Occupational phthalate exposure and health outcomes among hairdressing apprentices

Abstract

<jats:p> We studied occupational exposure to phthalates from first-morning-void urine sample of hairdressing apprentices by HPLC-MS/MS analyses and association with health status. Metabolites of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono- n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP) were detected in all urine samples, followed by metabolites mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono(2-etylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) occurring in 97.06% and 86.76% of samples, respectively. Positive associations for females were observed between MnBP and fat-free mass index (FFMI) and age; negative associations were found between MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP, sum of MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP and vital capacity and also between MEHP and forced vital capacity (FVC of predicted value (PV)). Lengths of exposure were associated to MnBP, MEHHP, and MEP. We also documented positive associations between anthropometry (body mass index, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), FFMI, fat mass index) and pulmonary function FVC% of PV for females and negative associations between WHtR, waist-to-hip ratio, FFMI and ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub>) to FVC (FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub>/FVC). We assume that factors of occupational environment of hairdressing apprentices are affected by phthalates and resulted in negative outcomes in breathing mechanism and influence of body composition. Adipose tissue could play role as confounding factor in urine excretion of phthalates because of their lipid solubility and accumulation. </jats:p>

Phthalates Exposure and Occupational Symptoms among Slovakian Hairdressing Apprentices

“…The results of this study confirm and extend observations on health issues related to phthalate exposure in hairdressing apprentices, mentioned in our previous study focused on hairdressing occupational exposure [12] from Nitra and Levice region, Slovakia.…”

“…We documented self-rated perception of health problems as follows: Pneumonia (28.4%), allergy (28.4%), low blood pressure (2.7%), asthma (1.4%), hand eczema (1.4%), epilepsy (1.4%), high blood pressure (1.4%), psoriasis (1.4%), osteoporosis (1.4%), and thyroid disease (1.4%). Perceived self-rated general health problems in our cohort confirmed mucosal irritations and cardiovascular symptoms, in agreement with the findings of others [12,34,35,[43][44][45]. We identified potential skin and mucous membrane irritation (sneezing-24%, itching-12%, cough-7%, breathlessness-4%), most often related to permanent waving (45.9%) or use of hair spray (17.6%).…”

“…Due to extensive use as plasticizers in numerous consumer products [1], phthalate esters (esters of phthalic acid) have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants [2]. Various routes of exposure to phthalates were observed depending on occupational and lifestyle habits and on sociodemographic factors such as diet [3][4][5][6][7][8], inhalation [9][10][11][12], and dermal contact [13] because of lack of their covalent binding in compounds [14]. Hairdressing is one of the most rapidly developing branches of the service industry in Europe which brings about new risks.…”

“…As a result, hairdressers are frequently occupationally exposed to phthalates contained in beauty products [20,21]. Health complications that affected various mucosal surfaces and oral and skin lesions, either independently or concurrently, have been significantly increased in the hairdressing apprentices [12,[22][23][24]. Dysfunction of pulmonary, immune, and other systems [10,[25][26][27] have been among various potential health impacts often ascribed to these exposures.…”

“…Although most patients with occupational asthma are mature adults, there is evidence that the inflammation of airways started soon after early exposures in hairdressing apprenticeship [32,33]. Associations with other respiratory diseases and symptoms were also reported [12,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Concerning outcomes of such exposures, as a possible mechanistic link to airway diseases, the modulatory effects on peroxisome proliferation activated receptors (PPAR) have been suggested [2].…”