Phthalates can leach into indoor and outdoor airborne particulate matter and dust, which can then be ingested or absorbed and induce lung injury. Dermal phthalate levels can be used as a matrix for exposure direct absorption from air, particle deposition, and contact with contaminated products. However, the association between dermal phthalate levels in skin wipes and lung function tests remains unknown. A total of 397 participants were included. Spirometry measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, L) and forced vital capacity (FVC, L) were calculated. Dermal phthalate levels of diethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), and diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP) on forehead skin wipes were detected. The one-unit increases in logarithm (log) dermal DnBP (β = - 0.08; 95% CI - 0.16, - 0.003, p = 0.041), BBzP (β = - 0.09; 95% CI - 0.16, - 0.02, p = 0.009), DEHP (β = - 0.07; 95% CI - 0.14, - 0.003, p = 0.042), and DiNP (β = - 0.08; 95% CI - 0.15, - 0.02, p = 0.017) were significantly associated with decreases in FVC. For elderly participants, one-unit increases in log dermal DnBP (β = - 0.25; 95% CI - 0.46, - 0.04, p = 0.021), BBzP (β = - 0.17; 95% CI - 0.33, - 0.01, p = 0.042), and DiDP (β = - 0.19; 95% CI - 0.39, < 0.01, p = 0.052) were associated with decreases in FEV1. In conclusion, dermal phthalate levels were significantly associated with decreases in lung function tests.
Keywords: Dermal exposure; Forced expiratory volume; Forced vital capacity; Petrochemical complex; Phthalate; Skin wipes.