Personal care product use patterns in association with phthalate and replacement biomarkers across pregnancy

Background Humans are exposed to phthalates, a class of non-persistent chemicals, through multiple products, including personal care and cosmetics. Associations between specific phthalates and product use have been inconsistent. However, determining these connections could provide avenues for exposure reduction. Objective Examine the association between patterns of personal care product use and associations with phthalate and replacement biomarkers. Methods In the Human Placenta and Phthalates Study, 303 women were enrolled in early pregnancy and followed for up to 8 visits across gestation. At each visit, women completed a questionnaire about product use in the prior 24 hours and contributed urine samples, subsequently analyzed for 18 phthalate and replacement metabolites. At early, mid-, and late pregnancy, questionnaire responses were condensed and repeated metabolite concentrations were averaged. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine groups of women with similar use patterns, and weighted associations between group membership and biomarker concentrations were assessed. Results LCA sorted women into groups which largely corresponded to: (1) low fragranced product use (16-23% of women); (2) fragranced product and low body wash use (22–26%); 3) fragranced product and low bar soap use (26–51%); and (4) low product use (7–34%). Monoethyl phthalate (MEP) urinary concentrations were 7–10% lower and concentrations of summed di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate metabolites were 15–21% lower among women in the “low fragranced product use” group compared to the population mean. Few other consistent associations between group and biomarker concentrations were noted. Impact statement Personal care products and cosmetics are a known exposure source for phthalates and potentially represent one of the most accessible intervention targets for exposure reduction. However, in this analysis accounting for concurrent use and fragranced status of products, we did not find any use patterns that corresponded to universally lower levels.