The impact of bisphenol A and triclosan on immune parameters in the U.S. population, NHANES 2003-2006.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to environmental toxicants is associated with numerous disease outcomes, many of which involve underlying immune and inflammatory dysfunction.


OBJECTIVE
To address the gap between environmental exposures and immune dysfunction, we investigated the association of two endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) with markers of immune function.


METHODS
Using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we compared urinary bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan levels with serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody levels and diagnosis of allergies or hay fever in U.S. adults and children ≥ 6 years of age. We used multivariate ordinary least squares linear regression models to examine the association of BPA and triclosan with CMV antibody titers, and multivariate logistic regression models to investigate the association of these chemicals with allergy or hay fever diagnosis. Statistical models were stratified by age (< 18 years and ≥ 18 years).


RESULTS
In analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, body mass index, creatinine levels, family income, and educational attainment, in the ≥ 18-year age group, higher urinary BPA levels were associated with higher CMV antibody titers (p < 0.001). In the < 18-year age group, lower levels of BPA were associated with higher CMV antibody titers (p < 0.05). However, triclosan, but not BPA, showed a positive association with allergy or hay fever diagnosis. In the < 18-year age group, higher levels of triclosan were associated with greater odds of having been diagnosed with allergies or hay fever (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
EDCs such as BPA and triclosan may negatively affect human immune function as measured by CMV antibody levels and allergy or hay fever diagnosis, respectively, with differential consequences based on age. Additional studies should be done to investigate these findings.
Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, 48109-2029, USA.
Erin M Rees
EM
Clayton
Megan
M
Todd
Jennifer Beam
JB
Dowd
Allison E
AE
Aiello
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D014260:Triclosan / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D014481:United States; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015415:Biomarkers; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010636:Phenols; D014260:Triclosan; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds