Perinatal & Pediatric
What’s in the Diaper? A Hybrid Targeted and Non-Targeted Analysis of Chemicals in Disposable Diapers Using HPLC-HRMS Elisia White* Elisia White Trevor Johnson Dimitri Abrahamsson Linda Kahn
Infancy is a critical period of development for the reproductive system, which can be dysregulated by exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Infants and toddlers are continuously exposed to exogenous chemicals through commercial baby products including bottles, pacifiers, creams, wipes, and disposable diapers. Most parents in industrialized countries use disposable diapers, yet the diaper manufacturing industry remains unregulated. Research on the chemicals used in commercial diapers is limited, and manufacturers are not required to disclose this information, leaving a gap in oversight by both industry and regulatory bodies. Infants spend 24 hours i.e. all day and night in diapers, which cover a large surface area of their bodies, and the combination of sweat and urine inside the diaper increases dermal absorption. Therefore, it is important to ascertain the chemical constituents of disposable diapers, as they may have adverse effects on infants’ overall health and developing endocrine systems, particularly the gonads. To investigate the chemical components of disposable diapers and identify potential novel compounds for future epidemiologic analyses, we performed a hybrid targeted and non-targeted analysis of 15 popular brands of diapers that included regular, overnight, and eco-friendly types. Each diaper was carefully cut and weighed. The diaper samples were then incubated and extracted in a 50:50 methanol/hexane solution before analysis. The chemical composition of diapers was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) in both positive and negative ionization modes. The chemical screening was performed using targeted analysis of known substances, coupled with non-targeted techniques to detect uncharacterized compounds. Bisphenols, phthalates, flavonoids, organophosphates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were among the EDCs detected. Identities of bisphenols and phthalates were then confirmed and quantified using analytical standards. This study is an important first step in building an evidence base for regulating chemicals used to produce disposable diapers.