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Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used as flame retardants in a variety of consumer products including certain textiles. Little is known with regard to the occurrence of and dermal exposure to OPEs present in textiles/fabrics. In this study, concentrations and profiles of 20 OPEs were measured in 160 textile samples collected from the United States. The sum concentrations of 20 OPEs (∑20OPE) in textiles ranged from 4.85 to 1.18 × 106 ng/g (median: 228 ng/g). Significantly higher concentrations of ∑20OPE were found in flame retardant-treated fabrics (n = 23; median: 8.18 × 104 ng/g), especially those manufactured in the United States. Trace levels of OPEs were also detected in infant clothing. Triphenyl phosphate was the predominant compound (40.2% of total concentrations) found in flame retardant-treated textiles, followed by cresyl diphenyl phosphate (34.5%) and tris­(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (17.9%). The calculated dermal exposure doses in infants of major OPEs present in textiles were 5 orders of magnitude below the current reference doses. This study provides the first evidence of the occurrence of OPEs in textiles and clothing purchased in the United States.

IntroductionCigarette smoking has a negative effect on body reserve of antioxidants and cholesterol metabolism. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent antioxidant synthesized as part of the cholesterol pathway, is a potential biomarker for systemic oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate gender variation in plasma lipid profile and CoQ10 concentrations in healthy non-smokers and in smokers.Material and methodsThe study included 55 cigarette smokers (25 females and 30 males) and 51 non-smokers (25 females and 26 males) with the age range from 21 to 45 years, and who had no history of alcohol abuse or chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or obesity. Coenzyme Q10 plasma concentrations were measured by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. Fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels were determined by standard colorimetric methods.ResultsOur results showed that CoQ10 concentrations were significantly decreased in smokers, especially in females, than their non-smoker counterparts. Female smokers also exhibited a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, and atherogenic ratios HDL-C/TC and CoQ10/LDL-C than male counterparts. Plasma triglyceride concentrations were increased in smokers irrespective of gender. Plasma CoQ10 was relatively more associated with TC and LDL-C in female smokers than male smokers.ConclusionsThe adverse effects of smoking on body reserve of antioxidants and cholesterol metabolism are greater in females than in males, partially as a result of decreased CoQ10 plasma concentrations, HDL-C and total-cholesterol and abnormal atherogenicity indices.

Background: The metabolic pathways can be affected by dysregulation in thyroid hormone levels which in turn can arise from environmental chemical exposure. This study investigated the association of selected trace elements with thyroid dis- orders in a Saudi population. Methods: Urine samples collected from 100 participants (50 thyroid disorder patients and 50 controls) were analyzed to determine trace elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney Test, were used to examine the association between socio-demographic as well as clinical characteristics of thyroid profile levels (T3,T4 and TSH) and urinary trace element concentrations. Results: Urine from patients with thyroid disorders had significantly higher concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Cd (p-values <0.0005). In contrast, urinary Cr and Zn (p-values <0.013 and 0.005) were low in thyroid patients compared to the control. Conclusion: First study to report urinary trace element levels showed a possible link between thyroid disorders and trace element exposure which reflect the environmental pollution. Keywords: Trace metals; heavy elements; thyroid dysfunction.

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