Abstract
Phthalates are widely used in the industrial manufacture of many products. Some phthalates have shown reproductive toxicity in humans, acting as endocrine disruptors, so they were included in the authorization process defined in Reg. CE 1907/2006 (REACH). Two groups of population were recruited, before and after the inclusion of some phthalates in the authorization list in REACH: the first group of 157 volunteers was studied in 2011 and the second, 171 volunteers, in 2016. Each subject completed a questionnaire about personal lifestyle, working activities and use of chemical products. The main urinary metabolites of five phthalates were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS: mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) exposure; monoethylphthalate (MEP) for diethylphtahate (DEP); monobenzylphthalate (MBzP) for butylbenzylphtahalate (BBP) and dibenzylphthalate (DBzP), mono-n-butylphthalate (MnBP) for butylbenzylphtahalate (BBP) and di-n-butylphthalate (DnBP). The results show a significant difference for all metabolites between the two periods, with the exception of MEP in women. The comparison of the two sets of results shows a decrease in urinary metabolites excretion from 2011 to 2016, statistically significant for the three phthalates included in Annex XIV of REACH. DEP, not currently included in the list for authorization, maintains a constant presence in the daily life of the population, particularly for women.
Highlights
The diesters of phthalic acid are a group of similar molecules, widely used since the 1930s in many commercial industrial product manufacturing processes, the most important of which is the production of plastics
diethyl phthalate (DEP) is the phthalate of choice used in the cosmetic and personal hygiene products industry, both for adults and for children/infants [4], while di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) is usually used as excipient in pharmaceuticals products [5,6], and it was present in cosmetics, nail care products for adults [7]; in Europe this last use is forbidden
The comparison of the two sets of results clearly shows the dramatic decrease in urinary metabolites excretion from 2011 to 2016, for the three phthalates included in Annex XIV of REACH
Summary
The diesters of phthalic acid are a group of similar molecules, widely used since the 1930s in many commercial industrial product manufacturing processes, the most important of which is the production of plastics. The inclusion of phthalates in rigid polymers (such as PVC) allows the production of more flexible plastics. They are used in construction materials, vinyl flooring, food packaging and medical devices. This widespread use results in a possible human exposure to phthalates [1]. DEP is the phthalate of choice used in the cosmetic and personal hygiene products industry, both for adults and for children/infants [4], while DnBP is usually used as excipient in pharmaceuticals products [5,6], and it was present in cosmetics, nail care products for adults [7]; in Europe this last use is forbidden
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