Determination of dialkyl phthalate esters in indoor air of PVC industry: Risk assessment for human health using Monte-Carlo simulations.

ABSTRACT

Dialkyl phthalate esters are incorporated to enhance the pliability and prevent brittleness in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. Exposure to these compounds occurs throughout human lifetimes via ingestion, inhalation, and direct skin contact. A study was conducted to evaluate concentrations of four specific phthalates-dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-in the indoor air of both industrial and administrative sectors within the PVC manufacturing facilities. Air sampling was conducted in the spring season at two polyethylene factories in Zahedan Industrial Park (Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran). The outcomes demonstrated that mean concentrations of these substances in industrial along with administrative departments 485.7 µg/m3 and 49.83 µg/m3for DMP, 807.38 µg/m3 and 30.17 µg/m3 for DEP, 849.62 µg/m3 and 37.50 µg/m3 for DBP along with 1268.08 µg/m3 and 45.50 µg/m3 for DEHP respectively. The probabilistic lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) of DEHP in the indoor air of Zahedan PVC factories for men and women was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. The computed mean LTCRs of DEHP for men and women in the indoor air of industrial and administrative departments in Zahedan PVC were 1.3 × 10-3, 1.2 × 10-3and 4.7 × 10-5,4.2 × 10-5respectively. Data showed that DEHP was a potential risk to human health.