Potential Health Hazards for Cumulative Exposures to Phthalates and Ionizing Radiation in High-Risk Pediatric Population.
OBJECTIVE
Ionizing radiation has been shown to impact and possibly alter the normal structure and function of living cells and is dangerous for human health, especially when exposure occurs early in life. Additionally, radiation can interact with other dangerous substances in the same environment, such as phthalates. Phthalates are a group of multifunctional molecules used in a wide range of consumer products, as plasticizers to impart flexibility, durability and strength to otherwise rigid polyvinyl chloride. They are not chemically bound to polyvinyl chloride, and thus migrate into the environment with time and use, becoming ubiquitous environmental contaminants.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a growing concern about the effect that exposure to ionizing radiation and phthalates can have on human health, and the biological effects of this cumulative exposure are particularly troubling in infants due to children's inherent sensitivity. Pediatric patients are exposed to numerous plastic medical devices and often require multiple radiologic examinations for their complex medical conditions. Risk assessment requires a more complete evaluation of the effects of simultaneous and cumulative exposure, especially in high-risk patients.
Via Bafile 6, 72100 Brindisi. Italy.
Latini
L
Giuseppe
Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Lecce. Italy.
Dipaola
D
Lucia
Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Lecce. Italy.
Massaro
M
Marika
Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa. Italy.
Andreassi
A
Maria Grazia
Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa. Italy.
Rocchiccioli
R
Silvia
Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Pisa. Italy.
Picano
P
Eugenio
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000633:toxicity*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D018570:Risk Assessment
D010795:Phthalic Acids; D010968:Plasticizers
DEHP; Ionizing radiation; human health; neonates; phthalates; polyvinyl chloride