Olwenn Viviane Martin

Antimony (Sb) is a group 15 metalloid that is used as a catalyst in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, a common food contact material (FCM). PET accounts for over 44% of single-use beverage packaging units and is also used in the production of food trays, storage containers, and other items. Due to its frequent co-occurrence with other metals, Sb is also a common contaminant in crystalware, ceramics, and metal FCMs. In light of the increasing use of Sb-containing FCMs in modern society, a thorough evaluation of Sb's potential effect on public health is warranted. Burgeoning evidence suggests Sb is linked to common cardiometabolic conditions, including dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Thus, this review aims to (1) perform a comprehensive systematic assessment of Sb migration from FCMs into foodstuffs and food simulants, (2) obtain an overview of antimony-related health risks, and (3) inform the generation of harm-reduction guidelines at the individual and systems levels.

Historically, a vertebrate‐centric paradigm has framed our interpretation of molluscan endocrinology, with considerable research focusing on vertebrate‐type steroid hormones (e.g. oestrogens, testosterone). However, contradictory evidence on the occurrence of vertebrate‐type steroid hormones in molluscan tissues, and a lack of the specific steroidogenesis enzymes involved in producing these steroids has fuelled an ongoing debate about the ability of molluscs to biosynthesise vertebrate‐type steroids de novo . Consequently, the exploration of other hormonal pathways that may exist in the phylum remains a significant knowledge gap. This study systematically identified, combined and evaluated evidence from 147 eligible studies (published between 2012 and 2021) on the occurrence of hormones, hormone receptors and hormone‐metabolising enzymes in Mollusca according to the 2015 PRISMA‐P systematic review guidelines and the 2020 COSTER guidelines. The data collected are holistically summarised and visualised in a fully searchable, interactive and openly accessible online database using Tableau Public 2023.1 software. A critical appraisal assessment (Risk‐of‐Bias tool) accompanied by tailor‐made guidelines as well as a narrative synthesis using comparative endocrinology is presented. Strikingly, 95% of studies measuring hormones in molluscs did not investigate the hormones' ability to bind to their respective receptors. Moreover, many studies either used methods now considered unreliable (e.g. lack specificity) to identify relevant biomolecules (i.e. hormones, receptors, enzymes) or did not employ robust internal validation steps, with 83% of all studies not independently repeating their experiments. This highlights an urgent need for greater experimental rigour in the field. Most studies were also found to be heavily skewed towards vertebrate‐type sex steroidogenesis, with 66% measuring 17β‐oestradiol in mollusc tissues, despite unconvincing evidence that molluscs can biosynthesise vertebrate‐type steroids. By contrast, the retinoic acid signalling pathway, known to be more evolutionarily conserved (and a target of environmental pollution), has received far less attention. However, a limited number of studies are now looking beyond vertebrate‐type sex steroids, notably those looking at thyroid hormones, phytosterols (plant sterols) and ecdysteroids (insect steroids) in molluscs. These studies should act as a catalyst to spark interest in further exploration of understudied or unexplored hormonal pathways in Mollusca to elucidate fully the endocrinology of this important phylum.

The exponential rise in plastic production has driven widespread contamination by micro‐ and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment. These plastic particles and their chemical additives have been detected in water sources, human bodily fluids, and reproductive tissues. With global fertility rates declining, their role as potential contributors is under investigation. This scoping review compares findings from in vitro experiments, in vivo studies across animal models, and epidemiological data to assess potential reproductive hazards associated with MNP exposure. Forty original studies published within the last decade were identified. MNPs have been detected in human breast milk, placenta, endometrium, ovaries, testis, semen, follicular fluid, blood, and urine samples. Humans are estimated to absorb 74,000–121,000 particles annually through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and use of plastic materials, including medical devices. Experimental evidence demonstrates that MNPs can cross biological barriers, interact with cells, and disrupt cellular pathways, including steroidogenesis, energy metabolism, inflammatory pathways, and oxidative stress. Thirty in vivo animal studies have associated MNPs with altered reproductive endpoints in both males (i.e., altered semen quality and spermatogenesis) and females (i.e., altered folliculogenesis, depleted ovarian reserve, and reduced litter sizes), with possible transgenerational effects. In conclusion, current evidence suggests MNPs may represent a reproductive health hazard to humans and animals. The relative contributions of particle toxicity and their chemical additives remain difficult to disentangle. Overall, plastics and their associated chemicals represent a serious health and environmental concern, which continues to grow in the absence of restrictions and international agreements.

Background: Over 1800 food contact chemicals (FCCs) are known to migrate from food contact articles used to store, process, package, and serve foodstuffs. Many of these FCCs have hazard properties of concern, and still others have never been tested for toxicity. Humans are known to be exposed to FCCs via foods, but the full extent of human exposure to all FCCs is unknown. Objective: To close this important knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic overview of FCCs that have been monitored and detected in human biomonitoring studies according to a previously published protocol. Methods: We first compared the more than 14,000 known FCCs to five biomonitoring programs and three metabolome/exposome databases. In a second step, we prioritized FCCs that have been frequently detected in food contact materials and systematically mapped the available evidence for their presence in humans. Results: For 25% of the known FCCs (3601), we found evidence for their presence in humans. This includes 194 FCCs from human biomonitoring programs, with 80 of these having hazard properties of high concern. Of the 3528 FCCs included in metabolome/exposome databases, most are from the Blood Exposome Database. We found evidence for the presence in humans for 63 of the 175 prioritized FCCs included in the systematic evidence map, and 59 of the prioritized FCCs lack hazard data. Significance: Notwithstanding that there are also other sources of exposure for many FCCs, these data will help to prioritize FCCs of concern by linking information on migration and biomonitoring. Our results on FCCs monitored in humans are available as an interactive dashboard (FCChumon) to enable policymakers, public health researchers, and food industry decision-makers to make food contact materials and articles safer, reduce human exposure to hazardous FCCs and improve public health. Impact statement: We present systematically compiled evidence on human exposure to 3601 food contact chemicals (FCCs) and highlight FCCs that are of concern because of their known hazard properties. Further, we identify relevant data gaps for FCCs found in food contact materials and foods. This article improves the understanding of food contact materials’ contribution to chemical exposure for the human population and highlights opportunities for improving public health.