Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

6.5K

Phthalates, bisphenols, and childhood allergic Phenotypes: Findings from two birth cohort studies

Thomas Boissiere-O'Neill1, Nina Lazarevic2, Anne-Louise Ponsonby3

  • 1The University of Queensland, Child Health Research Centre, The Children's Health and Environment Program QLD, 4101, Australia.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|November 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Early-life exposure to phthalates may increase the risk of non-atopic asthma in children. This study found differential associations between phthalate exposure and atopic versus non-atopic asthma phenotypes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Allergy
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Childhood allergic diseases are a growing concern.
  • Phthalates and bisphenols are common environmental chemicals.
  • Their differential impact on atopic versus non-atopic asthma is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if early-life exposure to phthalates and bisphenols differentially affects atopic and non-atopic asthma.
  • To examine both prenatal and postnatal exposure windows.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two birth cohorts (Australia and Canada) with detailed exposure data.
  • Assessed urinary phthalate and bisphenol metabolites during pregnancy and early childhood.
  • Diagnosed asthma, wheeze, eczema, and rhinitis at 4-5 years, with atopy assessed via skin prick tests.
  • Employed quantile G-computation and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression, stratified by atopy.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal phthalate mixtures were strongly associated with non-atopic asthma, with evidence of effect modification by atopy.
  • Postnatal phthalate mixtures were also linked to non-atopic asthma.
  • Phthalate mixtures showed distinct association patterns (U-shaped, inverse U-shaped, linear) for atopic versus non-atopic asthma.
  • Prenatal bisphenol A showed an inverse association with overall wheeze.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life phthalate exposure appears to differentially influence the risk of childhood asthma.
  • Findings suggest phthalates may play a more significant role in the development of non-atopic asthma.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate specific mechanisms and chemical impacts.

Keywords:
AllergiesAtopyBisphenolsChildhoodPhthalatesPregnancy

More Related Videos

Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di2-ethylhexyl Phthalate on Metabolite Production06:46

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

Published on: June 2, 2023

2.2K
Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays08:28

Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays

Published on: April 26, 2018

6.4K

Related Concept Videos

Preparedness and Phobias01:09

Preparedness and Phobias

Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
304
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.1K
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
31.9K
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
722
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
7.4K
Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II01:28

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

The Bradford Hill criteria serve as guidelines for establishing causative links in epidemiological research. Beyond Strength, Consistency, Specificity, and Temporality, key criteria also include Biological Gradient, Plausibility, Coherence, Experiment, and Analogy. These principles assist scientists in assessing the likelihood of causation in complex biological contexts. Below is a summary of these concepts:
1.1K