Personal Care Productsʼ Use and Its Association with Urine Concentrations of Phthalate Metabolites

Abstract

ISEE-0235 Background and Objective: Sources of phthalates other than PVC related products are scarcely documented in Mexico. The aim of this study was to explore the association between urinary levels of nine phthalate metabolites and use of personal care products as well as other potential environmental sources. Methods: Subjects included 108 women who participated as controls in an ongoing population based case-control study of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility to Breast Cancer in northern Mexico. Direct interviews were performed to inquire about reproductive history, use of personal care products and diet. The following phthalate metabolites were measured in urine by HPLC-MS/MS at the CDC: monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate (MEOHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate (MEHHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP) and, mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP). Results: Detectable urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites varied from 75% (MEHP) to 100% (MEP, MBP, MEOHP, MEHHP, MECPP). Setting a cut off point of P < 0.05, linear regression models showed that anti-age creams' use was significantly associated with concentrations of MEP (β = 0.84) and MCPP (β = 0.51), perfume use significantly predicted increasing concentrations of MBP (β = 0.36) and MiBP (β = 0.5). MBzP concentration was related to the use of hair conditioner (β = 0.58) while DEHP metabolites concentrations were significantly associated to deodorant (MEHP β = 0.49) and body cream use (MECPP, MEHHP, β = 0.4 and 0.47). Bottled water consumption was associated to concentrations of MCPP, MEOHP, MEHHP and MECPP (β = 0.39, 0.39, 0.39 and 0.33 respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that using personal care products contributes to phthalates body burden. Further estimation of dermal and inhalation exposure by specific products is warranted. “The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”