Urinary Concentrations of Triclosan, Benzophenone-3, and Bisphenol A in Taiwanese Children and Adolescents

Fu-Kuei Chang,Hsin-Jen Tsai,Jentaie Shiea

doi:10.3390/ijerph14121545

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of urinary triclosan (TCS), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), and bisphenol A (BPA) in 52 children and 71 adolescents. The effects of age and sex on the levels of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA were explored, respectively. Results demonstrated the overall detection rates of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA were 18.7%, 8.1%, and 49.6%, respectively. The females had higher TCS concentrations than males (p = 0.051). The detection rate of urinary BP-3 in females (12.3%) was higher than that in males (0%) (p = 0.015). Moreover, the detection rate of urinary BP-3 in adolescents (14.1%) was higher than that in children (0%) (p = 0.005). For children, no urinary BP-3 was found. There were no differences in detection rates and concentrations of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA between males and females, respectively. For adolescents, urinary BP-3 was only found in the females. Urinary TCS levels in females were higher than those in males (p = 0.047). The present study showed that urinary TCS concentrations in females were significantly higher than those in males, respectively. In addition, BP-3 was only detected in urine samples of female adolescents. Sex and age were the important factors influencing urinary TCS and BP-3 concentrations.

Highlights

Humans are potentially exposed to several phenolic chemicals in commonly used products that may cause endocrine-disrupting effects
The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of age and sex on the levels of urinary TCS, BP-3, and bisphenol A (BPA)
Triclosan (TCS), bisphenol A (BPA), and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) standards were all purchased from Sigma-Aldrich

Summary

Introduction

Humans are potentially exposed to several phenolic chemicals in commonly used products that may cause endocrine-disrupting effects. Triclosan (2,4,40 -trichloro-20 -hydroxy-diphenyl ether, (TCS) has been added to soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, deodorants, and cosmetics as a preservative and antiseptic agent [1,2]. Has been used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It can be found in water bottles, baby bottles, plastic dinnerware, dental sealants, and the linings of canned food containers [3,4,5]. Some thermal paper and polyvinyl chloride plastics can contain low levels of bisphenol A [6,7]. Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4methoxybenzophenone, (BP-3) is a common ingredient in sun-blocking agents and is commercially synthesized as a sunscreen for use in lotions, conditioners, and cosmetics [8,9]

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