Determination of parabens and benzophenone-type UV filters in human placenta. First description of the existence of benzyl paraben and benzophenone-4

• Published in: Environment international 2016-03, Vol.88, p.243-249
• Main Authors: Valle-Sistac, Jennifer, Molins-Delgado, Daniel, Díaz, Marta, Ibáñez, Lourdes, Barceló, Damià, Silvia Díaz-Cruz, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzophenones - metabolism; Bioaccumulation; Chromatography, Liquid; Endocrine disruptors; Endocrine Disruptors - metabolism; Female; Human exposure; Humans; Parabens; Parabens - metabolism; Placenta; Placenta - chemistry; Pregnancy; Spain; Sunscreening Agents - metabolism; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; UV filters
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.034

UV filters and parabens (PBs) are chemicals used in daily personal care and hygiene products to protect materials and humans from the adverse effects of UV radiation and to preserve the integrity of the formulation, respectively. Several studies highlight their widespread environmental occurrence and endocrine disrupting effects. However, little is known about human exposure to these compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the exposure of human embryos and foetuses to endocrine disrupting UV filters and PBs. Placentas from volunteer mothers in Barcelona were collected at delivery after informed, written consent by the pregnant women. UV filters and parabens were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The excellent performance of the method allowed measuring the target compounds in human placental tissue at low ng/g fresh weight level. The detection frequency of the selected compounds was in the range 17–100%. Benzophenone-1, methyl paraben, butyl paraben and benzyl paraben were detected in all samples. The highest measured concentration corresponded to methyl paraben, 11.77ng/g fresh weight. Reported concentrations of benzophenone-4 and benzyl paraben constitute the first evidence about their accumulation in placenta. The results obtained corroborate that foetuses are exposed to a wide diversity of UV filters and PBs via the placenta. •Endocrine disrupting parabens and UV filters accumulate in human placenta.•BP4 and BzPB data constitute the first evidence of their accumulation in placenta.•Parabens are more frequently detected and at higher concentration than UV filters.•Parabens and UV filters in placenta suggest potential mother-foetus transfer.