Original and Replacement Chemicals in Consumer and Personal-Care Products: Tracking Marketplace Evolution and Human Exposure Trends

摘要

Background: Synthetic organic chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA, plasticizers), triclosan (antimicrobial agent) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs, flame retardants) can be used in personal care and consumer products both as "active" and "inactive" ingredients. Data on the potential effects of these chemicals on human health are limited and, at times, even contradictory, but because several of these chemicals have demonstrated toxicity in experimental animals, replacement chemicals are entering consumer markets. However, limited information exists on consequent trends in exposures to both the original chemicals and their replacements. Aims: To examine temporal trends in the United States in biomarker concentrations of chemicals used in consumer products and their replacements and whether trends vary by age, sex, race/ethnicity, or income. Methods: We use case studies including phthalates, BPA, PBDEs, and organophosphate insecticides, to show patterns of exposure among the US general population and select population groups to these chemicals and their replacements, including other phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers, other bisphenols, organophosphate flame retardants and pyrethroid insecticides. Results: We observed clear differences by age, sex, race/ethnicity and income in concentrations of personal-care and consumer products chemicals that likely reflect differences in lifestyle. Furthermore, although exposure to the original personal-care and consumer products chemicals is still prevalent among the general U.S. population, exposures to the replacement chemicals appear to be on the rise. Conclusions: Exposure to chemicals used in personal-care and consumer products has changed in the last decade. Explaining such exposure trends is difficult because of data gaps. Nonetheless, changes in commercial formulations prompted by legislative activity and campaigns by non-governmental advocacy groups may play a role.