Exposure to brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, phthalates and phenols in European birth cohorts: ENRIECO evaluation, first human biomonitoring results, and recommendations

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and gestational weight gain: a multi-center prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations of plasma polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations in early pregnancy with gestational weight gain (GWG).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

US-based, multicentre cohort of pregnant women.

POPULATION

We used data from 2052 women without obesity and 397 women with obesity participating in the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies - Singleton Cohort, with first-trimester plasma PBDE concentrations and weight measurements throughout pregnancy.

METHODS

We applied generalised linear models and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to evaluate both the individual and joint associations of PBDEs with measures of GWG, adjusting for potential confounders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Total GWG (kg), total and trimester-specific GWG velocities (kg/week), and GWG categories and trajectory groups.

RESULTS

Mean pre-pregnancy BMIs were 23.6 and 34.5 kg/m2 for women without and with obesity, respectively. Among women without obesity, there were no associations of PBDEs with any GWG measure. Among women with obesity, one standard deviation increase in log-transformed PBDE 47 was associated with a 1.87 kg higher total GWG (95% CI 0.39-3.35) and a 0.05 kg/week higher total GWG velocity (95% CI 0.01-0.09). Similar associations were found for PBDE 47 in BKMR among women with obesity, and PBDE 47, 99 and 100 were associated with lower odds of being in the low GWG trajectory group.

CONCLUSIONS

PBDEs were not associated with GWG among individuals without obesity. Among those with obesity, only PBDE 47 showed consistent positive associations with GWG measures across multiple statistical methods. Further research is needed to validate this association and explore potential mechanisms.

An Examination of the Relationship Between Exposure to Bisphenol A and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES

Exposure to environmental toxic agents in the prenatal and/or postnatal periods may play in the acquired development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in groups with genetic risks. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical with neurotoxic effects. This study examined the relationship between exposure to BPA and clinical ADHD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, case-controlled clinical study compared 45 drug-naive children and adolescents with ADHD and 30 healthy controls in terms of serum BPA levels. Psychiatric comorbidities in the ADHD group were determined using the "Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for school-aged children, lifetime version." The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was also administered to all participants.

RESULTS

Serum BPA levels were significantly higher in the ADHD group than in the healthy control group. In addition, significant, weak positive correlation was found between BPA levels and CBCL attention and CBCL total problem scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that BPA may be an environmental toxic agent with a potential role in the etiology of ADHD and particularly attention deficiency. Preventive interventions can be developed if this can be confirmed with longitudinal studies and repeated measurements.

Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and molar-incisor hypomineralization among 12-year-old children in the French mother-child cohort PELAGIE

BACKGROUND

Exceptional episodes of exposure to high levels of persistent organic pollutants have already been associated with developmental defects of enamel among children, but knowledge is still scarce concerning the contribution of background levels of environmental contamination.

METHODS

Children of the French PELAGIE mother-child cohort were followed from birth, with collection of medical data and cord blood samples that were used to measure polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). At 12 years of age, molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and other enamel defects (EDs) were recorded for 498 children. Associations were studied using logistic regression models adjusted for potential prenatal confounders.

RESULTS

An increasing log-concentration of β-HCH was associated with a reduced risk of MIH and EDs (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.32-0.95, and OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-0.98, respectively). Among girls, intermediate levels of p,p'-DDE were associated with a reduced risk of MIH. Among boys, we observed an increased risk of EDs in association with intermediate levels of PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 187, and an increased risk of MIH with intermediate levels of PFOA and PFOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Two OCs were associated with a reduced risk of dental defects, whereas the associations between PCBs and PFASs and EDs or MIH were generally close to null or sex-specific, with an increased risk of dental defects in boys. These results suggest that POPs could impact amelogenesis. Replication of this study is required and the possible underlying mechanisms need to be explored.

Size-resolved gas-particle partitioning characteristics of typical semi-volatile organic compounds in urban atmosphere

Understanding particle size distribution and size-resolved gas-particle partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) is important for characterizing their fate in atmosphere. However, the size-resolved gas-particle partitioning characteristics of SVOCs has not been adequately considered. To address this issue, the present study collected gaseous and size-fractioned particulate samples both in and outside of schools, offices, and residences in three districts of different urbanization levels in a megacity, Guangzhou, South China during two seasons. Typical SVOCs, including 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), six organophosphate esters and seven phthalic acid esters were measured. Emission sources, physicochemical properties, and environmental conditions at the sampling sites considerably impacted the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and particle size distribution of target SVOCs. Not all observed gas-particle partition coefficients (K_p) of target SVOCs were negatively correlated with subcooled liquid-vapor pressures (P_L⁰), probably because certain factors, such as the non-exchangeable part of the particle-bound SVOCs, were not considered in traditional gas-particle partition theories. Particle size was an important factor affecting gas-particle partitioning. Adsorption was the dominant mechanism for PAHs with high molecular weight in different particle modes. A new model was established to predict size-resolved K_p of PAHs with high molecular weight based on P_L⁰ and particle size.

Biomonitoring bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones in breast milk from a human milk bank in Southern Spain

BACKGROUND

Human breast milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for infants. Milk from breast milk banks offers an alternative to infant formulas for vulnerable hospitalized neonates most likely to benefit from exclusive human milk feeding. However, breast milk can also be a source of exposure to environmental contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

AIM

To evaluate concentrations of phenolic EDCs, including bisphenols, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BPs), in samples from a human milk bank in Granada, Southern Spain and to explore sociodemographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors related to their concentrations in the milk.

METHODS

Concentrations of three bisphenols [bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS)], four PBs [methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (n-PrP), and butyl-paraben (n-BuP)], and six BPs [BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-6, BP-8, and 4-hydroxy-BP] were determined in milk samples from 83 donors. Information on potential explanatory variables was gathered using the milk bank donor form and an ad hoc questionnaire. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were fitted.

RESULTS

Detectable concentrations were found of at least one of the analyzed compounds in all donor breast milk samples and at least five compounds in one-fifth of them. The most frequently detected compounds were MeP (90.5%), BP-3 (75.0%), EtP (51.2%), n-PrP (46.4%), and BPA (41.7%). Median concentrations ranged between <0.10 ng/mL (n-PrP, n-BuP, BP-1) and 0.59 ng/mL (BP-3). No sample contained detectable concentrations of BPF, BPS, or most BPs (BP-2, BP-6, BP-8, and 4- hydroxy-BP). Breast milk phenol concentrations were associated with parity, the utilization of deodorants, mouthwash, skin care products, and cosmetics, and the intake of nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSIONS

Results reveal the widespread presence of BPA, PBs, and BP-3 in donor breast milk samples, highlighting the need for preventive measures to enhance the benefits of breast milk from milk banks and from breastfeeding women in general.

The Relationship Between Daily Dietary Intake of Fiber and Short Sleep Duration in the Presence of Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate: A Population-Based Study

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between daily dietary intake of fiber (DDIF) and short sleep duration (SSD) in the presence of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Methods

Data of 13,634 participants in this study were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The sum of urinary mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl)-hexyl phthalate, and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate was used to evaluate the level of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure. The ln-transformed urinary creatinine-corrected DEHP [ln(DEHP/UCr)] level was used in the statistical models. DDIF was divided into tertiles (<5.77 g/1,000 kcal, 5.77–9.04 g/1,000 kcal, and ≥9.04 g/1,000 kcal).

Results

The 13,634 participants included in this study were classified into two groups according to sleep duration. The dose response analysis showed that higher ln(DEHP/UCr) was related to a higher risk of SSD (<7 h and <6 h). Participants in the highest vs. the lowest quartile of DEHP were found to be at increased risk of SSD (<7 h, <6 h, and <5 h). The result of risk of SSD <7 h was OR 1.57, 95% CI, 1.40–1.76; P_trend <0.001, of SSD <6 h was OR 1.38, 95% CI, 1.18–1.61; P_trend <0.001, and of SSD <5 h was OR 1.45, 95% CI, 1.13–1.86; P_trend <0.001. DEHP exposure was found to be associated with SSD <7 h in a sex-specific manner (P_interaction = 0.033). A significant interaction between ln(DEHP/UCr) and DDIF_{(tertiles1 vs. tertiles2)} (P_interaction = 0.02) was detected for SSD <7 h.

Conclusion

Our results showed that there was a harmful association between DEHP exposure and SSD (<7 h, <6 h, and <5 h). The ameliorative effects of median level of DDIF on SSD <7 h in the presence of DEHP exposure were observed in this study.

The Association between Daily Dietary Intake of Riboflavin and Lung Function Impairment Related with Dibutyl Phthalate Exposure and the Possible Mechanism

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the daily dietary intake of riboflavin (DDIR) and impaired lung function associated with dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure. Data of 4631 adults in this national cross-sectional survey were included. Urinary mono-benzyl phthalate (MBP) was used to evaluate the level of DBP exposure. The ln-transformed urinary creatinine-corrected MBP (ln(MBP/UCr)) level was used in the statistical models. High DDIR was defined as the DDIR ≥1.8 mg per day. The results of lung function impairment and high monocytes were significantly higher in the highest MBP group compared with the lowest MBP group. A significant interaction between ln(MBP/UCr) and DDIR (P_interaction = 0.029) was detected for the risk of lung function impairment. The risk of lung function impairment (OR_{quartiles4 vs. 1} 1.85, 95% CI, 1.27–2.71; P_trend = 0.018) and high neutrophils (OR_{quartiles4 vs. 1} 1.45, 95% CI, 1.06–1.97; P_trend = 0.018) was significantly higher in the highest vs. the lowest quartile of MBP in participants with low/normal DDIR but not in in participants with high DDIR. The results of this study showed that high DDIR was associated with less lung function impairment related with DBP exposure, and the inhibiting of the neutrophil recruitment might be the potential mechanism.

The Possible Association between Phthalates and Bisphenol A Exposure and Idiopathic Precocious Puberty in Egyptian Girls

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are utilized in large spectrum of plastics, as polyvinyl chloride as well as personal products, medical equipment, and epoxy resins. Phthalate and bisphenol A are the most common endocrine disrupting chemicals that interrupt the endocrine system and cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disturbances in humans. However, the relation between phthalates and bisphenol A and precocious puberty (PP) in human is still controversial. AIM: Consequently, the present study aimed to detect and investigate the association between exposure to bisphenol A and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and precocious puberty in Egyptian girls. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 100 young females. The subjects were divided into two major groups, precocious puberty group consisted of 60 young females diagnosed by an endocrine pediatric specialist and controls consisted of 40 normal young females matched in age and demographic characters. In urine, MBP and bisphenol A (BPA) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean concentration of MBP level was 22.758 ± 6.216 for the PP group and 15.283 ± 6.262 for controls with statistical difference between the studied groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean concentration of BPA was 405.02 ± 223.54 for the PP group and 97.95 ± 55 for controls with significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study found that idiopathic precocious puberty in young females was associated with high phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A levels in urine.

Comparison of untargeted and targeted perfluoroalkyl acids measured in adolescent girls

Quantitative biomonitoring (e.g., targeted analysis) has served as the gold standard for environmental exposure biomonitoring for several decades. Recent advancements to broaden exposomic research brought new semi-quantitative untargeted assays that capture a wide range of endogenous metabolites and exogenous exposures in a single assay for discovery, though usually at the expense of absolute quantitation. The high-resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS) typically used in untargeted workflows are sensitive and robust, but there do not yet exist comprehensive comparisons between environmental chemicals at population exposure levels measured using targeted and untargeted assays. Using liquid chromatography (LC)-HRMS, we measured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), n-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), n-perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in plasma of 180 girls from New York City, and compared them to previously obtained targeted measures using correlation and rank order methods. We showed high agreement between the methods with Spearman Rhos ranging from 0.69 to 0.92 and weighted Kappa's from 0.62 to 0.82 for tertiles among the PFAS. This finding demonstrates that semi-quantitative data from untargeted assays designed for exposomics can be reliably used to estimate environmental exposures occurring in the general population, providing an economic alternative to targeted assays. We also describe an approach that can be used to compare relative quantitation measurements from an untargeted assay to traditional targeted measures to establish fit-for-purpose usability and validation. These results suggest that environmental exposure measures from untargeted assays can serve as reliable inputs into statistical analysis for discovery and for determining their resultant biological impacts. Future efforts to develop new statistical approaches for standardization and merging with targeted measures-toward harmonization-will further enhance the utility of untargeted assays in environmental epidemiology.

A new generation of cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) containing heavy metal free modifier

Many additives are used to improve the performance of cables in terms of increasing their flame retardancy, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and other characteristics. Unfortunately, most of these additives contain heavy metals. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to introduce a material representing a new generation of environmentally friendly heavy metal-free stabilizers for cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) that can compete with traditional materials in terms of performance and distinctive properties. This unique additive is Oxydtron, a synthetic silicate or simply nanocement. The tests performed are rheological properties represented by a capillary rheometry analysis, limiting oxygen index, and volume resistivity. The most significant improvement in Bagley correction measurements was 14.61%; 18.13%; and 27.20% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation when using 5wt.% Oxydtron at 160 °C, 170 °C, and 180 °C, respectively. Also, the mean increases in relaxation time were 3.200 times, 8.825 times, and 12.458 times more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation with 1wt.%, 3wt.%, and 5wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively. Furthermore, the Oxydtron lowered the value of the accompanying thermal gradient of the L.O.I test, reducing the heat-affected zone. The best result was with the extrusion processing method due to the uniformity of the processing conditions. However, the thermal gradient analysis showed residual heat stress in the test samples after cutting the burning layer and re-testing the samples again; this causes them to burn faster. This situation requires caution for designs that are exposed to high temperatures without burning. The optimum improvement in volume resistivity value was 14.71% and 38.24% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation after adding 5wt.% and 7wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively.

Associations between a mixture of phenols and phthalates and child behaviour in a French mother-child cohort with repeated assessment of exposure

BACKGROUND

Synthetic phenols and phthalates can interfere with biological pathways involved in brain development. Despite the high within-subject temporal variability of urinary concentrations observed for their metabolites, studies investigating effects of phenols and phthalates on child behaviour often relied on a limited number of spot biospecimens to assess exposure. Besides, the majority did not consider mixture effects.

OBJECTIVES

To study the combined effect of prenatal exposure to synthetic phenols and phthalates on child behaviour using repeated exposure measurements.

METHODS

We assessed concentrations of 12 phenols, 13 phthalate and 2 non-phthalate plasticizer metabolites in within-subject pools of multiple urine samples (median = 21 samples per individual pool) collected at two distinct time points during pregnancy in 416 mother-child pairs from the French SEPAGES cohort. Child behaviour was evaluated at two years using the Child Behaviour Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL). Associations between a mixture of biomarkers of exposure and externalizing and internalizing behaviour scores were studied using adjusted Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regressions with a repeated holdout validation (100 repetitions).

RESULTS

The positive WQS indexes were associated with both the externalizing and internalizing behaviour scores in the whole population, indicating greater risk of behavioural problems. Stratification for child sex suggested stronger associations in girls than boys. On average, girls externalizing and internalizing scores increased by 3.67 points (95% CI: 1.24, 6.10) and 2.47 points (95 %CI: 0.60, 4.33) respectively, for an increase of one tertile in the WQS index, compared with 1.70 points (95 %CI: -0.42, 3.81) and 1.17 points (95 %CI: -0.50, 2.84) in boys. Main contributors for the associations observed in girls were bisphenol A (weight of 18%), triclosan (17%) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP, 15%) for the externalizing score and MEP (19%), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP, 19%) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP, 16%) for the internalizing score.

DISCUSSION

Our results suggest adverse associations between in utero exposure to a mixture of phenols and phthalates and child behaviour, mainly in girls. Public health consequences may be substantial due to the widespread exposure of the population to these compounds.

Air Pollution and COVID-19: A Possible Dangerous Synergy for Male Fertility

Several studies indicate that semen quality has strongly declined in the last decades worldwide. Air pollution represents a significant co-factor with the COVID-19 impact and has negative effects on the male reproductive system, through pro-oxidant, inflammatory and immune-dysregulating mechanisms. It has recently been reported that chronic exposure to PM2.5 causes overexpression of the alveolar ACE2 receptor, the entry route of SARS-CoV-2 into the organism shared by the lungs and testis where expression is highest in the body. In the testis, the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR pathway plays an important role in the regulation of spermatogenesis and an indirect mechanism of testicular damage could be due to the blockade of the ACE2 receptor by SARS-CoV-2. This prevents the conversion of specific angiotensins, and their excess causes inflammation with the overproduction of cytokines. PM2.5-induced overexpression of the alveolar ACE2 receptor, in turn, could increase local viral load in patients exposed to pollutants, producing ACE2 receptor depletion and compromising host defenses. By presenting an overall view of epidemiological data and molecular mechanisms, this manuscript aims to interpret the possible synergistic effects of both air pollution and COVID-19 on male reproductive function, warning that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the fertile years may represent a significant threat to global reproductive health. All of this should be of great concern, especially for men of the age of maximum reproductive capacity, and an important topic of debate for policy makers. Altered environmental conditions, together with the direct and indirect short- and long-term effects of viral infection could cause a worsening of semen quality with important consequences for male fertility, especially in those areas with higher environmental impact.

Exposure of the French population to bisphenols, phthalates, parabens, glycol ethers, brominated flame retardants, and perfluorinated compounds in 2014-2016: Results from the Esteban study

BACKGROUND

As part of the French Human Biomonitoring (HBM) programme, the Esteban study described, among other things, biomarkers levels of various chemicals in adults (18-74 years old) and children (6-17 years old). This paper describes the design of the study and provides, for the first time, data on the biological exposure of the general French population to a wide range of contaminants posing a threat to human health which are currently found in domestic environments.

METHODS

Esteban is a cross-sectional study conducted on a nationwide sample of the French general population. Exposure biomarkers of six families of contaminants deemed detrimental to adults' and children's health were measured in biological samples collected either at participants' homes by a nurse, or brought to a National Health Insurance examination centre. All participants were randomly selected (2503 adults and 1104 children). The geometric mean and percentiles of the distribution of levels were estimated for each biomarker. Most of the descriptive statistical analyses were performed taking into account the sampling design.

RESULTS

Results provided a nationwide description of biomarker levels. Bisphenols (A, S and F), and some metabolites of phthalates and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) (specifically, PFOS and PFOA) were quantified in almost all the biological samples analysed. Higher levels were observed in children (except for PFCs). Levels were coherent with international studies, except for bisphenols S and F, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and parabens (with higher levels reported in the USA than in France).

CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES

This study is the first to provide a representative assessment of biological exposure to domestic contaminants at the French population level. Our results show that the French general population was exposed to a wide variety of pollutants in 2014-2016, and identify the determinants of exposure. These findings will be useful to stakeholders who wish to advocate an overall reduction in the French population's exposure to harmful substances. Similar future studies in France will help to measure temporal trends, and enable public policies focused on the reduction of those chemicals in the environment to be evaluated.

Sex-specific oxidative damage effects induced by BPA and its analogs on primary hippocampal neurons attenuated by EGCG

BPA analogs, including bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol B (BPB), have been used to replace BPA since it was banned to be added. To investigate whether BPA and its analogs cause oxidative damage effects on primary hippocampal neurons of rats, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis and cell viability assays were conducted after hippocampal neurons exposure to different concentrations of BPA, BPS, and BPB (1, 10, 100 nM and 1, 10, 100 μM). Moreover, the effects of EGCG (5 and 6 μM for male and female, respectively) added on neurons exposed to BPA were assessed. Results showed that 24 h exposure to these bisphenols (BPs) could increase the levels of ROS and contents of MDA, but reduce the activity of SOD significantly. A decline of cell viabilities accompanied with the increasing of apoptosis rates was observed after 7 d exposure to BPs and the reduction of MMP was also observed after 7 d exposure to BPA. Interestingly, BPS has the lower toxicity to hippocampal neurons compared with BPA and BPB. Non-monotonic dose-effect relationships between the concentrations of BPs and the cytotoxic effects were observed, and the effects of BPs on male hippocampal neurons are greater than those of female ones in general. While EGCG can protect neurons free of oxidative damages. In conclusion, the results suggest that BPs may induce sex-specific neurotoxic effects involving oxidative stress, which can be attenuated by EGCG, and males are more sensitive to BPs than females.

Gestational and childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and cardiometabolic risk at age 12 years

BACKGROUND

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may adversely influence cardiometabolic risk. However, few studies have examined if the timing of early life PFAS exposure modifies their relation to cardiometabolic risk. We examined the influence of gestational and childhood PFAS exposure on adolescents' cardiometabolic risk.

METHODS

We quantified concentrations of four PFAS (perfluorooctanoate [PFOA], perfluorooctane sulfonate [PFOS], perfluorononanoate [PFNA], and perfluorohexane sulfonate [PFHxS]) in sera collected during pregnancy, at birth, and at ages 3, 8, and 12 years from 221 mother-child pairs in the HOME Study (enrolled 2003-06, Cincinnati, Ohio). We measured cardiometabolic risk factors using physical examinations, fasting serum biomarkers, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans at age 12 years. Cardiometabolic risk summary scores were calculated by summing age- and sex-standardized z-scores for individual cardiometabolic risk factors. We used multiple informant models to estimate covariate-adjusted associations of serum PFAS concentrations (log2-transformed) at each visit with cardiometabolic risk scores and their individual components, and tested for differences in associations across visits.

RESULTS

The associations of serum PFOA concentrations with cardiometabolic risk scores differed across visits (P for heterogeneity = 0.03). Gestational and cord serum PFOA concentrations were positively associated with cardiometabolic risk scores (βs and 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]: gestational 0.8 [0.0, 1.6]; cord 0.9 [-0.1, 1.9] per interquartile range increase). These positive associations were primarily driven by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index (β = 0.3 [0.1, 0.5]) and adiponectin to leptin ratio (β = -0.5 [-1.0, 0.0]). Other individual cardiometabolic risk factors associated with gestational PFOA included insulin and waist circumference. Gestational and cord PFHxS were also associated with higher cardiometabolic risk scores (βs: gestational 0.9 [0.2, 1.6]; cord 0.9 [0.1, 1.7]).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of children with higher gestational PFOA exposure, fetal exposure to PFOA and PFHxS was associated with unfavorable cardiometabolic risk in adolescence.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals' (EDCs) Effects on Tumour Microenvironment and Cancer Progression: Emerging Contribution of RACK1

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can display estrogenic and androgenic effects, and their exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk. EDCs have been shown to directly affect cancer cell regulation and progression, but their influence on tumour microenvironment is still not completely elucidated. In this context, the signalling hub protein RACK1 (Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1) could represent a nexus between cancer and the immune system due to its roles in cancer progression and innate immune activation. Since RACK1 is a relevant EDCs target that responds to steroid-active compounds, it could be considered a molecular bridge between the endocrine-regulated tumour microenvironment and the innate immune system. We provide an analysis of immunomodulatory and cancer-promoting effects of different EDCs in shaping tumour microenvironment, with a final focus on the scaffold protein RACK1 as a pivotal molecular player due to its dual role in immune and cancer contexts.

The levels of phthalate exposure and associations with obesity in an elderly population in China

BACKGROUND

Few epidemiological studies on the correlation between phthalate exposure and elderly obesity in China are available. The purpose of the present study is to assess phthalate exposure levels and explore the connections between exposure to phthalates and obesity using a sample of Chinese community-dwelling elderly individuals.

METHODS

Data were acquired from the baseline survey of the Cohort of Health of Elderly and Controllable Factors of Environment, which was established in Lu'an, Anhui province, China, from June to September in 2016. Urine samples were obtained to analyze the concentrations of seven phthalate metabolites, utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. General obesity was determined based on body mass index, and abdominal obesity based on waist circumference. Binary logistic regression models were utilized to analyze the associations of creatinine-corrected phthalate metabolite concentrations (categorized into quartiles) with general and abdominal obesity in elderly people. Moreover, a stratified analysis was performed to explore the difference between genders.

RESULTS

Of 942 elderly individuals, 52.9% were defined as generally obese and 75.5% as abdominally obese. The detection rates of seven phthalate metabolites ranged from 90.07% to 99.80%. The highest median concentration was 44.08 μg/l (for MBP), and the lowest was 0.55 μg/l (for MEHP). The level of exposure to LMW(low-molecular-weight) PAEs is higher than that to HMW(high-molecular-weight) PAEs. After adjustment for confounding variables, we found a significant association between urinary MEOHP (mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate), MEHP (mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), MBP (mono-n-butyl phthalate), MEP (mono-ethyl phthalate), and MMP (mono-methyl phthalate) levels and general obesity. MBP levels were also correlated with abdominal obesity. When stratified by gender, higher urinary levels of MEOHP, MBP, MEP, and MMP were associated with general obesity in males, whereas MBP and MMP levels were eminently correlated with general obesity in females. Higher urinary MBP levels were associated with increased abdominal obesity rates in males, but not in females.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, higher phthalate metabolite concentrations were correlated with obesity in the elderly. Moreover, a gender difference was observed in these associations.

Molecular Alterations in Spermatozoa of a Family Case Living in the Land of Fires. A First Look at Possible Transgenerational Effects of Pollutants

In our previous work, we reported alterations in protamines/histones ratio, in DNA binding of these proteins and their involvement in DNA oxidative damage in 84% of the young men living in the Land of Fires. In the present work, we extended our findings, evaluating any alterations in spermatozoa of a family case, a father and son, living in this area, to also give a first look at the possibility of transgenerational inherited effects of environmental contaminants on the molecular alterations of sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBP), DNA and semen parameters. In the father and son, we found a diverse excess of copper and chromium in the semen, different alterations in SNBP content and low DNA binding affinity of these proteins. In addition, DNA damage, in the presence of CuCl₂ and H₂O₂, increased by adding both the father and son SNBP. Interestingly, son SNBP, unlike his father, showed an unstable DNA binding and were able to produce DNA damage even without external addition of CuCl₂, in line with a lower seminal antioxidant activity than the father. The peculiarity of some characteristics of son semen could be a basis for possible future studies on transgenerational effects of pollutants on fertility.

Association of placental concentrations of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals with cognitive functioning in preschool children from the Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project

Developmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and other phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may affect child neurodevelopment, but data on the effects of prenatal exposure to phenols on cognitive function remain sparse. Our aim was to examine the association of placental concentrations of several phenolic EDCs, including BPA, parabens (PBs), and benzophenones (BzPs), with cognitive development in preschool children from the Environment and Childhood (INMA) Project in Spain. Concentrations of BPA, four PBs (methylparaben [MePB], ethylparaben [EtPB], propylparaben [PrPB], and butylparaben [BuPB]), and six BzPs (BzP-1, BzP-2, BzP-3, BzP-6, BzP-8, and 4-hydroxybenzophenone [4-OH-BzP]) were measured in 490 placenta samples randomly selected from five INMA cohorts collected between 2000 and 2008. Neuropsychological assessment of cognitive and motor function was performed with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) at the age of 4-5 years. Associations were assessed in a sub-sample of 191 mother-child pairs using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for confounding factors. PB compounds were detected in more than 71% of placentas, BPA in 62%, 4-OH-BzP in 50%, and the remaining BzPs in <9% of the samples. Because of the low detection frequency of BzP compounds, only 4-OH-BzP was included in the exposure-outcome analyses. After adjustment for confounders, BPA was associated with greater odds of scoring lower (below the 20th percentile) in the verbal (third vs. first exposure tertile: odds ratio [OR] = 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00; 5.81, p-trend = 0.05) and gross motor (detected vs. undetected: OR = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.06; 9.29) areas, and these associations were only significant for boys. Regarding PB compounds, PrPB was associated with lower scores in memory (detected vs. undetected: β = -4.96, 95%CI = -9.54; -0.31), span memory (OR = 2.50, 95%CI = 0.95; 6.92 and 2.71, 95%CI = 0.97; 6.64, respectively for second and third tertiles, p-trend = 0.03), and motor function (β = -5.15, 95%CI = -9.26; -0.01 for third vs. first exposure tertile, p-trend = 0.04). EtPB and total PBs concentrations in the second tertile were also associated with poorer visual function of posterior cortex and worse quantitative performance, respectively, but linear trends were not statistically significant. The associations of BPA and PrPB with poorer verbal, memory, and motor skills are novel observations that warrant further attention. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm whether prenatal exposure to BPA and other phenolic EDCs is associated with impaired cognitive development.

Phthalate and Bisphenol Exposure during Pregnancy and Offspring Nonverbal IQ

BACKGROUND

Prenatal exposures to phthalates and bisphenols are associated with impaired brain development in animals. However, epidemiological studies investigating the association between prenatal phthalate or bisphenol exposure and cognition have produced mixed findings and mostly had modest sample sizes and measured the exposure during the third trimester.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the association between pregnancy maternal urinary biomarkers of phthalate or bisphenol exposure and nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ) in children 6 years of age.

METHOD

The study sample consisted of 1,282 mother-child pairs participating in the Generation R Study, a population-based birth cohort in Rotterdam, Netherlands (enrollment 2002-2006). We measured maternal urinary concentrations of 18 phthalate metabolites and 8 bisphenols at < 18 , 18-25, and > 25  wks of gestation. Child nonverbal IQ was measured at 6 years of age using the Snijders-Oomen Nonverbal Intelligence Test-Revised. Linear regression models were fit for each of the three collection phases separately, the three collection phases jointly, and for the averaged prenatal exposure across pregnancy.

RESULTS

Higher urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites during early pregnancy were associated with lower child nonverbal IQ score [e.g., B per 10-fold increase in summed low-molecular weight phthalates = - 1.7 (95% CI: - 3.1 , - 0.3 )]. This association remained unchanged when adjusted for mid and late pregnancy exposures. We also observed an inverse association between late pregnancy di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) exposure and nonverbal IQ. Maternal urinary concentrations of bisphenols were not associated with child nonverbal IQ. There was no effect estimate modification by sex.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not observe that maternal biomarkers of bisphenol exposure are associated with nonverbal IQ. We found that phthalate exposure in early pregnancy and DNOP exposure in late pregnancy are associated with lower nonverbal IQ scores in children. Our results might suggest that particularly early pregnancy is a sensitive window of phthalate exposure, but future studies are needed to replicate our findings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6047.

Achieving CLARITY on bisphenol A, brain and behaviour

There is perhaps no endocrine disrupting chemical more controversial than bisphenol A (BPA). Comprising a high-volume production chemical used in a variety of applications, BPA has been linked to a litany of adverse health-related outcomes, including effects on brain sexual differentiation and behaviour. Risk assessors preferentially rely on classical guideline-compliant toxicity studies over studies published by academic scientists, and have generally downplayed concerns about the potential risks that BPA poses to human health. It has been argued, however, that, because traditional toxicity studies rarely contain neural endpoints, and only a paucity of endocrine-sensitive endpoints, they are incapable of fully evaluating harm. To address current controversies on the safety of BPA, the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the US Food and Drug Administration established the Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity (CLARITY-BPA). CLARITY-BPA performed a classical regulatory-style toxicology study (Core study) in conjunction with multiple behavioural, molecular and cellular studies conducted by academic laboratories (grantee studies) using a collaboratively devised experimental framework and the same animals and tissues. This review summarises the results from the grantee studies that focused on brain and behaviour. Evidence of altered neuroendocrine development, including age- and sex-specific expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ, and the abrogation of brain and behavioural sexual dimorphisms, supports the conclusion that developmental BPA exposure, even at doses below what regulatory agencies regard as "safe" for humans, contribute to brain and behavioural change. The consistency and the reproducibility of the effects across CLARITY-BPA and prior studies using the same animal strain and almost identical experimental conditions are compelling. Combined analysis of all of the data from the CLARITY-BPA project is underway at the NTP and a final report expected in late 2019.

Benefits of cooperation among large-scale cohort studies and human biomonitoring projects in environmental health research: An exercise in blood lead analysis of the Environment and Child Health International Birth Cohort Group

A number of prospective cohort studies are ongoing worldwide to investigate the impact of foetal and neonatal exposures to chemical substances on child health. To assess multiple exposure (mixture) effects and low prevalence health outcomes it is useful to pool data from several studies and conduct mega-data-analysis. To discuss a path towards data harmonization, representatives from several large-scale birth cohort studies and a biomonitoring programme formed a collaborative group, the Environment and Child Health International Birth Cohort Group (ECHIBCG). In this study, an intra-laboratory trial was performed to harmonize existing blood lead measurements within the groups' studies. Then, decentralized analyses were conducted in individual countries' laboratories to evaluate blood lead levels (BLL) in each study. The measurements of pooled BLL samples in French, German and three Japanese laboratories resulted in an overall mean blood lead concentration of 8.66 μg l-1 (95% confidence interval: 8.59-8.72 μg l-1) with 3.0% relative standard deviation. Except for China's samples, BLL from each study were comparable with mean concentrations below or close to 10 μg l-1. The decentralized multivariate analyses revealed that all models had coefficients of determination below 0.1. Determinants of BLL were current smoking, age >35 years and overweight or obese status. The three variables were associated with an increase in BLL in each of the five studies, most strongly in France by almost 80% and the weakest effect being in Norway with only 15%; for Japan, with the far largest sample (~18,000), the difference was 36%. This study successfully demonstrated that the laboratory analytical methods were sufficiently similar to allow direct comparison of data and showed that it is possible to harmonize the epidemiological data for joint analysis. This exercise showed the challenges in decentralized data analyses and reinforces the need for data harmonization among studies.

Neurotoxicity of BPA, BPS, and BPB for the hippocampal cell line (HT-22): An implication for the replacement of BPA in plastics

Bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic additive, is ubiquitous in the environment and has endocrine disrupting effects. As many countries have prohibited the manufacture and sale of plastic products with BPA, BPA analogs have been used to replace BPA during production, including bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol B (BPB). To investigate the toxicities of BPA and its analogs on neurons, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein) apoptosis detection assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay were conducted to comprehensively assess the influence of different concentrations of BPA, BPB, and BPS on ROS, apoptosis, damage, and proliferation for hippocampal HT-22 cells, respectively. Results showed that 6 h of exposure to bisphenols (BPs) could increase the ROS levels, 24 h and 48 h of exposure could induce higher apoptosis and LDH leakage rates for HT-22 cells, and 7 d of exposure could inhibit the cell proliferations. In addition, non-monotonic dose-response relationships were observed between the concentrations of bisphenols and the toxic effects mentioned above. The neurotoxic effects of BPA, BPB and BPS on HT-22 cells were in the increasing order of BPS, BPA, and BPB. In conclusion, these results showed that exposure to BPA and its analogs may result in adverse effects on hippocampal neuronal cell lines. BPS is a surrogate with lower neurotoxicity to replace BPA in production of plastic utensils.

Prenatal Exposure to Select Phthalates and Phenols and Associations with Fetal and Placental Weight among Male Births in the EDEN Cohort (France)

BACKGROUND

The placenta performs crucial physiological functions to ensure normal fetal development. Few epidemiological studies investigated placental weight sensitivity to phthalates and phenols.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to explore whether maternal exposure to select phthalates and phenols is associated with changes in placental weight at birth and in placental–to–birth weight ratio (PFR).

METHODS

Placental weight and birth weight were available for 473 mother–son pairs in the EDEN (Etude des Déterminants pré et postnatals du développement et de la santé de l'Enfant) cohort for whom 9 phenols (4 parabens, 2 dichlorophenols, triclosan, benzophenone-3, bisphenol A) and 11 phthalate metabolites were measured in spot urine samples collected between weeks 23 and 29 of gestation. We used adjusted Elastic Net penalized regression models (ENET) to select biomarkers associated with placental weight, birth weight and PFR. Unpenalized effect estimates were then obtained by fitting linear regression models simultaneously adjusted for the ENET-selected biomarkers and a priori chosen confounders.

RESULTS

The multipollutant ENET model for placental weight retained four biomarkers: triclosan and monocarboxy-isononyl phthalate (MCNP), which were negatively associated with placental weight, and benzophenone-3 and the sum of parabens, which were positively associated with this outcome. The ENET model for PFR retained two phthalate metabolites [MCNP and monocarboxy-isooctyl phthalate (MCOP)], which were negatively associated with this outcome.

DISCUSSION

The positive association between the sum of parabens and placental weight was consistent with results of a previous study among 49 male births. Our results provide preliminary evidence of possible associations between other compounds such as triclosan, benzophenone-3, MCNP, and MCOP and both placental weight and PFR. These associations were not reported in previous studies and should be seen as hypothesis generating. Studies relying on repeated assessments of exposure in prospective mother–child cohorts are needed to substantiate the plausibility of the hypotheses generated by our results. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3523.

DNA methylation and copy number variation analyses of human embryonic stem cell-derived neuroprogenitors after low-dose decabromodiphenyl ether and/or bisphenol A exposure

The polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and bisphenol A (BPA) are environmental contaminants that can cross the placenta and exert toxicity in the developing fetal nervous system. Copy number variants (CNVs) play a role in a number of genetic disorders and may be implicated in BDE-209/BPA teratogenicity. In this study, we found that BDE-209 and/or BPA exposure decreased neural differentiation efficiency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), although there was a >90% induction of neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) from exposed hESCs. However, the mean of CNV numbers in the NPCs with BDE-209 + BPA treatment was significantly higher compared to the other groups, whereas DNA methylation was lower and DNA methyltransferase(DNMT1 and DNMT3A) expression were significantly decreased in all of the BDE-209 and/or BPA treatment groups compared with the control groups. The number of CNVs in chromosomes 3, 4, 11, 22, and X in NPCs with BDE-209 and/or BPA exposure was higher compared to the control group. In addition, CNVs in chromosomes 7, 8, 14, and 16 were stable in hESCs and hESCs-derived NPCs irrespective of BDE-209/BPA exposure, and CNVs in chromosomes 20 q11.21 and 16 p13.11 might be induced by neural differentiation. Thus, BDE-209/BPA exposure emerges as a potential source of CNVs distinct from neural differentiation by itself. BDE-209 and/or BPA exposure may cause genomic instability in cultured stem cells via reduced activity of DNA methyltransferase, suggesting a new mechanism of human embryonic neurodevelopmental toxicity caused by this class of environmental toxins.

Relationship between bisphenol A exposure and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: A case-control study for primary school children in Guangzhou, China

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical. Studies have shown that the exposure to BPA is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during adolescent development. However the direct clinical evidence is limited. To investigate the possible association between environmental BPA exposure and the altered behavior of children, a case-control study was conducted with children aged 6-12 years in Guangzhou, China. Two hundred fifteen children diagnosed with ADHD and 253 healthy children from Guangzhou were recruited as the case and control groups, respectively. Urinary BPA and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage) concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem spectrometry. The results showed that concentrations of urinary BPA for the case group were significantly higher than those for the control group (3.44 vs 1.70 μg/L; 4.63 vs 1.71 μg/g Crt. p < .001). A stepwise increase in the odds ratios for ADHD was observed with the increasing quartiles of children's urinary BPA (first quartile: reference category; second quartile adjusted OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 0.95-3.37; third quartile adjusted OR: 7.44, 95% CI: 3.91-14.1; fourth quartile adjusted OR: 9.41, 95% CI: 4.91-18.1). When the BPA levels were stratified by gender, the odds of ADHD among boys and girls increased significantly with urinary BPA concentrations (adjusted OR: 4.58, 95% CI: 2.84-7.37; adjusted OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.17-6.84). Urinary 8-OHdG concentrations in the ADHD children were significantly higher than those in the control group. Furthermore, the linear regression analysis results indicated that a significant relationship existed between BPA exposure and 8-OHdG levels (R = 0.257, p < .001). Our findings provide direct evidence that childhood BPA exposure may be related to ADHD and 8-OHdG concentrations for children. Moreover, BPA exposure could increase the higher occurrence of ADHD for boy than for girls.

In-utero exposure to phenols and phthalates and the intelligence quotient of boys at 5 years

BACKGROUND

There are concerns that developmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as phenolic compounds and phthalates could affect child cognitive function. Epidemiological studies tackling this question have mainly focused on phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A, but not on the other phenolic compounds. Our study aimed to assess the relationship between in-utero exposure to phthalates, bisphenol A and other phenolic compounds (parabens, triclosan, dichlorophenols and benzophenone-3) and the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of boys at 5-6 years.

METHODS

In 452 mother-son dyads from the French EDEN cohort, we measured 11 phthalate metabolites and 9 phenolic compounds (4 parabens, benzophenone-3, bisphenol A, 2 dichlorophenols and triclosan) in spot urine samples collected between 22 and 29 gestational weeks. Verbal and performance IQ of children were assessed at 5-6 years by a psychologist using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). We used adjusted Structural Equation Models (SEM) combined with Benjamini and Hochberg false discovery rate correction to assess the associations between maternal urine phenol and phthalate metabolite concentrations considered simultaneously and the boys' IQ.

RESULTS

No phenol or phthalate metabolite concentration was negatively associated with the boys' verbal or performance IQ (uncorrected p-values ≥0.09). Mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate tended to be associated with increased verbal IQ (β = 0.136, 95% confidence interval, 0.01; 0.27). This association disappeared after correction for multiple comparison (corrected p-value, 0.71).

CONCLUSION

Our results did not provide evidence of an inverse association between in-utero exposure to phenols or phthalates and verbal and performance IQ among boys. Since phenols and phthalates may have sex-specific effects, these null findings cannot be generalized to girls. Limitations included use of a single spot urine sample to assess exposures and lack of consideration of postnatal exposures.

Urinary bisphenol A concentrations in relation to asthma in a sample of Egyptian children

BACKGROUND

Bronchial asthma is one of the top disabling diseases in pediatrics. Limited research has been studied the association of the widely used plastic monomer bisphenol A (BPA) with childhood asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the levels of urinary BPA in asthmatic and control children and to investigate the implication of BPA among other risk factors for the development of asthma.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This case-control study included 97 children (45 asthmatic and 52 healthy controls) aged 3-8 years. Asthmatic children were diagnosed according to Global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines. Sociodemographic factors were assessed and urinary levels of BPA were determined in spot urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography. The contribution of BPA among predictors for developing asthma was studied in asthmatic children.

RESULTS

Median total urinary BPA levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children than in control group (1.56 ng/mL in asthmatic children compared to 0.790 ng/mL in control group, p = 0.001). Children who had total urinary BPA levels >1.3 ng/mL were more likely to be asthmatic (odds ratio: 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.59, p = 0.015). Multiple logistic regression analysis for predictors of asthma showed the importance of higher levels of BPA (>1.3 ng/mL) as a more significant predictor than passive smoking ( p = 0.006 for BPA categories vs. p = 0.049 for passive smoking).

CONCLUSION

Association of higher levels of urinary BPA with the diagnosis of asthma in children may indicate the potential risk of BPA exposure in the precipitation of bronchial asthma. Further clinical and biochemical research are needed to clarify the proper mechanism explaining this association.

Health Consequences of Environmental Exposures in Early Life: Coping with a Changing World in the Post-MDG Era

Despite overall progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals, large health discrepancies persist between developed and developing countries. The world is rapidly changing and the influences of societal change and climate change will disproportionately affect the world's most vulnerable populations, thus exacerbating current inequities. Current development strategies do not adequately address these disproportionate impacts of environmental exposures. The aim of this study was to propose a new framework to address the health consequences of environmental exposures beyond 2015. This framework is transdisciplinary and precautionary. It is based on identifying social and economic determinants of health, strengthening primary health systems, and improving the health of vulnerable populations. It incorporates deliberate plans for assessment and control of avoidable environmental exposures. It sets specific, measurable targets for health and environmental improvement.

Indoor residential exposure to semivolatile organic compounds in France

Multiple chemicals are emitted in residential accommodation. Aggregate Daily Doses (ADD) (ng/kg-bw/d) were estimated for 32 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) of different chemical families that are frequently detected in French dwellings in both air and settled dust. Daily doses were determined using steady-state models for the population, categorized into 11 age groups covering birth to age 30. Three routes of exposure were taken into account: dust ingestion, inhalation (gaseous and particulate phases) and dermal contact with the gaseous phase of air. Contamination levels were preferentially retrieved from large, nationwide representative datasets. A two-dimensional probabilistic approach was used to assess parametric uncertainty and identify the most influential factors. For children aged 2 to 3years, ADD estimates spanned orders of magnitude, with median values ranging from 8.7pg/kg-bw/d for 2,2',3,4,4'-pentabromodiphenylether (BDE 85) to 1.3μg/kg-bw/d for di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP). Inhalation, ingestion and dermal pathway contributed at varying levels, and depending on compound, air was the dominant medium for 28 of the 32 compounds (either by inhalation or dermal contact). Indoor exposure estimate variance was mainly driven by indoor contamination variability, and secondarily by uncertainty in physical and chemical parameters. These findings lend support to the call for cumulative risk assessment of indoor SVOCs.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of early life exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and obesity related outcomes in rodents

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exerts obesogenic effects after pre- or perinatal exposure.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review with meta-analyses was conducted of early life exposure to DEHP, or its biologically active metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), on the obesity related outcome measures body weight, fat (pad) weight, triglycerides, free fatty acids and leptin in experimental rodent studies.

METHODS

The applied methodology was pre-specified in a rigorous protocol. Relevant articles were identified using PubMed and EMBASE and meta-analyses were performed using mean differences (MD) and random effects model when at least five studies could be included per outcome measure. Risk of bias and the quality of evidence was assessed using established methodologies.

RESULTS

Overall, 31 studies could be included and meta-analyses could be performed for body weight and fat weight. Early life exposure to DEHP was significantly associated with increased fat weight (MD = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.03), while a non-significant association was estimated for body weight (MD = -0.14; 95% CI: -0.32, 0.04). There was substantial heterogeneity across studies and the information was insufficient to assess the risk of bias for most studies. No meta-analyses could be conducted for other outcome measures, because too few studies were available.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this systematic review indicate that early life exposure to DEHP is potentially associated with increased adiposity in rodents. More data is needed to strengthen the evidence base.

Prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure alters the transcriptome of the neonate rat amygdala in a sex-specific manner: a CLARITY-BPA consortium study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely recognized endocrine disruptor prevalent in many household items. Because experimental and epidemiological data suggest links between prenatal BPA exposure and altered affective behaviors in children, even at levels below the current US FDA No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 5mg/kg body weight (bw)/day, there is concern that early life exposure may alter neurodevelopment. The current study was conducted as part of the CLARITY-BPA (Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity) program and examined the full amygdalar transcriptome on postnatal day (PND) 1, with the hypothesis that prenatal BPA exposure would alter the expression of genes and pathways fundamental to sex-specific affective behaviors. NCTR Sprague-Dawley dams were gavaged from gestational day 6 until parturition with BPA (2.5, 25, 250, 2500, or 25000μg/kg bw/day), a reference estrogen (0.05 or 0.5μg ethinyl estradiol (EE₂)/kg bw/day), or vehicle. PND 1 amygdalae were microdissected and gene expression was assessed with qRT-PCR (all exposure groups) and RNAseq (vehicle, 25 and 250μg BPA, and 0.5μg EE₂ groups only). Our results demonstrate that that prenatal BPA exposure can disrupt the transcriptome of the neonate amygdala, at doses below the FDA NOAEL, in a sex-specific manner and indicate that the female amygdala may be more sensitive to BPA exposure during fetal development. We also provide additional evidence that developmental BPA exposure can interfere with estrogen, oxytocin, and vasopressin signaling pathways in the developing brain and alter signaling pathways critical for synaptic organization and transmission.

In Utero Exposure to Select Phenols and Phthalates and Respiratory Health in Five-Year-Old Boys: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Phenols and phthalates may have immunomodulatory and proinflammatory effects and thereby adversely affect respiratory health.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the associations between gestational exposure to select phthalates and phenols and respiratory health in boys.

METHODS

Among 587 pregnant women from the EDEN (Etude des Déterminants pré et post natals du développement et de la santé de l'Enfant) cohort who delivered a boy, 9 phenols and 11 phthalates metabolites were quantified in spot pregnancy urine samples. Respiratory outcomes were followed up by questionnaires until age 5, when forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was measured by spirometry. Adjusted associations of urinary metabolites log-transformed concentrations with respiratory outcomes and FEV1 in percent predicted (FEV1%) were estimated by survival and linear regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

No phenol or phthalate metabolite exhibited clear deleterious associations simultaneously with several respiratory outcomes. Ethyl-paraben was associated with increased asthma rate [hazard rate (HR)=1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.21] and tended to be negatively associated with FEV1% (beta=-0.59; 95% CI: -1.24, 0.05); bisphenol A tended to be associated with increased rates of asthma diagnosis (HR=1.23; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.55) and bronchiolitis/bronchitis (HR=1.13; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.30). Isolated trends for deleterious associations were also observed between 2,5-dichlorophenol and wheezing, and between monocarboxynonyl phthalate, a metabolite of di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and wheezing.

CONCLUSION

Ethyl-paraben, bisphenol A, 2,5-dichlorophenol, and DIDP tended to be associated with altered respiratory health, with ethyl-paraben and bisphenol A exhibiting some consistency across respiratory outcomes. The trends between bisphenol A pregnancy level and increased asthma and bronchiolitis/bronchitis rates in childhood were consistent with a previous cohort study. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1015.

Effects of perinatal bisphenol A exposure on the volume of sexually-dimorphic nuclei of juvenile rats: A CLARITY-BPA consortium study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high volume endocrine disrupting chemical found in a wide variety of products including plastics and epoxy resins. Human exposure is nearly ubiquitous, and higher in children than adults. Because BPA has been reported to interfere with sex steroid hormone signaling, there is concern that developmental exposure, even at levels below the current FDA No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 5mg/kg body weight (bw)/day, can disrupt brain sexual differentiation. The current studies were conducted as part of the CLARITY-BPA (Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity) program and tested the hypothesis that perinatal BPA exposure would induce morphological changes in hormone sensitive, sexually dimorphic brain regions. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: BPA (2.5, 25, or 2500μg/kgbw/day), a reference estrogen (0.5μg ethinylestradiol (EE₂)/kgbw/day), or vehicle. Exposure occurred by gavage to the dam from gestational day 6 until parturition, and then to the offspring from birth through weaning. Unbiased stereology was used to quantify the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN), the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), the posterodorsal portion of the medial amygdala (MePD), and the locus coeruleus (LC) at postnatal day 28. No appreciable effects of BPA were observed on the volume of the SDN or LC. However, AVPV volume was enlarged in both sexes, even at levels below the FDA NOAEL. Collectively, these data suggest the developing brain is vulnerable to endocrine disruption by BPA at exposure levels below previous estimates by regulatory agencies.

Compound-specific bromine isotope ratio analysis using gas chromatography/quadrupole mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Brominated organic compounds (BOCs) are common persistent toxic pollutants. Compound-specific stable bromine isotope ratio analysis is one of the potential approaches for investigating BOC transformations in the environment. In the present study, we demonstrate that precise bromine isotope analysis of BOCs can be successfully performed by gas chromatography/quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/qMS) systems that are widely available in analytical laboratories.

METHODS

Optimization and validation of the GC/qMS method were performed by analysis of bromoform, 3-bromophenol and 4-bromotoluene. In addition, comparison of the results obtained by GC/qMS and GC/multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) for 1,2-dibromoethane and 3-bromophenol samples with different bromine isotope composition was carried out to evaluate the analytical performance of the developed method.

RESULTS

Precisions in the range 0.2-0.3‰ were attained for sample amounts in the range of tens to thousands pmol. Good correlation between the results obtained by GC/qMS and GC/MC-ICPMS for laboratory standard materials (1,2-dibromoethane and 3-bromophenol) (regression coefficient R(2)  > 0.98) was achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

The GC/qMS method for bromine isotope analysis shows a good performance and can be applied routinely for studying transformations of BOCs. Due to the observed dependence of the measured isotope ratios on the amount of the analyte and the calculation scheme applied, normalization of the results versus appropriate standards is required for source attribution applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Environmental pollutants and child health-A review of recent concerns

In recent years, many new studies have evaluated associations between environmental pollutants and child health. This review aims to provide a broad summary of this literature, comparing the state of epidemiological evidence for the effects of a wide range of environmental contaminants (air pollutants, heavy metals, organochlorine compounds, perfluoroalkyl substances, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, pesticides, phthalates and bisphenol A) on child health outcomes. The review addresses effects on foetal growth and prematurity, neurodevelopment, respiratory and immune health, and childhood growth and obesity. Findings of recent prospective studies and meta-analyses have corroborated previous good evidence, often at lower exposure levels, for effects on foetal growth of air pollution and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), for neurotoxic effects of lead, methylmercury, PCBs and organophosphate pesticides, and for respiratory health effects of air pollution. Moderate evidence has emerged for a potential role of environmental pollutants in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism (lead, PCBs, air pollution), respiratory and immune health (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene - DDE - and PCBs), and obesity (DDE). In addition, there is now moderate evidence that certain chemicals of relatively recent concern may be associated with adverse child health outcomes, specifically perfluorooctanoate and foetal growth, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers and neurodevelopment. For other chemicals of recent concern, such as phthalates and bisphenol A, the literature is characterised by large inconsistencies preventing strong conclusions. In conclusion, since most of the recent literature evaluates common exposures in the general population, and not particularly high exposure situations, this accumulating body of evidence suggests that the unborn and young child require more protection than is currently provided. Large, coordinated research efforts are needed to improve understanding of long-term effects of complex chemical mixtures.

Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and fertility: A case-control study in male subfertility patients

BACKGROUND

Dioxins, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides, brominated flame retardants, bisphenol A, triclosan, perfluorinated compounds and phthalates are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to investigate whether higher exposure to EDCs is associated with increased subfertility in men.

METHODS

We measured biomarkers of exposure in 163 men, recruited through four fertility clinics. According to WHO guidelines, we used a total motility count (TMC) of 20 million as cut-off value. We assigned patients to the case group when two semen samples - collected at least one week apart - had a TMC<20 and to the control group when both samples had a TMC≥20. To estimate the risk of subfertility and alteration in sex hormone concentrations we used multivariable-adjusted analysis, using logistic and linear regressions, respectively.

RESULTS

For an IQR increase in serum oxychlordane, the odds ratio for subfertility was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.07; 3.69). Furthermore, men with serum levels of BDE209 above the quantification limit had an odds of 7.22 (1.03; 50.6) for subfertility compared with those having values below the LOQ. Urinary levels of phthalates and triclosan were negatively associated with inhibin B and positively with LH. Urinary bisphenol A correlated negatively with testosterone levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study in men showed that internal body concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals are associated with an increased risk of subfertility together with alterations in hormone levels. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to safeguard male fertility.

Bisphenol A exposure pathways in early childhood: Reviewing the need for improved risk assessment models

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticiser found in a number of household plastics, electronics, and food-packaging materials. Over the past 5 years, several human epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between BPA exposure and adverse health outcomes in children, including obesity, asthma, preterm birth, and neuro-behavioural disturbances. These findings are in conflict with international environmental risk assessment models, which predict daily exposure levels to BPA should not pose a risk to child health. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence for different exposure sources and potential exposure pathways of BPA in early childhood. By collating the findings from experimental models and exposure associations observed in human bio-monitoring studies, we affirm the potential for non-dietary sources to make a substantial contribution to total daily exposure in young children. Infants and toddlers have distinctive exposure sources, physiology, and metabolism of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We recommend risk-assessment models implement new frameworks, which specifically address exposure and hazard in early childhood. This is particularly important for BPA, which is present in numerous products in the home and day-care environments, and for which animal studies report contradictory findings on its safety at environmentally relevant levels of exposure.

Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Childhood Growth and Blood Pressure: Evidence from the Spanish INMA-Sabadell Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Human evidence on the effects of early life phthalate exposure on obesity and cardiovascular disease risks, reported by experimental studies, is limited to a few cross-sectional studies.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood growth and blood pressure in a Spanish birth cohort study.

METHODS

We assessed exposure using the average of two phthalate metabolite spot-urine concentrations collected from the mothers in the first and third pregnancy trimesters (creatinine-adjusted, n = 391). Study outcomes were the difference in age- and sex-specific z-scores for weight between birth and 6 months of age; and repeated age- and sex-specific z-scores for body mass index (BMI) at 1, 4, and 7 years; waist-to-height ratio at 4 and 7 years; and age- and height-specific z-scores for systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 4 and 7 years.

RESULTS

The sum of five high-molecular-weight phthalate metabolites (ΣHMWPm) was associated with lower weight z-score difference between birth and 6 months (β per doubling of exposure = -0.41; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.06) and BMI z-scores at later ages in boys (β = -0.28; 95% CI: -0.60, 0.03) and with higher weight z-score difference (β = 0.24; 95% CI: -0.16, 0.65) and BMI z-scores in girls (β = 0.30; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.64) (p for sex interaction = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The sum of three low-molecular-weight phthalates (ΣLMWPm) was not significantly associated with any of the growth outcomes. ΣHMWPm and ΣLMWPm were associated with lower systolic blood pressure z-scores in girls but not in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that prenatal phthalate exposure may be associated with postnatal growth and blood pressure in a sex-specific manner. Inconsistencies with previous cross-sectional findings highlight the necessity for evaluating phthalate health effects in prospective studies.

Exposure to bisphenol A during pregnancy and child neuropsychological development in the INMA-Sabadell cohort

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA) may be a neurodevelopmental toxicant, but evidence is not consistent in terms of the sex-specific patterns of the associations and the specific behavioral or cognitive domains most affected.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of prenatal BPA exposure on cognitive, psychomotor, and behavioral development in 438 children at 1, 4 and 7 years of age.

METHODS

BPA was measured in spot urine samples collected in trimester 1 and 3 of pregnancy from women participating in the INMA-Sabadell birth cohort study. Cognitive and psychomotor development was assessed at 1 and 4 years using psychologist-based scales. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and other behavioral problems were assessed at 4 years by teachers and at 7 years by parents using questionnaire-based rating scales.

RESULTS

Geometric mean creatinine-adjusted BPA concentration of the averaged samples was 2.6 μg/g creatinine. BPA exposure was not associated with the cognitive scores or their subscales at 1 and 4 years of age. At 1 year of age, exposure in the highest tertile of BPA concentrations was associated with a reduction of psychomotor scores (T3 vs T1 β=-4.28 points, 95% CI: -8.15, -0.41), but there was no association with psychomotor outcomes at 4 years. At 4 years, BPA exposure was associated with an increased risk of ADHD-hyperactivity symptoms (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) per log10 μg BPA/g creatinine increase=1.72; 1.08, 2.73) and this association was stronger in boys than in girls. Further, boys had an increased risk of ADHD-inattention symptoms whereas girls showed a reduced risk (p for interaction <0.1). At 7 years, these associations were not statistically significant nor were any other behavioral problems.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that prenatal BPA exposure does not affect cognitive development up to age 4 years. Associations are observed with psychomotor development and ADHD-related symptoms at early ages, but these do not appear to persist until later ages.

Policy recommendations and cost implications for a more sustainable framework for European human biomonitoring surveys

The potential of Human Biomonitoring (HBM) in exposure characterisation and risk assessment is well established in the scientific HBM community and regulatory arena by many publications. The European Environment and Health Strategy as well as the Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 of the European Commission recognised the value of HBM and the relevance and importance of coordination of HBM programmes in Europe. Based on existing and planned HBM projects and programmes of work and capabilities in Europe the Seventh Framework Programme (FP 7) funded COPHES (COnsortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. The pilot study protocol was tested in 17 European countries in the DEMOCOPHES feasibility study (DEMOnstration of a study to COordinate and Perform Human biomonitoring on a European Scale) cofunded (50%) under the LIFE+ programme of the European Commission. The potential of HBM in supporting and evaluating policy making (including e.g. REACH) and in awareness raising on environmental health, should significantly advance the process towards a fully operational, continuous, sustainable and scientifically based EU HBM programme. From a number of stakeholder activities during the past 10 years and the national engagement, a framework for sustainable HBM structure in Europe is recommended involving national institutions within environment, health and food as well as European institutions such as ECHA, EEA, and EFSA. An economic frame with shared cost implications for national and European institutions is suggested benefitting from the capacity building set up by COPHES/DEMOCOPHES.

Impact of Low-Dose Oral Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) on Juvenile and Adult Rat Exploratory and Anxiety Behavior: A CLARITY-BPA Consortium Study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high volume production chemical and has been identified as an endocrine disruptor, prompting concern that developmental exposure could impact brain development and behavior. Rodent and human studies suggest that early life BPA exposure may result in an anxious, hyperactive phenotype but results are conflicting and data from studies using multiple doses below the no-observed-adverse-effect level are limited. To address this, the present studies were conducted as part of the CLARITY-BPA (Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity) program. The impact of perinatal BPA exposure (2.5, 25, or 2500 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day) on behaviors related to anxiety and exploratory activity was assessed in juvenile (prepubertal) and adult NCTR Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes. Ethinyl estradiol (0.5 µg/kg bw/day) was used as a reference estrogen. Exposure spanned gestation and lactation with dams gavaged from gestational day 6 until birth and then the offspring gavaged directly through weaning (n = 12/sex/group). Behavioral assessments included open field, elevated plus maze, and zero maze. Anticipated sex differences in behavior were statistically identified or suggested in most cases. No consistent effects of BPA were observed for any endpoint, in either sex, at either age compared to vehicle controls; however, significant differences between BPA-exposed and ethinyl estradiol-exposed groups were identified for some endpoints. Limitations of this study are discussed and include suboptimal statistical power and low concordance across behavioral tasks. These data do not indicate BPA-related effects on anxiety or exploratory activity in these developmentally exposed rats.