Phthalate exposure and pulmonary function.

Abstract

Exposure to phthalates is widespread because of their use in plastics, cosmetics, and other consumer products. Phthalate exposure has been associated with adverse respiratory outcomes in children. With urinary phthalate measures, we assessed the association between phthalate exposure and four pulmonary function parameters [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum mid-expiratory flow] among the 240 adult Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) participants with urinary phthalate data. Linear regression models controlled for race, age, age squared, standing height, body mass index, cumulative smoking, and current smoking. Monobutyl phthalate (MBP) was significantly associated with decrements in three measures of pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, PEF) in males but not in females. For a change from the 25th to the 75th percentile in MBP level among men, FEV1 decreased 112 mL (SE = 51, p = 0.03). Monoethyl phthalate (MEP) was associated with lower FVC and FEV1 values in men. Monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), the metabolite of the plasticizer commonly used in medical tubing, was not adversely associated with any of the pulmonary function parameters evaluated. Our results suggest that MBP and MEP, but not MEHP, may influence pulmonary function among adult males.

Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes

“…These findings have not been replicated, but several authors have suggested that PVC medical tubing may be a likely source of respiratory health effects in young neonates (Hill et al 2001(Hill et al , 2003Tickner et al 2001). One study of adults found an inverse relationship between urinary MEP and MBP and pulmonary function (Hoppin et al 2004), but because urine markers reflect all routes of exposure and may not be a good measure of inhaled phthalate concentrations, it is difficult to interpret these results. Given these findings, further research needs to examine route-or target-specific phthalate biomarkers of exposure and potential pathophysiologic changes relating to the development of allergic and asthmatic diseases and pulmonary function in children.…”

Contamination and remediation of phthalic acid esters in agricultural soils in China: a review

“…Diethylhexyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate have hepatic and renal effects at high doses and cause hepatocellular carcinoma, anovulation, and decreased fetal growth (Hauser and Calafat, 2005). There are also some effects in relation to phthalate exposure on respiratory function, metabolism, and thyroid function of humans (Hoppin et al 2004;Stahlhut et al 2007;Meeker et al 2007). …”

Estimated daily intake of phthalates in occupationally exposed groups

“…Sources of phthalate exposure include the workplace, diet, off-the-job activities, personal care products, and other home or environmental sources. Phthalates have been evaluated as possible reproductive and developmental toxicants in animals and humans (Hauser and Calafat, 2005;Latini, 2005;Heudorf et al, 2007;Matsumoto et al, 2008) and may also have a function in respiratory disease (Bornehag et al, 2004;Hoppin et al, 2004;Jaakkola and Knight, 2008;Kolarik et al, 2008).…”