the inner bay area of Busan and Ulsan bays, which were separated from the coastal area.

Investigation of bioaccumulation and biotransformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives in varying trophic level freshwater fishes.

The concentrations and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives (OH- and MeO-BDEs) were determined in seven representative fish species from a river in the Republic of Korea. The PBDEs and their derivatives were found to be accumulated in the internal organs of the fish to different extents. PBDEs were preferentially accumulated in the internal organs rather than muscle tissue, and especially, showed increasing accumulation tendencies with increasing bromination level in liver.

Brominated flame retardants in Korean river sediments, including changes in polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations between 2006 and 2009.

Brominated flame retardants were analyzed in sediment samples from the Nakdong River basin, Korea. The total concentrations of the 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE 209), analyzed were 0.55-300 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw), the BDE 209 concentrations were 0.