Association between exposure to airborne endocrine disrupting chemicals and asthma in children or adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#adolescent #child #humans #air-pollutants #asthma

Association between exposure to airborne endocrine disrupting chemicals and asthma in children or adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hatem et al., 2025 | Environ Pollut | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hatem Georges, Faria Ana Margarida, ... Madureira Joana. Association between exposure to airborne endocrine disrupting chemicals and asthma in children or adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Pollut. 2025-Mar-15;369:125830. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125830

Abstract

Various studies have explored the association between Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) exposure and children's and adolescents' respiratory health, showing potential long-term effects and links to asthma. This systematic review explores the association between exposure to seven EDC groups during school age and adolescence and asthma onset or exacerbation while highlighting the predominant compounds underlying these potential associations. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched with no time restriction. The risk of bias and heterogeneity across the included studies were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale and I2 test, respectively. Pooled Odds Ratios (OR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated using the random effect model, and the quality of evidence for each outcome was measured using the GRADE approach. The review included 64851 children and adolescents from 61 observational studies, most with a low risk of bias in the studied domains. The pooled OR for asthma onset was significant for phthalates in dust samples (OR:1.21, CI:1.02; 1.44). Due to limited studies, the overall pooled effects for the other groups were not computed. Individual compounds demonstrating significant associations with asthma onset included airborne nickel (OR:1.10, CI:1.03; 1.18) and zinc (OR:1.13, CI:1.11; 1.15), urinary Bisphenol S (OR:1.40, CI:1.13; 1.73), Bisphenol A (OR:1.57, CI:1.02; 2.40) and arsenic (OR:2.08, CI:1.33; 3.26), and DiBP (OR:1.41, CI:1.08; 1.82), DEHP (OR:1.89, CI:1.00; 3.57), and TBOEP (OR:2.61, CI:1.08; 6.30) in the dust. Individual compounds with significant associations with greater asthma exacerbation odds comprised airborne nickel (OR:1.08, CI:1.01; 1.16) and zinc (OR:1.09, CI:1.01; 1.17), and urinary MEHHP (OR:1.24, CI:1.02; 1.51), MECPP (OR:1.30, CI:1.07; 1.57), MEOHP (OR:1.30, CI:1.09; 1.55), and MCOP (OR:1.32, CI:1.11; 1.57). Exposure to EDCs was significantly associated with asthma onset and exacerbation in children and adolescents, namely for phthalates, bisphenols A and S, arsenic, nickel, and zinc. Further research is recommended to focus on the impact of synergistic and co-exposure to other indoor air pollutants.

Key Findings

Further research is recommended to focus on the impact of synergistic and co-exposure to other indoor air pollutants.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 64851
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Air Pollutants
  • Asthma
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Phthalic Acids

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09