Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes

Abstract

Concern exists over whether additives in plastics to which most people are exposed, such as phthalates, bisphenol A or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, may cause harm to human health by altering endocrine function or through other biological mechanisms. Human data are limited compared with the large body of experimental evidence documenting reproductive or developmental toxicity in relation to these compounds. Here, we discuss the current state of human evidence, as well as future research trends and needs.Because exposure assessment is often a major weakness in epidemiological studies, and in utero exposures to reproductive or developmental toxicants are important, we also provide original data on maternal exposure to phthalates during and after pregnancy (n ¼ 242). Phthalate metabolite concentrations in urine showed weak correlations between pre-and post-natal samples, though the strength of the relationship increased when duration between the two samples decreased. Phthalate metabolite levels also tended to be higher in post-natal samples.In conclusion, there is a great need for more human studies of adverse health effects associated with plastic additives. Recent advances in the measurement of exposure biomarkers hold much promise in improving the epidemiological data, but their utility must be understood to facilitate appropriate study design.

Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends

“…These additives include inorganic fillers such as carbon and silica that reinforce the material, plasticizers to render the material pliable, thermal and ultraviolet stabilizers, flame retardants and colourings. Many such additives are used in substantial quantities and in a wide range of products (Meeker et al 2009). Some additive chemicals are potentially toxic (for example lead and tributyl tin in polyvinyl chloride, PVC), but there is considerable controversy about the extent to which additives released from plastic products (such as phthalates and bisphenol A, BPA) have adverse effects in animal or human populations.…”

“…However, concentration factors are generally higher for invertebrates than vertebrates, and can be especially high in some species of molluscs and crustaceans. While there is clear evidence that these chemicals have adverse effects at environmentally relevant concentrations in laboratory studies, there is a need for further research to establish population-level effects in the natural environment (see discussion in Oehlmann et al 2009), to establish the long-term effects of exposures (particularly due to exposure of embryos), to determine effects of exposure to contaminant mixtures and to establish the role of plastics as sources (albeit not exclusive sources) of these contaminants (see Meeker et al (2009) for discussion of sources and routes of exposure).…”

Chemical and non-chemical stressors affecting childhood obesity: a systematic scoping review

“…6,[142][143][144] Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer product applications. 8,145,146 Exposure to phthalates can occur from food sources, plastic containers, flooring materials and wall coverings, medical devices, personal care products, lacquers, varnishes, and coatings. Exposure for infants and children may also come from skin contact with surfaces and frequent mouthing of fingers and other objects (e.g., plastic toys), ingestion of breast milk, infant formula, cow's milk, or food packaging, and through inhalation.…”

“…Exposure for infants and children may also come from skin contact with surfaces and frequent mouthing of fingers and other objects (e.g., plastic toys), ingestion of breast milk, infant formula, cow's milk, or food packaging, and through inhalation. 146 Similar to the PFCs, phthalates activate the PPARγ pathways in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes, 147,148 thereby altering adipocyte differentiation, energy storage, and or homeostatic controls. 149,150 In 2008 ( ref.…”

Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Breast Cancer / Wpływ Zanieczyszczenia Środowiska Na Raka Piersi

“…Specific members of this family are components of many other consumer products, including building materials, household furnishings, clothing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, medical devices, dentures, children's toys, glow sticks, modelling clay, food packaging, automobiles, lubricants, waxes, cleaning materials and insecticides. There is a concern whether additives in plastics, such as phthalates, to which most people are exposed may cause harm to human health by altering endocrine function or through other biological mechanisms [142,143]. A human exposure to indoor dust enriched with endocrine-disrupting chemicals released from numerous indoor sources has been a focus of increasing concern, and longer residence times and elevated contaminant concentrations in the indoor environment may increase chances of exposure to these contaminants by 1000-fold compared to outdoor exposure.…”