Published Studies
We identified both exogenous and endogenous chemicals seldom quantified in pregnant study participants that were also related to pregnancy complications and demonstrated the utility of NTA to identify chemical exposures of concern.
Despite the occurrence of wildfires quadrupling over the past four decades, the health effects associated with wildfire smoke exposures during pregnancy remains unknown. Our study of 7923 singleton births in San Francisco between January 1, 2017 and March 12, 2020 examines associations between wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy and birthweight.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of widely-used chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and animals, becoming an increasing cause for global concern. While PFAS have been commercially produced since the 1940s, their toxicity was not publicly established until the late 1990s.
Schaefer and colleagues at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a systematic review to identify candidate studies for development of a toxicological reference value (TRV) for oral cadmium exposure. We are encouraged that FDA is utilizing systematic review, and strongly support its ongoing use.
The environmental and health crisis caused by climate change is already upon us—from extreme weather events such as heat waves and droughts, to related social unrest, and chemical pollutant exposure—we are experiencing the sheer unmitigated effects resulting from ever-growing fossil fuel combustion and release of other greenhouse gas emissions.
A Science-Based Agenda for Health-Protective Chemical Assessments and Decisions
A Science-Based Agenda for Health-Protective Chemical Assessments and Decisions
A Science-Based Agenda for Health-Protective Chemical Assessments and Decisions
A Science-Based Agenda for Health-Protective Chemical Assessments and Decisions
Understanding, characterizing, and quantifying human exposures to environmental chemicals is critical to protect public health. Exposure assessments are key to determining risks to the general population and for specific subpopulations given that exposures differ between groups.
A Science-Based Agenda for Health-Protective Chemical Assessments and Decisions
In February 2021, over one hundred scientists and policy experts participated in a web-based Workshop to discuss the ways that divergent evaluations of evidence and scientific uncertainties are used to delay timely protection of human health and the environment from exposures to hazardous agents.
Climate change is accelerating the intensity and frequency of wildfires globally. Understanding how wildfire smoke (WS) may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and alterations in placental function via biological mechanisms is critical to mitigate the harms of exposure.
Wildfire, pregnancy, review
Welding fumes have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in IARC Monograph 118; this assessment found sufficient evidence from studies in humans that welding fumes are a cause of lung cancer.
Despite their large numbers and widespread use, very little is known about the extent to which per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can cross the placenta and expose the developing fetus.
Oxidative stress from excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a hypothesized contributor to preterm birth. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is reported to generate ROS in laboratory settings, and is linked to adverse birth outcomes globally.