Aug 2026· Journal of Xenobiotics· 0 citations· 142 references
TL;DR
Overall, biomonitoring results indicate group-specific concentration patterns of PMs and TCS among children with T1D, HPRD and OB groups compared to the control group, and this is the first study to assess PM and TCS concentrations in children across clinical groups, using hair matrix.
Abstract
Background–Aim: Children represent a particularly susceptible population to endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure; however, biomonitoring data in this population remain limited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using hair biomonitoring to simultaneously assess the concentrations of phthalate metabolites (PMs), triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) in children with obesity (OB), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), and hypothalamic–pituitary-related diseases (HPRD), through hair biomonitoring. Methods: Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to measure TCS, TCC and PM levels in head hair samples from 212 children, categorized into control, T1D, HPRD and OB groups. PMs and TCS levels were compared across groups and evaluated in relation to health issues, cosmetics exposure, dietary habits, cardiometabolic, and somatometric parameters. Results: Our hair biomonitoring results showed that the most commonly detected EDCs were MEHP, MBP, MiBP, and TCS, with detection frequencies of samples 95.3%, 84.4%, 79.7%, and 60.8%, respectively. Children with T1D had statistically significantly higher mean MEHP concentrations than the control group. Children with HPRD exhibited higher PM concentrations, primarily driven by elevated mean MEHP and MBP levels compared with the control group. In contrast, mean MiBP levels were lower in the OB group than in the control group. Regarding TCS levels, no statistically significant differences were observed across the disease groups compared with controls. TCS was inversely associated with somatometric parameters in the OB group. Subgroup analyses by age, sex, residence area, and maternal education were conducted to assess statistically significant differences in concentrations of PM and TCS. Conclusions: Overall, our biomonitoring results indicate group-specific concentration patterns of PMs and TCS among children with T1D, HPRD and OB groups compared to the control group. In particular, PM levels were higher in children with T1D and HPRD and lower in those with OB groups compared to the control group. As a result, this is the first study to assess PM and TCS concentrations in children across clinical groups, using hair matrix.
Phthalates are widespread endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may subtly alter thyroid homeostasis, although the influence of sex and adiposity on these associations remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the associations of urinary monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) with thyroid function according to sex and body mass index (BMI). The study included 201 metabolically healthy adults aged 18-57 years from Serbia. First-morning urine samples were analyzed for phthalate metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Participants were classified as lean or overweight and obese, and associations were evaluated using group comparisons and hierarchical multiple linear regression. MEP and MEHP concentrations were above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in 31.84% and 21.89% of samples, respectively. Overweight and obese participants with MEP concentrations above the LOQ had higher FT4 levels than those with concentrations below the LOQ, whereas lean participants with MEHP above the LOQ had lower FT4 levels. Regression analyses identified a significant interaction among MEP, BMI, and sex for TSH, with higher MEP associated with higher TSH primarily in overweight and obese women. A significant interaction among MEHP, BMI, and sex was also observed for FT3, although the inverse association in lean men was only marginally significant. Urinary MEP and MEHP were associated with subtle, sex- and adiposity-dependent variations in thyroid hormone levels within physiological ranges. These exploratory findings require confirmation in larger longitudinal studies using repeated exposure measurements.
I. Bajkin, Nataša Milić, N. Milošević et al.· Biomolecules & biomedicine· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
The association between organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)/synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) and thyroid cancer (TC) remains poorly understood, with metabolic mechanisms unexplored.
METHODS
We conducted a 1:1 age- and sex-matched case-control study (n = 668). Serum levels of 27 target analytes (19 OCPs and 8 SPs) were quantified; subsequent analyses were restricted to 13 compounds (10 OCPs and 3 SPs) with detection frequencies ≥85%. Eight machine learning (ML) algorithms with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) were used to identify key pollutants in the 334 case-control pairs. Untargeted metabolomics was performed in a subset of 50 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs. Mixture effects were assessed by Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. Furthermore, the Latent Unknown Clustering Integrating Multi-Omics Data (LUCID) model was employed to integrate exposure and metabolic data, enabling the identification of TC patient subgroups and the exploration of underlying metabolic mechanisms.
RESULTS
Participants (mean age 45.2 years, 82.3% female) had serum OCPs at 0.007-0.333 ng/mL and SPs at 0.046-0.095 ng/mL. ML algorithms identified fenpropathrin, β-BHC, cyhalothrin, α-BHC, and p,p'-DDD as the top five contributors to TC. Elevated OCPs/SPs exposure was significantly associated with increased TC risk (WQS: adjusted OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.34-2.24, P = 0.019; LUCID: OR = 9.33). Fenpropathrin was the primary contributor (BKMR posterior inclusion probability = 1.00; WQS weight = 67.6%). A total of 45 significant differential metabolites (DMs) were identified (VIP ≥1, P < 0.05, and qualitative level 1). LUCID revealed a distinct TC cluster characterized by upregulated S-sulfo-L-cysteine/adenosine and downregulated 2-hydroxycaprylic acid.
CONCLUSION
OCPs/SPs mixtures, driven by fenpropathrin, disrupt amino acid/nucleotide metabolism while suppressing organic acid metabolism, representing a potential TC-associated metabolic signature.
Fei Wang, Chunxiang Li, Linfang Zou et al.· Environment International· 0 citations
Findings suggest a strong link between selected paraben and alkylphenol exposure and prior COVID-19 status in blood donors, and the high IMZ levels highlight the need for urgent evaluation of its safety and environmental prevalence.
Wioletta Ratajczak-Wrona, K. Bielawska, J. Wróbel et al.· Life· 0 citations
Phthalates and phenolic compounds are ubiquitous consumer chemicals, and children are particularly vulnerable to their potential health effects. In Thailand, however, information on children's exposure and regional variation remains limited. We recruited 250 children from two distinct regions of Thailand (Suphan Buri and Chiang Rai) in 2023, measured urinary concentrations of major metabolites of phthalates and alternative plasticizers as well as parent phenolic compounds, and administered questionnaires. The highest median concentrations were observed for the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑DEHP, 73.2 ng/mL), followed by mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP, 72.2 ng/mL) and the sum of diisononyl phthalate metabolites (∑DiNP, 22.6 ng/mL). These levels were 1.4-3.4 times higher than those in German children (GerES V, 2014-2017) and 2.5-5.7 times higher than those in U.S. children (NHANES, 2017-2018). Significant regional differences were identified, with 16 of 26 metabolites showing higher concentrations in Chiang Rai children. These included metabolites of diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), DEHP, DiNP, and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) as well as benzophenone-3 and bisphenol S. Notably, DiNP metabolite levels in Chiang Rai were 1.9-2.6-fold higher than the highest levels reported elsewhere. Risk assessment showed 69.3% of children in Chiang Rai and 16.4% in Suphan Buri exceeded a cumulative hazard index of 1. Regardless of region, DnBP, DEHP, DiBP, and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) were the primary contributors to risk. Sauce consumption and medication use were associated with higher phthalate levels. These findings highlight the need to develop targeted exposure-reduction strategies and regulatory interventions for Thai children.
Ah-Reum Jo, P. Laor, Joeun Jung et al.· International Journal of Hyg...· 0 citations
In the United States (U.S.), 15% of couples attempting pregnancy experience infertility, and 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Environmental chemical exposures, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from consumer products, may contribute to reproductive health challenges. We mailed wearable passive samplers (Fresh Air wristbands) to 132 female participants across 39 U.S. states and 24 of their male partners in the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) to characterize exposure among couples trying to conceive between January and October 2021. Wristbands were analyzed using thermal desorption gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry with targeted and nontargeted approaches. Nontargeted analysis revealed exposure to 491 chemicals, predominantly benzenoids (36.9%) and organoheterocyclic compounds (18.3%). Health hazard assessment identified 107 high-risk EDCs and 47 compounds predicted to have medium-to-high impacts on reproductive outcomes, including galaxolide, salicylates, and phthalates. Targeted analysis quantified 43 chemicals, revealing universal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates. Lifestyle factors influenced exposures: frequent sunscreen users had up to 3.1 times higher ultraviolet filter exposures, while dog owners had 1.2–2.6 times higher exposure to fragrance compounds. Among cohabitating couples, few similarities were observed, despite shared environments. The findings demonstrate that consumer products contribute to complex exposure mixtures with reproductive health implications during preconception.
Jieqiong Zhou, Elizabeth Z. Lin, A. Wesselink et al.· Environmental Science and Te...· 0 citations
The findings suggest that exposure to low levels of some alternative and precursor PFAS may be widespread in Canada and reinforce the role of pregnancy and breastfeeding as excretion pathways for legacy PFAS and support previous investigations demonstrating that exposure to some PFAS may be lower amongst financially disadvantaged populations.
Michael M. Borghese, Rebecca Lelievre, Sara Packull-McCormick et al.· Environmental Health· 0 citations