BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tertiary-octylphenol (tOP) are industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (BPA) and nonionic surfactants (tOP). These products are in widespread use in the United States.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess exposure to BPA and tOP in the U.S. general population.MethodsWe measured the total (free plus conjugated) urinary concentrations of BPA and tOP in 2,517 participants ≥ 6 years of age in the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using automated solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsBPA and tOP were detected in 92.6% and 57.4% of the persons, respectively. Least square geometric mean (LSGM) concentrations of BPA were significantly lower in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic blacks (p = 0.006) and non-Hispanic whites (p = 0.007); LSGM concentrations for non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites were not statistically different (p = 0.21). Females had statistically higher BPA LSGM concentrations than males (p = 0.043). Children had higher concentrations than adolescents (p < 0.001), who in turn had higher concentrations than adults (p = 0.003). LSGM concentrations were lowest for participants in the high household income category (> $45,000/year).ConclusionsUrine concentrations of total BPA differed by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and household income. These first U.S. population representative concentration data for urinary BPA and tOP should help guide public health research priorities, including studies of exposure pathways, potential health effects, and risk assessment.

BackgroundMany phthalates and phenols are hormonally active and are suspected to alter the course of development.ObjectiveWe investigated prenatal exposures to phthalate and phenol metabolites and their associations with body size measures of the infants at birth.MethodsWe measured 5 phenol and 10 phthalate urinary metabolites in a multiethnic cohort of 404 women in New York City during their third trimester of pregnancy and recorded size of infants at birth.ResultsMedian urinary concentrations were > 10 μg/L for 2 of 5 phenols and 6 of 10 phthalate monoester metabolites. Concentrations of low-molecular-weight phthalate monoesters (low-MWP) were approximately 5-fold greater than those of high-molecular-weight metabolites. Low-MWP metabolites had a positive association with gestational age [0.97 day gestational age per ln-biomarker; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07–1.9 days, multivariate adjusted] and with head circumference. Higher prenatal exposures to 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) predicted lower birth weight in boys (−210 g average birth weight difference between the third tertile and first tertile of 2,5-DCP; 95% CI, 71–348 g). Higher maternal benzophenone-3 (BP3) concentrations were associated with a similar decrease in birth weight among girls but with greater birth weight in boys.ConclusionsWe observed a range of phthalate and phenol exposures during pregnancy in our population, but few were associated with birth size. The association of 2,5-DCP and BP3 with reduced or increased birth weight could be important in very early or small-size births. In addition, positive associations of urinary metabolites with some outcomes may be attributable partly to unresolved confounding with maternal anthropometric factors.

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Virtually all persons in industrialized countries are exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), and early-life BPA exposure might be associated with behavior problems. Few human studies have been conducted, and the impact of gestational versus childhood BPA exposures is unclear. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:BPA exposure during pregnancy, but not childhood, was associated with worse behavior at 3 years of age, especially among girls. Domains related to behavioral and emotional regulation were most affected by gestational BPA exposure. abstract OBJECTIVES:To estimate the impact of gestational and childhood bisphenol A (BPA) exposures on behavior and executive function at 3 years of age and to determine whether child gender modified those associations. METHODS:We used a prospective birth cohort of 244 mothers and their 3-year-old children from the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area. We characterized gestational and childhood BPA exposures by using the mean BPA concentrations in maternal (16 and 26 weeks of gestation and birth) and child (1, 2, and 3 years of age) urine samples, respectively. Behavior and executive function were measured by using the Behavior Assessment System for Children 2 (BASC-2) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P). RESULTS:BPA was detected in Ͼ97% of the gestational (median: 2.0 g/L) and childhood (median: 4.1 g/L) urine samples. With adjustment for confounders, each 10-fold increase in gestational BPA concentrations was associated with more anxious and depressed behavior on the BASC-2 and poorer emotional control and inhibition on the BRIEF-P. The magnitude of the gestational BPA associations differed according to child gender; BASC-2 and BRIEF-P scores increased 9 to 12 points among girls, but changes were null or negative among boys. Associations between childhood BPA exposure and neurobehavior were largely null and not modified by child gender. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, gestational BPA exposure affected behavioral and emotional regulation domains at 3 years of age, especially among girls. Clinicians may advise concerned patients to reduce their exposure to certain consumer products, but the benefits of such reductions are unclear. Pediatrics 2011;128:873-882 AUTHORS:

BackgroundTriclosan is a synthetic chemical with broad antimicrobial activity that has been used extensively in consumer products, including personal care products, textiles, and plastic kitchenware.ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess exposure to triclosan in a representative sample ≥ 6 years of age of the U.S. general population from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsWe analyzed 2,517 urine samples using automated solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsWe detected concentrations of total (free plus conjugated) triclosan in 74.6% of samples at concentrations of 2.4–3,790 μg/L. The geometric mean and 95th percentile concentrations were 13.0 μg/L (12.7 μg/g creatinine) and 459.0 μg/L (363.8 μg/g creatinine), respectively. We observed a curvilinear relation between age and adjusted least square geometric mean (LSGM) concentrations of triclosan. LSGM concentrations of triclosan were higher in people in the high household income than in people in low (p < 0.01) and medium (p = 0.04) income categories.ConclusionsIn about three-quarters of urine samples analyzed as part of NHANES 2003–2004, we detected concentrations of triclosan. Concentrations differed by age and socioeconomic status but not by race/ethnicity and sex. Specifically, the concentrations of triclosan appeared to be highest during the third decade of life and among people with the highest household incomes.

BackgroundPrenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) increases offspring aggression and diminishes differences in sexually dimorphic behaviors in rodents.ObjectiveWe examined the association between prenatal BPA exposure and behavior in 2-year-old children.MethodsWe used data from 249 mothers and their children in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA). Maternal urine was collected around 16 and 26 weeks of gestation and at birth. BPA concentrations were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography–isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Child behavior was assessed at 2 years of age using the second edition of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). The association between prenatal BPA concentrations and BASC-2 scores was analyzed using linear regression.ResultsMedian BPA concentrations were 1.8 (16 weeks), 1.7 (26 weeks), and 1.3 (birth) ng/mL. Mean (± SD) BASC-2 externalizing and internalizing scores were 47.6 ± 7.8 and 44.8 ± 7.0, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, log10-transformed mean prenatal BPA concentrations were associated with externalizing scores, but only among females [β = 6.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1–12.0]. Compared with 26-week and birth concentrations, BPA concentrations collected around 16 weeks were more strongly associated with externalizing scores among all children (β = 2.9; 95% CI, 0.2–5.7), and this association was stronger in females than in males. Among all children, measurements collected at ≤ 16 weeks showed a stronger association (β = 5.1; 95% CI, 1.5–8.6) with externalizing scores than did measurements taken at 17–21 weeks (β = 0.6; 95% CI, −2.9 to 4.1).ConclusionsThese results suggest that prenatal BPA exposure may be associated with externalizing behaviors in 2-year-old children, especially among female children.

We developed a method using isotope dilution on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the determination in urine of nine environmental phenolic compounds: Bisphenol A; 4-tert-octylphenol; o-phenylphenol; 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,5-dichlorophenol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-metoxybenzophenone); and triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxyphenyl ether). A unique fully automated column-switching system, constructed using 1 autosampler, 2 HPLC pumps, and a 10-port switching valve, was designed to allow for concurrent SPE-HPLC operation with peak focusing. The phenols present in 100 microL of urine were retained and concentrated on a C18 reversed-phase size-exclusion SPE column. Then, the phenols were "back-eluted" from the SPE column and diluted through a mixing Tee before being separated from other urine matrix components using a pair of monolithic HPLC columns. The phenols were detected by negative ion-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS/MS. The efficient preconcentration of the phenols by the SPE column, analyte peak focusing by the dilution, and minimal ion suppression in the LC/MS interface by the buffer-free mobile phases resulted in limits of detection as low as 0.1-0.4 ng/mL for most analytes. The method was validated on spiked pooled urine samples and on urine samples from 30 adults with no known occupational exposure to environmental phenols. The method can be used for quick and accurate analysis of large numbers of samples in epidemiologic studies for assessing the prevalence of human exposure to environmental phenols.

BackgroundPrenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may be associated with developmental toxicity, but few studies have examined the variability and predictors of urinary BPA concentrations during pregnancy.ObjectiveOur goal was to estimate the variability and predictors of serial urinary BPA concentrations taken during pregnancy.MethodsWe measured BPA concentrations during pregnancy and at birth in three spot urine samples from 389 women. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess BPA variability and estimated associations between log10-transformed urinary BPA concentrations and demographic, occupational, dietary, and environmental factors, using mixed models.ResultsGeometric mean (GM) creatinine-standardized concentrations (micrograms per gram) were 1.7 (16 weeks), 2.0 (26 weeks), and 2.0 (birth). Creatinine-standardized BPA concentrations exhibited low reproducibility (ICC = 0.11). By occupation, cashiers had the highest BPA concentrations (GM: 2.8 μg/g). Consuming canned vegetables at least once a day was associated with higher BPA concentrations (GM = 2.3 μg/g) compared with those consuming no canned vegetables (GM = 1.6 μg/g). BPA concentrations did not vary by consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruit, or store-bought fresh and frozen fish. Urinary high-molecular-weight phthalate and serum tobacco smoke metabolite concentrations were positively associated with BPA concentrations.ConclusionsThese results suggest numerous sources of BPA exposure during pregnancy. Etiological studies may need to measure urinary BPA concentrations more than once during pregnancy and adjust for phthalates and tobacco smoke exposures.

Puerto Rico has higher rates of a range of endocrine-related diseases and disorders compared to the United States. However, little is known to date about human exposures to known or potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in Puerto Rico. We recruited 105 pregnant women in Northern Puerto Rico who provided urine samples and questionnaire data at three times (20±2, 24±2, and 28±2 weeks) during gestation. We measured the urinary concentrations of five phenols and three parabens: 2,4-dichlorophenol (24-DCP), 2,5-dichlorophenol (25-DCP), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), butyl paraben (B-PB), methyl paraben (M-PB), and propyl paraben (P-PB). The frequent detection of these chemicals suggests that exposure is highly prevalent among these Puerto Rican pregnant women. Urinary concentrations of TCS, BP-3 and 25-DCP were higher than among women of reproductive age in the US general population, while concentrations of BPA, 24-DCP and parabens were similar. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) varied widely between biomarkers; BPA had the lowest ICC (0.24) and BP-3 had highest (0.62), followed by 25-DCP (0.49) and TCS (0.47). We found positive associations between biomarker concentrations with self-reported use of liquid soap (TCS), sunscreen (BP-3), lotion (BP-3 and parabens), and cosmetics (parabens). Our results can inform future epidemiology studies and strategies to reduce exposure to these chemicals or their precursors.