HAL du Programme national de recherche environnement-santé-travail (PNR EST)
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Personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in various occupations in Spain and France
No full textInternational audienceA preliminary job-exposure matrix (JEM) for radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) was created based on self-reported occupational information from a multi-country population-based study of approximately 10,000 participants combined with available measurement data compiled in a source-exposure matrix (spot measurements). In order to address the limited personal occupational RF-EMF measurement data available in the literature, we performed a measurement campaign among workers in various occupations in Spain and France. Personal full-shift measurements were conducted using RadMan 2XT™ (Narda) devices. A worker diary was used to capture information on occupational and background sources of RF exposure during the shift. Inclusion of occupations to be measured was initially based on exposure prevalence and level information in the preliminary JEM and expert judgment. Personal full-shift measurements were conducted among 333 workers representing 46 ISCO88 occupations. Exposure to electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields was infrequent with >99% of measurements below the detection limit of the device (≥1% of the 1998 ICNIRP standards). A total of 50.2% and 77.2% of workers were ever exposed to E and H fields respectively (having at least one recorded 1-second measurement above the detection limit). Workers in elementary occupations, technicians and associate professionals, plant and machine operators and assemblers had somewhat greater numbers of measurements above the detection limit, higher maximum values and longer exposure durations. A small proportion of measurements were ≥100% of the standards, though these exceedances were brief (generally a few seconds in duration). Female workers and workers reporting use of any RF-EMF emitting source were more likely to have a measured exposure to E and H fields. We conducted personal RF-EMF measurements among workers in various occupations in Spain and France. Overall, RF-EMF exposure ≥1 % ICNIRP was infrequent, despite some intermittent exposures ≥100% observed among workers in some occupations
Association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with retinal neurodegeneration: the prospective Alienor study
No full textInternational audienceChronic exposure to air pollution may have adverse effects on neurodegenerative diseases. Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve, characterized by progressive thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). We investigated the relationship of air pollution exposure with longitudinal changes of RNFL thickness in the Alienor study, a population-based cohort of residents of Bordeaux, France, aged 75 years or more. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography imaging every 2 years from 2009 to 2020. Measurements were acquired and reviewed by specially trained technicians to control quality. Air pollution exposure (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO)) was estimated at the participants' geocoded residential address using land-use regression models. For each pollutant, the 10-year average of past exposure at first RNFL thickness measurement was estimated. Associations of air pollution exposure with RNFL thickness longitudinal changes were assessed using linear mixed models adjusted for potential confounders, allowing for intra-eye and intra-individual correlation (repeated measurements). The study included 683 participants with at least one RNFL thickness measurement (62% female, mean age 82 years). The average RNFL was 90 μm (SD:14.4) at baseline. Exposure to higher levels of PM and BC in the previous 10 years was significantly associated with a faster RNFL thinning during the 11-year follow-up (-0.28 μm/year (95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.44;-0.13]) and -0.26 μm/year (95% CI [-0.40;-0.12]) per interquartile range increment; p < 0.001 for both). The size of the effect was similar to one year of age in the fitted model (-0.36 μm/year). No statistically significant associations were found with NO in the main models. This study evidenced a strong association of chronic exposure to fine particulate matter with retinal neurodegeneration, at air pollution levels below the current recommended thresholds in Europe
Variation of Tolerance to Isothiazolinones Among Daphnia pulex Clones
No full textInternational audienceIsothiazolinones are a family of broad-spectrum biocides widely used in industry and consumer products. Chloro- and methyl-isothiazolinones (CMIT and MIT) are documented as strong irritants, yet they are still used in a wide variety of applications, including cosmetics, cleansers, hygiene products and various industrial applications. The subsequent substantial release of these molecules from urban sources into freshwater environments, and their potential impacts on aquatic species, have nevertheless received little attention so far, with few studies reporting on the toxicity of either CMIT or MIT to non-target organisms. The present work addresses this current knowledge gap by evaluating CMIT/MIT (3:1) and MIT acute toxicity to Daphnia pulex (Cladocera), the two formulations most commonly used by manufacturers. Additionally, genetic diversity is known to be a major component of variability in phenotypic responses, although it is largely overlooked in typical toxicity tests. Subsequently the potential range of responses inherent to genetic diversity is rarely considered. Therefore, to account for intraspecific variation in sensitivity, the design involved eight clonal lines of D. pulex stemming from distinct natural populations or commercial strains. Clones exhibited strong variation in their responses, with lethal concentrations (LC50) ranging from 0.10 to 1.84 mg/L for the mixture CMIT/MIT, and from 0.68 to 2.84 mg/L for MIT alone. These intraspecific ranges of LC50 challenge the use of single clones of daphnids in standard ecotoxicological tests and the predictions based on their results. The present study brings new evidence that assessing ecological risk of chemicals while ignoring genotype diversity is neither ecologically relevant, nor a representative evaluation of the diversity of potential adverse outcomes
Occupational heat exposure and prostate cancer risk: A pooled analysis of case-control studies
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Heat exposures occur in many occupations. Heat has been linked to key carcinogenic processes, however, evidence for associations with cancer risk is sparse. We examined potential associations between occupational heat exposure and prostate cancer risk in a multi-country study. Methods: We analysed a large, pooled dataset of 3142 histologically confirmed prostate cancer cases and 3512 frequency-matched controls from three countries: Canada, France, and Spain. Three exposure indices: ever exposure, lifetime cumulative exposure and duration of exposure, were developed using the Finnish Job-Exposure Matrix, FINJEM, applied to the lifetime occupational history of participants. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using conditional logistic regression models stratified by 5-year age groups and study, adjusting for potential confounders. Potential interactions with exposure to other occupational agents were also explored. Results: Overall, we found no association for ever occupational heat exposure (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.87, 1.09), nor in the highest categories of lifetime cumulative exposure (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.89, 1.23) or duration (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.88, 1.22). When using only the Spanish case-control study and a Spanish Job Exposure Matrix (JEM), some weakly elevated ORs were observed. Conclusions: Findings from this study provide no clear evidence for an association between occupational heat exposure and prostate cancer risk
Infant neurodevelopment and behavior in Guadeloupe after lead exposure and Zika maternal infection during pregnancy
No full textInternational audienceBACKGROUND: Prenatal lead exposure is known to have neurotoxic effects on the developing fetus, while some viral infections may have a tropism for the central nervous system. Our objective was to study whether the effects of prenatal lead exposure on infant development and behaviors at 18 months of age are modified by the occurrence of a maternal infection to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. METHODS: During the ZIKV epidemic in Guadeloupe in 2016 a cohort of pregnant women was set up. Blood samples (pregnancy, childbirth and cord) (n = 297) enabled us to measure blood lead levels aimed to determine prenatal lead exposure and the likelihood of maternal infection during pregnancy (ZIKV status + vs -). The 18 months "Ages and Stages Questionnaire" (ASQ) was used to generate scores for global development, fine and gross motor skills, communication, problem solving, and personal-social skills. The questions from a longitudinal cohort study conducted in Canada (Québec) were used to generate hyperactivity, opposition, inattention and physical aggression scores. Associations were tested by multivariate linear regressions. RESULTS: Prenatal lead exposure was associated with delays in neurodevelopment at 18 months, reflected by lower scores in ASQ totals, and in the fine motor and problem-solving domains. Some of these associations appeared to be sex-specific, observed almost exclusively in boys (ASQ total, fine motor and personal-social scores). Prenatal lead exposure was not associated with behavioral scores. ZIKV infection during pregnancy was associated with a lower fine motor ASQ score, and higher scores for hyperactivity, opposition and physical aggression. Significant interaction between prenatal lead exposure and ZIKV status was observed with a lower personal-social score in ZIKV (-) only, and for hyperactivity and inattention scores, though some of these interactions (ASQ personal-social score, inattention score) were no longer significant when children with microcephaly were excluded from the analyses. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our study confirms previous findings of associations between prenatal exposure to lead at low levels and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy and the particular vulnerability of boys. It suggests associations between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and adverse effects on a number of neurodevelopmental functions (fine motor function) and behaviors (opposition, hyperactivity), that need to be confirmed at later age. There is no strong evidence of interaction between ZIKV infection and lead exposure but both prenatal risk factors may affect fine motor function
Novel Technique for In-Body Absorbed Power Density Assessment Based on Free-Space E-Field Measurement
No full textInternational audienceWe introduce a novel method for measurement of the absorbed power density (APD) above 6 GHz, accounting for antenna/body interaction. A reflectivity-based thin planar solid phantom is used to mimic the scattering characteristics of human skin. This allows to perturb the antenna under test (AUT) in a similar way as it would be perturbed by the presence of the human body. The lower electromagnetic losses in the phantom medium result in an enhanced transmission through the phantom facilitating free-space E -field vector measurement on the opposite to the AUT side of the phantom. The measured E -field is backpropagated in space to retrieve APD using a plane-wave spectrum (PWS) technique. The proposed method is validated at 60 GHz using reference antennas, namely, a cavity-fed dipole array and pyramidal horn with a slot array. A very good agreement is demonstrated between the target APD at the air/skin interface (peak, averaged, and spatial distribution) and the one reconstructed from the simulated and measured E -field. The maximum relative deviations between the computed and measured peak ( pAPD ), 1 cm 2 peak spatial average ( psAPD1cm2 ), and 4 cm 2 peak spatial average ( psAPD4cm2 ) are 13.2% (0.55 dB), 14.9% (0.6 dB), and 15.7% (0.63 dB), respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed technique is promising for experimental dosimetry and compliance testing of wireless devices operating above 6 GHz
Colouration matters in dull toads: ultraviolet adornment for ladies and agrochemicals fading effects
No full textInternational audienceIntegument colouration can influence many aspects of fitness, and is under strong sexual selection. Amphibians often express sexual dichromatism, and ultra-violet (UV) colouration is usually biased toward males as a sexual signal. As an honest signal, colouration is related to several individual traits, but can also be related to environmental factors such as anthropogenic pollutants, to which amphibians are highly sensitive. In this study, we investigated sexual dichromatism and UV reflectance covering a large visual spectrum (wavelength ranging from 300 to 700 nm) on different body areas (throat, ventral and dorsal areas), in a widespread amphibian species, the spiny toad (Bufo spinosus). Then, we tested the impact of chronic exposure to two widespread herbicides (glyphosate’s primary metabolite [AMPA] and Nicosulfuron) on their colouration. We found a strong but unexpected sexual dichromatism with females reflecting more in the UV spectrum (throat and ventral area) than males, suggesting these body parts might be critical in intra-specific signalling. Females with higher ventral UV reflectance were in better body condition, suggesting an honest signal role of UV reflectance which could influence male choice. Throat colouration was further differentially influenced by agrochemicals according to sexes. In AMPA-exposed males, throat was more saturated in yellow-orange than in control males, and Nicosulfuron exposure decreased the throat’s reflectance hue in females, which can bear consequences on mate attractiveness. Future studies need to investigate the underlying mechanisms that are altered by agrochemical exposure
UV filter occurrence in beach water of the Mediterranean coast – A field survey over 2 years in Palavas‐les‐Flots, France
No full textInternational audienceObjective A 2‐year sampling campaign was realized on French Mediterranean beach (Palavas‐les‐Flots Hérault) in order to measure the concentration of UV filters released from the sunscreen used by bathers. Multiple factors suspected of playing determining roles in the UV filter pattern in water were explored, such as the seasonal and daily time evolutions, or the vertical and horizontal distributions, and they were regarded through the UV filter characteristics. Methods The beach was monitored during periods of high and low tourist attendance, typically before, during and after the summer peak. The beachgoers attendance was counted. Bathing water was sampled distinctly from the bulk column and from the top surface layer, testing different sampling tools. Sediments and mussels were also sampled and analysed as potential UV filter sinks. Three organic UV filters (octocrylene OCR, avobenzone BMDBM and octyl methoxycinnamate OMC) and one mineral (titanium dioxide TiO 2 ) were studied here as representatives of the current cosmetic market. Results Summer peak attendance on the beach was confirmed associated with peak levels of UV filter concentration in the bathing water, even more pronounced during a heat wave period. This relation was also observed at day scale with an afternoon peak, suggesting a rapid evolution of the UV filter pattern in water. Contrasted fates were measured between the four studied UV filters, that could be mainly explained by their respective characteristics, i.e. particulate or dissolved, hydrophilic or lipophilic, lifetime. Generally, this resulted in a concentration ranking TiO 2 > OCR > OMC > BMDBM, ranging from 0.5 to 500 μg/L. The most lipophilic and recalcitrant OCR was found most vertically differentiated and over concentrated in the top surface layer of water. Finally, a large horizontal heterogeneity was also observed in the UV filter concentration pattern, raising the need for sample replicates that cover a significant area. Conclusion This work fulfils some knowledge gaps on the issue of UV filter release in coastal environments, not only by providing original field data and methodological recommendations but also importantly in the comparison made of organic and mineral UV filters, which are often considered separately and rarely evaluated at the same time.Objectif Une campagne d’échantillonnage de deux ans a eu lieu sur une plage de la Méditerranée en France (Palavas‐les‐Flots dans l’Hérault) afin de mesurer la concentration de filtres UV libérés par la protection solaire utilisé par les baigneurs. Plusieurs facteurs suspectés de jouer des rôles déterminants dans le modèle de filtre UV dans l’eau ont été étudiés, comme les évolutions saisonnières et quotidiennes, ou les distributions verticales et horizontales, et ils ont été examinés à travers les caractéristiques du filtre UV. Méthodes La plage a été surveillée pendant les périodes de fréquentation touristique élevée et faible, généralement avant, pendant et après le pic estival. La présence des baigneurs a été comptabilisée. L’eau de baignade a été prélevée distinctement de la colonne principale et de la couche superficielle supérieure, en testant différents outils de prélèvement d’échantillons. Des sédiments et des moules ont également été prélevés et analysés comme réservoirs de filtre UV potentiels. En l’occurrence, trois filtres UV organiques (octocrylène OCR, avobenzone BMDBM et octyl méthoxycinnamate OMC) et un minéral (dioxyde de titane TiO 2 ) ont été étudiés comme représentants du marché cosmétique actuel. Résultats Les pics estivaux de présence de baigneurs sur la plage ont été confirmés comme étant associés à des pics de concentration du filtre UV dans l’eau de baignade, encore plus prononcés pendant une période de vague de chaleur. Cette relation a également été observée à l’échelle d’une journée, avec un pic l’après‐midi, suggérant une évolution rapide du profil de filtre UV dans l’eau. Les effets de contraste ont été mesurés entre les quatre filtres UV étudiés, ce qui pourrait s’expliquer principalement par leurs caractéristiques respectives, c’est‐à‐dire particulaires ou dissous, hydrophiles ou lipophiles, tout au long de la vie. En général, cela a donné lieu à un classement de la concentration : TiO 2 > OCR > OMC > BMDBM, comprise entre 0,5 et 500 ug/L. Il est apparu que c’est l’OCR le plus lipophile et le plus récalcitrant qui est le plus différencié verticalement et sur‐concentré dans la couche supérieure de l’eau. Enfin, on a observé une grande hétérogénéité horizontale dans le profil de concentration du filtre UV, ce qui a nécessité des réplicats d’échantillons couvrant une zone significative. Conclusion Ce travail comble certaines lacunes en matière de connaissances sur la libération des filtres UV dans les environnements côtiers, non seulement en fournissant des données originales sur le terrain et des recommandations méthodologiques, mais également en comparant des filtres UV organiques et minéraux, qui sont souvent pris en compte séparément et rarement évalués en même temps
Prenatal exposure to triclosan assessed in multiple urine samples and placental DNA methylation
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Millimeter-Wave Induced Heating of Cutaneous Nerves and Capillaries
No full textInternational audienceIn this study, we quantify microscale heating at the level of cutaneous nerves and capillaries due to continuous and pulsed plane-wave exposure at 60 GHz. The thermal properties of the nerves and capillaries were derived using mixture equations based on their water content. The electromagnetic problem was solved in conjunction with Pennes bioheat equation and Arrhenius equation using finite element method to evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of temperature along with thermal damage within cutaneous nerves and capillaries. Although, the maximum power density within the nerve (41.6 kW/m 3 ) and capillary (20 kW/m 3 ) was 37.3% and 30.2% higher than surrounding skin for a continuous exposure at 10 W/m 2 , the peak temperature elevation ( ΔT ) within the nerve (93.3 n°C) and capillary (90.7 n°C) occurred after 5 μ s and 10 μ s of exposure and was 19.2% and 17.7% higher than surrounding skin, respectively. The nerve and capillary attained thermal equilibrium with skin after roughly 10 ms. The maximal ΔT within the nerve (0.5 °C) and capillary (0.25 °C) due to nano- and micro-second 60 GHz pulses with highest fluence (0.48 kJ/m 2 ) permitted under ICNIRP guidelines was 34% and 24% higher than in the surrounding skin. Ten 3 μs 60 GHz pulses (power density = 13.4 GW/m 2 ) separated by 10 s of cooling period were used to demonstrate the possibility of selective thermal ablation of cutaneous nerves [damage index ( Ω )=1.1)] without damaging skin ( Ω = 0.15). The results provide valuable insights into local millimeter-wave induced heating within various skin substructures