Levels, variability and determinants of environmental phenols in pairs of Norwegian mothers and children

Amrit Kaur Sakhi; Azemira Sabaredzovic; Eleni Papadopoulou; Enrique Cequier; Cathrine Thomsen

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.037

Levels, variability and determinants of environmental phenols in pairs of Norwegian mothers and children

Environ Int. 2018 May:114:242-251. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.037. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Authors

Amrit Kaur Sakhi¹, Azemira Sabaredzovic², Eleni Papadopoulou², Enrique Cequier², Cathrine Thomsen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Division of Infection Control, Environment and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: amritkaur.sakhi@fhi.no.
² Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Division of Infection Control, Environment and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 29524920
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.037

Abstract

Background: Exposure to environmental phenols including parabens, bisphenols (BPs), oxybenzone/benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and triclosan (TCS) is ubiquitous. Due to evidence of their estrogenic activity, they have been considered as chemicals of concern. The exposure of the Norwegian population to these compounds is presently unknown.

Aims: To measure urinary levels of twelve different environmental phenols including four emerging bisphenols: S, F, B and AF (abbreviated as BPS, BPF, BPB and BPAF, respectively) in a healthy Norwegian population. We have calculated short-term variability, estimated daily intakes and investigated important determinants of exposure.

Methods: Urine samples were collected from mothers (n = 48) and their children (n = 56) during spring/summer 2012 in two counties in Norway.

Results: Six environmental phenols namely methyl, ethyl and propyl paraben, BPA, BP-3 and TCS were detected in almost 100% of the urine samples. Among the emerging bisphenols, BPS was detected most frequently in the urine samples (42-48%) followed by BPF (4-15%). Parabens were positively and significantly correlated to each other in both mothers and children. Levels of parabens and BP-3 were higher in mothers compared to children. All mothers and children had lower estimated daily intakes (back calculated from the urinary concentrations) of parabens and BPA than the respective acceptable and tolerable daily intakes (ADIs and TDIs) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Observed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated moderate to high reliability of spot urine measurements for all the environmental phenols (ICCs: 0.70-0.97). Use of hair products, deodorants, face and hand creams were significantly associated with higher urinary levels of parabens.

Conclusions: Occurrence of environmental phenols in healthy Norwegian women and children is abundant. Among emerging bisphenols, there is widespread exposure to BPS. A single spot urine sample can be used for estimating short-term exposures of environmental phenols. Urinary levels of parabens were associated with use of PCPs.

Keywords: Diurnal variability; ICC; Mass spectrometry; Personal care products; Phenol, urine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Child
Environmental Exposure / analysis*
Female
Humans
Mothers
Norway
Phenols / urine*

Substances

Phenols