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Urinary Phthalate Concentrations in Mothers and Their Children in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth Cullen

    (Department of Community of Health, Health Service Executive, St. Mary’s, Naas, Kildare W91 NR29, Ireland)

  • David Evans

    (Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive, Galway H91973, Ireland)

  • Chris Griffin

    (Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Dublin D02 P667, Ireland)

  • Padraig Burke

    (Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland)

  • Rory Mannion

    (Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland)

  • Damien Burns

    (Project Manager, Health Service Executive, Palmerstown, Dublin D20 X318, Ireland)

  • Andrew Flanagan

    (Public Analyst’s Laboratory, Health Service Executive, Galway H91 Y952, Ireland)

  • Ann Kellegher

    (Environmental Health Service, Health Service Executive, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim N41 XC59, Ireland)

  • Greet Schoeters

    (Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Sustainable Health Mol B-2400, Belgium
    Biomedical Department, University of Antwerp, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Eva Govarts

    (Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Sustainable Health Mol B-2400, Belgium)

  • Pierre Biot

    (Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium)

  • Ludwine Casteleyn

    (Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Argelia Castaño

    (Carlos 111 Institute of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain)

  • Marike Kolossa-Gehring

    (German Environment Agency, Berlin 14195, Germany)

  • Marta Esteban

    (Carlos 111 Institute of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain)

  • Gerda Schwedler

    (German Environment Agency, Berlin 14195, Germany)

  • Holger M. Koch

    (Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany)

  • Jürgen Angerer

    (Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum 44789, Germany)

  • Lisbeth E. Knudsen

    (Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 1353, Denmark)

  • Reinhard Joas

    (BiPRO GmbH, Munich 81545, Germany)

  • Anke Joas

    (BiPRO GmbH, Munich 81545, Germany)

  • Birgit Dumez

    (Center for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Ovnair Sepai

    (Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire OX11 ORQ, UK)

  • Karen Exley

    (Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton OX11 ORQ, Oxfordshire OX11 ORQ, UK)

  • Dominique Aerts

    (Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels 1060, Belgium
    Deceased 6 August 2017.)

Abstract

Background : Phthalates are chemicals which are widespread in the environment. Although the impacts on health of such exposure are unclear, there is evidence of a possible impact on the incidence of a diverse range of diseases. Monitoring of human exposure to phthalates is therefore important. This study aimed to determine the extent of phthalate exposure among mothers and their children in both rural and urban areas in Ireland, and to identify factors associated with elevated concentrations. It formed part of the ‘Demonstration of a study to Co-ordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale’ (DEMOCOPHES) pilot biomonitoring study. Methods : the concentration of phthalate metabolites were determined from a convenience sample of 120 mother/child pairs. The median age of the children was 8 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information regarding lifestyle and environmental conditions of the children and mothers. Rigorous quality assurance within DEMOCOPHES guaranteed the accuracy and international comparability of results. Results : Phthalate metabolites were detected in all of the samples from both children and mothers. Concentrations were significantly higher in respondents from families with lower educational attainment and in those exposed to such items as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fast food and personal care products (PCP). Conclusions : The study demonstrates that human biomonitoring for assessing exposure to phthalates can be undertaken in Ireland and that the exposure of the population is widespread. Further work will be necessary before the consequences of this exposure are understood.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Cullen & David Evans & Chris Griffin & Padraig Burke & Rory Mannion & Damien Burns & Andrew Flanagan & Ann Kellegher & Greet Schoeters & Eva Govarts & Pierre Biot & Ludwine Casteleyn & Argel, 2017. "Urinary Phthalate Concentrations in Mothers and Their Children in Ireland: Results of the DEMOCOPHES Human Biomonitoring Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:12:p:1456-:d:120362
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    Cited by:

    1. Rose O. Sulentic & Irina Dumitrascu & Nicole C. Deziel & Anca E. Gurzau, 2018. "Phthalate Exposure from Drinking Water in Romanian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, September.

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