Association of childhood rhinitis with phthalate acid esters in household dust in Shanghai residences.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) have been identified to be associated with children's health. Present study was conducted to assess associations between PAEs in household dust and childhood rhinitis. METHODS: Based on phase II of CCHH study (China, Children, Home, Health) conducted in Shanghai, China, 266 indoor dust samples were collected from participants' families. Concentrations of PAEs in dust samples were measured by chemical treatment and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Information about individuals and residences was surveyed by questionnaires. Logistic regression models were applied to obtain the associations between PAEs and childhood rhinitis. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) were found in those families with children who had diagnosed rhinitis. Significantly higher concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and PAEs with high molecular weight (HMW-PAEs) were found in the positive group of lifetime rhinitis. Using the multiple and ordinal logistic regression models adjusted by covariates, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), DEHP, and HMW-PAEs were found to be significantly associated with diagnosed rhinitis. Boys who exposure to higher concentrations of DBP, DEHP, HMW-PAEs, and total PAEs have significant associations with diagnosed rhinitis compared with girls who exposure to lower concentration of PAEs. CONCLUSIONS: Present observational study indicated that exposure to high concentrations of DBP, DEHP, and HMW-PAEs in house settled dust was a risk factor for rhinitis for children, especially for boys.