Exposure to indoor endocrine-disrupting chemicals and childhood asthma and obesity
Corresponding Author
Inês Paciência
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Correspondence
Inês Paciência, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João; Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI); EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJoão Cavaleiro Rufo
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorDiana Silva
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Martins
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorFrancisca Mendes
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorMariana Farraia
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorLuís Delgado
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorEduardo de Oliveira Fernandes
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorPatrícia Padrão
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorPedro Moreira
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorMilton Severo
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorHenrique Barros
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorAndré Moreira
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Inês Paciência
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Correspondence
Inês Paciência, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João; Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI); EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJoão Cavaleiro Rufo
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorDiana Silva
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Martins
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorFrancisca Mendes
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorMariana Farraia
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorLuís Delgado
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorEduardo de Oliveira Fernandes
Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorPatrícia Padrão
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorPedro Moreira
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorMilton Severo
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorHenrique Barros
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorAndré Moreira
Serviço de Imunologia Básica e Clínica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e, Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Indoor air contaminants may act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, to what extent these contaminants affect health is poorly known. We aimed to assess the association between EDCs exposure and asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity in schoolchildren.
Methods
Data from a cross-sectional analysis of 815 participants from 20 schools in Porto, Portugal, were analysed. Symptoms were assessed, asthma was defined on lung function, and airway reversibility and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. The concentrations of 13 volatile organic compounds and 2 aldehydes identified as EDCs were measured in 71 classrooms throughout 1 week. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the effect of co-exposure. Associations were estimated by regression coefficients using linear and logistic regression models.
Results
Increased individual and combined EDCs levels were found in classrooms having more children with asthma and obesity. Higher levels of hexane, styrene, cyclohexanone, butylated hydroxytoluene and 2-butoxyethanol were associated with obesity, and higher levels of cyclohexanone were associated with increased child BMI. Toluene, o-xylene, m/p-xylene and ethylbenzene were significantly associated with nasal obstruction. A positive association was found between PC1 and the risk of obese asthma (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.01, 1.98) and between PC2 and overweight (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.28, 1.79). PC1 and PC2 were also associated with nasal obstruction, and PC2 was associated with breathing difficulties and lean body mass, although EDCs concentrations were low.
Conclusions
Our findings further support the role of EDCs in asthma and obesity development. Moreover, even low levels of indoor exposure may influence the risk of asthma, respiratory symptoms and obesity.
Graphical Abstract
Exposure to low levels of EDCs have an effect on asthma, current symptoms and obesity in school-age children. Individual or combined EDCs also associate with ANS changes, that may possibly mediate the interaction between EDCs and childhood asthma and obesity. Our findings may contribute to action plans to reduce exposures to EDCs and to promote a healthy indoor school environment.
ANS: autonomic nervous system; BHT: butylated hydroxytoluene; EDCs: endocrine-disrupting chemicals; The circles represent the Odds ratio (OR) values, being the size proportional do the OR.
Circles: OR <1; square: OR >1.
*Positive bronchodilatation; **Obese asthma; ┴ Nasal obstruction; ┴ ┴ Breathing difficulties
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Supporting Information
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