Human elimination of phthalate compounds: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Small observational cross-sectional biomarker study in 20 participants.
PubMed 23213291 · doi:10.1100/2012/615068
What was done
Blood, urine, and sweat samples were collected from 20 participants (10 healthy individuals and 10 individuals with assorted health problems). Samples were analyzed for parent phthalate compounds and phthalate metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).
What was found
Parent phthalates and phthalate metabolites were detected in sweat. Mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) was present in blood, sweat, and urine across all 20 participants. On average, the concentration of MEHP in sweat was more than twice as high as in urine. In several individuals, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was detected in sweat but was undetectable in serum. Absolute numerical concentration values were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that sweat is an active excretory pathway for certain phthalates and their metabolites, suggesting that perspiration might facilitate phthalate elimination.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n=20) with a heterogeneous participant group. The abstract lacks specific quantitative values, exposure tracking, clear descriptions of sweat induction methods, or clinical outcome assessments.
Cited by
- supports A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found measurable levels of phthalates in human sweat.