P I – 2–2 Demographic and dietary risk factors in relation to urinary metabolites of organophosphate flame retardants in toddlers

Abstract

Background/aim Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are increasingly used in consumer products and are widely detected in adults. Carcinogenicity and damage to immunologic, neurologic and developmental systems are observed in human cell lines along with reproductive changes in adult males. Young children are vulnerable to OPFR exposure, but little is known about children’s exposure levels or risk factors. Methods We examined parent-reported demographic and dietary survey data in relation to urinary metabolite concentrations of three OPFRs [Tris (1,3-dichloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (ITP)] in 15- to 18 month old toddlers (n=41) residing in Seattle, Washington State, USA. Urinary metabolite concentrations were log 10 -transformed and adjusted for urinary specific gravity. Multiple linear regression, adjusting for lab, annual maternal income, and child sex, was used to evaluate associations between metabolite concentrations and demographic and dietary predictors. Results OPFR metabolites were detected in 100% of subjects. The metabolite of TPP, diphenyl phosphate (DPP) was detected most commonly (100%), with TDCPP metabolite, bis (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), detected in 85%–95% of samples, and ITP metabolite, monoisopropylphenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-DPP), detected in 81% of samples (n=21). Toddlers of mothers earning $10,000/year (7.8 ng/mL, 95% CI: 5.03 to 12.11 and 4.69 ng/mL, 95% CI: 3.65 to 6.04, respectively). Conclusion Our study confirmed ubiquity of OPFR exposure in toddlers. Very low maternal income was a significant predictor of OPFR metabolite concentrations. While no dietary factors were significantly associated with exposure levels, results suggested meat and fish consumption may be associated with higher OPFR levels while increased dairy and fresh food consumption may be associated with lower OPFR levels.