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Evaluation of transdermal exposure of phthalates in children's products
Jihye Hwang1, Young-Wook Lim1, Ji-Yeon Yang1
1Institute for Environmental Research College of Medicine, University of Yonsei, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Most children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Consumer Product Safety
Background:
- Phthalates are common plasticizers found in children's products.
- Regulatory limits exist for phthalate content in consumer goods.
- Transdermal delivery of chemicals is a key exposure pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze phthalate content in children's products.
- To evaluate transdermal delivery of phthalates using different methods.
- To assess potential exposure risks for children.
Main Methods:
- Selected 16 children's products with high phthalate detection potential.
- Quantified 6 controlled phthalates (DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP).
- Conducted transdermal delivery analysis using NIER and US EPA Wipe methods (stress and physiological conditions).
Main Results:
- Most products exceeded regulated phthalate content guidelines (≤0.1%).
- NIER transdermal delivery method showed lower results than US EPA Hand Wipe methods.
- Similar transdermal delivery results across US EPA methods, except for DINP.
- Average Daily Dose (ADD) was highest for mats due to surface area and exposure time.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist between NIER and US EPA Wipe transdermal delivery test methods.
- Children's products may pose a higher phthalate exposure risk than initially estimated.
- Further research is needed to refine transdermal delivery assessment for consumer products.
Abstract:
In this study, 16 children's products with the highest detection potential of phthalates were selected, and a phthalate assay and transdermal delivery analysis (NIER, US EPA Wipe [stress condition], US EPA Wipe [physiological condition], and US EPA Hand Wipe) were conducted with these products. The content of 6 controlled phthalates (DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, and DIDP) was measured and most products contained more phthalates than the regulated guidelines (a total content of 6 phthalates to be ≤0.1%). For transdermal delivery, all items were found to be lower in the NIER transdermal delivery test method compared to the US EPA Hand Wipe (stress condition and physiological condition) transdermal delivery test method. For the US EPA Hand Wipe (stress condition and physiological condition) transdermal delivery test method, a similar result was observed, except for DINP. The average daily dose (ADD) estimated by determining the exposure algorithm for each transdermal delivery test method was highest in mats with a large contacting surface area and a long exposure time in the respective test methods. Conclusively, there was a difference between the NIER transdermal delivery test method and the US EPA Wipe transdermal delivery test method.
