Urinary Phthalate Concentrations in Mothers and Their Children in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study

Abstract

Background: Phthalates are chemicals which are widespread in the environment. Although the impacts on health of such exposure are unclear, there is evidence of a possible impact on the incidence of a diverse range of diseases. Monitoring of human exposure to phthalates is therefore important. This study aimed to determine the extent of phthalate exposure among mothers and their children in both rural and urban areas in Ireland, and to identify factors associated with elevated concentrations. It formed part of the ‘Demonstration of a study to Co-ordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale’ (DEMOCOPHES) pilot biomonitoring study. Methods: the concentration of phthalate metabolites were determined from a convenience sample of 120 mother/child pairs. The median age of the children was 8 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information regarding lifestyle and environmental conditions of the children and mothers. Rigorous quality assurance within DEMOCOPHES guaranteed the accuracy and international comparability of results. Results: Phthalate metabolites were detected in all of the samples from both children and mothers. Concentrations were significantly higher in respondents from families with lower educational attainment and in those exposed to such items as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fast food and personal care products (PCP). Conclusions: The study demonstrates that human biomonitoring for assessing exposure to phthalates can be undertaken in Ireland and that the exposure of the population is widespread. Further work will be necessary before the consequences of this exposure are understood.

Bisphenol A and Phthalates in Diet: An Emerging Link with Pregnancy Complications

“…Data on urinary concentrations of phthalates in newborns are controversial. While some authors reported similar levels to those in the mothers [51], others observed two-or three times lower concentrations in offspring [52]. As for children, higher levels of urinary phthalates compared to adults have been found [53].…”

Phthalate Exposure from Drinking Water in Romanian Adolescents

“…Certain phthalate metabolites (MEOHP, MEHHP, and MnBP) were lower in our study population, compared to previous European maternal studies. Our geometric mean for MEOHP was 2.59 µg/g creatinine, much lower than Czech Republic (11.68 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (11.54 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (10.37 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (8.8 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. Our participants geometric mean for MEHHP was 1.48 µg/g creatinine, lower compared to Czech Republic (18.45 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (18.20 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (15.54 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (17.0 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ].…”

“…Our geometric mean for MEOHP was 2.59 µg/g creatinine, much lower than Czech Republic (11.68 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (11.54 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (10.37 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (8.8 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. Our participants geometric mean for MEHHP was 1.48 µg/g creatinine, lower compared to Czech Republic (18.45 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (18.20 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (15.54 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (17.0 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. MnBP was not reported in Cerna et al, 2015 [ 31 ] for comparison, but was included in Cullen et al, 2017 [ 32 ].…”

“…Previous studies conclude younger age groups are more vulnerable and have higher exposure to phthalates compared to adults [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In comparisons with adults, our adolescent participants had a geometric mean of MEHP (2.00 µg/g creatinine), lower than mothers of the Czech Republic (3.13 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (3.14 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (3.70 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (2.8 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. The adolescents in our study had higher concentrations of MBzP (geometric mean of 10.66 µg/g creatinine) compared to the maternal populations in Czech Republic (4.35 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (3.81 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (3.82 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (3.1 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ].…”

“…In comparisons with adults, our adolescent participants had a geometric mean of MEHP (2.00 µg/g creatinine), lower than mothers of the Czech Republic (3.13 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (3.14 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (3.70 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (2.8 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. The adolescents in our study had higher concentrations of MBzP (geometric mean of 10.66 µg/g creatinine) compared to the maternal populations in Czech Republic (4.35 µg/g creatinine), Slovakia (3.81 µg/g creatinine), Hungary (3.82 µg/g creatinine) [ 31 ], and Ireland (3.1 µg/g creatinine) [ 32 ]. Certain phthalate metabolites (MEOHP, MEHHP, and MnBP) were lower in our study population, compared to previous European maternal studies.…”