Phthalate intake in Chinese homes and its contribution to total intake among children

Abstract

Phthalate exposure may affect human health, with particular concerns for children. We measured the phthalates concentration in urine and settled dust samples taken from children’s bedroom. The phthalates particle and gas phases concentrations were calculated using equilibrium partitioning. The daily intakes of four phthalates namely di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were estimated from concentration of urine metabolite and the corresponding indoor intake was extrapolated through three indoor environment exposure routes namely, dermal absorption, inhalation and ingestion in children aged 0–8 years old. The primary indoor intake routes of low-molecular-weight phthalates DnBP, DiBP, and DEP were found to be dermal absorption (with median value of 0.27, 0.20, and 0.019 µg/d/kg-bw, respectively), followed by inhalation (with median value of 0.24, 0.18, and 0.02 µg/d/kg-bw, respectively). For DEHP, a high molecular weight phthalate dust ingestion was the predominant route for indoor intake among the children (with median value of 0.13 µg/d/kg-bw). Our findings emphasised the significant contribution of indoor intake to total exposure levels for DnBP and DiBP (with median values of 77.5% and 39.6%, respectively). Furthermore, our study revealed that as age increased indoor phthalate intake decreased. In conclusion, the results suggested that indoor phthalates exposure played an important role when considering their intakes and the consequent health effects.