PFAS exposure associated with weak bones in teenage boys

National data show that exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect bone health in some teens.

Boys with high exposure to serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) among young people aged 12 to 19-artificial perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) commonly used in non-adhesive and heat resistant coatings ) Chemical Group-According to Abby Fleisch, MD, MPH, and colleagues at the Main Medical Center Institute in Portland, the bone mineral density score was low.

specifically, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and MetabolismEach doubling of serum PFOA exposure was associated with a 0.24 (95% CI -0.41 to -0.06) lower adjusted bone mineral density. z-Boy’s score.

Similarly, each doubling of monobutyl phthalate (MBP) in urine was associated with a moderately low bone mineral density of 0.09. z-Men’s score (95% CI -0.17 to 0.00).

There was also a tendency for high exposure to serum perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and low bone mineral density in urinary monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP), but these relationships were not statistically significant. The researchers say. Similarly, other specific serum PFAS and urinary phthalate biomarkers were not significantly associated with bone mineral density in teenage men.

“Adolescence is an important time for our bodies to build bones,” Freish explained in a statement. “Although almost all US children and adolescents are exposed to PFAS and phthalates, few studies have investigated how these chemicals affect our bone health.”

“Our study found a link between certain PFASs and phthalates and a decrease in bone mineral density in adolescent men. Bone development occurs primarily in adolescence and is therefore reproducible. If so, this finding could affect lifelong bone health, “she suggested.

However, different findings were seen in teenage women. Although not statistically significant, there was a modest trend seen between more exposure to serum PFOA and urinary MiBP associated with higher bone mineral density in women.

“Our findings of the association between higher levels of selected chemicals and lower aBMDs [areal bone mineral density] z-Men’s scores, not women’s, may be related to differences in biological effects between chemicals. ” preliminary survey It found that men with high levels of PFOA and PFOS biomarkers had low testosterone levels.

Fleisch’s group used data from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) cycle. The sample included 453 men and 395 women with an average age of 15 years.

Exposure to PFAS and phthalates was assessed on urine and blood samples, and bone mineral density “whole body minus head” was measured by DXA scan.

In total, 5 serum PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA)) and 7 urinary phthalate metabolites (MBP) , MiBP, Monocarboxyoctylphthalate (MCOP), Monocarboxy) were measured. -Isononyl phthalate (MCNP), mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP).

Among the measured PFAS, PFOS showed the highest median concentration at 3.2 ng / mL. Among the measured urinary phthalate biomarkers, the median MEP concentration was the highest at 34.5 ng / mL.

On average, teens who were more physically active, male, and non-Hispanic blacks tended to have higher BMD. z-Score.

Freish’s group recommends reducing exposure to PFAS, phthalates, and other endocrine disrupting chemicals by avoiding certain consumer products containing these chemicals, such as plastics, while at the same time these. He supported public health policies that required the replacement of chemicals with safer alternatives.