A randomized controlled trial of a housing intervention to reduce endocrine disrupting chemical exposures in children

Abstract

Few studies have considered household interventions for reducing endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposures. We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, originally designed to reduce lead exposure, to evaluate if the intervention lowered EDC exposures in young children. Study participants were children from the Cincinnati, Ohio area (n = 250, HOME Study). Prenatally, families received a housing intervention that included paint stabilization and dust mitigation, or as a control, injury prevention measures. At 24-months, we measured organophosphate esters (OPEs) and phthalates or their metabolites in dust and urine. We measured perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dust and serum at 24- and 36-months, respectively. We assessed associations between dust and biomarker EDCs using Spearman correlations, characterized EDC mixtures via principal components analysis, and investigated treatment effects using linear regression. To mitigate selection bias, we fit statistical models using inverse probability of retention weights. Correlations between dust EDCs and analogous biomarkers were weak-to-moderate (ρ's ≤ 0.3). The intervention was associated with 23 % (95 % CI: -38, -3) lower urinary DEHP metabolites and, in a per-protocol analysis, 34 % lower (95 % CI: -55, -2) urinary MBZP. Additionally, among Black or African American children, the intervention was associated with lower serum concentrations of several PFAS (e.g., -42 %; 95 % CI: -63, -8 for PFNA). Household interventions that include paint stabilization and dust mitigation may reduce childhood exposures to some phthalates and PFAS in Blacks/African Americans. These findings highlight the need for larger studies with tailored and sustained housing interventions.

Fig. 1.

Flowchart describing derivation of analytic sample.

Fig. 2.

IPRW weighted and unweighted standardized differences in baseline characteristics, maternal and child race (White/Black/other) and Hispanic ethnicity, maternal age at delivery (years), household income ($ per year), maternal education (

Fig. 3.

Spearman correlations for EDCs and EDC metabolites measured in dust, urine, and serum in the HOME Study (2003–2006). Both the width of the band and the intensity of the color correspond to the strength of the association.

Fig. 4.

Percent difference (±95 % CI) in 24-month EDC dust loadings, 24-month urinary OPE and phthalate metabolite concentrations, and 36-month PFAS serum concentrations comparing intervention to control group (The HOME Study, 2003–2006). Estimates from linear model regressing ln-transformed loadings and concentrations on intervention status weighted using IPRW. Percent difference calculated as exp(βintervention)-1×100%. Negative values indicate lower loadings or concentrations in the intervention group. ΣDEHP is the molar sum of urinary MEHHP, MEOHP, and MECPP.

Fig. 5.

Difference in means (±95 % CI) for matrix-class specific component scores comparing intervention to control group (The HOME Study, 2003–2006). Estimates from generalized linear model regressing component scores on intervention status weighted using IPRW. The control group is used as a reference category. Ln-transformed dust loadings and metabolite concentrations were mean-centered and scaled to the standard deviation prior to fitting PCA models.

Fig. 6.

Percent difference (±95 % CI) in 24-month urinary OPE and phthalate metabolite concentrations, and 36-month PFAS serum concentrations comparing intervention to control group stratified by mouthing behaviors (daily/