Publications by authors named "W R Baeyens"

The lake riparian zone (LRZ) is a key area of material circulation between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, the exchange of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in this area is still unknown. Thus, in this study, the distribution, convection and microbial response of two typical EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP), in submerged (SS) and temporarily flooded sediment (FS) of LRZ were investigated by in-situ diffusive gradients in thin films technology.

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Estrogens are contaminants in the Scheldt estuary due to a dense population and intense industrial and anthropogenic activities, but their levels and evolution in this estuary are not well studied. Here we investigated estrogenic activity (EA) in the dissolved, particulate and sediment compartments of the estuary using the Estrogen Receptor (ER)-Chemical Activated Luciferase Gene Expression (CALUX) bioassay, in recent and historical samples. EA ranges between 7-168, 2.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study measured MeHg levels in various fish from North Sea catches, allowing researchers to calculate the daily mercury intake for the Belgian population in 1975, 1997, and 2014-2021, and compare these rates with international standards.
  • * Although average MeHg intake rates in Belgium have decreased and are below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) norms, higher consumption levels (95th percentile rates) still pose risks, especially as MeHg levels in hair and blood indicate potential health effects in different age groups.
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Background: Studies on cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes have shown inconsistent results regarding the association with prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) and organochlorines. Assessment of mixture effects of correlated chemical exposures that persist in later life may contribute to the unbiased evaluation and understanding of dose-response associations in real-life exposures.

Methods: For a subset of the 4th Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS), concentrations of four PFAS and six organochlorines were measured in respectively 99 and 153-160 cord plasma samples and 15 years later in adolescents' peripheral serum by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

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Article Synopsis
  • Man-made products are increasing the risk of diseases, and there's a call for better safety rules to protect people.
  • The REACH Committee wants changes to rules so they use modern science and make decisions faster about chemicals before and after they are sold.
  • Suggestions include better testing for harmful effects and a "no data, no market" rule to stop dangerous chemicals from being sold.
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