Association of exposure to household pesticides with concentration of serum sex steroid hormones in general U.S. population: A cross-sectional study.

Residential pesticide exposure, mortality risk, and the potential mediating role of urinary metabolites: evidence from a nationally representative cohort

Recent and ever exposure predictors of urinary pesticide biomarkers among children in South Africa: A two - year longitudinal study.

Residents of agricultural regions are exposed to complex mixtures of agricultural and household pesticides, yet determinants of exposure remain poorly characterized in low-and middle-income countries, limiting accurate exposure assessment and health risk evaluation. This study aimed to identify self-reported recent and ever behavioural and environmental factors associated with urinary pesticide biomarker levels among children living in three agricultural areas of the Western Cape, South Africa. Between 2017 and 2019, 533 children aged 9-15 years provided 1,814 spot urine samples and completed exposure questionnaires up to five times. Parents and children provided information on exposure factors such as farm residence, use of household pesticides, seeing spray drifts and various pesticide exposure activities. Fourteen biomarkers of pyrethroids, organophosphates, triazoles and dithiocarbamates were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and corrected for specific gravity. Associations between exposure factors and biomarker levels were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. Recent household pesticide use was associated with up to 57% higher levels of 12 biomarkers, while recent spray drifts exposure was associated with up to 30% higher levels of eight biomarkers. Ever household pesticide use and ever exposure to spray drifts were associated with up to 30% higher levels of IMPy, 2,4-D and 4F3PBA. Use of open drinking water sources was associated with higher TCPy, BCP and ETU levels. Recent exposure factors were consistently associated with urinary biomarker levels than ever exposure factors. The identified exposure factors can inform pesticide exposure characterization in epidemiological analyses and targeted interventions to reduce children's exposure in agricultural communities.

Association of formaldehyde with sex steroid hormones in US children and adolescents (NHANES 2013-2016).

Experimental studies suggest that formaldehyde may disrupt reproductive and endocrine function, but human evidence remains limited. We examined the association between formaldehyde exposure, measured as hemoglobin adducts, and serum sex steroid hormones among children (6-11 years) and adolescents (12-19 years) participating in NHANES 2013-2016. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations between formaldehyde and total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone, free estradiol (FE2), and the TT/E2 ratio. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied to account for multiple comparisons, and restricted cubic spline models were used to assess potential non-linear dose - response relationships. After FDR correction, significant associations were observed only among female adolescents. Each doubling of formaldehyde concentration was associated with lower E2 (-55.74%; 95% CI: -73.43, -26.24%) and a higher TT/E2 ratio (96.84%; 95% CI: 18.26, 227.61). Restricted cubic spline analyses supported non-linear dose - response relationships. Although inverse associations between formaldehyde and several sex steroid hormones were observed across age-sex groups, most did not remain significant after FDR correction. These findings suggest that formaldehyde exposure may be associated with altered sex steroid hormone profiles in female adolescents.

Urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds as biomarkers of indoor exposure: evidence of sex differences in a cross-sectional study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Objectives This study examined associations between indoor total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations and urinary volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolites in Korean adults, focusing on potential sex-specific differences. We hypothesized that higher indoor TVOC exposure would be associated with higher urinary VOC metabolite concentrations and that these associations would differ by sex. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2020-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included the Republic of Korea's first population-based indoor air quality survey. The analysis included 1,859 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the indoor air quality survey from July 2020 to August 2021. Indoor TVOC concentrations (µg/m³) were measured using standardized protocols. Nine urinary VOC metabolites were quantified, creatinine-adjusted, and log-transformed. Multivariable linear regression, sex-stratified analyses, and subgroup analyses among unemployed adults were performed to reduce potential confounding from occupational exposure. Results Indoor TVOC concentrations were positively associated with urinary 2-methylhippuric acid (2-MHA; β=0.041; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.029-0.052) and 3,4-MHA (β=0.040; 95% CI, 0.027-0.052), with no evident sex difference in the overall sample. However, among unemployed adults, sex-by-TVOC interaction terms were statistically significant for both metabolites, and associations were stronger in males for both 2-MHA (β=0.110 vs. 0.024) and 3,4-MHA (β=0.130 vs. 0.031) than in females. Conclusion Indoor TVOC concentrations were associated with urinary VOC metabolites, particularly 2-MHA and 3,4-MHA. These findings support considering sex-specific patterns in VOC-related risk assessment and indoor air quality surveillance, interventions, and management.

Organophosphate Pesticide Metabolites and Mortality in U.S. Adults: Age-Modified Dose–Response Associations from a National Cohort Study

Chronic OP exposure, reflected by these indirect urinary biomarkers, is associated with increased mortality, with heightened vulnerability in younger adults, and underscore the need for stricter pesticide regulation and targeted public health interventions.

Association between endogenous sex hormones and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic in US adults: a population-based study