Urinary levels of phthalate, bisphenol, and paraben and allergic outcomes in children: Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2015-2017.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates, bisphenols and parabens have been widely used in household and personal-care products. Their endocrine disrupting, sensitizing and antimicrobial properties might play a role in the occurrence of allergic diseases. However, the effects of these chemicals, particularly on humans, are relatively underexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report the concentrations of phthalate, bisphenol and paraben in urine of Korean children, and assess their relationship with allergic outcomes. METHODS: Data obtained from nationally representative Korean children, a total of 1458 children between 3 and 11 years of age recruited in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (3 rd round of KoNEHS 2015-2017), were analyzed. Associations of urinary phthalate metabolites, bisphenols, and parabens levels with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis was examined by grouped into preschool (aged 3-5 years) and school children (aged 6-11 years). Allergic outcomes were obtained through questionnaires answered by their caregivers. RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis was associated with urinary metabolites of DEHP, BzBP, DINP, and DIDP, and MeP and PrP in preschool children, BPA and PrP in school children. Allergic rhinitis was associated with MeP and PrP in preschool children, and metabolites of DEHP, MeP and PrP in school children. The association of urinary chemicals with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis were different by gender, especially in preschool children. CONCLUSION: Urinary phthalates, BPA and parabens levels in the Korean children were related with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Considering the importance of allergic diseases in children, the public health implications of exposure to these chemicals warrant further studies. Given the cross-sectional design and confounding variables, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution.

A Potential Health Risk to Occupational User from Exposure to Biocidal Active Chemicals.

Biocidal active chemicals have potential health risks associated with exposure to retail biocide products such as disinfectants for COVID-19. Reliable exposure assessment was investigated to understand the exposure pattern of biocidal products used by occupational workers in their place of occupation, multi-use facilities, and general facilities. The interview-survey approach was taken to obtain the database about several subcategories of twelve occupational groups, the use pattern, and the exposure information of non-human hygiene disinfectant and insecticide products in workplaces. Furthermore, we investigated valuable exposure factors, e.g., the patterns of use, exposure routes, and quantifying potential hazardous chemical intake, on biocidal active ingredients. We focused on biocidal active-ingredient exposure from products used by twelve occupational worker groups. The 685 non-human hygiene disinfectants and 763 insecticides identified contained 152 and 97 different active-ingredient chemicals, respectively. The toxicity values and clinical health effects of total twelve ingredient chemicals were determined through a brief overview of toxicity studies aimed at estimating human health risks. To estimate actual exposure amounts divided by twelve occupational groups, the time spent to apply the products was investigated from the beginning to end of the product use. This study investigated the exposure assessment of occupational exposure to biocidal products used in workplaces, multi-use facilities, and general facilities. Furthermore, this study provides valuable information on occupational exposure that may be useful to conduct accurate exposure assessment and to manage products used for quarantine in general facilities.

Urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels and the association with thyroid hormones in adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2012-2014.

BACKGROUND: Owing to insecticidal activity at low doses with relatively low toxicity in humans, synthetic pyrethroids have been used widely for pest control in agricultural and domestic settings. Pyrethroids are suspected for potential endocrine disruption. However, the thyroid disrupting effects of pyrethroids, particularly in humans, is relatively underexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) concentrations in urine, and assess its association with serum thyroid hormone (TH) levels in a representative adult population of Korea. METHODS: Data obtained from representative Korean adults recruited in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2nd round, 2012-2014) were analyzed. Urinary 3-PBA levels were associated with serum thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels among the Korean adult population. RESULTS: Urinary 3-PBA levels among Korean adults were >3 times higher than those reported in Canada and the United States. Urinary 3-PBA levels showed negative association with serum T4, and this pattern was not changed after stratification by sex. For T3, the association varied by sex and exposure levels. Male demonstrated the same inverse association between urinary 3-PBA and T3, but female did not show such association. Among adults in the lower half of urinary 3-PBA levels, the association with T3 was significant, while that among the remainder was marginal. The association with T4 remained significant on sensitivity analysis, after controlling for other urinary chemicals. CONCLUSION: Urinary 3-PBA levels in the general Korean adult population were found to be generally higher than those of other countries, and were associated with decreased TH levels. Considering the importance of THs, the public health implications of pyrethroid insecticide exposure warrant further studies.

Potential Health Risks of Chemicals in Car Colorant Products.

Public concern regarding the use of products with chemicals has increased in Korea, following reports indicating that hazardous chemicals in products, such as disinfectants, can cause fatal lung disease. Despite the widespread use of car colorant products, little is known regarding their potential health risks. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential health risks of substances that exist in car colorant products. Thirteen car colorant products were purchased from the Korean market and 15 commonly used chemicals were analyzed. Exposure and risk assessments were conducted in two assessment stages (screening and refined). The analysis showed that all of the examined products contained toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. The maximum concentration of toluene was 52.5%, with a median concentration of 10.8%. Tier 1 (screening) assessment showed that four chemicals (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and 2-butoxyethanol) may pose health risks, but tier 2 (refined) assessment showed that these chemicals do not pose any risk. However, these chemicals were present in all of the examined products, and government regulations did not control their concentrations in these products. Therefore, we suggest that levels of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in car colorant products should be regulated to protect public health.

Urinary phthalate metabolite and bisphenol A levels in the Korean adult population in association with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012-2014.

BACKDGROUND: Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) have been used in a variety of consumer products and are detected widely in both humans and the environment. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics that affect exposure to these chemicals have been investigated among several general populations; however, nationally-representative population-based studies are limited to Canada, Germany, and the USA. Moreover, relatively little is known about the socio-demographic characteristics that influence exposure to these chemicals among nationally representative populations of Asia. METHODS: Data are obtained from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012-2014). In total, 6,478 adults (aged 19 and older) were recruited and sampled for urinary levels of major phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A. In addition, demographic and socio-economic parameters were determined from questionnaire data and the characteristics associated with urinary concentrations of the target chemicals were assessed. RESULTS: Urinary levels of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) metabolites of Korean adults were generally higher, but those of mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) were lower, and BPA were similar or higher than those reported from national biomonitoring programs in the United States and Canada. Similar to other nationally representative populations, females and older adults showed higher creatinine-adjusted phthalate metabolite and BPA levels among the Korean population. Meanwhile, monthly household income and education were negatively associated with urinary phthalate metabolites. Among personal care products, nail polish use was positively associated with both phthalate metabolites and BPA concentrations in urine. CONCLUSION: Our observations based on a nationally representative population of Korea show that socio-demographic determinants for these urinary chemicals vary by country, and should be considered for developing appropriate mitigation measures and policies.

Associations between urinary phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A levels, and serum thyroid hormones among the Korean adult population - Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012-2014.

BACKGROUND: Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) have been used extensively in many consumer products, resulting in widespread exposure in the general population. Studies have suggested associations between exposure to phthalates and BPA, and serum thyroid hormone levels, but confirmation on larger human populations is warranted. METHODS: Data obtained from nationally representative Korean adults (n=6003) recruited for the second round of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS), 2012-2014, were employed. Three di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, along with benzyl-butyl phthalate (BBzP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) metabolites, and BPA were measured in subjects' urine. Thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in serum. The associations between urinary phthalates or BPA and thyroid hormone levels were determined. RESULTS: Urinary phthalate metabolites were generally associated with lowered total T4 or T3, or increased TSH levels in serum. Interquartile range (IQR) increases of mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) were associated with a 3.7% increase of TSH, and a 1.7% decrease of total T4 levels, respectively. When grouped by sex, urinary MEHHP levels were inversely associated with T4 only among males. Among females, mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) levels were inversely associated with TSH and T3, respectively. In addition, negative association between BPA and TSH was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Several phthalates and BPA exposures were associated with altered circulatory thyroid hormone levels among general Korean adult population. Considering the importance of thyroid hormones, public health implications of such alteration warrant further studies.

Early snapshot on exposure to environmental chemicals among Korean adults-results of the first Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2009-2011).

BACKGROUND: Chemical exposure may cause serious adverse health effects. Under the Environmental Health Act in Korea, the first national survey, Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES), was conducted, and dozens of major environmental chemicals were measured among Korean adults between 2009 and 2011. OBJECTIVES: To understand the levels of exposure to environmental chemicals among general Korean adults population, and to identify factors that may influence the levels of exposure. METHODS: The blood and urine samples were collected from Korean adults with 19 years of age and older (n=6311), and were analyzed for a number of environmental chemicals including metals, bisphenol A (BPA), and metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, a pyrethroid insecticide (3-PBA) and several volatile organic carbons (VOCs). Demographic and other behavioral factors were asked through questionnaire. RESULTS: Among general Korean adults, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and metabolite of DBP (MnBP) were higher than those reported in other nationwide surveys of Canada, Germany, and USA. Most target chemicals except for MEOHP and 3-PBA showed significant differences on the exposure levels by sex CONCLUSION: This is the first nationwide reconnaissance on exposure to environmental chemicals among general Korean population. Chemicals with high occurrence level will be further investigated to identify exposure sources and possible health outcomes, and eventually to develop measures to mitigate exposure.

Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the human body 2008: 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol, and cotinine in urine of the Korean population.

The Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the human body conducts representative Korean population studies, which were first initiated in 2005 in Korea. This study was conducted from 2008 to 2009 to determine the exposure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nicotine in the Korean general population. The study population consisted of 4702 adult subjects from 196 sampling locations including coastal, rural, and urban areas. The urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol, and cotinine were measured for exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nicotine. The geometric means of the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol and cotinine concentrations in the Korean general population were 0.15 µg/L (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13-0.17), 3.84 µg/L (95% CI: 3.57-4.11) and 47.42 µg/L (95% CI: 40.52-54.32) respectively. When these values were compared with reference ranges for the United States and Germany, the levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol, and cotinine were very similar for Korea and Germany, however, these levels were slightly lower in the United States. This study is the first nationwide survey of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nicotine in Korea and provides a background reference range for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nicotine in the Korean general population.