A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Exposure to Phthalates in European Children, Adolescents and Adults since 2005: A Harmonized Approach Based on Existing HBM Data in the HBM4EU Initiative




AuthorsVogel Nina, Lange Rosa, Schmidt Phillipp, Rodriguez Martin Laura, Remy Sylvie, Springer Andrea, Puklová Vladimira, Černá Milena, Rudnai Péter, Középesy Szilvia, Janasik Beata, Ligocka Danuta, Fábelová Lucia, Kolena Branislav, Petrovicova Ida, Jajcaj Michal, Eštóková Milada, Esteban-Lopez Marta, Castaño Argelia, Tratnik Janja Snoj, Stajnko Anja, Knudsen Lisbeth E., Toppari Jorma, Main Katharina M., Juul Anders, Andersson Anna-Maria, Jørgensen Niels, Frederiksen Hanne, Thomsen Cathrine, Sakhi Amrit Kaur, Åkesson Agneta, Hartmann Christina, Dewolf Marie Christine, Koppen Gudrun, Biot Pierre, Den Hond Elly, Voorspoels Stefan, Gilles Liese, Govarts Eva, Murawski Aline, Gerofke Antje, Weber Till, Rüther Maria, Gutleb Arno C., Guignard Cedric, Berman Tamar, Koch Holger M., Kolossa-Gehring Marike

PublisherMDPI

Publication year2023

JournalToxics

Journal name in sourceToxics

Article number241

Volume11

Issue3

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030241

Web address https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/3/241

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179338955


Abstract

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers and are associated inter alia with adverse effects on reproductive functions. While more and more national programs in Europe have started monitoring internal exposure to phthalates and its substitute 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (DINCH), the comparability of results from such existing human biomonitoring (HBM) studies across Europe is challenging. They differ widely in time periods, study samples, degree of geographical coverage, design, analytical methodology, biomarker selection, and analytical quality assurance level. The HBM4EU initiative has gathered existing HBM data of 29 studies from participating countries, covering all European regions and Israel. The data were prepared and aggregated by a harmonized procedure with the aim to describe—as comparably as possible—the EU-wide general population’s internal exposure to phthalates from the years 2005 to 2019. Most data were available from Northern (up to 6 studies and up to 13 time points), Western (11; 19), and Eastern Europe (9; 12), e.g., allowing for the investigation of time patterns. While the bandwidth of exposure was generally similar, we still observed regional differences for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) with pronounced decreases over time in Northern and Western Europe, and to a lesser degree in Eastern Europe. Differences between age groups were visible for Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), where children (3 to 5-year olds and 6 to 11-year olds) had lower urinary concentrations than adolescents (12 to 19-year-olds), who in turn had lower urinary concentrations than adults (20 to 39-year-olds). This study is a step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries, although standardized data were not available, targeting European data sets harmonized with respect to data formatting and calculation of aggregated data (such as developed within HBM4EU), and highlights further suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.


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Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 21:48