Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project.

Most countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population's internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals' internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy. To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project. The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www.hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme. The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM. This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.

[Levels of mercury in hair among pregnant women in Iceland].

INTRODUCTION: To limit exposure to methylmercury several countries have implimented specific advice on fish intake to pregnant women as well a measuring compliance through regular human biomonitoring. Despite fish intake being relatively high in Iceland, human biomonitoring data on mercury is scarce. MATERIALS AND MEHODS: We measured mercury in hair from 120 pregnant women recruited in 2021 from the the Reykjavik Capital area. At recruitment, information on fish intake during the past four months was recorded. Hair mercury concentrations were compared to existing health based guidance values and associatons with fish intake was explored. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) mercury concentration in hair was 0.48 µg/g (0.33). All participants had concentrations in hair below 1.8 µg/g, which corresponds to the hair value that the tolerable daily intake set by the European Food Safety Authority is derived from, while 5% had concentrations above 1.1 µg/g, which corresponds to the hair value that the US-EPA reference dose is derived from. Mean mercury concentrations in hair increased in a dose dependent manner (p for trend p<0.001) from 0.25 µg/g among women who consumed fish ≤ 3/month (n=24) and up to 0.80 mg/g among those consuming fish 3-4/ week (n=16). The few (n=3) women who reported to have eaten shark (p<1/month) were all at the higher end of the exposure distribution. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that exposure is generally below the tolerable daily intake set by EFSA but may in some women exceed the reference dose established by the US-EPA.

Time Trends of Acrylamide Exposure in Europe: Combined Analysis of Published Reports and Current HBM4EU Studies.

More than 20 years ago, acrylamide was added to the list of potential carcinogens found in many common dietary products and tobacco smoke. Consequently, human biomonitoring studies investigating exposure to acrylamide in the form of adducts in blood and metabolites in urine have been performed to obtain data on the actual burden in different populations of the world and in Europe. Recognizing the related health risk, the European Commission responded with measures to curb the acrylamide content in food products. In 2017, a trans-European human biomonitoring project (HBM4EU) was started with the aim to investigate exposure to several chemicals, including acrylamide. Here we set out to provide a combined analysis of previous and current European acrylamide biomonitoring study results by harmonizing and integrating different data sources, including HBM4EU aligned studies, with the aim to resolve overall and current time trends of acrylamide exposure in Europe. Data from 10 European countries were included in the analysis, comprising more than 5500 individual samples (3214 children and teenagers, 2293 adults). We utilized linear models as well as a non-linear fit and breakpoint analysis to investigate trends in temporal acrylamide exposure as well as descriptive statistics and statistical tests to validate findings. Our results indicate an overall increase in acrylamide exposure between the years 2001 and 2017. Studies with samples collected after 2018 focusing on adults do not indicate increasing exposure but show declining values. Regional differences appear to affect absolute values, but not the overall time-trend of exposure. As benchmark levels for acrylamide content in food have been adopted in Europe in 2018, our results may imply the effects of these measures, but only indicated for adults, as corresponding data are still missing for children.

A new finger-preserving procedure as an alternative to amputation in recurrent severe Dupuytren contracture of the small finger.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent severe Dupuytren contracture of the small finger's proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is a difficult problem. Further surgery carries high risk of complications and poor outcome. Patients are often offered finger amputation. We have devised a novel surgical procedure consisting of middle phalanx monoblock resection and ligament reconstruction to create a new functioning interphalangeal joint. METHODS: Two patients requesting small-finger amputation because of severe PIP joint contracture after multiple treatments for Dupuytren contracture were offered and accepted this new procedure. Through a dorsal incision the extensor tendon is incised longitudinally exposing the middle phalanx and interphalangeal joints. The collateral ligaments of both interphalangeal joints are detached from the middle phalanx. The middle phalanx is dissected from soft tissues (including the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon) and removed. The distal phalanx is brought proximally and the ends of the collateral ligaments are sutured with non-absorbable sutures with the joint held in full extension and congruency. The two patients were evaluated at 18 months and 15 months after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: Both patients regained good finger posture with almost full extension and had normal sensation and no pain. Active flexion in the new interphalangeal joint was 60 degrees and 35 degrees, respectively. Both patients had full metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and extension, normal 2-point discrimination in the small finger and higher grip strength in the treated than the contralateral hand. Radiographs showed a congruent new interphalangeal joint. Both patients were very satisfied with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Dupuytren disease and severe PIP joint contracture after multiple treatments, this novel procedure consisting of middle-phalanx excision and ligament reconstruction creating a new functioning interphalangeal joint has good short-term outcomes and is a favorable alternative to finger amputation. Longer follow-up will show whether these results are durable.