Determination of phthalates in particulate matter and gaseous phase emitted into the air of the working environment

Abstract

The paper presents the results of phthalates measurements in 4 companies producing or processing materials made of rubber and plastics. Six priority phthalates were determined in air samples both in the respirable and inhalable particle fractions. For the determination of phthalates, GC/MS was applied, which ensures the determination of the method at the level of 0.066 µg/ m 3 for fibreglass filter and polyurethane foam and 0.022 µg/m 3 for Amberlite resin XAD-2, while taking 720 L of air samples. The results of the measurements showed that dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) dominated in all the investigated companies in the gaseous phase of air sampling. For example, in a company producing rubber details for car accessories, the concentration of DBP ranged from 54 to 74% of the total phthalate concentration determined in the gaseous phase. The inhalable particle fraction was dominated by two compounds, i.e. DBP and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP, and their total concentration was a significant percentage, on average over 83% of the sum of all phthalates determined in the inhalable fraction in the investigated companies. As particle size affects the location of phthalate deposition in the respiratory tract, the determination of concentration levels of individual phthalates in the gaseous phase and in inhalable and respirable fractions can provide valuable information that can be used to improve the health and safety of workers at work.

The Endocrine Disruption of Prenatal Phthalate Exposure in Mother and Offspring

“…For example, DEHP has been detected in atmospheric particulate matter, fresh water and sediments, soil, and landfills with 0.54-689 ng/m 3 , not detected (N.D.) to 197 µg/L, N.D. to 34,800 µg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 63,000 µg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 232.50 µg/L, respectively (2). Then, they would be delivered to the human body and accumulated through diet, inhalation, and skin contact and rapidly transforming into even more toxic metabolites (2)(3)(4). According to the molecular weight, the metabolites of phthalate are divided into two groups: low-molecular-weight phthalates (LMWPs) and higher-molecular-weight phthalates (HMWP).…”

“…Phthalates would be gradually released from their substrate materials and be accumulated at a measurable concentration in different environments such as atmosphere, fresh water, sediments, soils, and landfills because of their refractory characteristics. Σdi-2(ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and Σdibutyl phthalate (DBP) are the primary phthalate ester pollutants in the environment ( 2 , 3 ). For example, DEHP has been detected in atmospheric particulate matter, fresh water and sediments, soil, and landfills with 0.54–689 ng/m 3 , not detected (N.D.) to 197 μg/L, N.D. to 34,800 μg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 63,000 μg/kg dry weight, and N.D. to 232.50 μg/L, respectively ( 2 ).…”

Determination of phthalates in particulate matter and gaseous phase emitted in indoor air of offices

“…The research presented in this paper focuses on the determination of phthalates occurring in the office rooms in the gas fraction and in the particles with different aerodynamic diameters ranging from 100 to 4 μm. This range of aerodynamic diameter of particles is related to the place of its deposition in the respiratory system and corresponds to the inhalable and respirable fractions as it was previously described by the authors (Szewczyńska et al 2019). The inhalable fraction is defined as a mass fraction of total airborne particles which is inhaled through the nose and mouth and the respirable fraction as a mass fraction of inhaled particles which penetrate to the unciliated airways (ISO 7708:1995).…”

“…The studies of the latest 10 years on the assessment of exposure to these substances come primarily from Asian countries (Chen et al 2018;Song et al 2015;Wang et al 2015;Zhang et al 2014). The results of occupational exposure assessment to several phthalates in gaseous and particle fraction during plastics and rubber processing were also previously published by the authors (Szewczyńska et al 2019). With the latest research on phthalates in different fractions, interesting results have been published by Chinese scientists.…”

Comparative Analysis of Neurotoxicity of Six Phthalates in Zebrafish Embryos

“…The present study aimed to comparatively assess the neurotoxicity of six PAEs using an embryonic zebrafish model. Based on the occurrences in human and environmental samples [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], the following six PAEs with low to high molecular weights were selected for assessment: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP), DEHP, di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and DiNP. Developmental toxicity testing was initially conducted to determine sublethal concentrations for neurotoxicity analyses.…”