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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2022.48.6.315

Phthalate Exposure Levels and Related Factors in the Urban Low-Income Group: Focus on a Residential Disadvantaged Community  

Dahee, Han (Institute for Environmental Health, Seokyeong University)
Jiyun, Kang (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Seohui, Han (Department of Nano Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seokyeong University)
Su Hyeon, Kim (Department of Nano Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seokyeong University)
Hohyun, Jin (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Chahun, Kim (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Hosub, Im (Institute for Life & Environmental Technology, Smartive Corporation)
Ki-Tae, Kim (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Yong Min, Cho (Institute for Environmental Health, Seokyeong University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.48, no.6, 2022 , pp. 315-323 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.
Keywords
Environmental justice; socioeconomically vulnerable group; chemical exposure; phthalate metabolites;
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