Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study

Background. Individual members of the phthalate family of chemical compounds are components of innumerable everyday consumer products, resulting in a high exposure scenario for some individuals and population groups. Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated statistically significant exposu...

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Main Authors: Stephen J. Genuis, Sanjay Beesoon, Rebecca A. Lobo, Detlef Birkholz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/615068
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author Stephen J. Genuis
Sanjay Beesoon
Rebecca A. Lobo
Detlef Birkholz
author_facet Stephen J. Genuis
Sanjay Beesoon
Rebecca A. Lobo
Detlef Birkholz
author_sort Stephen J. Genuis
collection DOAJ
description Background. Individual members of the phthalate family of chemical compounds are components of innumerable everyday consumer products, resulting in a high exposure scenario for some individuals and population groups. Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated statistically significant exposure-disease relationships involving phthalates and toxicological studies have shown estrogenic effects in vitro. Data is lacking in the medical literature, however, on effective means to facilitate phthalate excretion. Methods. Blood, urine, and sweat were collected from 20 individuals (10 healthy participants and 10 participants with assorted health problems) and analyzed for parent phthalate compounds as well as phthalate metabolites using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results. Some parent phthalates as well as their metabolites were excreted into sweat. All patients had MEHP (mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) in their blood, sweat, and urine samples, suggesting widespread phthalate exposure. In several individuals, DEHP (di (2-ethylhexl) phthalate) was found in sweat but not in serum, suggesting the possibility of phthalate retention and bioaccumulation. On average, MEHP concentration in sweat was more than twice as high as urine levels. Conclusions. Induced perspiration may be useful to facilitate elimination of some potentially toxic phthalate compounds including DEHP and MEHP. Sweat analysis may be helpful in establishing the existence of accrued DEHP in the human body.
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spelling doaj-art-e195a75a506845f289e15428bda0bbeb2025-08-20T03:21:00ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2012-01-01201210.1100/2012/615068615068Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) StudyStephen J. Genuis0Sanjay Beesoon1Rebecca A. Lobo2Detlef Birkholz3Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, 2935-66 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6K 4C1, CanadaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, CanadaDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2C8, CanadaEnvironmental Division, A.L.S. Laboratory Group, Edmonton, AB, T6E 5C1, CanadaBackground. Individual members of the phthalate family of chemical compounds are components of innumerable everyday consumer products, resulting in a high exposure scenario for some individuals and population groups. Multiple epidemiological studies have demonstrated statistically significant exposure-disease relationships involving phthalates and toxicological studies have shown estrogenic effects in vitro. Data is lacking in the medical literature, however, on effective means to facilitate phthalate excretion. Methods. Blood, urine, and sweat were collected from 20 individuals (10 healthy participants and 10 participants with assorted health problems) and analyzed for parent phthalate compounds as well as phthalate metabolites using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results. Some parent phthalates as well as their metabolites were excreted into sweat. All patients had MEHP (mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) in their blood, sweat, and urine samples, suggesting widespread phthalate exposure. In several individuals, DEHP (di (2-ethylhexl) phthalate) was found in sweat but not in serum, suggesting the possibility of phthalate retention and bioaccumulation. On average, MEHP concentration in sweat was more than twice as high as urine levels. Conclusions. Induced perspiration may be useful to facilitate elimination of some potentially toxic phthalate compounds including DEHP and MEHP. Sweat analysis may be helpful in establishing the existence of accrued DEHP in the human body.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/615068
spellingShingle Stephen J. Genuis
Sanjay Beesoon
Rebecca A. Lobo
Detlef Birkholz
Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
The Scientific World Journal
title Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
title_full Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
title_fullStr Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
title_full_unstemmed Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
title_short Human Elimination of Phthalate Compounds: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study
title_sort human elimination of phthalate compounds blood urine and sweat bus study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/2012/615068
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