Longitudinal effects of prenatal exposure to plastic-derived chemicals and their metabolites on asthma and lung function

Abstract

Environmental exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), chemicals used in the production of plastics, may increase risk for asthma and allergies. However, very little is known about the long-term effects of early life exposure to these compounds. In this study, we aimed to study if prenatal exposure to plastic compounds had effects on long-term respiratory health outcomes from early childhood into adulthood.

Maternal serum samples collected from pregnant women participating in the Raine Study were assayed for BPA and a range of phthalate metabolites. The children of these women were followed up at 5,13 and 22 years. At each follow-up the children underwent spirometry. Respiratory questionnaires were used to determine asthma status and phenotypes. Lung function trajectories were plotted from longitudinal spirometry measurements Mixed-effects logistic and linear regression models were used to determine the associations between maternal concentrations of the plastic compounds and repeated asthma, allergic sensitization, and spirometry (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC z-scores) outcomes. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test associations with asthma phenotypes and lung function trajectories.

Prenatal BPA exposure was associated with increased risks for persistent asthma in males. Prenatal BPA had no effects on lung function trajectories, but prenatal MEP exposure more than doubled the risk of being in the very low lung function trajectory group of FEV1.

Results from the Raine Study suggests that prenatal exposure to BPA and phthalates may have long-term age and sex-specific effects on respiratory health from childhood into adulthood.