The association between urinary phthalates and lung function.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of phthalate exposure on lung function in the Canadian population.


METHODS
We tested the association between 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEVl), forced vital capacity (FVC), and urinary phthalate metabolite levels in a nationally representative sample of 3147, from 6 to 49 years old.


RESULTS
An interquartile increase in mono-n-butyl phthalate was associated with decreases in percent predicted FEV1 of 0.8% (95% confidence interval = 0.3 to 1.4) and in FVC of 0.9% (95% confidence interval = 0.3 to 1.5). Results were similar for mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites, but significant effects of the latter were only seen in males and those at least 17 years old.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide evidence that phthalate exposure may adversely affect lung function in the Canadian population. Given that these chemicals are ubiquitous, the population health burden may be significant if the associations were causal.
From the Population Studies Division (Drs Cakmak and Hebbern), Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada; University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and Health Canada (Dr Dales); and National Biomonitoring Section (Dr Saravanabhavan), Chemicals Surveillance Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sabit
S
Cakmak
Robert E
RE
Dales
Chris
C
Hebbern
Gurusankar
G
Saravanabhavan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000652:urine*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid