Phthalate levels in Norwegian indoor air related to particle size fraction

Abstract

Phthalates are found in numerous consumer products, including interior materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Several studies have identified phthalates in indoor air. A recent case-control study demonstrated associations between allergic symptoms in children and the concentration of phthalates in dust collected from their homes. Here we have analyzed the content of selected phthalates in particulate matter (PM): PM(10) and PM(2.5) filter samples collected in 14 different indoor environments. The results showed the presence of the phthalates di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) in the samples. The dominating phthalate in both PM(10) and PM(2.5) samples from all locations was DBP. More than a 10-fold variation in the mean concentration of total phthalates between sampling sites was observed. The highest levels of total phthalates were detected in one children's room, one kindergarten, in two primary schools, and in a computer room. The relative contribution of total phthalates in PM(10) and PM(2.5) was 1.1 +/- 0.3% for both size fractions. The contribution of total phthalates in PM(2.5) to total phthalates in PM(10) ranged from 23-81%, suggesting different sources. Of the phthalates that were analyzed in the PM material, DBP was found to be the major phthalate in rubber from car tyres. However, our analyses indicate that tyre wear was of minor importance for indoor levels of both DBP as well as total phthalates. Overall, these results support the notion that inhalation of indoor PM contributes to the total phthalate exposure.

The occurrence and ecological risk assessment of phthalate esters (PAEs) in urban aquatic environments of China

“…Therefore, household goods and office furnishings have been demonstrated to be potential emission sources of PAEs (Wormuth et al 2006). At the same time, outdoor sources of phthalates such as the wearing of tires are known to be secondary to indoor sources (Rakkestad et al 2007). Kong et al (2013) noted that the emission from cosmetics and personal care products, plasticizers and sewage and industrial wastewater may be important sources of PAEs in atmospheric particulate matter and that PAEs were preferentially concentrated in finer particles.…”

Differential developmental toxicities of di‐n‐hexyl phthalate and dicyclohexyl phthalate administered orally to rats

“…from food contact materials). Dihexyl phthalate (isomer not specifi ed) and DCHP were detected in food (MAFF UK, 1996), and DCHP in the indoor environment (Rakkestad et al, 2007). DCHP was measured at a concentration of 0.07 µg m −3 in samples of indoor air from houses in Japan (Otake et al, 2004).…”

Prevalence of and risk factors for subjective symptoms in urban preschool children without a cause identified by the guardian

“…These additives constitute 10-60% by weight of many plastics and are not covalently bound to the polymers with which they are mixed. Therefore, they can migrate from the materials and adhere to the surface of the settled house dust (Rakkestad et al 2007), which has been proven to be the main source of exposure for the toddler and preschool children to these additives, as they have greater hand-to-mouth activity than older children and adults (Rudel and Perovich 2009). Most of these additives, including phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are endocrine disrupting chemicals and have been proven to cause cognitive damage or neurobehavioral change (Costa et al 2008;Eskenazi et al 2007;Schantz et al 2003;Perera et al 2006).…”