BACKGROUND: Deterioration in lifestyle associated with poor mental health could be an important concern during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, few studies have investigated the association between mental health status and lifestyle changes during the pandemic in nationwide Japanese general population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the data among 1,546 participants of the follow-up study of NIPPON DATA2010 in 2021. Recent mental status, as assessed using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale, and lifestyle changes compared to before the pandemic were determined using self-reported questionnaires. Some lifestyle changes such as decreased physical activity were defined as undesirable, whereas others such as decreased alcohol drinking were defined as desirable. The participants were divided into three groups based on the K6 scores: the K6<5, 5≤K6<9, and K6≥9 groups. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the K6 groups for each lifestyle change compared with that in the K6<5 group were estimated after adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: The ORs of the K6≥9 group for all undesirable lifestyle changes were significantly high, especially increased alcohol drinking (OR 4.64; 95% CI, 2.71-7.93), and decreased physical activity (OR 4.63; 95% CI, 3.29-6.52). Among the desirable changes, the OR of the 5≤K6<9 group was significantly high for increased eating home cooking. CONCLUSIONS Poor mental health showed a significant association with undesirable lifestyle changes, especially increased alcohol drinking and decreased physical activity, in a nationwide general Japanese population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Mental Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Life Style ; Adult ; Aged ; Exercise ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Pandemics ; East Asian People

The recent three leading risk factors for global disease burden in the world are, in descending order, high blood pressure, tobacco smoking including second-hand smoke, and alcohol use. Alcohol use increases the risk for many acute and chronic health consequences including cancer, road injury and suicide as well as alcohol use disorder. It is known that there is a U- or J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality. The descending leg of the curve showing this relationship is best explained by a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially ischemic heart disease, among light-to-moderate alcohol drinkers. However, this relationship carries risks of confounding and selection bias, including the so-called healthy drinker bias. Furthermore, biogenic compounds other than ethanol present in wine may be partially responsible for the beneficial effect, although this also includes several confounding factors such as the drinking patterns associated with wine preference. While some studies suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may offer cardiovascular benefits, these findings are likely influenced by confounding factors and do not negate the substantial public health burden associated with alcohol use. In fact, from a population health perspective, reducing harmful alcohol consumption remains a critical priority. Social policies aimed at lowering alcohol intake and limiting drinking opportunities can contribute to longer life expectancy by preventing alcohol-related diseases. Unhealthy alcohol use is one of the four major behavioral risk factors-along with smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet-that accounted for approximately 50% of all deaths and about six years of life expectancy lost between 2001 and 2008. Targeted interventions are particularly important for men and individuals with lower educational attainment, as alcohol-related mortality is higher in men and contributes more to socioeconomic disparities in life expectancy among men than among women. Alcohol consumption is influenced by socioeconomic factors such as education, income, and occupation. While higher socioeconomic status is associated with more frequent drinking, lower status is associated with higher consumption volume. Given that alcohol-related deaths and life expectancy trends vary across countries and over time, public health strategies should be tailored to specific social and temporal contexts.
Humans ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology* ; Life Expectancy ; Risk Factors

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have recently been shown to affect human health at low levels in the blood, according to epidemiological evidence. Consequently, human exposure to these chemicals should be strictly controlled to prevent health risks. This review reports on the potential sources of PFAS using Japan as an example. Tap water has attracted attention as a source of exposure to PFAS. PFAS have also been detected in the air, in household dust, and in consumer products. Furthermore, in the general population, diet is the most common source of exposure, and there is particular concern about human exposure to PFAS accumulated in seafood. Continuous monitoring is important for appropriate management of exposure for both humans and the environment.
Seafood/toxicity* ; Fluorocarbons/toxicity* ; Japan ; Drinking Water/standards* ; Air Pollutants/toxicity* ; Humans ; Dust/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/standards* ; Food Contamination/analysis* ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity*

In recent years, gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized as a key player in ethanol metabolism and the development of related diseases. On one hand, ethanol intake directly affects the gut, leading to significant alterations in microbial diversity and composition. On the other hand, gut microbiota influences ethanol-induced damage to various organs, especially the liver, through multiple metabolic byproducts (such as short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate, and acetate), modulation of immune responses, alteration of intestinal barrier function, and regulation of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes. Given the close association between gut microbiota and ethanol metabolism, the gut microbiome presents a promising therapeutic target for alcohol-related liver diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding how gut microbiota affects ethanol metabolism, aiming to elucidate its role in the onset and progression of ethanol-related diseases and to provide a theoretical basis and novel targets for microbiota-based interventions.
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Ethanol/metabolism* ; Humans ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic/metabolism* ; Animals ; Alcohol Drinking/metabolism*

The revision of the national standards for drinking water quality is an important, rigorous and delicate endeavor. The paper introduced the revision of this standard, emphasizing the revision principle, overall technical considerations, and revision contents. Recommendations were also proposed for the implementation of this standard.
Humans ; Drinking Water ; Water Quality ; Reference Standards ; China ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis* ; Water Supply

Perfluorinated compounds, especially Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are widely detected in water environments in China. Considering the potential health risks of drinking water exposure routes, PFOA and PFOS have been added to the water quality reference index of the newly issued "Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2022)", with limit values of 40 and 80 ng/L, respectively. This study analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents for determining the limits of the hygiene standard, including the environmental existence level and exposure status of PFOA and PFOS, health effects, derivation of safety reference values, and determination of hygiene standard limits. It also proposed prospects for the future direction of formulating drinking water standards.
Humans ; Water Quality ; Drinking Water ; Fluorocarbons/analysis* ; Caprylates/analysis* ; China ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

Perchlorate is an environmental pollutant that has been a focus of attention in recent years. It has been detected in many environmental water bodies and drinking water in China, with a high level of presence in some areas of the Yangtze River Basin. The human body may ingest perchlorate through exposure pathways such as drinking water and food, and its main health effect is to affect the thyroid's absorption of iodine. The "Standards for Drinking Water Quality" (GB5749-2022) includes perchlorate as an expanded indicator of water quality, with a limit value of 0.07 mg/L. This article analyzes the technical content related to the determination of hygiene standard limits for perchlorate in drinking water, including the environmental presence level and exposure status of perchlorate, main health effects, derivation of safety reference values, and determination of hygiene standard limits.
Humans ; Water Quality ; Drinking Water ; Perchlorates/analysis* ; China ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

The radioactive safety of drinking water has attracted increasing public concern. The newly issued Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2022) in China has revised the radiological parameters. This article provides an overview of the main sources, levels of radionuclides in drinking water, and summarized the individual doses criterion and adverse health effects associated with exposure of the public to radionuclides from drinking-water. It analyzes and discusses the relevant revision content of radiological parameters, including the guidance values for screening gross α and gross β, subtracting the contribution of potassium-40 from gross β activity when the gross β activity concentration exceeds the screening level, and the basis for establishing the limit values of reference indices uranium and radium-226. Specific implementation and evaluation suggestions are also proposed.
Humans ; China ; Drinking Water ; Radioisotopes/analysis* ; Uranium/analysis* ; Water Supply

China is rich in antimony, boron, and vanadium mineral resources, which have been detected in environmental water bodies and drinking water. During the revision process of the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2006)", research and evaluation are focused on three indicators: antimony, boron and vanadium. Vanadium is added and the limit value of boron is adjusted. This study reviews and discusses the technical contents related to the revision of the antimony, boron and vanadium, including the environmental presence levels, exposure status, health effects, and the revision of the standard limits of these three indicators. Suggestions are also made for the implementation of this standard.
Humans ; Antimony ; Boron/analysis* ; China ; Drinking Water ; Vanadium ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

The usage of vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene in China has been increasing year by year, and they have been detected in both drinking water and environmental water, making them important environmental pollutants. Based on the latest research results on the health effects of vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene, the newly issued, "Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB5749-2022)" in China has adjusted the standard limit of vinyl chloride from 0.005 mg/L to 0.001 mg/L and the standard limit of trichloroethylene from 0.07 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L. This article analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents for determining the above standard limits, including the levels and exposure conditions of vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene in the water environment, health effects, derivation of safety reference values, and determination of hygiene standard limits. Suggestions were also made for the implementation of this standard.
Humans ; Vinyl Chloride/analysis* ; Trichloroethylene/analysis* ; Drinking Water ; Environmental Pollutants ; China ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*