Faculty Bibliography

Phthalates have been associated with reproductive toxicity and precocious puberty in females, but the occurrence of these toxicants in feminine hygiene products is rarely reported. In this study, eight phthalates were determined in 120 feminine hygiene products (56 feminine care products and 64 sanitary napkins) collected from China. Phthalates were found in 86% and 98% of feminine care products and sanitary napkins, respectively, with the total concentrations varying between not detectable and 813 μg/g (median: 0.26 μg/g) and 0.25 and 8.76 μg/g (1.43 μg/g), respectively. Diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were the major compounds, accounting for >60% of the total concentrations. The plastic materials used on the top and bottom layers and the hot melt adhesive used during the manufacturing process are the potential sources of phthalates in sanitary napkins. The range of daily exposure doses of phthalates in women from the use of feminine care products and sanitary napkins was <0.001-0.156 μg/kg-bw/day and <0.001-0.731 μg/kg-bw/day, respectively. Sanitary napkins contributed to 8.2% of the total exposure, and the levels of exposure to several phthalates from sanitary napkins were much higher than those reported from indoor dust ingestion but were lower than those of dietary intakes. Our study confirmed a new source of women's exposure to phthalates, sanitary napkins.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its alternatives are suspected endocrine disruptors. However, prenatal exposure and transplacental transfer of bisphenols (BPs is still limited. Therefore, BPA and its six alternatives in maternal serum (MS), maternal urine (MU), cord serum (CS), and amniotic fluid (AF) samples collected from 106 maternal-fetal pairs in an e-waste dismantling site in Southern China were determined. Bisphenol AF (BPAF) and bisphenol S (BPS) were the dominant BPA alternatives observed in MS and CS, and the geometric mean (GM) concentration of BPAF (0.013 ng/mL in MS, 0.097 ng/mL in CS) and BPS (0.01 ng/mL in MS, 0.03 ng/mL in CS) in MS and CS was lower than that of BPA (0.5 ng/mL in MS, 1.2 ng/mL in CS). The ratios of BPA concentrations between MU and MS (MU:MS ratio) were over three times higher than those of AF and CS (AF:CS ratio), thereby suggesting low biotransformation/metabolism of BPA in fetuses. The placental transfer rates of BPs (i.e., CS:MS ratio) were compound-specific (BPAF 3.26, BPA 1.94, BPS 1.11). Results suggest that BPA and its alternatives can pass through the placental barrier. The placental transfer rates of BPs are positively related to molecular weight or log K_ow values. This finding indicates that an active transport is responsible for the placental transfer of BPs.

Organophosphate (OP) esters are emerging environmental contaminants, but little is known about their occurrence in dust. In this study, 19 OP triesters and their 11 diester degradation products were measured in indoor dust and outdoor dust collected from China. ∑OP triester concentrations in indoor dust (median: 2380 ng/g dry weight [dw]) were an order of magnitude higher than those in outdoor dust (446 ng/g dw). The median concentrations of ∑OP diesters in indoor and outdoor dust were 260 and 96.8 ng/g dw, respectively. Dust samples collected from eastern and southern China contained higher concentrations of ∑OP di- and tri-esters than those from the other regions. Dust from the most urbanized areas in China including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou exhibited the highest concentrations of ∑OP di- (>1000 ng/g dw) and triesters (>4000 ng/g dw). We also found notable concentrations of emerging aryl-OP triesters in dust (3.85-10.6 ng/g dw). Significant correlations existed between the concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (BEHP) and tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) (rho = 0.672-0.691, p < 0.01), as well as DPHP and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) (rho = 0.537-0.766, p < 0.01) in dust samples, indicating that OP diesters originated from the degradation of triesters. High molar concentration ratios of DEP to triethyl phosphate (TEP) and DPHP to TPHP/ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) suggested that these OP triesters degrade readily. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of ∑OP di- (R²â€¯= 0.390, p < 0.05) and tri-esters (R²â€¯= 0.475, p < 0.01) in paired indoor-outdoor dust samples, which suggested that indoor dust was the source of OP esters to the outdoor environment. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of ∑OP diesters through dust ingestion was 0.21 ng/kg bw/d for adults and 2.59 ng/kg bw/d for children. The exposure levels of OP diesters, DEP and DPHP, were comparable to those of their parent triester compounds.

Feminine hygiene products, a category of daily necessities, can be a source of exposure to plasticizers and antimicrobial agents in women. Nevertheless, studies on the occurrence of chemicals in feminine hygiene products have received little attention. In this study, 24 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), comprising nine phthalates, six parabens, eight bisphenols, and triclocarban (TCC) were measured in seven categories of feminine hygiene products (i.e., pads, panty liners, tampons, wipes, bactericidal creams and solutions, and deodorant sprays and powders; N = 77) collected in the Albany area of New York State in the United States. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), methyl paraben (MeP), and ethyl paraben (EtP) were found in all pad, panty liner, and tampon samples. Panty liners contained the highest concentrations of DMP (median: 249 ng/g), DEP (386 ng/g), DBP (393 ng/g), and DIBP (299 ng/g) and tampons contained the highest concentrations of DEHP (267 ng/g). MeP, EtP, and propyl paraben (PrP) were the major parabens found in feminine hygiene products. Bactericidal creams and solutions contained median concentrations of MeP, EtP and PrP at 2840, 734, and 278 ng/g, respectively. The estimated exposure doses of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenols through the dermal absorption pathway from the use of pads, panty liners, and tampons were significant. In comparison with the exposure doses reported previously from other sources and pathways, the significance of feminine hygiene products as sources of EDC exposure was delineated. The dermal absorption doses from the use of feminine hygiene products, under different exposure scenarios, were 0.19-27.9% and 0.01-6.2% of the total exposure doses of phthalates and bisphenols, respectively. This is the first study to report the occurrence of phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, and TCC in feminine hygiene products from the United States.

Endometriosis is a hormone-responsive gynecologic disease, signifying its connotations across a woman's life span. Previous studies suggested that endocrine disrupting chemicals were risk factors for endometriosis. Nevertheless, little is known on exposure to organophosphate, pyrethroid and phenoxy acid pesticides on endometriosis diagnosis. In this study, we determined the concentrations of 11 pesticides, metabolites of organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, and phenoxy herbicides, in urine collected from 619 reproductive-age women in Utah and California, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The association of urinary concentrations of pesticides with an increase in the odds of endometriosis diagnosis was examined in 594 women who underwent laparoscopy/laparotomy (operative cohort: n = 471) or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (population cohort: n = 123), during 2007-2009. 2-Isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPY), malathion dicarboxylic acid (MDA), para-nitrophenol (PNP), 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were detected in ≥95% of the urine samples analyzed. Urinary concentrations of IMPY, MDA, PNP, 3-PBA and 2,4-D tended to be higher in younger, non-Hispanic black, nulliparous and less affluent women. IMPY was the most dominant compound in urine followed by PNP and TCPY. When women in the 4th quartile of IMPY and the 2nd quartile of TCPY concentrations (μg/g creatinine) were compared with women in the 1st quartile, the odds ratios (ORs) for diagnosis of endometriosis increased significantly in unadjusted models (IMPY OR = 1.89, 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.12-3.20; TCPY OR = 1.65, 95% Cl = 1.02-2.69) for the operative (n = 471) and entire data set (n = 594), respectively. Our results suggest that exposure to elevated concentrations of diazinon (the parent compound of IMPY) and chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl (parent compounds of TCPY) may be associated with endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were among various persistent organic pollutants suspected to have been released during the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11. Evidence suggests PFAS may have cardiometabolic effects, including alterations in lipid profiles. This study evaluated the association between cord PFAS and lipids in a population prenatally exposed to the WTC disaster. STUDY POPULATION/METHODS:222 pregnant women in the Columbia University WTC birth cohort enrolled between December 13, 2001 and June 26, 2002 at hospitals located near the WTC site: Beth Israel, St. Vincent's, and New York University Downtown. METHODS:We evaluated the association between five cord blood PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecane sulfonate (PFDS)) and cord blood lipids (total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides). RESULTS:Median (interquartile range (IQR)) concentrations of PFAS were 6.32 (4.58-8.57), 2.46 (1.77, 3.24), 0.38 (0.25, 0.74), 0.66 (0.48, 0.95) and 0.11 (0.09, 0.16) ng/mL for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFDS, respectively. Median (IQR) for lipids were 59.0 (51.5, 68.5) mg/dL for total cholesterol, 196.5 (170.5, 221.2) mg/dL for total lipids and 33.1 (24.2, 43.9) mg/dL for triglycerides. In fully adjusted models, several PFAS were associated with higher lipid levels, including evidence of a strong linear trend between triglycerides and both PFOA and PFHxS. CONCLUSIONS:Findings support previous evidence of an association between PFAS exposure and altered lipid profiles and add novel information on this relationship in cord blood, as well as for an understudied PFAS, PFDS.

Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) continues to be a concern. Little is known about their toxicokinetics, particularly with regard to fecal excretion of PFASs. Because pets are sentinels of human exposure to environmental contaminants, analysis of PFASs in pet feces can provide information about rates of excretion of these chemicals. In this study, 15 PFASs were measured in cat and dog feces collected from the Albany area of New York State. All PFASs except perfluorodecanesulfonate and perfluoroheptanoic acid were found in cat and dog feces. The sum concentrations of 13 PFASs (∑PFAS) varied between 21.6 and 474 (mean: 85.4 ± 94.5) ng/g dry weight for dogs, which were slightly higher than those found for cats (range: 18.0-165 ng/g dry weight, mean: 54.7 ± 26.9 ng/g dry weight). Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids with 9-12 carbons (perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid, and perfluorododecanoic acid) were predominant in pet feces. Perfluorooctanesulfonate and its precursors were found at low concentrations. Fecal excretion rates of PFASs in cats and dogs were found to be similar. The estimated daily fecal excretion suggested that both dogs and cats are exposed to some PFASs at doses above the provisional minimum risk level recommended for humans.

Poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were reported to be used in food packaging to impart water and oil repellency. Little is known, however, with regard to the occurrence of PFAS in pet food packaging. In this study, 37 pet food packaging and 11 pet foods were analyzed for the determination of 13 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), including nine perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA; C4-C12) and four perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA; C4-C10). Furthermore, samples were extracted in organic solvents (methanol and ethyl acetate) and an aliquot of the extract was analyzed using total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay to determine the occurrence of PFAS precursors that may be present in packaging. PFSA concentrations were below their respective limits of detection. Plastic food packaging samples contained ∑PFCA (sum of 9 PFCAs) concentrations an order of magnitude higher (range: <LOD-60.0 ng/g; mean: 11.8 ng/g), following oxidation of extracts by the TOP assay, than those measured prior to oxidation (range: <LOD-10.3 ng/g; mean: 1.28 ng/g). Similarly, pet food contained approximately an order of magnitude higher ∑PFCA concentrations (range: 0.600"“14.3 ng/g; mean: 5.71 ng/g) following oxidation than those measured prior to oxidation (range: <LOD-3.67 ng/g; mean: 0.89 ng/g). Higher ∑PFCA concentrations following the TOP assay suggested the occurrence of PFAA precursors in food packaging. Fluorotelomer alcohols were suspected to contribute to higher PFCA concentrations measured following the oxidation of extracts of food packaging.

Similar to humans, pet animals are exposed to environmental contaminants through multiple sources and pathways. Although a few studies have demonstrated exposure of cats and dogs to environmental chemicals, little is known about exposure to bisphenols, benzophenone UV filters, and antibacterial agents. In this study, we measured three bisphenols, three benzophenone-type UV filters, triclosan (TCS), and triclocarban (TCC) in dog (n = 50) and cat urine (n = 50) collected from New York State, USA. Among bisphenols, BPS was found at the highest concentrations (mean ± SD: 3.2 ± 8.5 ng/mL in dogs and 8.85 ± 30.0 ng/mL in cats) with detection frequencies of 96% in dogs and 78% in cats. Among benzophenones, BP-3 (oxybenzone) was the dominant compound in pet urine, followed by BP-1 and BP-8. TCS was found at concentrations higher than those of TCC in both cat and dog urine. There were no significant differences in bisphenol concentrations between sexes or age groups, both in dogs and cats. The calculated hazard quotients (HQ) suggested that the current exposure levels of BPS and BP-3 in pets were 2-5 orders of magnitude below the tentative threshold values available for humans.