title: Phthalate exposure and health-related outcomes in specific types of work environment.
abstract: Many toxic substances in the workplace can modify human health and quality of life and there is still insufficient data on respiratory outcomes in adults exposed to phthalates. The aim of this work was to assess in waste management workers from the Nitra region of Slovakia (n = 30) the extent of exposure to phthalates and health-related outcomes. Four urinary phthalate metabolites mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), monobutyl phthalate (MnBP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Urinary concentration of MEHP was positively associated with ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity % (FEV1/FVC) (r = 0.431; p = 0.018) and MiNP with fat free mass index (FFMI) (r = 0.439; p = 0.015). The strongest predictor of pulmonary function was the pack/year index as smoking history that predicted a decrease of pulmonary parameters, the FEV1/FVC, % of predicted values of peak expiratory flow (PEF % of PV) and FEV1 % of PV. Unexpectedly, urinary MEHP and MINP were positively associated with pulmonary function expressed as PEF % of PV and FEV1/FVC. We hypothesize that occupational exposure to phthalates estimated from urinary metabolites (MEHP, MiNP) can modify pulmonary function on top of lifestyle factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. bkolena@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Branislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kolena
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. ipetrovicova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petrovicova
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. tomas.pilka@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pilka
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Environmentalistics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. zpucherova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pucherova
authors.affiliation: Department of Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. mmunk@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munk
authors.affiliation: Specialized Hospital of St. Zoerardus Zobor, 949 88 Nitra, Slovakia. matula@snzobor.sk.
authors.forename: Bohumil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matula
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Environmentalistics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. vvankova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Viera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vankova
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Environmentalistics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. ppetlus@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petlus
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. zjenisova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Zita
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jenisova
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Environmentalistics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia. zrozova@ukf.sk.
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rozova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Informatics and Biostatistics, Slovak Medical University, 833 03 Bratislava, Slovakia. sona.wimmerova@szu.sk.
authors.forename: Sona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wimmerova
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, Slovak Medical University, 833 03 Bratislava, Slovakia. tomas.trnovec@szu.sk.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trnovec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018154:Slovakia; D013147:Spirometry; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid