Association between pesticide exposure and sleep health among a representative sample of US adults: evidence from NHANES 2009–2014

Abstract

Background Data suggest that pesticides interact with the melatonin receptor, which may influence sleep. However, the link between pesticides and sleep remains unexplored among the general adult population. This study evaluated unstratified and sex-stratified associations between urinary pesticide exposure (N = 4,478) and self-reported acute household pesticide exposure (N = 14,956), with sleep health outcomes within a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2009–2014 were combined for analysis of aim 1 and aim 2. Urinary pesticide metabolite concentrations served as biomarkers of pesticide exposure. Acute household pesticide exposure (if any chemical products were used in the home in the past seven days to control pests) was self-reported (yes/no). Insufficient sleep duration (< 7 h/night) and trouble sleeping (yes/no) were self-reported. Log-binomial regression models that accounted for complex survey weights and adjusted for confounders were used to compute prevalence ratios and 95% CI. Results Log urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) was related to a higher probability of insufficient sleep [1.09 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.20), p = 0.04] and trouble sleeping [1.14 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.27), p = 0.02] among males. Self-reported acute household pesticide exposure was associated with a higher probability of insufficient sleep duration [1.16 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.32), p = 0.03] and trouble sleeping [1.20 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.44), p = 0.04] in the unstratified sample. Sex-stratified findings showed that associations between acute household pesticide exposure and trouble sleeping only persisted among males [1.69 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.24), p < .001]. Conclusions In summary, acute pesticide exposure may be detrimental to adult sleep health, particularly among US males.

The Hidden Dangers of Plant-Based Diets Affecting Bone Health: A Cross-Sectional Study with U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Data from 2005–2018

“…Participants’ demographical characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity, educational level, poverty income ratio (PIR), body mass index (BMI), and marital status), lifestyle (smoking status and physical exercise), and history of disease (T2DM, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer, and history of fracture) were considered as covariates in the present study. PIR was calculated as the ratio of the midpoint of the household’s self-reported income to the corresponding poverty threshold for the household [ 30 ]. PIR values below 1 indicate poverty, while PIR values of 1 to 3 and above 3 reflect relatively higher socioeconomic status [ 31 ].…”

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites were associated with short sleep duration and self-reported trouble sleeping in US adults: data from NHANES 2005–2016 study population

“…Higher levels of these metals in human bodies make individuals more susceptible to sleep disorders ( 17 , 54 , 60 , 61 ). Additionally, exposure to certain pesticides has been associated with difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakenings, and decreased overall sleep quality ( 19 , 62–64 ). This study focused on the correlation between urinary PAH metabolites with self-reported sleep problems and SSD.…”

“…Environmental pollution emerges as a new research orientation on factors affecting sleep status. For example, antimony ( 17 ), arsenic ( 18 ), pesticides ( 19 ), fluoride ( 20 ), and phthalates ( 21 ) all have been demonstrated to plays a negative role in sleep health.…”

Plant-based diets, mediating biomarkers, and mortality risk among adults with diabetes or prediabetes

“…A poverty income ratio (PIR) was calculated as the ratio of the midpoint of the household's self-reported income to the corresponding poverty threshold for the household. 18 The PIR was classified into three groups: ≤1.0, >1.0–3.0, and >3.0. 19 Total physical activity was defined as the total metabolic equivalent (MET)-min per week of vigorous work activity, moderate work activity, walking or bicycling, vigorous recreational activities, and moderate recreational activities according to the suggested MET scores.…”