A study conducted by the National Health Research Institute showed that phthalate metabolite levels in the urine of adult women are higher than men’s, and that up to 70 percent of the test subjects were found to have phthalate metabolites in their urine.
Phthalates are chemical compounds derived from phthalic acid and are commonly used as plasticizers to make plastics more flexible and break-resistant, while some types are used as solvents in other materials.
The study on “age and gender differences in urinary levels of 11 phthalate metabolites in general population” was published in the institute’s online publication last week.
A research team led by National Environmental Health Research Center assistant investigator Huang Po-chin (黃柏菁) and Academia Sinica Institute of Biomedical Sciences researcher Pan Wen-harn (潘文涵) began studying Taiwanese’s exposure to phthalates in May 2013.
Using random samples based on the population distribution, the team, in the study’s first stage, conducted urine examinations and analysis of 11 types of phthalate metabolites on 387 people — who were age seven and above, not pregnant and in a healthy condition — from 17 townships of 11 counties.
The study showed that more than 70 percent of the subjects have eight types of phthalate metabolites in their urine, while phthalate metabolite levels in adult women, especially aged between 18 and 40, were significantly higher than that of men. Children and teenagers also have significantly higher phthalate levels than adults, the study showed.
High levels of diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate metabolites in adult women’s urine might be associated with the use of personal hygiene products, perfumes and cosmetics, the research team said.
The reason women above 65 years of age were found to have higher levels of monoethyl carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP) and DEHP metabolites might be associated with the skincare products they use, as well as food preservation and cooking methods, such as using the microwave, but needs further study for confirmation, the team said.
Higher urinary levels of monoethyl hexyl phthalate, MECPP and monobutyl phthalate metabolites in young people from seven to 18 years of age might be associated with frequently eating at restaurants, the study said, adding that there were insignificant gender differences in the group.
The team said a questionnaire conducted alongside the study showed that 73 percent of the subjects often used plastic bags, wraps or containers for packaging food, which can also be a major source of exposure to plasticizers.
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