Associations between prenatal maternal urinary concentrations of personal care product chemical biomarkers and childhood respiratory and allergic outcomes in the CHAMACOS study. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berger, Kimberly; Eskenazi, Brenda; Balmes, John; Holland, Nina; Calafat, Antonia M.; Harley, Kim G.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 121(2018)Part 1
• Page Start: 538
• Page End: 549
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Asthma -- Allergy -- Personal care products -- Phthalates -- Cytokines -- Chemical mixtures; 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.2018.09.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Personal care product chemicals may be contributing to risk for asthma and other atopic illnesses. The existing literature is conflicting, and many studies do not control for multiple chemical exposures. Methods: We quantified concentrations of three phthalate metabolites, three parabens, and four other phenols in urine collected twice during pregnancy from 392 women. We measured T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells in their children's blood at ages two, five, and seven, and assessed probable asthma, aeroallergies, eczema, and lung function at age seven. We conducted linear and logistic regressions, controlling for additional biomarkers measured in this population as selected by Bayesian Model Averaging. Results: The majority of comparisons showed null associations. Mono- n -butyl phthalate (MnBP) was associated with higher Th2% (RR: 10.40, 95% CI: 3.37, 17.92), and methyl paraben was associated with lower Th1% (RR: −3.35, 95% CI: −6.58, −0.02) and Th2% at borderline significance (RR: −4.45, 95% CI: −8.77, 0.08). Monoethyl phthalate was associated with lower forced expiratory flow from 25 to 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25–75% ) (RR: −3.22 L/s, 95% CI: −6.02, −0.34). Propyl paraben (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.99) was associated with decreased odds of probable asthma. Conclusions: While some biomarkers, particularly those from low molecular weight phthalates, were associated with an atopic cytokine profile and poorer lung function, no biomarkers were associated with a corresponding increase in atopic disease. Highlights: LMW phthalates were related to more Th2 producing cells and lower lung function. No biomarkers were associated with increased odds of asthma, allergies, or eczema. Methyl paraben was associated with fewer Th1 producing cells. Bayesian Model Averaging was used to control for multiple chemical exposure.