The association between phthalates in dust and allergic diseases among Bulgarian children.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have identified associations between the concentration of phthalates in indoor dust and allergic symptoms in the airways, nose, and skin.


OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to investigate the associations between allergic symptoms in children and the concentration of phthalate esters in settled dust collected from children's homes in Sofia and Burgas, Bulgaria.


METHODS
Dust samples from the child's bedroom were collected. A total of 102 children (2-7 years of age) had symptoms of wheezing, rhinitis, and/or eczema in preceding 12 months (cases), and 82 were nonsymptomatic (controls). The dust samples were analyzed for their content of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP).


RESULTS
A higher concentration of DEHP was found in homes of case children than in those of controls (1.24 vs. 0.86 mg/g dust). The concentration of DEHP was significantly associated with wheezing in the preceding 12 months (p = 0.035) as reported by parents. We found a dose-response relationship between DEHP concentration and case status and between DEHP concentration and wheezing in the preceding 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows an association between concentration of DEHP in indoor dust and wheezing among preschool children in Bulgaria.
Kolarik
Barbara
B
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Lyngby, Denmark. bf@mek.dtu.dk
Naydenov
Kiril
K
Larsson
Malin
M
Bornehag
Carl-Gustaf
CG
Sundell
Jan
J
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D010795:Phthalic Acids