Among children aged 6 years or younger, there is no convincing evidence that prenatal cocaine exposure is associated with developmental toxic effects that are different in severity, scope, or kind from the sequelae of multiple other risk factors. Many findings once thought to be specific effects of in utero cocaine exposure are correlated with other factors, including prenatal exposure to tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol, and the quality of the child's environment. Further replication is required of preliminary neurologic findings.

Objectives To examine whether parents' concerns about environmental chemical exposures were associated with urinary phthalate and phenol concentrations in their school-age children. Study design In a prospective cohort of 218 mother-child pairs from Cincinnati, OH (2010-2014), we measured 11 phthalate metabolites and 5 phenols in urine samples when children were age 8 years and used questionnaire data from caregivers. We estimated the covariate-adjusted percent difference in phthalates and phenols among children of parents who expressed concern about environmental chemical exposures compared with children whose parents did not. Results Concentrations of four phthalates, bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol A (BPA) were lower among children whose parents expressed concern about environmental chemicals (n= 122) compared with those who did not (n=96). Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites, BPS, and BPA concentrations were 23% (95% CI:-38, -5), 37% (95% CI:-49, -21), and 13% (95% CI:-26, 3) lower, respectively, among children whose parents expressed concern compared with those whose parents did not. Triclosan concentrations were 35% higher (95% CI:-2, 87) among children whose parents expressed concern compared with children whose parents did not. Conclusions Parental concern about environmental chemicals was associated with lower childhood urine concentrations of several phthalates and phenols; unexpectedly, parental concern was associated with higher triclosan concentrations. These results suggest that parental concern may be an important factor in mitigating children's phthalate and phenol exposures.

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