Phthalic
acid esters (PAEs) are the most common plasticizers, approximately
90% of which are used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, but they
are also endocrine disruptors that have attracted considerable attention.
The metabolism of PAEs in PVC products in China from 1958 to 2019
was studied using dynamic material flow analysis. The results showed
that the total consumption of PAEs was 29.2 Mt in the past 60 years.
By 2019, the in-use stocks of PAEs were 5.0 Mt. Construction materials
were always in the leading position with respect to the consumption
and in-use stocks of PAEs. A total PAE loss of 22.7 Mt was generated,
of which 68.0% remained in waste distributed in landfills (50.1%),
storage sites (5.5%), the environment (44.4%), 12.4% was eliminated
during waste incineration and open burning, and 19.6% was emitted
into the environment. From 1958 to 2019, 496.4, 55.6, and 3905.0 kt
of PAEs were emitted into water, air, and soil, respectively. The
use and waste treatment stages contributed 79.3 and 19.9% of the emissions
of PAEs in the life cycle, respectively. This study systematically
analyzed the metabolism of PAEs at the national level over a long-time
span, providing useful information on the life cycle management of
PAEs.