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Smith MN, Stump S, van Bergen SK, Davies HG, Fanning E, Eaton R, Manahan CC, Sergent A, Zarker K. A Hazard-Based Framework for Identifying Safer Alternatives to Classes of Chemicals: A Case Study on Phthalates in Consumer Products. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:45002. [PMID: 38683745 PMCID: PMC11057665 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are exposed to hazardous chemicals found in consumer products. In 2019, the Pollution Prevention for Healthy People and Puget Sound Act was passed in Washington State. This law is meant to reduce hazardous chemicals in consumer products and protect human health and the environment. The law directs the Washington State Department of Ecology to assess chemicals and chemical classes found in products, determine whether there are safer alternatives, and make regulatory determinations. OBJECTIVES To implement the law, the Department of Ecology developed a hazard-based framework for identifying safer alternatives to classes of chemicals. METHODS We developed a hazard-based framework, termed the "Criteria for Safer," to set a transparent bar for determining whether new chemical alternatives are safer than existing classes of chemicals. Our "Criteria for Safer" is a framework that builds on existing hazard assessment methodologies and published approaches for assessing chemicals and chemical classes. DISCUSSION We describe implementation of our criteria using a case study on the phthalates chemical class in two categories of consumer products: vinyl flooring and fragrances used in personal care and beauty products. Additional context and considerations that guided our decision-making process are also discussed, as well as benefits and limitations of our approach. This paper gives insight into our development and implementation of a hazard-based framework to address classes of chemicals in consumer products and will aid others working to build and employ similar approaches. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13549.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa N. Smith
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Sascha Stump
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Saskia K. van Bergen
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Holly G. Davies
- Environmental Public Health Sciences, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, USA
| | - Elinor Fanning
- Environmental Public Health Sciences, Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, USA
| | - Rae Eaton
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Craig C. Manahan
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Amber Sergent
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
| | - Ken Zarker
- Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, Washington, USA
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Lucaccioni L, Palandri L, Passini E, Trevisani V, Calandra Buonaura F, Bertoncelli N, Talucci G, Ferrari A, Ferrari E, Predieri B, Facchinetti F, Iughetti L, Righi E. Perinatal and postnatal exposure to phthalates and early neurodevelopment at 6 months in healthy infants born at term. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1172743. [PMID: 37293488 PMCID: PMC10244530 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1172743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phthalates are non-persistent chemicals largely used as plasticizers and considered ubiquitous pollutants with endocrine disrupting activity. The exposure during sensible temporal windows as pregnancy and early childhood, may influence physiological neurodevelopment. Aims and Scope The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in newborn and infants and the global development measured by the Griffiths Scales of Children Development (GSCD) at six months. Methods Longitudinal cohort study in healthy Italian term newborn and their mothers from birth to the first 6 months of life. Urine samples were collected at respectively 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6) months, and around the delivery for mothers. Urine samples were analyzed for a total of 7 major phthalate metabolites of 5 of the most commonly used phthalates. At six months of age a global child development assessment using the third edition of the Griffith Scales of Child Development (GSCD III) was performed in 104 participants. Results In a total of 387 urine samples, the seven metabolites analyzed appeared widespread and were detected in most of the urine samples collected at any time of sampling (66-100%). At six months most of the Developmental Quotients (DQs) falls in average range, except for the subscale B, which presents a DQ median score of 87 (85-95). Adjusted linear regressions between DQs and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in mothers at T0 and in infants at T0, T3 and T6 identified several negative associations both for infants' and mothers especially for DEHP and MBzP. Moreover, once stratified by children's sex, negative associations were found in boys while positive in girls. Conclusions Phthalates exposure is widespread, especially for not regulated compounds. Urinary phthalate metabolites were found to be associated to GSCD III scores, showing inverse association with higher phthalate levels related to lower development scores. Our data suggested differences related to the child's sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lucaccioni
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Palandri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Erica Passini
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Viola Trevisani
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Natascia Bertoncelli
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Talucci
- Neonatology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Angela Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Barbara Predieri
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchinetti
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Post graduate School of Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Righi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Hatzidaki E, Pagkalou M, Katsikantami I, Vakonaki E, Kavvalakis M, Tsatsakis AM, Tzatzarakis MN. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants in Infant Formulas and Baby Food: Legislation and Risk Assessments. Foods 2023; 12:foods12081697. [PMID: 37107492 PMCID: PMC10137371 DOI: 10.3390/foods12081697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human milk is the healthiest option for newborns, although, under specific circumstances, infant formula is a precious alternative for feeding the baby. Except for the nutritional content, infant formulas and baby food must be pollutant-free. Thus, their composition is controlled by continuous monitoring and regulated by establishing upper limits and guideline values for safe exposure. Legislation differs worldwide, although there are standard policies and strategies for protecting vulnerable infants. This work presents current regulations and directives for restricting endocrine-disrupting chemicals and persistent organic pollutants in infant formulas. Risk assessment studies, which are limited, are necessary to depict exposure variations and assess the health risks for infants from dietary exposure to pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftheria Hatzidaki
- Department of Neonatology & NICU, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Marina Pagkalou
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ioanna Katsikantami
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Matthaios Kavvalakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Aristidis M Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Manolis N Tzatzarakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology Science and Research, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Martínez-Martínez MI, Alegre-Martínez A, Cauli O. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and its effects upon cognitive and motor functions: A systematic review. Toxicology 2021; 463:152980. [PMID: 34624397 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are chemicals widely used in packaging and consumer products, which have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal function and development in some human and animal studies. In recent decades, pregnant women's exposure to phthalates has been shown to alter the cognitive outcomes of their babies, and some studies have found delays in motor development. METHODS electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from their inception to March 2021, using the keywords "phthalate", "cognitive" and "motor". RESULTS most studies find statistically significant inverse relationships between maternal urinary phthalate concentration during pregnancy and subsequent outcomes in children's cognitive and motor scales, especially in boys rather than girls. However, many associations are not significant, and there were even positive associations, especially in the third trimester. CONCLUSION the relationship between exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and low results on neurocognitive scales is sufficiently clear to adopt policies to reduce exposure. Further studies are needed to analyze sex differences, coordination and motor scales, and phthalate levels during breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Martínez-Martínez
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antoni Alegre-Martínez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, CEU Cardinal Herrera University. Avenida Seminario, s/n, 46113 Montcada, Valencia, Spain
| | - Omar Cauli
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
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