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Schildroth S, Geller RJ, Wesselink AK, Lovett SM, Bethea TN, Claus Henn B, Harmon QE, Taylor KW, Calafat AM, Wegienka G, Gaston SA, Baird DD, Wise LA. Hair product use and urinary biomarker concentrations of non-persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals among reproductive-aged Black women. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142442. [PMID: 38810806 PMCID: PMC11217908 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown an association between hair product use and adverse health outcomes. Scientists have hypothesized that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) drives these associations, but few studies have directly evaluated associations between hair product use and biomarkers of EDCs. Even more limited are studies of Black women, who frequently use EDC-containing products (e.g., hair relaxers). OBJECTIVE We estimated associations between hair product use and EDC biomarker concentrations. METHODS We leveraged cross-sectional data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids, a cohort of females aged 23-34 years who self-identified as Black/African American from the Detroit-metropolitan area (USA; n = 425). On structured questionnaires, participants reported their past 24-h and past 12-month use of hair products, including relaxers/straighteners/perms, styling products, moisturizers, oils, and hair food. We quantified urinary concentrations of 19 phthalate/phthalate alternative metabolites, 7 phenols, and 4 parabens using high performance liquid chromatography isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. EDC biomarker concentrations were creatinine-adjusted and natural log-transformed. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate mean percent differences in EDC biomarker concentrations and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with hair product use, adjusting for sociodemographic confounders. RESULTS Hair product use was associated with greater concentrations of multiple EDC biomarkers. Notably, use of hair products in the previous 24 h (compared with non-use) was associated with 16.2% (95% CI = 0.7%, 35.9%), 35.0% (95% CI = 2.6%, 77.6%), and 32.3% (95% CI = 8.8%, 92.0%) higher concentrations of mono-isobutyl phthalate, methyl paraben, and ethyl paraben, respectively. Use of hair relaxers/straighteners/perms, styling products, moisturizers, oils, and hair food in the past 12 months was also associated with higher concentrations of multiple phthalate, phenol, and paraben biomarkers. CONCLUSION Hair product use was associated with higher biomarker concentrations of multiple phthalates, phenols, and parabens. These findings suggest that hair products are potentially important exposure sources for hormonally-active chemicals among Black women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Schildroth
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA.
| | - Ruth J Geller
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
| | - Amelia K Wesselink
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
| | - Sharonda M Lovett
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
| | - Traci N Bethea
- Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Research, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
| | - Quaker E Harmon
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham NC, USA
| | - Kyla W Taylor
- National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA, USA
| | | | | | - Donna D Baird
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham NC, USA
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston MA, USA
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Taylor KW, Co CA, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, Harmon Q, Baird DD. Frequency of personal care product use among reproductive-aged Black individuals and associations with socio-demographic characteristics. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:659-669. [PMID: 38811800 PMCID: PMC11303245 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00690-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to White women, Black women in the United States are more likely to use personal care products (PCPs) with higher concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and harsher chemical formulations. This may contribute to differential health outcomes in Black women such as increased risk of breast cancer, cardiometabolic outcomes, adverse birth outcomes, and uterine fibroids. OBJECTIVE Classify distinct PCP use patterns across multiple types of products and examine how patterns vary by socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS The Study of Environment, Lifestyle and Fibroids is a cohort study of reproductive-aged Black individuals living around Detroit, Michigan. Using self-reported data on frequency of PCP collected between 2013-2018, we employed latent class analysis to identify distinct groups of participants with similar PCP use. Socio-demographic characteristics were compared across latent classes. RESULTS Among 1562 participants, we identified 6 latent classes: Lower Overall; Higher Nailcare; Higher Skincare; Moderate Overall; Higher Makeup/Haircare/Skincare; Higher Overall. Makeup and nailcare usage were the most predictive for classifying participants into groups. Participants in classes with less frequent use of all PCPs and those with only high use of nailcare products, were more likely to report lower socio-economic status (SES), be current smokers, have a body mass index of ≥35 kg/m2, and have ≥3 births. In comparison, participants in classes with average and more frequent use of PCPs were more likely to report higher SES, be non-smokers, be nulliparous, and have ever used oral contraceptives. IMPACT STATEMENT This study is one of the first detailed assessments of PCP usage among a large cohort of young adult Black women that considers multiple product categories including makeup, hair, skin, nail, and vaginal products. Latent class analysis was used to capture complex patterns of PCP use and identify distinct groups of individuals with similar product use. Although the latent classes are specific to this study population, the identified socio-demographic characteristics or behaviors associated with latent classes may inform targeted and impactful exposure reduction strategies in similar populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla W Taylor
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Caroll A Co
- Social and Scientific Systems, Inc., a DLH Holdings Corp Company, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Symielle A Gaston
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Chandra L Jackson
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Quaker Harmon
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Donna D Baird
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Valdes-Devesa V, Sanz-Rosa D, Thuissard-Vasallo IJ, Andreu-Vázquez C, Sainz de la Cuesta R. Xenoestrogen concentration in women with endometriosis or leiomyomas: A case-control study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304766. [PMID: 38833439 PMCID: PMC11149880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xenoestrogens are synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals capable of altering the endocrine system of humans and animals owing to their molecular similarity to endogenous hormones. There is limited data regarding their effects on women´s health. Chronic exposure to xenoestrogens can promote the development of estrogen-related diseases. OBJECTIVES To examine xenoestrogen concentration (TEXB-α) differences between women with leiomyomas or endometriosis and control women, and to study the relationship between the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of these patients and their xenoestrogen levels. METHODS Prospective case-control study. We selected 221 women who underwent surgery at Quironsalud Madrid University Hospital between 2017 and 2021. The cases included 117 patients: 74 women who underwent surgery for uterine leiomyomas, 21 with endometriosis, and 22 with both pathologies. The control group comprised 104 healthy women who underwent surgical procedures for other reasons. TEXB-α was determined in the omental fat of all patients. Using a questionnaire and reviewing the patients' medical records, we collected sociodemographic data and other relevant variables. RESULTS A significant majority of study participants (68.8%) had detectable levels of xenoestrogens. We found no association between TEXB-α levels in omental fat and the presence of myomas or endometriosis. In the case group, women living or working in Madrid Community exhibited, on average, 3.12 Eeq pM/g higher levels of TEXB-α compared to those working in other areas (p = 0.030). Women who referred to the use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives had, on average, 3.02 Eeq pM/g higher levels of TEXB-α than those who had never used them (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS This study found no association between omental xenoestrogen levels and leiomyomas or endometriosis. However, their presence in most participants and their association with highly polluted areas emphasizes the importance of limiting environmental exposure to these substances. We also identified an association between hormonal contraceptive use and xenoestrogen concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Valdes-Devesa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hospital Universitario Quironsalud Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sanz-Rosa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Israel J. Thuissard-Vasallo
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Andreu-Vázquez
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Sainz de la Cuesta
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hospital Universitario Quironsalud Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Spain
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Mandeville J, Alkhalaf Z, Joannidis C, Ryan M, Nelson D, Quiros-Alcala L, Gribble MO, Pollack AZ. Risk perception and use of personal care products by race and ethnicity among a diverse population. UCL OPEN. ENVIRONMENT 2024; 6:e3038. [PMID: 38757092 PMCID: PMC11098005 DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.3038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Personal care products can contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, information on perception of risks from personal care product use and how use varies by race and ethnicity is limited. We evaluated differences in personal care product use and risk perception in a diverse sample of participants recruited from a US college campus and online. A self-administered questionnaire captured information on sociodemographic factors, personal care product use trends and perception of risk associated with them. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in personal care product use and risk perception by race and ethnicity. Ordered logistic regressions were performed to measure associations between personal care product use frequency across racial/ethnic categories. Participant (n = 770) mean age was 22.8 years [standard deviation ± 6.0]. Daily use of make-up (eye = 29.3%; other = 38.0%; all = 33.7%) and skincare products (55%) was most frequently reported among Middle Eastern and North African participants. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported the highest daily use of hairstyling products (52%) and lotion (78%). Daily make-up use was more frequently reported among females (41%) than males (24.6%). Levels of agreement were similar across racial and ethnic groups, that personal care product manufacturers should be required to list all ingredients (≥87%). There were significant associations between the frequency of use of some personal care products and racial/ethnic categories when the use frequencies of participants from other racial/ethnic categories were compared to the use frequency of non-Hispanic White participants. There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety and health risks associated with personal care products by race and ethnicity, underscoring that there may be different sources of exposure to chemicals in personal care products by race and ethnicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Mandeville
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Zeina Alkhalaf
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Charlotte Joannidis
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Michelle Ryan
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Devon Nelson
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Lesliam Quiros-Alcala
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Division of Occupational, Environmental & Climate Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anna Z. Pollack
- Department of Global and Community Health, College of Public Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Neagu AN, Bruno P, Johnson KR, Ballestas G, Darie CC. Biological Basis of Breast Cancer-Related Disparities in Precision Oncology Era. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4113. [PMID: 38612922 PMCID: PMC11012526 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision oncology is based on deep knowledge of the molecular profile of tumors, allowing for more accurate and personalized therapy for specific groups of patients who are different in disease susceptibility as well as treatment response. Thus, onco-breastomics is able to discover novel biomarkers that have been found to have racial and ethnic differences, among other types of disparities such as chronological or biological age-, sex/gender- or environmental-related ones. Usually, evidence suggests that breast cancer (BC) disparities are due to ethnicity, aging rate, socioeconomic position, environmental or chemical exposures, psycho-social stressors, comorbidities, Western lifestyle, poverty and rurality, or organizational and health care system factors or access. The aim of this review was to deepen the understanding of BC-related disparities, mainly from a biomedical perspective, which includes genomic-based differences, disparities in breast tumor biology and developmental biology, differences in breast tumors' immune and metabolic landscapes, ecological factors involved in these disparities as well as microbiomics- and metagenomics-based disparities in BC. We can conclude that onco-breastomics, in principle, based on genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, hormonomics, metabolomics and exposomics data, is able to characterize the multiple biological processes and molecular pathways involved in BC disparities, clarifying the differences in incidence, mortality and treatment response for different groups of BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași, Carol I bvd. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Pathea Bruno
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Kaya R Johnson
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Gabriella Ballestas
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
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Schildroth S, Bethea TN, Wesselink AK, Friedman A, Fruh V, Calafat AM, Wegienka G, Gaston S, Baird DD, Wise LA, Claus Henn B. Personal Care Products, Socioeconomic Status, and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Mixtures in Black Women. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:3641-3653. [PMID: 38347750 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Personal care products (PCPs) are sources of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) among women, and socioeconomic status (SES) may influence these exposures. Black women have inequitable exposure to EDCs from PCP use, but no study has investigated how exposure to EDCs through PCPs may vary by SES, independent of race. Using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids, a cohort of reproductive-aged Black women (n = 751), we quantified associations between PCPs and urinary biomarker concentrations of EDC mixtures (i.e., phthalates, phenols, parabens) within SES groups, defined using k-modes clustering based on education, income, marital status, and employment. Information about PCP use and SES was collected through questionnaires and interviews. We used principal component analysis to characterize the EDC mixture profiles. Stratified linear regression models were fit to assess associations between PCP use and EDC mixture profiles, quantified as mean differences in PC scores, by SES group. Associations between PCP use and EDC mixture profiles varied by SES group; e.g., vaginal powder use was associated with a mixture of phenols among lower SES women, whereas this association was null for higher SES women. Findings suggest that SES influences PCP EDC exposure in Black women, which has implications for public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Schildroth
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts 02118, United States
| | - Traci N Bethea
- Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Research, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington D. C. 20007, United States
| | - Amelia K Wesselink
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts 02118, United States
| | - Alexa Friedman
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Victoria Fruh
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States
| | - Ganesa Wegienka
- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Symielle Gaston
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Donna D Baird
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts 02118, United States
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
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Peng MQ, Karvonen-Gutierrez CA, Herman WH, Mukherjee B, Park SK. Phthalates and Incident Diabetes in Midlife Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:1947-1957. [PMID: 36752637 PMCID: PMC10348472 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Phthalates are hypothesized to contribute to diabetes, but longitudinal evidence in humans is limited. OBJECTIVE We examined whether phthalate exposure was associated with a higher incidence of diabetes in a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of midlife women. METHODS In the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Multipollutant Study, we followed 1308 women without diabetes in 1999-2000 for 6 years. Eleven phthalate metabolites were measured in spot urine samples in 1999-2000 and 2002-2003. Incident diabetes was ascertained between 1999-2000 and 2005-2006. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying exposure were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of diabetes associated with each phthalate metabolite, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Effect modification by race/ethnicity was examined with interaction terms. RESULTS Sixty-one women developed diabetes over 6 years (cumulative incidence = 4.7%). Among all women, several high-molecular-weight phthalate metabolites were associated with a higher incidence of diabetes, but none were statistically significant. There was effect modification by race/ethnicity. Among White women, each doubling of the concentrations of mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate, mono-carboxyoctyl phthalate, mono-carboxyisononyl phthalate (MCNP), and mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate was associated with a 30% to 63% higher incidence of diabetes (HR = 1.30, 95% CI, 1.03-1.65 for MCNP; HR = 1.63, 95% CI, 1.18-2.25 for MiBP). In contrast, phthalates were not associated with diabetes incidence in Black or Asian women. CONCLUSIONS Some phthalate metabolites were associated with a higher incidence of diabetes over 6 years, but the associations were inconsistent across racial/ethnic groups. Whether phthalates cause diabetes requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Q Peng
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - William H Herman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Wise LA, Wang TR, Ncube CN, Lovett SM, Abrams J, Boynton-Jarrett R, Koenig MR, Geller RJ, Wesselink AK, Coleman CM, Hatch EE, James-Todd T. Use of Chemical Hair Straighteners and Fecundability in a North American Preconception Cohort. Am J Epidemiol 2023; 192:1066-1080. [PMID: 37005071 PMCID: PMC10505421 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical hair straighteners ("relaxers") are used by millions of North Americans, particularly women of color. Hair relaxers may contain endocrine-disrupting compounds, which can harm fertility. We evaluated the association between hair relaxer use and fecundability among 11,274 participants from Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a North American preconception cohort study. During 2014-2022, participants completed a baseline questionnaire in which they reported their history of relaxer use and completed follow-up questionnaires every 8 weeks for 12 months or until pregnancy, whichever came first. We used multivariable-adjusted proportional probabilities regression models to estimate fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Relative to never use, fecundability was lower among current (FR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.64, 1.03) and former (FR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81, 0.98) users of hair relaxers. FRs for first use of hair relaxers at ages <10, 10-19, and ≥20 years were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.96), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.04), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.98), respectively. Fecundability was lowest among those with longer durations of use (≥10 years vs. never: FR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.91) and more frequent use (≥5 times/year vs. never: FR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.60, 1.11), but associations were nonmonotonic. In this preconception cohort study, use of chemical hair straighteners was associated with slightly reduced fecundability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Wise
- Correspondence to Dr. Lauren A. Wise, Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118 (e-mail: )
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