Levels of seven urinary phthalate metabolites in a human reference population.

Abstract

Using a novel and highly selective technique, we measured monoester metabolites of seven commonly used phthalates in urine samples from a reference population of 289 adult humans. This analytical approach allowed us to directly measure the individual phthalate metabolites responsible for the animal reproductive and developmental toxicity while avoiding contamination from the ubiquitous parent compounds. The monoesters with the highest urinary levels found were monoethyl phthalate (95th percentile, 3,750 ppb, 2,610 microg/g creatinine), monobutyl phthalate (95th percentile, 294 ppb, 162 microg/g creatinine), and monobenzyl phthalate (95th percentile, 137 ppb, 92 microg/g creatinine), reflecting exposure to diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and benzyl butyl phthalate. Women of reproductive age (20-40 years) were found to have significantly higher levels of monobutyl phthalate, a reproductive and developmental toxicant in rodents, than other age/gender groups (p < 0.005). Current scientific and regulatory attention on phthalates has focused almost exclusively on health risks from exposure to only two phthalates, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and di-isononyl phthalate. Our findings strongly suggest that health-risk assessments for phthalate exposure in humans should include diethyl, dibutyl, and benzyl butyl phthalates.

Hypospadias and endocrine disruption: is there a connection?

“…On a broader scale, a CDC nationwide survey of contaminants in urine found that women between 20 and 40 years of age had significantly higher voiding concentrations of the metabolites of DEHP (demonstrated antiandrogens) than any other cohort. The main route of exposure in this case was thought to be inhalation (87).…”

“…Humans are continually in contact with endocrine-disrupting chemicals: for example, pesticides; concentrated food products containing natural plant estrogens; and by-products and end products of modern technology, including plastics and plastic components, detergents, pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics, among others (86,87). Some of these substances do not degrade rapidly, and because of their persistence, they accumulate in human tissue over a lifetime (50).…”

Fragrance: emerging health and environmental concerns

“…59 A recent study found that metabolites of diethyl and dibutyl phthalate were common in women of childbearing ages. 60 Some phthalates have been found to be hormone disruptors in animal studies. Diethyl and dibutyl phthalate are common in scented products.…”

Plasticizer concentration in cord blood cryopreserved with DMSO

“…Children are assumed to have higher exposures to DEHP than adults (Clark et al2003a, Meek et al 1994, Müller et al 2003. The individual and actual internal exposure to DEHP can be determined by measuring DEHP metabolites in urine (Blount et al 2000, Koch et al 2006, Koch et al 2003b. Specific urinary DEHP metabolites can serve as biomarkers of DEHP exposure covering all sources and routes of exposure.…”