In this study, a set of 15 bisphenols (BPs) and one emerging derivative (4-hydroxyphenyl 4-isoprooxyphenylsulfone, BPSIP) were analyzed in 60 pairs of maternal plasma, cord plasma, and placenta samples from pregnant women in South China. A total of 4 of the 15 target BPs, i.e., BPA, bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol AF (BPAF), and bisphenol E (BPE), were frequently detected in the three human biological matrixes. The derivative BPSIP was identified in all maternal plasma samples at unexpectedly high levels, second only to BPA. The concentrations of bisphenols in maternal plasma were slightly higher than in cord plasma for BPA, BPS, and BPE but much higher for BPSIP and much lower for BPAF, indicating that the five frequently detected bisphenols have different placental transfer behaviors. The placental transfer efficiencies (PTEs) of BPA, BPS, and BPE were similar, which were significantly higher than the PTE of BPSIP. The PTE of BPAF was much higher than other BPs, indicating its strong maternal transfer and high fetal accumulation. The PTEs of bisphenols were structure-dependent, and passive diffusion was suggested as the potential mechanism of placental transfer. Significant concentration correlations of the five major bisphenols between maternal plasma and cord plasma were observed (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, significant associations of BPAF concentrations in maternal/cord plasma with some maternal characteristics and adverse birth outcomes were also identified (p < 0.05).

Numerous studies have reported the environmental contamination with traditional organophosphate triesters (tri-OPEs), but there is very little information on emerging tri-OPEs and organophosphate diesters (di-OPEs), especially in e-waste recycling areas. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive survey to monitor a broad suite of 11 traditional tri-OPEs, 12 emerging OPEs, and 10 di-OPEs in indoor dust collected from the workshops of (n = 42) and residential homes adjacent to (n = 24) a mega e-waste recycling industrial park in South China. In addition to traditional tri-OPEs, all of the emerging OPEs and di-OPEs were frequently detected in the dust samples. Total concentrations of emerging tri-OPEs and di-OPEs were in the range of 1210–62 900 and 2010–55 600 ng/g in the workshop dust and 435–23 700 and 186–4350 ng/g in the local home dust, respectively, which were comparable to those of traditional tri-OPEs (1160–61 500 and 370–13 900 ng/g, respectively). Most OPEs exhibited significantly higher concentrations in workshop dust versus local home dust (p < 0.05), indicating that e-waste dismantling activities contributed to the high residues of OPEs in indoor dust. Correlation analysis revealed that tri-OPEs have some common emission sources, i.e., e-waste and household products, while di-OPEs could originate from different sources, e.g., tri-OPE degradation, direct commercial application, and impurities in tri-OPE formulas. For both occupational workers and local adults, the median estimated daily intake values of emerging tri-OPEs (7.5 and 1.7 ng/kg bw/day, respectively) and di-OPEs (3.9 and 0.2 ng/kg bw/day, respectively) were comparable to that of traditional tri-OPEs (4.3 and 1.0 ng/kg bw/day, respectively), which suggests the important contribution of the emerging tri-OPEs and di-OPEs to the overall risks of human external exposure to OPE chemicals.

Because of the recognized toxicity and legislative regulation of classic phthalates (PAEs), the manufacture and use of PAE alternatives have rapidly grown. However, lactational exposure to these emerging replacement chemicals remains unknown. In this study, 11 classic PAEs, 14 emerging PAE alternatives, and 24 of their metabolites were comprehensively investigated in human milk from China. Except for nine detectable PAEs, nine of the 14 emerging PAE alternatives, including three (1,4-DEHCH, 1,2-DEHCH, and DEHIP) not reported before in the environment, were first identified and detected in human milk. Total concentrations of nine detectable PAE alternatives were in the range of 0.252–16.1 ng/mL, slightly lower than those of nine detectable PAEs (2.12–34.1 ng/mL). Additionally, 12 of the 24 target metabolites were found in human milk. Total concentrations (4.41–138 ng/mL) of these metabolites were significantly higher than those of their parent compounds. Our findings highlighted the considerable coexistence of PAEs, emerging PAE alternatives, and their metabolites, resulting in a complex “cocktail” of plasticizers in human milk. Preliminary risk assessment indicated no or minor risk to breast-fed infants, but long-term low-level exposure to the “cocktail” chemicals is of emerging concern. This is the first identification of multiple emerging PAE alternatives and their metabolites in human milk.