Exposure to the common antimicrobials triclosan and parabens was significantly associated with allergic sensitization, according to a recent study. The concentration-dependent association was found between the antimicrobials and aeroallergen and food sensitization. Both triclosan and parabens are endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs).

Jessica H. Savage, MD, from the Johns Hopkins Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues presented the results of an analysis of existing data from a national health survey in an article published online June 18 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The authors used the large, nationally representative sample to investigate the relationship between EDCs and atopy. Urinary EDC levels were used as a biomarker of exposure.

The authors used data from the 2005 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included a total of 10,348 patients, of whom 859 were children aged 8 to 16 years with complete data for the analysis of EDC levels. Aeroallergen and food sensitization were defined by the presence of at least 1 positive (≥0.35 kU/L) specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level to an aeroallergen or food.

After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, urinary creatinine level, and income, the investigators determined that the odds of aeroallergen sensitization significantly increased with the level of triclosan and propyl and butyl parabens. Comparing the third vs the first tertile of urinary triclosan, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for aeroallergen sensitization was 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 – 2.69; P = .02). Similarly, the adjusted OR for propyl paraben was 2.04 (95% CI, 1.12 – 3.74; P = .02), and for butyl paraben it was 1.55 (95% CI, 1.02 – 2.33; P = .02).

The authors found that the increased risk for sensitization was most pronounced for men. There was no association between EDCs and a history of atopic asthma, wheeze, or total

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