Phthalate exposure in Korea: Environmental contamination, human biomonitoring, health effects, and regulatory...

Phthalates are prevalent environmental chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide range of consumer products, leading to significant public health concerns in Korea. This review synthesizes recent evidence regarding phthalate exposure levels, patterns of environmental contamination, associated health effects, and regulatory strategies in the Korean population. We reviewed peer-reviewed literature published from 2009 to 2025, emphasizing data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS), environmental monitoring reports, and analyses of health impacts. National biomonitoring indicated extensive phthalate exposure among the Korean population, with declines in DEHP and DBP metabolites observed since 2009, although children persistently exhibited higher levels compared to adults. Environmental surveys revealed ongoing contamination in coastal sediments, rivers, lakes, and wastewater sludge, primarily involving DEHP, DINP, and DIDP. Epidemiologic studies identified associations between phthalate exposure and endocrine disruption, allergic disorders, metabolic syndromes, renal dysfunction, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Regulatory interventions have contributed to exposure reductions; however, environmental persistence and related health risks continue to pose challenges. Phthalate exposure in Korea remains an important public health issue, necessitating ongoing surveillance and comprehensive risk evaluation. Although exposure levels show stable or modest declines following regulatory interventions, environmental contamination is still widespread.