Intake of phthalate-tainted foods and microalbuminuria in children: The 2011 Taiwan food scandal. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsai, Hui-Ju; Chen, Bai-Hsiun; Wu, Chia-Fang; Wang, Shu-Li; Huang, Po-Chin; Tsai, Yi-Chun; Chen, Mei-Lien; Ho, Chi-Kung; Hsiung, Chao A.; Wu, Ming-Tsang
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 89/90(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: ACR albumin/creatinine ratio -- ALT alanine aminotransferase -- AST aspartate aminotransferase -- BMI body mass index -- BUN blood urea nitrogen -- DBP diastolic blood pressure -- DEHP di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- DDI daily DEHP intake -- DINP di-isononyl phthalate -- E2 estradiol -- EDCs endocrine-disrupting chemicals -- EFSA European Food Safety Authority -- HbA1c glycated hemoglobin -- HDL high-density lipoprotein -- HOMA homeostatic model assessment -- IQR interquartile range -- KBOH Bureau of Health of Kaohsiung City -- KMUH Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital -- LC-ESI-MS/MS liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry -- LDL low-density lipoprotein -- MBzP mono-benzyl phthalate -- MDL method of detection limit -- MEHHP mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate -- MEHP mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- MEOHP mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate -- MEP mono-ethyl phthalate -- MHWHs Ministry of Health and Welfare Hospitals -- MMP mono-methyl phthalate -- MiBP mono-isobutyl phthalate -- MiNP monoisononyl phthalate -- MnBP mono-n-butyl phthalate -- NAG N-acetyl β-d-glucosaminidase -- NHANES National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey -- NHRI National Health Research Institutes -- OR odd ratio -- RIA radioimmunoassay -- SBP systolic blood pressure -- SD standard deviation -- SPE solid phase extraction -- TDI tolerable daily intake -- TDOH Taiwan Department of Health -- TFDA Taiwan Food and Drug Administration -- TG triglyceride -- TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone -- USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Children -- Food scandal -- di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- DEHP -- Microalbuminuria -- Phthalates; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A major threat to public health involving phthalate-tainted foodstuffs occurred in Taiwan in 2011. Phthalates, mainly di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were intentionally added to several categories of food commonly consumed by children. This study investigated the relationship between intake of the phthalate-tainted foods and renal function in children. Methods: Children aged ≤ 10 years with possible phthalate exposure were enrolled in this study between August 2012 and January 2013. Questionnaires were used to collect details of exposure to phthalate-tainted foodstuffs, and blood and urine samples were collected for clinical biochemical workup. The clinical biomarkers of renal injury, including urinary microalbumin, N-acetyl-beta-d -glucosaminidase (NAG), and β2-microglobulin were measured. Exposure was categorized based on recommended tolerable daily intake level defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (0.02 mg/kg/day) and the European Food Safety Authority (0.05 mg/kg/day). Results: We analyzed intake and renal function of 184 children whose intake of DEHP-tainted foods was known. Higher DEHP exposure to DEHP-tainted foods was significantly associated with increase of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Children in the high-exposed group (daily DEHP intake (DDI) > 0.05 mg/kg/day) had 10.395 times the risk of microalbuminuria than the low-exposed group (DDI ≤ 0.02 and > 0 mg/kg/day) and no-exposed group combined after adjustment (95% CI = 1.096–98.580, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Intake of DEHP from phthalate-tainted foods may be a potential risk factor for microalbuminuria, a marker of glomerular injury in children. Highlights: A major health threat from phthalate-tainted foodstuffs occurred in Taiwan in 2011. DEHP-tainted food intake increases the excretion of urinary ACR in children. DEHP-tainted food intake may increase the risk of microalbuminuria.