Di-butyl phthalates (DBP) in the environment: health risks and advances in treatment technologies

Di-butyl phthalates are endocrine disruptors commonly used in plastics to increase the flexibility and durability of polymeric materials. Due to their extensive use in personal care products and plastic packaging, and their tendency to leach from these materials, di-butyl phthalates have been frequently detected in various aquatic environments, including groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater. Given their frequent occurrences in water sources, di-butyl phthalates are capable of interfering with the endocrine system, which may lead to cancer, reproductive problems, and impaired physical growth. Finding energy-efficient and affordable technology to remove di-butyl phthalates from the atmosphere and the aquatic system is imperative considering all these ramifications. With emphasis on pilot-scale and commercial applications, this review assesses existing microbiological and advanced di-butyl phthalates treatment methods, degradation mechanisms such as photocatalysis, knowledge gaps, and future research prospects. Among various remediation strategies, biological treatment methods stand out for their high efficiency in degrading di-butyl phthalates, often exceeding 90%. Despite these promising results, future research should focus on developing environmentally friendly and time-efficient techniques for di-butyl phthalates removal.