Publications by authors named "Paulien Cleys"

In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), patients receive their nutrients through plastic medical devices (PMDs), which are a potential source of phthalates and alternative plasticizers (APs). The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of enteral nutrition (EN) by analyzing which phthalates and/or APs were present in 19 PMDs commonly used for enteral nutrition administration, using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. Further, we quantified the concentrations of phthalates, APs, and their respective metabolites in 35 human milk samples and 23 formula milk samples.

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Objective: Intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy for lung cancer is limited by systemic toxicities, reducing the maximum tolerated dose.

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Tri-(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TEHTM or TOTM) is an alternative plasticizer used as replacement for conventional phthalates, such as bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in plastic materials. Migration studies show a lower leaching potential from the polymer matrix, compared to DEHP. Additionally, toxicological studies showed lower negative health effects of TOTM.

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Background: Premature neonates have an increased risk of long-term effects, including impaired respiratory and neurodevelopment. During NICU admission, they are exposed to endocrine-disrupting phthalates and alternative plasticizers. The objective was to study the association between cumulative NICU-based plasticizer exposure and respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcome during the first year of life.

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Electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling and dumpsite processes are major sources of organophosphate flame retardant and plasticiser emissions and may pose potentially adverse effects on environment and human health. In 20 outdoor dust and 49 soil samples collected from four e-waste dismantling and three e-waste dumpsites in two States of Nigeria (Lagos and Ogun), we identified 13 alternative plasticisers (APs), 7 legacy phthalate plasticisers (LPs), and 17 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) for the first time in African e-waste streams. In the samples from dismantling sites, the range (median) concentrations of ∑APs, ∑LPs, and ∑OPFRs were 11-2747 μg/g (144 μg/g), 11-396 μg/g (125 μg/g), and 0.

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Plasticizers (PLs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their widespread use and potential for leaching from consumer products. Environmental exposure is a critical aspect of the human exposome, revealing complex interactions between environmental contaminants and potential health effects. Silicone wristbands (SWBs) have emerged as a novel and non-invasive sampling device for assessing personal external exposure.

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Due to endocrine disrupting effects, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer used to soften plastic medical devices, was restricted in the EU Medical Devices Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745) and gradually replaced by alternative plasticizers. Neonates hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are vulnerable to toxic effects of plasticizers. From June 2020 to August 2022, urine samples (n = 1070) were repeatedly collected from premature neonates (n = 132, 4-10 samples per patient) born at <31 weeks gestational age and/or <1500 g birth weight in the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium.

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Article Synopsis
  • E-waste recycling is crucial for minimizing electronic waste and supporting the EU's transition to a circular economy, prompting a study on the exposure of workers to persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
  • The study measured levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in e-waste workers using blood tests, dust, and silicone wristbands, revealing higher PCB levels in workers than control groups.
  • Key findings indicate that increased age and smoking history correlate with higher exposure levels, with daily intake estimates for e-waste workers surpassing general population levels, highlighting a significant occupational health concern.
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Indoor dust can contribute substantially to human exposure to known and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Novel compounds with high structural variability and different homologues are frequently discovered through screening of the indoor environment, implying that constant monitoring is required. The present study aimed at the identification and semi-quantification of CECs in 46 indoor dust samples collected in Belgium by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry.

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Workers involved in the processing of electronic waste (e-waste) are potentially exposed to toxic chemicals, including phthalates and alternative plasticizers (APs). Dismantling and shredding of e-waste may lead to the production of dust that contains these plasticizers. The aim of this study, which was part of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), was to assess the exposure to phthalates (e.

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Due to adverse health effects, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer used to soften plastic medical devices (PMDs), was restricted, and gradually replaced by alternative plasticizers (APs). Up to this date, urine was the sole matrix studied for plasticizer exposure in neonates hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a population highly vulnerable to toxic effects of plasticizers. The primary aim of this study was to assess simultaneous measurement of phthalate and AP metabolites in neonatal scalp hair.

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Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer used to soften plastic medical devices (PMDs), was restricted in PMDs due to adverse health effects, being gradually replaced by alternative plasticizers (APs). Parenteral nutrition (PN), essential in the care for premature neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit, is stored in plastic storage bags and administered intravenously through plastic infusion circuits. We investigated to which extent PN contributes to current phthalate and AP exposure in premature neonates.

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Marine animals, plants or bacteria are a source of bioactive naturally-occurring halogenated compounds (NHCs) such as bromophenols (BPs), bromoanisoles (BAs) and hydroxylated or methoxylated analogues of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (HO-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs) and bromobiphenyls (HO-BBs, MeO-BBs). This study applied a comprehensive screening approach using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and combining target, suspect and non-target screening with the aim to identify new hydroxylated NHCs which might be missed by commonly applied gas chromatographic methods. 24 alga samples, 4 sea sponge samples and 7 samples of other invertebrates were screened.

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