Phthalate esters: occurrence, toxicity, bioremediation, and advanced oxidation processes.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Phthalate esters are widely used plasticizers and recognized as hazardous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
• Increasing anthropogenic activities elevate phthalate concentrations in the environment, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Understanding phthalate pollution, ecotoxicity, and degradation is crucial for effective environmental management.

Approach:

• A bibliometric analysis using VOS Viewer was conducted to review research on phthalate ester contamination and degradation.
• The review synthesizes information on the occurrence, sources, exposure routes, and ecotoxicity of five key phthalates.
• It examines various biodegradation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for phthalate removal.

Key Points:

• Phthalates are prevalent environmental pollutants with significant ecotoxicological impacts.
• Biodegradation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) show promise for phthalate removal.
• Advanced oxidation processes discussed include photocatalysis, Fenton processes, ozonation, and sonolysis.

Conclusions:

• Effective environmental remediation strategies are needed to address phthalate contamination.
• Further research into optimized AOPs and biodegradation pathways can enhance phthalate removal efficiency.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview to guide future research and policy on phthalate pollution control.