--- title: Are girls in Egypt exposed to chemicals from plastic food storage? description: Girls in Egypt, especially in cities, had chemical exposures similar to girls in the US. The study suggests this is likely from food stored in plastic contain url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/exposure-to-phthalates-among-premenstrual-girls-from-rural-and-urban-gharbiah-2011/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are girls in Egypt exposed to chemicals from plastic food storage? Survey study, 2011 # Are girls in Egypt exposed to chemicals from plastic food storage? Girls in Egypt, especially in cities, had chemical exposures similar to girls in the US. The study suggests this is likely from food stored in plastic containers. Early or limited evidence 60 girls aged 10-13 in Egypt (30 from rural areas, 30 from urban areas) ## What they did The researchers collected one urine sample from 60 girls aged 10-13 (30 from rural Egypt and 30 from urban Egypt) between July and October 2009. The samples were tested for 11 types of phthalate chemicals. They also asked about food storage and cooking practices. ## What they found The chemical MEP was at the highest levels: 43.2 ng/mL in rural girls and 98.8 ng/mL in urban girls. Girls who stored food in plastic containers had higher levels of another chemical called MiBP. Overall chemical levels were similar between Egyptian and American girls. ## What it means for you Girls in developing countries are exposed to similar chemicals as girls in developed countries, probably through food stored in plastic. The main limit is that only one urine sample was collected per girl, and the sample was small. 43.2 ng/mL MEP level in rural girls 98.8 ng/mL MEP level in urban girls 60 girls in the study ## About the study Original title Exposure to phthalates among premenstrual girls from rural and urban Gharbiah, Egypt: a pilot exposure assessment study Authors Colacino JA, Soliman AS, Calafat AM et al. Journal Environmental health : a global access science source Year 2011 Study design Survey study Participants 13 What was tested None; the study observed existing chemical exposure patterns and food storage habits. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/1476-069x-10-40](https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069x-10-40) Original abstract Background: Phthalates have been identified as endocrine active compounds associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity. The exposure to phthalates in premenstrual Egyptian females remains unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize phthalate exposure of a potentially vulnerable population of premenstrual girls from urban and rural Egypt. Materials and methods: We collected one spot urine sample from 60 10-13 year old females, 30 from rural Egypt, and 30 from urban Egypt from July to October 2009. Samples were analyzed for 11 phthalate metabolites. Additionally, we collected anthropometrics as well as questionnaire data concerning food storage behaviors, cooking practices, and cosmetic use. Phthalate metabolite concentrations were compared between urban and rural Egyptians as well as to age and gender matched Americans. Results: Monoethyl phthalate (MEP), was detected at the highest concentration in urine of Egyptian girls (median: 43.2 ng/mL in rural, 98.8 ng/mL in urban). Concentrations of urinary metabolites of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and dibutyl phthalate were comparable between Egyptians and age matched US girls. Storage of food in plastic containers was a statistically significant predictor of urinary mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) concentrations when comparing covariate adjusted means. Conclusions: Urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites were similar in Egyptian and US populations, suggesting that phthalate exposure also occurs in developing nations. Dietary intake is likely an important route of exposure to phthalates in both urban and rural populations. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2025 Are irregular menstrual cycles linked to lower thinking and memory skills in middle-aged women? Survey study, 2021 What factors affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls? Cohort study, 2019 How do exercise, diet and weight affect menstrual problems? Survey study, 2018 Does vitamin D or calcium level affect PMS symptoms and menstrual bleeding? Survey study, 2017 Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking? Randomised trial, 2013 Does psychological education reduce PMS symptoms in teenagers? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗