The human biomonitoring of occupational exposure to phthalates

Abstract

Phthalates like endocrine disrupting compounds are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Long term exposure to these chemicals at the work place has adverse effect on human health and usually leads to diseased conditions. The aim of our study was to assess, by biological monitoring, occupational exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) of occupationally exposed group i.e. workers from plastic manufactory with division of films and composites and injection moulding (n=37; average age 45.6±9.4) in comparison with general population i.e. students and workers from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (n=144; average age 28±13.12) in Nitra region of Slovakia. In response to determine human exposure to phthalates, we used high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis (HPLC-MS/MS) to estimate trace levels of 4 phthalate metabolites mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) in human urine. Median concentrations of the urinary metabolites in the exposed group were 35.48 μg/l for MEHP, 13.65 μg/l for MiNP, 93.79 μg/l for MEP, 108.62 μg/l for MBP and in general population were 21.62 μg/l for MEHP, 13.26 μg/l for MiNP, 84.36 for μg/l MEP and 88.99 μg/l for MBP. We observed, significantly higher urinary concentration (p≤0.001) of MEHP and on the border of the statistical significance urinary concentration of MiNP (p=0.07) in occupationally exposed group. Despite the fact that phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, there is evidence of occupational exposure of workers from plastic manufactory by DEHP a DiNP. This study was supported by project VEGA (V1/0042/12).

Occupational phthalate exposure and health outcomes among hairdressing apprentices

“…We conclude from the current and previous biomonitoring studies 30,52,53 that the most exposed population to phthalates is in the plastic industry and next to it in the waste management occupations. In these groups, we observed higher, 50 and 95 percentile, values of volumetric urinary concentrations of MBP and MEHP, however, lower MEP in comparison with data on 12-19-year-old American general population.…”

Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates’ Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review

“…Long-chain or high molecular weight phthalates (HMWP)—di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DiNP), di-iso-decyl phthalate (DiDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPhP) are used as a part of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Short-chain or low molecular weight phthalates (LMWP)—dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBzP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP) [ 56 ] are applied in the manufacture of personal care products, solvents or adhesives [ 57 ]. The environment is contaminated with phthalates.…”

“…Phthalates were found in samples of soil (0.03–1280 mg/kg), in drinking water samples (0.16–170 µg/dm 3 ), in samples of air (<0.4–65 ng/m 3 ), and in dust samples (2.38–4.1 g/kg) [ 58 ]. Humans can be exposed to phthalates via different ways—via food intake, by inhalation, intravenously, and through dermal contact [ 56 , 57 ]. Dermal absorption is a more critical type of exposure for LMWP and ingestion for HMWP [ 54 ].…”

Synthesis and Properties of a Bio-based Plasticizer Derived from Fatty Acid Methyl Ester of Erucic Acid

“…On the other hand, external plasticizers are often not chemically bound to PVC polymer chains, making them susceptible to leaking from the product into the surrounding medium. As a result, in order to protect public health and prevent related detrimental consequences, we must investigate the exposure of these substances [12,13]. Many plasticizers are used to improve the performance of PVC; one of these plasticizers is phthalate esters, which account for over 80% of the PVC plasticizer business [14,15].…”