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Environmental Exposure and Racial Disparities
Phthalates
Seven phthalates are examined in the National Report. Four are detected throughout each racial/ethnic group, one is detected at the 90th percentile in each racial/ethnic group, one is detected at the 95th percentile in each racial ethnic group, and one is detected in Blacks and Whites at the 95th percentile.
Of the four chemicals detected throughout each group, three are detected at highest levels in Blacks. On average, Blacks had a geometric mean 19% greater than Whites for those three chemicals.
However, in each of the seven chemicals detected at the 95th percentile, the highest levels are detected in Whites. Among the six chemicals found in all groups at the 95th percentile, the levels in Whites are up to, on average, 38% greater than in Blacks and Mexican-Americans.
Phthalates are found primarily in plastics, detergents, solvents, and personal care products (e.g., nail polish, shampoo, soap, hair spray, hand lotion, perfume, etc.). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration responded to the first National Report in 2001 by indicating it would review the data to determine whether phthalate levels identified were a health concern. Thus far, no action has been taken. The National Report is evidence that the Black population has the greatest overall exposure to phthalates and that a portion of the White population is exposed to disproportionately high levels of phthalates.
Phthalates
(note - no data indicates non-detect)
| Phtalates | Race/ Ethnicity | Geometric mean (ug/g) |
95th percentile (ug/g) | Findings |
| Mono-ethyl phthalate (DEP metabolite) |
Black | 208 | 1880 | The average mono-ethyl phthalate level
in Blacks is 40% greater than in Whites.
The average mono-ethyl phthalate level in Mexican-Americans is 10% greater than in Whites. The mono-ethyl phthalate level in Whites at the 95th percentile is up to 47% greater than in Blacks and Mexican-Americans. |
| Mexican-American | 164 | 1330 | ||
| White | 149 | 1950 | ||
| Mono-butyl phthalate (DBP metabolite) |
Black | 23.9 | 94.4 | The average mono-butyl phthalate level
in Blacks is 12% greater than in Mexican-Americans or Whites.
The mono-butyl phthalate level in Whites at the 95th percentile is up to 20% greater than in Blacks and Mexican Americans. |
| Mexican-American | 21.2 | 81.6 | ||
| White | 21.3 | 97.6 | ||
| Mono-benzyl phthalate (BzBP metabolite) |
Black | 14.8 | 86.8 | The average mono-benzyl phthalate level
in Blacks is 6% greater than in Whites. The average mono-benzyl phthalate
level in Whites is 11% greater than in Mexican-Americans.
The mono-benzyl phthalate level in Blacks at the 95th percentile is up to 27% greater than in Mexican-Americans and Whites. |
| Mexican-American | 12.6 | 68.1 | ||
| White | 14.0 | 77.9 | ||
| Mono-cyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP metabolite) |
Black | 1.43 | The mono-cyclohexyl phthalate level in
Whites at the 95th percentile is up to 210% greater than
in Blacks.
Mono-cyclohexyl phthalate is not detected in Mexican-Americans, but is found at the 95th percentile in Blacks and Whites. |
|
| Mexican-American | ||||
| White | 3.00 | |||
| Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP metabolite) |
Black | 3.11 | 18.4 | The average mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate
level in Mexican-Americans is 2% greater than in Blacks and Whites.
The mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate level in Whites at the 95th percentile is up to 27% greater than in Blacks and Mexican-Americans. Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is not detected until the 50th percentile in Whites, but is found in the 25th percentile in Blacks and Mexican-Americans. |
| Mexican-American | 3.16 | 15.7 | ||
| White | 3.09 | 20.0 | ||
| Mono-n-octyl phthalate (DOP metabolite) |
Black | 2.18 | The mono-n-octyl phthalate level in Whites
at the 95th percentile is up to 65% greater than in Blacks
and Mexican Americans.
Mono-n-octyl phthalate is detected at the 90th percentile in all groups. |
|
| Mexican-American | 3.16 | |||
| White | 3.60 | |||
| Mono-isononyl phthalate (DINP metabolite) |
Black | 4.26 | The mono-isononyl phthalate level in Whites
at the 95th percentile is up to 42% greater than in Blacks
and Mexican-Americans.
Mono-isononyl phthalate is detected at the 95th percentile in all groups. |
|
| Mexican-American | 3.51 | |||
| White | 5.00 |
