Nontarget Identification of Novel Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Indoor Air and Dust from Multiple Microenvironments in China.

The indoor environment is a typical source for organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers (OPFRs), yet the source characteristics of OPFRs in different microenvironments remain less clear. This study collected 109 indoor air samples and 34 paired indoor dust samples from 4 typical microenvironments within a university in Tianjin, China, including the dormitory, office, library, and information center. 29 target OPFRs were analyzed, and novel organophosphorus compounds (NOPs) were identified by fragment-based nontarget analysis. Target OPFRs exhibited the highest air and dust concentrations of 46.2-234 ng/m3 and 20.4-76.0 µg/g, respectively, in the information center, where chlorinated OPFRs were dominant. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) was the primary OPFR in office air, while tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate dominated in the dust. TPHP was predominant in the library. Triethyl phosphate (TEP) was ubiquitous in the dormitory, and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate was particularly high in the dust. 9 of 25 NOPs were identified for the first time, mainly from the information center and office, such as bis(chloropropyl) 2,3-dichloropropyl phosphate. Diphenyl phosphinic acid, two hydroxylated and methylated metabolites of tris(2,4-ditert-butylphenyl) phosphite (AO168), and a dimer phosphate were newly reported in the indoor environment. NOPs were widely associated with target OPFRs, and their human exposure risk and environmental behaviors warrant further study.

Extralong hot-spots sensor for SERS sensitive detection of phthalate plasticizers in biological tear and serum fluids.

Phthalate plasticizers (PAEs) illegally used in food pose a great threat to human health. A new and efficient sensing platform for the sensitive detection of the PAE residues in biological fluids needs to be designed and developed. Here, we report a simple and reliable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active platform with extralong hot spots of Au nanobipyramids@Ag nanorods (Au NBPs@Ag NRs) for the rapid and sensitive detection of PAEs in biological fluids. To achieve high activity, Au NBPs@Ag NRs with different shell lengths were fabricated by controlling the synthesis conditions, and the corresponding SERS properties were investigated by using crystal violet (CryV) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). The experimental results showed that a longer shell length correlated to greater Raman activity, which was confirmed by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation. More importantly, the extralong hot spots of the Au NBPs@Ag NR SERS-active substrate showed excellent homogeneity and reproducibility for the CryV probe molecules (6.21%), and the detection limit was 10-9 M for both BBP and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Furthermore, through the standard addition method, an extralong hot spots SERS substrate could achieve highly sensitive detection of BBP and DEHP in serum and tears fluids, and the detection limit was as low as 3.52 × 10-8 M and 2.82 × 10-8 M. Therefore, the Au NBPs@Ag NR substrate with an extraordinarily long surface is efficient and versatile, and can potentially be used for high-efficiency sensing analysis in complex biological fluids.

Silicone wristbands reveal ubiquitous human exposure to ortho-phthalates and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers in Southern California.

In the United States and abroad, ortho-phthalates and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers continue to be used within a diverse array of consumer products. Prior California-specific biomonitoring programs for ortho-phthalates have focused on rural, agricultural communities and, to our knowledge, these programs have not measured the potential for exposure to non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers. Therefore, the potential for human exposure to ortho-phthalates and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers have not been adequately addressed in regions of California that have higher population density. Since there are numerous sources of ortho-phthalates and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers in population-dense, urban regions, the objective of this study was to leverage silicone wristbands to quantify aggregate ortho-phthalate and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizer exposure over a 5-day period across two different cohorts (2019 and 2020) of undergraduate students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) that commute from all over Southern California. Based on 5 d of aggregate exposure across two different cohorts, total ortho-phthalate plus non-ortho-phthalate plasticizer concentrations ranged, on average, from ∼100,000-1,000,000 ng/g. Based on the distribution of individual ortho-phthalate and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizer concentrations, the concentrations of di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP, a high molecular weight ortho-phthalate), di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, a high molecular weight ortho-phthalate), and di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT, a non-ortho-phthalate plasticizer) detected within wristbands were higher than the remaining seven ortho-phthalates and non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers measured, accounting for approximately 94-97% of the total mass depending on the cohort. Overall, our findings raise concerns about chronic DiNP, DEHP, and DEHT exposure in urban, population-dense regions throughout California.

Freshwater water quality criteria for phthalate esters and recommendations for the revision of the water quality standards.

With increasing urbanization and rapid industrialization, more and more environmental problems have arisen. Phthalates (PAEs) are the foremost and most widespread plasticizers and are readily emitted from these manufactured products into the environment. PAEs act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and can have serious impacts on aquatic organisms as well as human health. In this study, the water quality criteria (WQC) of five PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) for freshwater aquatic organisms were developed using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and a toxicity percentage ranking (TPR) approach. The results showed that long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) of PAEs using the SSD method could be 13.7, 11.1, 2.8, 7.8, and 0.53 µg/L, respectively. Criteria continuous concentrations (CCC) of PAEs were derived using the TPR method and determined to be 28.4, 13.1, 1.3, 2.5, and 1.6 µg/L, respectively. The five PAEs are commonly measured in China surface waters at concentrations between ng/L and µg/L. DBP, DEHP, and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) were the most frequently detected PAEs, with occurrence rates ranging from 67% to 100%. The ecological risk assessment results of PAEs showed a decreasing order of risk at the national level, DEHP, DBP, DMP, DEP, DnOP. The results of this study will be of great benefit to China and other countries in revising water quality standards for the conservation of aquatic species.

Screening for contamination levels of select organic environmental chemicals in medical supplies used for human specimen collection.

Trace-level analysis of environmental chemicals in human specimens can be compromised by contamination introduced during sample collection and storage. Sampling devices and tools can be a source of contamination by plasticizers, additives and antimicrobials, which warrants the need for pre-screening of these products prior to use. In this study, we determined leaching of 121 environmental chemicals in 10% and 100% methanol from 24 types of human specimen collection and storage devices. Cryovials, serum tubes, cups, syringes, transfer pipettes, and gloves -commonly used for the collection of blood, urine, breast milk and stools - were screened for the presence of plasticizers, environmental phenols, and pesticides. Measurable levels of mono-ethyl phthalate (mEP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) were leached from vials, plastic storage bags, gloves, and diapers, and parabens were leached from collection bottles, at amounts exceeding 100 ng/device. The amount leached from the devices varied depending on the lot numbers of the same product type. Storage time and temperature were found to influence the leaching rate of chemicals, with increased levels observed following prolonged storage and at high temperatures. The study underscores the importance of pre-screening for contamination in devices used for collection and storage of human specimens for biomonitoring studies.

The seasonal distribution of plasticizers in estuarine system: Controlling factors, storage and impact on the ecosystem.

Plasticizers such as phthalate esters (PAEs) are commonly used in various consumer and industrial products. This widespread use raises valid concerns regarding their ubiquity in the environment and potential negative impacts. The present study investigates the distribution of eight common plasticizers in the largest European lagoon (Curonian Lagoon) located in the SE Baltic Sea. The concentration levels of plasticizers in the water column, containing both the dissolved and particulate-bound phases, and in sediments were evaluated to reveal seasonal patterns in distribution and potential effects on the lagoon ecosystem. A total of 24 water samples and 48 sediment samples were collected across all four seasons from the two dominant sedimentary areas within the lagoon. The average concentration of total PAEs in the water column ranged from 1 to 21 µg L-1, whereas sediment concentration varied from 5.0 to 250 ng g-1. The distribution of plasticizers was influenced by the patterns in hydrodynamics and water circulation within the lagoon. The confined south-central area contained a higher amount of PAEs in sediments, accounting for most of the lagoon's plasticizer accumulation. More than 7 tons of plasticizers are stored in the 5 upper centimetres of sediment, with over 3 tons persisting for more than five years. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP) were the most abundant PAE congeners, with DEHP posing the highest risk quotient to algae, based on water column concentration. Several other congeners demonstrated medium to high-risk levels for organisms living in the lagoon.

Exposure assessment of plastics, phthalate plasticizers and their transformation products in diverse bio-based fertilizers.

Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) produced from organic waste have the potential to reduce societal dependence on limited and energy-intensive mineral fertilizers. BBFs, thereby, contribute to a circular economy for fertilizers. However, BBFs can contain plastic fragments and hazardous additives such as phthalate plasticizers, which could constitute a risk for agricultural soils and the environment. This study assessed the exposure associated with plastic and phthalates in BBFs from three types of organic wastes: agricultural and food industry waste (AgriFoodInduWaste), sewage sludge (SewSludge), and biowaste (i.e., garden, park, food and kitchen waste). The wastes were associated with various treatments like drying, anaerobic digestion, and vermicomposting. The number of microplastics (0.045-5 mm) increased from AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs (15-258 particles g-1), to SewSludge-BBFs (59-1456 particles g-1) and then to Biowaste-BBFs (828-2912 particles g-1). Biowaste-BBFs mostly contained packaging plastics (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), with the mass of plastic (>10 g kg-1) exceeding the EU threshold (3 g kg-1, plastics >2 mm). Other BBFs mostly contained small (< 1 mm) non-packaging plastics in amounts below the EU limit. The calculated numbers of microplastics entering agricultural soils via BBF application was high (107-1010 microplastics ha-1y-1), but the mass of plastic released from AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs and SewSludge-BBFs was limited (< 1 and <7 kg ha-1y-1) compared to Biowaste-BBFs (95-156 kg ha-1y-1). The concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP; < 2.5 mg kg-1) and phthalate transformation products (< 8 mg kg-1) were low (< benchmark of 50 mg kg-1 for DEHP), attributable to both the current phase-out of DEHP as well as phthalate degradation during waste treatment. The Biowaste-BBF exposed to vermicomposting indicated that worms accumulated phthalate transformation products (4 mg kg-1). These results are overall positive for the implementation of the studied AgriFoodInduWaste-BBFs and SewSludge-BBFs. However, the safe use of the studied Biowaste-BBFs requires reducing plastic use and improving sorting methods to minimize plastic contamination, in order to protect agricultural soils and reduce the environmental impact of Biowaste-BBFs.

Residues of non-phthalate plasticizers in seawater and sediments from Osaka Bay, Japan.

NPPs (Non-phthalate plasticizers) are used as alternative plasticizers to phthalate esters, but there is limited knowledge on environmental residues, and they have not been reported in Japan. A method to analyze NPPs in seawater using solid-phase extraction was developed, and the residual burden of Diisobutyl adipate (DIBA), Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DEHS) and Trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) in seawater and sediment from the Osaka Bay was measured. Using an Oasis Max column and acetone as the eluting solvent, the recovery of the target substances in seawater is >68 %. In Osaka Bay, no NPPs were detected in seawater. On the other hand, ATBC and TOTM were detected in the sediment at 36-69 ng/g and 47-131 ng/g, respectively, from about half of the 14 sites, while DEHA and DEHS were detected at 83 ng/g and 181 ng/g, respectively, from only one site.

Arc plasma for high-efficiency ionization and scavenging of plasticizers in wrap films.

Herein, ambient electric arc ionization mass spectrometry was used to examine 16 plasticizers in various wrap films, demonstrating high sensitivity (detection limit: <0.2 ng/mg) and precision (intra-/inter-day precision: <12 %). The ease of operation helps in the identification of wrap film and plasticizer analysis. In addition, the introduction of a cold arc plasma treatment presents a practical and innovative method for effectively eliminating plasticizers. This innovative strategy has implications for both environmental protection and food safety.

Pollution characteristics and affecting factors of phthalate esters in agricultural soils in mainland China.

Phthalate esters (PAEs), the most commonly produced and used plasticizers, are widely used in plastic products and agroecosystems, posing risks to agricultural products and human health. However, current research on PAE pollution characteristics in agricultural soils in China is not comprehensive; affecting factors and relationships with microplastics and plasticizer organophosphate esters have not been sufficiently considered. In this study, farmland soil samples were collected with field questionnaires on a national scale across mainland China. The results showed that the detection rate of PAEs was 100% and the Σ16PAEs concentrations were 23.5 - 903 µg/kg. The level of PAEs was highest in the greenhouse, and significantly higher than that in mulched farmland (p < 0.05). The PAE concentration in northwestern China was the lowest among different physical geographic zones. PAEs in farmlands posed a low cancer risk to Chinese people. PAE pollution in farmlands was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by agronomic measures (such as disposal method), environmental factors, and socioeconomic factors. Overall, PAEs were significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.05) with organophosphate esters but not with microplastics. This study aims to provide scientific data for relevant prevention and control policies, as well as actionable recommendations for pollution reduction.

Development and validation of a green analytical method for simultaneously determining plasticizers residues in honeys from different botanical origins.

A novel method has been proposed to determine nine plasticizers in honey samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. An efficient sample treatment was proposed (average analyte recoveries between 77% and 118%) involving a double solvent extraction with ethyl acetate, followed by a clean-up step with florisil. Chromatographic analysis (< 21 min) was performed in an Agilent HP-5MS column under programmed temperature conditions. The greenness of the method was assessed with different tools that classified it as environmentally friendly. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, limits of detection (0.1-3.1 µg kg-1) and quantification (0.2-10.3 µg kg-1), linearity, matrix effect, trueness, and precision (relative standard deviation <9%). An analysis of thirty samples from different sources (commercial or experimental apiaries) revealed the presence of residues of five plasticizers in most of the samples. Finally, health risk assessment was evaluated, and the results indicated no associated health risks for consumers.

Analysis and remediation of phthalates in aquatic matrices: current perspectives.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are high production volume chemicals used extensively as plasticizers, to increase the flexibility of the main polymer. They are reported to leach into their surroundings from plastic products and are now a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Phthalate levels have been determined in several environmental matrices, especially in water. These levels serve as an indicator of plasticizer abuse and plastic pollution, and also serve as a route of exposure to different species including humans. Reports published on effects of different PAEs on experimental models demonstrate their carcinogenic, teratogenic, reproductive, and endocrine disruptive effects. Therefore, regular monitoring and remediation of environmental water samples is essential to ascertain their hazard quotient and daily exposure levels. This review summarises the extraction and detection techniques available for phthalate analysis in water samples such as chromatography, biosensors, immunoassays, and spectroscopy. Current remediation strategies for phthalate removal such as adsorption, advanced oxidation, and microbial degradation have also been highlighted.

Enhancing the Sustainability of Eco-Friendly Potentiometric Ion-Selective Electrodes for Stability-Indicating Measurement of Ethamsylate: Application in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Formulations.

BACKGROUND: Through the use of sustainable and green chemistry concepts, scientists need to decrease waste, conserve energy, and develop safe substitutes for hazardous compounds, all for protecting and benefiting society and the environment. OBJECTIVE: Four novel eco-friendly ion selective electrodes (ISE) were generated to determine Ethamsylate (ETM) in bulk powder and different pharmaceutical formulations. The present electrodes were fabricated to clearly distinguish ETM from a variety of inorganic, organic ions, sugars, some common drug excipients and the degradation product, hydroquinone (HQ) of ETM, and thus used for stability-indicating methods. METHODS: The electrodes fabrication was based on 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) that was employed as a plasticizer in electrodes 1, 2, and 3 within a polymeric matrix of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) except for electrode 4, in which dibutyl sebacate was used as a plasticizer. Electrodes 1 and 2 were fabricated using tetradodecylammonium bromide as an anionic exchanger, adding 4-sulfocalix-8-arene as an ionophore only to electrode 2 and preparing electrode 1 without incorporation of an ionophore. The fabrication of electrodes 3 and 4 was based on ethamsylate-tetraphenylborate (ETM-TPB) as an ion-association complex in a PVC matrix. The environmental sustainability was assessed using the green analytical procedure index (GAPI), and analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep). RESULTS: Electrodes 1 and 2 had linear dynamic ranges of 10-1-10-5 mol/L and 10-1-10-4 mol/L, respectively, with a Nernstian slope of 49.6 and 53.2 mV/decade, respectively. Electrodes 3 and 4 had linear dynamic ranges of 10-1-10-4 mol/L, with a Nernstian slope of 43.9 and 40.2 mV/decade, respectively. CONCLUSION: The electrodes' selectivity coefficients showed good selectivity for ETM. The utility of 4-sulfocalix-8-arene as an ionophore had a significant influence on increasing the membrane sensitivity and selectivity of electrode 2 compared to other electrodes. HIGHLIGHTS: Four novel eco-friendly ISEs were used for determination of ETM in bulk powder and different pharmaceutical formulations. Different experimental parameters were performed to optimize the determination conditions such as solvent mediators, dynamic response time, effect of pH, and temperature. Stability-indicating measurement of ETM in the presence of its degradate HQ and co-formulated drug tranexamic acid. Using new ecological assessment tools to determine whiteness and greenness profiles.

Phthalate esters in clothing: A review.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse health effects associated with the presence of phthalates in textiles, such as endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Based on examination of more than 120 published articles, this paper presents a comprehensive review of studies concerning the phthalate content in clothing and other textile products, with special emphasis on those conducted in the last decade (2014-2023). The types and role of PAEs as plasticizers, the relevant legislation in different countries (emphasizing the importance of monitoring PAE levels in clothing to protect consumer health) and the analytical methods used for PAE determination are critically evaluated. The review also discusses the models used to evaluate exposure to PAEs and the associated health risks. Finally, the study limitations and challenges related to determining the phthalate contents of textile products are considered.

Occurrence of marine plastic litter and plasticizers from touristic beaches of Arauco Gulf in Central Chile.

Marine plastic litter (MPL) was collected from beaches (n = 3) of the Arauco Gulf in central Chile in spring 2021 and summer 2022. MPL was analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics, and plasticizers were also screened using FTIR-ATR. Three hundred seventeen plastic items with an accumulated weight of 226.8 g were found. MPL densities ranged from 0.4 to 17.1 items m-2. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between seasons were observed for Arauco and Maule beaches, being ∼ten times higher in summer compared to spring. Solid pieces were the predominant shape, macroplastics were the most abundant (>2.5 cm), and white and blue colors were dominant. Polypropylene (52 %) and polyethylene (31 %) were the predominant polymers. Plasticizers (n = 3) were detected in the MPL in the study area (dioctyl phthalate, polybutene, and alpha-methylstyrene) for the first time. This study contributes new information related to MPL in coastal areas of central Chile and their chemical composition.

Quantification of additives in beached plastic debris from Aotearoa New Zealand.

Plastics have become an essential part of modern society. Their properties can be easily manipulated by incorporating additives to impart desirable attributes, such as colour, flexibility, or stability. However, many additives are classified as hazardous substances. To better understand the risk of plastic pollution within marine ecosystems, the type and concentration of additives in plastic debris needs to be established. We report the quantification of thirty-one common plastic additives (including plasticisers, antioxidants, and UV stabilisers) in beached plastic debris collected across Aotearoa New Zealand. Additives were isolated from the plastic debris by solvent extraction and quantified using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twenty-five of the target additives were detected across 200 items of debris, with plasticisers detected at the highest frequency (99 % detection frequency). Additives were detected in all samples, with a median of four additives per debris item. A significantly higher number of additives were detected per debris item for polyvinyl chloride (median = 7) than polyethylene or polypropylene (median = 4). The additives bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, and antioxidant 702 were detected at the highest concentrations (up to 196,930 µg/g). The sum concentration of additives per debris item (up to 320,325 µg/g) was significantly higher in polyvinyl chloride plastics (median 94,716 µg/g) compared to other plastic types, primarily due to the presence of phthalate plasticisers. Non-target analysis was consistent with the targeted analysis, indicating a higher number and concentration of additives in polyvinyl chloride debris items compared to all other polymer types. Feature identification indicated the presence of more additives than previously detected in the targeted analysis, including plasticisers (phthalate and non-phthalate), processing aids, and nucleating agents. This study highlights phthalates and polyvinyl chloride as key targets for consideration in ecotoxicology and risk assessments, and the development of policies to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution.

Evaluating the risk of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers in dust samples from 100 Japanese houses.

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizer and associated with various health issues. Recently, non-phthalate plasticizers are replacing phthalates; however, the exposure to these substances and the risk in Japan is unclear. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, and phthalate degradation products in house dust and determined their respective exposure risks via oral and dermal routes. Twelve phthalates, seven non-phthalate plasticizers, and two degradation products were determined in the house dust obtained from 100 Japanese homes. The median concentration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), accounting for 85 % of the total concentration of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers detected in this study, was 2.1 × 103 µg/g of dust. Apart from DEHP, diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) were the most abundant in the house dust, accounting for 6.2 % (median: 1.7 × 102 µg/g of dust) and 6.1 % (median: 1.7 × 102 µg/g of dust) of the total concentrations, respectively. DEHP and DEHT concentrations in house dust were higher in apartment and small houses (floor area: ≤30 m2 or 31-60 m2 for DEHP and 31-60 m2 for DEHT) than in detached and large houses (floor area: ≥121 m2). Conversely, di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) concentrations were significantly higher in detached and large houses (floor area: ≥121 m2) than in apartment and small houses (floor area: ≤30 m2). The total hazard quotient (HQ), using the maximum concentration in house dust, revealed that oral and dermal exposure to house dust was 1.3 × 10-6-0.11 for adults (all substances) and 1.6 × 10-5-2.2 × 10-2 for preschool children (except for DnBP and DEHP), suggesting no risk. The HQs for DnBP and DEHP exposure via house dust for preschool children using the maximum values were 0.46 and 1.2, and 6.0 × 10-3 and 0.18 using the median values, indicating that risk of DEHP exposure should be exhaustively determined by considering other exposure routes that were not evaluated in this study, such as diet.

Organophosphate ester additives and microplastics in benthic compartments from the Loire estuary (French Atlantic coast).

We report the first empirical confirmation of the co-occurrence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) additives and microplastics (MPs) in benthic compartments from the Loire estuary. Higher median concentrations of MPs (3387 items/kg dw), ∑13tri-OPEs (12.0 ng/g dw) and ∑4di-OPEs (0.7 ng/g dw) were measured in intertidal sediments with predominance of fine particles, and under higher anthropogenic pressures, with a general lack of seasonality. Contrarily, Scrobicularia plana showed up to 4-fold higher ∑tri-OPE concentrations in summer (reaching 37.0 ng/g dw), and similar spatial distribution. Polyethylene predominated in both compartments. Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), its degradation metabolite (BEHP) and tris-(2-chloro, 1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCIPP) were the most abundant OPEs in sediments, while TCIPP predominated in S. plana. The biota-sediment accumulation factors suggest bioaccumulation potential for chlorinated-OPEs, with higher exposure in summer. No significant correlations were generally found between OPEs and MPs in sediments suggesting a limited role of MPs as in-situ source of OPEs.

Occurrence and abundance of microplastics and plasticizers in landfill leachate from open dumpsites in Sri Lanka.

This is the first attempt that investigate the abundance of plasticizers in leachate sediment in the scientific literature, alongside the debut effort to explore the abundance of microplastics and plasticizers in landfill leachate and sediment in Sri Lanka. Microplastics in sizes ranging from ≥2.0-5.0, ≥1.0-2.0, and ≥ 0.5-1.0 mm were extracted from the leachate draining from ten municipal solid waste open dump sites and sediment samples covering seven districts. Microplastics were extracted by density separation (Saturated ZnCl2) followed by wet peroxide digestion and the chemical identification was conducted by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Plasticizers were extracted to hexane and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total mean microplastic abundance in leachate was 2.06 ± 0.62 mg/L whereas it was 363 ± 111 mg/kg for leachate sediments. The most frequently found polymer type was polyethylene (>50%), and white color was dominant. The average concentration of bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenone (BP) and diethyl-hydrogen phthalate (DHEP) in leachate was 158 ± 84.4, 0.75 ± 0.16 and 170 ± 85.8 µg/L respectively. Furthermore, BP and DHEP in leachate sediment was 100 ± 68.3 and 1034 ± 455 µg/kg respectively. As landfill leachate is directly discharged into nearby surface and groundwater bodies that serve as sources of drinking water, the study highlights the potential concerns of microplastic and plasticizer exposure to the surrounding Sri Lankan community through consumption of contaminated drinking water. Therefore, there is a timely need of develop the effective waste management and pollution control measures to minimize the possible threats to both the environment and human health.

Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of 16 plasticizers in the rivers and estuaries in Japan.

Owing to growing concerns about the adverse effects of phthalate plasticizers, non-phthalate plasticizers are being increasingly used as their replacement. However, information on the residual environmental concentrations and ecological risks posed by these plasticizers is limited. In this study, we analyzed the environmental contamination of 11 phthalates and 5 non-phthalate plasticizers in Class A and B rivers in Japan. In the considered river water samples, phthalates and non-phthalates were detected in the following order of detection frequency: phthalates (DEHP > DMP > DMEP > BBP > DNPP > DNP > DEEP > DBEP = DNOP) and non-phthalates (ATBC > DEHS > DEHA > TOTM = DIBA). Phthalate plasticizers were the most abundant and included DEHP (157-859 ng/L), DMP (