Expanding a Method to Detect Chemicals and Pesticides in Humans

Greg Howard
29th June, 2024

Expanding a Method to Detect Chemicals and Pesticides in Humans

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The University of Vienna expanded an existing method to detect over 120 environmental contaminants, including 40 new veterinary drugs, antibiotics, and pesticides
  • The new method showed high sensitivity, with detection limits as low as 0.10 ng/mL, making it effective for identifying low-dose exposures
  • This comprehensive approach provides a more holistic view of environmental exposures, crucial for understanding their impact on chronic diseases
Humans are constantly exposed to a mix of contaminants from food and the environment, which may contribute to chronic diseases. Characterizing this "exposome"—the totality of environmental exposures a person encounters over their lifetime—is a complex task that requires comprehensive human biomonitoring (HBM). A recent study by the University of Vienna has made significant strides in this area by expanding a previously established multianalyte liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to include over 40 veterinary drugs (VDs), antibiotics, and pesticides[1]. The concept of the exposome is not new. Earlier studies have highlighted the need for a systematic approach to capture the diverse range of exposures, including synthetic chemicals, dietary constituents, and psychosocial stressors[2]. Despite technological advancements, most investigations have focused on a limited number of exposures, leaving many environmental determinants of chronic diseases unidentified[3]. This new study aims to bridge that gap by integrating a broader spectrum of contaminants into exposomics workflows. The researchers expanded their LC-MS/MS method, which initially covered more than 80 diverse xenobiotics, by adding over 40 VDs, antibiotics, and pesticides. This expanded method was then subjected to rigorous in-house validation to assess its specificity, matrix effects, linearity, precision, accuracy, and limits of quantification and detection. The results were promising: the method demonstrated satisfactory recovery rates (81–120%) for most of the added analytes and acceptable relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 20% at three spiking levels. Additionally, 69% of the VDs, antibiotics, and pesticides showed matrix effects within a range of 50–140%, indicating minimal interference from other substances in the sample. Sensitivity is a crucial factor in biomonitoring methods, and this study did not disappoint. The median limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.10 ng/mL and 0.31 ng/mL, respectively, making the method highly sensitive. This level of sensitivity is essential for detecting low-dose exposures that might otherwise go unnoticed, a significant improvement over previous methods[3]. One of the key innovations of this study is its ability to detect and quantify more than 120 highly diverse analytes in a single analytical run. This comprehensive approach is a significant leap forward in exposomics. Previous studies have emphasized the need for exposome-wide association studies (EWAS) to profile chemicals in biospecimens from disease cases and controls[4]. By integrating VDs with other pollutants like plasticizers, PFAS, bisphenols, mycotoxins, and personal care products, this study provides a more holistic view of the exposome. The inclusion of veterinary drugs and antibiotics is particularly noteworthy. These substances are widely used and regulated in food and animal production but are typically not included in exposomics workflows. Given the increasing recognition of the role non-genetic factors play in disease, incorporating such a broad range of analytes is crucial for a more accurate assessment of environmental exposures[2]. This study also addresses some of the limitations of previous regulatory approaches. The 1976 US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was revised to better protect the public from hazardous chemicals, but it faced numerous challenges, including data limitations and complex administrative burdens[5]. By expanding the scope of biomonitoring to include a wider array of potentially toxic chemicals, this study offers a more comprehensive and rational approach to understanding and mitigating environmental health risks. In summary, the University of Vienna's expanded LC-MS/MS method represents a significant advancement in the field of exposomics. By successfully integrating over 40 additional analytes, including veterinary drugs and antibiotics, the study offers a more comprehensive tool for human biomonitoring. This approach not only aligns with the need for a broader assessment of environmental exposures but also sets the stage for more effective regulatory policies and public health interventions.

EnvironmentHealthBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Scaling up a targeted exposome LC-MS/MS biomonitoring method by incorporating veterinary drugs and pesticides

Published 28th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-024-05374-x

Related Studies

2) The exposome and health: Where chemistry meets biology.

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay3164

3) Utilizing a Biology-Driven Approach to Map the Exposome in Health and Disease: An Essential Investment to Drive the Next Generation of Environmental Discovery.

https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8327

4) Genetic Factors Are Not the Major Causes of Chronic Diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154387

5) The unsteady state and inertia of chemical regulation under the US Toxic Substances Control Act.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2002404


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