Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/33983
Title: Biomarkers of phthalates and alternative plasticizers in the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV): Time trends and exposure assessment
Authors: Bastiaensen, Michiel
Gys, Celine
Colles, Ann
Malarvannan, Govindan
Verheyen, Veerle
Koppen, Gudrun
Govarts, Eva
BRUCKERS, Liesbeth 
Morrens, Bert
Franken, Carmen
Den Hond, Elly
Schoeters, Greet
Covaci, Adrian
Issue Date: 2021
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Source: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, 276 (Art N° 116724)
Abstract: Restrictions on the use of legacy phthalate esters (PEs) as plasticizer chemicals in several consumer products has led to the increased use of alternative plasticizers (APs), such as di-(iso-nonyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP). In the fourth cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHS IV, 2016-2020), we monitored exposure to seven PEs (diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP, di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP))and three APs (DINCH, DEHTP, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA)) by measuring multiple biomarkers in urine of 416 adolescents from Flanders, Belgium (14-15 years old). The reference values show that exposure to PEs is still widespread, although levels of several PE metabolites (e.g., sum of DEHP metabolites, mono-normal-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP)) have decreased significantly compared to previous human biomonitoring cycles (2003-2018). On the other hand, metabolites of DINCH and DEHTP were detected in practically every participant. Concentrations of AP exposure biomarkers in urine were generally lower than PE metabolites, but calculations of estimated daily intakes (EDIs) showed that exposure to DINCH and DEHTP can be considerable. However, preliminary risk assessment showed that none of the EDI or urinary exposure levels of APs exceeded the available health-based guidance values, while a very low number of participants had levels of MiBP and MnBP exceeding the HBM value. Several significant determinants of exposure could be identified from multiple regression models: the presence of building materials containing PVC, ventilation habits, socioeconomic status and season were all associated with PE and AP biomarker levels. Cumulatively, the results of FLEHS IV show that adolescents in Flanders, Belgium, are exposed to a wide range of plasticizer chemicals. Close monitoring over the last decade showed that the exposure levels of restricted PEs have decreased, while newer APs are now frequently detected in humans. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Notes: Covaci, A (corresponding author), Univ Antwerp, Toxicol Ctr, Univ Pl 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
adrian.covaci@uantwerpen.be
Other: Covaci, A (corresponding author), Univ Antwerp, Toxicol Ctr, Univ Pl 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium. adrian.covaci@uantwerpen.be
Keywords: Alternative plasticizers;PEs;Human biomonitoring;Estimated daily intake;Exposure biomarkers;Flanders
Document URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/33983
ISSN: 0269-7491
e-ISSN: 1873-6424
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116724
ISI #: WOS:000630774100056
Rights: 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Category: A1
Type: Journal Contribution
Validations: ecoom 2022
Appears in Collections:Research publications

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