Browsing by Author "David, Madlen"

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    Identification, Evaluation and Prioritization of Chemicals for National Human Biomonitoring Program : Insights from Latvia
    (2025-02) Matisāne, Linda; Akūlova, Lāsma; Martinsone, Žanna; Pavlovska, Ilona; Komarovska, Laura; Venžega, Kristiāna; Jakimova, Dace; Sproģe, Kristīne; Kadiķis, Normunds; Mārtiņsone, Inese; David, Madlen; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Vanadziņš, Ivars; Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health; Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases
    Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a critical tool for assessing chemical exposure in populations and informing public health policies. This study aimed to prioritize chemical substances for the development of a national HBM program in Latvia, addressing the need for systematic evaluation of chemicals in the local context. Initially, 318 chemical substances were reviewed, of which 130 were shortlisted and assessed using an adapted Hanlon methodology. Substances were assessed based on their health significance, hazardous properties, exposure characteristics, national relevance, and public interest. The results identified 30 high-priority substances across various categories, providing a foundation for the HBM4LV program. This prioritization process highlighted the challenges of data gaps, resource limitations, and the need to balance national priorities with alignment to European frameworks. Despite addressing key methodological challenges, the study highlights the importance for ongoing refinement, robust data collection, and strengthened international collaboration to enhance the program’s scope and long-term sustainability. While the methodology addressed key challenges, further refinement and international collaboration are essential to enhance the program’s scope and sustainability.
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    Phthalates and substitute plasticizers : Main achievements from the European human biomonitoring initiative HBM4EU
    (2024-06) Gerofke, Antje; Lange, Rosa; Vogel, Nina; Schmidt, Phillipp; Weber, Till; David, Madlen; Frederiksen, Hanne; Baken, Kirsten; Govarts, Eva; Gilles, Liese; Martin, Laura Rodriguez; Martinsone, Žanna; Santonen, Tiina; Schoeters, Greet; Scheringer, Martin; Domínguez-Romero, Elena; López, Marta Esteban; Calvo, Argelia Castaño; Koch, Holger M.; Apel, Petra; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health
    Phthalates and the substitute plasticizer DINCH belong to the first group of priority substances investigated by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) to answer policy-relevant questions and safeguard an efficient science-to-policy transfer of results. Human internal exposure levels were assessed using two data sets from all European regions and Israel. The first collated existing human biomonitoring (HBM) data (2005–2019). The second consisted of new data generated in the harmonized “HBM4EU Aligned Studies” (2014–2021) on children and teenagers for the ten most relevant phthalates and DINCH, accompanied by a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program for 17 urinary exposure biomarkers. Exposures differed between countries, European regions, age groups and educational levels. Toxicologically derived Human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs) were exceeded in up to 5% of the participants of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. A mixture risk assessment (MRA) including five reprotoxic phthalates (DEHP, DnBP, DiBP, BBzP, DiNP) revealed that for about 17% of the children and teenagers, health risks cannot be excluded. Concern about male reproductive health emphasized the need to include other anti-androgenic substances for MRA. Contaminated food and the use of personal care products were identified as relevant exposure determinants paving the way for new regulatory measures. Time trend analyses verified the efficacy of regulations: especially for the highly regulated phthalates exposure dropped significantly, while levels of the substitutes DINCH and DEHTP increased. The HBM4EU e-waste study, however, suggests that workers involved in e-waste management may be exposed to higher levels of restricted phthalates. Exposure-effect association studies indicated the relevance of a range of endpoints. A set of HBM indicators was derived to facilitate and accelerate science-to-policy transfer. Result indicators allow different groups and regions to be easily compared. Impact indicators allow health risks to be directly interpreted. The presented results enable successful science-to-policy transfer and support timely and targeted policy measures.