Environmental factors influencing hormone receptor positive breast cancer incidence: integrating chemical signatures from dust wipes with self-reported sources of exposure | Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology – Nature

Report on Household Chemical Exposures and Breast Cancer Risk in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Aligning Public Health with Global Sustainability

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, directly impacting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. This study investigates the hypothesis that environmental chemical exposures within households contribute to breast cancer risk, a critical area of research for fulfilling Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. By identifying hazardous chemicals in everyday living spaces, this research also supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by providing evidence needed to create safer indoor environments and promote awareness of chemicals in consumer goods.

2.0 Research Methodology

2.1 Study Design and Cohort

The study utilized a subsample from the Sister Study cohort, a long-term research initiative focused on identifying environmental and genetic risk factors for breast cancer.

• A case-control design was employed, comparing participants who developed hormone receptor-positive breast cancer with those who remained cancer-free.
• The sample included 40 “cases” (women who developed breast cancer within 10 years of enrollment) and 40 “controls” (women who remained breast cancer-free during the same period).

2.2 Data Collection and Analysis

A multi-faceted approach was used to integrate chemical analysis with participant-reported data.

1. Household dust wipe samples were collected from participants’ homes between 2003 and 2009.
2. Samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the chemical features present.
3. Participants provided self-reported data through questionnaires detailing their use of personal care products and proximity to known sources of environmental pollution.
4. Frequent Itemset Mining (FIM) was applied to evaluate patterns of chemical occurrence and identify associations with the questionnaire data.

3.0 Key Findings and Implications for SDGs

3.1 Differential Chemical Abundance and Health Risks (SDG 3)

The analysis identified 189 chemical features with significantly different abundance levels between the households of cases and controls. This finding directly informs SDG 3 by highlighting specific environmental factors that may contribute to breast cancer incidence. Key chemicals of concern included:

• 23-(Nonylphenoxy)-3,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxatricosan-1-ol: A suspected endocrine disruptor.
• Triethanolamine: A common ingredient in cosmetics and cleaning products.
• Thiabendazole: A fungicide that may also possess endocrine-disrupting properties.

Identifying these potential hazards is a crucial first step in developing preventative strategies to protect public health.

3.2 Link to Consumer Products and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12)

The study established a strong link between chemical exposures and consumer behavior, reinforcing the importance of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Analysis of questionnaire data revealed that the chemical 6-benzyl-2-[bis[(2S)-2-aminopropanoyl]amino]-3-methylphenyl] (2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-(3-hydroxyhexanoylamino)-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoate was associated with 45 different exposure scenarios, which were largely characterized by elevated use of personal care products. This demonstrates a clear connection between consumption habits and exposure to potentially harmful substances, emphasizing the need for the environmentally sound management of chemicals in consumer goods as outlined in Target 12.4.

4.0 Significance and Future Directions for Sustainable Development

4.1 Contribution to Environmental Health Science

This study significantly enhances the evidence base regarding understudied chemicals in household environments that may alter breast cancer risk. By integrating advanced chemical analysis with participant survey data, it provides a robust model for identifying potential sources of chemical exposure. These insights are vital for designing future investigations to better understand and mitigate environmental risks to human health.

4.2 Advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda

The findings of this report offer actionable insights for advancing several Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The research provides critical data on environmental risk factors for breast cancer, supporting the development of public health policies and preventative measures aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By characterizing chemical hazards within homes, the study contributes to the goal of creating safe, healthy, and sustainable living environments for all.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The linkage between personal care products and chemical exposure highlights the need for greater transparency and safety in consumer goods, empowering consumers and guiding industries toward more sustainable production patterns.

Future research building on this novel exposomic dataset can further inform policies and personal choices, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article addresses issues related to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by investigating the link between environmental chemical exposures in households and the risk of breast cancer. The primary SDGs connected are:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core focus of the article is on breast cancer, a major non-communicable disease. The research aims to understand environmental risk factors to improve health outcomes and inform prevention strategies.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The study examines the indoor environment, specifically “environmental chemicals present in households” and “household dust.” This relates to ensuring safe and healthy living environments for inhabitants.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article explicitly links chemical exposures to consumer behavior, noting that chemical profiles relate to “self-reported sources of exposures,” particularly “elevated personal care product usage habits.” This highlights the impact of production and consumption patterns on human health.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment…” The study directly supports the “prevention” aspect of this target. By identifying “understudied chemicals in everyday household environments that may alter breast cancer risk,” it provides crucial information for developing strategies to prevent this non-communicable disease.
   • Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article’s objective is to test the hypothesis that “environmental chemicals present in households” contribute to breast cancer. It identifies specific “suspected endocrine disruptors” like triethanolamine and thiabendazole, linking hazardous chemical exposure directly to illness.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” While the article focuses on the micro-level of the household, its findings on chemicals in “household dust” are relevant to indoor environmental quality, a key component of the overall environmental impact on urban and residential populations.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.4: “By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health…” The study highlights how chemicals from consumer goods, specifically “personal care product usage,” accumulate in the home environment and may pose a health risk. This underscores the need for better management of chemicals in products to minimize adverse health impacts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 3 (Targets 3.4 and 3.9)

  • Incidence of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: The study’s design, which compares women who developed breast cancer (“cases”) with those who remained cancer-free (“controls”), directly uses cancer incidence as a primary health outcome indicator.
  • Abundance of hazardous chemicals in the household environment: The research quantifies the “differential abundance” of 189 chemical features between the homes of cases and controls. This measurement of specific chemicals in “household dust wipe samples” serves as a direct indicator of exposure to harmful substances.

• Indicators for SDG 12 (Target 12.4)

  • Self-reported usage of personal care products: The study uses “questionnaire data” on “personal care product usage habits” to link consumption patterns to chemical exposure. Tracking the use of products containing hazardous chemicals can be an indicator of progress in responsible consumption.
  • Presence of specific chemicals in consumer products: The identification of chemicals like triethanolamine, which are linked to personal care products and breast cancer risk, implies that monitoring the presence of such chemicals in consumer goods is a relevant indicator for achieving sound chemical management.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nature.com