Concentrations, Compound Profiles, and Possible Sources of Organic UV Filters in Human Milk in China

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are of great concern due to their wide occurrence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Little is known about human exposure to UV filters. A total of 3467 individual human milk samples from 24 Chinese provinces were collected during 2017–2019. The concentrations of 12 UV filters in 100 pooled milk samples were determined. The total UV filter concentration was 78–846 (mean 235 ± 120) ng/g lipid weight. The highest and lowest total mean concentrations were for samples from Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between UV radiation levels and UV concentrations in the samples. The dominant UV filters were 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), which contributed means of 32 and 22%, respectively, to the total concentrations. Plastic products and sunscreens were probably the sources of UV-P and EHMC in the human milk from China, respectively. The mean 2-(3,5-di-tert-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-328) concentration was 2.6 ± 2.6 ng/g lipid weight. The UV filter profiles were similar to profiles for samples from Japan, the Philippines, and Switzerland but not for samples from Korea and Vietnam. The estimated daily UV filter intake for breastfed infants was below the corresponding reference dose. This was the first large-scale study of UV filters in human milk and will help assess the risks posed.

Contamination of Baby Foods by Plastic Additives: A Pilot Screening Study

“…Previous studies have also reported higher risks of exposure to PAs through breast milk intake versus formulas as determined in our study. For example, the median total EDIs of PAEs, NPPs, OPEs, SAOs, and UVs for infants and toddlers via breastfeeding were reported to be 580–1050, 143–279, 300–540, 1560–2630, and 640–1150 ng (kg of body weight) −1 day –1 , respectively. Nevertheless, compared to the reference doses (RfDs) measured or predicted for individual PA compounds [i.e., 10000–8030000 ng (kg of body weight) −1 day –1 (Table S7)], the intake of PAs (with a detection frequency of >50%) via baby foods appeared to be 2–7 orders of magnitude lower, representing very low health risks (Table S7).…”

“…Seven groups of PAs, including PAEs, NPPs, OPEs, SAOs, UVs, BPs, and parabens, exhibited median total concentrations of 46.1, 52.7, 8.20, 8.15, 1.56, 0.51, and 0.04 ng/g, respectively. Compared with those of the major groups of PAs previously reported, concentrations of NPPs were generally higher than those in other foods or breast milk (median of 0.32–8.68 ng/g or ng/mL), , while OPEs and SAOs were generally comparable between our results and previous results (1.94–44.0 ng/g or ng/mL). ,,,, Other PAs, including PAEs, BPs, UVs, and parabens, were reported to exhibit higher levels (median of ≤480 ng/g or ng/mL) in food items or breast milk than our data in baby foods. − …”

Concentrations, Profiles, and Health Risks of Organic Ultraviolet Filters in Eight Food Categories Determined through the Sixth Chinese Total Diet Study

“…Organic UV filters have been detected in various environmental matrices, including air, 10 seawater, 11 sediment, 12 surface water, 13 wastewater, and river water, 14 and it has been found that UV filters can bioaccumulate and biomagnify. 15 High UV filter concentrations have been found in human milk from China, 16 but the pathways through which humans are exposed to UV ■ MATERIALS AND METHODS Chemicals and Reagents. Standards of BP-3 (99.6% pure), DTS (97.7%), EHMC (99.4%), EHS (99.4%), HMS (98.8%), OC (98.7%), UV-P (99.3%), UV-320 (99.13%), UV-326 (99.7%), UV-327 (99.88%), UV-328 (99.8%), UV-329 (99.5%), and UV-350 (95.2%) were purchased from Ehrenstorfer (Augsburg, Germany).…”

Embryonic Exposure to UV-328 Impairs the Cell Cycle in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) by Inhibiting the p38 MAPK/p53/Gadd45a Signaling Pathway

“…14−16 It has been also detected in biotas including fish species, 17−19 marine organisms, 20−24 bird tissues and eggs, 25,26 and human breast milk. 27,28 UV-328 was identified as the non-halogenated persistent organic pollutant (POP) candidate 29 in 2021 with increasing evidence of its persistence, long-range transport, bioaccumulation, and toxic effects.…”

“…It is widely used as an antioxidant in plastics, printing ink, surface coatings, food packaging, and personal care products, resulting in residues detected in various matrices. The reported concentration of UV-328 was up to 4.8 μg/L in surface water, − 24.7 μg/g dw in municipal sewage sludge, ,− 74 μg/g dw in sediment, − and 5300 pg/m 3 in indoor dust. − It has been also detected in biotas including fish species, − marine organisms, − bird tissues and eggs, , and human breast milk. , UV-328 was identified as the non-halogenated persistent organic pollutant (POP) candidate in 2021 with increasing evidence of its persistence, long-range transport, bioaccumulation, and toxic effects.…”