Phthalates and BPA
,
endocrine disruptors
In the human organism? La
chemical safety
of food
reveals new evidence of risk, in a recent study by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (
ISS
).
Items made of disposable plastic, alternatives and risks
The European Commission launched a public communication campaign on 5.6.18 to raise awareness of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic products. (1) The campaign focuses on the environmental impact of a range of single-use plastic items, such as cups and cutlery, straws, candy wrappers and other foods, lollipop sticks, plastic bottles, and bags, q-tip. Highlighting the availability and affordability-for consumers and the ecosystem-. Of environmentally friendly alternatives.
The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)
has in turn studied for 4 years – in the project ‘
Life pursuaded’
– the exposure of the child population to hazardous substances such as phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA
). (2) Ubiquitous plasticizing substances – used in contact materials (
MOCA
), as in numerous consumer items and various other materials – recognized as endocrine disruptors
.
ISS research results were presented in Rome on Oct. 25-26.18. (3) Highlighting the seriousness of the ‘endocrine disruptors’ problem in relation to children’s health, and the necessary actions to be taken at the regulatory level, as well as risk assessment and communication. (4)
Phthalates and BPA, what they are and what effects they can cause
Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA) are chemical plasticizing compounds widely used in food and liquid packaging and wrapping. Since they are not chemically bound to the polymer where they are contained, they can be released into the food or liquids with which they come in contact.
People are exposed to these substances through ingestion of foods where they migrate, with possible adverse health effects on the reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems.
Children represent a population group that is particularly vulnerable
to exposure because of their higher food intake relative to body weight and different metabolism.
Phthalates and BPA in children, the ISS study
The project ‘
Life pursuaded’
had as its main objective the assessment of phthalates and Bisphenol A levels in children and adolescents in the Italian population through a biomonitoring study involving mother-child pairs in Northern, Central and Southern Italy.
Theoccurrence of some increasingly commonchildhood diseases, such as pubertal developmental alterations and obesity, has also been investigated in relation to exposure to these substances. Which are in fact recognized as endocrine disruptors and obesogens, with effects on the reproductive system, neurodevelopment, immune system, lipid and thyroid hormone metabolism.
National Health System (NHS) pediatricians played an essential role in recruiting children and collecting information. In fact, the questionnaires used made it possible to assess lifestyles and eating habits, and to prepare guidance on how to mitigate risk with a view to prevention.
Phthalates and BPA in children, the outcome of research
900 healthy children aged 4 to 14 years, equally distributed between males and females, residing in the North, Central and South macroareas, in urban or rural areas, were recruited . A urine sample was collected in relation to each child for analysis of BPA and phthalate metabolite levels. (5) And a lifestyle questionnaire detailing meals eaten in the two days prior to urine collection.
Measurable levels of phthalates were found in ALL children analyzed. Measurable amounts of bisphenol A in 76% of them.
2,036 mother-child pairs were also recruited in similar ways. Lifestyle questionnaires were collected and urinalysis was performed on a subset of them. In order to measure urinary concentrations of BPA and DEHP (a phthalate) metabolites.
Again, almost all samples (99.3%) revealed phthalate exposure, 77.3% also the presence of BPA.
In conclusion, the research ‘
Life pursuaded’
highlights how the Italian population is actually exposed to both substances. (6) Although these are not persistent compounds, exposure is widespread and continuous. And it is greater, even more worryingly, in younger children.
Phthalates and BPA. Diets, lifestyles and exposure levels.
Analysis of data on diets and lifestyles, collected through questionnaires and food diaries, identified some determinants of exposure in children and mothers.
Both in children, and in mothers, the Higher levels of phthalates and BPA are associated with the use of single-use plastics (cups, plates). The concentrations of these substances in urine increase in relation to frequency of use and the use of plastic containers in the microwave.
Plastic toys, including electronic toys, affect the highest phthalate exposure in children who use them more than 4 hours a day (namely, in the 4-6 age group).
Physical activity among children ages 7-14 is associated with lower levels of phthalates and BPA, which vary by sport played, gender, and area of residence. Conversely, in mothers practicing outdoor physical activity in urban areas in Central Italy, there is a greater presence of both compounds.
Dario Dongo and Luca Foltran
Notes
(1) World Environment Day was inaugurated, in 2018, with the theme ‘
Beat Plastic Pollution
‘ (v.
https://www.bereadytochange.eu/en/
. European institutions, meanwhile, are in the process of defining the directive
SUP
(‘
Single-Use Plastics Directive
‘). See in this regard the article https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/plastica-monouso-stop-da-strasburgo
(2) The ‘Life pursuaded’ project, funded under the European ‘LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance’ program, was coordinated by Cinzia La Rocca of the Reference Center for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome
(3) Cf. ‘Biomonitoring of phthalates and BPA in Italian children and association with childhood diseases: the European LIFE PERSUADED project. National Institute of Health. Rome, October 25-26, 2018. Summaries
‘, at
http://old.iss.it/binary/publ/cont/18_C3_per_online.pdf
(4) Regulatory and reference agencies (ECHA, EFSA, OECD) have been briefed on ‘‘Life pursued’ and its results will be shared in the European biomonitoring project HBM4EU (https://www.hbm4eu.eu)
(5) In particular, the metabolites di-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP (MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP) were analyzed.
(6) Exposure varies in different areas of residence. The concentration of BPA in urine is found to be significantly higher in the North. The highest levels of phthalates, conversely, are found in mothers living in Southern
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Expert in packaging and materials intended to come into contact with food substances and related legislative changes. He manages the information site foodcontactmaterials.info on European and extra-European regulations in the field of materials intended for contact with food.
