Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in urine and associated health risks among school-aged children in Shenzhen: a cross-sectional survey

Objective To assess the exposure to and health risks from endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in primary and secondary school students.

Methods The participants of this study were 330 primary and secondary school students who were selected at random from visitors to the Sleep Research Center of Shenzhen People′s Hospital between July and September of 2022. The students provided bedtime and next-morning urine samples and completed questionnaire surveys. A triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer was utilized to assess the concentrations of 34 EDCs, encompassing 7 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), 3 parabens (PBs), 10 phthalates (PAEs), 4 benzophenones, 7 synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), and 3 bisphenols, in both bedtime and morning urine samples to estimate the students' daily intake (EDI) of these EDCs.

Results  Most EDCs were detected at rates exceeding 40% in both bedtime and morning urine samples from 330 participants ultimately included in the analysis. The highest detection rates were observed for monomethyl phthalate (MMP), mono2-(carboxymethyl)hexyl phthalate (MMCHP), and mono 2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP). Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) had the highest EDI, with the mean EDI from morning samples exceeded the RfD. Seventy-two students (21.8%) had a phthalate HI greater than one.

Conclusions The cumulative exposure to PAEs among primary and secondary school students in Shenzhen is relatively high, posing potential health risks. To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to minimize contact with products containing PAEs.