Exposure to dust organophosphate and replacement brominated flame retardants during infancy and risk of subsequent adverse respiratory outcomes

Background: Children are highly exposed to flame retardants in indoor environments, partly through inhalation. However, the associations of early life exposure to novel organophosphate (OPFRs) and replacement brominated flame retardants (RBFRs) with adverse respiratory outcomes during childhood are unclear.Methods: We used a prospective birth cohort of 234 children recruited from the greater Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area between 2003 and 2006. OPFRs and RBFRs were analyzed in dust sampled from the homes' main activity room and the children's bedroom floor at child age 1 year. Caregivers reported subsequent respiratory symptoms every six months until child age 5 years and we measured forced expiratory volume in 1 s as well as peak expiratory flow (PEF) at child age 5 years. We performed generalized estimating equations and linear regression modeling adjusted for covariates to examine the exposure-outcome associations.Results: Geometric means (GMs) (standard error [SE]) for dust concentrations were 10.27 (0.63) & mu;g/g for total OPFRs (TOPFRs) and 0.48 (0.04) & mu;g/g for total RBFRs (TRBFRs); GMs (SE) for dust loadings were 2.82 (0.26) & mu;g/ m2 for TOPFRs and 0.13 (0.01) & mu;g/m2 for TRBFRs. Dust n-ary sumation OPFRs concentrations at age 1 year were associated with higher subsequent risks of wheezing (relative risk [RR]: 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-2.34), respiratory infections (RR: 4.01, 95% CI: 1.95-8.24), and hay fever/allergies (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10-1.60), whereas n-ary sumation OPFRs dust loadings at age 1 year were associated with higher risks of subsequent respiratory infections (RR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.05-3.34) and hay fever/allergies (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.19-1.51). PEF (mL/min) was lower with higher n-ary sumation OPFRs dust loadings (13: -12.10, 95% CI: -21.10, -3.10) and with the RBFR bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (13: -9.05, 95% CI: -17.67, -0.43).Conclusions: Exposure to OPFRs and RBFRs during infancy may be a risk factor for adverse respiratory outcomes during childhood.

Automated summary

Children's exposure to flame retardants in indoor environments, particularly through inhalation, may have an impact on respiratory health outcomes during childhood. The associations between early life exposure to novel organophosphate (OPFRs) and replacement brominated flame retardants (RBFRs) and adverse respiratory outcomes were investigated in a prospective birth cohort.