Early life organophosphate ester exposures and bone health at age 12 years: The Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study.

Background: No human studies have evaluated early life organophosphate ester (OPE) exposures with bone health outcomes, despite evidence of osteotoxicity.

Objectives: We assessed associations of urinary OPE metabolites measured across early life with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at age 12 years.

Methods: Among 223 mother-child dyads enrolled in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, we quantified concentrations of bis-2-chloroethyl phosphate (BCEP), bis-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) (BDCIPP), di-n-butyl phosphate (DnBP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in urine collected from mothers during pregnancy and children at ages 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years. At age 12 years, we performed dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and calculated aBMD and BMC z-scores at six skeletal sites. We estimated overall and sex-stratified BMD/BMC z-score differences per interquartile range (IQR) increase in OPE concentrations at multiple exposure timepoints: gestation (average) and 1-3 (average), 5, and 8 years.

Results: In adjusted models, overall associations of BCEP and BDCIPP with total hip and 1/3rd distal radius aBMD and BMC varied significantly by exposure timepoint, as did BDCIPP with whole body aBMD. For example, differences (95 % CI) in total hip aBMD z-score per IQR increase in BDCIPP were 0.33 (0.01, 0.64), -0.10 (-0.34, 0.14), -0.18 (-0.40, 0.05), and 0.14 (-0.09, 0.38) for concentrations during gestation and at 1-3, 5, and 8 years, respectively. Overall DnBP and DPHP associations were generally null at all timepoints. We observed sex-specific associations for some timepoints and skeletal sites. For example, an IQR increase in 8-year DPHP was associated with a 0.21 (0.05, 0.38) greater total hip aBMD z-score among females but -0.19 (-0.43, 0.05) lower z-score among males.

Discussion: Early life OPE exposures may be associated with sex- and exposure period-dependent alterations in early adolescent bone mineral accrual and strength.

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Braun's institution was financially compensated for his services as an expert witness for plaintiffs in litigation related to PFAS-contaminated drinking water; these funds were not paid to JMB directly. Dr. Lanphear served as an expert witness in cases related to childhood lead poisoning, but he was not personally compensated. The other authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

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