Flame retardant (FR) exposure has been linked to several environmental and human health effects. Because of this, the production and use of several FRs are regulated globally. We reviewed the available records of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in human breast milk from literature to evaluate the efficacy of regulation to reduce the exposure of FRs to humans. Two-hundred and seven studies were used for analyses to determine the spatial and temporal trends of FR exposure. North America consistently had the highest concentrations of PBDEs, while Asia and Oceania dominated HBCDD exposure. BDE-49 and -99 indicated decreasing temporal trends in most regions. BDE-153, with a longer half-life than the aforementioned isomers, typically exhibited a plateau in breast milk levels. No conclusive trend could be established for HBCDD, and insufficient information was available to determine a temporal trend for BDE-209. Breakpoint analyses indicated a significant decrease in BDE-47 and -99 in Europe around the time that regulation has been implemented, suggesting a positive effect of regulation on FR exposure. However, very few studies have been conducted globally (specifically in North America) after 2013, during the time when the most recent regulations have been implemented. This meta-analysis provides insight into global trends in human exposure to PBDEs and HBCDD, but the remaining uncertainty highlights the need for ongoing evaluation and monitoring, even after a compound group is regulated.

• Klíčová slova
• biomonitoring, breast milk, effectiveness evaluation, flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane, polybrominated diphenyl ether, temporal trends,
• MeSH
• halogenované difenylethery * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mateřské mléko * chemie   MeSH
• matka - expozice noxám MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• retardanty hoření * analýza   MeSH
• vládní regulace MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí * analýza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Asie MeSH
• Evropa MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• halogenované difenylethery * MeSH
• hexabromocyclododecane MeSH Prohlížeč
• retardanty hoření * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Many phthalates are environmental pollutants and toxic to humans. Following phthalate regulations, human exposure to phthalates has globally decreased with time in European countries, the US and Korea. Conversely, exposure to their substitutes DEHT and/or DINCH has increased. In other countries, including China, little is known on the time-trends in human exposure to these plasticizers. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate time-trends in the urinary concentrations of phthalates, DEHT, and DINCH metabolites, in general population from non-European countries, in the last decade. METHODS: We compiled human biomonitoring (HBM) data from 123 studies worldwide in a database termed "PhthaLit". We analyzed time-trends in the urinary concentrations of the excreted metabolites of various phthalates as well as DEHT and DINCH per metabolite, age group, and country/region, in 2009-2019. Additionally, we compared urinary metabolites levels between continents. RESULTS: We found solid time-trends in adults and/or children from the US, Canada, China and Taiwan. DEHP metabolites decreased in the US and Canada. Conversely in Asia, 5oxo- and 5OH-MEHP (DEHP metabolites) increased in Chinese children. For low-weight phthalates, the trends showed a mixed picture between metabolites and countries. Notably, MnBP (a DnBP metabolite) increased in China. The phthalate substitutes DEHT and DINCH markedly increased in the US. SIGNIFICANCE: We addressed the major question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compared the results in different countries worldwide. IMPACT: Phthalates account for more than 50% of the plasticizer world market. Because of their toxicity, some phthalates have been regulated. In turn, the consumption of non-phthalate substitutes, such as DEHT and DINCH, is growing. Currently, phthalates and their substitutes show high detection percentages in human urine. Concerning time-trends, several studies, mainly in Europe, show a global decrease in phthalate exposure, and an increase in the exposure to phthalate substitutes in the last decade. In this study, we address the important question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compare the results in different countries worldwide.

• Klíčová slova
• Asia, Human biomonitoring, North America., Phthalate plasticizers, Phthalate substitutes, Time-trends,
• MeSH
• diethylhexylftalát * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kyseliny ftalové * moč   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * moč   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• vystavení vlivu životního prostředí analýza   MeSH
• změkčovadla analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Severní Amerika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• diethylhexylftalát * MeSH
• kyseliny ftalové * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• phthalic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• změkčovadla MeSH