Risk assessment of small organoarsenic species in food.

The European Commission asked EFSA for a risk assessment on small organoarsenic species in food. For monomethylarsonic acid MMA(V), decreased body weight resulting from diarrhoea in rats was identified as the critical endpoint and a BMDL10 of 18.2 mg MMA(V)/kg body weight (bw) per day (equivalent to 9.7 mg As/kg bw per day) was calculated as a reference point (RP). For dimethylarsinic acid DMA(V), increased incidence in urinary bladder tumours in rats was identified as the critical endpoint. A BMDL10 of 1.1 mg DMA(V)/kg bw per day (equivalent to 0.6 mg As/kg bw per day) was calculated as an RP. For other small organoarsenic species, the toxicological data are insufficient to identify critical effects and RPs, and they could not be included in the risk assessment. For both MMA(V) and DMA(V), the toxicological database is incomplete and a margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied for risk characterisation. The highest chronic dietary exposure to DMA(V) was estimated in 'Toddlers', with rice and fish meat as the main contributors across population groups. For MMA(V), the highest chronic dietary exposures were estimated for high consumers of fish meat and processed/preserved fish in 'Infants' and 'Elderly' age class, respectively. For MMA(V), an MOE of ≥ 500 was identified not to raise a health concern. For MMA(V), all MOEs were well above 500 for average and high consumers and thus do not raise a health concern. For DMA(V), an MOE of 10,000 was identified as of low health concern as it is genotoxic and carcinogenic, although the mechanisms of genotoxicity and its role in carcinogenicity of DMA(V) are not fully elucidated. For DMA(V), MOEs were below 10,000 in many cases across dietary surveys and age groups, in particular for some 95th percentile exposures. The Panel considers that this would raise a health concern.

Occupational particle exposure and chronic kidney disease: a cohort study in Swedish construction workers.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that particle exposure is an environmental risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, only a few case-control studies have investigated this association in an occupational setting. Hence, our objective was to investigate associations between particle exposure and CKD in a large cohort of Swedish construction workers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in the Swedish Construction Workers' Cohort, recruited 1971-1993 (n=286 089). A job-exposure matrix was used to identify workers exposed to nine different particulate exposures, which were combined into three main categories (inorganic dust and fumes, wood dust and fibres). Incident CKD and start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were obtained from validated national registries until 2021 and analysed using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Exposure to inorganic dust and fumes was associated with an increased risk of CKD and RRT during working age (adjusted HR for CKD at age <65 years 1.15, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26). The elevated risk did not persist after retirement age. Exposure to cement dust, concrete dust and diesel exhaust was associated with CKD. Elevated HRs were also found for quartz dust and welding fumes. CONCLUSIONS: Workers exposed to inorganic particles seem to be at elevated risk of CKD and RRT. Our results are in line with previous evidence of renal effects of ambient air pollution and warrant further efforts to reduce occupational and ambient particle exposure.

Long-term ambient air pollution and coronary atherosclerosis: Results from the Swedish SCAPIS study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite firm evidence for an association between long-term ambient air pollution exposure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, results from epidemiological studies on the association between air pollution exposure and atherosclerosis have not been consistent. We investigated associations between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in the large Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImaging Study (SCAPIS, n = 30 154), a random general population sample. Concentrations of total and locally emitted particulate matter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), <10 µm (PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the residential address were modelled using high-resolution dispersion models. We estimated associations between air pollution exposures and segment involvement score (SIS), coronary artery calcification score (CACS), number of non-calcified plaques (NCP), and number of significant stenoses, using ordinal regression models extensively adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Median 10-year average PM2.5 exposure was 6.2 µg/m3 (range 3.5-13.4 µg/m3). 51 % of participants were women and 51 % were never-smokers. None of the assessed pollutants were associated with a higher SIS or CACS. Exposure to PM2.5 was associated with NCP (adjusted OR 1.34, 95 % CI 1.13, 1.58, per 2.05 µg/m3). Associations with significant stenoses were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, middle-aged general population sample with low exposure levels, air pollution was not associated with measures of total burden of coronary atherosclerosis. However, PM2.5 appeared to be associated with a higher prevalence of non-calcified plaques. The results suggest that increased risk of early-stage atherosclerosis or rupture, but not increased total atherosclerotic burden, may be a pathway for long-term air pollution effects on cardiovascular disease.

Update of the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food.

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2009 risk assessment on arsenic in food carrying out a hazard assessment of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and using the revised exposure assessment issued by EFSA in 2021. Epidemiological studies show that the chronic intake of iAs via diet and/or drinking water is associated with increased risk of several adverse outcomes including cancers of the skin, bladder and lung. The CONTAM Panel used the benchmark dose lower confidence limit based on a benchmark response (BMR) of 5% (relative increase of the background incidence after adjustment for confounders, BMDL05) of 0.06 µg iAs/kg bw per day obtained from a study on skin cancer as a Reference Point (RP). Inorganic As is a genotoxic carcinogen with additional epigenetic effects and the CONTAM Panel applied a margin of exposure (MOE) approach for the risk characterisation. In adults, the MOEs are low (range between 2 and 0.4 for mean consumers and between 0.9 and 0.2 at the 95th percentile exposure, respectively) and as such raise a health concern despite the uncertainties.

Low-level exposure to lead and atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries: Results from the Swedish population-based cohort SCAPIS.

BACKGROUND: Lead exposure is associated with cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis has been hypothesized to be one of the underlying mechanisms behind this association. AIM: To investigate whether lead exposure is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries in a large Swedish population-based cohort. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the population-based Swedish CardioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS), including 5622 middle-aged men and women, enrolled 2013-2018. Blood lead (B-Pb), measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, was used as exposure biomarker. The presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid arteries (yes/no), total plaque area (mm2) and the presence of large plaques (>25 mm2) were determined by ultrasonography. Associations between B-Pb and the different outcomes were analysed using Poisson and linear regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic plaque was present in 57% of the individuals, for whom the median total plaque area was 16 mm2 (range: 0.2-222). The median B-Pb concentration was 14 µg/L (range: 0.75-203). After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the fourth quartile of B-Pb (Q4) had a prevalence ratio (PR) for plaque of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.16) when compared with the first quartile (Q1). A 10 µg/L increase in B-Pb concentrations was associated with an increase of 0.92 mm2 (95% CI: 0.14, 1.71) in total plaque area. The PR for large plaque was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.42 for Q4 vs Q1). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows an association between B-Pb and atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries providing some support for the hypothesis that atherosclerosis is one of the mechanisms underlying the association between lead exposure and cardiovascular disease.

Long-term ambient air pollution and venous thromboembolism in a population-based Swedish cohort.

Air pollution is a major contributor to the global burden of disease and has been linked to several diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease. The biological mechanisms are related to inflammation and increased coagulability, factors that play an important role in the pathogenesis of venous thromboembolism (VTE, i.e., deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). This study investigates if long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with increased VTE incidence. The study followed 29 408 participants from the Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) cohort, which consists of adults aged 44-74 recruited in Malmö, Sweden between 1991 and 1996. For each participant, annual mean residential exposures to particulate matter <2.5 µg (PM2.5) and <10 µg (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and black carbon (BC) from 1990 up to 2016 were calculated. Associations with VTE were analysed using Cox proportional hazard models for air pollution in the year of the VTE event (lag0) and the mean of the prior 1-10 years (lag1-10). Annual air pollution exposures for the full follow-up period had the following means: 10.8 µg/m3 for PM2.5, 15.8 µg/m3 for PM10, 27.7 µg/m3 for NOx, and 0.96 µg/m3 for BC. The mean follow-up period was 19.5 years, with 1418 incident VTE events recorded during this period. Exposure to lag1-10 PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of VTE (HR 1.17 (95%CI 1.01-1.37)) per interquartile range (IQR) of 1.2 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure. No significant associations were found between other pollutants or lag0 PM2.5 and incident VTE. When VTE was divided into specific diagnoses, associations with lag1-10 PM2.5 exposure were similarly positive for deep vein thrombosis but not for pulmonary embolism. Results persisted in sensitivity analyses and in multi-pollutant models. Long-term exposure to moderate concentrations of ambient PM2.5 was associated with increased risks of VTE in the general population in Sweden.

The variability of arsenic in blood and urine of humans.

BACKGROUND: Humans are exposed to inorganic and organic arsenic. The total arsenic (As) concentration in urine is a commonly used biomarker of exposure. However, little is known about variability of As in biological fluids and the diurnal variation of As excretion. OBJECTIVES: Main objectives were to assess the variability of As in urine, plasma (P-As), whole blood (B-As), and the blood cell fraction (C-As), and to assess diurnal variation of As excretion. METHODS: Six urine samples were collected at fixed times during 24 h on two different days around one week apart among 29 men and 31 women. Blood samples were collected when the morning urine samples were delivered. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as the ratio of the between-individuals variance to the total observed variance. RESULTS: Geometric mean (GM) 24 h urinary excretions of As (U-As24 h) were 41 and 39 µg/24 h on the two days of sampling. Concentrations of B-As, P-As and C-As were highly correlated with U-As24 h and As in first void morning urine. No statistically significant differences were observed for the urinary As excretion rate between the different sampling times. A high ICC was observed for As in the cellular blood fraction (0.803), while ICC for first morning urine corrected for creatine was low (0.316). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that C-As is the most reliable biomarker for use in exposure assessment of individual exposure. Morning urine samples have low reliability for such use. No apparent diurnal variation was observed in the urinary As excretion rate.

Urinary iodine excretion and optimal time point for sampling when estimating 24-h urinary iodine.

Iodine deficiency may cause thyroid dysfunction. The iodine intake in a population is measured by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in spot samples or 24-h urinary iodine excretion (24UIE). 24UIE is considered the gold standard and may be estimated using an equation including UIC, urinary creatinine concentration, sex and age (e24UIE). The aims of this study were to evaluate the preferable timing of UIC when using this equation and assess the variability of UIE. Sixty healthy non-smoking women (n 31) and men (n 29) were included in Gothenburg, Sweden. Twelve urine samples were collected at six fixed times on two separate days. Variability was calculated for UIC, 24UIE, e24UIE, iodine excretion per hour (iHr) and UIC adjusted for creatinine and specific gravity. Median 24UIE was 156 µg/24 h and the median UIC (all spot samples) was 104 µg/l. UIC (P < 0·001), 24UIE (P = 0·001) and e24UIE (P < 0·001) were significantly higher in men. e24UIE was relatively similar to 24UIE. However, when e24UIE was calculated from UIC in the first void, it was about 15 % lower than 24UIE (P < 0·001). iHr was lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon. Median iHr was higher in men (7·4 v. 5·3 µg/h, P < 0·001). The variability of UIE was higher within individuals than between individuals. This study suggests that most time points for estimation of individual 24UIE are appropriate, but they should preferably not be collected in the first void.

Long-term exposure to traffic noise and risk of incident colon cancer: A pooled study of eleven Nordic cohorts.

Background Colon cancer incidence is rising globally, and factors pertaining to urbanization have been proposed involved in this development. Traffic noise may increase colon cancer risk by causing sleep disturbance and stress, thereby inducing known colon cancer risk-factors, e.g. obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, but few studies have examined this. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the association between traffic noise and colon cancer (all, proximal, distal) in a pooled population of 11 Nordic cohorts, totaling 155,203 persons. Methods We identified residential address history and estimated road, railway, and aircraft noise, as well as air pollution, for all addresses, using similar exposure models across cohorts. Colon cancer cases were identified through national registries. We analyzed data using Cox Proportional Hazards Models, adjusting main models for harmonized sociodemographic and lifestyle data. Results During follow-up (median 18.8 years), 2757 colon cancer cases developed. We found a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.10) per 10-dB higher 5-year mean time-weighted road traffic noise. In sub-type analyses, the association seemed confined to distal colon cancer: HR 1.06 (95% CI: 0.98-1.14). Railway and aircraft noise was not associated with colon cancer, albeit there was some indication in sub-type analyses that railway noise may also be associated with distal colon cancer. In interaction-analyses, the association between road traffic noise and colon cancer was strongest among obese persons and those with high NO2-exposure. Discussion A prominent study strength is the large population with harmonized data across eleven cohorts, and the complete address-history during follow-up. However, each cohort estimated noise independently, and only at the most exposed façade, which may introduce exposure misclassification. Despite this, the results of this pooled study suggest that traffic noise may be a risk factor for colon cancer, especially of distal origin.

Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Ischemic Heart Disease: A Pooled Analysis of Nine Scandinavian Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Transportation noise may induce cardiovascular disease, but the public health implications are unclear. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess exposure-response relationships for different transportation noise sources and ischemic heart disease (IHD), including subtypes. METHODS: Pooled analyses were performed of nine cohorts from Denmark and Sweden, together including 132,801 subjects. Time-weighted long-term exposure to road, railway, and aircraft noise, as well as air pollution, was estimated based on residential histories. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models following adjustment for lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 22,459 incident cases of IHD were identified during follow-up from national patient and mortality registers, including 7,682 cases of myocardial infarction. The adjusted HR for IHD was 1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 1.05] per 10 dB Lden for both road and railway noise exposure during 5 y prior to the event. Higher risks were indicated for IHD excluding angina pectoris cases, with HRs of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.08) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.08) per 10 dB Lden for road and railway noise, respectively. Corresponding HRs for myocardial infarction were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.05) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.08). Increased risks were observed for aircraft noise but without clear exposure-response relations. A threshold at around 55 dB Lden was suggested in the exposure-response relation for road traffic noise and IHD. DISCUSSION: Exposure to road, railway, and aircraft noise in the prior 5 y was associated with an increased risk of IHD, particularly after exclusion of angina pectoris cases, which are less well identified in the registries. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10745.

Long-term exposure to air pollution, coronary artery calcification, and carotid artery plaques in the population-based Swedish SCAPIS Gothenburg cohort.

Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with cardiovascular events. A main suggested mechanism is that air pollution accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis, yet current evidence is inconsistent regarding the association between air pollution and coronary artery and carotid artery atherosclerosis, which are well-established causes of myocardial infarction and stroke. We studied associations between low levels of long-term air pollution, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, and the prevalence and area of carotid artery plaques, in a middle-aged population-based cohort. The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) Gothenburg cohort was recruited during 2013-2017 and thoroughly examined for cardiovascular risk factors, including computed tomography of the heart and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries. In 5070 participants (age 50-64 years), yearly residential exposures to air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, PMcoarse, NOx, and exhaust-specific PM2.5 1990-2015) were estimated using high-resolution dispersion models. We used Poisson regression to examine associations between long-term (26 years' mean) exposure to air pollutants and CAC score, and prevalence of carotid artery plaques, adjusted for potential confounders. Among participants with carotid artery plaques, we also examined the association with plaque area using linear regression. Mean exposure to PM2.5 was low by international standards (8.5 µg/m3). There were no consistent associations between long-term total PM2.5 exposure and CAC score or presence of carotid artery plaques, but an association between total PM2.5 and larger plaque area in participants with carotid plaques. Associations with traffic-related air pollutants were consistently positive for both a high CAC score and bilateral carotid artery plaques. These associations were independent of road traffic noise. We found stronger associations among men and participants with cardiovascular risk factors. The results lend some support to atherosclerosis as a main modifiable pathway between low levels of traffic-related ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease, especially in vulnerable individuals.

Variability of lead in urine and blood in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: Lead is a non-essential toxic trace element. Lead in blood (BPb) is the most common biomarker of lead exposure but lead in urine (UPb) has also been used. There is, however, limited data on the variability of UPb in the general population and the association with BPb. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to assess variability of lead in repeated blood and urine samples. The diurnal variation of UPb was also examined as well as associations with BPb. METHODS: We established an openly available biobank including 60 healthy non-smoking individuals, 29 men and 31 women, 21-64 years of age (median 31 years), with repeated sampling of blood and urine. Timed urine samples were collected at six fixed time points in two 24 h periods, about one week apart, and adjusted for creatinine and specific gravity (SG). BPb and UPb were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The within- and between-individual variabilities and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs; ratios of the between-individual to total observed variances) were calculated using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: The ICCs for UPb samples were mostly above 0.5, when adjusted for creatinine or SG, and higher for overnight samples compared with daytime samples. The highest ICCs were obtained for BPb (ICC = 0.97) and for urine samples corrected for dilution by SG or creatinine. The ICC was 0.66 for overnight samples adjusted for creatinine. High correlations with BPb were found for 24 h UPb (rs = 0.77) and overnight samples, e.g. rs = 0.74 when adjusted for SG. There was diurnal variation of UPb with lowest excretion rate in overnight samples. There was also a significant association between the Pb excretion rate and urinary flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to BPb, UPb adjusted for creatinine or SG seems to be a useful biomarker for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies.

A controlled chamber study of effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles and noise on heart rate variability and endothelial function.

BACKGROUND: Adverse cardiovascular effects are associated with both diesel exhaust and road traffic noise, but these exposures are hard to disentangle epidemiologically. We used an experimental setup to evaluate the impact of diesel exhaust particles and traffic noise, alone and combined, on intermediary outcomes related to the autonomic nervous system and increased cardiovascular risk. METHODS: In a controlled chamber 18 healthy adults were exposed to four scenarios in a randomized cross-over fashion. Each exposure scenario consisted of either filtered (clean) air or diesel engine exhaust (particle mass concentrations around 300 µg/m3), and either low (46 dB(A)) or high (75 dB(A)) levels of traffic noise for 3 h at rest. ECG was recorded for 10-min periods before and during each exposure type, and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV) computed. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness were assessed after each exposure using EndoPAT 2000. RESULTS: Compared to control exposure, HRV in the high frequency band decreased during exposure to diesel exhaust, both alone and combined with noise, but not during noise exposure only. These differences were more pronounced in women. We observed no synergistic effects of combined exposure, and no significant differences between exposure scenarios for other HRV indices, endothelial function or arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION: Three-hour exposure to diesel exhaust, but not noise, was associated with decreased HRV in the high frequency band. This indicates activation of irritant receptor-mediated autonomic reflexes, a possible mechanism for the cardiovascular risks of diesel exposure. There was no effect on endothelial dysfunction or arterial stiffness after exposure.

Air pollution and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and inflammation in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Air pollution is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly through chronic systemic inflammation that promotes the progression of atherosclerosis and the risk of cardiovascular events. This study aimed to investigate the associations between air pollution and established biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The Cardiovascular Subcohort of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort includes 6103 participants from the general population of Malmö, Sweden. The participants were recruited 1991-1994. Annual mean residential exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 and < 10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) at year of recruitment were assigned from dispersion models. Blood samples collected at recruitment, including blood cell counts, and biomarkers (lymphocyte- and neutrophil counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), ceruloplasmin, orosomucoid, haptoglobin, complement-C3, and alpha-1-antitrypsin) were analyzed. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the cross-sectional associations between air pollutants and biomarkers. RESULTS: The mean annual exposure levels in the cohort were only slightly or moderately above the new WHO guidelines of 5 µg/m3 PM2.5 (10.5 µg/m3 PM2.5). Residential PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased levels of ceruloplasmin, orosomucoid, C3, alpha-1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, Lp-PLA2 and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Ceruloplasmin, orosomucoid, C3 and alpha-1-antitrypsin were also positively associated with PM10. There were no associations between air pollutants and suPAR, leukocyte counts or CRP. The associations between particles and biomarkers were still significant after removing outliers and adjustment for CRP levels. The associations were more prominent in smokers. CONCLUSION: Long-term residential exposure to moderate levels of particulate air pollution was associated with several biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. This supports inflammation as a mechanism behind the association between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.

Low-level exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury, and histopathological findings in kidney biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are all nephrotoxic metals, and a large part of the body burden of Cd and Hg is found in the kidneys. There are, however, few studies on associations between exposure to these toxic metals and renal biopsy findings, and none at low-level exposure. AIM: To examine the hypothesis that low-level concentration of Pb, Cd or Hg in the kidneys is associated with histopathological changes in the kidneys. METHODS: We determined concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg in kidney, blood and urine in 109 healthy kidney donors, aged 24-70 years. The renal biopsies were scored according to the Banff classification regarding tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and arteriolohyalinosis. Kidney function was assessed based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as well as urinary excretion of albumin, low molecular weight proteins, kidney injury molecule 1 and N-acetylglucose aminidase. Associations between metal concentrations and histopathological changes, were assessed in models also including age, sex and smoking. RESULTS: The median kidney concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg were 0.08, 13 and 0.21 µg/g, respectively. There were signs of tubular atrophy in 63%, interstitial fibrosis in 21%, glomerulosclerosis in 71%, arteriosclerosis in 47%, and arteriolohyalinosis in 36% of the donors, but, as could be expected, the histopathological findings were limited, mostly Banff grade 1. In models adjusted for age, sex and smoking, kidney Cd was positively associated with tubular atrophy (p = 0.03) and possibly with arteriolohyalinosis (p = 0.06). Kidney Hg was associated with arteriosclerosis (p = 0.004). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that even low levels of Cd in the kidney can induce a mild degree of tubular atrophy. This is in line with previous findings at high-level Cd exposure. The association between kidney Hg and renal arteriosclerosis was unexpected, and may be a chance finding.

Long-Term Exposure to Transportation Noise and Risk of Incident Stroke: A Pooled Study of Nine Scandinavian Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Transportation noise is increasingly acknowledged as a cardiovascular risk factor, but the evidence base for an association with stroke is sparse. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between transportation noise and stroke incidence in a large Scandinavian population. METHODS: We harmonized and pooled data from nine Scandinavian cohorts (seven Swedish, two Danish), totaling 135,951 participants. We identified residential address history and estimated road, railway, and aircraft noise for all addresses. Information on stroke incidence was acquired through linkage to national patient and mortality registries. We analyzed data using Cox proportional hazards models, including socioeconomic and lifestyle confounders, and air pollution. RESULTS: During follow-up (median=19.5y), 11,056 stroke cases were identified. Road traffic noise (Lden) was associated with risk of stroke, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.08] per 10-dB higher 5-y mean time-weighted exposure in analyses adjusted for individual- and area-level socioeconomic covariates. The association was approximately linear and persisted after adjustment for air pollution [particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5µm (PM2.5) and NO2]. Stroke was associated with moderate levels of 5-y aircraft noise exposure (40-50 vs. ≤40 dB) (HR=1.12; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.27), but not with higher exposure (≥50 dB, HR=0.94; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.11). Railway noise was not associated with stroke. DISCUSSION: In this pooled study, road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk of stroke. This finding supports road traffic noise as an important cardiovascular risk factor that should be included when estimating the burden of disease due to traffic noise. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8949.

Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and black carbon in relation to natural and cause-specific mortality: a multicohort study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate concentration-response relationships for particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) in relation to mortality in cohorts from three Swedish cities with comparatively low pollutant levels. SETTING: Cohorts from Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umeå, Sweden. DESIGN: High-resolution dispersion models were used to estimate annual mean concentrations of PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) and ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5), and BC, at individual addresses during each year of follow-up, 1990-2011. Moving averages were calculated for the time windows 1-5 years (lag1-5) and 6-10 years (lag6-10) preceding the outcome. Cause-specific mortality data were obtained from the national cause of death registry. Cohort-specific HRs were estimated using Cox regression models and then meta-analysed including a random effect of cohort. PARTICIPANTS: During the study period, 7 340 cases of natural mortality, 2 755 cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and 817 cases of respiratory and lung cancer mortality were observed among in total 68 679 individuals and 689 813 person-years of follow-up. RESULTS: Both PM10 (range: 6.3-41.9 µg/m3) and BC (range: 0.2-6.8 µg/m3) were associated with natural mortality showing 17% (95% CI 6% to 31%) and 9% (95% CI 0% to 18%) increased risks per 10 µg/m3 and 1 µg/m3 of lag1-5 exposure, respectively. For PM2.5 (range: 4.0-22.4 µg/m3), the estimated increase was 13% per 5 µg/m3, but less precise (95% CI -9% to 40%). Estimates for CVD mortality appeared higher for both PM10 and PM2.5. No association was observed with respiratory mortality. CONCLUSION: The results support an effect of long-term air pollution on natural mortality and mortality in CVD with high relative risks also at low exposure levels. These findings are relevant for future decisions concerning air quality policies.

Is Cadmium a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer - Results from a Nested Case-Control Study Using Data from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have shown that cadmium (Cd) is associated with breast cancer risk. One hypothesis is that Cd has estrogen-like properties. This case-control study investigated the association between breast cancer risk and blood Cd (BCd) levels. METHODS: All breast cancers in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort were identified through linkage to the Swedish Cancer Registry, baseline (1991-1996) through 2014. Two controls per case were selected from the same cohort. BCd was analyzed at baseline. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean BCd was 0.51 µg/L among 1,274 cases and 0.46 among 2,572 controls. There was an overall increased risk of breast cancer [OR, 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.36] per µg/L of BCd. An increased risk was, however, only found at high BCd [OR, 1.34 (95% CI, 1.05-1.73)] for BCd more than 1.20 µg/L. The group with the highest BCd was mainly smokers. A spline indicated that at BCd less than 1.0 µg/L, the OR was not increased. The association with BCd was stronger in current smokers and at body mass index (BMI) above 25, while no modification due to receptor status was found. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated increased risk of breast cancer only for high Cd exposure, which occurred mainly among smokers. This made it difficult to disentangle the effects of smoking and Cd, despite inclusion of smoking habits in the models. IMPACT: This study provides support for reducing Cd exposure through smoking cessation and dietary choice. On the population level, preventive measures against Cd pollution are warranted.

Review of cadmium exposure and smoking-independent effects on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the general population.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to cadmium (Cd) via food and smoking is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Blood and urine levels of Cd are established biomarkers of exposure. OBJECTIVES: To review (1) the smoking-independent associations between Cd exposure and ASCVD, including the possible presence of a nonlinear dose-response relationship with Cd exposure and (2) the causal effects of Cd exposure on different stages of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS: Cd confers increased risk of ASCVD and asymptomatic atherosclerosis in the carotid and coronary arteries above B-Cd >0.5 µg/L or U-Cd >0.5 µg/g creatinine, but it has not been shown below a threshold of these exposure levels. Adjustment for smoking does not exclude the possibility of residual confounding, but several studies in never-smoking cohorts have shown associations between Cd and ASCVD, and experimental studies have demonstrated pro-atherosclerotic effects of Cd. Cd accumulates in arterial walls and atherosclerotic plaques, reaching levels shown to have proatherosclerotic effects. Suggested early effects are increased subendothelial retention of atherogenic lipoproteins, which become oxidized, and endothelial dysfunction and damage with increased permeability for monocytes, which in the intima turn to macrophages and then to foam cells. Later, Cd may contribute to plaque rupture and erosion by endothelial apoptosis and degradation of the fibrous cap. Finally, by having prothrombotic and antifibrinolytic effects, the CVD risk may be further increased. CONCLUSIONS: There is strong evidence that Cd causes ASCVD above a suggested exposure level via mechanisms in early as well as the late stages of atherosclerotic disease.

Cadmium Exposure and Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study of Swedish Middle-Aged Adults.

BACKGROUND: The general population is ubiquitously exposed to the toxic metal cadmium through the diet and smoking. Cadmium exposure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in myocardial infarction and stroke. Atherosclerosis is the main underlying mechanism of myocardial infarction. However, associations between cadmium and coronary artery atherosclerosis have not been examined. OBJECTIVES: Our study sought to examine the hypothesis that blood cadmium (B-Cd) is positively associated with coronary artery calcification, as a measure of coronary artery atherosclerosis in the population-based Swedish SCAPIS study. METHODS: Our analysis included 5,627 individuals (51% women), age 50-64 y, enrolled from 2013 to 2018. The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was obtained from computed tomography. Blood cadmium was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Associations between B-Cd and coronary artery calcium score (CACS Agatston score) were evaluated using prevalence ratios (PRs) in models adjusted for sex, age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, low-density cholesterol/high-density cholesterol ratio, and family history. RESULTS: The median B-Cd concentration was 0.24µg/L. The prevalence of positive coronary artery calcium (CACS>0) was 41% and the prevalence of CACS≥100 was 13%. Relative to the lowest quartile (Q) of B-Cd (<0.16µg/L), the highest quartile (median 0.63µg/L) was associated with a small but significant increase in CACS>0 (PR 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.3), and a greater relative increase in CACS≥100 (PR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.0). When restricted to 2,446 never-smokers, corresponding PRs were 1.1 (95% CI 0.9, 1.3) for CACS>0 (63 cases in Q4) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.1, 2.7) for CACS≥100 (17 cases in Q4). DISCUSSION: Blood cadmium in the highest quartile was associated with CACS in a general population sample with low to moderate cadmium exposure. This supports the hypothesis that atherosclerosis is an important mechanism underlying the associations between cadmium and incident cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that public health measures to reduce cadmium exposure are warranted. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8523.