Open AccessEvidence of exposure to chemicals and heavy metals during pregnancy in Japanese women
Author(s) -
Maekawa Ryo,
Ito Rie,
Iwasaki Yusuke,
Saito Koichi,
Akutsu Kazuhiko,
Takatori Satoshi,
Ishii Rie,
Kondo Fumio,
Arai Yoshikazu,
Ohgane Jun,
Shiota Kunio,
Makino Tsunehisa,
Sugino Norihiro
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1002/rmb2.12049
Subject(s) - perfluorooctanoic acid , perfluorooctane , polybrominated diphenyl ethers , chemistry , nornicotine , environmental chemistry , cotinine , cord blood , phthalate , phthalic acid , nicotine , pollutant , medicine , organic chemistry , alkaloid , sulfonate , sodium
Abstract Purpose Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals is a growing concern, because such exposures have been shown to be associated with various diseases. The levels of chemicals and heavy metals in maternal blood, cord blood, maternal urine and amniotic fluid in Japanese pregnant women were investigated. Methods A total of 145 women, including 14 fetal growth restriction cases, were included in the present study. The levels of phthalates (di[2‐ethylhexyl]phthalate and mono[2‐ethylhexyl]phthalate), perfluorinated compounds (perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorononanoic acid), pesticides (dimethylphosphate, dimethylthiophosphate, diethylphosphate, diethylthiophosphate, 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid, and octachlorodipropyl ether), bisphenol A, nicotine (nicotine, nornicotine, cotinine, norcotinine, and trans‐3’‐hydroxycotinine), polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and heavy metals were measured. The relationship between fetal growth and the levels of chemicals and heavy metals were investigated. Results Phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and heavy metals were detected in high frequency, whereas nicotine and bisphenol A were almost negative. Phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, and several heavy metals were transferred to the fetus. High perfluorononanoic acid levels in the maternal blood and cord blood, and low perfluorooctanoic acid level in the cord blood were significantly and negatively associated with fetal growth. Conclusions The present study showed that pregnant women in Japan and their fetuses are exposed to a variety of chemicals and heavy metals.