Prenatal phthalate exposure reduction through an integrated intervention strategy

Abstract

Pregnancy represents a sensitive susceptibility window to phthalate esters (PAEs). In this study, we develop an intervention strategy for reducing the exposure of pregnant women to phthalates. Thirty-ve pregnant women, who initially underwent maternity examination, were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal prospective prenatal cohort study. The intervention strategy integrates diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Participants were encouraged to modify their behaviors and habits according to the intervention strategy at three different periods. Urine samples were collected from the participants after antenatal examination every month, for 8 months, to measure ten PAEs metabolites. The mono-(2ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) (MEHHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) declined signi cantly after the 1 st intervention, while mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) noticeably reduced after 2 nd intervention. The sum of the molar concentrations of MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP, and MECPP reduced by 20% to 40% during subsequent intervention. In addition, the sum of the molar concentrations of MEP, MnBP, MMP, and MiBP) as well as the sum of the molar concentrations of the ten metabolites also reduced. Our ndings suggest that intervention through written recommendations can effectively reduce the burden of phthalates during pregnancy.

Effects of Behavioral, Clinical, and Policy Interventions in Reducing Human Exposure to Bisphenols and Phthalates: A Scoping Review

“…; lifestyle changes, including reduction in personal care product use and avoiding plastics; and environmental changes, such as reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and exercising. 103 Significant declines were observed for phthalate metabolites MECP (from DnOP), MiBP, MMP (from DMP), MEP, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) over the intervention and the summed total for all measured phthalates decreased by 40% from baseline levels. 103 Two studies provided educational information about reducing exposures to phthalates and bisphenols.…”

“… 103 Significant declines were observed for phthalate metabolites MECP (from DnOP), MiBP, MMP (from DMP), MEP, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) over the intervention and the summed total for all measured phthalates decreased by 40% from baseline levels. 103 Two studies provided educational information about reducing exposures to phthalates and bisphenols. 104 , 105 In one, participants were provided information on reducing exposure via changes in household cleaning products, cosmetics, and food packaging, which resulted in significantly lower concentrations of BPA and phthalate biomarkers for DEHP and DEP compared to baseline in 26 adults.…”

Interventions to Reduce Exposure to Synthetic Phenols and Phthalates from Dietary Intake and Personal Care Products: a Scoping Review

“…Eight studies measured only bisphenols [ 44 , 45 , 48 – 53 ], four measured only phthalates [ 46 , 54 – 56 ], two measured only triclosan [ 57 , 58 ], and one measured only parabens [ 59 ], while ten assessed a mix of compounds [ 47 , 50 , 60 – 68 ]. None assessed glycol ethers.…”

“…There was a range of study designs. Nine study designs involved providing participants with products containing EDC of interest [ 49 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 58 , 61 – 64 ], six aimed to change participant behavior through only providing information on how to avoid phenols and phthalates [ 47 , 48 , 51 , 56 , 67 , 68 ], while others involved dietary changes or actively removing and/or replacing products containing the EDC of interest with products without the EDC of interest, or a combination of both [ 44 – 46 , 50 , 55 , 59 , 60 , 64 – 66 , 69 ]. Five studies included control groups in addition to the intervention group [ 44 , 45 , 58 , 66 , 68 ], while five studies were cross-over trial designs [ 49 , 52 , 53 , 63 , 69 ].…”

“…Five studies included control groups in addition to the intervention group [ 44 , 45 , 58 , 66 , 68 ], while five studies were cross-over trial designs [ 49 , 52 , 53 , 63 , 69 ]. Ten studies were conducted in non-Western countries [ 46 , 47 , 49 – 51 , 56 , 59 , 67 ] with the remaining 16 conducted in Western countries, of which 10 were carried out in the US [ 44 , 45 , 52 , 54 , 58 , 60 , 63 – 66 , 68 ]. The studies included population groups ranging from young children [ 46 , 65 , 67 ] to the elderly [ 53 ].…”