Abstract

BUSTAMANTE-MONTES, Lilia Patricia et al. Infant exposure to potentially toxic plasticizers in products for oral use. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2004, vol.46, n.6, pp.501-508. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of oral product use in children less than three years of age, and to measure the concentration of phthalates as potentially toxic products. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 1999, 199 mothers of children living in the city of Toluca agreed to household interviews. Samples of oral products used by the children were taken and analyzed by gas chromatography to identify and quantify phthalate concentrations, to estimate the daily intake of phthalates from this source. RESULTS: The prevalence of oral product use was 13%. Male infants less than 18 months of age of low socioeconomic level used them more frequently. The concentrations ranged from traces to 67% weight. The mean exposure to products manufactured with polyvinyl chloride and phthalates was 13.94 µg/kg/day (95% CI 9.08, 18.89). CONCLUSIONS: The daily dose of phthalate intake from products for infants to suck or bite did not exceed the recommended limit established in other countries. Nevertheless, other sources can contribute to increase the total dose. Since some phthalates are harmful to the reproductive system in animals and this potential effect may also be expected in humans, it is necessary to assess other sources and determine exposure using biomarkers.

Keywords : phthalate; exposure; polyvinyl chloride (CPV); Mexico.