PHTHALATE EXPOSURE AND CONSUMER PRODUCT USE AMONG CHILDREN IN A NORTH CAROLINA COHORT

Phthalates, chemicals found in plastics and personal care products, are a ubiquitous class of chemical compounds that have been associated with adverse health effects. Mothers and their toddlers were recruited from a pregnancy cohort and completed a questionnaire that included demographic information and reports of children’s product use habits. Pooled urine samples (3 over 48 hours) were collected from 180 toddlers and analyzed for five major phthalate metabolites: mEHP, mEP2, mBP, miBP, and mBzP2. Statistical analysis compared the urinary metabolite concentrations with the children’s demographic information and average product use. Maternal education was inversely associated with urinary concentrations of all metabolites. After controlling for confounding by demographic variables, plastic bag, lotion, and nail polish use were significant predictors of urinary mEP2 levels. This study suggests plastic and personal care product use in toddlers influences phthalate exposure.