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

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 33, pages 255–263 (2023)Cite this article

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.

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Fig. 1: Spearman correlation coefficients of concentrations of biomarkers of parent phthalates in mid-childhood (age 6–10 years) in Project Viva (n = 830).

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Data availability

Restrictions apply to the availability of some, or all data generated or analyzed during this study to preserve patient confidentiality or because they were used under license. The corresponding author will on request detail the restrictions and any conditions under which access to some data may be provided. Project Viva data sharing policies are further detailed at https://www.hms.harvard.edu/viva/protocol-policies.html.

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Funding

This work is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (R01ES030101) and the National Institutes of Health (R01HD034568, UH3OD023286).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Geetika Kalloo, Jaclyn A. Janis.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HealthCore Inc, Watertown, MA, USA

    Geetika Kalloo

  2. Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA

    Jaclyn A. Janis, Shravanthi M. Seshasayee & Abby F. Fleisch

  3. Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    Sheryl L. Rifas, Emily Oken & Abby F. Fleisch

  4. Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Antonia M. Calafat & Julianne Cook Botelho

  5. Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Russ Hauser & Tamarra James-Todd

  6. Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA

    Abby F. Fleisch

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Contributions

GK and JAJ were responsible for interpreting the results and writing of the manuscript, SMS and SLRS were responsible for the analysis, AMC and JCB were the CDC consultants regarding the biomarkers, RH, TJT, EO served in an advisor capacity, and AFF served the primary guide and scientific lead for the study.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abby F. Fleisch.

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Kalloo, G., Janis, J.A., Seshasayee, S.M. et al. Predictors of urinary biomarker concentrations of phthalates and some of their replacements in children in the Project Viva cohort. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 33, 255–263 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-022-00513-x

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