Jürgen Hölzer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jürgen Hölzer

Research paper thumbnail of Human biomonitoring (HBM)-II values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) - Description, derivation and discussion

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Research paper thumbnail of Recent experimental results of effects of perfluoroalkyl substances in laboratory animals – Relation to current regulations and guidance values

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

The detection of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and drinking water from various coun... more The detection of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and drinking water from various countries raised the attention to the presence of these chemicals in environmental probes and led to several regulatory actions to limit exposure in human beings. There was particular concern about perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), due to their former wide-spread use. Recently, several institutions published revisions of former regulatory or recommended maximum concentrations in drinking water and food, which are markedly lower than the former values. The present short overview describes the current regulations for PFAS and compares them with the outcome of several experimental studies in laboratory animals at low-level exposure to PFOA and PFOS. In addition, regulations for short-chain PFAS are presented which, due to lack of toxicological information, are evaluated according to the concepts of Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) or the Health-related Indication Values (HRIV).

Research paper thumbnail of Human biomonitoring pilot study DEMOCOPHES in Germany: Contribution to a harmonized European approach

International journal of hygiene and environmental health, Jun 6, 2017

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool to assess human exposure to environmental pollutan... more Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool to assess human exposure to environmental pollutants, but comparable HBM data in Europe are lacking. In order to expedite harmonization of HBM studies on a European scale, the twin projects COPHES (Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) and DEMOCOPHES (Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) were formed, comprising 35 partners from 27 European countries. In COPHES a research scheme and guidelines were developed to exemplarily measure in a pilot study mercury in hair, cadmium, cotinine and several phthalate metabolites in urine of 6-11year old children and their mothers in an urban and a rural region. Seventeen European countries simultaneously conducted this cross-sectional DEMOCOPHES feasibility study. The German study population was taken in the city of Bochum and in the Higher Sauerland District, comprising 120 mother-child pairs. In the present paper feature...

Research paper thumbnail of Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei 5-6 jährigen Kindern in einer westdeutschen Großstadt

Hintergrund: Der Kinder-Umwelt-Survey (KUS) ist der vierte Umwelt-Survey des UBA und das Umweltmo... more Hintergrund: Der Kinder-Umwelt-Survey (KUS) ist der vierte Umwelt-Survey des UBA und das Umweltmodul des Kinderund Jugendgesundheitssurveys (KiGGS) des Robert Koch-Instituts (RKI). Der zwischen 2003 und 2006 durchgeführte KUS beschreibt die Umweltbelastung von Kindern anhand repräsentativer Daten. Im zweiten Umwelt-Survey (1990/92) wurden bereits Kinder untersucht. Vertiefende Analysen der Daten des Gesamtkollektivs und einzelner Risikogruppen ermöglichen Erklärungsansätze für die zeitlichen Trends der korporalen Belastung. Methoden: Für den zeitlichen Vergleich wurden die Daten der 6-bis 14-jährigen deutschen Kinder betrachtet, da diese Altersgruppe in beiden Surveys untersucht wurde. Die Konzentration von Pb, Cd, Hg und As im Blut bzw. Urin sowie die Belastung des Urins mit PAK-Metaboliten, PCP und Cotinin wurden gegenübergestellt. Die zeitliche Änderung der Bevölkerungsstruktur wurde durch Datengewichtung ausgeglichen. Ergebnisse: Die mittlere Bleibelastung ist von im Mittel 32 µg/l Blut auf weniger als 15 µg/l Blut gesunken. Gemessen an den oberen Perzentilen lässt sich aber noch immer erkennen, dass Jungen vergleichsweise höher belastet sind. Noch deutlicher ist der Rückgang der Belastung mit PCP (4,1 µg/l Urin vs. < 0,6 µg/l Urin). Auch die Cd-Konzentrationen im Urin der Kinder haben im Mittel abgenommen. Diese Abnahme zeigt sich am deutlichsten bei den Kindern aus den neuen Bundesländern (0,12 µg/l Urin vs. 0,07 µg/l Urin), so dass in 2003/06 keine Ost-West-Unterschiede mehr bestehen. Ein vergleichbarer Trend zeigt sich bei den PAK-Metaboliten im Urin. Die Daten der Umwelt-Surveys spiegeln den rückläufigen Einsatz von dentalem Amalgam bei Kindern wieder. Doch auch bei Kindern ohne Amalgamfüllungen ergibt sich eine signifikante Abnahme der Hg-Konzentration im Urin. Cotinin im Urin ist als Marker für die Belastung durch Passivrauchen im zeitlichen Vergleich nahezu konstant geblieben.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigations of genotoxic and mutagenic potential of ozone-treated wastewater of wastewater treatment plants in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Introduction: The use of ozone as an oxidant for the elimination of micro-pollutants in wastewate... more Introduction: The use of ozone as an oxidant for the elimination of micro-pollutants in wastewater treatment is an approach to reduce the entry of such substances in surface waters and to enhance water quality. Like their starting substances, transformation products formed during the ozonation can act as toxicants for ecological systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate ozone-treated wastewater of 3 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and evaluate them in terms of their genotoxic and mutagenic potential. Methods: Sampling was carried out as a quantity-based 24-hour composite wastewater sample from the inlet and outlet of the ozone plant and the sewage plant-specific post-treatment. Genotoxicity was determined by the alkaline Comet assay in HepG2 human hepato-carcinoma cells. Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 with and without metabolic activation (S9-mix) were used for in vitro mutagenicity tests (Ames test). The te...

Research paper thumbnail of Oxidative DNA damage in white blood cells of workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Research paper thumbnail of Oxidative damage in white blood cells of workers in a graphite-electode-producing plant

Research paper thumbnail of Quantification of children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: Questionnaire versus nicotine-/cotinine-analysis in urine and hair

Research paper thumbnail of DNA strand breaks and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine formation in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes and PAH-metabolites in urine of children and mothers in Germany

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of biomarkers of effect and susceptibility in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers: Comparison with ambient monitoring and urinary metabolites

Research paper thumbnail of Association between markers of effect in white blood cells, ambient monitoring and urinary metabolites of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of Studies of 8-hydroxy-2 '-deoxyguanosine: A biomarker for oxidative DNA damage in vivo?

Research paper thumbnail of Association between DNA strand breaks and 8-hydroxy-2 '-deoxyguanosine adducts in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of Human Biomonitoring of Perfluorinated Compounds

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Industrial pollution and children's health - Hot spot studies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Research paper thumbnail of Biomonitoring of PFAA in adults and children exposed to contaminated drinking water—A European perspective

Reproductive Toxicology, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in school children and salivary IgA – an epidemiological study in a rural area of Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2002

An elevated frequency of wheezing was found in school children in a rural area of Northrhine-West... more An elevated frequency of wheezing was found in school children in a rural area of Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany (Duhme and Keil, Institut f¸r Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Universit‰t M¸nster, M¸nster, Germany 1997). In this study the prevalence of wheezing was reinvestigated by including main influencing factors. A cross-sectional survey was performed in all school children visiting school classes 1, 2 and 7, 8 (n 1161). Two corresponding questionnaires were used: a parental questionnaire and a questionnaire for self-completion by the children aged 12 ± 15. The latter included the ISAAC video questionnaire. The levels of immunoglobulins A, G and M were determined in 995 saliva samples. Testing of lung function (whole body plethysmography before and after physical exercise) was performed in children with and without parent-reported wheezing in the last 12 months (n 377). Response rate (questionnaire: 93%) and participation rates (saliva samples: 86 %, lung function tests: 93%) were high. Our study confirmed higher prevalence of asthmatic symptoms in children aged 6 ± 8 in Ochtrup (13.2%) compared to children of the same age in Muenster (8.5% (Duhme et al., Eur. Respir. J. 11, 840 ± 847, 1998)). However, in the age group 12 ± 15 years the prevalence was significantly lower in Ochtrup (9.8%), when compared to the former investigation and in comparison to Muenster (former survey: 17.9%; Muenster: 13.1%). Prevalence of wheezing was consistently higher in families with atopic disease. Additionally, history of respiratory disease, premature birth and presence of pets during 1st year of life showed a positive association with prevalence of wheezing. Mean salivary IgA levels were 61.4 (SD (standard deviation) 35.1, median: 53.7) mg/l in children aged 6 ± 8 years and 83.4 (SD 39.0, median: 76.3) mg/l in children aged 12 ± 15 years. No significant association between salivary immunoglobulins and wheezing was detected.

Research paper thumbnail of Current Relevance of New Biomarkers for Inclusion into HBM Surveillance Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Perfluorinated Compounds in Fish and Blood of Anglers at Lake Möhne, Sauerland Area, Germany

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in fish samples and blood plasma of anglers in a cr... more Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in fish samples and blood plasma of anglers in a cross-sectional study at Lake Möhne, Sauerland area, Germany. Human plasma and drinking water samples were analyzed by solid phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). PFCs in fish fillet were measured by ion pair extraction followed by HPLC and MS/MS. PFOS concentrations in 44 fish samples of Lake Möhne ranged between 4.5 and 150 ng/g. The highest median PFOS concentrations have been observed in perches (median: 96 ng/g) and eels (77 ng/g), followed by pikes (37 ng/g), whitefish (34 ng/g), and roaches (6.1 ng/g). In contrast, in a food surveillance program only 11% of fishes at retail sale contained PFOS at detectable concentrations. One hundred five anglers (99 men, 6 women; 14-88 years old; median 50.6 years) participated in the human biomonitoring study. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma ranged from 1.1 to 650 μg/L (PFOA: 2.1-170 μg/L; PFHxS: 0.4-17 μg/L; LOD: 0.1 μg/L). A distinct dose-dependent relationship between fish consumption and internal exposure to PFOS was observed. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma of anglers consuming fish 2-3 times per month were 7 times higher compared to those without any fish consumption from Lake Möhne. The study results strongly suggest that human internal exposure to PFC is distinctly increased by consumption of fish from PFC-contaminated sites.

Research paper thumbnail of Human biomonitoring (HBM)-II values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) - Description, derivation and discussion

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Research paper thumbnail of Recent experimental results of effects of perfluoroalkyl substances in laboratory animals – Relation to current regulations and guidance values

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

The detection of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and drinking water from various coun... more The detection of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and drinking water from various countries raised the attention to the presence of these chemicals in environmental probes and led to several regulatory actions to limit exposure in human beings. There was particular concern about perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), due to their former wide-spread use. Recently, several institutions published revisions of former regulatory or recommended maximum concentrations in drinking water and food, which are markedly lower than the former values. The present short overview describes the current regulations for PFAS and compares them with the outcome of several experimental studies in laboratory animals at low-level exposure to PFOA and PFOS. In addition, regulations for short-chain PFAS are presented which, due to lack of toxicological information, are evaluated according to the concepts of Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) or the Health-related Indication Values (HRIV).

Research paper thumbnail of Human biomonitoring pilot study DEMOCOPHES in Germany: Contribution to a harmonized European approach

International journal of hygiene and environmental health, Jun 6, 2017

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool to assess human exposure to environmental pollutan... more Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an effective tool to assess human exposure to environmental pollutants, but comparable HBM data in Europe are lacking. In order to expedite harmonization of HBM studies on a European scale, the twin projects COPHES (Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) and DEMOCOPHES (Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) were formed, comprising 35 partners from 27 European countries. In COPHES a research scheme and guidelines were developed to exemplarily measure in a pilot study mercury in hair, cadmium, cotinine and several phthalate metabolites in urine of 6-11year old children and their mothers in an urban and a rural region. Seventeen European countries simultaneously conducted this cross-sectional DEMOCOPHES feasibility study. The German study population was taken in the city of Bochum and in the Higher Sauerland District, comprising 120 mother-child pairs. In the present paper feature...

Research paper thumbnail of Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei 5-6 jährigen Kindern in einer westdeutschen Großstadt

Hintergrund: Der Kinder-Umwelt-Survey (KUS) ist der vierte Umwelt-Survey des UBA und das Umweltmo... more Hintergrund: Der Kinder-Umwelt-Survey (KUS) ist der vierte Umwelt-Survey des UBA und das Umweltmodul des Kinderund Jugendgesundheitssurveys (KiGGS) des Robert Koch-Instituts (RKI). Der zwischen 2003 und 2006 durchgeführte KUS beschreibt die Umweltbelastung von Kindern anhand repräsentativer Daten. Im zweiten Umwelt-Survey (1990/92) wurden bereits Kinder untersucht. Vertiefende Analysen der Daten des Gesamtkollektivs und einzelner Risikogruppen ermöglichen Erklärungsansätze für die zeitlichen Trends der korporalen Belastung. Methoden: Für den zeitlichen Vergleich wurden die Daten der 6-bis 14-jährigen deutschen Kinder betrachtet, da diese Altersgruppe in beiden Surveys untersucht wurde. Die Konzentration von Pb, Cd, Hg und As im Blut bzw. Urin sowie die Belastung des Urins mit PAK-Metaboliten, PCP und Cotinin wurden gegenübergestellt. Die zeitliche Änderung der Bevölkerungsstruktur wurde durch Datengewichtung ausgeglichen. Ergebnisse: Die mittlere Bleibelastung ist von im Mittel 32 µg/l Blut auf weniger als 15 µg/l Blut gesunken. Gemessen an den oberen Perzentilen lässt sich aber noch immer erkennen, dass Jungen vergleichsweise höher belastet sind. Noch deutlicher ist der Rückgang der Belastung mit PCP (4,1 µg/l Urin vs. < 0,6 µg/l Urin). Auch die Cd-Konzentrationen im Urin der Kinder haben im Mittel abgenommen. Diese Abnahme zeigt sich am deutlichsten bei den Kindern aus den neuen Bundesländern (0,12 µg/l Urin vs. 0,07 µg/l Urin), so dass in 2003/06 keine Ost-West-Unterschiede mehr bestehen. Ein vergleichbarer Trend zeigt sich bei den PAK-Metaboliten im Urin. Die Daten der Umwelt-Surveys spiegeln den rückläufigen Einsatz von dentalem Amalgam bei Kindern wieder. Doch auch bei Kindern ohne Amalgamfüllungen ergibt sich eine signifikante Abnahme der Hg-Konzentration im Urin. Cotinin im Urin ist als Marker für die Belastung durch Passivrauchen im zeitlichen Vergleich nahezu konstant geblieben.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigations of genotoxic and mutagenic potential of ozone-treated wastewater of wastewater treatment plants in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Introduction: The use of ozone as an oxidant for the elimination of micro-pollutants in wastewate... more Introduction: The use of ozone as an oxidant for the elimination of micro-pollutants in wastewater treatment is an approach to reduce the entry of such substances in surface waters and to enhance water quality. Like their starting substances, transformation products formed during the ozonation can act as toxicants for ecological systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate ozone-treated wastewater of 3 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and evaluate them in terms of their genotoxic and mutagenic potential. Methods: Sampling was carried out as a quantity-based 24-hour composite wastewater sample from the inlet and outlet of the ozone plant and the sewage plant-specific post-treatment. Genotoxicity was determined by the alkaline Comet assay in HepG2 human hepato-carcinoma cells. Two strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 with and without metabolic activation (S9-mix) were used for in vitro mutagenicity tests (Ames test). The te...

Research paper thumbnail of Oxidative DNA damage in white blood cells of workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Research paper thumbnail of Oxidative damage in white blood cells of workers in a graphite-electode-producing plant

Research paper thumbnail of Quantification of children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: Questionnaire versus nicotine-/cotinine-analysis in urine and hair

Research paper thumbnail of DNA strand breaks and 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine formation in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes and PAH-metabolites in urine of children and mothers in Germany

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of biomarkers of effect and susceptibility in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers: Comparison with ambient monitoring and urinary metabolites

Research paper thumbnail of Association between markers of effect in white blood cells, ambient monitoring and urinary metabolites of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of Studies of 8-hydroxy-2 '-deoxyguanosine: A biomarker for oxidative DNA damage in vivo?

Research paper thumbnail of Association between DNA strand breaks and 8-hydroxy-2 '-deoxyguanosine adducts in white blood cells of PAH-exposed workers

Research paper thumbnail of Human Biomonitoring of Perfluorinated Compounds

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Industrial pollution and children's health - Hot spot studies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Research paper thumbnail of Biomonitoring of PFAA in adults and children exposed to contaminated drinking water—A European perspective

Reproductive Toxicology, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in school children and salivary IgA – an epidemiological study in a rural area of Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2002

An elevated frequency of wheezing was found in school children in a rural area of Northrhine-West... more An elevated frequency of wheezing was found in school children in a rural area of Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany (Duhme and Keil, Institut f¸r Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Universit‰t M¸nster, M¸nster, Germany 1997). In this study the prevalence of wheezing was reinvestigated by including main influencing factors. A cross-sectional survey was performed in all school children visiting school classes 1, 2 and 7, 8 (n 1161). Two corresponding questionnaires were used: a parental questionnaire and a questionnaire for self-completion by the children aged 12 ± 15. The latter included the ISAAC video questionnaire. The levels of immunoglobulins A, G and M were determined in 995 saliva samples. Testing of lung function (whole body plethysmography before and after physical exercise) was performed in children with and without parent-reported wheezing in the last 12 months (n 377). Response rate (questionnaire: 93%) and participation rates (saliva samples: 86 %, lung function tests: 93%) were high. Our study confirmed higher prevalence of asthmatic symptoms in children aged 6 ± 8 in Ochtrup (13.2%) compared to children of the same age in Muenster (8.5% (Duhme et al., Eur. Respir. J. 11, 840 ± 847, 1998)). However, in the age group 12 ± 15 years the prevalence was significantly lower in Ochtrup (9.8%), when compared to the former investigation and in comparison to Muenster (former survey: 17.9%; Muenster: 13.1%). Prevalence of wheezing was consistently higher in families with atopic disease. Additionally, history of respiratory disease, premature birth and presence of pets during 1st year of life showed a positive association with prevalence of wheezing. Mean salivary IgA levels were 61.4 (SD (standard deviation) 35.1, median: 53.7) mg/l in children aged 6 ± 8 years and 83.4 (SD 39.0, median: 76.3) mg/l in children aged 12 ± 15 years. No significant association between salivary immunoglobulins and wheezing was detected.

Research paper thumbnail of Current Relevance of New Biomarkers for Inclusion into HBM Surveillance Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Perfluorinated Compounds in Fish and Blood of Anglers at Lake Möhne, Sauerland Area, Germany

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in fish samples and blood plasma of anglers in a cr... more Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in fish samples and blood plasma of anglers in a cross-sectional study at Lake Möhne, Sauerland area, Germany. Human plasma and drinking water samples were analyzed by solid phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). PFCs in fish fillet were measured by ion pair extraction followed by HPLC and MS/MS. PFOS concentrations in 44 fish samples of Lake Möhne ranged between 4.5 and 150 ng/g. The highest median PFOS concentrations have been observed in perches (median: 96 ng/g) and eels (77 ng/g), followed by pikes (37 ng/g), whitefish (34 ng/g), and roaches (6.1 ng/g). In contrast, in a food surveillance program only 11% of fishes at retail sale contained PFOS at detectable concentrations. One hundred five anglers (99 men, 6 women; 14-88 years old; median 50.6 years) participated in the human biomonitoring study. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma ranged from 1.1 to 650 μg/L (PFOA: 2.1-170 μg/L; PFHxS: 0.4-17 μg/L; LOD: 0.1 μg/L). A distinct dose-dependent relationship between fish consumption and internal exposure to PFOS was observed. PFOS concentrations in blood plasma of anglers consuming fish 2-3 times per month were 7 times higher compared to those without any fish consumption from Lake Möhne. The study results strongly suggest that human internal exposure to PFC is distinctly increased by consumption of fish from PFC-contaminated sites.