气相色谱法测定人血清中的邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和二异辛酯

[目的]了解2种最常见邻苯二甲酸酯类环境污染物邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(di-n-butyl phthalate,DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯[di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate,DEHP]在人血清中的含量水平.[方法]采用有机溶剂提取,高速离心去蛋白和低温浓缩的前处理技术,用气相色谱法(GC-FID)测定,并对测定结果用SAS 8.0做统计分析.[结果]337份人血清中DBP、DEHP的检出率分别为88.4%和90.2%,含量为未检出(ND)～0.89 mg/L、ND～5.34 mg/L,且DEHP的含量高于DBP的含量(z=-248,P(0.01).[结论]测定结果提示邻苯二甲酸酯类环境污染物已进入人血清,部分人体内有一定的污染负荷,应引起重视.     

邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯对小鼠子宫发育的毒性作用

目的 研究邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯[di- (2-ethylhcxyl)phthalate,DEHP]对未成年小鼠子宫发育的毒性作用.方法 将60只未成年(3周龄)清洁级ICR雌性小鼠随机分为4组,分别为对照(玉米油)组和低、中、高剂量DEHP染毒组(100、400、1600 mg/kg),每组15只.采用灌胃方式进行染毒,每天1次,每周5d,连续6周.测定小鼠子宫内膜及其上皮的厚度.结果 与对照组比较,中、高剂量DEHP染毒组小鼠子宫内膜上皮厚度显著下降,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);而各剂量DEHP染毒小鼠子官内膜厚度无显著改变.且随着DEHP染毒剂量的升高,小鼠子宫内膜上皮的厚度呈下降趋势.结论 在本实验条件下,DEHP染毒未成年雌性小鼠影响了子宫的发育,对子宫发育具有毒性作用.     

健康青年男性精液中4种邻苯二甲酸酯类物质的分布与精子活动度的关系

目的 了解男性精液中邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)4种邻苯二甲酸酯类(phthalate esters,PAEs)的暴露情况及与精子活动度的关系.方法 选择宁夏医科大学总医院生殖科体检的健康男性为研究对象,采用高效液相色谱法测定精液中的4种邻苯二甲酸酯类水平.结果 在172件精液样品中,DEP均未检出;DMP、DBP、DEHP的检出范围分别为未检出～0.56、未检出～9.95、未检出～0.85μg/L,中位数分别为未检出、1.24 μg/L、未检出,检出率分别为46％,94％,47％.3种PAEs暴露水平与各级精子百分率之间无显著相关性(P＞0.05).结论 在男性精液中检测出DMP、DBP、DEHP 3种PAEs,精液中DMP、DBP、DEHP的分布和精子活动度无相关性.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基已基)酯联合染毒对雌性大鼠的生殖毒性

目的 探讨邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(di-n-butyl phthalate,DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基已基)酯(di-2-ethylhexylphthalate,DEHP)联合染毒对雌性大鼠生育力的影响.方法 将32只健康成年清洁级雄性SD大鼠按2×2析因设计随机分为4组,分别为阴性对照(玉米油)组、DBP染毒组(1/20 LD50,1.0g/kg)、DEHP染毒组(1/20 LD50,1.7 g/kg)和DBP(1.0 g/kg)+DEHP(1.7 g/kg)染毒组,每组8只.采用灌胃方式进行染毒,染毒容量为5 ml/kg,每天1次,每周5 d,连续染毒8周.末次染毒24 h后,测量大鼠体重、肝脏、子宫和卵巢脏器湿重并计算脏器系数.测定血清中氧化损伤指标[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、还原性谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力]、子宫一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase;NOS)活力和血清中雌性激素[孕酮(P)、雌二醇(E2)、黄体生成素(LH)和促卵泡激素(FSH)]水平,并观察卵巢组织形态学改变和卵巢组织各级卵泡数目.结果 DBP和DEHP联合染毒对雌性大鼠体重增长、子宫系数、血清GSH-Px活力、LH和FSH水平无交互作用;可使卵巢的脏器系数、血清SOD活力、GSH含量、P、E2水平、子宫NOS活力降低,肝脏的脏器系数和闭锁卵泡构成比升高,交互作用均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);表现为协同作用.结论 DBP和DEHP联合染毒对雌性大鼠具有明显的生殖毒性作用.     

邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯青春前期暴露对雌性大鼠性激素水平及卵巢抗氧化系统的影响

目的研究邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate,DEHP)青春前期暴露对雌性大鼠性激素水平及卵巢氧化应激指标的影响。方法将40只健康3周龄SPF级雌性SD大鼠按体重随机分为5组,分别为对照(玉米油)组和0.5、5、50、500 mg/kg DEHP暴露组,每组8只。采用经口灌胃方式进行染毒,染毒容量为1 ml/kg,每天1次,连续染毒4周。测定雌性大鼠血清、睾丸氧化应激[丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)]指标以及血清、海马性激素[雌二醇、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)]水平。结果与对照组相比,500 mg/kg DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠卵巢MDA、ACP水平增加,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);而各剂量DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠卵巢SOD、CAT和AKP的水平均未见明显变化。各剂量DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠血清MDA、SOD、CAT、ACP和AKP的水平与对照组相比,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,仅0.5 mg/kg DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠海马雌二醇水平及5 mg/kg DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠血清雌二醇水平降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,仅500 mg/kg DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠血清LH水平升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而各剂量DEHP暴露组雌性大鼠血清FSH水平均未见明显变化。结论 DEHP青春前期暴露会导致雌性大鼠卵巢氧化应激损伤,并易引起青春期性激素分泌紊乱。     

城乡儿童血清中3种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的浓度

目的了解10～12岁城市和农村儿童血清中邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的含量。方法于2007年1月运用反相高效液相色谱分析法(RP-HPLC)测定36名10～12岁城市儿童和38名10～12岁农村儿童血清中3种邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物[邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯(DEHP)]含量。结果城市儿童血清中DEP、DBP、DEHP含量(中位数)分别为0.0026、0.0359、0.10625mg/L,农村儿童血清中DEP、DBP、DEHP含量(中位数)分别为0.0000、0.0406、0.05245mg/L。城市儿童血清中DEP和DEHP的含量高于农村儿童,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论该地区城市儿童血清中DEP和DEHP的含量水平高于农村儿童。     

正常儿童血清中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己酯水平的测定

目的检测正常儿童血清中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己酯(DEHP)水平。方法选择上海市正常儿童作为研究对象,用气相色谱检测其血清中DBP、DEHP含量,作正常儿童血清DBP、DEHP浓度分布,以及DBP、DEHP不同年龄和性别水平分析。结果 310例血样中,110例可检出DBP,118可检出DEHP,全部样品中DBP的浓度范围为未检出～0.98ng/ml,P75为0.68ng/ml,95%上限为0.75ng/ml,男女检出率无差别,检出率在不同年龄组间存在差别。全部样品中DEHP的浓度范围为未检出～0.94ng/ml,P75为0.67ng/ml,95%上限为0.74ng/ml,男女检出率无差别,检出率在不同年龄组间存在差别,婴儿组的检出率明显低于其他组。结论正常儿童的血清DBP、DEHP浓度较低,DBP低于0.75ng/ml,DEHP低于0.74ng/ml。     

塑料瓶装饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯的含量分析

[目的]了解塑料瓶装饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯类（phthalates）化合物的污染水平及其影响因素。[方法]随机购买市售49种不同品牌的饮料作为研究对象,采用气相色谱法检测饮料中的邻苯二甲酸酯含量。[结果]饮料中的邻苯S-甲酸二丁酯（di-butylphthalate,DBP）和邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯[di-（2-ethylhexyl）phthalate,DEHP]的检出率分别为98．O％和100．O％,平均含量分别为0．038mg／L和0．071mg／L,邻苯二甲酸二乙酯（di-ethyl phthalate,DEP）未检出;其中,茶饮料中DBP和DEHP的检出浓度范围分别为0—0．047mg／L和0．045—0．146mg／L;果汁饮料中DBP的最高检出浓度达0．127mg／L,DEHP的检出浓度范围为0．060～0．371mg／L;咖啡乳饮料中检出DBP和DEHP的最大值分别为0．081mg／L和0．089mg／L,最小值分别为0．032mg／L和0．033mg／L。果汁饮料和咖啡乳类饮料中DBP的含量均高于茶饮料（P=0．003和P=0．002）,果汁饮料中DEHP的含量高于茶饮料和咖啡乳类饮料（P=0．001和P=O．002）;拟合的线性回归模型结果显示,与茶饮料相比,果汁饮料和咖啡乳饮料中DBP浓度的对数值分别高出0．36个单位和0．50个单位;果汁饮料中DEHP浓度的对数值高于茶饮料0．47个单位,酸性组饮料中DEHP浓度的对数值比弱酸性组饮料高0．30个单位。[结论]塑料瓶装饮料中DBP、DEHP检出率均很高,不同种类饮料中其含量差异有统计学意义,饮料中邻苯二甲酸酯均在国家规定限值内;但在饮料种类和存储时间固定的条件下,饮料中DEHP含量水平随着pH值变小而增大。     

上海市女童血清中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己酯水平与性早熟关系研究

目的通过对上海市性早熟女童血清中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)和邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己酯(DEHP)水平变化研究,探讨DBP、DEHP与性早熟女童发病的关系。方法运用气相色谱法测定110例性早熟女童和100例正常儿童血清中DBP和DEHP的含量,同时运用B型超声仪测定性早熟女童与正常儿童的子宫与卵巢体积,然后做性早熟女童血清中DBP和DEHP含量水平与子宫、卵巢体积之间的相关性分析。结果27.3%和22.7%的性早熟女童血清中分别检测出DBP和DEHP,而正常儿童仅4%和3%分别检测出DBP和DEHP。从血清中DBP和DEHP的含量构成比来看,性早熟女童血清中DBP和DEHP的含量构成比均高于正常儿童;性早熟女童子宫、卵巢体积均大于正常儿童子宫、卵巢体积(P<0.05,P<0.05);性早熟女童血清中DBP与子宫呈正相关(r=0.456,P<0.05),与卵巢也呈正相关(r=0.378,P<0.01),性早熟女童血清中DEHP与子宫呈正相关(r=0.382,P<0.05,),与卵巢呈正相关(r=0.689,P<0.01)。结论性早熟女童受DBP和DEHP污染的程度均比正常儿童严重得多,而且DBP和DEHP对子宫、卵巢的体积有影响。     

低出生体重儿脐血及其母血中几种环境内分泌干扰物含量水平测定

目的 研究邻苯二甲酸酯类和表面活性剂类环境内分泌干扰物(EDs)在低出生体重儿脐血及其母血中的含量水平.方法 运用反相高效液相色谱分析法测定了21份母血和30份脐血中邻苯二甲酸酯类[邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己基酯(DEP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸-2-乙基己酯(DEHP)及其代谢物邻苯二甲酸单乙基己酯(MEHP)]和2种表面活性剂[辛基酚(OP)和壬基酚(4-NP)]的含量水平.结果 低出生体重儿的平均体重为(2158.48±125.06)g,出生身长为(45.36±2.52)cm.母血中DEP、MEHP、DBP、DEHP、4-NP和OP的浓度分别为18.90、11.8、7.67、8.84、1.51和2.86 mg/L;检出率分别为81.0%、81.0%、71.4%、81.0%、71.4%和57.1%.脐血中,DEP、MEHP、DBP、DEHP、4-NP和OP的浓度分别为11.92、9.94、5.71、5.20、1.12和1.19 mg/L;检出率分别为86.7%、63.3%、60.0%、63.3%、56.7%和66.7%.无论是在母血还是在脐血中,邻苯二甲酸酯类的含量和检出率均高于表面活性剂.代谢物MEHP含量高于原型DEHP.脐血中游离的各EDs含量分别占母血含量的47.82%～84.05%.结论 人从胚胎时期就暴露于环境内分泌干扰物.     

Association of Exposure to Phthalates with Endometriosis and Uterine Leiomyomata: Findings from NHANES, 1999–2004

Background

Phthalates are ubiquitous chemicals used in consumer products. Some phthalates are reproductive toxicants in experimental animals, but human data are limited.

Objective

We conducted a cross-sectional study of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in relation to self-reported history of endometriosis and uterine leiomyomata among 1,227 women 20–54 years of age from three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2004.

Methods

We examined four phthalate metabolites: mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP). From the last two NHANES cycles, we also examined mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP). We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Eighty-seven (7%) and 151 (12%) women reported diagnoses of endometriosis and leiomyomata, respectively. The ORs comparing the highest versus lowest three quartiles of urinary MBP were 1.36 (95% CI, 0.77–2.41) for endometriosis, 1.56 (95% CI, 0.93–2.61) for leiomyomata, and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.07–2.75) for both conditions combined. The corresponding ORs for MEHP were 0.44 (95% CI, 0.19–1.02) for endometriosis, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.35–1.12) for leiomyomata, and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.37–0.95) for both conditions combined. Findings for MEHHP and MEOHP agreed with findings for MEHP with respect to endometriosis only. We observed null associations for MEP and MBzP. Associations were similar when we excluded women diagnosed > 7 years before their NHANES evaluation.

Conclusion

The positive associations for MBP and inverse associations for MEHP in relation to endometriosis and leiomyomata warrant investigation in prospective studies.     

Urinary Phthalate Metabolite Concentrations and Diabetes among Women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008

Background: Previous studies have shown that women have higher urinary concentrations of several phthalate metabolites than do men, possibly because of a higher use of personal care products. Few studies have evaluated the association between phthalate metabolites, diabetes, and diabetes-related risk factors among women.Objective: We explored the association between urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and diabetes among women who participated in a cross-sectional study.Methods: We used urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites, analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and self-reported diabetes of 2,350 women between 20 and 79 years of age who participated in the NHANES (2001-2008). We used multiple logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and adjusted for urinary creatinine, sociodemographic characteristics, dietary factors, and body size. A secondary analysis was conducted for women who did not have diabetes to evaluate the association between phthalate metabolite concentrations and fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c.Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, women with higher levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), and three di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP) had an increased odds of diabetes compared with women with the lowest levels of these phthalates. Women in the highest quartile for MBzP and MiBP had almost twice the odds of diabetes [OR = 1.96 (95% CI: 1.11, 3.47) and OR = 1.95 (95% CI: 0.99, 3.85), respectively] compared with women in the lowest quartile. Nonmonotonic, positive associations were found for MnBP and ΣDEHP, whereas MCPP appeared to have a threshold effect. Certain phthalate metabolites were positively associated with FBG and insulin resistance.Discussion: Urinary levels of several phthalates were associated with prevalent diabetes. Future prospective studies are needed to further explore these associations to determine whether phthalate exposure can alter glucose metabolism and increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.     

广州市饮用水中双酚A及邻苯二甲酸酯的调查

目的了解广州市饮用水中双酚A、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯的污染现状。方法于2014年的枯水期(1—2月)、春季平水期(3—4月)、丰水期(5—8月)和秋季平水期(9—10月),采集广州市现有7家市政水厂的水源水、出厂水及管网末梢水各28份,采用液相色谱-质谱法(LC/MS)进行双酚A(BPA)、邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)含量的测定。结果水源水、出厂水和管网末梢水全部水样的DBP含量超标,出厂水和管网末梢水全部水样的BPA和DEP含量达标,水源水中BPA和DEP均有检出;水源水丰水期BPA含量低于枯水期(P0.05)和秋季平水期(P0.01),水源水丰水期DEP含量低于秋季平水期(P0.01);出厂水和管网末梢水中BPA含量均低于水源水(P0.01),管网末梢水中DEP含量高于水源水(P0.05),出厂水和管网末梢水中DBP含量均高于水源水(P0.01)。结论广州市饮用水中DBP的含量较高,应结合不同水处理工艺采取控制措施。     

Phthalate monoesters in association with uterine leiomyomata in Shanghai

Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental pollutants because of the broad use of plastics. We conducted a case-control study to determine whether uterine leiomyomata were related to exposure to phthalates. Urine specimens and questionnaires were collected from 61 cases and 61 age-matched controls. Nine phthalate monoesters were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectroscopy. Cases had significantly higher levels of creatinine-adjusted mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), total di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP_met), and total dibutyl phthalate metabolites (∑DBP_met) than controls. After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analyses demonstrated that leiomyomata were positively associated with MiBP, MnBP, MEHP, MEHHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP_met, and ∑DBP_met. In summary, our data support the hypothesis that uterine leiomyomata are related to phthalate exposure.     

安徽阜阳地区性早熟女童的环境激素暴露研究

目的 调查常见的环境激素在女童性早熟的发病机制中可能起到的作用,为阜阳地区儿童环境激素的暴露情况积累基础数据。方法 随机选取2020年10月—2021年4月在阜阳市人民医院生长发育专科门诊就诊的初诊为性早熟的女童,包括中枢性(CPP组)、外周性(PPP组)性早熟各30例,以及23例健康女童(正常对照组)作为研究对象,并就日常生活中可能接触到环境激素的途径填写相关内容调查问卷。应用超高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定3组女童尿液中15种环境激素的暴露水平,以及测定CPP组及PPP组女童的血清基础性激素、甲状腺激素水平,并完善性腺彩超等检查,进行3组女童尿液中环境激素暴露水平研究及相关性分析。结果 正常组、CPP及PPP 3组女童在使用塑料水杯方面、尿液中邻苯二甲酸单乙基己酯(MEHP)、邻苯二甲酸单丁基酯(MBP)的暴露水平分布差异具有统计学意义(χ²=8.111,F=3.741、5.672,P<0.05);CPP组与正常组女童尿MEHP、MBP暴露水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但PPP与CPP组、PPP与正常组女童的尿MEHP、MBP暴露水平分布差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);PPP组内MEHP的分布水平与E₂呈正相关关系(r=0.688,P＜0.05)。结论 频繁使用塑料制品可能促进性早熟的发病;安徽阜阳地区女童普遍受到环境激素的污染;邻苯二甲酸单乙基己酯、邻苯二甲酸单丁基酯的暴露可能在外周性性早熟的病因中发挥着重要的作用,并且干扰体内性激素的分泌。     

高效液相色谱法测定化妆品中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯的含量

目的：建立了高效液相色谱法测定化妆品中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯（DBP）和邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯（DE-HP）含量的方法。方法：采用固相萃取法处理样品，淋洗试剂为甲醇：乙醚=1：19。甲醇和水作为流动相，二极管阵列检测器测定DBP和DEHP。结果：DBP测定的线性范围为5．0～200μg／ml，线性相关系数为0．9993，DEHP测定的线性范围为5．5～220μg／ml，线性相关系数为0．9997。DBP的回收率范围在84％～93％，相对标准偏差为3．2％～4．8％。DE-HP的回收率范围在98％～105％，相对标准偏差为2．8％～4．7％。结论：该方法灵敏度高，结果准确而且稳定。     

待产孕妇血清中PAEs暴露水平及其与胎儿生长发育的相关性研究

目的:了解待产孕妇血清中两种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)水平,探讨血清PAEs水平与胎儿生长发育的关系.方法:收集150例武汉市某三级医院待产孕妇血清,采用反相高效液相色谱分析法(HPLC)检测其血清邻苯二甲酸丁苄酯(BBP)和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)的含量；新生儿出生后记录其体长和体重,采用多元线性回归分析孕妇血清BBP、DBP含量与新生儿的体长、体重的相关性.结果:150例研究对象BBP检出率为62.7％,BBP最大值为85.09 μg/ml,最小值为1.39μg/ml,中位数为0.64μg/ml；DBP检出率为61.3％,DBP最大值为60.89 μg/ml,最小值为2.15 μg/ml,中位数为0.32 μg/ml.相关性单因素分析和相关性多因素分析结果均显示150例胎儿的生长发育与BBP、DBP浓度具有相关性,并差异有统计学意义.结论:大多数孕妇体内均可检测出BBP和/或DBP,且其在血清中的含量与胎儿生长发育有关.     

Relationship between Environmental Phthalate Exposure and the Intelligence of School-Age Children

Background

Concern over phthalates has emerged because of their potential toxicity to humans.

Objective

We investigated the relationship between the urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and children’s intellectual functioning.

Methods

This study enrolled 667 children at nine elementary schools in five South Korean cities. A cross-sectional examination of urine phthalate concentrations was performed, and scores on neuropsychological tests were obtained from both the children and their mothers.

Results

We measured mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate (MEOHP), both metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), a metabolite of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), in urine samples. The geometric mean (ln) concentrations of MEHP, MEOHP, and MBP were 21.3 μg/L [geometric SD (GSD) = 2.2 μg/L; range, 0.5–445.4], 18.0 μg/L (GSD = 2.4; range, 0.07–291.1), and 48.9 μg/L (GSD = 2.2; range, 2.1–1645.5), respectively. After adjusting for demographic and developmental covariates, the Full Scale IQ and Verbal IQ scores were negatively associated with DEHP metabolites but not with DBP metabolites. We also found a significant negative relationship between the urine concentrations of the metabolites of DEHP and DBP and children’s vocabulary subscores. After controlling for maternal IQ, a significant inverse relationship between DEHP metabolites and vocabulary subscale score remained. Among boys, we found a negative association between increasing MEHP phthalate concentrations and the sum of DEHP metabolite concentrations and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children vocabulary score; however, among girls, we found no significant association between these variables.

Conclusion

Controlling for maternal IQ and other covariates, the results show an inverse relationship between phthalate metabolites and IQ scores; however, given the limitations in cross-sectional epidemiology, prospective studies are needed to fully explore these associations.