Background Bisphenol A (BPA) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are two environmental endocrine disruptors (EDs) which – despite being non-persistent chemicals - are regularly detected in the environment, in food and, as a consequence, in humans. This is due to their continuous release from manufacturing or processing facilities, despite restrictions imposed by law. BPA is used in the production of plastic polycarbonate and epoxy-phenolic resins for non-food and food applications. It has been shown to migrate in small amounts into food and beverages, with children as the most exposed population. DEHP is mainly used as plasticiser in polymer products, and in some food and cosmetics packaging and medical equipment. It then enters the environment, mainly after disposal, via direct release to the air, from sewage sludge and solid waste. The REACH Regulation identified all EDs as “substances of very high concern” and the European Parliament adopted a 2013 Resolution on the Protection of Public Health from EDs. In 2011, under the precautionary principle, the European Commission prohibited the manufacturing in the EU of baby bottles containing BPA and restricted the use of DEHP in food contact materials, in toys and childcare articles. Objectives The LIFE PERSUADED project aims to increase knowledge and understanding of both the levels of DEHP and BPA in children and their mothers, and the links between exposure to these EDs and developmental and health problems in children. It ultimately hopes to contribute to reduced exposure and reduced risks from EDs. The project aims to estimate internal levels of DEHP metabolites and BPA among children and their mothers. It will define reference ranges for DEHP and BPA exposure among Italian women and children according to their residence area. It will specifically evaluate differences in exposure between ages, genders and urban and rural areas in northern, central and southern Italy. It will also use structured questionnaires to investigate which environmental characteristics, food habits and lifestyles are likely sources of ED exposure. To assess the risks associated with ED exposure, the project will investigate the relationship between internal levels of DEHP metabolites and BPA and the following developmental issues in children: idiopathic premature thelarche; idiopathic central precocious puberty; and child idiopathic obesity. It will also evaluate the developmental effects of BPA/DEHP exposure in experimental conditions through a juvenile toxicity study in rodents. By integrating the human and experimental data, the project aims to enable better risk assessment of BPA and DEHP exposure. It aims to develop biomonitoring equivalents (BE) as a tool to support risk management, as required by the REACH Regulation. It hopes to define human biomonitoring (HBM) reference values and assess the reliability and sensitivity of the panel of biomarkers in controlled studies. Expected results: Data on DEHP and BPA exposure among children and mothers; Information on the relative risks of DEHP and BPA exposure according to age, gender and residence area; Information on environmental characteristics, food habits and lifestyles as sources of ED exposure; Data on DEHP and BPA exposure and postnatal development in rodents; Risk assessment of developing premature thelarche (beginning of breast development), precocious puberty and juvenile obesity from ED exposure; Biomonitoring equivalents (BE) for BPA and DEHP as a tool to support risk management; HBM1 and HMB2 reference values; Definition of a panel of biomarkers specifically correlated to BPA/DEHP human exposure and health status; Assessment of the reliability and sensitivity of the panel of biomarkers selected in controlled studies; and Identification of effective measures to reduce exposure.