The present study reports one of the few cases in which organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticide human exposure is evaluated in family contexts by the analysis of mother/child pair samples. The most abundant OP metabolite in children and in mothers was 4-nitrophenol (PNP), representing parathion exposure. 3-Phenoxibenzoic acid (3-PBA), the general metabolite of pyrethroids, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY)(chlorpyriphos) were the second most abundant compounds in children and mothers, respectively. The geometric mean specific gravity adjusted concentrations of OPs and PYRs were statistically significantly higher in children than in their mothers. These differential mother-children distributions and significant correlations were observed for the 2 types of pesticides studied, OPs and PYRs, which have different chemical properties. This agreement is consistent with the incorporation of the pesticides because of the general activities developed in the family context, instead of pesticide-dependent specific inputs. Comparison of the estimated daily intakes with the acceptable daily intakes of all detected metabolites revealed no significant risk of adverse health effects from exposure to these pesticides.
D.11 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 32832807The objective was to summarize the availability of of specific biomarkers of exposure (BoEs) for a broad range of environmental stressors and exposure determinants and corresponding reference and exposure limit values and biomonitoring equivalents useful for unraveling the exposome using the framework of environment-wide association studies (EWAS). 64 individual biological, chemical, physical, psychological and social environmental stressors or exposure determinants were included to fulfil the requirements of EWAS. The list of available BoEs is extensive with a number of 135; however, 12 of the stressors and exposure determinants considered do not leave any measurable specific substance in accessible body specimens. Data about internal exposures are useful to decode the exposome. The paper provides extensive information for EWAS. Information included serves as a guideline - snapshot in time without any claim to comprehensiveness - to interpret HBM data and offers opportunities to collect information about the internal exposure of stressors if no specific BoE is available.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 31320103The aim was to obtain data on the pollution of various segments of the environment due to fire at Kemis d.o.o. in Vrhnika, in order to be able to assess the potential impacts on human health as a result of fire. In determination of the affected area and sampling of the environment the following resources were taken into account: (1) WHO guidelines, (2) accessible data and expert facts and (3) messages of the population. The affected area was identified from Medvedje Brdo in the west, Smrečje in the north, Brezovica near Ljubljana in the northeast and Borovnica and Logatec in the south. In this area, 27 soil samples from gardens and fields, 13 samples of vegetables, one sample of plants, 4 samples of sand from children's sandboxes, 5 samples of straw water and one sample of hen eggs were taken for analysis, in total of 34 sample places. Samples taken were later tested for parameters, the presence of which could in the environment be a consequence of a fire in a chemical plant. The determination of the affected area and sampling of the environment were prepared by taking into account all available data and know-how about the possible consequences of the fire. The sampling plan for monitoring the pollution of various segments of the environment after a fire in relation to effects on human health, including the determination of the affected area, includes certain disadvantages, which are partly due to the lack of data, on which substances and in what quantities they burned in the fire, and partly the fact that the case demanded a quick, ad-hoc solution. The gained experiences represent an important starting point for the preparation of a protocol for similar cases.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 4187109In the framework of the COP2 Minamate Convention in November 2018, a consultation was held on exposure indicators for the general population and in contaminated areas. Lectures were also presented in Slovenian events. - HORVAT, Milena. Expectations and reservations from countries without combined HBM and health studies: case study Slovenia, HBM4EU Workshop: Linking HBM and health studies - What are the possible opportunities and obstacles? : presented at HBM4EU Training School 2018, June 18-19, Ljubljana, Slovenia. [COBISS.SI-ID 31502887] - HORVAT, Milena. Chemicals in the environment and man: lecture on chemicals, Slovenska matica, December 18, 2018, Ljubljana, Slovenia. [COBISS.SI-ID 31991335] - HORVAT, Milena. Chemical safety, and biomonitoring : European Centre for Environmental and Health School, 31 October - 1 November 2019, Cornwal, GB. [COBISS.SI-ID 32830759] - HORVAT, Milena, GMOS : emerging issues and areas of uncertainty : presented at COP3 Specila event on Mercury Science, 27. November, 2019, Minamata, Japan. [COBISS.SI-ID 32925479] - HORVAT, Milena. HBM in Slovenia as a tool for exposure and risk assessments : presented at International Scientific Conference on Health and the Environment, 14-15 November, Minsk, Belarus. [COBISS.SI-ID 32913703]
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 31889191The doctoral thesis summarizes a long-term epidemiological study conducted in Slovenia. The study draws the following conclusions. - The Slovenian childbearing population and their children have low to moderate exposure to Hg. - The exposure of residents of the Idrija town: higher than in the residents of other areas (mostly due to elemental Hg), however, the majority of the residents did not exceed the values above which the health risk is expected to be elevated. - In general, there was no negative association between prenatal Hg exposure and cognitive development at the low-level exposure. However, APOE ?4 allele seems to modify the association in children with ‚normal‘ developmental scores. - Confounding for relevant factors important at such levels of exposure (coexposure to other neurotoxic substances, nutrients, genetic factors, socio-economic factors,…). - Reference values established for the first time on a national level (lactating women!) - Exposure of the residents of the town of Idrija has not been investigated after closure of the mine in the non-occupationally exposed residents of the town - Probable modification of association between prenatal Hg exposure and cognitive scores dependant on the APOE genetic background at low levels. Doctoral thesis of Anje Stajnko is also relted to the project: STAJNKO, Anja. Human genes, gene polymorphisms, and their expression in relation to trace elements : doctoral disertation Ljubljana: [A. Stajnko], 2019. XX, 175 str., ilustr. [COBISS.SI-ID 32744999]
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 32747303