Prenatal phthalate exposure reduction through an integrated intervention strategy.

Wei Wu,Ping Wu,Guan-Wei Ma,Shu-Yu Feng,Ying-Ying He,Ting-Ting Zheng,Liu Cao

doi:10.1007/s11356-021-14613-y

Abstract

Pregnancy represents a sensitive susceptibility window to phthalate esters (PAEs). In this study, we develop an intervention strategy for reducing the exposure of pregnant women to phthalates. Thirty-five pregnant women, who initially underwent maternity examination, were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal prospective prenatal cohort study. The intervention strategy integrates diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Participants were encouraged to modify their behaviors and habits according to the intervention strategy at three different periods. Urine samples were collected from the participants after antenatal examination every month, for 8 months, to measure ten PAE metabolites. Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) declined significantly after the 1st intervention, while mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and mono-methyl phthalate (MMP) noticeably decreased after the 2nd intervention. The sum of the molar concentrations of MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP, and MECPP reduced by 20 to 40% during subsequent intervention. In addition, the sum of the molar concentrations of MEP, MnBP, MMP, and MiBP as well as the sum of the molar concentrations of the ten metabolites also reduced. Our findings suggest that intervention through written recommendations can effectively reduce the burden of phthalates during pregnancy.

Highlights

Phthalate esters (PAEs), the diesters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, represent a class of synthetic chemicals widely employed in manufacturing processes (Wang et al, 2016)
The sum of the molar concentrations of mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), MEHHP, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) reduced by 20% to 40% during subsequent intervention
The intervention strategy used for the participants involved three periods of written recommendations

Summary

Introduction

Phthalate esters (PAEs), the diesters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, represent a class of synthetic chemicals widely employed in manufacturing processes (Wang et al, 2016). High molecular weight phthalates (HMWPs; ≥250 Da, such as di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), are primarily utilized as softeners in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Considering that phthalate plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC, for instance, these can leach, migrate, or evaporate to indoor air and the atmosphere, food, and other materials (Wu et al, 2018a). Humans are threatened by these chemicals through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure during their lifetime, including intrauterine development (Radke et al, 2019). Prenventing exposure to phthalates in daily life is important, especially for pregnant women, who are more susceptible to endocrine-disrupting chemicals

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Conclusion