The Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem September 2012
A Message From the Director
Benny Chefetz
This newsletter is devoted to introducing our new research center – CEAEH, The Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health.
HUCEAEH was established as new research center in April, 2012 following final approval of our revised proposal by the EHF (Environment and Health Fund, Israel) and the Hebrew University’s research authority. During the first 6 months of activity all researchers in CEAEH were busy establishing projects within the areas of: (i) xenobiotics in the agro-ecosystem, (ii) human exposure to xenobiotics, and (iii) effects of xenobiotics on human health. Information about each project is highlighted in this newsletter.
HUCEAEH’s primary goals are to advance scientific understanding of the associations between modern agricultural practices and human health and to identify options for reducing risks. To meet these goals, researchers with expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, environmental chemistry, immunology, toxicology, reproductive physiology, developmental biology, economics and risk analysis are joining forces to foster an integrated approach to study issues related to agriculture, environment and public health. In addition to on-going research, CEAEH is promoting a variety of activities: (i) new students have been recruited and have started their Masters, Ph.D. or postdoctoral studies; (ii) we have hosted several visitors to enhance our strategic partnerships with colleagues and institutes from abroad; (iii) together with the EHF we organized special symposia on “Agricultural, Environmental and Health aspects of Irrigation with Reclaimed Wastewater” at The 40th Annual Conference of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences; (iv) we are in a process of enhancing our analytical capabilities by developing new protocols to quantify pesticides in biological matrices; and (v) we are in an advanced stage in the development of our new website. A brief description of the above mentioned activities is presented in this newsletter. I hope this newsletter and subsequent newsletters will keep you updated and informed with our ongoing activities.
Yours,
Visiting Scholars
In March 2012, the EHF hosted Dr. Mark Nieuwenhuijsen from the Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL) in Barcelona. Dr. Nieuwenhuijsen has studied a wide variety of environmental exposures and their potential adverse impacts on health outcomes including reproductive health, respiratory disease and cancer. During this visit Dr. Nieuwenhuijsen visited CEAEH’s field research at the Lachish experimental station. In addition, members of CEAEH attended a roundtable meeting with Dr. Nieuwenhuijsen on environmental exposures and pregnancy outcomes.
In August 2012, CEAEH hosted Dr. Samuel Dorevitch from the UIC (Chicago, USA). Dr. Dorevitch‘s research interests include environmental epidemiology; developing objective measures of health and exposure; waterborne illness; indicators of water quality; developing methods for measuring water exposure. Dr. Dorevitch met with Dr. Tamar Berman, Dr. Hagai Levine and Dr. Yehoshua Maor at the Ministry of Health.
In September 2012, Dr. Chefetz hosted Dr. Thorsten Reemtsma, Head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry at Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig Germany. Dr. Reemtsmas is the former leader of ‘Residue Analysis’ in the Department ‘Chemicals Safety’ of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin Germany. Drs. Reemtsma and Chefetz plan to formulate joint research proposal aiming to elucidate the metabolism of EDCs in plants and to evaluate the risk associated with exposure of EDCs to humans via plants.
Analytic Capabilities in the Center
One of CEAEH current objectives is to enhance its analytical capabilities by developing methods for measuring xenobiotics in plant matrices (fruits, leaves and roots). To this end, we have developed extraction protocols for pharmaceutical compounds using the new accelerated solvent extractor (ASE 350) that has been installed at the Rehovot Campus’ Intradepartmental Unit and that is available for the Center’s members.
Together with Dr. Orit Gal, head of the Intradepartmental Unit and Dr. Julius Ben-Ari, head of the mass spectroscopy lab we are establishing protocols for measuring EDCs such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and organophosphate metabolites (DAP’s) in biological samples (urine, plasma and other fluids) using GC-MS and LC/MS-MS. Students actively involved in the Center will be trained to use the instruments and are be involved in method development.
HU CEAEH Newsletter September 2012
The Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem September 2012
Project Updates
Project #1: Xenobiotics originating from reclaimed
wastewater: Uptake by crops and exposure assessment.
PI, Benny Chefetz
In this project we aim to elucidate the mechanisms
controlling the uptake and translocation of organic
pollutants by crops and to evaluate the exposure of the
Israeli population to these chemicals via food consumption.
To accomplish these goals, we have started plant uptake
experiments on different plants having edible roots, leaves
or fruits using different soils and wastewater qualities.
Experiments are being conducted in a controlled greenhouse
and in a lysimeter station. Tomer Malchi, a M.Sc. student and
Myah Goldstein, a PhD student have joined CEAEH and are
working in this project as part of their theses.
Project #2: Bioaccumulation of EDCs by dairy cows via
consumption of crops irrigated with reclaimed wastewater
PI, Zvi Roth
Low-quality reclaimed wastewater is used in irrigating crops
used for feeding dairy cattle. The possibility of EDC’s
accumulating in tissues and products that are then consumed
by humans, means that beef and dairy products may be a source
of exposure to EDC’s in humans. In this project our
objective is to identify relationships between crop
contamination and contamination of dairy food products (meat
and milk). We have started using in vitro and in vivo animal
model in order clarify the risk associated with EDCs exposure
on both livestock and humans. Dorit Kalo is the PhD student
conducting the experiments.
Project #3: Carbamazepine levels among healthy
Israeli population
PIs, Ora Paltiel and Yehoshua Maor
The main goal of this project is to evaluate people’s
exposure to carbamazepine via the consumption of vegetables
irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. To accomplish this goal
we will recruit volunteers who will, over a 10 day period,
consumed standardized daily portions of vegetables provided
by farmers who grow crops irrigated with reclaimed
wastewater. We are currently conducting experiments with
dairy cows from project #2. This will enable us to determine
the limits of detection and quantitation of carbamazepine in
different biological matrices (e.g., plasma and urine). The
results will inform the measurement among human volunteers.
Yehoshua Maor is a postdoctoral fellow coordinating CEAEH and
also a co-PI in this project.
Project #4: : Exposure of Israeli children to
pesticides via food consumption
PI, Orly Manor
This project addresses the public health implications of
dietary exposures to agricultural pesticides among Israeli
children. Data from a nutrition survey will be paired with
data from pesticide monitoring programs of the Israeli
Ministries of Health and Agriculture. The result will be a
portfolio of concentrations of individual pesticide
concentrations within food items and dietary patterns as a
whole. Currently, statistical analysis on the data sets is
underway. Recipes for calibration of individual food items
within mixed dishes are being finalized and the platform for
linking pesticide residue and dietary data has begun. Shirra
Freeman is a postdoctoral fellow conducting the activities in
this project.
Project #5: The exposure of pregnant women and their
offspring to EDCs and associations with fetal growth and
development of reproductive organs
PIs, Ronit Calderon and Tamar Berman
This project evaluates intrauterine exposures to phthalates,
bisphenol A (BPA), Genistein, and organophosphates (OPs). We
further aim to estimate the possible anti-androgenic or
estrogenic-like effects of these exposures and to evaluate
the association of intrauterine exposure to OPs with birth
outcomes. Our study population includes pregnant women and
their offspring who will be followed from first trimester
through delivery. Exposure assessment will include urine
samples in the first trimester and for a subset, amniotic
fluid in the second trimester. During the first 48 postnatal
hours, the study’s neonatologists will examine the newborn,
evaluate neonatal reflexes and features of the genitourinary
tract (including the anogenital distance). Ela Ein-Mor has
joined CEAEH as a PhD. student in this project. Data
collection has just begun.
Project #6: Pesticide exposure and endocrine health
outcomes in Palestinian and Israeli males
PIs, Hagai Levine and Jeremy D. Kark
In this project we aim to evaluate organophosphate exposure
and its determinants among Israeli and Palestinian men and
to determine the association with male hormones levels. To
accomplish these goals we will use a population-based
cross-sectional sample of Jerusalem residents, examined in
2004-2008. Urine samples taken from males aged 25-49 will
be examined for 6 organophosphate metabolite levels in the
collaborating lab and blood samples will be tested for
hormone levels at Hadassah. We are currently in the process
of signing a contract and preparing the samples for
shipment to Germany. We have recently published a paper on
Trends in Reproductive Health in Israel which serves to
strengthen and focus the need for the current project.
HU CEAEH Newsletter September 2012
The Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem September 2012
Reaching Out
Website
CEAEH new website will be one of our main platforms for disseminating information to the general public and research communities. The site is currently in its final stages of development and will be online during the Center’s first year of operation. The website will also provide a platform for sharing scientific data among members and our scientific advisory committee as well as targeting specific populations such as students considering a career in environmental health.
Symposia
Dr. Chefetz has organized a special symposium - Agricultural, Environmental and Health Aspects of Irrigation with Reclaimed Wastewater at The 40th Annual Conference of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
The symposium planned for 17 October 2012 will include two keynote lectures summarizing the current knowledge in agricultural and environmental issues related to long-term irrigation with treated wastewater. In addition, eight presentations will be given by Israeli researchers and students highlighting their current research on this topic.
As part of our plans to enhance public awareness and disseminate research results and recommendations, Dr. Yehoshua Maor was invited by the MEDIF (French Speaking Israeli Doctors Association) to lecture on the environmental and epidemiological impact of recycled wastewater. We will continue with such symposia as an integral part of the Center’s outreach activities.
Coming up
CEAEH is planning to host the 1st SAC (Scientific Advisory) meeting on May 20-26, 2013. The meeting will be held in Rehovot and Hadassah Campuses of the Hebrew University. Open conference is planned in the School of Public Health in Jerusalem on May 23, 2013.
Students and Postdocs
Dr. Yehoshua Maor completed his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Mechoulam at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research focused on pharmacology applied to blood pressure and the involvement of the cannabinoid system. He has been an intern at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center under the supervision of Dr. Groopman at the Harvard Medical School.
In a shift to his academic career Yehoshua has been recruited to coordinate the activities of CEAEH and to contribute with his expertise in pharmacology to some of the research projects withing the Center. He will be also aiding in the establishment of new courses such as environmental pharmacology promoted by CEAEH.
Dr. Shirra Freeman is a postdoctoral fellow in the Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Together with Professor Orly Manor, she is investigating dietary sources of exposures to pesticides among Israeli children. Shirra's research interests include environmental health, environmental economics, risk assessment, decision science and the interface between science and policy.
She is also consultant to the IUCN and the FAO on the socioeconomic dimensions of aquaculture. Shirra was an EHF fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health where she undertook a risk-benefit analysis of fish consumption. She was Rieger Foundation Doctoral Fellow and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Haifa and an M.Sc. in Economics from the University of London.
Myah Goldstein is currently a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Benny Chefetz and Dr. Moshe Shenker at the department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew University.
Myah has joined CEAEH and is working on project #1. Her research focuses on the uptake and distribution of pharmaceutical compounds and organic pollutants in plants.
Tomer Malchi is currently a Master student in the department of Soil and Water Sciences. He is currently working in project #1 focusing on the uptake of different pharmaceutical compounds by root crops. The research is being conducted in a lysimeter setup that includes three types of soils and three type of irrigation water.
In addition to his project in CEAEH Tomer is a project manager for engineers without borders. He is researching and implementing a 80 person wastewater treatment system in east Jerusalem that includes a constructed wetlands and biogas production.
Eliana (Ela) Ein-Mor is a MA Graduate in Statistics from The Hebrew University. She has been working at Hadassah Mount Scopus as Biostatistician in fertility research and geriatric longitudinal study since 2003. Ela joined CEAEH while working towards her PhD at the Braun School of Public Health at the Hebrew University under the supervision of Dr. Ronit Calderon and works on project #5.
Planned data collection includes 1-2 maternal urine samples taken at different stages during pregnancy, an exposure and background questionnaire, amniotic fluid sample, newborn urine samples and evaluation of neonatal reflexes and features of the genitourinary tract. Data collection is being conducted at Hadassah Mount Scopus and has just begun this month.
Dorit Kalo is currently a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Zvi Roth at the department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew University, Dorit is currently working in project #2 of CEAEH.
Dorit’s main specialization is in in-vitro embryo production and her research is focuses on the effect of phthalates on oocytes’ developmental competence in a bovine model including characterization of intracellular and molecular mechanism.
HU CEAEH Newsletter September 2012