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Exposure to phthalate esters from indoor environment.
Takamitsu Otake1, Jun Yoshinaga, Yukio Yanagisawa
1Institute of Environmental Studies, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. takamitsu.otake@yy.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology
|March 25, 2004
Summary
Indoor air contains significant levels of phthalate esters, comparable to dietary intake. Exposure via inhalation is a major, underestimated contributor to daily phthalate ester intake.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Phthalate esters and phosphate esters are common indoor air pollutants.
- Understanding exposure routes is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify phthalate and phosphate ester concentrations in indoor air.
- To assess the contribution of indoor air inhalation to total phthalate ester exposure.
Main Methods:
- Samples of indoor air were collected from 27 houses in the Tokyo Metropolitan area.
- Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/flame photometric detection were used for quantification.
- Adsorption onto charcoal followed by solvent extraction was employed.
Main Results:
- Median concentrations of diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, and diethylhexyl phthalate were determined.
- DBP showed the highest concentration in a new residential housing sample (6.18 microg/m(3)).
- Median concentrations of several phosphate esters were below 0.001 microg/m(3).
Conclusions:
- Inhalation of indoor air is a significant exposure pathway for phthalate esters.
- Indoor air exposure can contribute substantially to daily phthalate ester intake, potentially exceeding previous assumptions.
- This highlights the importance of indoor air quality in phthalate ester exposure assessments.