Butyl Benzyl Phthalate Research Articles

Seasonal fluctuations in phthalates’ contamination in pond water: A case study

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, reported to cause deformities and reproductive damages in animals. Numerous studies reported the presence of phthalates in water samples of rivers, wetlands, and estuaries, while the scenario in case of ponds is different, however they are reported as an integral part of biosphere. In this study, the level of phthalates’ contamination in the water samples collected from the different ponds of Amritsar district for four consecutive seasons in two years was analysed. The maximal level of phthalate contamination was found in samples collected during the monsoon season (July 2015) of first year of sampling followed by post-monsoon (October 2015) and winter season (January 2016). S8 sampling site was found to be the most phthalate contaminated site followed by S1=S11>S2=S9=S4=S5=S7>S6=S3>S10. Benzyl butyl phthalate was most abundant (found in 32% water samples) followed by di-n-butyl and dimethyl phthalate, while diallyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate were not detected. The two main drivers for these seasonal variations were observed to be temperature and precipitation. Hence, this data will be useful to explain the temporal and spatial distributions of phthalates in aquatic ecosystem, as well as to devise cost-effective ways to reduce their ecological footprints.

Algorithm for Determining the Purity of Pure Organic Phthalates by the Indirect Mass Balance Method

Pure organic substances are the first and key link in the chain of metrological traceability in organic analysis. In most cases, purity determination of the organic substance is a non-trivial task, the solution of which requires preliminary theoretical study and understanding of the capabilities of instrumental methods for developing a pertinent analytical procedure.Within the study, an algorithm for determining the purity of a separate group of organic compounds – ortho-phthalic acid esters (phthalates) was developed based on the mass balance model and the general algorithm for characterizing substances suitable for isolation or purification by distillation. An additional classification of probable impurities (into five types A – E) depending on their qualitative and quantitative characteristics is proposed, as well as suitable analytical methods for measuring impurities and confirming the identity of the main component are identified.The proposed algorithm was implemented on the State Primary Standard GET 208 to determine the purity of six priority phthalates: dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-(n-butyl) phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-(n-octyl) phthalate. Certified pure phthalates were used to create a certified reference material for the composition of a solution of orthophthalic acid esters (phthalates) in methanol (6Ftlt-VNIIM) GSO 11366–2019.The study revealed that the adapted algorithm considers the specifics of work with the phthalates group and the features of the separation of probable impurities within the MB model, and is universal for all congeners of the group, but does not exclude the natural constraints of the mass balance method.

Dissipation, uptake, translocation and accumulation of five phthalic acid esters in sediment-Zizania latifolia system

The dissipation, uptake, translocation and accumulation of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) including diallyl phthalate (DAP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in sediment-Zizania latifolia system were investigated by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector after a QuEChERS pretreatment method. The dissipation rates of PAEs in sediment were positively correlated with exposure time, and more than 68.12% of PAEs in sediment were decreased after 28 d even when the spiked contents were extremely high. All the five PAEs could be taken up by roots from contaminated sediment and subsequently be transported into stems and leaves. There were significant linear correlations between the sediment content and the content in each tissue. DEHP was most readily transported from sediment to roots and stems, followed by BBP, DBP, DIBP and DAP, whereas the order of transportation from roots to leaves was reversed. During 28 d of exposure, the average concentration of each PAE in stems was the highest, followed by roots, leaves and edible parts. DEHP and BBP were the major contaminants in edible parts but could not pose a risk to human health. The accumulation of PAEs in edible parts was influenced by the species and concentration of PAEs as well as the survival time and harvest time of edible parts. The differences in uptake and translocation behaviors among PAEs in plant tissues were significantly correlated to their physicochemical properties, such as alkyl chain length and octanol/water partition coefficient (logKow). The results reveal that Zizania latifolia is not only a kind of safe food, but also a potential plant to remediate contaminated sediment by accumulating and degrading PAEs from the habitats.

Sulforaphane Suppresses MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Growth via miR-19/PTEN Axis to Antagonize the Effect of Butyl Benzyl Phthalate

Sulforaphane (SFN), a major isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, reportedly exerts extensive antitumor effects. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), a widely used plasticizer, plays a crucial role in the promotion of breast cancer. In the present study, we demonstrated that SFN inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed the stemness of MCF-7 cells, whereas BBP exerted the opposite effects; microRNA-19 (miR-19) plays an important role in BBP-induced cell growth and dysregulation mediated via PTEN and p21. The growth-promoting effect of BBP could be mitigated by SFN, accompanied by a reversal of altered expression of miR-19a, miR-19b, PTEN, and p21. SFN also suppressed BBP-induced binding of upregulated miR-19 with PTEN, as determined using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Collectively, these results demonstrated, for the first time, that SFN regulates the miR-19/PTEN axis to exert protective effects against BBP-mediated breast cancer promotion, suggesting a new potential role for SFN (or SFN-rich foods) in phthalate antagonism.

Benzyl Butyl Phthalate and Diisobutyl Phthalate Biodegradation by White-rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta

Benzyl Butyl Phthalate and Diisobutyl Phthalate Biodegradation by White-rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta

Determination of 15 phthalic acid esters based on GC-MS/MS coupled with modified QuEChERS in edible oils.

In this study, an analytical method based on the modified QuEChERS and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was proposed to determine 15 phthalic acid esters in edible oils including dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, bis(4-methyl-2-pentyl) phthalate, bis(2-ethoxyethyl) phthalate, dipentyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2-n-butoxyethyl) phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, di-n-heptyl phthalate, diphenyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, and dinonyl phthalate. Calibration curves with good correlation coefficients (R>0.990) were obtained in the range of 4-2000μgkg-1. The LODs and LOQs were from 0.02 to 8.00μgkg-1 and from 0.07 to 26.68μgkg-1, respectively, which were significantly lower than the previous studies. Moreover, good recoveries varied from 70.11% to 115.33%, while repeatability ranged from 3.97% to 11.55%. The results showed that DBP, DIBP, and DEHP were detected in edible oils. The foregoing findings suggested that the proposed approach might be used to detect phthalic acid esters in edible oils.

Urinary phthalate metabolites and the risk of endometrial polyp: A pilot study from the TREE cohort

Phthalates, as endocrine disrupting chemicals that can alter the endogenous hormones, may be involved in the incidence of endometrial polyp, a benign hormone-dependent condition. We conducted a pilot case-control study from the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) cohort to investigate the associations between phthalate exposures and the risk of endometrial polyp. A total of 40 endometrial polyp patients were matched to 80 controls by age and body mass index in the ratio of 1:2. Two spot urine samples from each subject were quantified for eight phthalate metabolites to enhance exposure assessment. The conditional logistic regression and quantile-based g-computation models were separately used to explore the associations between individual and mixture of urinary phthalate metabolites and the risk of endometrial polyp. After adjusting for covariates, individual chemical analyses showed that urinary monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (ΣDEHP) were associated with increased risks of endometrial polyp, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 2.62 (95% CI: 0.88, 7.84) for MECPP to 6.96 (95% CI: 1.87, 25.87) for ΣDEHP comparing the extreme exposure categories (all P for trends <0.05 or = 0.057). These associations still persisted when these exposures were modeled as continuous variables. Chemical mixture analyses showed that a simultaneous one-quartile increase in concentrations of eight phthalate metabolites was associated with an elevated odds ratio of 3.14 (95% CI: 1.49, 6.60) in endometrial polyp. Our data suggests that exposure to individual benzylbutyl phthalate (BBzP) and DEHP, as well as mixture of phthalates is associated with increased risk of endometrial polyp. This may inform public health recommendations and policies to avoid phthalate exposures for improving female reproductive health.

Fate of phthalate esters in landfill leachate under subcritical and supercritical conditions and determination of transformation products

The hypothesis of this study is that the complex organic load of landfill leachate could be reduced by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) in a single stage, but this operation could lead to the formation of some undesired by-products of phthalate esters (PAEs). In this context, the fate of selected PAEs, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), was investigated during the oxidation of leachate under subcritical and supercritical conditions. Experiments were conducted at various temperatures (250–500 °C), pressures (10–35 MPa), residence times (2–18 min) and dimensionless oxidant doses (DOD: 0.2–2.3). The SCWO process decreased the leachate’s chemical oxygen demand (COD) from 34,400 mg/L to 1,120 mg/L (97%). Removal efficiencies of DEHP and DNOP with longer chains were higher than BBP. The DEHP, DNOP and BBP compounds were removed in the range of −35 to 100%, −18 to 92%, and 28 to 36%, respectively, by the SCWO process. Many non-target PAEs were qualitatively detected in the raw leachate apart from the selected PAEs. Besides, 97% of total PAEs including both target and non-target PAEs was mineralized at 15 MPa, 300 °C and 5 min. Although PAEs were highly mineralized during SCWO of the leachate, aldehyde, ester, amide and amine-based phthalic substances were frequently detected as by-products. These by-products have transformed into higher molecular weight by-products with binding reactions as a result of complex SCWO process chemistry. It has also been determined that some non-target PAEs such as 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2-methylpropyl)ester and bis(2-ethylhexyl) isophthalate can transform to the DEHP. Therefore, the suggested pathway in this study for PAEs degradation during the SCWO of the leachate includes substitution and binding reactions as well as an oxidation reaction.

Extraction of Emerging Contaminants from Environmental Waters and Urine by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction with Solidification of the Floating Organic Droplet Using Fenchol:Acetic Acid Deep Eutectic Mixtures.

In this work, several eutectic mixtures formed by fenchol and acetic acid at seven molar ratios (between 4:1 and 1:4) were characterized and studied for the first time for their possible application as extraction solvents in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on the solidification of the floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFO). A group of 13 emerging contaminants (gemfibrozil, bisphenol F, bisphenol A, 17β-estradiol, testosterone, estrone, levonorgestrel, 4-tert-octylphenol, butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, 4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol, and dihexyl phthalate) was selected and determined by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and tandem mass spectrometry detection. Among the studied mixtures, only those of 2:1 and 1:1 provided the suitable features from an operational and repeatability point of view, suggesting that several eutectic mixtures of the same components may also provide similar results. Once the extraction conditions of both mixtures were optimized, the method was applied to the extraction of sea water, urine, and wastewater at different concentration levels, allowing the achievement of absolute recovery values between 49 and 100% for most analytes with relative standard deviation values below 19%. In addition, several samples of each type were analyzed, finding bisphenol A and gemfibrozil in some of them. The greenness of the method was also evaluated using the AGREEprep metric. The DLLME-SFO procedure was found to be very simple, quick, and effective and with a good sample throughput.

Consequences of in vitro benzyl butyl phthalate exposure for blubber gene expression and insulin-induced Akt activation in juvenile grey seals

Plastic and plasticiser pollution of marine environments is a growing concern. Although phthalates, one group of plasticisers, are rapidly metabolised by mammals, they are found ubiquitously in humans and have been linked with metabolic disorders and altered adipose function. Phthalates may also present a threat to marine mammals, which need to rapidly accumulate and mobilise their large fat depots. High molecular weight (HMW) phthalates may be most problematic because they can accumulate in adipose. We used blubber explants from juvenile grey seals to examine the effects of overnight exposure to the HMW, adipogenic phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) on expression of key adipose-specific genes and on phosphorylation of Akt in response to insulin. We found substantial differences in transcript abundance of Pparγ, Insig2, Fasn, Scd, Adipoq and Lep between moult stages, when animals were also experiencing differing mass changes, and between tissue depths, which likely reflect differences in blubber function. Akt abundance was higher in inner compared to outer blubber, consistent with greater metabolic activity in adipose closer to muscle than skin, and its phosphorylation was stimulated by insulin. Transcript abundance of Pparγ and Fasn (and Adipoq in some animals) were increased by short term (30 min) insulin exposure. In addition, overnight in vitro BBzP exposure altered insulin-induced changes in Pparγ (and Adipoq in some animals) transcript abundance, in a tissue depth and moult stage-specific manner. Basal or insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation was not changed. BBzP thus acted rapidly on the transcript abundance of key adipose genes in an Akt-independent manner. Our data suggest phthalate exposure could alter seal blubber development or function, although the whole animal consequences of these changes are not yet understood. Knowledge of typical phthalate exposures and toxicokinetics would help to contextualise these findings in terms of phthalate-induced metabolic disruption risk and consequences for marine mammal health.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of butyl benzyl phthalate triggered oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver: Combined analysis at physiological and molecular levels

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), a typical phthalate plasticizer, is frequently detected in aquatic environments, but its possible effects on fish liver are unknown. In this study, adult zebrafish were exposed to 5–500 μg/L BBP and cultured for 28 days. The toxicity mechanism of environmentally relevant concentrations of BBP in the liver was explored using integrated biomarker response (IBR), molecular docking, and histopathological analysis, based on the tests of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and tissue damage, respectively. The results revealed that exposure to 500 μg/L BBP caused lipid peroxidation and DNA damage and induced inflammatory responses in the liver and intestinal tissues. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the primary manifestation of BBP toxicity and is accompanied by changes in the activities of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. Notably, the pro-apoptotic genes (p53 and caspase-3) were still significantly upregulated in the 50 μg/L and 500 μg/L treatment groups on day 28. Moreover, BBP interfered with apoptosis by forming a stable complex with apoptosis proteins (P53 and Caspase-3). Our findings are helpful for understanding the toxicity mechanisms of BBP, which could further promote the assessment of the potential environmental risks of BBP.

Migration analysis and health impact assessment of phthalates in takeaway food packaging materials

AbstractPlasticizers are commonly utilized as packaging additives in the food service industry. The takeaway food sector provides convenience to consumers, but also raises the risk of human exposure to plasticizers. The goal of this study is to determine the amount of phthalates in takeaway food packaging and compare the migration amounts under various situations. A comprehensive health impact assessment of phthalates was conducted to provide the evaluation of human's daily exposure to phthalates. The results revealed that five phthalates (di (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP)) could be detected in n‐hexane extract of plastic food packaging materials at room temperature. High amount of phthalates was correlated with high temperature or in an oily food simulant solvent. Phthalate contents in dietary exposure did not surpass the concentration that could represent a risk to human health, based on the dietary exposure evaluation.

Applying the adverse outcome pathway concept for assessing non-monotonic dose responses: biphasic effect of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on testosterone levels.

Male reproduction is one of the primary health endpoints identified in rodent studies for some phthalates, such as DEHP (Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), and BBP (Benzyl butyl phthalate). The reduction in testosterone level was used as an intermediate key event for grouping some phthalates and to establish a reference point for risk assessment. Phthalates, and specifically DEHP, are one of the chemicals for which the greatest number of non-monotonic dose responses (NMDRs) are observed. These NMDRs cover different endpoints and situations, often including testosterone levels. The presence of NMDR has been the subject of some debate within the area of chemical risk assessment, which is traditionally anchored around driving health-based guidance values for apical endpoints that typically follow a clear monotonic dose-response. The consequence of NMDR for chemical risk assessment has recently received considerable attention amongst regulatory agencies, which confirmed its relevance particularly for receptor-mediated effects. The present review explores the relationship between DEHP exposure and testosterone levels, investigating the biological plausibility of the observed NMDRs. The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concept is applied to integrate NMDRs into Key Event Relationships (KERs) for exploring a mechanistic understanding of initial key events and possibly associated reproductive and non-reproductive adverse outcomes.

Seven-year-long screening of phthalate esters in clothing and textile products from a quality control laboratory

The results of extensive yearly screening (2014–2020) of ortho-phthalate ester levels in textiles sent to a quality control laboratory by textile companies from southern European and northern African countries are presented. Six different regulated phthalates: benzyl butyl phthalate, di-butyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-iso-decyl phthalate, di-iso-nonyl phthalate and di-n-octyl phthalate, were measured in 4729 samples of textile materials from 10 different groups. Analyses were carried out according to the standard gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy procedure, as described by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The results revealed a high level of compliance with the European Union legislation (97.25%). In the group of noncompliant samples (total phthalate content &gt;0.1% w/w), positive results were due to the presence of two or more phthalates in almost 60% of the cases. The phthalate esters most commonly detected were di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, followed by di-iso-nonyl phthalate and di-butyl phthalate. In the group of compliant samples (total phthalate &lt;0.1% w/w), the same frequency of occurrence was identified, but in this case most of the samples (almost 90%) contained only one phthalate. In addition, a growing tendency for a decrease in di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate levels and an increase in di-iso-nonyl phthalate and di-iso-decyl phthalate concentrations were detected throughout the study, due to replacement of the former by the latter in the use as a plasticizer. No significant differences between countries were noted with regard to the frequency or concentration of phthalates in the textile samples. The study findings contribute to advancing knowledge about the phthalate content of textiles and to evaluating and controlling the potential risks of exposure to these compounds.

A review of European and international phthalates regulation: focus on daily use products

Abstract Background Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors used in a wide range of industrial and household products. With globalization and interdependency of the supply chain, the control of toxic substances in daily use products has become more challenging. Many countries have implemented laws and policies to limit their use, although these regulations are neither unified nor seem adequate, as studies suggest that more vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women) are exposed to phthalates that should be restricted. Methods For seven of the most used phthalates - bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) - we performed an online research on institutional sites and dedicated Agencies of the three largest world economies (European Union (EU), United States of America (USA), China) to analyze their uses and bans, focusing on Food Contacts Materials (FCM), cosmetics, toys and childcare articles. Results In the EU area DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP are not allowed in toys and childcare articles above 0,1% by weight. All the seven phthalates are also severely restricted in FCM, and mostly banned as cosmetic components. In the USA, there is no formal prohibition to their use in cosmetics but phthalates are mostly limited in FCM. In China, the limit for DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP in plastic toys is 0,1% of the material composition; regarding cosmetics DEHP, BBP and DBP are prohibited. Conclusions We found substantial differences in the international legislation. Though there is essential agreement on toys and childcare articles legislation, there are many discrepancies about FCM and cosmetics. Further research is needed to compare the regulation with data about concentrations of these ubiquitous elements, to underline the real exposure and risk in different populations and to improve knowledge and safety on this matter. Key messages • Phthalates, known endocrine disruptors, in daily use products are a matter of concern. • Coordinated international laws to prevent exposure, especially in vulnerable populations, are needed.

Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Personal PM2.5-Bound Phthalates Exposure for Adults in Hong Kong.

We performed personal PM2.5 monitoring involving 56 adult residents in Hong Kong. Additionally, paired personal and residential indoor fine particle (PM2.5) samples were collected from 26 homes and from 3 fixed monitoring locations (i.e., outdoor samples). Six PM2.5-bound phthalate esters (PAEs)—including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)—were measured using a thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometer method. Average ∑6PAEs (i.e., summation of six PAE congeners) concentrations in personal PM2.5 exposure (699.4 ng/m3) were comparable with those in residential indoors (646.9 ng/m3), and both were slightly lower than the outdoor levels. DEHP was the most abundant PAE congener (80.3%–85.0%) and found at the highest levels in different exposure categories, followed by BBP, DnBP, and DnOP. Strong correlations were observed between DEHP with DnBP (rs: 0.81–0.90; p < 0.01), BBP (rs: 0.81–0.90; p < 0.01), and DnOP (rs: 0.87–0.93; p < 0.01) in each exposure category. However, no apparent intercorrelations were shown for PAE congeners. Higher indoor concentrations and a stronger correlation between DMP and DEP were found compared with outdoor concentrations. Principal component analysis affirmed heterogeneous distribution and notable variations in PAE sources across different exposure categories. The average daily intakes of ∑6PAEs and DEHP via inhalation were 0.14–0.17 and 0.12–0.16 μg/kg-day for adults in Hong Kong. A time-weighted model was used to estimate PAE exposures incorporating residential indoor and outdoor exposure and time activities. The inhalation cancer risks attributable to measured and estimated personal exposure to DEHP exceeded the U.S. EPA’s benchmark (1 × 10−6). The results provide critical information for mitigation strategies, suggesting that PAEs from both ambient and indoor sources should be considered when exploring the inhalation health risks of PAEs exposure.

Quercetin inhibits testicular toxicity induced by the mixture of three commonly used phthalates in rats.

Phthalates (PEs), such as butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, are one of the most widely used plasticizers, and humans are increasingly exposed to them. Phytochemical quercetin (Que) is a typical flavonoid with several biological effects, such as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory. The present study was designed to explore the effect of Que on testicular toxicity caused by the mixture of three commonly used PEs (MPEs), and the underlying mechanism. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups (n=8). Rats in control the group were orally treated with the excipient. Rats in the MPEs group were orally administered with 900 mg kg-1 day-1 MPEs, whereas rats in the MPEs+L-Que, MPEs+M-Que and MPEs+H-Que groups were simultaneously treated with 900 mg kg-1 day-1 MPEs and, respectively, 10, 30 and 90 mg kg-1 day-1 Que for 30 days. Compared with the control group, the testes weight, epididymides weight, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, and anogenital distance in the MPEs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The testicular tissues were injured with atrophy of seminiferous tubules, hyperplasia of Leydig cells and arrest of spermatogenesis in the MPEs group. Testicular steroidogenic proteins (StAR, P450scc, CYP17A1 and 17β-HSD, P450arom) were up-regulated, whereas P-element-induced wimpy testis proteins (PIWIL1 and PIWIL2) were down-regulated in the MPEs group (P < 0.05). However, the alterations of these parameters were inhibited in the MPEs+M-Que and MPEs+H-Que groups. MPEs disturbed steroid hormone metabolism and caused testicular injuries. Que could inhibit testicular toxicity of MPEs, which might relate to the improved regulation of steroid hormone metabolism. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phthalate esters and plastic debris abundance in the Red Sea and Sharm Obhur and their ecological risk level

The abundance of plastic debris (PDs) and its correlation with phthalic acid esters (PAEs), a class of pollutants associated with plastics, is not well understood, although PDs have been reported in relation to the release and distribution of aquatic pollutants such as PAEs. Few studies have linked the distribution of these pollutants in seawater. The current study examined the abundance and relationship of PDs and PAEs in seawater from Sharm Obhur and the Red Sea. Estimates were also made of their ecological impacts. Sharm Obhur is a semi-enclosed bay on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is heavily impacted by human activities. Contaminants from Sharm Obhur may be transported into the deep waters of the Red Sea by the subsurface outflow. The PAEs concentrations in the study area ranged from 0.8 to 1224 ng/L. Among the six PAEs studied, diethyl phthalate (DEP) (22–1124 ng/L), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (9–346 ng/L) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (62–640 ng/L) were the predominant additives detected across all the sampling sits. Whereas the other PAEs, dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (5–76 ng/L), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (4–25 ng/L) and di-n-octyl phthalate DnOp (0.5–80 ng/L) were generally lower in most samples. The sum of the six analyzed PAEs (∑6 PAEs) was lower at Sharm Obhur (587 ± 82 ng/L) and in the Red Sea shelf (677 ± 182 ng/L) compared to the Red Sea shelf break (1266 ± 354 ng/L). This suggests that degradation and adsorption of PAEs were higher in Sharm Obhur and on the shelf than on the shelf break. In contrast, there was no difference in the abundance of PDs between Sharm Obhur (0.04 ± 0.02 PDs/m3), Red Sea shelf (0.05 ± 0.02 PDs/m3) and in the Red Sea shelf break (0.03 ± 0.1 PDs/m3). Polyethylene (32%) and polypropylene (8%) were dominant, mostly smaller than 5 mm2 (78%), with the majority consisting of white (52%) and black (24%) fragments (39%), fibers (35%) and films (24%). A positive correlation between PAE concentration and abundance of PDs, suggests either a common source or a causal link through leaching. The ecological risk of ∑4PAEs (DMP, DEP, DBP and DEHP) ranged from (0.20–0.78), indicating a low to moderate risk for the Red Sea. The pollution index of PDs ranged from (0.14–0.36), showing that the Sharm Obhur and both sites of Red Sea suffered relatively low pollution.

A new multi-factor multi-objective strategy based on a factorial presence-absence design to determine polymer additive residues by means of head space-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new multi-factor multi-objective strategy to approach the joint assessment of the effect of six experimental factors in the determination by head space-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) of eight different additives commonly used in the plastic packaging manufacturing is proposed in this work. Five HS-SPME experimental factors, both qualitative and quantitative, are explored: the type of fiber, addition of salt, extraction and desorption time, and extraction temperature. The effect of these factors is studied through a factorial presence-absence model, that include interactions, using a D-optimal design. As a result, the number of experiments is reduced from 128, full factorial design, to 14. The effect of carrying out the measurements in different experimental sessions is considered by including a blocking factor. The response for each compound is estimated in the experimental domain and then the best experimental conditions are chosen by using Pareto front. Parallel coordinates are employed to show the conflicting conditions intrinsic to a multi-objective analysis when compounds of different nature are extracted by HS-SPME. Parallel factor analysis 2 (PARAFAC2) decomposition is used because it makes the determination of target compounds in the presence of unknown interferents possible, which enables the unequivocal identification of target compounds according to official regulations. The developed method is applied to determine 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol (BHT), benzophenone (BP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The level of these compounds found in nine types of bottled natural still and sparkling mineral waters is very low, so the compounds were not present in quantities that may be injurious to human health.

Estimated daily intake of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenol A in hospitalised very low birth weight infants

Very low birth weight infants (VLBW, birth weight (BW) < 1500 g) are exposed to phthalates, parabens and bisphenol A (BPA) early in life. We estimated daily intake (EDI) of these excipients in 40 VLBW infants the first and fifth week of life while hospitalised. Based on urinary samples collected in 2010, EDI was calculated and compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) with hazard quotients (HQs) evaluated. A HQ > 1 indicates that EDI exceeded TDI with increased risk of adverse health effects. EDI was higher in VLBW infants compared to term-born infants and older children. VLBW infants born at earlier gestational age (GA), or with lower BW, had higher EDI than infants born at later GA or with higher BW. First week median EDI for BPA was higher than TDI in 100% of infants, in 75% for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 90% for the sum of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), DEHP and di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DiNP) = ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, and in 50% of infants for propylparaben (PrPa), indicating increased risk of adverse effects. Fifth week EDI remained higher than TDI in all infants for BPA, in 75% for DEHP and ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, and 25% of infants for PrPa, indicating prolonged risk. Maximum EDI for di-iso-butyl phthalate was higher than TDI suggesting risk of adverse effects at maximum exposure. VLBW infants born earlier than 28 weeks GA had higher EDI, above TDI, for PrPa compared to infants born later than 28 weeks GA. Infants with late-onset septicaemia (LOS) had higher EDI for DEHP, ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP and BPA, above TDI, compared to infants without LOS. More 75% of the infants' EDI for DEHP and ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, 25% for PrPa, and 100% of infants' EDI for BPA, were above TDI resulting in HQs > 1, indicating increased risk of adverse health effects.