Ultra violet filters in the urine of preschool children and drinking water. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Na; Ho, Wingkei; Wu, Rudolf Shiu Sun; Tsang, Eric P.K.; Ying, Guang-Guo; Deng, Wen-Jing
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 133(2019)Part B
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: UV-filters -- Urine -- Children -- Drinking water; 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.2019.105246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Graphical abstract: BP type UV-fillters and other four widely used UV-fillters are ubiquitous in the child urinary samples (4–6 years, n=53), tap water and commercial distilled water in Hong Kong. BP1, BP2, BP3 and BP4 in children urine samples contributed closely to the overall children exposure of UV filters. As a contrast, BP3 was the major substance found in the tap water and distilled bottle water. There were some significant relationships between urinary UV filters and personal characteristics (BMI values, sex, income level, hand washing frequency, and body location usage). Only 2 children applied sun creams in this research, indicating that there were other sources to exposure these chemicals. Highlights: UV-fillters are ubiquitous in the child urine and drinking water in Hong Kong; BP1, BP2, BP3 and BP4 contributed closely to the overall children exposure of UV filters; BP3 was the major substance found in the tap water and distilled bottle water; There were other sources to exposure these chemicals except suncreams. Abstract: Benzophenones (BPs) and other ultra violet (UV) filters (UV-filters) are widely used in sunblock and other personal care products, raising concerns about their adverse health risks to human, especially for children. In the present study, BP-type UV-filters and other four widely used UV-filters were evaluated in the child urinary samples (4–6 years, n = 53), tap water and commercial distilled water in Hong Kong. The results suggested that the target chemicals are ubiquitous in the subject. BP1, BP2, BP3 and BP4 in children urine samples contributed closely to the overall children exposure of UV filters, with detection rates above 58% and geometric means ranging from 44.2 to 76.7 ng/mL. As a contrast, BP3 was the major substance found in the tap water and distilled bottle water, with detection rates of 100% and geometric means of 9.64 and 14.5 ng/L, respectively. There were some significant relationships between urinary UV filters and personal characteristics (BMI values, sex, income level, hand washing frequency, and body location usage), but the health risks associated with UV-filters in Hong Kong children might not be concerning. Only two children applied sun creams in this research, indicating that there were other sources to exposure these chemicals.