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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Adrianne K. Holmes, MPH¹, Carol Rubin, DVM, MPH¹, Michelle Marcus, PhD¹, Stephanie Kieszak, MA¹, Richard W. Jones², Jean Golding, PhD², and Michael McGeehin, PhD¹. (1) National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS F-46, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-3404, aoh8@cdc.gov, (2) Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom

Background: Research suggests that exposure to environmental contaminants may contribute to disruption of endocrine activity. Since 1990, the University of Bristol's Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) has collected biologic samples and questionnaire data from approximately 14,000 mothers and children. The cohort provides a unique opportunity to explore possible associations between environmental exposures and pubertal development. In this pilot study, we analyzed biologic samples collected from ALSPAC participants to estimate levels of certain chemicals not previously measured in these samples to determine whether this population is appropriate for further investigation of the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Methods: We measured persistent pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, perfluorochemicals, atrazine, phthalates, and environmental phenols in three pooled samples. Samples were composed of banked urine and serum from 20 randomly selected mothers, and urine from 20 randomly selected children. Results: In maternal serum, we found detectable levels of persistent pesticides, PBDEs, perfluorochemicals, and all but two PCB congeners. In maternal and child urine, we found detectable levels of all measured phthalate metabolites and all but one phenol. None of three measured atrazine metabolites were detected in maternal urine samples and only one metabolite was detected in child urine. Conclusion: Measurable levels of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals were found in our study samples. These results suggest that this is an appropriate population in which to study the effects of these exposures on endocrine system endpoints.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the exposure of a subset of participants in a large cohort study 2)Understand the design and the intent of the ALSPAC cohort
• Discuss the limitations in interpreting exposure data from a small sample

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered