Metabolic defects within the different tissues and cell types of the eye give rise to many human ocular diseases. Polymorphisms in the Cytochrome P450 (CYP) family have been associated with many ocular disorders, particularly Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1). Mutations in CYP1B1 have been linked to ocular diseases such as Primary...
Emerging data showing the presence of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) has recently raised awareness surrounding the potential of human nanoplastics (NPs) exposure. Due to factors such as weathering, UV exposure, and other biodegradation processes, plastic pollution in the environment breaks down over time into micro (<5 micrometers) and nanoscale (<1000nm) particles....
Based on current trends both pesticide and plastic production are expected to continue to rise in the coming decade. A growing global population coupled with the effects of climate change are the main drivers of increased pesticide use. Throughout this dissertation pesticides refer to herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Plastic production...
The field of toxicology is challenged with a vast number of environmental chemicals and mixtures to which humans and ecosystems are exposed with limited toxicity data available. Chemical hazard assessment traditionally utilizes mammalian models and can be both cost- and time-limiting and may pose ethical concerns. To rapidly tackle this...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of anthropogenic chemicals characterized by highly stable carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds. PFAS are widely used in industrial and consumer products for their surface-active and stain-resistant properties and are ubiquitously detected in environmental media, biota, and human biomatrices. Although some PFAS are known...
Throughout their lifetime individuals are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals. The study of chemical mixtures is an internationally recognized research priority, but seemingly complex challenge. To reduce the intricacy of studying mixtures, researchers have identified different prioritization methods based on exposure or the toxicity of chemicals. However, understanding the...
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are significant sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. Current analytical methods that provide quantitative measures of individual PFAS in AFFFs, such as liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), are often complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Methods for total fluorine analysis, though quantitative,...
Exposure assessment is necessary to determine the frequency and magnitude of environmental contaminants, especially since exposure may lead to adverse health outcomes. Traditional personal exposure assessment tools such as biological samples are limited in their ability to capture a wide range of chemical exposures from a single sample, and others...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants of concern because they do not readily degrade in the environment. Some in vivo studies report that PFAS alter neurological development and are carcinogenic. Perfluorohexanesulfonamide (FHxSA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) are two PFASs, which are often detected in drinking water sources....
Graphene and its derivatives are two-dimensional hexagonal lattices that possess desirable physicochemical properties leading to an ever-expanding list of industrial and biomedical uses. Graphene oxides (GOs) are becoming a popular graphene alternative and while there have been human safety studies, investigations of developmental toxicity are lacking. The use of distinct...