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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in commercial and consumer goods. Black women are underrepresented in studies of PFAS exposure. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of correlates of plasma PFAS concentrations among 1499 Black women aged 23–35 participating in the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a Detroit-based cohort study. At baseline (2010–2012), participants provided questionnaire data on socio-demographics; behaviors; diet; and menstrual, contraceptive, and reproductive histories. Using mass spectrometry in non-fasting plasma samples collected at enrollment, we quantified several PFAS, including perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA), and 2-N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetate (MeFOSAA). We used linear regression to calculate percentage differences (%D) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between selected correlates and PFAS concentrations, adjusting for all other correlates. PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA were detected in ≥97 % of women; PFDA in 86 %; MeFOSAA in 70 %; and PFUnDA in 52 %. Age, income, education, and intakes of water, alcohol, and seafood were positively associated with several PFAS. Current smoking was positively associated with MeFOSAA. Body mass index was inversely associated with most PFAS, except PFHxS. Strong inverse associations (%D; 95 % CI) were observed between parity (≥3 vs. 0 births) and PFHxS (−34.7; −43.0, −25.1) and PFOA (−33.1; −39.2, −26.3); breastfeeding duration (≥6 months vs. nulliparous) and PFOA (−31.1; −37.8, −23.7), PFHxS (−24.2; −34.5, −12.3), and PFOS (−18.4; −28.3, −7.1); recent birth (<2 years ago vs. nulliparous) and PFOA (−33.1; −39.6, −25.8), PFHxS (−29.3; −39.0, −18.1), PFNA (−25.2; −32.7, −16.8), and PFOS (−18.3; −28.3, −6.9); and intensity of menstrual bleed (heavy vs. light) and PFHxS (−18.8; −28.3, −8.2), PFOS (−16.4; −24.9, −7.1), PFNA (−10.5; −17.8, −2.6), and PFOA (−10.0; −17.2, −2.1). Current use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was positively associated with PFOS (20.2; 1.4, 42.5), PFOA (16.2; 1.5, 33.0), and PFNA (15.3; 0.4, 32.4). Reproductive factors that influence PFAS elimination showed strong associations with several PFAS (reduced concentrations with parity, recent birth, lactation, heavy menstrual bleeding; increased concentrations with DMPA use). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies suggest that greater exposure to natural vegetation (i.e., greenness) is associated with better mental health. However, there is limited research on greenness and mental health in the preconception period, a critical window of exposure in the life course. We investigated the associations of residential greenness with perceived stress and depressive symptoms using cross-sectional data from a cohort of pregnancy planners., Methods: From 2013 to 2019, we enrolled female-identified participants aged 21-45 years who were trying to conceive without the use of fertility treatment into a North American preconception cohort study (Pregnancy Study Online [PRESTO]). On the baseline questionnaire, participants completed the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Major Depression Inventory (MDI). Using geocoded addresses, we estimated residential greenness exposure via satellite imagery (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]) in a 100m buffer. We estimated mean differences and 95% confidence intervals for the association of greenness with perceived stress and depression scores using linear regression models, adjusting for individual and neighborhood sociodemographic characteristics. We also evaluated the extent to which associations were modified by urbanicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES)., Results: Among 9718 participants, mean age was 29.9 years, 81.5% identified as non-Hispanic White, 25% had household incomes <$50,000, and mean neighborhood income was $61,932. In adjusted models, higher greenness was associated with lower stress and depression scores (mean difference per interquartile range in greenness: -0.20, 95% CI: -0.39, -0.01; and -0.19, 95% CI: -0.48, 0.10, respectively). The association was stronger among residents of lower SES neighborhoods in urban areas (PSS: -0.57, 95% CI: -1.00, -0.15; MDI: -0.72, 95% CI: -1.40, -0.04)., Conclusions: Higher greenness exposure was associated with lower stress and depressive symptoms among pregnancy planners, particularly in lower-SES neighborhoods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Lauren A. Wise reports financial support was provided by National Institutes of Health. Lauren A. Wise reports a relationship with AbbVie Inc that includes: consulting or advisory. Lauren A. Wise reports a relationship with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that includes: consulting or advisory. Lauren A. Wise has reported receiving in-kind donations for primary data collection in the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) from Swiss Precision Diagnostics (home pregnancy tests) and Kindara.com (fertility tracking apps). If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)