Jeong Yunsun, Mok Sori, Kim Sunmi, Lee Inae, Lee Gowoon, Kho Younglim, Choi Kyungho, Kim Ki-Tae, Moon Hyo-Bang
Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
Chemical Analysis Center, Chemical Platform Technology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Dec;288:117391. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117391. Epub 2024 Nov 26.
Phthalates and bisphenols (BPs) are well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are widely used in diverse consumer and personal care products. Despite their vulnerability, children are frequently exposed to phthalates and BPs in their surrounding environments. Although pre-school children spend most of their time in kindergarten, no comprehensive assessment of children' exposure to EDCs has been conducted according to the type of kindergarten. In this study, the urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and BPs were determined in Korean children attending conventional and eco-friendly kindergartens. The exposure levels and contaminant profiles were investigated according to kindergarten type and their association with oxidative stress was assessed. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, such as mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (median: 47.1 ng/mL) and mono-[(2-carboxymethyl)hexyl] phthalate (8.45 ng/mL) had the highest levels, indicating that they were the primary contaminants to which the children were exposed. Urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A (BPA) were higher in children from conventional kindergarten than an eco-friendly kindergarten. Conversely, bisphenol S (BPS) concentrations were significantly higher in children from the eco-friendly kindergarten than in those from conventional kindergartens, implying that eco-friendly plastic products might contain BPS as a replacement for BPA. The estimated daily intakes of BPA for all children exceeded the new tolerable daily intake proposed by the European Food Safety Authority. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly associated with the urinary concentrations of certain phthalate metabolites, indicating potential adverse health outcomes from phthalate exposure in children. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce EDC exposure in children, especially in settings where alternative chemicals may still pose health risks.
邻苯二甲酸盐和双酚类物质（BPs）是众所周知的内分泌干扰化学物质（EDCs），广泛应用于各种消费品和个人护理产品中。尽管儿童易受其影响，但他们在周围环境中经常接触到邻苯二甲酸盐和双酚类物质。虽然学龄前儿童大部分时间都在幼儿园，但尚未根据幼儿园类型对儿童接触内分泌干扰化学物质进行全面评估。在本研究中，测定了就读于传统幼儿园和生态友好型幼儿园的韩国儿童尿液中邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物和双酚类物质的浓度。根据幼儿园类型调查了接触水平和污染物特征，并评估了它们与氧化应激的关联。邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯（DEHP）代谢物，如单-（2-乙基-5-羧基戊基）邻苯二甲酸酯（中位数：47.1 ng/mL）和单-[(2-羧甲基)己基]邻苯二甲酸酯（8.45 ng/mL）水平最高，表明它们是儿童接触的主要污染物。传统幼儿园儿童尿液中邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物和双酚A（BPA）的浓度高于生态友好型幼儿园儿童。相反，生态友好型幼儿园儿童尿液中双酚S（BPS）的浓度显著高于传统幼儿园儿童，这意味着生态友好型塑料制品可能含有BPS作为BPA的替代品。所有儿童的BPA估计每日摄入量均超过了欧洲食品安全局提出的新的每日耐受摄入量。丙二醛水平与某些邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物的尿液浓度显著相关，表明儿童接触邻苯二甲酸盐可能产生潜在的不良健康后果。该研究强调需要采取有针对性的干预措施，以减少儿童接触内分泌干扰化学物质，特别是在替代化学品仍可能构成健康风险的环境中。
