Associations Between Daily-Use Products and Urinary Biomarkers of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Adults of Reproductive Age

Background: Daily-use products, including personal care products, household products, and dietary supplements, often contain ingredients that raise concerns regarding harmful chemical exposure. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in daily-use products are associated with numerous adverse health effects. Methods: This pilot study explores the relationship between concentrations of EDCs in urine samples and products used 24 h prior to sample collection, and ingredients of concern in those products, in 140 adults of reproductive age in Northern Nevada. Results: Having higher numbers of products and ingredients of concern, especially in the personal care category, was associated with higher levels of mono-(-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP). Similarly, taking more supplements was associated with higher levels of methylparaben (MePB). In contrast, using household products with more ingredients of concern was associated with lower levels of monobutyl phthalate (MBP). Generally, women used more products, were exposed to more ingredients of concern and had higher urinary metabolites than men. Participants who rated themselves as being in poor/fair health were exposed to more personal care and supplement ingredients of concern than those in better health. Interestingly, those in excellent health also took supplements with more ingredients of concern. Conclusions: Greater product use and more ingredients of concern are associated with urinary metabolites of known EDCs and self-ratings of poor health. Women and people who take supplements are at greater risk, and even people who consider themselves to be healthy can be highly exposed. More education among the general public is needed to make people aware of the presence of these chemicals in their everyday products so they can make efforts to avoid them.