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Environmental Science & Technology Dec 2022While new biodegradable materials are being rapidly introduced to address plastic pollution, their end-of-life impacts remain unclear. Biodegradable plastics typically...
While new biodegradable materials are being rapidly introduced to address plastic pollution, their end-of-life impacts remain unclear. Biodegradable plastics typically comprise a biopolymer matrix with functional additives and/or solid fillers, which may be toxic. Here, using an established method for continuous biodegradation monitoring, we investigated the impact of a commonly used plasticizer, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), on the biodegradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) in soil. The presence of DBP delayed the initial stage of PHBV biodegradation but then accelerated subsequent rates of biodegradation. Furthermore, it led to significant increases in total bacterial and fungal biomass and altered the composition of microbial communities with significant increases in the relative abundances of (gammaproteobacterial) and (fungal) populations. It is proposed, with evidence from biodegradation behavior and microbial analysis, that the presence of DBP likely stimulated a microbial community shift, introduced higher proportions of more readily degradable amorphous regions from the plasticizing effect, and facilitated access to the bulk polymer matrix for microorganisms or at least their associated enzymes. These effects in combination overcame the initial inhibition effect of the DBP and resulted in a net increase in the rate of biodegradation of PHBV.
Topics: Plasticizers; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Phthalic Acids; Dibutyl Phthalate; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 36480707
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06583 -
Environmental Research Nov 2022Microplastic (MP) ingestion, along with accumulated plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS), and phthalates represented by...
Microplastic (MP) ingestion, along with accumulated plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS), and phthalates represented by diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were quantified in bivalves, fish, and holothurians collected from a coastal pristine area at the western Mediterranean Sea. MP ingestion in sediment-feeders holothurians (mean value 12.67 ± 7.31 MPs/individual) was statistically higher than ingestion in bivalves and fish (mean 4.83 ± 5.35 and 3 ± 4.44 MPs/individual, respectively). The main ingested polymers were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The levels of BPS, BPF, and DEHP were highest in bivalves' soft tissue; BPA and DBP had the highest levels in the holothurians' muscle. In addition, the levels of all plasticizers assessed were lowest in fish muscle; only BPA levels in fish were higher than in bivalves, with intermediate values between those of bivalves and holothurians. This study provides data on exposure to MPs and plasticizers of different species inhabiting Cabrera Marine Protected Area (MPA) and highlights the differences in MP ingestion and levels of plasticizers between species with different ecological characteristics and feeding strategies.
Topics: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Bivalvia; Dibutyl Phthalate; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Eating; Fishes; Microplastics; Phenols; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Plastics
PubMed: 35948144
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114034 -
Journal of Exposure Science &... Mar 2023Many phthalates are environmental pollutants and toxic to humans. Following phthalate regulations, human exposure to phthalates has globally decreased with time in...
BACKGROUND
Many phthalates are environmental pollutants and toxic to humans. Following phthalate regulations, human exposure to phthalates has globally decreased with time in European countries, the US and Korea. Conversely, exposure to their substitutes DEHT and/or DINCH has increased. In other countries, including China, little is known on the time-trends in human exposure to these plasticizers.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to estimate time-trends in the urinary concentrations of phthalates, DEHT, and DINCH metabolites, in general population from non-European countries, in the last decade.
METHODS
We compiled human biomonitoring (HBM) data from 123 studies worldwide in a database termed "PhthaLit". We analyzed time-trends in the urinary concentrations of the excreted metabolites of various phthalates as well as DEHT and DINCH per metabolite, age group, and country/region, in 2009-2019. Additionally, we compared urinary metabolites levels between continents.
RESULTS
We found solid time-trends in adults and/or children from the US, Canada, China and Taiwan. DEHP metabolites decreased in the US and Canada. Conversely in Asia, 5oxo- and 5OH-MEHP (DEHP metabolites) increased in Chinese children. For low-weight phthalates, the trends showed a mixed picture between metabolites and countries. Notably, MnBP (a DnBP metabolite) increased in China. The phthalate substitutes DEHT and DINCH markedly increased in the US.
SIGNIFICANCE
We addressed the major question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compared the results in different countries worldwide.
IMPACT
Phthalates account for more than 50% of the plasticizer world market. Because of their toxicity, some phthalates have been regulated. In turn, the consumption of non-phthalate substitutes, such as DEHT and DINCH, is growing. Currently, phthalates and their substitutes show high detection percentages in human urine. Concerning time-trends, several studies, mainly in Europe, show a global decrease in phthalate exposure, and an increase in the exposure to phthalate substitutes in the last decade. In this study, we address the important question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compare the results in different countries worldwide.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Phthalic Acids; Environmental Pollutants; Plasticizers; North America; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 35513587
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00441-w -
Journal of Exposure Science &... Sep 2023ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers impart flexibility to plastics in food production, processing, and packaging; food consumption is a dominant plasticizer exposure...
BACKGROUND
ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers impart flexibility to plastics in food production, processing, and packaging; food consumption is a dominant plasticizer exposure pathway. Lower molecular weight ortho-phthalates are being replaced in plastic products due to toxicity concerns, but toxic hazards of and exposures to replacement ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers are poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE
We measured 12 ortho-phthalates and 9 other plasticizers in conventional and organic U.S. food products to assess magnitude and profiles of contamination.
METHODS
We measured plasticizers in 34 vegetable oils, 10 milks, 18 infant formulas, and 9 cheese powders from macaroni kits using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We analyzed plastic packaging composition using FTIR spectroscopy.
RESULTS
We detected eight ortho-phthalates and three alternatives ((1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), diethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), and diisobutyl adipate (DIBA). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was measured in all 71 products. DEHT had the highest concentration of any plasticizer (>10,000 ng/g in three oils). Oils had the highest total plasticizer (median = 770 ng/g, max = 14,900 ng/g) and milk the lowest (median = 88 ng/g, max = 120 ng/g). Organic milk and refined oils had higher median plasticizer levels than conventional. Refined oils had significantly lower concentrations than unrefined oils. Maximum contributors for every category were non-ortho-phthalates: DEHT (powdered infant formula and oils) and DIBA (cheese powder, milk and liquid formula). Plasticizers were not detected in packaging except epoxidized soybean oil in liquid formula lids.
IMPACT STATEMENT
Human exposure to plasticizers is a significant public health concern. Nevertheless, sources of such exposures are poorly characterized. This study adds valuable information for estimating legacy and alternative plasticizer exposures from foods. The method developed for measuring DINCH, DINP and DIDP broadens the range of plasticizers other researchers may analyze in future work. The profiles of plasticizer contamination varied depending on the food type. We also document that food processing may be a source of plasticizer contamination in foods.
Topics: Humans; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Oils; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; United States; Food Contamination; Food Packaging
PubMed: 37726506
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00596-0 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Nov 2022Human exposure to organic contaminants is widespread. Many of these contaminants show adverse health effects on human population. Human biomonitoring (HBM) follows the...
Human exposure to organic contaminants is widespread. Many of these contaminants show adverse health effects on human population. Human biomonitoring (HBM) follows the levels and the distribution of biomarkers of exposure (BoE), but it is usually done in a targeted manner. Suspect and non-targeted screening (SS/NTS) tend to find BoE in an agnostic way, without preselection of compounds, and include finding evidence of exposure to predicted, unpredicted known and unknown chemicals. This study describes the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based SS/NTS workflow for revealing organic contaminants in urine of a cohort of 200 children from Slovenia, aged 6-9 years. The children originated from two regions, urban and rural, and the latter were sampled in two time periods, summer and winter. We tentatively identified 74 BoE at the confidence levels of 2 and 3. These BoE belong to several classes of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, plasticizers and plastic related products, volatile organic compounds, nicotine, caffeine and pesticides. The risk of three pesticides, atrazine, amitraz and diazinon is of particular concern since their use was limited in the EU. Among BoE we tentatively identified compounds that have not yet been monitored in HBM schemes and demonstrate limited exposure data, such as bisphenol G, polyethylene glycols and their ethers. Furthermore, 7 compounds with unknown use and sources of exposure were tentatively identified, either indicating the entry of new chemicals into the market, or their metabolites and transformation products. Interestingly, several BoE showed location and time dependency. Globally, this study presents high-throughput approach to SS/NTS for HBM. The results shed a light on the exposure of Slovenian children and raise questions on potential adverse health effects of such mixtures on this vulnerable population.
Topics: Atrazine; Biological Monitoring; Biomarkers; Caffeine; Child; Diazinon; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Ethers; Humans; Nicotine; Pesticides; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Plasticizers; Plastics; Polyethylene Glycols; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 36064054
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120091 -
Zhongguo Yi Liao Qi Xie Za Zhi =... Jul 2018DEHP is largely used in soft PVC products as the plasticizer, which is also widely applied in medical devices. Due to its potential and widespread toxicity and medical... (Review)
Review
DEHP is largely used in soft PVC products as the plasticizer, which is also widely applied in medical devices. Due to its potential and widespread toxicity and medical devices' specific use, the safety of DEHP's application in medical devices has received extensive attention. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the application and potential toxicity of DEHP in PVC medical devices is made on the basis of the research results all over the world. Besides, the safety evaluation in medical devices is discussed and some possible coping strategies are explored.
Topics: Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Equipment Safety; Equipment and Supplies; Plasticizers; Polyvinyl Chloride
PubMed: 30112899
DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-7104.2018.04.018 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2022Plastics, as a polymer material, have long been a source of environmental concern. This paper uses polystyrene plastics as the research object, and the relative...
Plastics, as a polymer material, have long been a source of environmental concern. This paper uses polystyrene plastics as the research object, and the relative contribution of each component of plastic additives to plastic degradation is screened using the molecular dynamics method. The factorial experimental design method is combined with molecular dynamics simulation to adjust the additive composition scheme, analyze the mechanism of interaction between the additive components, and select the plastic additive combination that is most readily absorbed and degraded by microorganisms. Seven different types of plastic additives, including plasticizers, antioxidants, light and heat stabilizers, flame retardants, lubricants, and fillers, are chosen as external stimuli affecting the biodegradability of plastics. Using molecular dynamics simulation technology, it is demonstrated that plastic additives can promote the biodegradability of plastics. The factorial experimental design analysis revealed that all plastic additives can promote plastic biodegradation and plasticizer is the most favorable factor affecting plastic degradation, that hydrophobicity interactions are the primary reason for enhancing plastic degradation, and that screening No. 116-45 (plasticizer A, light stabilizer C, flame retardant E) is the most advantageous combination of biodegradable plastic additives. The plastic biodegradation effect regulation scheme proposed in this study is based on optimizing the proportion of additive components. To continue research on aquatic biodegradable plastics, the optimal combination of plastic components that can be absorbed and degraded by microorganisms is recommended.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Flame Retardants; Plasticizers; Plastics; Research Design
PubMed: 35565062
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095670 -
Environment International Jan 2024Due to their exceptional properties and cost effectiveness, polyamides or nylons have emerged as widely used materials, revolutionizing diverse industries, including...
Due to their exceptional properties and cost effectiveness, polyamides or nylons have emerged as widely used materials, revolutionizing diverse industries, including industrial 3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM). Powder-based AM technologies employ tonnes of polyamide microplastics to produce complex components every year. However, the lack of comprehensive toxicity assessment of particulate polyamides and polyamide-associated chemicals, especially in the light of the global microplastics crisis, calls for urgent action. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of polyamide-12 microplastics used in AM, and assessed a number of toxicity endpoints focusing on inflammation, immunometabolism, genotoxicity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation, endocrine disruption, and cell morphology. Specifically, microplastics examination by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that work flow reuse of material created a fraction of smaller particles with an average size of 1-5 µm, a size range readily available for uptake by human cells. Moreover, chemical analysis by means of gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry detected several polyamide-associated chemicals including starting material, plasticizer, thermal stabilizer/antioxidant, and migrating slip additive. Even if polyamide particles and chemicals did not induce an acute inflammatory response, repeated and prolonged exposure of human primary macrophages disclosed a steady increase in the levels of proinflammatory chemokine Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL-8). Moreover, targeted metabolomics disclosed that polyamide particles modulated the kynurenine pathway and some of its key metabolites. The p53-responsive luciferase reporter gene assay showed that particles per se were able to activate p53, being indicative of a genotoxic stress. Polyamide-associated chemicals triggered moderate activation of AhR and elicited anti-androgenic activity. Finally, a high-throughput and non-targeted morphological profiling by Cell Painting assay outlined major sites of bioactivity of polyamide-associated chemicals and indicated putative mechanisms of toxicity in the cells. These findings reveal that the increasing use of polyamide microplastics may pose a potential health risk for the exposed individuals, and it merits more attention.
Topics: Humans; Nylons; Microplastics; Plastics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Plasticizers; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38183898
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108412 -
Biotechnology Progress Nov 2021The demand for biobased materials for various end-uses in the bioplastic industry is substantially growing due to increasing awareness of health and environmental... (Review)
Review
The demand for biobased materials for various end-uses in the bioplastic industry is substantially growing due to increasing awareness of health and environmental concerns, along with the toxicity of synthetic plasticizers such as phthalates. This fact has stimulated new regulations requiring the replacement of synthetic conventional plasticizers, particularly for packaging applications. Biobased plasticizers have recently been considered as essential additives, which may be used during the processing of compostable polymers to enormously boost biobased packaging applications. The development and utilization of biobased plasticizers derived from epoxidized soybean oil, castor oil, cardanol, citrate, and isosorbide have been broadly investigated. The synthesis of biobased plasticizers derived from renewable feedstocks and their impact on packaging material performance have been emphasized. Moreover, the effect of biobased plasticizer concentration, interaction, and compatibility on the polymer properties has been examined. Recent developments have resulted in the replacement of synthetic plasticizers by biobased counterparts. Particularly, this has been the case for some biodegradable thermoplastics-based packaging applications.
Topics: Biodegradable Plastics; Green Chemistry Technology; Plasticizers; Soybean Oil
PubMed: 34499430
DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3210 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2021In this study, the abundance and the distribution of small microplastics (<100 μm, SMPs) and of other components of micro-litter (i.e., additives, plasticizers, natural...
Small microplastics (<100 μm), plasticizers and additives in seawater and sediments: Oleo-extraction, purification, quantification, and polymer characterization using Micro-FTIR.
In this study, the abundance and the distribution of small microplastics (<100 μm, SMPs) and of other components of micro-litter (i.e., additives, plasticizers, natural and non-plastic synthetic fibers, APFs) were investigated in sediments and seawater of three different sites of a transitional environment; different anthropogenic impacts and environmental features characterize these three sites. The pretreatment method developed (oleo-extraction and purification procedures) allowed the collection of particles (SMPs and APFs) in a wide range of densities, e.g., from low-density plastics to high-density plastics, avoiding further degradation/denaturation of polymers. An analytical method for quantification and simultaneous identification of SMPs and APFs via Micro-FTIR was developed. Higher abundances of SMPs were observed in sediments compared to the abundance observed in seawater. SMPs were not the major component of the micro-litter. With natural fibers and non-plastic fibers, additives and plasticizers were quantified and identified in sediments and seawater. These latter are employed to obtain specific characteristics of polymers; hence their presence can be a good proxy of these polymers' presence in the environment. Sources and pathways may influence the abundance and distribution of SMPs and APFs. Differences in abundance and distribution of these pollutants in sediments and seawater of the three sites investigated were statistically significant.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Microplastics; Plasticizers; Plastics; Polymers; Seawater; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 34303248
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148937