Exposure to phthalates in house dust and associated allergies in children aged 6–12years

• Published in: Environment international 2016-11, Vol.96, p.16-23
• Main Authors: Ait Bamai, Yu, Araki, Atsuko, Kawai, Toshio, Tsuboi, Tazuru, Saito, Ikue, Yoshioka, Eiji, Cong, Shi, Kishi, Reiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergy; Child; Daily intake; Dermatitis, Atopic - epidemiology; Dermatitis, Atopic - etiology; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Dust - analysis; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Pollutants - adverse effects; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental Pollutants - immunology; Female; Floors and Floorcoverings; House dust; Household Products; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Nose; Parents; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - immunology; Phthalic Acids - urine; Plasticizers; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - etiology; Respiratory Sounds; Urinary metabolites
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.08.025

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in household products. Several studies have reported an association between phthalate exposure and an increased risk of allergies. The present study estimated phthalate exposure in children aged 6–12years and assessed potential correlations with allergies. House dust samples were collected from floors and multi-surface objects >35cm above the floor. Urine samples were collected from the first morning void of the day. Daily phthalate intake (DIdust and DI) was estimated using both house dust and urinary metabolite concentrations. Exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in floor dust was associated with parental-reported rhino-conjunctivitis. After stratification by gender, this trend was found to only occur in boys. Furthermore, urinary mono-isobutyl phthalate was inversely associated with parental-reported wheeze in boys. DIdust of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) and DEHP were significantly correlated with DI_BBzP and DI_DEHP, respectively. These correlations were stronger with floor than with multi-surface dust. Our results suggest that, among Japanese children, house dust from low surfaces, such as living room floors, might play a meaningful role in the indoor environmental exposure pathway for BBzP and DEHP. •There is an association between phthalate exposure and an increased risk of allergies.•We estimated phthalate intake from urinary metabolite and house dust levels.•Dust from floors may be an important source of indoor exposure to DEHP and BBzP.•Phthalate intake via dust ingestion seems more strongly related to health than total intake.