Levels of phthalates and bisphenol in toys from Brazilian markets: Migration rate into children's saliva and daily exposure

Abstract

Bisphenols (BPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) are extensively used in toys and childcare products. Therefore, children may be exposed to these compounds, causing potential adverse effects. Despite the strict control of the levels of these contaminants in toys by some nations, routine testing in Brazil is very scarce. The present study was aimed at determining the concentrations of PAEs and BPs in toys commercialized in Brazil, employing GC–MS and LC-MS/MS, respectively. Furthermore, the migration capacity of PAEs into saliva and the daily intake (EDI) were also estimated. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was the PAE with the highest detection rate (93%) and migration rate (0.26 μg/min). Moreover, the levels of DEHP in some samples were above the threshold values set by the European Commission and the Brazilian Institute of Metrology, Standardization, and Industrial Quality. Among the BPs analogs, BPA and BPS presented the highest positive detection rates (72% and 30%, respectively). However, their levels were below the permitted values in all analyzed samples. A daily intake of DEHP was estimated at 29.8 μg/kg bw/day, being this exposure similar to those found in other countries and below the EFSA acceptable intake limit (50 μg/kg bw/day). However, our data are referred to exposure through oral contact with the analyzed toys, while the contribution of other potential sources, such as food consumption, were not here considered. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study estimating the exposure of Brazilian children to PAEs and BPs, considering toys as the exposure source. These preliminary data may become a valuable guide for the control of EDC levels in toys commercialized in Brazil, as well as for future studies regarding estimation of exposure to EDCs by children taking into account multiple potential sources.