title: An estimate of phthalate exposure among pregnant women living in Trujillo, Peru.
abstract: Phthalates are a group of phthalic acid esters which are used as plasticizers and additives. In laboratory animals, several phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. Several studies have described phthalate exposure in the United States and developed countries but little is known about phthalate exposure in the developing world, particularly during pregnancy. To assess exposure to six different phthalates, we measured the concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites in spot urine samples collected during the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy from a group of 72 women living in Trujillo, Peru. Additionally, women completed questionnaires to provide demographic characteristics. Statistical analysis via linear models was used to evaluate potential differences in the concentrations of phthalate metabolites by trimester, cooking fuel type, socioeconomic status, and education. All metabolites were detected in>40% of samples analyzed, and mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, and monoethyl phthalate were found in>90% of samples. Five of nine unadjusted urinary metabolites and four of nine creatinine-adjusted urinary metabolites were significantly lower in this group of pregnant women living in Peru compared to pregnant women in the US general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Science, The University of Georgia, College of Public Health, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Ann
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Irvin
authors.forename: Antonia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Calafat
authors.forename: Manori J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Villalobos
authors.forename: Larry L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Needham
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: Luke P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Naeher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D010968:Plasticizers; C032279:phthalic acid