Prenatal and early childhood exposure to phthalates and childhood behavior at age 7 years

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests that phthalate exposure may be associated with behavior problems in children and that these associations may be sex specific.

METHODS

In a follow up study of 411 inner-city minority mothers and their children, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monethyl phthalate (MEP) and four di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate metabolites (DEHP) were quantified in maternal urine samples collected during the third trimester and in child urine samples at ages 3 and 5 years. The Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long Form (CPRS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were administered to the mothers to assess children's behavior problems at 7 years of age. The analysis included children with available measures of CBCL, CPRS and phthalates measured in maternal urine. We performed both Quasi-Poisson regression and a mixture analysis using Weighted Quantile Sum(WQS) regression to assess the risk for CPRS scores and for internalizing and externalizing behaviors (from the CBCL) following intra-uterine exposure to the phthalate metabolites for boys and girls separately.

RESULTS

Among boys, increases in in anxious-shy behaviors were associated with prenatal exposure to MBzP (Mean Ratio [MR] = 1.20, 95%CI 1.05-1.36) and MiBP (Mean Ratio (MR) = 1.22, 95%CI 1.02-1.47). Among girls, increases in perfectionism were associated with MBzP (MR = 1.15, 95%CI 1.01-1.30). In both boys and girls, increases in psychosomatic problems were associated with MiBP (MR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.02-1.60), and MnBP (MR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.02-1.59), respectively. Among girls, decreased hyperactivity was associated with two DEHP metabolites, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.71-0.98) and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.72-0.99). Using weighted Quantile Sum logistic regression, no associations were found between the Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) of phthalate metabolites and CPRS scores or externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Nonetheless, when the analysis was performed separately for DEHP and non-DEHP metabolites significant associations were found between the WQS of DEHP metabolites and social problems in boys (OR = 2.15, 95%CI 1.13-4.06, p-value = 0.02) anxious-shy problems in girls (OR = 2.19, 95%CI 1.15-4.16, p = 0.02), and emotional lability problems in all children (OR = 0.61, 95%CI 0.38-0.97, p = 0.04). MEHP and MEOHP were the most highly weighted DEHP metabolites in WQS mixture. The analysis performed with CBCL scale corroborated these associations.

CONCLUSION

Concentration of non-DEHP metabolites was associated with anxious-shy behaviors among boys. DEHP phthalate metabolites were associated with decreased hyperactivity and impulsivity among girls on CPRS scores. These findings lend further support to the adverse associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood outcomes, and clearly suggest that such associations are sex and mixture specific.

Is there any association between phthalate exposure and precocious puberty in girls?

Considerable increase in the prevalence of precocious puberty (PP) during the last decade has raised a lot of concerns. Some environmental endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalate esters, have intrinsic estrogen activity or increase endogenous sex hormone levels leading to PP. This study was conducted to investigate the association between exposure to phthalate esters and PP in a sample of girls. Plasma levels of seven phthalate ester metabolites were measured in 87 girls with PP and 63 age- and sex-matched controls by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and GC/MS analysis. History of exposure to main sources of phthalates was obtained by a checklist. Diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolite levels were significantly higher in those with PP than that in controls (p < 0.05), but this difference was not significant for other phthalate metabolites. 30.1% girls with PP and 12.2% of controls had played for more than 2 h/day with plastic toys in their childhood. 65.1% girls with PP and 32.8% of controls have regularly used some cosmetic products. Consumption of bottled water and beverages by those with PP was about twofold higher than that in the control group. A positive correlation was found between bottled ware consumption and plasma concentrations of four phthalate metabolites. The frequency of seafood consumption was not significantly different between the groups studied. Our findings confirm positive association between phthalate exposure and incidence of PP in girls. Control and reduction of children exposure to phthalate esters should be considered as a health priority.

Systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between phthalates exposure and insulin resistance

This study aims to provide an overview of human studies on the association of exposure to phthalates and insulin resistance. We systematically searched human studies available until 15 January 2018.We conducted a literature search in Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Collaboration. We used the following keywords to identify relevant articles: "phthalate", "phthalate ester", "metabolic syndrome", "insulin resistance", "glucose intolerance", and "diabetes". For analyzing data, we conducted meta-analysis using the Stata software. We appraised each study to examine the sources of heterogeneity, including difference in clinical outcomes and exposure measurements. To determine the robustness and whether some of the factors have the highest impact on the results of the present meta-analysis, several sensitivity analyses were conducted. Sensitivity analysis showed that by removing studies with the highest weight and age groups, no change was observed in heterogeneity. Moreover, with excluding the study conducted in Europe, the results remained unchanged and constant. In addition, the funnel plot and Egger's tests were executed to access publication bias. Both the funnel plots and Egger's test did not show any evidence of publication bias (P = 0.31). In the random effects meta-analysis of all studies (n = 8), the pooled correlation coefficient between phthalate exposure and HOMA-IR was 0.10 (95% CI; 0.07-0.12, P < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity (P < 0.001, I² = 85.5%). Our findings revealed positive association between exposure to phthalate metabolites and increased HOMA-IR; this association remained significant even after adjusting the analysis for multiple confounding variables.

Could phthalates exposure contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome and liver disease in humans?

In the study, 305 patients of both genders were enrolled and divided into three groups: obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²), patients who were diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and control, normal weight healthy volunteers. At least one of ten different phthalate metabolites was determined in the urine samples of 49.84% all enrolled participants. In the obese subgroup, the sum of all urinary phthalate metabolites was positively associated with TG levels (p = 0.031) together with derived TC/HDL and TG/HDL ratios (p = 0.023 and 0.015), respectively. Urinary MEP concentration was positively correlated with the HOMA-IR in T2DM subgroup (p = 0.016) while in the control subgroup, log₁₀MEP levels were negatively correlated with total cholesterol (p = 0.0051), and LDL serum levels (p = 0.0015), respectively. Also, in the control subgroup, positive linear correlations between urinary log₁₀MEP levels and TyG and TYG-BMI values (p = 0.028 and p = 0.027), respectively, were determined. Urinary MEHP levels were associated with glucose serum levels (p = 0.02) in T2DM subgroup, while in the control HDL values were negatively associated with log₁₀MEHP (p = 0.0035). Healthy volunteers exposed to phthalates had elevated AST levels in comparison to non-exposed ones (p = 0.023). In control subgroup, ALT and AST values were increased (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively) in MEP exposed while GGT levels were enhanced (p = 0.017) in MEHP exposed in comparison with non-exposed. Combined phthalates influence on glucose and lipid metabolism may increase the possibility for NAFLD and insulin resistance development among exposed individuals.

Endocrine disruptor phthalates in bottled water: daily exposure and health risk assessment in pregnant and lactating women

Over the last decade, the consumption of water bottled in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has considerably increased, raising concerns over water quality and packaged materials. This study aims to investigate the levels of the anti-androgenic phthalates including bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), in bottled water and its corresponding health risks in pregnant and lactating women. The phthalate levels were measured in six different brands of bottled water exposed to temperatures ranging between -18 and 40 °C and sunlight for 45 days. The phthalate was quantified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, the non-carcinogenic effects were assessed using hazard quotient (HQ) approach, and cumulative health risk assessment was performed on the basis of hazard index (HI) calculation. In order to assess the carcinogenic risk due to the possible carcinogen DEHP (group 2B), the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was used. DEHP and DBP contaminants were detected at different storage conditions in all of the bottled water samples during the storage time. BBP was only detected at high temperature (≥25 °C) and outdoor conditions. The maximum concentrations of all phthalates were observed when water samples were kept at 40 °C. In contrast, storage at freezing conditions had no significant effect on the concentration level of all phthalates. The estimated intake by women was between 0.0021 μg/kg/day for BBP and 0.07 μg/kg/day for DEHP. The highest HQ for phthalate intake via bottled water consumption was much lower than 1 (HQ < 0.004), which implies that adverse effects are very unlikely to occur. The execution of a cumulative risk assessment for combined phthalate exposure demonstrated that the HIs for anti-androgenic effect were lower than 1 in all of the conditions. Furthermore, ELCR for DEHP based on the highest detected level was found to be less than 10(-6), which is considered acceptable. Our results prove that the levels of phthalates in bottled water are not a health concern for pregnant and lactating women. Consequently, PET-bottled water is not a major contributor to phthalate intake for most individuals.

Inhalation Toxicity of Bisphenol A and Its Effect on Estrous Cycle, Spatial Learning, and Memory in Rats upon Whole-Body Exposure

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in a polymerization reaction in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in many consumer products, including plastics, polyvinyl chloride, food packaging, dental sealants, and thermal receipts. However, there is little information available on the inhalation toxicity of BPA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine its inhalation toxicity and effects on the estrous cycle, spatial learning, and memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 10, 30, and 90 mg/m³ BPA, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks via whole-body inhalation. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry, estrous cycle parameters, performance in the Morris water maze test, and organ weights, as well as gross and histopathological findings, were compared between the control and BPA exposure groups. Statistically significant changes were observed in serum chemistry and organ weights upon exposure to BPA. However, there was no BPA-related toxic effect on the body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, estrous cycle, performance in the Morris water maze test, or gross or histopathological lesions in any male or female rats in the BPA exposure groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for BPA in rats is above 90 mg/m³/6 hr/day, 5 days/week upon 8-week exposure. Furthermore, BPA did not affect the estrous cycle, spatial learning, or memory in rats.

Exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A is associated with higher risk of cardiometabolic impairment in normal weight children

Some obese individuals have normal metabolic profile, and some normal-weight persons have impaired metabolic status. Our hypothesis was that one of the potential underlying factors for such differences in cardiometabolic profiles might be the exposure to some environmental chemicals. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate metabolites with cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents independent of their weight status. This case-control study was conducted on a subsample of 320 participants of a national school-based surveillance program in Iran. We measured serum BPA and phthalate metabolites by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry. We compared them in children and adolescents with and without excess weight and those with and without cardiometabolic risk factors (80 in each group). We categorized the concentrations of chemicals to tertiles and then we applied logistic regression models after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The concentrations of BPA and some metabolites of phthalates were significantly different in the four groups studied. MEHP concentration was associated with higher odds ratio of cardiometabolic risk factors in participants with normal weight (OR, 95% CI 2.82, 1.001-7.91) and those with excess weight (OR, 95% CI 3.15, 1.27-7.83). MBP concentration increased the odds ratio of cardiometabolic risk factors only in normal weight children and adolescents (OR, 95% CI 6.59, 2.33-18.59, P < 0.001). In participants without cardiometabolic risk factor, MMP and MEHHP were significantly associated with increased risk of excess weight (OR, 95% CI 5.90, 1.21-28.75 and 7.82, 1.5-41.8, respectively). This study showed that the association of BPA and phthalate with cardiometabolic risk factors is independent of the weight status. Our findings suggest that the metabolic impairment in some normal weight children and normal metabolic profile of some obese children can be, in part, related to exposure to these environmental chemicals. Graphical abstract.

Impact of bisphenol A (BPA) on cells and tissues at the human materno-fetal interface

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor extensively used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and a component of liquid and food containers. It is a hazard in the prenatal period because of its presence in the placenta, fetal membranes, amniotic fluid, maternal and fetal blood and its ability to cross the placenta and reach the fetus. Estimation of the risk of BPA exposure during in utero life is extremely important in order to prevent complications of pregnancy and fetal growth. This review describes in vitro models of the human materno-fetal interface. It also outlines the effects of BPA at doses indicated as "physiological", namely at the concentrations found in the general population, and at "supraphysiological" and "subphysiological" doses, i.e. above and below the physiological range. This work will help clarify the discrepancies observed in studies on the effects of BPA on human reproduction and pregnancy, and it will be useful for the choice of appropriate in vitro models for future studies aimed at identifying the potential impact of BPA on specific functional processes.

Unravelling the link between phthalate exposure and endometriosis in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

PURPOSE

Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating inflammatory pathology which interests females in their reproductive age. Its pathogenesis has not yet been clearly defined. Recent evidence linked chemical agents as endocrine-disrupting chemicals to endometriosis. Phthalates are a widely used class of such compounds. This study aimed to summarize the current literature evaluating the link between exposure to phthalates and occurrence of endometriosis.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis has been carried out following PRISMA guidelines to assess such link. Fourteen studies have been included in the review. Risk of bias has been assessed through the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

We observed association between endometriosis and increased urinary levels of MBP/MnBP, MEOHP, and MEHHP, but not for others. Blood-derived analysis showed statistically significant link between endometriosis and BBP, DEHP, DnBP, and MEHP.

CONCLUSION

Given the wide heterogeneity of included studies, results should be taken with caution. Further studies with more rigorous methodology are encouraged to unravel the true link between this class of toxic compounds and manifestation of endometriosis.

Detection and characterization of refractory organic and inorganic pollutants discharged in biomethanated distillery effluent and their phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity assessment using Phaseolus aureus L. and Allium cepa L

The color effluent discharged by alcohol distilleries comprises very high pollution loads due to the plethora of refractory chemicals even after anaerobic treatment and causing adverse effects to the environment. The present study aimed to examine the phytotoxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential of the identified refractory organic and inorganic pollutants discharged in bio-methanated distillery effluent (BMDE). Physico-chemical analyses revealed that BMDE retains high BOD, COD, TDS along with heavy metals like Fe (572.64 mg L^-1), Mn (4.269 mg L^-1), Cd (1.631 mg L^-1), Zn (2.547 mg L^-1), Pb (1.262 mg L^-1), (Cr 1.257 mg L^-1), and Ni (0.781 mg L^-1) beyond the permissible limits for effluent discharge. GC-MS analysis revelaed the presence of hexadecanoic acid, TMS ester; octadecanoic acid, TMS ester; 2,3 bis[(TMS)oxy]propyl ester; stigmasterol TMS ether; β-sitosterol TMS ester; hexacosanoic acid; and tetradecanoic acid, TMS ester as major refractory organic pollutants, which are listed as potential endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) as per USEPA. Furthermore, phytotoxicity assessment with Phaseolus aureus L. showed the toxic nature of BMDE as it inhibited various seedling growth parameters, seed germination, and suppression of α-amylase activity in seed germination experiment. Moreover, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity evaluation of the discharged BMDE evidenced in root-tip meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. where chromosomal aberration such as disturbed metaphase, c-mitosis, laggard chromosomes, sticky chromosomes, prolonged prophase, polyploid cells, and apoptotic bodies etc. were observed. Thus, this study's results suggested that BMDE discharged without adequate treatment poses potential risk to environment and may cause a variety of serious health threats in living beings upon exposure.

Endocrine disruptor chemicals, adipokines and reproductive functions

The prevalence of adult obesity has risen markedly in recent decades. The endocrine system precisely regulates energy balance, fat abundance and fat deposition. Interestingly, white adipose tissue is an endocrine gland producing adipokines, which regulate whole-body physiology, including energy balance and reproduction. Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) include natural substances or chemicals that affect the endocrine system by multiple mechanisms and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Numerous studies have associated exposure to EDCs with obesity, classifying them as obesogens by their ability to activate different mechanisms, including the differentiation of adipocytes, increasing the storage of triglycerides, or elevating the number of adipocytes. Moreover, in recent years, not only industrial deception and obesity have intensified but also the problem of human infertility. Reproductive functions depend on hormone interactions, the balance of which may be disrupted by various EDCs or obesity. This review gives a brief summary of common EDCs linked with obesity, the mechanisms of their action, and the effect on adipokine levels, reproduction and connected disorders, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, decrease in sperm motility, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction in females and decrease of sperm motility in males.

Biochemical and developmental effects of thyroid and anti-thyroid drugs on different early life stages of Xenopus laevis

The effects of two drugs containing the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (LEV) and an anti-thyroid drug containing propylthiouracil (PTU) on the three early life stages of Xenopus laevis were evaluated with the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus, Tadpole Toxicity Test, and Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay using biochemical and morphological markers. Tested drugs caused more effective growth retardation in stage 8 embryos than stage 46 tadpoles. Significant inhibition of biomarker enzymes has been identified in stage 46 tadpoles for both drugs. AMA test results showed that LEV-I caused progression in the developmental stage and an increase in thyroxine level in 7 days exposure and growth retardation in 21 days exposure in stage 51 tadpoles. On the other hand, increases in lactate dehydrogenase activity for both drugs in the AMA test may be due to impacted energy metabolism during sub-chronic exposure. These results also show that the sensitivity and responses of Xenopus laevis at different early developmental stages may be different when exposed to drugs.

Photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics exposure results in reproductive toxicity due to oxidative damage in Caenorhabditis elegans

The increase of plastic production together with the incipient reuse/recycling system has resulted in massive discards into the environment. This has facilitated the formation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) which poses major risk for environmental health. Although some studies have investigated the effects of pristine MNPs on reproductive health, the effects of weathered MNPs have been poorly investigated. Here we show in Caenorhabditis elegans that exposure to photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP-UV) results in worse reproductive performance than pristine PSNP (i.e., embryonic/larval lethality plus a decrease in the brood size, accompanied by a high number of unfertilized eggs), besides it affects size and locomotion behavior. Those effects were potentially generated by reactive products formed during UV-irradiation, since we found higher levels of reactive oxygen species and increased expression of GST-4 in worms exposed to PSNP-UV. Those results are supported by physical-chemical characterization analyses which indicate significant formation of oxidative degradation products from PSNP under UV-C irradiation. Our study also demonstrates that PSNP accumulate predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract of C. elegans (with no accumulation in the gonads), being completely eliminated at 96 h post-exposure. We complemented the toxicological analysis of PSNP/PSNP-UV by showing that the activation of the stress response via DAF-16 is dependent of the nanoplastics accumulation. Our data suggest that exposure to the wild PSNP, i.e., polystyrene nanoplastics more similar to those actually found in the environment, results in more important reprotoxic effects. This is associated with the presence of degradation products formed during UV-C irradiation and their interaction with biological targets.

Associations of pyrethroid exposure with bone mineral density and osteopenia in adults

INTRODUCTION

This study was to investigate the correlations between pyrethroid exposure and bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1389 participants over 50 years of age drawn from the 2007-2010 and 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Three pyrethroid metabolites, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (trans-DCCA), and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4-F-3PBA) were used as indicators of pyrethroid exposure. Low BMD was defined as T-score < - 1.0, including osteopenia. Weighted multivariable linear regression analysis or logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the correlation between pyrethroid exposure and BMD and low BMD. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was utilized to analyze the correlation between pyrethroids mixed exposure and low BMD.

RESULTS

There were 648 (48.41%) patients with low BMD. In individual pyrethroid metabolite analysis, both tertile 2 and tertile 3 of trans-DCCA were negatively related to total femur, femur neck, and total spine BMD [coefficient (β) = - 0.041 to - 0.028; all P < 0.05]. Both tertile 2 and tertile 3 of 4-F-3PBA were negatively related to total femur BMD (P < 0.05). Only tertile 2 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.48] and tertile 3 (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.50) of trans-DCCA was correlated with an increased risk of low BMD. The BKMR analysis indicated that there was a positive tendency between mixed pyrethroids exposure and low BMD.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, pyrethroids exposure was negatively correlated with BMD levels, and the associations of pyrethroids with BMD and low BMD varied by specific pyrethroids, pyrethroid concentrations, and bone sites.

Association of maternal exposure to endocrine disruptor chemicals with cardio-metabolic risk factors in children during childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the association of maternal exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with cardio-metabolic risk factors in children during childhood for the first time.

METHOD

The PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched, up to Feb 2023. In total 30 cohort studies had our inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was used for the variables that had considerable heterogeneity between studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool was used to classify the quality score of studies. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata 14 and P-value < 0.05 considered as a significant level.

RESULTS

In the meta-analysis, maternal exposure to the EDCs was weakly associated with higher SBP (Fisher_Z: 0.06, CI: 0.04, 0.08), BMI (Fisher_Z: 0.07, CI: 0.06, 0.08), and WC (Fisher_Z: 0.06, CI: 0.03, 0.08) z-scores in children. A significant linear association was found between maternal exposure to the bisphenol-A and pesticides with BMI and WC z-score in children (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed significant linear association of BPA and pesticides, in the urine samples of mothers at the first trimester of pregnancy, with BMI and WC z-score in children from 2-8 years (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Prenatal exposure to the EDCs in the uterine period could increase the risk of obesity in children. Maternal exposure to bisphenol-A and pesticides showed the strongest association with the obesity, especially visceral form, in the next generation.

Metal-oxide nanocatalysts for spontaneous sequestration of endocrine-disrupting compounds from wastewater

The quest for a good life, urbanization, and industrialization have led to the widespread distribution of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water bodies through anthropogenic activities. This poses an imminent threat to both human and environmental health. In recent years, the utilization of advance materials for the removal of EDCs from wastewater has attracted a lot of attention. Metal-oxide nanocatalysts have emerged as promising candidates due to their high surface area, reactivity, and tunable properties, as well as enhanced surface properties such as mesoporous structures and hierarchical morphologies that allow for increased adsorption capacity, improved photocatalytic activity, and enhanced selectivity towards specific EDCs. As a result, they have shown extraordinary efficacy in removing a wide range of EDCs from aqueous solutions, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, personal care items, and industrial chemicals. This study give insight into the unique physicochemical characteristics of metal-oxide nanocatalysts to effectively and efficiently remove harmful EDCs from wastewater. It also discussed the advances in the synthesis, and properties of metal-oxide nanocatalysts, and insight into understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying the adsorption and degradation of EDCs on metal-oxide nanocatalysts using advanced characterization techniques such as spectroscopic analysis and electron microscopy. The findings of the study present metal-oxide nanocatalysts as a good candidate for the spontaneous sequestration of EDCs from wastewater is an intriguing approach to mitigating water pollution and safeguarding public health and the environment.