Predictors of urinary biomarker concentrations of phthalates and some of their replacements in children in the Project Viva cohort

Authors

Geetika Kalloo, HealthCore Inc, Watertown, MA, USA.
Jaclyn A. Janis, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA.
Shravanthi M. Seshasayee, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA.
Sheryl L. Rifas, Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
Antonia M. Calafat, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Julianne Cook Botelho, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Russ Hauser, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Tamarra James-Todd, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Emily Oken, Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
Abby F. Fleisch, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-23-2022

Institution/Department

Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation (CORE); Pediatrics

Journal Title

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some phthalates are still widely used in food packaging, toys, and personal care products, and links to adverse health have motivated substitution with replacement chemicals. Few studies have examined patterns and predictors of phthalate replacement biomarkers in children. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of sociodemographic, dietary, and urine collection characteristics with urinary concentrations of biomarkers of select phthalates and their replacements in mid-childhood. METHODS: We studied 830 children ages 6-10 years in 2007-2010 in a Boston-area cohort. We quantified urinary metabolites and summed their concentrations to calculate biomarkers of the concentrations of ten parent phthalates/replacements. We used linear regression to examine mutually adjusted associations of each predictor with each phthalate biomarker. We used logistic regression to examine predictors of 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) biomarker detectability. RESULTS: Predictor characteristics explained 25-48% of urinary biomarker variability. Di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP) biomarker was higher in females (18.7% [95% CI: 0.7, 39.9]), children who consumed more meat and dairy, and samples collected from later years. DINCH biomarker was more detectable in females (odds ratio [OR] 2.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 3.0]) and samples from later years. SIGNIFICANCE: Populations of children with increased urinary concentrations of phthalate and replacement biomarkers can be targeted for future study of sources of exposure, and identifying dietary predictors of biomarkers will directly guide future interventions. IMPACT: Our study uses data from a large cohort that is one of the first to measure DINCH, DEHTP, and metabolites of di-isononyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate. Additionally, we evaluate predictors during mid-childhood when biomarkers might be highest. As the use of replacement phthalates increases, our study is one of the first to examine biomarker patterns and predictors among children.

Recommended Citation

Kalloo G, Janis JA, Seshasayee SM, et al. Predictors of urinary biomarker concentrations of phthalates and some of their replacements in children in the Project Viva cohort [published online ahead of print, 2022 Dec 23]. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2022;10.1038/s41370-022-00513-x. doi:10.1038/s41370-022-00513-x