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Determinants and characterization of exposure to phthalates, DEHTP and DINCH among pregnant women in the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 30, pages 56–69 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

As a result of evidence suggesting phthalate toxicity, their use has decreased in recent years. However, new phthalates and non-phthalate replacements have emerged in their place, with unknown potential impacts on health.

Methods

We measured 15 phthalate, two di(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate (DEHTP), and two di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) urinary metabolites, collected up to three times during pregnancy from 994 women in Northern Puerto Rico (2011–2017). We used tests of linear trend to assess changes in concentrations over time and linear mixed models to identify predictors of exposure (sociodemographic characteristics, drinking water sources, diet, product use).

Results

Several phthalate metabolites decreased over the study period indicating decreased exposure, while the geometric mean of DEHTP metabolites (molecular sum) increased threefold between 2014 and 2017. Intraclass correlations revealed low to moderate reproducibility of these biomarkers across pregnancy. Several metabolites were associated with maternal age, income, education, pre-pregnancy BMI, drinking public water, use of cleaning and personal care products, and ice cream consumption. DINCH metabolite concentrations remained low throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Although exposure to some phthalates may be decreasing, exposure to replacements, such as DEHTP, is increasing. Additional studies are needed to further characterize sources of phthalate replacement chemicals and potential exposure-related health effects among vulnerable populations.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) grants P42ES017198, P50ES026049, and UG3OD023251; and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant R836155. We thank the nurses and research staff who participated in cohort recruitment and follow up, as well as the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and clinics in Puerto Rico who facilitated participant recruitment, including Morovis Community Health Center (FQHC), Prymed: Ciales Community Health Center (FQHC), Camuy Health Services, Inc. (FQHC), and the Delta OBGyn (Prenatal Clinic).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Yanelli Rodríguez-Carmona, Pahriya Ashrap, Leah D. Bedrosian, John D. Meeker & Deborah Watkins

  2. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Antonia M. Calafat & Xiaoyun Ye

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Zaira Rosario & José F. Cordero

  4. Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Gredia Huerta-Montanez

  5. University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Carmen M. Vélez-Vega

  6. College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Akram Alshawabkeh

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  1. Yanelli Rodríguez-Carmona
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Rodríguez-Carmona, Y., Ashrap, P., Calafat, A.M. et al. Determinants and characterization of exposure to phthalates, DEHTP and DINCH among pregnant women in the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 30, 56–69 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0168-8

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