Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di2-ethylhexyl Phthalate on Metabolite Production
06:46

Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di2-ethylhexyl Phthalate on Metabolite Production

Published on: June 2, 2023

2.4K

Phthalate intake by infants calculated from biomonitoring data

Wolfgang Völkel1, Mandy Kiranoglu1, Ralph Schuster1

  • 1Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany.

Toxicology Letters
|December 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infant exposure to phthalates like DEHP and DiBP is lower than maternal exposure, but some infants still exceed tolerable daily intake levels. Further risk assessment and phthalate reduction are recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Phthalates are common endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in consumer products.
  • Exposure assessment in infants is crucial due to their developmental vulnerability.
  • Maternal transfer and infant metabolism of phthalates require detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify phthalate metabolites in infant and maternal urine.
  • To compare phthalate exposure levels between infants and their mothers.
  • To assess the risk associated with phthalate exposure in early life.

Main Methods:

  • Urine samples from 47 infants (1-5 months) and their mothers were analyzed.
  • Quantification of 12 metabolites from 7 different phthalates.
  • Comparison of metabolite levels and calculation of daily intake and 95-percentiles.

Main Results:

  • Infants generally had lower median and 95-percentile phthalate metabolite levels than mothers.
  • Daily intake of di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) exceeded tolerable daily intake (TDI) in some infants and mothers.
  • Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) intake exceeded TDI in some mothers.
  • Both infants and mothers efficiently metabolize phthalates, with infants showing slightly lower efficiency.

Conclusions:

  • Infant phthalate exposure, while often lower than maternal, can still pose health risks.
  • Specific phthalates like DiBP, DEHP, and DnBP warrant attention regarding TDI exceedance.
  • A tailored risk assessment considering toxic metabolites and phthalate reduction strategies is necessary for infants.

Keywords:
BiomonitoringInfantsPhthalatesRisk assessmentUrinary excretion

More Related Videos

Phthalic Acid Ester-Binding DNA Aptamer Selection, Characterization, and Application to an Electrochemical Aptasensor09:33

Phthalic Acid Ester-Binding DNA Aptamer Selection, Characterization, and Application to an Electrochemical Aptasensor

Published on: March 21, 2018

9.3K
Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use05:48

Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use

Published on: July 24, 2021

5.2K

Related Concept Videos

Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
204
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
967
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
554