Levels of phthalate metabolites in urine among mother-child-pairs - Results from the Duisburg birth cohort study, Germany

Kasper-Sonnenberg, M; Koch, HM; Wittsiepe, J; Wilhelm, M

HERO ID

787906

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

21983396

HERO ID 787906
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Levels of phthalate metabolites in urine among mother-child-pairs - Results from the Duisburg birth cohort study, Germany
Authors Kasper-Sonnenberg, M; Koch, HM; Wittsiepe, J; Wilhelm, M
Journal International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Volume 215
Issue 3
Page Numbers 373-382
Abstract Phthalates are used ubiquitously and human exposure is widespread. Some phthalates are anti-androgens and have to be regarded as reproductive and developmental toxicants. In the Duisburg birth cohort study we examine the associations between hormonally active environmental agents and child development. Here we report the concentrations of 21 primary and secondary phthalate metabolites from seven low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates (DMP, DEP, BBzP, DiBP, DnBP, DCHP, DnPeP) and five high-molecular weight (HMW) phthalates (DEHP, DiNP, DiDP, DPHP, DnOP) in 208 urine samples from 104 mothers and their school-aged children. Analysis was performed by multidimensional liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC/LC-MS/MS), using internal isotope-labeled standards. In both children and mothers, 18 out of 21 phthalate metabolites were detected above the limits of quantification (between 0.2 and 1.0μg/l) in nearly all urine samples. Among the LMW phthalates, the excretion level (geometric mean) of the ΣDiBP metabolites was most prominent in children (103.9μg/l), followed by ΣDnBP (56.5μg/l), and MEP (39.1 μg/l). In mothers ΣDiBP (66.6μg/l) was highest, followed by MEP (50.5μg/l), and ΣDnBP (36.0μg/l). Among the HMW phthalates, ΣDEHP was highest in children and mothers (55.7/28.9μg/l). Compared to reference values derived from the German Human Biomonitoring Commission, children's metabolite concentrations were within background levels, whereas for mothers considerably higher exposure to the LMW phthalates DnBP and DiBP, and the HMW phthalate DEHP was detected (MiBP: 10.7%; MnBP: 11.7%; ΣDEHP: 23.3% of the samples were above the reference values). The LMW metabolites from DMP, DiBP, and DnBP, and the HMW metabolites from DEHP and DiNP were correlated between the mothers and children, probably indicating shared exposure in the immediate surrounding environment. Children showed higher excretion levels for most of the secondary metabolites than mothers, confirming previous findings on higher oxidized metabolite levels in children. The LMW metabolites ΣDiBP, ΣDnBP, and MMP, and the HMW metabolites ΣDEHP were negatively associated with children's age. The LMW metabolites ΣDiBP, ΣDnBP, and MBzP were inversely associated with body mass index of the children. The LMW ΣDiBP metabolites revealed a significant association with nicotine metabolites in urine from both children and mothers. Further analyses are ongoing to study long-term phthalate exposure and the associations with puberty outcome in these children.
Doi 10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.09.004
Pmid 21983396
Wosid WOS:000303960900016
Url <Go to ISI>://WOS:000303960900016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000303960900016
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Children, Duisburg birth cohort study; Human biomonitoring; Mother-child pairs; Phthalates; Phthalate metabolites; Women
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