Urinary concentrations of phthalates and phenols in a population of Spanish pregnant women and children

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2011.02.012Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Phthalate and phenol exposure is prevalent among the general population and of potential concern for pregnant women and children because of their suspected susceptibility to endocrine effects.

Objectives

To evaluate the extent of exposure to several phthalates and phenols in a sample of Spanish pregnant women – according to their individual characteristics (age, social class, education, and body mass index) – and children who participated in the INMA — Infancia y Medio Ambiente (Environment and Childhood) project.

Methods

One spot urine sample was taken during the third trimester of pregnancy from 120 pregnant women and from 30 4-year old children belonging to 5 Spanish birth cohorts, and analyzed for 11 phthalate metabolites and 9 phenols.

Results

Three metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate, mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate, and mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate; two metabolites of dibutyl phthalates, mono-isobutyl phthalate and mono-n-butyl phthalate; monoethyl phthalate (MEP), the main metabolite of diethyl phthalate; and two phenols, methyl paraben (M-PB) and 2,5-dichlorophenol were detected in the urine samples of all women. The highest urinary concentrations were for MEP and M-PB. Urinary concentrations of all phthalate metabolites and of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, and bisphenol A were lower in the pregnant women than in the children. Among women, a positive relationship with social class and education was shown for most of the phthalate metabolites and phenols. Almost all phthalate metabolites varied by region even after adjusting for social class and education.

Conclusions

Phthalate and phenol exposures are prevalent in a group of pregnant women and young children, two susceptible populations, and these exposures might be positively related to social class.

Research highlights

► Assessment of exposure to phthalate and phenols in pregnant women and children. ► Environmental phthalates and phenols are prevalent in pregnant women and children. ► The exposure to phthalates and phenols might be positively related to social class.

Section snippets

Background

Some phthalates and phenols are used in the manufacture of polymeric materials. High-molecular weight phthalates like di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) act as plasticizers in the manufacture of flexible vinyl plastic used in flooring, wall coverings, food contact applications and medical devices. Low-molecular weight phthalates such as diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) can be used in personal care products, lacquers, varnishes and coatings, including timed release polymeric

Study population

One hundred and twenty pregnant women were selected at random from four birth cohorts (Asturias, Gipuzkoa, Sabadell and Valencia) and 30 four-year old children (boys) from one birth cohort (Granada). These five birth cohorts belong to the INMA Project, a population-based birth cohort study conducted in Spain that has been described in detail previously (Ribas-Fitó et al., 2006). Its main goal is to investigate the role during pregnancy and early childhood of environmental pollutants present in

Results

MECPP, MEHHP, MEOHP MiBP, MBP, MEP, 2,5-DCP, and M-BP were detected in the urine samples of all women, TCS was only detected in 59.5% samples (Table 2). The urinary concentrations of all phthalate metabolites examined, and of 2,4-DCP, 2,5-DCP, M-PB and P-PB were above the LOD in the 4 year old children; TCS was only detected in 36.7% of the children's samples. The highest median concentrations in both pregnant women and children were observed for MEP and MECPP among the phthalate metabolites,

Discussion

We found detectable concentrations of phthalate metabolites in more than 84% of urine samples of pregnant women and in all samples from children in a Spanish population. Phenols, excluding TCS, were detected in urines of 68% of women and 73% of children. Concentrations of TCS were detected in 59% and 37% of the pregnant women and children samples. MEP and M-PB were the compounds with the highest concentrations in both pregnant women and children. Children presented higher median urinary

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Funding

This study was funded by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red INMA G03/176 CB06/02/0041, FIS-FEDER 03/1615, 04/1509, 04/1112, 04/1931, 05/1079, 05/1052, 06/1213, 07/0314 and 09/02647), Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS-PI041436, FIS-PI081151, FIS-PI06/0867, FIS-PS09/00090 FISS-PI042018, FISS-PI09/02311), Generalitat de Catalunya-CIRIT 1999SGR 00241, Obra Social Cajastur, Universidad de Oviedo, Department of Health of the Basque Government (2005111093 and 2009111069), the Provincial

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Xiaoyun Ye, Amber Bishop, Xiaoliu Zhou, Tao Jia, Manori Silva, Ella Samandar, and Jim Preau (CDC, Atlanta, GA) for measuring the urinary concentrations of phenols and phthalate metabolites.

We would also like to thank all the participants in the INMA project for their generous collaboration. A full roster of the INMA Project Investigators can be found at http://www.proyectoinma.org/presentacion-inma/listado-investigadores/en_listado-investigadores.html.

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