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Phthalate and Nonphthalate Plasticizer Exposure among Children of Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh:
Joeun Jung1,2, Ah-Reum Jo1, Yuna Kim1
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Children in Asia show significant disparities in plasticizer exposure, with Bangladeshi children facing the highest risk. Key plasticizers like DEHP and DnBP drive cumulative health risks, necessitating targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Chemical Exposure Assessment
Background:
- Children's vulnerability to plasticizer exposure and associated health risks is a growing concern.
- Limited understanding of plasticizer exposure levels among children in many Asian nations.
- Increasing use of plasticizers necessitates comprehensive exposure assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasticizer exposure levels and risks among children in four Asian countries (Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh).
- To identify the major drivers of plasticizer-related health risks in these populations.
- To investigate regional disparities in exposure to phthalate and nonphthalate plasticizers.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of children aged 6-14 years from Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh (2022-2023).
- Analysis of major phthalate and nonphthalate plasticizer metabolites in first morning void urine samples.
- Calculation of total estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard index to assess exposure and risk.
Main Results:
- Indonesian and Bangladeshi children had higher phthalate exposure but lower nonphthalate alternative exposure compared to Thai and Korean children.
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) accounted for over 80% of the total estimated daily intake for all plasticizers across all countries.
- Bangladeshi children exhibited 1.5-2 times greater total plasticizer exposure than children in other surveyed countries.
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) were major contributors to cumulative risk in high-risk subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities in plasticizer exposure exist among Asian children, highlighting varying risk profiles.
- Urgent need for investigations into exposure sources of key risk drivers like DEHP and DnBP.
- Region-specific interventions are crucial to mitigate plasticizer exposure and protect children's health.
Abstract:
Children are considered vulnerable to plasticizer exposure and related adverse health effects. In many Asian countries, however, the extent of plasticizer exposure among children is poorly understood despite the increasing use of plasticizers. This study compared plasticizer exposure levels and risks among children in four Asian countries and investigated the major risk drivers. Children aged 6-14 years old were recruited between 2022 and 2023 from Korea (n = 89), Thailand (n = 111), Indonesia (n = 100), and Bangladesh (n = 100). They were measured for major metabolites of phthalates and nonphthalate plasticizers in the first morning void urine. Indonesian and Bangladeshi children showed higher exposure to phthalates but lower exposure to nonphthalate alternatives. At the same time, children from Thailand and Korea exhibited a greater transition to the alternatives. In all countries, DEHA contributed to over 80% of the total estimated daily intake (EDI) for all plasticizers. Bangladeshi children exhibited 1.5-2 times greater total plasticizer exposure than the children of the other countries across all EDI quartiles. Among the high-risk subgroup (within the top 25th percentile of the hazard index), DEHP accounted for 62 and 52% of the cumulative risk in Indonesia and Bangladesh, while DnBP contributed to 63 and 54% in Thailand and Korea, respectively. Our observations reveal critical disparities in plasticizer exposure among Asian children, highlighting an urgent need for follow-up investigations on the exposure sources of major risk drivers and region-specific interventions.
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