Supporting legislative action: Urinary levels of phthalates and phenols among influencers in the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative.
Advocacy
Environmental pollutants
Phenols
Phthalates
Journal
Environmental research
ISSN: 1096-0953
Titre abrégé: Environ Res
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 0147621
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
15 08 2023
15 08 2023
Historique:
received:
21
04
2023
revised:
18
05
2023
accepted:
19
05
2023
medline:
19
6
2023
pubmed:
23
5
2023
entrez:
22
5
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Society-wide initiatives to prevent human exposure to plastic residues include laws and policies. Such measures require citizens' support, which can be increased by honest advocacy and pedagogic projects. These efforts must have a scientific basis. To assist the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative raise awareness among the general public of the presence of plastic residues in the human body, and to increase citizens' support for legislation on plastic control in the European Union. Spot urine samples of 69 volunteers with cultural and political influence from Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Slovenia, Belgium, and Bulgaria were collected. Concentrations of 30 phthalate metabolites and phenols were determined through a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. At least 18 compounds were detected in all urine samples. The maximum number of compounds detected per participant was 23, and the mean, 20.5. Phthalates were detected more frequently than phenols. Median concentrations were highest for monoethyl phthalate (41.6 ng/mL, adjusted for specific gravity), and maximum concentrations were highest for mono-iso-butyl phthalate (1345.1 ng/mL), oxybenzone (1915.1 ng/mL), and triclosan (949.6 ng/mL). Most reference values were not exceeded. Women had higher concentrations of the 14 phthalate metabolites and oxybenzone than men. Urinary concentrations were not correlated with age. The study had three main limitations: method of subject selection (volunteers), small sample size, and limited data on determinants of exposure. Studies on volunteers do not pretend to be representative of the general population and are no substitute for biomonitoring studies in representative samples of the populations of interest. Studies as ours can only illustrate the existence and some aspects of the problem, and can raise awareness among citizens concerned by the evidence that the studies provide in a group of subjects who are humanly appealing. The results illustrate that human exposure to phthalates and phenols is widespread. All countries appeared to be similarly exposed to these contaminants, with higher levels in females. Most concentrations did not exceed reference values. The effects of this study on the objectives of the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative deserve a specific analysis from policy science.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Society-wide initiatives to prevent human exposure to plastic residues include laws and policies. Such measures require citizens' support, which can be increased by honest advocacy and pedagogic projects. These efforts must have a scientific basis.
OBJECTIVE
To assist the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative raise awareness among the general public of the presence of plastic residues in the human body, and to increase citizens' support for legislation on plastic control in the European Union.
METHODS
Spot urine samples of 69 volunteers with cultural and political influence from Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Slovenia, Belgium, and Bulgaria were collected. Concentrations of 30 phthalate metabolites and phenols were determined through a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, respectively.
RESULTS
At least 18 compounds were detected in all urine samples. The maximum number of compounds detected per participant was 23, and the mean, 20.5. Phthalates were detected more frequently than phenols. Median concentrations were highest for monoethyl phthalate (41.6 ng/mL, adjusted for specific gravity), and maximum concentrations were highest for mono-iso-butyl phthalate (1345.1 ng/mL), oxybenzone (1915.1 ng/mL), and triclosan (949.6 ng/mL). Most reference values were not exceeded. Women had higher concentrations of the 14 phthalate metabolites and oxybenzone than men. Urinary concentrations were not correlated with age.
DISCUSSION
The study had three main limitations: method of subject selection (volunteers), small sample size, and limited data on determinants of exposure. Studies on volunteers do not pretend to be representative of the general population and are no substitute for biomonitoring studies in representative samples of the populations of interest. Studies as ours can only illustrate the existence and some aspects of the problem, and can raise awareness among citizens concerned by the evidence that the studies provide in a group of subjects who are humanly appealing.
CONCLUSIONS
The results illustrate that human exposure to phthalates and phenols is widespread. All countries appeared to be similarly exposed to these contaminants, with higher levels in females. Most concentrations did not exceed reference values. The effects of this study on the objectives of the 'Plastics in the spotlight' advocacy initiative deserve a specific analysis from policy science.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37217124
pii: S0013-9351(23)01006-X
doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116205
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
phthalic acid
6O7F7IX66E
oxybenzone
95OOS7VE0Y
Phenols
0
Environmental Pollutants
0
Plastics
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
116205Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.