Determination of phthalates in particulate matter and gaseous phase emitted in indoor air of offices (original) (raw)
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The distribution of phthalate esters in indoor dust of Palermo (Italy)
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2013
In this work, phthalic acid esters (PAEs): dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate in indoor dust (used as passive sampler) were investigated. The settled dust samples were collected from thirteen indoor environments from Palermo city. A fast and simple method using Soxhlet and GC-MS analysis has been optimized to identify and quantify the phthalates. Total phthalates concentrations in indoor dusts ranged from 269 to 4,831 mg/kg d.w. (d.w. = dry weight). The data show a linear correlation between total PAEs concentration and a single compound content, with the exclusion of the two most volatile components (DMP and DEP) that are present in appreciable amounts only in two samples. These results suggest that most of the PAEs identified in the samples of settled dust originate from the same type of material. This evidence indicates that, in a specific indoor environment, generally is not present only one compound but a mixture having over time comparable percentages of PAEs. Consequently, for routine analyses of a specific indoor environment, only a smaller number of compounds could be determined to value the contamination of that environment. We also note differences in phthalate concentrations between buildings from different construction periods; the total concentration of PAEs was higher in ancient homes compared to those constructed later. This is due to a trend to reduce or remove certain hazardous compounds from building materials and consumer goods. A linear correlation between total PAEs concentration and age of the building was observed (R = 0.71).
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2019
Phthalates are ubiquitous indoor organic pollutants that are found in different building and consumer materials and are known to cause severe human health problems. In this paper, the emission of these compounds from vinyl floorings (VF) into indoor air has been studied using Automated Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (ATD-GC-MS) and a special device known as micro-chamber or thermal extractor (µ-CTE TM). So a robust analytical ATD-GC-MS method has been developed and validated to analyse eight selected phthalates. Calibration curves were linear (R 2 > 0.99), limit of detection (LOD) was down to 0.004 µg/m 3 , and the values of relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 15% for all chosen phthalates. Then, a new micro-chamber measurement method based on diffusion has been developed for studying the emission of Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) and Din -octyl phthalate (DnOP) from VF at different temperatures and estimating y0 (gas-phase concentration of phthalates on the surface of the material). This method was quite repeatable with 11% RSD for DiNP and 8% for DnOP.
Microchemical Journal, 2017
This study reports levels and profiles of phthalates in dust samples collected from three different microenvironments (cars, air conditioner (AC) filters and household floor dust) of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Kuwait. To the best of our knowledge, this is a very first study in the literature reporting phthalates in the indoor environments of KSA, which makes these findings very important. Our results showed that bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), din -butyl phthalate (DBP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and din -octyl phthalate (DNOP) were the major chemicals in all dust samples. DEHP was the overwhelming compound in all microenvironments occurred at median concentrations (μg/g) of 1020, 1250, and 790 in Saudi household floor, car, and AC filter dust, respectively. The median levels (μg/g) of DEHP in Kuwaiti car (320) and household floor (240) dust samples were 3-4 times lower than respective Saudi dust. Phthalates were higher in car dust than household dust and Ac filter dust, suggesting people spending more time in vehicles are at higher risk of exposure to these chemicals. Different exposure scenarios, using 5th percentile, median, mean, and 95th percentile levels, were estimated for adults and toddlers. For Saudi and Kuwaiti toddlers worst exposure scenario for DEHP, a cardiotoxic and endocrine disruptor, was calculated at 37630 and 6722 ng/kg body weight/day (ng/kg bw/d), respectively. This preliminary study provided first-hand baseline data of Phthalates from Gulf countries and which necessitate more detailed future studies in this region. Practical implications: The first study on the incidence of phthalates from different micro-environments of KSA. High levels of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were present in Kuwaiti and KSA indoor micro-environments suggesting a high use of DEHP in consumer products. Exposure to phthalates via dust ingestion is estimated high in Saudi toddlers, which is a cause of concern.
Environmental Research, 2018
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from the environment are associated with reproductive abnormalities (i.e. decreased sperm concentration; increased endometriosis) and alterations of the cardiovascular system (i.e. increased blood pressure and risk of coronary disease). Some phthalates esters have been identified as EDCs, for which inhalation is considered as one of the routes of exposure. However, only little is known regarding inhalational exposure to EDCs via urban airborne particles. In the present study, we report the monthly concentration of 8 phthalate esters measured in PM 10 and PM 2.5 collected and recovered during 7 months in a highly populated area of Mexico City. Using the levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 reported by the automatized network of environmental monitoring of Mexico City for the sampling site, we estimated exposure levels for people of different ages and gender. Two endocrine disrupting compounds, the phthalate esters DEHP and DnBP, were found on the particles in higher concentrations during the warmer months of the year. The highest concentration was reported for DEHP (229.7 μg/g of particles) in PM 2.5 collected in May 2013. After calculations of the DEHP concentration in the atmosphere, and using the respiratory flow rate, we determined males were potentially exposed to larger quantities of DEHP, reaching up to 18 ng/8 h in April 2013. Despite the concentrations of phthalates seem to be rather small, a comprehensive characterization of its presence is necessary in order to evaluate the overall exposure to these compounds, providing a clear view of exposure on children, adolescents and pregnant women.
Concentrations of Selected Phthalate Esters in Surface Dust in Omani Houses
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development
People stay most of the time indoor in humid climatic countries. Since synthetic materials especially plastics occupies our living rooms, indoor-accumulated dust is a health concern. Indoor surface dust samples were collected from living room of households in the city of Muscat, Oman. Samples were analyzed to identify 6 different species of phthalates using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phthalates concentration ranged from 0.01 to 1864.58 µg/g. Din -octyl phthalate (DNOP) was the predominant species contributing to more than 80% of the identified phthalates followed by din -butyl phthalate (DnBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The presence of high concentration of DNOP in surface dust samples probably may reflect the carpet usage in Omani houses. The species of phthalates reported in this study are not comparable to those from studies conducted in other countries.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from the environment are associated with reproductive abnormalities (i.e. decreased sperm concentration; increased endometriosis) and alterations of the cardiovascular system (i.e. increased blood pressure and risk of coronary disease). Some phthalates esters have been identified as EDCs, for which inhalation is considered as one of the routes of exposure. However, only little is known regarding inhalational exposure to EDCs via urban airborne particles. In the present study, we report the monthly concentration of 8 phthalate esters measured in PM 10 and PM 2.5 collected and recovered during 7 months in a highly populated area of Mexico City. Using the levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 reported by the automatized network of environmental monitoring of Mexico City for the sampling site, we estimated exposure levels for people of different ages and gender. Two endocrine disrupting compounds, the phthalate esters DEHP and DnBP, were found on the particles in higher concentrations during the warmer months of the year. The highest concentration was reported for DEHP (229.7 μg/g of particles) in PM 2.5 collected in May 2013. After calculations of the DEHP concentration in the atmosphere, and using the respiratory flow rate, we determined males were potentially exposed to larger quantities of DEHP, reaching up to 18 ng/8 h in April 2013. Despite the concentrations of phthalates seem to be rather small, a comprehensive characterization of its presence is necessary in order to evaluate the overall exposure to these compounds, providing a clear view of exposure on children, adolescents and pregnant women.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2014
Phthalate emission from vinyl floorings was measured in specially designed stainless steel chambers. Phthalate concentrations increased and reached steady state after 2 to 5 days for all experiments. By having a high ratio of emission surface to sorption surface, avoiding mass loss of phthalates onto sampling pathways, and improving air mixing inside the chamber, the time to reach steady state was significantly reduced, compared to previous studies (1 to 5 months). An innovative approach was developed to determine y 0 , the gas-phase concentration of phthalates in equilibrium with the material phase, which is the key parameter controlling phthalate emissions. Target phthalate material-phase concentration (C 0 ) and vapor pressure (V p ) were explicitly measured and found to have great influences on the y 0 value. For low phthalate concentrations in materials, a simple partitioning mechanism may linearly relate y 0 and C 0 , but cannot be evoked for high-weight phthalate percentages. In addition, the sorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm of phthalates on stainless steel chamber surfaces were determined experimentally. Independently measured or calculated parameters were used to validate a semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) emission model, with excellent agreement between model predictions and the observed chamber concentrations in gas and stainless steel phases. With the knowledge of y 0 and emission mechanisms, human exposure to phthalates from tested floorings was assessed; the levels were comparable to previous studies. This work developed a rapid, novel method to measure phthalate emissions; emission measurement results can be connected to exposure assessment and help health professionals estimate screening-level exposures associated with SVOCs and conduct risk-based prioritization for SVOC chemicals of concern.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2011
Phthalates are used as plasticizers in numerous consumer products and building materials. Several million tons of phthalates are produced worldwide every year for the production of soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other plastics. As a consequence, phthalates are present in the indoor environment and in food. Studies have shown that humans are exposed to phthalates on a daily basis. 1À4 Exposure of humans to phthalates occurs via inhalation, dermal absorption, and dietary intake. A scenariobased exposure model used for the assessment of sources of phthalate exposure among Europeans showed that dermal application of consumer products dominated the sources of exposure to dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BzBP), whereas dietary intake was the major source of exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). 5 In a study of the general population in Japan, dietary intake and inhalation accounted for less than 50% of the total daily exposure to DMP, DEP, and DBP, whereas dietary intake was the dominant source of exposure to BzBP and DEHP. 6 Application of exposure models for the evaluation of sources of phthalate exposures yielded variable results. 7 In general, earlier studies 5À7 indicated that the sources of human exposure to phthalates vary, depending on the geographic area and the type of phthalate ester.
BPB Reports, 2019
Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are the most abundantly produced, and the most widely used plasticizers in the world. PAEs are contained in many kinds of industrial products used in indoor environments, such as polyvinyl chloride covering for floors and walls, outer casings of computer monitors and TV sets, synthetic-leather products, and electrical cables. PAEs are released from these products into the indoor environment, existing as ubiquitous pollutants. Consequently, house dust is identified as an important source of human exposure to PAEs, in addition to food and drinking water. 1-3) Although PAEs are substances with low acute and chronic toxicity, they are often mentioned as suspected endocrine disruptors, mainly because of their testicular toxicity. 4-6) Since 2000-2001, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) has set indoor guidelines for din -butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) based on their reproductive toxicity. Recently, the guidelines values were made more stringent, decreasing the permissible values from 220 μg/m 3 to 17 μg/m 3 , and from 120 μg/m 3 to 100 μg/m 3 , for DBP and DEHP, respectively. 7) MHLW also set two different standard sampling/analytical protocols for DBP and DEHP in indoor air in 2001: solid phase adsorption followed by solvent extraction or thermal desorption, and determination by a combination of gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). 8) Another method is described in ISO 16000-33 (2017), 9) which concerns determination of PAEs in indoor air using GC-MS. In the ISO methods, 9) Florisil TM (Merck) is used as the adsorbent for the solvent extraction methods. In contrast, three other kinds of adsorbents-activated carbon, octadecyl silica (ODS), and styrene-divinylbenzene (SDB) copolymer-are recommended in Japanese standard protocol. 8) Florisil TM preparation, according to ISO 16000-33, is very time-consuming because it requires 6 h of heating at 800°C and 45 min of mixing after addition of water. On the other hand, preparation of each adsorbent according to the Japanese standard protocol is much easier and