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Association of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates with thyroid hormones in adolescents from HBM4EU aligned studies
Rodríguez-Carrillo, A.; Salamanca-Fernández, E.; Den Hond, E.; Verheyen, V.J.; Fábelová, L.; Murinova, L.P.; Pedraza-Díaz, S.; Castaño, A.; García-Lario, J.V.; Remy, S.; Govarts, E.; Schoeters, G.; Olea, N.; Freire, C.; Fernández, M.F. (2023). Association of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates with thyroid hormones in adolescents from HBM4EU aligned studies. Environ. Res. 237: 116897. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116897
In: Environmental Research. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0013-9351; e-ISSN 1096-0953, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Author keywords
    Perfluoroalkyl substances; Phthalates; Thyroid hormones; Adolescents; HBM4EU
Authors  Top 
  • Rodríguez-Carrillo, A.
  • Salamanca-Fernández, E.
  • Den Hond, E.
  • Verheyen, V.J.
  • Fábelová, L.
  • Murinova, L.P.
  • Pedraza-Díaz, S.
  • Castaño, A.
  • García-Lario, J.V.
  • Remy, S.
  • Govarts, E., more
  • Schoeters, G., more
  • Olea, N.
  • Freire, C.
  • Fernández, M.F.
Abstract

    Background

    Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates are synthetic chemicals widely used in various types of consumer products. There is epidemiological and experimental evidence that PFAS and phthalates may alter thyroid hormone levels; however, studies in children and adolescents are limited.

    Aim

    To investigate the association of exposure to PFAS and phthalate with serum levels of thyroid hormones in European adolescents.

    Methods

    A cross-sectional study was conducted in 406 female and 327 male adolescents (14–17 years) from Belgium, Slovakia, and Spain participating in the Aligned Studies of the HBM4EU Project (FLEHS IV, PCB cohort, and BEA, respectively). Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in sera from study participants, and urinary metabolites of six phthalates (DEP, DiBP, DnBP, BBzP, DEHP, and DiNP) and the non-phthalate plasticizer DINCH® were quantified in spot urine samples. Associations were assessed with linear regression and g-computational models for mixtures. Effect modification by sex was examined.

    Results

    In females, serum PFOA and the PFAS mixture concentrations were associated with lower FT4 and higher FT3 levels; MEP and the sums of DEHP, DiNP, and DINCH® metabolites (∑DEHP, ∑DiNP, and ∑DINCH) were associated with higher FT4; ∑DEHP with lower FT3; and the phthalate/DINCH® metabolite mixture with higher FT4 and lower FT3. In males, PFOA was associated with lower FT4 and the PFAS mixture with higher TSH levels and lower FT4/TSH ratio; MEP and ∑DiNP were associated with higher FT4; and MBzP, ∑DEHP, and the phthalate/DINCH® metabolite mixture with lower TSH and higher FT4/TSH. PFOA, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (OH-MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (oxo-MEHP), and monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP) made the greatest contribution to the mixture effect.

    Conclusions

    Results suggest that exposure to PFAS and phthalates is associated with sex-specific differences in thyroid hormone levels in adolescents.
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