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"Connolly, Alison"
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Human Biomonitoring of Glyphosate Exposures: State-of-the-Art and Future Research Challenges
Glyphosate continues to attract controversial debate following the International Agency for Research on Cancer carcinogenicity classification in 2015. Despite its ubiquitous presence in our environment, there remains a dearth of data on human exposure to both glyphosate and its main biodegradation product aminomethylphosphonic (AMPA). Herein, we reviewed and compared results from 21 studies that use human biomonitoring (HBM) to measure urinary glyphosate and AMPA. Elucidation of the level and range of exposure was complicated by differences in sampling strategy, analytical methods, and data presentation. Exposure data is required to enable a more robust regulatory risk assessment, and these studies included higher occupational exposures, environmental exposures, and vulnerable groups such as children. There was also considerable uncertainty regarding the absorption and excretion pattern of glyphosate and AMPA in humans. This information is required to back-calculate exposure doses from urinary levels and thus, then compare these levels with health-based guidance values. Back-calculations based on animal-derived excretion rates suggested that there were no health concerns in relation to glyphosate exposure (when compared with EFSA acceptable daily intake (ADI)). However, recent human metabolism data has reported as low as a 1% urinary excretion rate of glyphosate. Human exposures extrapolated from urinary glyphosate concentrations found that upper-bound levels may be much closer to the ADI than previously reported.
Journal Article
Chemical Prioritisation for Human Biomonitoring in Ireland: A Synergy of Global Frameworks and Local Perspectives
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a critical scientific tool for assessing human exposure by quantifying chemicals and their metabolites in biological specimens such as blood and urine. This approach provides a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of internal exposures from diverse sources and exposure routes. In Ireland, establishing a national HBM programme requires a systematic chemical prioritisation process that aligns global frameworks with local public perceptions. This study integrates insights from international initiatives such as the European Joint Programme Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) and the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC)—along with HBM programmes from EU countries (Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Sweden) and non-EU countries (US, Canada, South Korea, China, and New Zealand). In addition, a national survey was conducted to capture the perceptions of people in Ireland regarding chemicals of concern to develop a comprehensive priority list of chemicals and biomarkers. The broader chemical groups identified include heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium VI), plasticisers (phthalates), bisphenols, pesticides, flame retardants, PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), POPs (persistent organic compounds), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and UV (ultraviolet) filters. This integrated, participatory approach provides a roadmap for a robust, adaptable chemical list that supports evidence-based policy decisions in HBM in Ireland and enhances public health outcomes.
Journal Article
A Human Biomonitoring Study Assessing Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA) Exposures among Farm and Non-Farm Families
Glyphosate-based pesticides are the highest-volume used herbicides worldwide. International concerns regarding the potential human adverse effects of glyphosate exposures have heightened since IARC classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans. Human biomonitoring (HBM) studies have identified ubiquitous exposure to glyphosate and its main breakdown product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), from environmental exposures. The IMAGE research project aimed to investigate farm and non-farm families’ exposure to glyphosate while aligning with the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) initiative. The study recruited non-farm and farm families (who use glyphosate on their farms). Each family member provided a urine sample that was analysed using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, with a limit of quantification of 0.05 µg/L for glyphosate and AMPA. In addition to general information on background exposures in farm and non-farm families, we investigated relationships in exposure between families and family members. We recruited 68 families, including 54 non-farm and 14 farm families (180 vs. 45 individuals). Some pesticide users (n = 14, all male farmers) had slightly elevated AMPA levels compared to other adult participants but, overall, we observed no significant differences between farm and non-farm families. The main metabolite, AMPA, was quantifiable in twice as many samples as glyphosate (61% vs. 32%), with a maximum concentration of 7.24 µg/L vs. 3.21 µg/L. Compared to previous studies, exposure levels were relatively low and far below current health-based guidance values (3% or less for glyphosate and AMPA). Study results suggest potential exposures from residential co-exposures or living with a pesticide user. This is the first study internationally to investigate glyphosate and AMPA across family members (farm and non-farm). We found comparably low glyphosate and AMPA exposures among these families. These results enhance our understanding of glyphosate exposures for different demographic groups and contribute to the scientific knowledge on exposures required for regulatory risk assessments and the re-evaluation of glyphosate in 2022 by the European Commission.
Journal Article
Invited Perspective: The Continuing Debate—Is Glyphosate a Problem, and Can an Organic Diet Protect Us from Exposures?
The safety of glyphosate-based pesticide products has been questioned for decades particularly as they are extensively used worldwide and there is a lack of consensus on their potential adverse health effects for humans. The debate on glyphosate's carcinogenicity continues across stakeholders, including two international beacons of science, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), who have come to diametrically opposing conclusions. Concerns over glyphosate's potential carcinogenicity tend to dominate the debates, but studies on other adverse effects also require attention (e.g., the association of adverse effects with prenatal glyphosate exposures). Undoubtedly, glyphosate has been a commercial success, with the active ingredient used in >750 products, including the most highly used herbicides worldwide, the Roundup products. Glyphosate is highly versatile and used in agriculture, horticulture, and personal gardening for a multitude of uses, from a preharvest desiccant to eliminating invasive plant species. A major boost to its use was the development of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant (i.e., Roundup Ready) crops; it is now ubiquitous in the environment.
Journal Article
A Social Survey to Capture the Public Awareness and Perception About Chemicals Under Ireland’s Human Biomonitoring Feasibility Study
As chemical exposures are increasingly emphasised as public health concerns, understanding how people perceive chemical risks is vital for shaping responsive and inclusive human biomonitoring (HBM) programmes. Public awareness not only influences individual behaviours but can also inform national policy priorities and scientific focus. This study reports findings from the Human Biomonitoring for Ireland (HBM4IRE) feasibility study, which conducted a social survey adapted from the HBM4EU framework. The survey assessed awareness and perceived harmfulness of 24 chemical groups among 218 Irish residents, distinguishing between experts (involved in chemical management) and non-experts. Lead, arsenic, mercury, pesticides, tobacco alkaloids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) received the highest perceived harmfulness scores. Non-experts reported lower perceived harmfulness for substances such as phthalates, parabens, and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), indicating significant awareness gaps. These findings demonstrate convergence between public and expert views for well-recognised substances but also highlight gaps for certain emerging chemicals. This study highlights the importance of targeted, country-specific education campaigns and shows the added value of integrating public perceptions into HBM design and priority setting.
Journal Article
Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica
Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker’s personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m−3 and 0.02 mg m−3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m−3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (
Journal Article
Towards further harmonization of a glossary for exposure science—an ISES Europe statement
The use of aligned exposure science terminology is crucial for ease of comparison and appropriate interpretation of exposure information, regulatory reports, and scientific publications. Sometimes the use of different terminology in different contexts and areas of exposure science results in diverging interpretations of the same descriptor. During the development of the European strategy for exposure science, the need was identified to agree on a defined terminology requiring an evaluation of the commonly used terms, synonymous uses, and their relationships between each other. This paper presents the first steps in compiling the most important exposure-related terms from existing guidance documents and publications for exposure and risk assessment and adapting them to be useful for different contexts and areas. This initial step is intended to trigger discussion on terminology among exposure scientists around the globe and across regulatory and methodological silos. The glossary itself is intended as a living document to be hosted by the International Society for Exposure Science.
Journal Article
Building a European exposure science strategy
Exposure information is a critical element in various regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks in Europe and elsewhere. Exposure science supports to ensure safe environments, reduce human health risks, and foster a sustainable future. However, increasing diversity in regulations and the lack of a professional identity as exposure scientists currently hamper developing the field and uptake into European policy. In response, we discuss trends, and identify three key needs for advancing and harmonizing exposure science and its application in Europe. We provide overarching building blocks and define six long-term activities to address the identified key needs, and to iteratively improve guidelines, tools, data, and education. More specifically, we propose creating European networks to maximize synergies with adjacent fields and identify funding opportunities, building common exposure assessment approaches across regulations, providing tiered education and training programmes, developing an aligned and integrated exposure assessment framework, offering best practices guidance, and launching an exposure information exchange platform. Dedicated working groups will further specify these activities in a consistent action plan. Together, these elements form the foundation for establishing goals and an action roadmap for successfully developing and implementing a ‘European Exposure Science Strategy’ 2020–2030, which is aligned with advances in science and technology.
Journal Article
Forest Range Shifts under Climate Change: Microenvironment Impacts to Tree Recruitment at a Climatic Ecotone
Warming across the western United States is projected to cause dramatic shifts in tree species recruitment, with the most pronounced changes in composition at range edges where species are at their thresholds of reproductive tolerance. Yet microenvironments experienced by juvenile trees can be decoupled from regional climate due to variations in canopy cover, microtopography, and organic matter. As a result, tree recruitment may be strongly controlled by microenvironments and not follow species range projections based on regional climate, even at ecotone boundaries in which species at their upper range distributions are predicted to increase in density. This is likely especially pronounced in undisturbed forests with dense canopy cover in which microclimate is more strongly de-coupled from regional climate. To address these hypotheses of tree recruitment at species range margins we conducted a field experiment and observational study at the upper montane–subalpine ecotone on the Colorado Front Range. We characterized site microenvironment and observed germination and survival of six common conifer species, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and limber pine. To quantify water availability and wildlife limitations, we sowed seeds from five study species and applied treatments of simulated precipitation and wildlife exclusion. Strong recruitment limitations were observed for nearly all species in experimental and observational studies, with strong negative effects of low soil moisture and maximum temperature. Notably, only subalpine fir exhibited increased seedling dominance, likely due to the limited light availability and cooler temperatures associated with shaded microenvironments. Recruitment success was unrelated to range position and do not match established migration predictions for these species. This research further illustrates the complexity of recruitment dynamics and the need to study regeneration at multiple scales.
Dissertation
Access is key to effective archiving
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Journal Article