Intake of phthalate-tainted foods and microalbuminuria in children: The 2011 Taiwan food scandal

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 89-90; pp. 129 - 137
• Main Authors: Tsai, Hui-Ju, Chen, Bai-Hsiun, Wu, Chia-Fang, Wang, Shu-Li, Huang, Po-Chin, Tsai, Yi-Chun, Chen, Mei-Lien, Ho, Chi-Kung, Hsiung, Chao A., Wu, Ming-Tsang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Albuminuria - chemically induced; Albuminuria - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; DEHP; di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; Diethylhexyl Phthalate - analysis; Diethylhexyl Phthalate - toxicity; Female; Food Contamination - analysis; Food Safety; Food scandal; Humans; Kidney Function Tests; Male; Microalbuminuria; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Phthalic Acids - toxicity; Public Health; Taiwan - epidemiology; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency; ISEW, Taiwan; MEHP; ALT; SPE; Food scandal; E2; EFSA; di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; DBP; MDL; MHWHs; Microalbuminuria; MEOHP; DINP; TSH; IQR; MiBP; Phthalates; LC-ESI-MS/MS; MMP; MEP; DDI; TFDA; USEPA; EDCs; MBzP; HDL; SD; KBOH; LDL; NHRI; DEHP; KMUH; TDI; BUN; MiNP; Children; HbA1c; BMI; SBP; AST; OR; MEHHP; MnBP; RIA; TDOH; ACR; TG; NAG; HOMA; NHANES
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.015

A major threat to public health involving phthalate-tainted foodstuffs occurred in Taiwan in 2011. Phthalates, mainly di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were intentionally added to several categories of food commonly consumed by children. This study investigated the relationship between intake of the phthalate-tainted foods and renal function in children. Children aged ≤10years with possible phthalate exposure were enrolled in this study between August 2012 and January 2013. Questionnaires were used to collect details of exposure to phthalate-tainted foodstuffs, and blood and urine samples were collected for clinical biochemical workup. The clinical biomarkers of renal injury, including urinary microalbumin, N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), and β2-microglobulin were measured. Exposure was categorized based on recommended tolerable daily intake level defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (0.02mg/kg/day) and the European Food Safety Authority (0.05mg/kg/day). We analyzed intake and renal function of 184 children whose intake of DEHP-tainted foods was known. Higher DEHP exposure to DEHP-tainted foods was significantly associated with increase of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Children in the high-exposed group (daily DEHP intake (DDI)>0.05mg/kg/day) had 10.395 times the risk of microalbuminuria than the low-exposed group (DDI≤0.02 and >0mg/kg/day) and no-exposed group combined after adjustment (95% CI=1.096–98.580, P=0.04). Intake of DEHP from phthalate-tainted foods may be a potential risk factor for microalbuminuria, a marker of glomerular injury in children. •A major health threat from phthalate-tainted foodstuffs occurred in Taiwan in 2011.•DEHP-tainted food intake increases the excretion of urinary ACR in children.•DEHP-tainted food intake may increase the risk of microalbuminuria.