-
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2018Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds used as plasticizers in the manufacture of plastic materials. They can be present in many commonly used products. There...
Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds used as plasticizers in the manufacture of plastic materials. They can be present in many commonly used products. There seems to be a relationship between exposure to phthalates and the occurrence of metabolic dysfunctions, such as a decrease in glucose tolerance, oxidative stress, loss of beta cells, and a decrease in insulin synthesis. As beta cells play a key role in the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), we sought to investigate the relationship between exposure to phthalates and the diagnosis of T1DM in prepubertal children. Design concentrations of phthalate metabolites were compared in the urine of a population of prepubertal children with new-onset diabetes, patients with T1DM diagnosed more than 6 months previously, and healthy control children. Although the concentrations of DBP and DiBP metabolites were statistically identical in the new-onset diabetes, diabetes, and control groups, there was a clear trend for higher levels of DiBP metabolites in the children with new-onset diabetes. In our sample, there was a trend for higher levels of DiBP metabolites in children with new-onset diabetes.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Humans; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Oxidative Stress; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Plastics
PubMed: 29680886
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1997-z -
Environment International Nov 2023The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to...
BACKGROUND
The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to exposure to plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals or particles and it is unclear how many of these have been investigated for effects in humans, and therefore what the knowledge gaps are.
OBJECTIVE
To create a systematic evidence map of peer-reviewed human studies investigating the potential effects of exposure to plastic-associated particles/chemicals on health to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and regulation policy.
METHODS
Medline and Embase databases were used to identify peer-reviewed primary human studies published in English from Jan 1960 - Jan 2022 that investigated relationships between exposures to included plastic-associated particles/chemicals measured and detected in bio-samples and human health outcomes. Plastic-associated particles/chemicals included are: micro and nanoplastics, due to their widespread occurrence and potential for human exposure; polymers, the main building blocks of plastic; plasticizers and flame retardants, the two most common types of plastic additives with the highest concentration ranges in plastic materials; and bisphenols and per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, two chemical classes of known health concern that are common in plastics. We extracted metadata on the population and study characteristics (country, intergenerational, sex, age, general/special exposure risk status, study design), exposure (plastic-associated particle/chemical, multiple exposures), and health outcome measures (biochemical, physiological, and/or clinical), from which we produced the interactive database 'Plastic Health Map' and a narrative summary.
RESULTS
We identified 100,949 unique articles, of which 3,587 met our inclusion criteria and were used to create a systematic evidence map. The Plastic Health Map with extracted metadata from included studies are freely available at https://osf.io/fhw7d/ and summary tables, plots and overall observations are included in this report.
CONCLUSIONS
We present the first evidence map compiling human health research on a wide range of plastic-associated chemicals from several different chemical classes, in order to provide stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, and concerned individuals, with an efficient way to access published literature on the matter and determine knowledge gaps. We also provide examples of data clusters to facilitate systematic reviews and research gaps to help direct future research efforts. Extensive gaps are identified in the breadth of populations, exposures and outcomes addressed in studies of potential human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals. No studies of the human health effects of micro and/or nanoplastics were found, and no studies were found for 26/1,202 additives included in our search that are of known hazard concern and confirmed to be in active production. Few studies have addressed recent "substitution" chemicals for restricted additives such as organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, and bisphenol analogues. We call for a paradigm shift in chemical regulation whereby new plastic chemicals are rigorously tested for safety before being introduced in consumer products, with ongoing post-introduction biomonitoring of their levels in humans and health effects throughout individuals' life span, including in old age and across generations.
Topics: Humans; Flame Retardants; Microplastics; Plasticizers
PubMed: 37948868
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108225 -
Biological Research 2012Bisphenol A [2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane] (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and its metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) are... (Review)
Review
Bisphenol A [2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane] (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and its metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) are chemicals found in plastics, which act as endocrine disruptors (EDs) in animals, including human. EDs act like hormones in the endocrine system, and disrupt the physiologic function of endogenous hormones. Most people are exposed to different endocrine disruptors and concern has been raised about their true effect on reproductive organs. In the testis, they seem to preferentially attack developing testis during puberty rather than adult organs. However, the lack of information about the molecular mechanism, and the apparently controversial effect observed in different models has hampered the understanding of their effects on mammalian spermatogenesis. In this review, we critically discuss the available information regarding the effect of BPA, NP and DEHP/ MEHP upon mammalian spermatogenesis, a major target of EDs. Germ cell sloughing, disruption of the blood-testis-barrier and germ cell apoptosis are the most common effects reported in the available literature. We propose a model at the molecular level to explain the effects at the cellular level, mainly focused on germ cell apoptosis.
Topics: Air Pollutants, Occupational; Animals; Apoptosis; Benzhydryl Compounds; Endocrine Disruptors; Germ Cells; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Phenols; Plasticizers; Spermatogenesis; Testis
PubMed: 22688978
DOI: 10.4067/S0716-97602012000100001 -
Environment International Mar 2023Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and its substitute 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH) are widely used as plasticizers but may have adverse...
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and its substitute 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH) are widely used as plasticizers but may have adverse health effects. Via hydrolysis of one of the two ester bonds in the human body, DEHP and DINCH form the monoesters MEHP and MINCH, respectively. Previous studies demonstrated binding of these metabolites to PPARγ and the induction of adipogenesis via this pathway. Detailed structural understanding of how these metabolites interact with PPARγ and thereby affect human health is lacking until now. We therefore characterized the binding modes of MINCH and MEHP to the ligand binding domain of PPARγ by X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Both compounds bind to the activating function-2 (AF-2) binding site via an interaction of the free carboxylates with the histidines 323 and 449, tyrosine 473 and serine 289. The alkyl chains form hydrophobic interactions with the tunnel next to cysteine 285. These binding modes are generally stable as demonstrated by the MD simulations and they resemble the complexation of fatty acids and their metabolites to the AF-2 site of PPARγ. Similar to the situation for these natural PPARγ agonists, the interaction of the free carboxylate groups of MEHP and MINCH with tyrosine 473 and surrounding residues stabilizes the AF-2 helix in the upward conformation. This state promotes binding of coactivator proteins and thus formation of the active complex for transcription of the specific target genes. Moreover, a comparison of the residues involved in binding of the plasticizer metabolites in vertebrate PPARγ orthologs shows that these compounds likely have similar effects in other species.
Topics: Humans; Plasticizers; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; PPAR gamma; Furylfuramide; Phthalic Acids
PubMed: 36841188
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107822 -
Journal of Insect Physiology Sep 2023Environmental plastic pollution has significantly increased in the recent decades, and severely impacts economies, human and biodiversity health. Plastics are made of...
Environmental plastic pollution has significantly increased in the recent decades, and severely impacts economies, human and biodiversity health. Plastics are made of several chemical additives, including bisphenol and phthalate plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA) and Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). In some animal species, both BPA and DEHP are known as endocrine disruptor compounds, and can alter physiological and metabolic homeostasis, reproduction, development and/or behavior. To date, the impacts of BPA and DEHP have mainly focused on vertebrates, and to a lesser extent, on aquatic invertebrates. Yet, the few studies which examined the effects of DEHP on terrestrial insects also revealed the impacts this pollutant can have on development, hormone titrations, and metabolic profiles. In particular, it has been hypothesized in the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis that the observed metabolic alterations could result from the energetic costs necessary for DEHP detoxification or to the dysregulation of hormonally-controlled enzymatic activities. To get additional insights into the physiological effects of bisphenol and phthalate plasticizers on the moth S. littoralis, larvae were fed with food contaminated by BPA, DEHP, or the mixture of both compounds. Then, activities of four glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase, phosphoglucose isomerase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase were measured. BPA and/or DEHP had no effects on the activities of phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase. Conversely, BPA-contaminated larvae were characterized by a 1.9-fold increase in phosphoglucose isomerase activity, and BPA + DEHP-fed larvae had highly variable hexokinase activity. Overall, since no disruption of glycolytic enzyme was observed in DEHP-contaminated larvae, our work tended to demonstrate that exposure to bisphenol and DEHP increased the amount of oxidative stress experienced.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Plasticizers; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Spodoptera; Moths; Pyruvate Kinase; Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase; Hexokinase; Larva; Phosphofructokinases
PubMed: 37380125
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104533 -
Environment International Oct 2023Organophosphate esters (OPEs), used as flame retardants and plasticizers, are chemicals of concern for maternal and infant health. Prior studies examining temporal...
BACKGROUND
Organophosphate esters (OPEs), used as flame retardants and plasticizers, are chemicals of concern for maternal and infant health. Prior studies examining temporal trends and predictors of OPE exposure are primarily limited by small sample sizes.
OBJECTIVES
Characterize temporal trends and predictors of OPE exposure biomarkers.
METHODS
We determined urinary concentrations of eight biomarkers of OPE exposure at three timepoints during pregnancy for participants in the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study (n = 900), a nested case-cohort recruited between 2007 and 2018. We examined biomarker concentrations, their variability during pregnancy, and temporal trends over the study period. In addition, we identified sociodemographic and pregnancy characteristics associated with biomarker concentrations. Analyses were conducted using both the within-subject pregnancy geometric means and biomarker concentrations measured at individual study visits.
RESULTS
Five OPE biomarkers were detected in at least 60% of the study participants. Biomarkers were not strongly correlated with one another and intraclass correlation coefficients, measuring within-subject variability during pregnancy, ranged from 0.27 to 0.51. Biomarkers exhibited varying temporal trends across study years. For example, bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) increased monotonically, whereas bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), displayed non-monotonic trends with concentrations that peaked between 2011 and 2014. We observed associations between sociodemographic characteristics and OPE biomarkers. In general, concentrations of most OPE biomarkers were higher among participants from racial and ethnic minority populations, participants who were younger, had higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and less than a college degree. We observed consistent results using either averaged or visit-specific biomarker concentrations.
SIGNIFICANCE
We observed widespread exposure to several OPEs and OPE biomarkers displayed varying temporal trends in pregnant people from 2007 to 2018. Concentrations of most OPE biomarkers varied according to sociodemographic factors, suggesting higher burdens of exposure among participants with higher pre-pregnancy BMI, those belonging to racial and ethnic minority populations, and lower educational attainment.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Flame Retardants; Plasticizers; Ethnicity; Minority Groups; Esters; Organophosphates; Phosphates; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37708814
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108194 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2019From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45... (Review)
Review
From a global viewpoint, a lot of time is spent within the indoor air compartment of vehicles. A German study on mobility has revealed that, on average, people spend 45 minutes per day inside vehicles. In recent years the number of cars has increased to around 43 million vehicles in private households. This means that more than one car can be used in every household. The ratio has been growing, especially in eastern Germany and rural areas. "Overall and especially outside the cities, the car remains by far number one mode of transport, especially in terms of mileage". Therefore, numerous international studies have addressed different aspects of indoor air hygiene, in the past years. In this paper, meaningful original studies on car indoor air pollution, related to VOCs, COx, PMs, microbials, BFRs, OPFRs, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, high molecular weight plasticizer, and NOx are summarized in the form of a review. This present review aimed to summarize recently published studies in this important field of environmental medicine and points to the need for further studies with special recommendations for optimizing the interior air hygiene.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Automobiles; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Germany; Humans; Plasticizers
PubMed: 31323996
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132441 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Aug 2015Due to their versatility, robustness, and low production costs, plastics are used in a wide variety of applications. Plasticizers are mixed with polymers to increase... (Review)
Review
Due to their versatility, robustness, and low production costs, plastics are used in a wide variety of applications. Plasticizers are mixed with polymers to increase flexibility of plastics. However, plasticizers are not covalently bound to plastics, and thus leach from products into the environment. Several studies have reported that two common plasticizers, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, induce adverse health effects in vertebrates; however few studies have addressed their toxicity to non-mammalian species. The aim of this review is to compare the effects of plasticizers in animals, with a focus on aquatic species. In summary, we identified three main chains of events that occur in animals exposed to BPA and phthalates. Firstly, plasticizers affect development by altering both the thyroid hormone and growth hormone axes. Secondly, these chemicals interfere with reproduction by decreasing cholesterol transport through the mitochondrial membrane, leading to reduced steroidogenesis. Lastly, exposure to plasticizers leads to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the increase of fatty acid oxidation, and the reduction in the ability to cope with the augmented oxidative stress leading to reproductive organ malformations, reproductive defects, and decreased fertility.
Topics: Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Growth Hormone; Mammals; Models, Molecular; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Reproduction
PubMed: 25448254
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.11.003 -
Nephron 1987
Topics: Eosinophilia; Humans; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritonitis; Plasticizers
PubMed: 3600904
DOI: 10.1159/000184320 -
Environment International Oct 2020Indoor dust has been extensively used for assessment of indoor contamination, especially for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). In the present study, the...
Indoor dust has been extensively used for assessment of indoor contamination, especially for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). In the present study, the occurrence of four groups of SVOCs, i.e. organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), emerging PFRs (ePFRs), legacy phthalates (LPs), and alternative plasticizers (APs), was investigated in the indoor dust and air collected from floors, table surfaces, windows, and air conditioner (A/C) filters in bedrooms and offices in Guangzhou, South China. In bedrooms, A/C filter dust showed the highest median concentrations of PFRs (4670 ng/g) and ePFRs (586 ng/g), whilst the highest median concentrations of LPs and APs were found in floor (240,880 ng/g) and window dust (157,160 ng/g), respectively. In offices, A/C filter dust showed the highest median concentrations for PFRs (6750 ng/g) and APs (504,520 ng/g), while the highest ePFR median level was found in PC table dust (5810 ng/g) and LPs in floor dust (296,270 ng/g). Median air concentrations of PFRs, ePFRs, LPs, and APs were measured at 4.6, 0.12, 399, and 25 ng/m in bedrooms, and at 8.0, 0.05, 332, and 43 ng/m in offices, respectively. Tris(1-chloro-iso-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the predominant PFRs/ePFRs in both dust and air. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-iso-decyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DINP) were the main LP/AP compounds in dust, whilst di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP) were the most abundant LPs/APs in air. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between dust and air levels for chemicals with log K < 14, indicating that equilibrium was achieved for these chemicals but not for those with log K > 14. Among the investigated human exposure pathways (i.e. dust ingestion, dermal absorption, and air inhalation), dust ingestion was the predominant one for all chemicals. Human exposures of this magnitude to these chemicals through the investigated pathways was unlikely to present a health risk in the present study.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; China; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Flame Retardants; Humans; Organophosphorus Compounds; Plasticizers
PubMed: 32707272
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105972