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Shukla R, Kannan A, Laws MJ, Johnson AW, Flaws JA, Bagchi MK, Bagchi IC. Long-term dietary exposure to a mixture of phthalates enhances estrogen and beta-catenin signaling pathways, leading to endometrial hyperplasia in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.16.613339. [PMID: 39345621 PMCID: PMC11429868 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.16.613339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates, synthetic chemicals widely utilized as plasticizers and stabilizers in various consumer products, present a significant concern due to their persistent presence in daily human life. While past research predominantly focused on individual phthalates, real-life human exposure typically encompasses complex mixtures of these compounds. The cumulative effects of prolonged exposure to phthalate mixtures on uterine health remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted studies utilizing adult female mice exposed to a phthalate mixture for 6 and 12 months through ad libitum chow consumption. We previously reported that continuous exposure to this phthalate mixture for 6 months led to uterine fibrosis. In this study, we show that the exposure, when continued beyond 6 months to 1 year, caused fibrotic uteri to display hyperplasia with a significant increase in gland to stroma ratio. Endometrial hyperplasia is commonly caused by unopposed estrogen action, which promotes increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and proliferation of the endometrial epithelial cells. Indeed, RNA sequencing analysis revealed a marked upregulation of several estrogen-regulated genes, Wnt ligands that are involved in oncogenic pathways, as well as chemokines, in phthalate-exposed uterine tissues. Consequently, the exposed uteri exhibited increased proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells, and a heightened inflammatory response indicated by extensive homing of macrophages. Further studies revealed a marked enhancement of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway, potentially contributing to the development of endometrial hyperplasia. Collectively, this study underscores the significance of understanding the exposure to environmental factors in the pathogenesis of endometrial disorders.
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Berezovsky E, Kohn E, Britzi M, Efreim S, Berlin M, Oppenheimer S, Avitsur R, Agajany N, Berkovitch M, Sheinberg R. Possible associations between prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants and neurodevelopmental outcome in children. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108658. [PMID: 38972363 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108658] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate associations between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the development of 4-year-old children. Urinary metabolites of five phthalates were measured in women upon delivery, as well as serum concentrations of four PCB congeners. Postnatal phthalate metabolites were measured from children's urine obtained at the time of developmental assessment. The primary outcome was cognitive function as evaluated by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III) administered at 4 years. Secondary outcomes were motor function and response to sensory stimuli as evaluated by the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) and Short Sensory Profile (SSP) that the mothers filled out, respectively. The study included 57 mother-child pairs. Higher maternal phthalate metabolite concentrations were inversely associated with WPPSI-III scores among boys and not among girls. After using linear regression models and controlling for confounding variables, we found that higher levels of monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) were the ones associated with lower WPPSI-III scores (p=0.004, 95 %CI [-14.18; -3.16]), lower DCDQ scores (p=0.007, 95 %CI [-6.08; -1.17] and lower SSP scores (p=0.004, 95 %CI [-7.47; -1.79]). No association was found between child urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations or maternal PCB blood concentrations and developmental function. These findings indicate that higher prenatal phthalate metabolite levels may be associated with deficits in neurologic development of young boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Berezovsky
- Pediatrics Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Elkana Kohn
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Malka Britzi
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, National Residue Control Laboratory, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - Solomon Efreim
- Kimron Veterinary Institute, National Residue Control Laboratory, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | - Maya Berlin
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sabrina Oppenheimer
- School of Behavioural Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Avitsur
- School of Behavioural Sciences, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Netanel Agajany
- Pediatrics Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Matitiahu Berkovitch
- Pediatrics Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Revital Sheinberg
- Pediatrics Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Yesildemir O, Celik MN. Association between pre- and postnatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes: an extensive review. Clin Exp Pediatr 2024; 67:328-346. [PMID: 37986566 PMCID: PMC11222910 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.00941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with the hormones in the body. The most common and well- studied EDCs are bisphenol A, phthalates, and persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, other brominated flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides, dioxins, and furans. Starting in embryonic life, humans are constantly exposed to EDCs through air, diet, skin, and water. Fetuses and newborns undergo crucial developmental processes that allow adaptation to the environment throughout life. As developing organisms, they are extremely sensitive to low doses of EDCs. Many EDCs can cross the placental barrier and reach the developing fetal organs. In addition, newborns can be exposed to EDCs through breastfeeding or formula feeding. Pre- and postnatal exposure to EDCs may increase the risk of childhood diseases by disrupting the hormone-mediated processes critical for growth and development during gestation and infancy. This review discusses evidence of the relationship between pre- and postnatal exposure to several EDCs, childbirth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Available evidence suggests that pre- and postnatal exposure to certain EDCs causes fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neurodevelopmental problems through various mechanisms of action. Given the adverse effects of EDCs on child development, further studies are required to clarify the overall associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Yesildemir
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Mensure Nur Celik
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Lu M, Gan H, Zhou Q, Han F, Wang X, Zhang F, Tong J, Huang K, Gao H, Yan S, Jin Z, Wang Q, Tao F. Trimester-specific effect of maternal co-exposure to organophosphate esters and phthalates on preschooler cognitive development: The moderating role of gestational vitamin D status. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118536. [PMID: 38442813 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118536] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) and phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are prevalent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Humans are often exposed to OPEs and PAEs simultaneously through multiple routes. Given that fetal stage is a critical period for neurodevelopment, it is necessary to know whether gestational co-exposure to OPEs and PAEs affects fetal neurodevelopment. However, accessible epidemiological studies are limited. The present study included 2, 120 pregnant women from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort (MABC) study. The concentrations of tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), 6 OPE metabolites and 7 PAE metabolites were measured in the first, second and third trimester using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cognitive development of preschooler was assessed based on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) of the Chinese version. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs), restricted cubic spline (RCS) and generalized additive models (GAMs) were employed to explore the associations between individual OPE exposure and preschooler cognitive development. The quantile-based g-computation (QGC) method was used to estimate the joint effect of PAEs and OPEs exposure on cognitive development. GEEs revealed significant adverse associations between diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) (β: -0.58, 95% CI: -1.14, -0.01), bis (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate(BBOEP) (β: -0.44, 95% CI: -0.85, -0.02), bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) (β: -0.81, 95%CI: -1.43, -0.20) and full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) in the first trimester; additionally, TCEP and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP) in the second trimester, as well as DPHP in the third trimester, were negatively associated with cognitive development. Through the QGC analyses, mixture exposure in the first trimester was negatively associated with FSIQ scores (β: -1.70, 95% CI: -3.06, -0.34), mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), BCIPP, and DPHP might be the dominant contributors after controlling for other OPEs and PAEs congeners. Additionally, the effect of OPEs and PAEs mixture on cognitive development might be driven by vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjuan Lu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Hong Gan
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Feifei Han
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Fu Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Tong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shuangqin Yan
- Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH) Center, Ma'anshan, 243011, China
| | - Zhongxiu Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qunan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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5
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Antoniou EE, Otter R. Phthalate Exposure and Neurotoxicity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1606802. [PMID: 38590582 PMCID: PMC10999525 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This systematic review aims to assess the relationship between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and neurodevelopmental outcomes, identifying periods of heightened susceptibility. Data sources considered studies examining repeated phthalate exposure during pregnancy and childhood on neurodevelopment. Methods: Evaluation included bias risk and study quality criteria. Evidence was synthesized by groups of low and high phthalate molecular weight and exposure measured prenatally and postnatally and outcome measured in childhood. Beta coefficients and their standard errors were extracted, leading to meta-analyses of various neurodevelopmental outcomes: cognition, motor skills, language, behavior, and temperament. Results: Eleven pregnancy and birth cohort studies were identified as relevant. For each phthalate group and outcome combination, there was low or very low evidence of an association, except for prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure and behavioral development and postnatal exposure and cognition. Conclusion: The estimated effects sizes were relatively small and strong evidence for periods of heightened susceptibility could not be elucidated. No distinction between phthalates of low molecular weight and those of high molecular weight with regards to the outcomes was found.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rainer Otter
- Industrial Petrochemicals Europe, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
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Riley KW, Guo J, Wang S, Factor-Litvak P, Miller RL, Andrews H, Hoepner LA, Margolis AE, Rauh V, Rundle A, Perera F, Herbstman JB. Cohort Profile: The Mothers and Newborns (MN) Cohort of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health. Int J Epidemiol 2024; 53:dyae011. [PMID: 38327188 PMCID: PMC10850846 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie W Riley
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pam Factor-Litvak
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel L Miller
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Howard Andrews
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lori A Hoepner
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Amy E Margolis
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Rundle
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frederica Perera
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie B Herbstman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Shukla R, Arshee MR, Laws MJ, Flaws JA, Bagchi MK, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Bagchi IC. Chronic exposure of mice to phthalates enhances TGF beta signaling and promotes uterine fibrosis. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 122:108491. [PMID: 37863342 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals widely used as plasticizers and stabilizers in various consumer products. Because of the extensive production and use of phthalates, humans are exposed to these chemicals daily. While most studies focus on a single phthalate, humans are exposed to a mixture of phthalates on a regular basis. The impact of continuous exposure to phthalate mixture on uterus is largely unknown. Thus, we conducted studies in which adult female mice were exposed for 6 months to 0.15 ppm and 1.5 ppm of a mixture of phthalates via chow ad libitum. Our studies revealed that consumption of phthalate mixture at 0.15 ppm and 1.5 ppm for 6 months led to a significant increase in the thickness of the myometrial layer compared to control. Further investigation employing RNA-sequencing revealed an elevated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in the uteri of mice fed with phthalate mixture. TGF-β signaling is associated with the development of fibrosis, a consequence of excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen fibers in a tissue. Consistent with this observation, we found a higher incidence of collagen deposition in uteri of mice exposed to phthalate mixture compared to unexposed controls. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging showed disorganized collagen fibers and nanoindentation indicated a local increase in uterine stiffness upon exposure to phthalate mixture. Collectively, our results demonstrate that chronic exposure to phthalate mixture can have adverse effects on uterine homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Shukla
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mahmuda R Arshee
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mary J Laws
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Milan K Bagchi
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Amy J Wagoner Johnson
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Indrani C Bagchi
- Departments of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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8
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Jackson-Browne MS, Patti MA, Henderson NB, Hauptman M, Phipatanakul W. Asthma and Environmental Exposures to Phenols, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Phthalates in Children. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:469-477. [PMID: 37973722 PMCID: PMC10877704 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Medina S Jackson-Browne
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, LM 7605.1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Marisa A Patti
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Noelle B Henderson
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, LM 7605.1, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Siddiq S, Clemons AM, Meeker JD, Gennings C, Rauh V, Leisher SH, Llanos AAM, McDonald JA, Wylie BJ, Factor-Litvak P. Predictors of Phthalate Metabolites Exposure among Healthy Pregnant Women in the United States, 2010-2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7104. [PMID: 38063534 PMCID: PMC10706567 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate use and the concentrations of their metabolites in humans vary by geographic region, race, ethnicity, sex, product use and other factors. Exposure during pregnancy may be associated with detrimental reproductive and developmental outcomes. No studies have evaluated the predictors of exposure to a wide range of phthalate metabolites in a large, diverse population. We examined the determinants of phthalate metabolites in a cohort of racially/ethnically diverse nulliparous pregnant women. We report on urinary metabolites of nine parent phthalates or replacement compounds-Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), D-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), Di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), Di-n/i-butyl phthalate (DnBP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) and Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from urine collected up to three times from 953 women enrolled in the Nulliparous Mothers To Be Study. Phthalate metabolites were adjusted for specific gravity. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to identify the predictors of each metabolite. Overall predictors include age, race and ethnicity, education, BMI and clinical site of care. Women who were Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic or Asian, obese or had lower levels of education had higher concentrations of selected metabolites. These findings indicate exposure patterns that require policies to reduce exposure in specific subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnaz Siddiq
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Autumn M. Clemons
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - John D. Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Susannah Hopkins Leisher
- Stillbirth Research Program, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Adana A. M. Llanos
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Jasmine A. McDonald
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
| | - Blair J. Wylie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Pam Factor-Litvak
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.A.M.L.); (P.F.-L.)
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Goodman CV, Green R, DaCosta A, Flora D, Lanphear B, Till C. Sex difference of pre- and post-natal exposure to six developmental neurotoxicants on intellectual abilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies. Environ Health 2023; 22:80. [PMID: 37978510 PMCID: PMC10655280 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01029-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life exposure to lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromide diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and phthalates have been associated with lowered IQ in children. In some studies, these neurotoxicants impact males and females differently. We aimed to examine the sex-specific effects of exposure to developmental neurotoxicants on intelligence (IQ) in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHOD We screened abstracts published in PsychINFO and PubMed before December 31st, 2021, for empirical studies of six neurotoxicants (lead, mercury, PCBs, PBDEs, OPPs, and phthalates) that (1) used an individualized biomarker; (2) measured exposure during the prenatal period or before age six; and (3) provided effect estimates on general, nonverbal, and/or verbal IQ by sex. We assessed each study for risk of bias and evaluated the certainty of the evidence using Navigation Guide. We performed separate random effect meta-analyses by sex and timing of exposure with subgroup analyses by neurotoxicant. RESULTS Fifty-one studies were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. Prenatal exposure to developmental neurotoxicants was associated with decreased general and nonverbal IQ in males, especially for lead. No significant effects were found for verbal IQ, or postnatal lead exposure and general IQ. Due to the limited number of studies, we were unable to analyze postnatal effects of any of the other neurotoxicants. CONCLUSION During fetal development, males may be more vulnerable than females to general and nonverbal intellectual deficits from neurotoxic exposures, especially from lead. More research is needed to examine the nuanced sex-specific effects found for postnatal exposure to toxic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly V Goodman
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada.
| | - Rivka Green
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Allya DaCosta
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - David Flora
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine Till
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
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Rodríguez-Carrillo A, Salamanca-Fernández E, den Hond E, Verheyen VJ, Fábelová L, Murinova LP, Pedraza-Díaz S, Castaño A, García-Lario JV, Remy S, Govarts E, Schoeters G, Olea N, Freire C, Fernández MF. Association of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates with thyroid hormones in adolescents from HBM4EU aligned studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116897. [PMID: 37598845 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates are synthetic chemicals widely used in various types of consumer products. There is epidemiological and experimental evidence that PFAS and phthalates may alter thyroid hormone levels; however, studies in children and adolescents are limited. AIM To investigate the association of exposure to PFAS and phthalate with serum levels of thyroid hormones in European adolescents. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 406 female and 327 male adolescents (14-17 years) from Belgium, Slovakia, and Spain participating in the Aligned Studies of the HBM4EU Project (FLEHS IV, PCB cohort, and BEA, respectively). Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in sera from study participants, and urinary metabolites of six phthalates (DEP, DiBP, DnBP, BBzP, DEHP, and DiNP) and the non-phthalate plasticizer DINCH® were quantified in spot urine samples. Associations were assessed with linear regression and g-computational models for mixtures. Effect modification by sex was examined. RESULTS In females, serum PFOA and the PFAS mixture concentrations were associated with lower FT4 and higher FT3 levels; MEP and the sums of DEHP, DiNP, and DINCH® metabolites (∑DEHP, ∑DiNP, and ∑DINCH) were associated with higher FT4; ∑DEHP with lower FT3; and the phthalate/DINCH® metabolite mixture with higher FT4 and lower FT3. In males, PFOA was associated with lower FT4 and the PFAS mixture with higher TSH levels and lower FT4/TSH ratio; MEP and ∑DiNP were associated with higher FT4; and MBzP, ∑DEHP, and the phthalate/DINCH® metabolite mixture with lower TSH and higher FT4/TSH. PFOA, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (OH-MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (oxo-MEHP), and monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP) made the greatest contribution to the mixture effect. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that exposure to PFAS and phthalates is associated with sex-specific differences in thyroid hormone levels in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein, 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Elena Salamanca-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | | | - Veerle J Verheyen
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Lucia Fábelová
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubica Palkovicova Murinova
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nicolás Olea
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Carmen Freire
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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12
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Boerma T, Ter Haar S, Ganga R, Wijnen F, Blom E, Wierenga CJ. What risk factors for Developmental Language Disorder can tell us about the neurobiological mechanisms of language development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 154:105398. [PMID: 37741516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Language is a complex multidimensional cognitive system that is connected to many neurocognitive capacities. The development of language is therefore strongly intertwined with the development of these capacities and their neurobiological substrates. Consequently, language problems, for example those of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), are explained by a variety of etiological pathways and each of these pathways will be associated with specific risk factors. In this review, we attempt to link previously described factors that may interfere with language development to putative underlying neurobiological mechanisms of language development, hoping to uncover openings for future therapeutical approaches or interventions that can help children to optimally develop their language skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessel Boerma
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sita Ter Haar
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Cognitive Neurobiology and Helmholtz Institute, Department of Psychology, Utrecht University/Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rachida Ganga
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Wijnen
- Institute for Language Sciences, Department of Languages, Literature and Communication, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Elma Blom
- Department of Development and Education of youth in Diverse Societies (DEEDS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Language and Culture, The Arctic University of Norway UiT, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Payne-Sturges DC, Taiwo TK, Ellickson K, Mullen H, Tchangalova N, Anderko L, Chen A, Swanson M. Disparities in Toxic Chemical Exposures and Associated Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Systematic Evidence Map of the Epidemiological Literature. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:96001. [PMID: 37754677 PMCID: PMC10525348 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are routinely exposed to chemicals known or suspected of harming brain development. Targeting Environmental Neuro-Development Risks (Project TENDR), an alliance of > 50 leading scientists, health professionals, and advocates, is working to protect children from these toxic chemicals and pollutants, especially the disproportionate exposures experienced by children from families with low incomes and families of color. OBJECTIVE This scoping review was initiated to map existing literature on disparities in neurodevelopmental outcomes for U.S. children from population groups who have been historically economically/socially marginalized and exposed to seven exemplar neurotoxicants: combustion-related air pollution (AP), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), phthalates (Phth), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). METHODS Systematic literature searches for the seven exemplar chemicals, informed by the Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome (PECO) framework, were conducted through 18 November 2022, using PubMed, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), GreenFILE (EBSCO), and Web of Science sources. We examined these studies regarding authors' conceptualization and operationalization of race, ethnicity, and other indicators of sociodemographic and socioeconomic disadvantage; whether studies presented data on exposure and outcome disparities and the patterns of those disparities; and the evidence of effect modification by or interaction with race and ethnicity. RESULTS Two hundred twelve individual studies met the search criteria and were reviewed, resulting in 218 studies or investigations being included in this review. AP and Pb were the most commonly studied exposures. The most frequently identified neurodevelopmental outcomes were cognitive and behavioral/psychological. Approximately a third (74 studies) reported investigations of interactions or effect modification with 69% (51 of 74 studies) reporting the presence of interactions or effect modification. However, less than half of the studies presented data on disparities in the outcome or the exposure, and fewer conducted formal tests of heterogeneity. Ninety-two percent of the 165 articles that examined race and ethnicity did not provide an explanation of their constructs for these variables, creating an incomplete picture. DISCUSSION As a whole, the studies we reviewed indicated a complex story about how racial and ethnic minority and low-income children may be disproportionately harmed by exposures to neurotoxicants, and this has implications for targeting interventions, policy change, and other necessary investments to eliminate these health disparities. We provide recommendations on improving environmental epidemiological studies on environmental health disparities. To achieve environmental justice and health equity, we recommend concomitant strategies to eradicate both neurotoxic chemical exposures and systems that perpetuate social inequities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11750.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristie Ellickson
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haley Mullen
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Laura Anderko
- M. Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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14
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Lucaccioni L, Palandri L, Passini E, Trevisani V, Calandra Buonaura F, Bertoncelli N, Talucci G, Ferrari A, Ferrari E, Predieri B, Facchinetti F, Iughetti L, Righi E. Perinatal and postnatal exposure to phthalates and early neurodevelopment at 6 months in healthy infants born at term. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1172743. [PMID: 37293488 PMCID: PMC10244530 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1172743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phthalates are non-persistent chemicals largely used as plasticizers and considered ubiquitous pollutants with endocrine disrupting activity. The exposure during sensible temporal windows as pregnancy and early childhood, may influence physiological neurodevelopment. Aims and Scope The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in newborn and infants and the global development measured by the Griffiths Scales of Children Development (GSCD) at six months. Methods Longitudinal cohort study in healthy Italian term newborn and their mothers from birth to the first 6 months of life. Urine samples were collected at respectively 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6) months, and around the delivery for mothers. Urine samples were analyzed for a total of 7 major phthalate metabolites of 5 of the most commonly used phthalates. At six months of age a global child development assessment using the third edition of the Griffith Scales of Child Development (GSCD III) was performed in 104 participants. Results In a total of 387 urine samples, the seven metabolites analyzed appeared widespread and were detected in most of the urine samples collected at any time of sampling (66-100%). At six months most of the Developmental Quotients (DQs) falls in average range, except for the subscale B, which presents a DQ median score of 87 (85-95). Adjusted linear regressions between DQs and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in mothers at T0 and in infants at T0, T3 and T6 identified several negative associations both for infants' and mothers especially for DEHP and MBzP. Moreover, once stratified by children's sex, negative associations were found in boys while positive in girls. Conclusions Phthalates exposure is widespread, especially for not regulated compounds. Urinary phthalate metabolites were found to be associated to GSCD III scores, showing inverse association with higher phthalate levels related to lower development scores. Our data suggested differences related to the child's sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lucaccioni
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Palandri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Erica Passini
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Viola Trevisani
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Natascia Bertoncelli
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Talucci
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Angela Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Barbara Predieri
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchinetti
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Righi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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15
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Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M, Bald C, Brunner M, Canonizado EM, Charles D, Chiles TC, Donohue MJ, Enck J, Fenichel P, Fleming LE, Ferrier-Pages C, Fordham R, Gozt A, Griffin C, Hahn ME, Haryanto B, Hixson R, Ianelli H, James BD, Kumar P, Laborde A, Law KL, Martin K, Mu J, Mulders Y, Mustapha A, Niu J, Pahl S, Park Y, Pedrotti ML, Pitt JA, Ruchirawat M, Seewoo BJ, Spring M, Stegeman JJ, Suk W, Symeonides C, Takada H, Thompson RC, Vicini A, Wang Z, Whitman E, Wirth D, Wolff M, Yousuf AK, Dunlop S. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:23. [PMID: 36969097 PMCID: PMC10038118 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted. Goals The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics' impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, and the world's children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives. Report Structure This Commission report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents a narrative review of the processes involved in plastic production, use, and disposal and notes the hazards to human health and the environment associated with each of these stages. Section 3 describes plastics' impacts on the ocean and notes the potential for plastic in the ocean to enter the marine food web and result in human exposure. Section 4 details plastics' impacts on human health. Section 5 presents a first-order estimate of plastics' health-related economic costs. Section 6 examines the intersection between plastic, social inequity, and environmental injustice. Section 7 presents the Commission's findings and recommendations. Plastics Plastics are complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% of plastics are produced from fossil carbon- coal, oil and gas. Plastics are comprised of a carbon-based polymer backbone and thousands of additional chemicals that are incorporated into polymers to convey specific properties such as color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, and ultraviolet resistance. Many of these added chemicals are highly toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, bisphenols, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. They are integral components of plastic and are responsible for many of plastics' harms to human health and the environment.Global plastic production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, and in this time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) of plastic have been manufactured. Annual production volume has grown from under 2 Mt in 1950 to 460 Mt in 2019, a 230-fold increase, and is on track to triple by 2060. More than half of all plastic ever made has been produced since 2002. Single-use plastics account for 35-40% of current plastic production and represent the most rapidly growing segment of plastic manufacture.Explosive recent growth in plastics production reflects a deliberate pivot by the integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations that produce coal, oil and gas and that also manufacture plastics. These corporations are reducing their production of fossil fuels and increasing plastics manufacture. The two principal factors responsible for this pivot are decreasing global demand for carbon-based fuels due to increases in 'green' energy, and massive expansion of oil and gas production due to fracking.Plastic manufacture is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. At present, plastic production is responsible for an estimated 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the contribution of Brazil. This fraction is projected to increase to 4.5% by 2060 if current trends continue unchecked. Plastic Life Cycle The plastic life cycle has three phases: production, use, and disposal. In production, carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, and oil-are transformed through energy-intensive, catalytic processes into a vast array of products. Plastic use occurs in every aspect of modern life and results in widespread human exposure to the chemicals contained in plastic. Single-use plastics constitute the largest portion of current use, followed by synthetic fibers and construction.Plastic disposal is highly inefficient, with recovery and recycling rates below 10% globally. The result is that an estimated 22 Mt of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than 6 gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950. Strategies for disposal of plastic waste include controlled and uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, and export. Vast quantities of plastic waste are exported each year from high-income to low-income countries, where it accumulates in landfills, pollutes air and water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches and estuaries, and harms human health-environmental injustice on a global scale. Plastic-laden e-waste is particularly problematic. Environmental Findings Plastics and plastic-associated chemicals are responsible for widespread pollution. They contaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater), terrestrial, and atmospheric environments globally. The ocean is the ultimate destination for much plastic, and plastics are found throughout the ocean, including coastal regions, the sea surface, the deep sea, and polar sea ice. Many plastics appear to resist breakdown in the ocean and could persist in the global environment for decades. Macro- and micro-plastic particles have been identified in hundreds of marine species in all major taxa, including species consumed by humans. Trophic transfer of microplastic particles and the chemicals within them has been demonstrated. Although microplastic particles themselves (>10 µm) appear not to undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic plastic-associated chemicals bioaccumulate in marine animals and biomagnify in marine food webs. The amounts and fates of smaller microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs <10 µm) in aquatic environments are poorly understood, but the potential for harm is worrying given their mobility in biological systems. Adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution occur at multiple levels from molecular and biochemical to population and ecosystem. MNP contamination of seafood results in direct, though not well quantified, human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Marine plastic pollution endangers the ocean ecosystems upon which all humanity depends for food, oxygen, livelihood, and well-being. Human Health Findings Coal miners, oil workers and gas field workers who extract fossil carbon feedstocks for plastic production suffer increased mortality from traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, neurotoxic injury, and decreased fertility. Workers producing plastic textiles die of bladder cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and interstitial lung disease at increased rates. Plastic recycling workers have increased rates of cardiovascular disease, toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, and lung cancer. Residents of "fenceline" communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.During use and also in disposal, plastics release toxic chemicals including additives and residual monomers into the environment and into people. National biomonitoring surveys in the USA document population-wide exposures to these chemicals. Plastic additives disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for premature births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed through the environmental degradation of plastic waste can enter living organisms, including humans. Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates that MNPs may cause toxicity due to their physical and toxicological effects as well as by acting as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.Infants in the womb and young children are two populations at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects. Because of the exquisite sensitivity of early development to hazardous chemicals and children's unique patterns of exposure, plastic-associated exposures are linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Early-life exposures to plastic-associated chemicals also increase the risk of multiple non-communicable diseases later in life. Economic Findings Plastic's harms to human health result in significant economic costs. We estimate that in 2015 the health-related costs of plastic production exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, and that in the USA alone the health costs of disease and disability caused by the plastic-associated chemicals PBDE, BPA and DEHP exceeded $920 billion (2015 Int$). Plastic production results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to 1.96 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) social cost of carbon metric, we estimate the annual costs of these GHG emissions to be $341 billion (2015 Int$).These costs, large as they are, almost certainly underestimate the full economic losses resulting from plastics' negative impacts on human health and the global environment. All of plastics' economic costs-and also its social costs-are externalized by the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing industry and are borne by citizens, taxpayers, and governments in countries around the world without compensation. Social Justice Findings The adverse effects of plastics and plastic pollution on human health, the economy and the environment are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect poor, disempowered, and marginalized populations such as workers, racial and ethnic minorities, "fenceline" communities, Indigenous groups, women, and children, all of whom had little to do with creating the current plastics crisis and lack the political influence or the resources to address it. Plastics' harmful impacts across its life cycle are most keenly felt in the Global South, in small island states, and in disenfranchised areas in the Global North. Social and environmental justice (SEJ) principles require reversal of these inequitable burdens to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of plastics' negative impacts and that those who benefit economically from plastic bear their fair share of its currently externalized costs. Conclusions It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics' harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment.The thousands of chemicals in plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances-include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics' known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics' hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals. Recommendations To protect human and planetary health, especially the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations, and put the world on track to end plastic pollution by 2040, this Commission supports urgent adoption by the world's nations of a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty in accord with the mandate set forth in the March 2022 resolution of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures such as a Global Plastics Treaty are needed to curb plastic production and pollution, because the harms to human health and the environment caused by plastics, plastic-associated chemicals and plastic waste transcend national boundaries, are planetary in their scale, and have disproportionate impacts on the health and well-being of people in the world's poorest nations. Effective implementation of the Global Plastics Treaty will require that international action be coordinated and complemented by interventions at the national, regional, and local levels.This Commission urges that a cap on global plastic production with targets, timetables, and national contributions be a central provision of the Global Plastics Treaty. We recommend inclusion of the following additional provisions:The Treaty needs to extend beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.The Treaty needs to include a provision banning or severely restricting manufacture and use of unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic items, especially single-use items such as manufactured plastic microbeads.The Treaty needs to include requirements on extended producer responsibility (EPR) that make fossil carbon producers, plastic producers, and the manufacturers of plastic products legally and financially responsible for the safety and end-of-life management of all the materials they produce and sell.The Treaty needs to mandate reductions in the chemical complexity of plastic products; health-protective standards for plastics and plastic additives; a requirement for use of sustainable non-toxic materials; full disclosure of all components; and traceability of components. International cooperation will be essential to implementing and enforcing these standards.The Treaty needs to include SEJ remedies at each stage of the plastic life cycle designed to fill gaps in community knowledge and advance both distributional and procedural equity.This Commission encourages inclusion in the Global Plastic Treaty of a provision calling for exploration of listing at least some plastic polymers as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.This Commission encourages a strong interface between the Global Plastics Treaty and the Basel and London Conventions to enhance management of hazardous plastic waste and slow current massive exports of plastic waste into the world's least-developed countries.This Commission recommends the creation of a Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body to guide the Treaty's implementation. The main priorities of this Body would be to guide Member States and other stakeholders in evaluating which solutions are most effective in reducing plastic consumption, enhancing plastic waste recovery and recycling, and curbing the generation of plastic waste. This Body could also assess trade-offs among these solutions and evaluate safer alternatives to current plastics. It could monitor the transnational export of plastic waste. It could coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, and air-based MNP monitoring programs.This Commission recommends urgent investment by national governments in research into solutions to the global plastic crisis. This research will need to determine which solutions are most effective and cost-effective in the context of particular countries and assess the risks and benefits of proposed solutions. Oceanographic and environmental research is needed to better measure concentrations and impacts of plastics <10 µm and understand their distribution and fate in the global environment. Biomedical research is needed to elucidate the human health impacts of plastics, especially MNPs. Summary This Commission finds that plastics are both a boon to humanity and a stealth threat to human and planetary health. Plastics convey enormous benefits, but current linear patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal that pay little attention to sustainable design or safe materials and a near absence of recovery, reuse, and recycling are responsible for grave harms to health, widespread environmental damage, great economic costs, and deep societal injustices. These harms are rapidly worsening.While there remain gaps in knowledge about plastics' harms and uncertainties about their full magnitude, the evidence available today demonstrates unequivocally that these impacts are great and that they will increase in severity in the absence of urgent and effective intervention at global scale. Manufacture and use of essential plastics may continue. However, reckless increases in plastic production, and especially increases in the manufacture of an ever-increasing array of unnecessary single-use plastic products, need to be curbed.Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J. Landrigan
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Maureen Cropper
- Economics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, US
| | - Caroline Bald
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Fenichel
- Université Côte d’Azur
- Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Nice, FR
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | | | | | | | - Carly Griffin
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, US
| | - Budi Haryanto
- Department of Environmental Health, Universitas Indonesia, ID
- Research Center for Climate Change, Universitas Indonesia, ID
| | - Richard Hixson
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Hannah Ianelli
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Bryan D. James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Amalia Laborde
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of the Republic, UY
| | | | - Keith Martin
- Consortium of Universities for Global Health, US
| | - Jenna Mu
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lead City University, NG
| | - Jia Niu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, US
| | - Sabine Pahl
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Maria-Luiza Pedrotti
- Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), Sorbonne Université, FR
| | | | | | - Bhedita Jaya Seewoo
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
| | | | - John J. Stegeman
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - William Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US
| | | | - Hideshige Takada
- Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JP
| | | | | | - Zhanyun Wang
- Technology and Society Laboratory, WEmpa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Technology, CH
| | - Ella Whitman
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | - Aroub K. Yousuf
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Sarah Dunlop
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
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Vilmand M, Beck IH, Bilenberg N, Andersson AM, Juul A, Schoeters G, Boye H, Frederiksen H, Jensen TK. Prenatal and current phthalate exposure and cognitive development in 7-year-old children from the Odense child cohort. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 96:107161. [PMID: 36690047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are endocrine disrupters used in a variety of consumer products. Human studies suggest an association between phthalate exposure and cognitive development but adverse effects of the recently introduced phthalate substitutes have only been sparsely studied. OBJECTIVES To investigate associations between prenatal and concurrent exposure to phthalates and IQ in 7-year-old children from the Odense Child Cohort. METHODS Pregnant women from the Odense Child Cohort had phthalate metabolites measured in urine samples during 3rd trimester in 2010 to 2012. In addition, phthalates were also measured in urine samples from their offspring at age 7 years. IQ was assessed at age 7 years using four subtests from Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The total study population consisted of 585 mother-child pairs with available prenatal urinary phthalate metabolites concentrations and IQ data at age 7 years. A subset of those (N = 274) had urinary phthalate metabolites measured in child urine at age 7 years. Phthalate concentrations were grouped into tertiles and associations with IQ were investigated using multiple linear regression adjusting for sex, maternal education and maternal/child BMI. RESULTS Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations both in pregnant women and children were generally lower compared to previous cohorts. Children with high prenatal urinary concentrations of MEP and metabolites of DEHP (∑DEHPm)(3rd tertile) had -3.1 (95% CI: -5.5, -0.6) (MEP) and - 3.0 (-5.5, -0.6) (∑DEHPm) IQ points at age 7 years compared to children with low concentrations (1st tertile). High concurrent urinary phthalate concentrations of MCPP, ∑DnHxPm, ∑DiDPm and ∑DiNPm in the 3rd tertile was associated with -3.7 (-7.2, -0.2), -4.4 (-7.9, -0.9), -3.7 (-7.2, -0.2) and - 5.6 (-9.1, -2.2) IQ points, respectively, compared to those with the lowest concentrations (1st tertile). CONCLUSION We found significant inverse associations between some prenatal and concurrent urinary phthalate concentrations and IQ at age 7 years in this low exposed population. This suggests that exposure to phthalates both prenatally and during early childhood could be hazardous to child neurodevelopment, however, large-scale prospective studies assessing phthalate exposure through multiple urine samples, and possibly investigating cocktail effects of the chemicals as well as long term follow-up are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Vilmand
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Iben Have Beck
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Odense, Mental Health Services in Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Environmental Risk and Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Henriette Boye
- Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Odense Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), Odense, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Odense Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), Odense, Denmark.
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Mathew L, Snyder NW, Lyall K, Lee BK, McClure LA, Elliott AJ, Newschaffer CJ. The associations between prenatal phthalate exposure measured in child meconium and cognitive functioning of 12-month-old children in two cohorts at elevated risk for adverse neurodevelopment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113928. [PMID: 35870502 PMCID: PMC9890962 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalate metabolites in gestational-maternal urine represents short-term maternal exposure, but meconium, the newborn's first stool may better capture cumulative fetal exposure. We quantified phthalate metabolites in meconium from two cohorts of children at higher risk of adverse neurodevelopment and evaluated associations with their cognitive function at 12 months. METHODS Meconium phthalate metabolites were quantified in the Safe Passage Study (SPS), N = 720, a pregnancy cohort with high community-levels of prenatal alcohol use, and the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI), N = 236, a high familial autism risk pregnancy cohort. EARLI also had second and third trimester (T2/T3) maternal urine for exposure assessment. Molar sum of di (2-ethylhexyl) (∑DEHP) metabolites and an anti-androgenic score (AAS) using mono-isobutyl, mono-n-butyl, monobenzyl (MBZP), and DEHP metabolites were computed. Cognitive function was assessed at 12 months using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning-Composite (ELC). Multivariable linear regression assessed associations between loge-transformed metabolites and ELC. Quadratic terms explored nonlinearity and interaction terms of metabolite by child's sex examined effect modification. RESULTS In SPS, MBzP (βLinear = -6.73; 95% CI: 12.04, -1.42; βquadratic = 1.95; 0.27, 3.62) and mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl), (βLinear = -3.81; -7.53, -0.27; βquadratic = 0.93; 0.09, 1.77) had U-shaped associations with ELC. In EARLI, T2 urine mono-carboxyisononyl was associated with linear decrease in ELC, indicating lower cognitive function. Interaction with sex was suggested (P < 0.2) for several urine metabolites, mostly indicating negative association between phthalates and ELC among girls but reversed among boys. Only mono-isononyl phthalate and ∑DEHP had consistent main effect associations across matrixes and cohorts, but similar interaction with sex was observed for meconium-measured ∑DEHP, AAS, MBzP, and mono (2-ethylhexyl) in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Few phthalate metabolites were consistently associated with children's cognitive function, but a similar set of meconium metabolites from both cohorts displayed sex-specific associations. Gestational phthalate exposure may have sexually-dimorphic associations with early cognitive function in children at higher risk for adverse neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leny Mathew
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Nathaniel W Snyder
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Craig J Newschaffer
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, 325 HHD Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Pizzorno J. Common Chemical Pollutants Causing a Lot of Ill Health. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2022; 21:8-12. [PMID: 36643211 PMCID: PMC9831131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to industrialization and inadequate controls on release of manufacturing chemicals into the environment and into the products being made, the entire population is constantly being exposed to a wide variety of chemical pollutants. The key question, of course, is their safety. The most acutely damaging ones have been progressively limited. However, virtually all safety research is on single toxins and very little of it looks at the impact of chronic exposure, especially chronic exposure to multiple chemicals simultaneously. This editorial discusses the clinical significance of 4 of the chemicals (acrolein, acrylamide, perchlorate, and phthalates) found most often in samples doctors send to labs for analysis. The research clearly demonstrates that these chemicals in a dose-dependent manner disrupt physiology, impair health, and increase risk for common diseases.
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Liu X, Adamo AM, Oteiza PI. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate affects zinc metabolism and neurogenesis in the developing rat brain. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 727:109351. [PMID: 35841924 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We previously observed that developmental marginal zinc deficiency affects neurogenesis. Maternal phthalate exposure could disrupt fetal zinc homeostasis by triggering an acute phase response, causing maternal liver zinc retention that limits zinc availability to the fetus. Thus, we currently investigated whether exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) during gestation in rats alters fetal brain neurogenesis by impairing zinc homeostasis. Dams consumed an adequate (25 μg zinc/g diet) (C) or a marginal zinc deficient (MZD) (10 μg zinc/g diet) diet, without or with DEHP (300 mg/kg BW) (C + DEHP, MZD + DEHP) from embryonic day (E) 0 to E19. To evaluate neurogenesis we measured parameters of neural progenitor cells (NPC) proliferation and differentiation. Maternal exposure to DEHP and/or zinc deficiency lowered fetal brain cortical tissue (CT) zinc concentrations. Transcription factors involved in NPC proliferation (PAX6, SOX2, EMX1), differentiation (TBR2, TBR1) and mature neurons (NeuN) were lower in MZD, MZD + DEHP and C + DEHP than in C E19 brain CT, being the lowest in the MZD + DEHP group. VGLUT1 levels, a marker of glutamatergic neurons, showed a similar pattern. Levels of a marker of GABAergic neurons, GAD65, did not vary among groups. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels were reduced by both MZD and DEHP, and particularly in the MZD + DEHP group. MEHP-treated human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells and E19 brains from DEHP-treated dams showed that the zinc-regulated phosphatase PP2A can be in part responsible for DEHP-mediated ERK1/2 downregulation and impaired neurogenesis. Overall, gestational exposure to DEHP caused secondary zinc deficiency and impaired neurogenesis. These harmful effects could have long-term consequences on the adult offspring brain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhen Liu
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ana M Adamo
- Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIFIB (UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia I Oteiza
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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Lee DW, Lim HM, Lee JY, Min KB, Shin CH, Lee YA, Hong YC. Prenatal exposure to phthalate and decreased body mass index of children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8961. [PMID: 35624195 PMCID: PMC9142490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13154-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are well-known endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Many detrimental health effects of phthalates were investigated, but studies on the association of phthalates with obesity in children showed inconsistent results. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to clarify whether prenatal and postnatal exposures to phthalates are associated with physical growth disturbances in children. We performed the systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines, and found 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria, including 22 longitudinal and 17 cross-sectional studies. We observed a significant negative association between the prenatal exposure to DEHP and the body mass index (BMI) z-score of the offspring (β = - 0.05; 95% CI: - 0.10, - 0.001) in the meta-analysis, while no significant association between the prenatal exposure to DEHP and the body fat percentage of the offspring was observed (β = 0.01; 95% CI: - 0.41, 0.44). In the systematic review, studies on the association between phthalates exposure in childhood and obesity were inconsistent. Prenatal exposure to phthalates was found to be associated with decreased BMI z-score in children, but not associated with body fat percentage. Our findings suggest that phthalates disturb the normal muscle growth of children, rather than induce obesity, as previous studies have hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Wook Lee
- Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Mook Lim
- COMWEL Daejeon Hospital, Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong-Yub Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Bok Min
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Humans Systems Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Dickerson AS, Deng Z, Ransome Y, Factor-Litvak P, Karlsson O. Associations of prenatal exposure to mixtures of organochlorine pesticides and smoking and drinking behaviors in adolescence. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 206:112431. [PMID: 34848208 PMCID: PMC11108254 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
It is important to identify the factors that influence the prevalence of disinhibitory behaviors, as tobacco and alcohol use in adolescence is a strong predictor of continued use and substance abuse into adulthood. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent organic pollutants that pose a potential risk to the developing fetus and offspring long-term health. We examined associations between prenatal exposure OCPs and their metabolites (i.e., p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, oxychlordane, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB)), both as a mixture and single compounds, and alcohol consumption and smoking at adolescence in a sample (n = 554) from the Child Health and Development Studies prospective birth cohort. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression demonstrated a trend of higher risk of alcohol use and smoking with higher quartile mixture levels. Single-component analysis showed increased odds of smoking and drinking with increases in lipid-adjusted p,p'-DDE serum levels (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI 0.99-4.31, p = 0.05, per natural log unit increase). We found significant effect modification in these associations by sex with higher p,p'-DDT serum levels (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.076, p = 0.01, per natural log unit increase) was associated with lower odds of smoking and drinking in female adolescents, while higher p,p'-DDE serum levels (aOR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.04-8.51, p = 0.04, per natural log unit increase) was associated with higher odds of the outcomes. Results of the mutually adjusted model were not significant for male adolescents. Further research to understand reasons for these sex-differences are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha S Dickerson
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA, 615 N Wolfe Street, E7638, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zhengyi Deng
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA, 615 N Wolfe Street, E7638, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yusuf Ransome
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, LEPH 4th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Pam Factor-Litvak
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 114 18, Sweden.
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Does early life phthalate exposure mediate racial disparities in children’s cognitive abilities? Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e205. [PMID: 35434463 PMCID: PMC9005259 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Guo J, Riley KW, Durham T, Margolis AE, Wang S, Perera F, Herbstman JB. Association Studies of Environmental Exposures, DNA Methylation and Children’s Cognitive, Behavioral, and Mental Health Problems. Front Genet 2022; 13:871820. [PMID: 35528545 PMCID: PMC9074894 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.871820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prenatal environmental exposures have been associated with children’s cognitive, behavioral, and mental health problems, and alterations in DNA methylation have been hypothesized as an underlying biological mechanism. However, when testing this hypothesis, it is often difficult to overcome the problem of multiple comparisons in statistical testing when evaluating a large number of developmental outcomes and DNA methylation sites as potential mediators. The objective of this study is to implement a ‘meet-in-the-middle’ approach with a sequential roadmap to address this concern. Methods: In the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health birth cohort study, we implemented a 5-step sequential process for identifying CpG sites that mediate associations between prenatal environmental exposures and cognitive, behavioral, and mental health problems as measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). These steps include 1) the identification of biological pathways that are relevant to each outcome of interest; 2) selection of a set of genes and CpGs on genes that are significantly associated with the outcomes; 3) identification of exposures that are significantly associated with selected CpGs; 4) examination of exposure-outcome relationships among those where significant CpGs were identified; and 5) mediation analysis of the selected exposures and corresponding outcomes. In this study, we considered a spectrum of environmental exposure classes including environmental phenols, pesticides, phthalates, flame retardants and air pollutants. Results: Among all considered exposures and outcomes, we found one CpG site (cg27510182) on gene (DAB1) that potentially mediates the effect of exposure to PAH on CBCL social problems at children aged 7. Conclusion: This ‘meet-in-the-middle’ approach attenuates concerns regarding multiple comparisons by focusing on genes and pathways that are biologically relevant for the hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Guo
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kylie W. Riley
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Teresa Durham
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amy E. Margolis
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shuang Wang
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Frederica Perera
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Julie B. Herbstman
- Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Julie B. Herbstman,
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Safarpour S, Ghasemi-Kasman M, Safarpour S, Darban YM. Effects of Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate on Central Nervous System Functions: A Narrative Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:766-776. [PMID: 34259148 PMCID: PMC9878957 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210713122517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are widely used in the plastics industry. Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most important phthalate metabolites that disrupt the function of endocrine glands. Exposure to DEHP causes numerous effects on animals, humans, and the environment. Low doses of DEHP increase neurotoxicity in the nervous system that has arisen deep concerns due to the widespread nature of DEHP exposure and its high absorption during brain development. OBJECTIVE In this review article, we evaluated the impacts of DEHP exposure from birth to adulthood on neurobehavioral damages. Then, the possible mechanisms of DEHP-induced neurobehavioral impairment were discussed. METHODOLOGY Peer-reviewed articles were extracted through Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar till the year 2021. RESULTS The results showed that exposure to DEHP during pregnancy and infancy leads to memory loss and irreversible nervous system damage. CONCLUSION Overall, it seems that increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators possess a pivotal role in DEHP-induced neurobehavioral impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Safarpour
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi-Kasman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;,Neuroscience Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran;,Address correspondence to this author at the Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 4136747176, Babol, Iran; Tel/Fax: +98-11-32190557; E-mail:
| | - Samaneh Safarpour
- Department of Biochemistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Lv J, Li Y, Chen J, Li R, Bao C, Ding Z, Ren W, Du Z, Wang S, Huang Y, Wang QN. Maternal exposure to bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate during the thyroid hormone-dependent stage induces persistent emotional and cognitive impairment in middle-aged offspring mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 163:112967. [PMID: 35354077 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal DEHP exposure can cause offspring neurodevelopmental toxicity, but the persistent effects of such exposure window are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the lasting neurobehavioral impact of DEHP on offspring following early exposure from GD9.5 (fetal neural tube closure) to GD16.5 (fetal thyroxin, TH, synthesis). Data showed maternal exposure to DEHP during the thyroid hormone-dependent stage induced a range of neurobehavioral phenotypic changes in adult and middle-aged mice, including anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Significant reductions in free TH, TH transporters, and TH metabolic enzyme deiodinase II (D2) were observed in the fetal brain, whereas D3 was elevated, indicating that TH signaling disruption was caused by in utero exposure. Gene expression analyses suggested the expression levels of the TH receptors Trα1, Trβ1 and their downstream target, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, were significantly attenuated, which may partially explain the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental impairment. This study provides new evidence of the persistent effects of sex-specific neurodevelopmental impairment due to in utero DEHP exposure, possibly through damage to the fetal brain TH signaling systems that causes lifelong brain damage. These results further suggest a profound neurobehavioral toxicity of DEHP that may be programmed during early developmental stage exposure and manifested later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lv
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianrong Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Bao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng Ding
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Wenqiang Ren
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiping Du
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China; Jinhua Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Center for Scientific Research of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China.
| | - Qu-Nan Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Hefei, China.
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26
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Sprowles JL, Dzwilewski KL, Merced-Nieves FM, Musaad SM, Schantz SL, Geiger SD. Associations of prenatal phthalate exposure with neurobehavioral outcomes in 4.5- and 7.5-month-old infants. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2022; 92:107102. [PMID: 35588931 PMCID: PMC9271634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and research indicates that prenatal exposure to some phthalates may affect neurodevelopment. In a prospective birth cohort study, five first-morning urine samples collected across pregnancy were pooled and the following phthalate biomarkers assessed: sum of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP), sum of diisononyl phthalate metabolites (ΣDINP), sum of dibutyl phthalate metabolites (ΣDBP), sum of anti-androgenic metabolites (ΣAA), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), and sum of all phthalate metabolites (ΣAll). The Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ), a standardized parent-reported, age-adapted screening tool, measured communication, personal-social, problem solving, and motor domains in infants at 4.5 and 7.5 months (n = 123). Adjusting for maternal age, annual household income, gestational age at birth, infant age at assessment, and sex, repeated-measures generalized linear regression models were used to examine associations between prenatal phthalate urine biomarker concentrations and domain scores (assuming a Poisson distribution). Beta estimates were exponentiated back to the domain scale for ease of interpretation. Mothers were mostly white and college-educated, and most reported an annual household income of ≥$60,000. Associations of phthalate concentrations with ASQ outcomes are presented as follows: (1) anti-androgenic phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP, ΣDINP, ΣDBP, and ΣAA), (2) MEP, which is not anti-androgenic, and (3) ΣAll. Overall, anti-androgenic phthalates were associated with higher (i.e., better) scores. However, there were exceptions, including the finding that a one-unit increase in ΣDBP was associated with a 12% increase in problem solving scores in 4.5-month-old females (β = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.28; p = 0.067) but a 85% decrease for 7.5-month-old females (β = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.99; p = 0.047). In contrast, MEP was associated with poorer scores on several outcomes. Sex- and timepoint-specific estimates demonstrated a one-unit increase in MEP was associated with: a 52% decrease in personal-social scores in 7.5-month-old males (β = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.95; p = 0.02), a 39% decrease in fine motor scores in 7.5-month-old males (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.98; p = 0.035), and a 6% decrease in fine motor scores in 4.5-month-old females (β = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99; p = 0.03). A one-unit increase in ΣAll was associated with a 4% increase in personal-social scores in 4.5-month-old males (β = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.1; p = 0.08) but a 17% decrease in 7.5-month-old males (β = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.99; p = 0.03). These data suggest age- and sex-specific associations of prenatal phthalates with infant neurobehavior. The current findings should be confirmed by longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L.N. Sprowles
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Corresponding author at: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA. (J. L. N. Sprowles)
| | - Kelsey L.C. Dzwilewski
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Francheska M. Merced-Nieves
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Salma M.A. Musaad
- United States Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Ave., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Susan L. Schantz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sarah D. Geiger
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Khan Annex Room 2013, 1206 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
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27
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Adjei JK, Ofori A, Megbenu HK, Ahenguah T, Boateng AK, Adjei GA, Bentum JK, Essumang DK. Health risk and source assessment of semi-volatile phenols, p-chloroaniline and plasticizers in plastic packaged (sachet) drinking water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149008. [PMID: 34303974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The presence of U.S. EPA priority organic contaminants in drinking water poses a dire health risk on consumers. Packaged drinking water such as plastic sachet drinking water has significantly gained market in both developed and developing countries, especially, its dominance in the Ghanaian market. The treatment process, packaging, and storage of the sachet drinking water contribute to the levels of genotoxic semi-volatile phenols, p-chloroaniline, and plasticizers contamination in the drinking water. The study thus sought to investigate the levels of semi-volatile phenols, p-chloroaniline, and plasticizer contaminants in sachet drinking water on the Ghanaian market and the associated health risk of exposure. The study also investigated the possible sources of the contaminants. A total of thirty (30) different brands of sachet water on the Ghanaian market were studied. The samples were extracted in replicates (n = 3) using Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) cartridges and further analysed with GC-MS (SIM mode). The source apportionment was conducted using absolute principal component analysis coupled with multiple, linear regression (APCA-MLR) and automatic linear regression (APCA-MALR) modelling. The mean total levels for the phenols, p-chloroaniline, and plasticizers were between 210.2 and 18,914.9, 11.2 and 18,871.0, and 21.2 and 69,834.1 ng/L respectively. The cumulative non-cancer risk (hazard quotient) and cancer risk upon exposure were computed to range between 2.1 × 10-3 and 1.2 and 1.5 × 10-7 and 1.3 × 10-4 respectively. About 37% of the samples had elevated cancer risk (>10-6) which may contribute to the existing incidence, cause for concern. The five sources found for the contaminants were apportioned as "environmental background (major)", "water treatment/disinfectant", "plastic/plasticizers", "storage and preservation", and "residual inter-conversion/degradation sources".
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kweku Adjei
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Albert Ofori
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Harry Kwaku Megbenu
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Thomas Ahenguah
- OneSource Laboratory Services, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Alex Kissi Boateng
- School of Physical Sciences Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - George Alimoh Adjei
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - John Kwesi Bentum
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana; School of Physical Sciences Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Technology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - David Kofi Essumang
- The Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
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Mathew L, Snyder NW, Lyall K, Lee BK, McClure LA, Elliott AJ, Newschaffer CJ. Prenatal phthalate exposure measurement: A comparison of metabolites quantified in prenatal maternal urine and newborn's meconium. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148898. [PMID: 34280640 PMCID: PMC8440376 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are chemicals suspected to adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment, but quantifying the fetal exposure is challenging. While prenatal phthalate exposure is commonly quantified in maternal urine, the newborn's meconium may better capture cumulative prenatal exposure. Currently, data on phthalates measured in meconium is sparse. We measured phthalate metabolites in 183 maternal second and 140 third trimester (T2, T3) urine, and in 190 meconium samples collected in an autism enriched-risk pregnancy cohort of 236 mothers. Eleven and eight metabolites were detected in over 90% of urine and meconium samples, respectively. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic metabolites were detected in both biosamples. Most urine phthalate metabolite distributions were similar between T2 and T3. Among metabolites detected in both biosamples, those of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate displayed a similar pattern in magnitude across metabolite type. Specifically, T2 creatinine adjusted distribution [median (25%, 75%)] of urine measured mono(2-ethylhexyl-carboxypentyl) (MECPP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) (MEHHP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) were 18.8(11.9, 31.4), 11.8(7.2, 19.1), and 8.9(6.2, 14.2) ng/mg. In meconium these were 16.6(10.9, 23.7), 2.5(1.5, 3.8), and 1.3(0.8, 2.3) ng/g, respectively. Metabolite-to-metabolite correlations were lower in meconium than urine, but patterns were similar. For example, correlation (95% CI) between mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and MECPP was 0.73 (0.66, 0.78), and between MEOHP and MEHHP was 0.96 (0.95, 0.97) in urine as compared to 0.10 (-0.04, 0.24) and 0.31 (0.18, 0.43) respectively in meconium. Correlations between same metabolites measured in urine and meconium were low and differed by metabolite and trimester. Correlation between MEHHP in urine and meconium, for example, was 0.20 (0.008, 0.37) at T3, but 0.05 (-0.12, 0.21) at T2. Our study provides evidence of general population-level prenatal phthalate exposure in a population at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and supports the utility of meconium to measure prenatal phthalate exposure but provides little evidence of correlation with exposure measured in prenatal maternal urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leny Mathew
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Nathaniel W Snyder
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, 3500 N Broad St. Room 455, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Craig J Newschaffer
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, 325 HHD Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Maffini MV, Geueke B, Groh K, Carney Almroth B, Muncke J. Role of epidemiology in risk assessment: a case study of five ortho-phthalates. Environ Health 2021; 20:114. [PMID: 34775973 PMCID: PMC8591894 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00799-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between environmental chemical exposures and chronic diseases is of increasing concern. Chemical risk assessment relies heavily on pre-market toxicity testing to identify safe levels of exposure, often known as reference doses (RfD), expected to be protective of human health. Although some RfDs have been reassessed in light of new hazard information, it is not a common practice. Continuous surveillance of animal and human data, both in terms of exposures and associated health outcomes, could provide valuable information to risk assessors and regulators. Using ortho-phthalates as case study, we asked whether RfDs deduced from male reproductive toxicity studies and set by traditional regulatory toxicology approaches sufficiently protect the population for other health outcomes. METHODS We searched for epidemiological studies on benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Data were extracted from studies where any of the five chemicals or their metabolites were measured and showed a statistically significant association with a health outcome; 38 studies met the criteria. We estimated intake for each phthalate from urinary metabolite concentration and compared estimated intake ranges associated with health endpoints to each phthalate's RfD. RESULT For DBP, DIBP, and BBP, the estimated intake ranges significantly associated with health endpoints were all below their individual RfDs. For DEHP, the intake range included associations at levels both below and above its RfD. For DCHP, no relevant studies could be identified. The significantly affected endpoints revealed by our analysis include metabolic, neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders, obesity, and changes in hormone levels. Most of these conditions are not routinely evaluated in animal testing employed in regulatory toxicology. CONCLUSION We conclude that for DBP, DIBP, BBP, and DEHP current RfDs estimated based on male reproductive toxicity may not be sufficiently protective of other health effects. Thus, a new approach is needed where post-market exposures, epidemiological and clinical data are systematically reviewed to ensure adequate health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia Groh
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Bethanie Carney Almroth
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
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Sheikh IA, Beg MA. Structural binding perspectives of common plasticizers and a flame retardant, BDE-153, against thyroxine-binding globulin: potential for endocrine disruption. J Appl Toxicol 2021; 42:841-851. [PMID: 34725837 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The human exposure to diverse endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has increased dramatically over several decades with very adverse health effects. Plasticizers and flame retardants constitute important classes of EDCs interfering in endocrine physiology including the thyroid function. Thyroxine (T4) is an important hormone regulating metabolism and playing key roles in developmental processes. In this study, six phthalate and nonphthalate plasticizers and one flame retardant (BDE-153) were subjected to structural binding against thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). The aim was to understand their potential role in thyroid dysfunction using structural binding approach. The structural study was performed using Schrodinger's induced fit docking, followed by binding energy estimations of ligands and the molecular interaction analysis between the ligands and the amino acid residues in the TBG ligand-binding pocket. The results indicated that all the compounds packed tightly into the TBG ligand-binding pocket with similar binding pattern to that of TBG native ligand, T4. A high majority of TBG interacting amino acid residues for ligands showed commonality with native ligand, T4. The estimated binding energy values were highest for BDE-153 followed by nonphthalate plasticizer, DINCH, with values comparable with native ligand, T4. The estimated binding energy values of other plasticizers DEHP, DEHT, DEHA, ATBC, and TOTM were less than DINCH. In conclusion, the tight docking conformations, amino acid interactions, and binding energy values of the most of the indicated ligands were comparable with TBG native ligand, T4, suggesting their potential for thyroid dysfunction. The results revealed highest potential thyroid disruptive action for BDE-153 and DINCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Amin Beg
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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31
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Martínez-Martínez MI, Alegre-Martínez A, Cauli O. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and its effects upon cognitive and motor functions: A systematic review. Toxicology 2021; 463:152980. [PMID: 34624397 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are chemicals widely used in packaging and consumer products, which have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal function and development in some human and animal studies. In recent decades, pregnant women's exposure to phthalates has been shown to alter the cognitive outcomes of their babies, and some studies have found delays in motor development. METHODS electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from their inception to March 2021, using the keywords "phthalate", "cognitive" and "motor". RESULTS most studies find statistically significant inverse relationships between maternal urinary phthalate concentration during pregnancy and subsequent outcomes in children's cognitive and motor scales, especially in boys rather than girls. However, many associations are not significant, and there were even positive associations, especially in the third trimester. CONCLUSION the relationship between exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and low results on neurocognitive scales is sufficiently clear to adopt policies to reduce exposure. Further studies are needed to analyze sex differences, coordination and motor scales, and phthalate levels during breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Martínez-Martínez
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antoni Alegre-Martínez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, CEU Cardinal Herrera University. Avenida Seminario, s/n, 46113 Montcada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Omar Cauli
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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32
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Chang WH, Herianto S, Lee CC, Hung H, Chen HL. The effects of phthalate ester exposure on human health: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 786:147371. [PMID: 33965815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are one of the most widely used plasticizers in polymer products and humans are increasingly exposed to them. The constant exposure to PAEs-contained products has raised some concerns against human health. Thus, the impacts of PAEs and their metabolites on human health require a comprehensive study for a better understanding of the associated risks. Here, we attempt to review eight main health effects of PAE exposure according to the most up-to-date studies. We found that epidemiological studies demonstrated a consistent association between PAE exposure (especially DEHP and its metabolites) and a decrease in sperm quality in males and symptom development of ADHD in children. Overall, we found insufficient evidence and lack of consistency of the association between PAE exposure and cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, atherosclerosis, and CHD), thyroid diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, obesity, kidney diseases, intelligence performance in children, and other reproductive system-related diseases (anogenital distance, girl precocious puberty, and endometriosis). Future studies (longitudinal and follow-up investigations) need to thoroughly perform in large-scale populations to yield more consistent and powerful results and increase the precision of the association as well as enhance the overall understanding of potential human health risks of PAEs in long-term exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Samuel Herianto
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP), Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry (Chemical Biology Division), College of Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chang Lee
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Hsin Hung
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Ling Chen
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Research Center of Environmental Trace Toxic Substances, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
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Paquette AG, MacDonald J, Lapehn S, Bammler T, Kruger L, Day DB, Price ND, Loftus C, Kannan K, Marsit C, Mason WA, Bush NR, LeWinn KZ, Enquobahrie DA, Prasad B, Karr CJ, Sathyanarayana S. A Comprehensive Assessment of Associations between Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and the Placental Transcriptomic Landscape. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:97003. [PMID: 34478338 PMCID: PMC8415559 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are commonly used endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are ubiquitous in the general population. Prenatal phthalate exposure may alter placental physiology and fetal development, leading to adverse perinatal and childhood health outcomes. OBJECTIVE We examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposure in the second and third trimesters and the placental transcriptome at birth, including genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), to gain insight into potential mechanisms of action during fetal development. METHODS The ECHO PATHWAYs consortium quantified 21 urinary phthalate metabolites from 760 women enrolled in the CANDLE study (Shelby County, TN) using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Placental transcriptomic data were obtained using paired-end RNA sequencing. Linear models were fitted to estimate separate associations between maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentration during the second and third trimester and placental gene expression at birth, adjusted for confounding variables. Genes were considered differentially expressed at a Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) p<0.05. Associations between phthalate metabolites and biological pathways were identified using self-contained gene set testing and considered significantly altered with an FDR-adjusted p<0.2. RESULTS We observed significant associations between second-trimester phthalate metabolites mono (carboxyisooctyl) phthalate (MCIOP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate, and mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate and 18 genes in total, including four lncRNAs. Specifically, placental expression of NEAT1 was associated with multiple phthalate metabolites. Third-trimester MCIOP and mono-isobutyl phthalate concentrations were significantly associated with placental expression of 18 genes and two genes, respectively. Expression of genes within 27 biological pathways was associated with mono-methyl phthalate, MCIOP, and monoethyl phthalate concentrations. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide assessment of the relationship between the placental transcriptome at birth and prenatal phthalate exposure in a large and diverse birth cohort. We identified numerous genes and lncRNAs associated with prenatal phthalate exposure. These associations mirror findings from other epidemiological and in vitro analyses and may provide insight into biological pathways affected in utero by phthalate exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8973.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison G. Paquette
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Samantha Lapehn
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Theo Bammler
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laken Kruger
- Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Drew B. Day
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nathan D. Price
- Institute For Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Onegevity Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - W. Alex Mason
- University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nicole R. Bush
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco California, USA
| | - Kaja Z. LeWinn
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Nidens N, Vogel M, Körner A, Kiess W. Prenatal exposure to phthalate esters and its impact on child development. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 35:101478. [PMID: 33608224 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) cause adverse health effects through interaction with endocrine systems. They are classified by chemical structure, effects on specific endocrine systems, their bioaccumulation and/or persistence in the environment, and/or clinically observable effects. In industrial nations, people are exposed to complex mixtures of many different substances all of which may have multiple and deleterious effects upon the individual. The clinical importance of epigenetic changes caused by the action of EDCs during vulnerable phases of development is currently unclear but of particular relevance. Epidemiological studies are criticized because reproducibility is not always guaranteed. Nevertheless, they remain the method of choice for the development and analysis of suitable model systems. Positive associations, despite of sometimes conflicting results, are the key in the selection of factors that can then be analyzed in model systems in an unbiased way. This article reports EDC-caused effects in the fields of growth and metabolism, neurocognitive development and sexual development and reproduction focusing mainly on phthalates and their metabolites. However, research will have to focus on the interactions of different EDCs and their consequences of prenatal and early life exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Nidens
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), LIFE Child, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany; Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Paediatric Research, Liebigstraße 20a, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mandy Vogel
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), LIFE Child, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany; Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Paediatric Research, Liebigstraße 20a, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antje Körner
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), LIFE Child, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany; Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Paediatric Research, Liebigstraße 20a, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wieland Kiess
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), LIFE Child, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany; Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Paediatric Research, Liebigstraße 20a, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy with concurrent phthalate exposure leads to abnormal placentation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16602. [PMID: 34400704 PMCID: PMC8368193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a synthetic chemical commonly used for its plasticizing capabilities. Because of the extensive production and use of DEHP, humans are exposed to this chemical daily. Diet is a significant exposure pathway and fatty food contain the highest level of phthalates. The impact on pregnancy following DEHP exposure and the associated interaction of high fat (HF) diet remains unknown. Here we report that exposure of pregnant mice to an environmentally relevant level of DEHP did not affect pregnancy. In contrast, mice fed a HF diet during gestation and exposed to the same level of DEHP display marked impairment in placental development, resulting in poor pregnancy outcomes. Our study further reveals that DEHP exposure combined with a HF diet interfere with the signaling pathway controlled by nuclear receptor PPARγ to adversely affect differentiation of trophoblast cells, leading to compromised vascularization and glucose transport in the placenta. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that maternal diet during pregnancy is a critical factor that determines whether exposure to an environmental toxicant results in impaired placental and fetal development, causing intrauterine growth restriction, fetal morbidity, and mortality.
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Xiong YH, Pei DS. A review on efficient removal of phthalic acid esters via biochars and transition metals-activated persulfate systems. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 277:130256. [PMID: 33773311 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As emerging contaminants, PAEs (Phthalic Acid Esters or Phthalate Esters) have been extensively utilized in industrial production to soften the rigid plastics (plasticizers), and their related products are widely distributed in our daily life. The PAEs can readily transfer from the products to the surrounding environment due to not being chemically bound to the products. In this study, we analyzed the PAEs' properties, usage, and consumption in the world, as well as toxicity to human beings. As endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), PAEs can disturb the normal hormones reactions, resulting in developmental and reproductive problems. Thus, we have to concern the removal strategies of PAEs. We summarized two novel approaches, including biochars and persulfate (PS) oxidation for effectively removing PAEs in the literature. Their characteristics, removal mechanisms, and the main impact factors on the removal of PAEs were highlighted. Moreover, transition metal-activated PS showed good performance on PAEs degradation. Furthermore, the synergy of biochars and transition metals-PS can overcome the disadvantages of a single approach, and show better performance on the removal of PAEs. Finally, we put forward vital strategies to update two approaches (including the combined) for enhancing the removal of PAEs. It is expected that the researchers or scientists can get a hint on effectively remediating PAEs-contaminated sites via the biochars' sorption/transition metals-PS or the combined two from this review paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Hui Xiong
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China.
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Li L, Cui Y, Ren L, Li C, Liu Y, Jin Z. Magnetic dummy molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles as sorbent for dispersive solid-phase microextraction of phthalate monoesters in human urine samples. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Chan M, Mita C, Bellavia A, Parker M, James-Todd T. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy and Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Commonly Used in Personal Care Products. Curr Environ Health Rep 2021; 8:98-112. [PMID: 34046860 PMCID: PMC8208930 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-021-00317-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure during pregnancy is linked to adverse maternal and child health outcomes that are racially/ethnically disparate. Personal care products (PCP) are one source of EDCs where differences in racial/ethnic patterns of use exist. We assessed the literature for racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy and prenatal PCP chemical exposures. RECENT FINDINGS Only 3 studies explicitly examined racial/ethnic disparities in pregnancy and prenatal exposure to PCP-associated EDCs. Fifty-three articles from 12 cohorts presented EDC concentrations stratified by race/ethnicity or among homogenous US minority populations. Studies reported on phthalates and phenols. Higher phthalate metabolites and paraben concentrations were observed for pregnant non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women. Higher concentrations of benzophenone-3 were observed in non-Hispanic White women; results were inconsistent for triclosan. This review highlights need for future research examining pregnancy and prenatal PCP-associated EDCs disparities to understand and reduce racial/ethnic disparities in maternal and child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Chan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Bldg. 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Carol Mita
- Countway Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Andrea Bellavia
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Bldg. 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Michaiah Parker
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Bldg. 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Bldg. 1, 14th Floor, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02120, USA.
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Morová M, Kršková L. Autistic-like traits in laboratory rodents exposed to phthalic acid esters during early development - an animal model of autism? Physiol Res 2021; 70:345-361. [PMID: 33982578 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phthalates are chemical substances that are widely used to provide flexibility and durability to plastic materials. They leach from products in which they are mixed and reach living organisms. Results from experimental studies suggest that exposure to phthalates can have a negative impact on an individual's neuronal system and behavior. In this regard, exposure during early ontogenesis seems to be particularly dangerous due to the extensive growth and development of body structures and functions. Disruption during this critical time can result in alterations of behavior and the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Various animal models have been used to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease. They are fundamental for research, and although the translation of results to humans is difficult, new animal models are being developed. The aim of this review is to summarize laboratory rodent studies in which early developmental phthalate exposure resulted in brain alterations and autistic-like behavioral traits. We also discuss the possibility of using early developmental phthalate exposure in rodents to create a new animal model of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Morová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava 4, Slovak Republic.
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Loftus CT, Bush NR, Day DB, Ni Y, Tylavsky FA, Karr CJ, Kannan K, Barrett ES, Szpiro AA, Sathyanarayana S, LeWinn KZ. Exposure to prenatal phthalate mixtures and neurodevelopment in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early childhood (CANDLE) study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106409. [PMID: 33556913 PMCID: PMC8162924 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Findings from epidemiological studies of prenatal phthalate exposure and child cognitive development are inconsistent. Methods for evaluating mixtures of phthalates, such as weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, have rarely been applied. We developed a new extension of the WQS method to improve specificity of full-sample analyses and applied it to estimate associations between prenatal phthalate mixtures and cognitive and language outcomes in a diverse pregnancy cohort. METHODS We measured 22 phthalate metabolites in third trimester urine from mother-child dyads who completed early childhood visits in the Conditions Affecting Neurodevelopment and Learning in Early childhood (CANDLE) study. Language and cognitive ability were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (age 3) and the Stanford Binet-5 (age 4-6), respectively. We used multivariable WQS regression to identify phthalate mixtures that were negatively and positively associated with language score and full-scale IQ, in separate models, adjusted for maternal IQ, race, marital status, smoking, BMI, socioeconomic status (SES), child age, sex, and breastfeeding. We evaluated effect modification by sex and SES. If full sample 95% WQS confidence intervals (which are known to be anti-conservative) excluded the null, we calculated a p-value using a permutation test (ppermutation). The performance of this new approach to WQS regression was evaluated in simulated data. We compared the power and type I error rate of WQS regression conducted within datasets split into training and validation samples (WQSSplit) and in the full sample (WQSNosplit) to WQS regression with a permutation test (WQSpermutation). Individual metabolite associations were explored in secondary analyses. RESULTS The analytic sample (N = 1015) was 62.1% Black/31.5% White, and the majority of mothers had a high school education or less (56.7%) at enrollment. Associations between phthalate mixtures and primary outcomes (language score and full-scale IQ) in the full sample were null. Individual metabolites were not associated with IQ, and only one metabolite (mono-benzyl phthalate, MBzP) was associated with Bayley language score (β = -0.68, 95% CI: -1.37, 0.00). In analyses stratified by sex or SES, mixtures were positively and negatively associated with outcomes, but the precision of full-sample WQS regression results were not supported by permutation tests, with one exception. In the lowest SES category, a phthalate mixture dominated by mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) and mono-carboxy-isooctyl phthalate (MCOP) was associated with higher language scores (βlow SES = 2.41, full-sample 95%CI: 0.58, 4.24; ppermutation = 0.04). Performance testing in simulated data showed that WQSpermutation had improved power over WQSSplit (90% versus 56%) and a lower type I error rate than WQSNosplit (7% versus 47%). CONCLUSIONS In the largest study of these relationships to date, we observed predominantly null associations between mixtures of prenatal phthalates and both language and IQ. Our novel extension of WQS regression improved sensitivity to detect true associations by obviating the need to split the data into training and test sets and should be considered for future analyses of exposure mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine T Loftus
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States.
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States
| | - Drew B Day
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, United States
| | - Yu Ni
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States
| | | | - Catherine J Karr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, United States
| | - Adam A Szpiro
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, United States; Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, United States; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, United States
| | - Kaja Z LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States
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Engel SM, Patisaul HB, Brody C, Hauser R, Zota AR, Bennet DH, Swanson M, Whyatt RM. Neurotoxicity of Ortho-Phthalates: Recommendations for Critical Policy Reforms to Protect Brain Development in Children. Am J Public Health 2021; 111:687-695. [PMID: 33600256 PMCID: PMC7958063 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2020.306014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Robust data from longitudinal birth cohort studies and experimental studies of perinatally exposed animals indicate that exposure to ortho-phthalates can impair brain development and increase risks for learning, attention, and behavioral disorders in childhood. This growing body of evidence, along with known adverse effects on male reproductive tract development, calls for immediate action.Exposures are ubiquitous; the majority of people are exposed to multiple ortho-phthalates simultaneously. We thus recommend that a class approach be used in assessing health impacts as has been done with other chemical classes. We propose critically needed policy reforms to eliminate ortho-phthalates from products that lead to exposure of pregnant women, women of reproductive age, infants, and children. Specific attention should be focused on reducing exposures among socially vulnerable populations such as communities of color, who frequently experience higher exposures.Ortho-phthalates are used in a vast array of products and elimination will thus necessitate a multipronged regulatory approach at federal and state levels. The fact that manufacturers and retailers have already voluntarily removed ortho-phthalates from a wide range of products indicates that this goal is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Engel
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Charlotte Brody
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Russ Hauser
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Ami R Zota
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Deborah H Bennet
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Maureen Swanson
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Robin M Whyatt
- Stephanie M. Engel is with the Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Heather B. Patisaul is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Charlotte Brody is with Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Charlottesville, VA. Russ Hauser is with the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Ami R. Zota is with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC. Deborah H. Bennet is with the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis. Maureen Swanson is with The Arc of the United States, Washington, DC. Robin M. Whyatt is with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Choi G, Villanger GD, Drover SSM, Sakhi AK, Thomsen C, Nethery RC, Zeiner P, Knudsen GP, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Øvergaard KR, Herring AH, Skogan AH, Biele G, Aase H, Engel SM. Prenatal phthalate exposures and executive function in preschool children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 149:106403. [PMID: 33524667 PMCID: PMC7945722 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal phthalate exposure has been linked with altered neurodevelopment, including externalizing behaviors and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the implicated metabolite, neurobehavioral endpoint, and child sex have not always been consistent across studies, possibly due to heterogeneity in neurodevelopmental instruments. The complex set of findings may be synthesized using executive function (EF), a construct of complex cognitive processes that facilitate ongoing goal-directed behaviors. Impaired EF can be presented with various phenotypes of poor neurodevelopment, differently across structured conditions, home/community, or preschool/school. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal phthalate exposure and comprehensive assessment of preschool EF. METHODS Our study comprised 262 children with clinically significant/subthreshold ADHD symptoms and 78 typically developing children who were born between 2003 and 2008 and participated in the Preschool ADHD Substudy, which is nested within a population-based prospective cohort study, the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort (MoBa). Twelve phthalate metabolites were measured from urine samples that their mothers had provided during pregnancy, at 17 weeks' gestation. All children, at approximately 3.5-years, took part in a detailed clinical assessment that included parent-and teacher-rated inventories and administered tests. We used instruments that measured constructs related to EF, which include a parent-and teacher-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool (BRIEF-P) and three performance-based tests: A Developmental NEuroPSYchological Assessment (NEPSY), Stanford-Binet intelligence test V (SB5), and the cookie delay task (CDT). The standard deviation change in test score per interquartile range (IQR) increase in phthalate metabolite was estimated with multivariable linear regression. We applied weighting in all models to account for the oversampling of children with clinically significant or subthreshold symptoms of ADHD. Additionally, we assessed modification by child sex and potential co-pollutant confounding. RESULTS Elevated exposure to mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) during pregnancy was associated with poorer EF, across all domains and instruments, in both sex. For example, an IQR increase in MBzP was associated with poorer working memory rated by parent (1.23 [95% CI: 0.20, 2.26]) and teacher (1.13 [0.14, 2.13]) using BRIEF-P, and administered tests such as SB5 (no-verbal: 0.19 [0.09, 0.28]; verbal: 0.13 [0.01, 0.25]). Adverse associations were also observed for mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), although results varied by instruments. EF domains reported by parents using BRIEF-P were most apparently implicated, with stronger associations among boys (e.g., MnBP and inhibition: 2.74 [1.77, 3.72]; MiBP and inhibition: 1.88 [0.84, 2.92]) than among girls (e.g., MnBP and inhibition: -0.63 [-2.08, 0.83], interaction p-value: 0.04; MiBP and inhibition: -0.15 [-1.04, 0.74], interaction p-value: 0.3). Differences by sex, however, were not found for the teacher-rated BRIEF-P or administered tests including NEPSY, SB5, and CDT. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Elevated mid-pregnancy MBzP, MiBP, and MnBP were associated with more adverse profiles of EF among preschool-aged children across a range of instruments and raters, with some associations found only among boys. Given our findings and accumulating evidence of the prenatal period as a critical window for phthalate exposure, there is a timely need to expand the current phthalate regulations focused on baby products to include pregnancy exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giehae Choi
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Department of Child Health and Development, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Samantha S M Drover
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amrit K Sakhi
- Department of Environmental Health, Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Health, Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rachel C Nethery
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pål Zeiner
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gun Peggy Knudsen
- Division of Health Data and Digitalization, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Mental Disorders, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin R Øvergaard
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amy H Herring
- Department of Statistical Science, Global Health Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Annette H Skogan
- The National Centre for Epilepsy, PO Box 4956, Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Department of Child Health and Development, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Department of Child Health and Development, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Associations of prenatal exposure to phthalates with measures of cognition in 7.5-month-old infants. Neurotoxicology 2021; 84:84-95. [PMID: 33705789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that have been associated with adverse neurobehavior, but little is known about their influence on infant cognition. METHODS A visual recognition memory task was used to assess cognition in 244 7-8-month-old infants (121 females; 123 males) from a prospective cohort study. Phthalate metabolites were quantified in maternal urines pooled from across pregnancy. The task included familiarization trials (infant shown 2 identical faces) and test trials (infant shown the now familiar face paired with a novel one). Half of the infants saw one set of faces as familiar (set 1) and half saw the other set as familiar (set 2). During familiarization trials, average run duration (time looking at stimuli before looking away, measure of processing speed), and time to familiarization (time to reach 20 s looking at the stimuli, measure of attention) were assessed. During test trials, novelty preference (proportion of time looking at the novel face, measure of recognition memory) was assessed. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to assess associations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP), sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP), sum of di(isononyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDINP), and sum of anti-androgenic phthalate metabolites (ΣAA) with each outcome. RESULTS Mothers were mostly white and college educated, and urine phthalate concentrations were similar to those in reproductive age women in the U.S. POPULATION All phthalate exposure biomarkers, except MEP, were associated with increases in average run duration. However, depending on the phthalate, associations were only in males or infants who saw the set 2 stimuli as familiar. Unexpectedly, ΣAA was associated with a shorter time to reach familiarization. Phthalate biomarkers also were associated with modest decrements in novelty preference, but these associations were nonsignificant. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to phthalates may be related to slower information processing and poorer recognition memory in infants.
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Castor Epoxy Fatty Acid Alkyl Ester Estolides as Bioplasticizers for Poly(Vinyl Chloride). J AM OIL CHEM SOC 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/aocs.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and adolescent sleep duration. Environ Epidemiol 2021; 5:e134. [PMID: 33870010 PMCID: PMC8043726 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Some environmental chemicals, such as phthalates, are capable of disrupting endocrine function related to the development and regulation of sleep patterns. However, the contribution of phthalate exposure to inadequate sleep during adolescence is unknown. We aim to evaluate the association between phthalate exposure and short sleep duration during adolescence.
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Patti MA, Newschaffer C, Eliot M, Hamra GB, Chen A, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Hertz-Picciotto I, Kalloo G, Khoury JC, Lanphear BP, Lyall K, Yolton K, Braun JM. Gestational Exposure to Phthalates and Social Responsiveness Scores in Children Using Quantile Regression: The EARLI and HOME Studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1254. [PMID: 33573264 PMCID: PMC7908417 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Linear regression is often used to estimate associations between chemical exposures and neurodevelopment at the mean of the outcome. However, the potential effect of chemicals may be greater among individuals at the 'tails' of outcome distributions. Here, we investigated distributional effects on the associations between gestational phthalate exposure and child Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-related behaviors using quantile regression. We harmonized data from the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) (n = 140) Study, an enriched-risk cohort of mothers who had a child with ASD, and the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study (n = 276), a general population cohort. We measured concentrations of 9 phthalate metabolites in urine samples collected twice during pregnancy. Caregivers reported children's ASD-related behaviors using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) at age 3-8 years; higher scores indicate more ASD-related behaviors. In EARLI, associations between phthalate concentrations and SRS scores were predominately inverse or null across SRS score quantiles. In HOME, positive associations of mono-n-butyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, mono-isobutyl phthalate, and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate concentrations with SRS scores increased in strength from the median to 95th percentile of SRS scores. These results suggest associations between phthalate concentrations and SRS scores may be stronger in individuals with higher SRS scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa A. Patti
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (M.E.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Craig Newschaffer
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.N.); (K.L.)
- College of Health & Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
| | - Melissa Eliot
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (M.E.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Ghassan B. Hamra
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA;
| | - M. Daniele Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | | | - Jane C. Khoury
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
| | - Bruce P. Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada;
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.N.); (K.L.)
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA; (M.E.); (J.M.B.)
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Yu Y, Peng M, Liu Y, Ma J, Wang N, Ma S, Feng N, Lu S. Co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates and their associations with oxidative stress damage in school children from South China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 401:123390. [PMID: 32659584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), phthalate metabolites (mPAEs), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the urine of school children aged 8-11 years from Shenzhen, China were measured in order to investigate oxidative stress damage from co-exposure to PAHs and PAEs. The concentrations of OH-PAHs and mPAEs in urine were 0.36-36.5 (median: 3.86) and 9.48-1609 (median: 240) ng/mL respectively. Gender and age did not influence urinary concentrations of ΣOH-PAHs and ΣmPAEs, but geographical variations (i.e., urban versus suburban) were observed. Levels of 8-OHdG were positively correlated with urinary OH-PAHs and mPAEs, with correlation coefficients (r) varying between 0.160 and 0.365 (p < 0.05). OH-PAHs made a greater contribution to oxidative DNA damage than mPAEs when these two types of pollutants were present at the same concentrations. Human health risks were assessed using the hazard quotient and the hazard index for the cumulative risk of a complex of chemicals. The results demonstrated that risks from PAHs could be neglected, but that 29.5 % of school children may be subject to obvious health risks from PAEs, especially diethylhexyl phthalate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Yu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Peng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yanlin Liu
- School of Traffic and Environment, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen, 518172, PR China
| | - Jinjing Ma
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Nannan Feng
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, PR China
| | - Shaoyou Lu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
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Nguyen LV, Gravel S, Labrèche F, Bakhiyi B, Verner MA, Zayed J, Jantunen LM, Arrandale VH, Diamond ML. Can Silicone Passive Samplers be Used for Measuring Exposure of e-Waste Workers to Flame Retardants? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15277-15286. [PMID: 33196172 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Silicone passive samplers were assessed for measuring personal exposure to 37 flame retardants at three Québec e-waste recycling facilities. Silicone brooches (n = 45), wristbands (n = 28), and armbands (n = 9) worn during a ∼8 h work shift accumulated detectable amounts of 95-100% of the target compounds. Brooch concentrations were significantly correlated with those from active air samplers from which we conclude that the brooches could be used to approximate inhalation exposure and other exposures related to air concentrations such as dermal exposure. The generic sampling rate of the brooch (19 ± 11 m3 day-1 dm-2) was 13 and 22 times greater than estimated for home and office environments, respectively, likely because of the dusty work environment and greater movement of e-waste workers. BDE-209 concentrations in brooches and wristbands were moderately and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with levels in blood plasma; organophosphorus esters in brooches and wristbands were weakly and insignificantly correlated with their metabolite biomarkers in post-shift spot urine samples. Silicone brooches and wristbands deployed over a single shift in a dusty occupational setting can be useful for indicating the internal exposure to compounds with relatively long biological half-lives, but their use for compounds with relatively short half-lives is not clear and may require either a longer deployment time or an integrated biomarker measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh V Nguyen
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Sabrina Gravel
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec H3A 3C2, Canada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
| | - France Labrèche
- Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec H3A 3C2, Canada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Bouchra Bakhiyi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
| | - Marc-André Verner
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Joseph Zayed
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Québec H3T 1A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Liisa M Jantunen
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change, Egbert, Ontario L0L 1N0, Canada
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Victoria H Arrandale
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X3, Canada
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada
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Sears CG, Braun JM. Phthalate Exposure, Adolescent Health, and the Need for Primary Prevention. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2020; 49:759-770. [PMID: 33153678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Phthalates, a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are used widely in many consumer products, and exposure can interfere with a range of hormonal functions during early life. These disruptions may alter development during late childhood and adolescence. This article discusses the potential effects of phthalate exposure on adiposity, puberty, and neurodevelopment during late childhood and adolescence. It also highlights studies of behavioral interventions to reduce phthalate exposures and the roles of health care professionals and policy makers in preventing phthalate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara G Sears
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-2, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-2, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA. https://twitter.com/JosephMBraun1
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50
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Sex-biased impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on behavioral development and vulnerability to disease: Of mice and children. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:29-46. [PMID: 33248148 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sex is a fundamental biological characteristic that influences many aspects of an organism's phenotype, including neurobiological functions and behavior as a result of species-specific evolutionary pressures. Sex differences have strong implications for vulnerability to disease and susceptibility to environmental perturbations. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have the potential to interfere with sex hormones functioning and influence development in a sex specific manner. Here we present an updated descriptive review of findings from animal models and human studies regarding the current evidence for altered sex-differences in behavioral development in response to early exposure to EDCs, with a focus on bisphenol A and phthalates. Overall, we show that animal and human studies have a good degree of consistency and that there is strong evidence demonstrating that EDCs exposure during critical periods of development affect sex differences in emotional and cognitive behaviors. Results are more heterogeneous when social, sexual and parental behaviors are considered. In order to pinpoint sex differences in environmentally-driven disease vulnerabilities, researchers need to consider sex-biased developmental effects of EDCs.
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