Ecological Analysis of the Association Between 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) Exposure and Thyroid Cancer Incidence in the United States

Update of estimates of occupational exposure to carcinogens in Costa Rica: a comparison between TICAREX 2001–2002 and the 2015–2022 period

Abstract Background Occupational cancer is the leading cause of work-related death. In Costa Rica, the most recent systematic estimate of workers exposed to carcinogens was conducted in 2001–2002 (TICAREX). Objective Update the estimates of the number of workers exposed to carcinogens during the 2015–2022 period and compare them with TICAREX 2001–2002. Methods Microdata from the Continuous Employment Survey (INEC) were analyzed; 472 economic activities were regrouped into 55 categories following the original TICAREX structure and ISIC. A CAREX-type exposure matrix was applied, with exposure proportions adapted through literature review, productive-process analysis, regulatory assessment, and validation by occupational health experts. Findings The agents with the highest estimated exposure were solar radiation (13.9%), diesel emissions (10.7%), chromium VI (4.3%), crystalline silica (4.0%), benzene (3.1%), and wood dust (1.9%). Compared with 2001–2002, marked decreases were observed for environmental tobacco smoke, tetrachloroethylene, formaldehyde, diesel emissions, and solar radiation; conversely, increases occurred for crystalline silica, lead, chromium VI, wood dust, benzene, and dichloromethane. Conclusions Overall, Costa Rica’s occupational exposure profile has shifted substantially: reductions likely reflect public policies, chemical substitution, and technological improvements, while increases mirror workforce changes and the growth of construction, metalworking, and mining. These findings inform prevention policies, strengthen occupational surveillance, and help prioritize interventions in higher-risk sectors.

Environmental Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and SARS-CoV-2 Infection History Among Blood Donors

Objectives: The present study evaluated the association between plasma concentrations of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—bisphenol A (BPA), methylparaben (MeP), propylparaben (PrP), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and imazalil (IMZ)—and prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status. Methods: Plasma EDC levels were quantified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in 262 voluntary blood donors (121 convalescents and 141 controls) at the Regional Centre for Transfusion Medicine in Bialystok, Poland. Results: The cohort exhibited widespread environmental exposure to all selected EDCs (BPA: 1.14 ng/mL, MeP: 1.20 ng/mL, PrP: 1.38 ng/mL, 4-NP: 1.90 ng/mL, 4-OP: 0.57 ng/mL, DEHP: 49.68 ng/mL, IMZ: 20.06 ng/mL). Convalescents had significantly higher concentrations of MeP, PrP, 4-OP, and 4-NP. Logistic regression revealed that MeP, PrP, and 4-NP were significantly associated with prior COVID-19 status, increasing infection odds by 80%, 70%, and 63%, respectively. While 4-OP was strongly associated with prior COVID-19 status (odds ratio > 300 per unit change and 1.79 per 0.1 unit change), the wide confidence interval for the unit change estimate requires cautious interpretation. Conclusions: These findings suggest a strong link between selected paraben and alkylphenol exposure and prior COVID-19 status in blood donors. Additionally, the high IMZ levels highlight the need for urgent evaluation of its safety and environmental prevalence.

Impact of the atmospheric air pollution level and xenobiotic biotransformation systems on the incidence of breast cancer

An increase in formaldehyde concentration in the air is associated with a gain in breast cancer incidence, especially at the early stages, and it is advisable to strengthen formaldehyde monitoring, implement molecular epidemiological screening of these polymorphisms and active detection of breast cancer in genetically determined risk groups.

A systematic review of the effects of vanadium exposure on the health of human populations.

BACKGROUND Vanadium is a metal naturally occurring in various ecosystems. Both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to high concentrations in the air, soil, and water. Several experimental and epidemiological studies have linked this exposure to multiple adverse health effects. OBJECTIVE To analytically synthesize the available evidence to establish the effects of vanadium exposure on human health and to determine whether this metal is an epidemiological risk. METHODS The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID CRD42023447293). A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. A search for cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies was performed in six databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, LILACS, Web of Science, SciELO) up to May 5, 2025. The search terms used were: "human, vanadium, pollution, exposure, diseases, damage". RESULTS 8,397 articles were identified, of which 27 were ultimately selected. The prevalent adverse effects reported were on pregnancy, fetal development, reproductive health, and the cardiovascular system, in addition to findings in different organs. CONCLUSIONS Evidence regarding the effects of vanadium in human populations is limited; nevertheless, the available reports substantiate its potential harmful effects on fetal development and various human systems. The oxidation state and concentration of vanadium are determining factors in these effects, and controversy persists regarding its etiological role in certain pathologies.

of Dutch chlorophenoxy herbicide manufacturing workers

Metabolomics insights into the association between organochlorine pesticides, synthetic pyrethroids exposure and thyroid cancer risk.

BACKGROUND The association between organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)/synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) and thyroid cancer (TC) remains poorly understood, with metabolic mechanisms unexplored. METHODS We conducted a 1:1 age- and sex-matched case-control study (n = 668). Serum levels of 27 target analytes (19 OCPs and 8 SPs) were quantified; subsequent analyses were restricted to 13 compounds (10 OCPs and 3 SPs) with detection frequencies ≥85%. Eight machine learning (ML) algorithms with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) were used to identify key pollutants in the 334 case-control pairs. Untargeted metabolomics was performed in a subset of 50 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs. Mixture effects were assessed by Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. Furthermore, the Latent Unknown Clustering Integrating Multi-Omics Data (LUCID) model was employed to integrate exposure and metabolic data, enabling the identification of TC patient subgroups and the exploration of underlying metabolic mechanisms. RESULTS Participants (mean age 45.2 years, 82.3% female) had serum OCPs at 0.007-0.333 ng/mL and SPs at 0.046-0.095 ng/mL. ML algorithms identified fenpropathrin, β-BHC, cyhalothrin, α-BHC, and p,p'-DDD as the top five contributors to TC. Elevated OCPs/SPs exposure was significantly associated with increased TC risk (WQS: adjusted OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.34-2.24, P = 0.019; LUCID: OR = 9.33). Fenpropathrin was the primary contributor (BKMR posterior inclusion probability = 1.00; WQS weight = 67.6%). A total of 45 significant differential metabolites (DMs) were identified (VIP ≥1, P < 0.05, and qualitative level 1). LUCID revealed a distinct TC cluster characterized by upregulated S-sulfo-L-cysteine/adenosine and downregulated 2-hydroxycaprylic acid. CONCLUSION OCPs/SPs mixtures, driven by fenpropathrin, disrupt amino acid/nucleotide metabolism while suppressing organic acid metabolism, representing a potential TC-associated metabolic signature.