Maternal Food and Beverage Consumption Behaviors and Discrepant Phthalate Exposure by Race

Mary E. Sterrett, Michael S. Bloom, Erica L. Jamro, Abby G. Wenzel, Rebecca J. Wineland, Elizabeth R. Unal, John Brock, John Kucklick, Kelly Garcia and Roger B. Newman
Additional contact information
Mary E. Sterrett: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
Michael S. Bloom: Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Erica L. Jamro: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
Abby G. Wenzel: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
Rebecca J. Wineland: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
Elizabeth R. Unal: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
John Brock: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC 28804, USA
John Kucklick: Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
Kelly Garcia: Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Roger B. Newman: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: Background : Differential exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including phthalate diesters, may contribute to persistent racial/ethnic disparities in women’s reproductive health outcomes. We sought to characterize sources of gestational exposure to these agents that may differ according to maternal race. Methods : We enrolled pregnant Black (n = 198), including African American, and White (n = 197) women during the second trimester, and measured eight phthalate monoester metabolites in urine. We assessed confounder-adjusted associations between multiple food and beverage consumption habits, summarized using a principal component analysis, as predictors of maternal urinary phthalate metabolite levels, stratified by race. Results : Whites reported significantly greater unprocessed food consumption (42.5% vs. 32.0%; p < 0.001) and storage of food in clear unbreakable plastic containers (66.5% vs. 49.3%; p < 0.001) than Blacks, while Blacks consumed more canned fruits and vegetables (23.5% vs. 12.2%; p < 0.001) than Whites. Using plastics for food storage, microwaving in plastic containers, and using hard plastic water bottles was associated with urinary phthalate concentrations, especially DEHP metabolites (e.g., mean difference = 5.13%; 95% CI: 3.05, 7.25). These associations were driven primarily by Black pregnant women. Conclusions : Targeted interventions to reduce maternal exposure to phthalates need to be designed with specific attention to differences in food and beverage consumption behaviors among Black and White women.

Keywords: female; phthalic acids/urine; pregnancy; questionnaires; racial groups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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