1. Prenatal exposure to replacement flame retardants and organophosphate esters and childhood adverse respiratory outcomes.
- Author
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Mendy A, Percy Z, Braun JM, Lanphear B, La Guardia MJ, Hale RC, Yolton K, and Chen A
- Subjects
- Pregnancy, Humans, Female, Child, Preschool, Phosphates, Dust, Organophosphates toxicity, Flame Retardants toxicity, Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects chemically induced, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects epidemiology, Hypersensitivity
- Abstract
Background: The association of prenatal exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) and replacement brominated flame retardants (RBFRs) with respiratory outcomes has not been previously investigated in humans, despite reports that these chemicals can cross the placenta and alter lung development as well as immune functions., Methods: In a cohort of 342 pregnant women recruited between 2003 and 2006 in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metropolitan area, we measured indoor dust OPEs and RBFRs at 20 weeks of gestation and urinary OPEs at 16 and 26 weeks of gestation and at delivery. We performed generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models adjusting for covariates to determine the associations of prenatal OPEs and RBFRs exposures with adverse respiratory outcomes in childhood, reported every six months until age 5 years and with lung function at age 5 years. We used multiple informant modeling to examine time-specific associations between maternal urinary OPEs and the outcomes., Results: Dust concentrations of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) (RR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.18-1.66), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (RR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.85), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (RR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.28-1.94) were associated with higher risk of wheezing during childhood. Dust TPHP concentrations were associated with higher risk of respiratory infections (RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08-1.94), and dust tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate concentrations were associated with hay fever/allergies (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21). We also found that dust tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate loadings were associated with lower lung function. Urinary OPEs mainly at week 16 of gestation tended to be associated with adverse respiratory outcome, while bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate and diphenyl phosphate at delivery were associated with lower risk of hay fever/allergies., Conclusions: In-utero exposure to OPEs and RBFRs may be a risk factor for adverse respiratory outcomes in childhood, depending on the timing of exposure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Joseph M. Braun has been compensated as an expert witness for plaintiffs in litigation related to PFAS-contaminated drinking water., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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