Biomarker-Determined Nonylphenol Exposure and Associated Risks in Children of Thailand, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disruptor and environmental contaminant. Yet, data on individual body burdens and potential health risks in humans, especially among children, are scarce. We analyzed two specific urinary NP metabolites, hydroxy-NP (OH-NP) and oxo-NP. In contrast to parent NP, OH-NP has a much higher urinary excretion fraction (F ue), and both are insusceptible to external contamination. We investigated spot urine samples from school children of Thailand (n = 104), Indonesia (n = 89), and Saudi Arabia (n = 108) and could quantify OH-NP in 100% of Indonesian and Saudi children (median concentrations: 8.12 and 8.57 μg/L) and in 76% of Thai children (1.07 μg/L). Median oxo-NP concentrations were 0.95, 1.10, and <0.25 μg/L, respectively, in line with its lower F ue. Median daily NP intakes (DIs), back-calculated from urinary OH-NP concentrations, were significantly higher in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia [0.47 and 0.36 μg/(kg bw·d), respectively] than in Thailand [0.06 μg/(kg bw·d)]. Maximum DIs were close to the preliminary tolerable DI of 5 μg/(kg bw·d) from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Dominant sources of exposure or relevant exposure pathways could not be readily identified by questionnaire analyses and also potentially varied by region. The novel biomarkers provide long-needed support to the quantitative exposure and risk assessment of NP.

The impact of perceived risk of online takeout packaging and the moderating role of educational level

“…Since attitude was found to exert the largest impact on purchase intention, more attention should be paid to shaping consumer attitudes in the process of promoting sustainable food consumption. It should be highlighted that though online takeout is fast and convenient, it comes with great potential health risks, such as microplastics (Liu et al, 2019 ; Prata, 2018 ; Ali et al, 2021 ), plasticizers (Freire et al, 2006 ; Ringbeck et al, 2022 ), and other additives (Segovia‐mendoza et al, 2022 ) in plastic packaging are harmful to the human body. In addition, the rate of recycling of plastic takeout packaging cannot keep up with the rapidly increasing rate of takeout orders (Liu et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Even though the toxicity of most plasticizers is low, long-term exposure can still cause significant damage to the human body. Study on PAEs residue in children from various countries has confirmed that plasticizer PAEs keeps accumulating in the body for a long time, leading to human complications (Ringbeck et al, 2022 ). Besides, PAEs can enter the body through food contact, skin contact, and breathing.…”

Relationship between Eating Habits and 4-Nonylphenol Concentration in Breast Milk of Women in Slovakia

“…Breast milk is among the body fluids most suitable for monitoring the effect of alkylphenol exposure on both mother and child [16]. Breast milk is a complex and variable fluid that evolved to nourish the infant and protect it from disease while its immune system continues to develop.…”