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Determinants of phthalate exposure and risk assessment in children from Poland
Mercè Garí1, Holger M Koch2, Claudia Pälmke2
1Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Computational Biology, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
Insights
Phthalate exposure in 7-year-old Polish children is higher than in other European populations, with some exceeding safe daily intake levels. Factors like BMI and socioeconomic status influence exposure, potentially posing anti-androgenic risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Phthalates are common chemicals with potential endocrine-disrupting effects in children and adults.
- Human exposure to phthalates occurs daily through various sources.
- Assessing phthalate exposure in children is crucial for understanding potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate phthalate exposure levels and identify determinants in 7-year-old children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL).
- To compare phthalate metabolite concentrations in children at age 7 with their levels at age 2 and maternal levels during pregnancy.
- To assess potential health risks by calculating daily intake and hazard indices.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 250 urine samples using on-line high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).
- Quantification of 21 phthalate metabolites from 11 parent phthalates.
- Application of multivariate regression models to identify exposure determinants.
Main Results:
- High detection rates for 18 out of 21 phthalate metabolites.
- Elevated median concentrations of di-iso-butyl (MiBP), di-n-butyl (MnBP), and diethyl (MEP) phthalate metabolites.
- Phthalate metabolite concentrations were significantly higher in 7-year-old children compared to earlier ages and maternal pregnancy levels.
- Exposure levels in this cohort were notably higher than those reported in other European populations.
- Body mass index, place of residence, breastfeeding duration, socioeconomic status, and parental education were significant determinants of phthalate metabolite levels.
- A small percentage of children (3-10%) exceeded tolerable daily intake levels, indicating potential risk for anti-androgenic effects.
Conclusions:
- Polish children at age 7 exhibit high phthalate exposure, exceeding levels found in other European cohorts.
- Specific lifestyle and socioeconomic factors are associated with phthalate exposure in this population.
- The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring, educational programs, and interventions to mitigate potential health risks from phthalate exposure.
Abstract:
Phthalates are a group of widely used chemicals and humans are exposed to them in their daily life. Some phthalates may affect the hormonal balance in both children and adults. The aim of this study was to assess the phthalate exposure and its determinants among children at age of 7 years from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL). 250 urine samples collected in 2014-2015 were analysed for 21 metabolites of 11 parent phthalates using on-line high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). This represents the most extensive set of phthalate metabolites ever determined for Poland. Ten metabolites were quantifiable in 100% of the samples, another eight in >90%. The highest median concentrations were found for the primary monoester metabolites of di-iso-butyl (MiBP, 72.4 μg/l), di-n-butyl (MnBP, 56.3 μg/l) and diethyl (MEP, 42.0 μg/l) phthalate, followed by the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl (ΣDEHP, 89.3 μg/l) and di-iso-nonyl (ΣDiNP, 21.9 μg/l) phthalate metabolites. Metabolite concentrations were higher in children at 7 years than in the same children at age 2 or in their mothers during pregnancy. Generally, phthalate exposures in this study were much higher than exposures reported in other European populations. Multivariate regression models showed that body mass index, place of residence, breastfeeding duration, socio-economic status and parental education were associated with the metabolite levels in the 7-year old children. Daily intake and hazard index calculations revealed that a small percentage of children (around 3-10%) exceeded the tolerable daily intakes established by international institutions such as EFSA and U.S. EPA indicating that these children might be at risk of anti-androgenic effects from the individual and cumulative exposure to phthalates. Thus, further monitoring of this population, by educational programs and follow-up interventions, is required.
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