identified and used to construct ERS for each outcome. Various persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were positively associated with total cholesterol and triglycerides and inversely associated with HDL in single-pollutant models but the association directions for some POPs (2,3,4,7,8-PnCDF, 3,3,4,4,5-HxCB, PCB 138, PCB 146, PCB 156, PCB 177, PCB 180, and PCB 183) changed in the multi-pollutant model, probably due to multi-collinearity. Phthalates were inversely associated with HDL. Cadmium and lead were associated with lipid outcomes in expected directions, that is, higher concentrations of cadmium and lead were associated with higher levels of lipid outcomes except the association between lead and HDL (good cholesterol) which was positive. Interestingly, the mercury (blood total and urinary) and arsenobetaine measures were inversely associated with triglycerides; as were perfluoroheptanoic acid and diethylphosphate with LDL.
