Facts about phthalate toxicity in humans and their occurrence in alcoholic beverages

Abstract

Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and aliphatic alcohol added to plastic to improve its softness, flexibility, and extensibility. They easily migrate from plastic products into the environment because of their physical and chemical properties. This review summarises their characteristics, distribution in the environment, monitoring, use, toxic effects on human health, regulatory limits in different matrices and products, and tolerable daily intake. The studies we have reviewed suggest that phthalates have a potential to affect reproduction and development in humans. Due to the inconsistent data, further studies are needed and, in the meantime, precautionary policies must be implemented. Here we draw attention to the methods of determining phthalate levels in alcoholic beverages and reported levels in plum spirits produced in Croatia. Legally produced and moderately consumed plum spirits do not seem to increase the risk of phthalate toxicity for human health. We conclude with recommendations for the effective monitoring of phthalate exposure in humans and for the implementation of alternative materials in alcohol production.

Phthalates in beverages - A review

“…The lungs of newborn rats exposed to DEPH exhibited histological changes similar to those observed in the lungs of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a chronic lung disease typical for preterm infants (Magliozzi et al, 2003). Wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma in children could be associated with higher concentrations of benzylbutyl phthalate and DEPH in house dust (Bornehag et al, 2004;Kolarik et al, 2008;Bornehag and Nanberg, 2010;Karačonji et al, 2017).…”

“…The main human exposition is through food products contaminated by DEPH from plastic container or wrappers. Exposure from drinking water and ambient air makes a minor contribution to the total daily intake (Karačonji et al, 2017) Human exposure to phthalates is associated with endocrine disruption, delays in fertility, impairment in foetal development, increased risk of allergies, asthma, and cancer. The current tolerable daily intake values for DEPH, dibutyl phthalate and benzylbutyl phthalate established by the EU Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) are based on studies of reproductive toxicity, since reproductive effects seem to have greater relevance for humans than the proliferation of peroxisome in rat liver causing cancer (CSTEE, 1998;EFSA, 2005a;EFSA, 2005b;EFSA, 2005c).…”

“…However, due to the shared sources and routes of human exposure to different chemical classes (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, currently used pesticides -organophosphates and pyrethroids, bisphenol A, and phthalates), it is challenging to identify which chemical or metabolite is responsible for certain health effect (Robinson and Miller, 2015;Karačonji et al, 2017).…”

“…Phthalates with a long alkyl side-chain in the ortho position have a potential for reproductive and developmental toxic effects in humans. These include DEPH > dibutyl phthalate > benzylbutyl phthalate (in the order of their toxic potential), as well as diisononyl phthalate, di-n-hexyl phthalate, and diisobutyl phthalate (Fabjan et al, 2006;Lyche 2011;Karačonji et al, 2017).…”

A Review of Plastics Use in Winemaking: HACCP Considerations

“…The solubility of DEHP in water is low (45 μg/L), although DEHP may form colloidal dispersions with higher solubility values (>285 μg/L) (IPCS 1992). Phthalates migrate into ethanol more readily than water (Karačonji et al 2017) because they are miscible with most common organic solvents (IPCS 1992). The migration of phthalates is likely influenced by pH.…”