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Journal of Occupational Health Jan 20192-Ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH), a fragrance ingredient and a raw material for the production of plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, is responsible for sick building... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
2-Ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH), a fragrance ingredient and a raw material for the production of plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, is responsible for sick building syndrome (SBS). This review aims to clarify the 2EH characteristics as an indoor air pollutant such as indoor air concentration, emission mechanism, toxicity, and clinical effects.
METHODS
Scientific publications in English that has been made available on PubMed as of June 2018 and ad hoc publications in regional languages were reviewed.
RESULTS
Inhalation exposure to 2EH caused mucous membrane irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat in experimental animals. Studies in human volunteers revealed an increase in olfactory irritation and eye discomfort. There has been increasing evidence of 2EH being present in indoor air in buildings. The primary sources of 2EH emissions are not building materials themselves, but instead the hydrolysis of plasticizers and flooring adhesives. In particular, compounds like di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate present in polyvinyl chloride flooring materials are hydrolyzed upon contact with alkaline moisture-containing concrete floors. That being said, it may be observed that indoor concentrations of 2EH increased every year during summer.
CONCLUSIONS
Unlike other volatile organic compounds that cause SBS, 2EH can be retained in indoor air for long durations, increasing the likelihood of causing undesirable health effects in building occupants exposed to it. As a precautionary measure, it is important to use flooring materials that do not emit 2EH by hydrolysis, or to dry concrete before covering with flooring materials.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Construction Materials; Disease Models, Animal; Floors and Floorcoverings; Hexanols; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Mice; Plasticizers; Rats
PubMed: 30698348
DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12017 -
Journal of Exposure Science &... May 2022Persistent organic pollutant exposures are well-documented in the Arctic, but fewer studies examined non-persistent chemicals, despite increased market food and consumer...
BACKGROUND
Persistent organic pollutant exposures are well-documented in the Arctic, but fewer studies examined non-persistent chemicals, despite increased market food and consumer product consumption.
OBJECTIVE
To measure phenol, paraben, phthalate, and alternative plasticizer concentrations in Inuit adults.
METHODS
The study included 30 pooled urine samples from Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (Q2017) participants. Creatinine-adjusted geometric mean concentrations (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were compared across sex, age, and regions, and compared to those in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) and the First Nations Biomonitoring Initiative (FNBI).
RESULTS
Q2017 bisphenol-A concentrations were double the CHMS 2018-2019 concentrations [GM (95% CI): 1.98 (1.69-2.31) versus 0.71 (0.60-0.84) µg/g creatinine], but in line with FNBI [1.74 (1.41-2.13) µg/g creatinine]. Several phthalate concentrations were higher in Q2017 versus CHMS, particularly monobenzyl phthalate, which was was 19-fold higher in Q2017 versus CHMS 2018-2019 [45.26 (39.35-52.06) versus 2.4 (2.0-2.9) µg/g creatinine] and four-fold higher than FNBI. There were also four-fold higher concentrations of the two alternate plasticizer 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TIXB) metabolites in Q2017 compared to CHMS 2018-2019. Women and people living in Ungava Bay had generally higher concentrations of non-persistent chemicals.
SIGNIFICANCE
The results suggest higher concentrations of certain non-persistent chemicals in Inuit versus the general Canadian population.
IMPACT
Few studies have explored non-persistent chemical distributions in Northern communities, despite the increasing consumer product and market food consumption. We analyzed 30 pooled samples from the Qanuilirpitaa? Nunavik Inuit Health Survey 2017 to assess exposures to common plasticizes and plastic constituents and compare their levels with the general Canadian population and First Nation groups. We observed particularly higher levels of bisphenol-A, of monobenzyl phthalate, and of two 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB) metabolites among Nunavimmiut compared to the general Canadian population, notably among women and Ungava Bay residents. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings and identify potential adverse health effects from these exposures.
Topics: Adult; Canada; Creatinine; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Plastics
PubMed: 35347231
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00425-w -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer that is widely used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics (PC) and epoxy resins for use in a broad range of consumer...
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer that is widely used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics (PC) and epoxy resins for use in a broad range of consumer products, including materials in contact with food and beverages, as well as medical devices, toys and dental sealants [...].
Topics: Phenols; Benzhydryl Compounds; Plasticizers; Food
PubMed: 37175739
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098028 -
Chemosphere Feb 2023Bioplastics made of renewable sources provide an excellent alternative to fossil-based materials. However, similar or greater quantities of plastic additives than...
Bioplastics made of renewable sources provide an excellent alternative to fossil-based materials. However, similar or greater quantities of plastic additives than fossil-based plastics are used in the formulations of bioplastics to improve their performance and barrier properties. Nowadays, there is an increasing concern about sources of chemical exposure. However, there is an important knowledge gap regarding complex additive mixtures, particularly in bio-based materials. In this study, we have characterised the presence of plastic additives in single-use materials (collected from retail shops in Spain), which are made of the most common bio-based biodegradable materials, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), in contrast with a fossil-based plastic material that is extensively made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The approach consisted of the pulverization of material in the nano-micro range (100 nm-10 μm), with the materials being extracted using different solvents and ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction (UASE). 100% of the additives in the material cannot be extracted, but since they were performed in the same condition for all materials can inform about the fingerprint of primary organics and the relative abundances between the different materials. The extracts were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry equipped with a heated electrospray ionisation source operated in positive and negative ionisation conditions (HPLC-HESI(+/-)-HRMS), separately, using a suspect screening approach. A total number of 203 additives were tentatively identified (confidence level 2) in the bioplastics items of this study. An average of 123 plastic additives were found in PLA items and 121 in PHB items. Plasticisers were the most abundant additives; the phthalates group was the most commonly found, while 63 plastic additives were confirmed by standards and quantified. In parallel, the cytotoxicity of plastic particles in terms of cell viability and oxidative stress was studied using A549 alveolar basal epithelial cells, and the toxicity of the different extracts was also established using HepG2 adenocarcinoma cells. The main results of this study demonstrate that the plastic particles did not show a significant reduction in cell viability, but oxidative stress was significant, with PLA being the material that showed the highest effect. On the other hand, extracts of plastic particles did not show inhibition of cell viability except for HDPE extract, but the different extracts produced oxidative stress, with PLA showing the highest effect. Although the item showing the highest concentrations of additives was the extract of PLA material while also showing the most elevated oxidative stress, the low migration of toxicants from plastic materials ensures their safe use. However, this also supports the idea that bioplastics can contain many toxic substances in their formulations, some of which are unknown and should be studied in more depth.
Topics: Plastics; Polyethylene; Polyesters; Biopolymers; Spain
PubMed: 36513198
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137494 -
International Journal of Hygiene and... Jul 2021The population is constantly exposed to potentially harmful substances present in the environment, including inter alia food and drinking water, consumer products, and... (Review)
Review
The population is constantly exposed to potentially harmful substances present in the environment, including inter alia food and drinking water, consumer products, and indoor air. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool to determine the integral, internal exposure of the general population, including vulnerable subgroups, to provide the basis for risk assessment and policy advice. The German HBM system comprises of five pillars: (1) the development of suitable analytical methods for new substances of concern, (2) cross-sectional population-representative German Environmental Surveys (GerES), (3) time trend analyses using archived samples from the Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB), (4) the derivation of health-based guidance values as a risk assessment tool, and (5) transfer of data into the European cooperation network HBM4EU. The goal of this paper is to present the complementary elements of the German HBM system and to show its strengths and limitations on the example of plasticizers. Plasticizers have been identified by EU services and HBM4EU partners as priority substances for chemical policy at EU level. Using the complementary elements of the German HBM system, the internal exposure to classical phthalates and novel alternative plasticizers can be reliably monitored. It is shown that market changes, due to regulation of certain phthalates and the rise of substitutes, are rapidly reflected in the internal exposure of the population. It was shown that exposure to DEHP, DiBP, DnBP, and BBzP decreased considerably, whereas exposure to the novel substitutes such as DPHP, DEHTP, and Hexamoll®DINCH has increased significantly. While health-based guidance values for several phthalates (esp. DnBP, DiBP, DEHP) were exceeded quite often at the turn of the millennium, exceedances today have become rarer. Still, also the latest GerES reveals the ubiquitous and concurrent exposures to many plasticizers. Of concern is that the youngest children showed the highest exposures to most of the investigated plasticizers and in some cases their levels of DiBP and DnBP still exceeded health-based guidance values. Over the last years, mixture exposures are increasingly recognized as relevant, especially if the toxicological modes of action are similar. This is supported by a cumulative risk assessment for four endocrine active phthalates which confirms the still concerning cumulative exposure in many young children. Given the adverse health effects of some phthalates and the limited toxicological knowledge of substitutes, exposure reduction and surveillance are needed on German and EU-level. Substitutes need to be monitored, to intervene if exposures are threatening to exceed acceptable levels, or if new toxicological data question their appropriateness. It is strongly recommended to reconsider the use of plastics and plasticizers.
Topics: Biological Monitoring; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34126298
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113780 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... Nov 2020We aimed to investigate a possible role of the endocrine disruptors phthalates, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), in polycystic...
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate a possible role of the endocrine disruptors phthalates, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) aetiopathogenesis. We also wished to evaluate the relationship between phthalates and metabolic disturbances in adolescents with PCOS.
METHODS
A total of 124 adolescents were included. Serum MEHP and DEHP levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Insulin resistance was evaluated using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, Matsuda index, and total insulin levels during oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were further subdivided into lean and obese subgroups according to body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS
Sixty-three PCOS and 61 controls, (mean age 15.2±1.5; range: 13-19 years) were enrolled. Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not significantly different between PCOS and control groups. The mean (95% confidence interval) values of DEHP and MEHP were 2.62 (2.50-2.75) μg/mL vs 2.71 (2.52-2.90) μg/mL and 0.23 (0.19-0.29) μg/mL vs 0.36 (0.18-0.54) μg/mL in PCOS and the control groups respectively, p>0.05. Correlation analysis, adjusted for BMI, showed that both phthalates significantly correlated with insulin resistance indices and serum triglycerides in adolescents with PCOS.
CONCLUSION
Serum DEHP and MEHP concentrations were not different between adolescents with or without PCOS. However, these phthalates are associated with metabolic disturbances such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, independently of obesity, in girls with PCOS.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Dyslipidemias; Endocrine Disruptors; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Plasticizers; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prognosis; Turkey; Young Adult
PubMed: 32431137
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2020.2020.0037 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an attractive candidate for replacing petrochemical polymers because it is fully biodegradable. This study investigated the potential of PLA...
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an attractive candidate for replacing petrochemical polymers because it is fully biodegradable. This study investigated the potential of PLA as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative material that can be developed into commercially viable wearable mosquito repellent devices with desirable characteristics. PLA strands containing DEET and IR3535 were prepared by twin screw extrusion compounding and simultaneously functioned as plasticizers for the polymer. The plasticizing effect was investigated by thermal and rheological studies. DSC studies showed that the addition of DEET and IR3535 into PLA strands reduced the glass transition temperature consistent with predictions of the Fox equation, thus proving their efficiency as plasticizers. The rheology of molten samples of neat PLA and PLA/repellents blends, evaluated at 200 °C, was consistent with shear-thinning pseudoplastic behaviour. Raman studies revealed a nonlinear concentration gradient for DEET in the PLA strand, indicating non-Fickian Type II transport controlling the desorption process. Release data obtained at 50 °C showed initial rapid release followed by a slower, near constant rate at longer times. The release rate data were fitted to a novel modification of the Peppas-Sahlin desorption model.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Insect Repellents; Plasticizers; Polyesters; Polymers; Rheology; Temperature
PubMed: 34641433
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195890 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2022A facile methodology system for synthesizing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on methylcellulose, dextran, lithium perchlorate (as ionic sources), and glycerol...
A facile methodology system for synthesizing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) based on methylcellulose, dextran, lithium perchlorate (as ionic sources), and glycerol (such as a plasticizer) (MC:Dex:LiClO:Glycerol) has been implemented. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and two imperative electrochemical techniques, including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were performed on the films to analyze their structural and electrical properties. The FTIR spectra verify the interactions between the electrolyte components. Following this, a further calculation was performed to determine free ions (FI) and contact ion pairs (CIP) from the deconvolution of the peak associated with the anion. It is verified that the electrolyte containing the highest amount of glycerol plasticizer (MDLG3) has shown a maximum conductivity of 1.45 × 10 S cm. Moreover, for other transport parameters, the mobility (), number density (), and diffusion coefficient () of ions were enhanced effectively. The transference number measurement (TNM) of electrons () was 0.024 and 0.976 corresponding to ions (). One of the prepared samples (MDLG3) had 3.0 V as the voltage stability of the electrolyte.
Topics: Biopolymers; Electrolytes; Glycerol; Ion Transport; Ions; Lithium; Plasticizers
PubMed: 36012415
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169152 -
AAPS PharmSciTech Feb 2016Thermal processing of amorphous solid dispersions continues to gain interest in the pharmaceutical industry, as evident by several recently approved commercial products.... (Review)
Review
Thermal processing of amorphous solid dispersions continues to gain interest in the pharmaceutical industry, as evident by several recently approved commercial products. Still, a number of pharmaceutical polymer carriers exhibit thermal or viscoelastic limitations in thermal processing, especially at smaller scales. Additionally, active pharmaceutical ingredients with high melting points and/or that are thermally labile present their own specific challenges. This review will outline a number of formulation and process-driven strategies to enable thermal processing of challenging compositions. These include the use of traditional plasticizers and surfactants, temporary plasticizers utilizing sub- or supercritical carbon dioxide, designer polymers tailored for hot-melt extrusion processing, and KinetiSol® Dispersing technology. Recent case studies of each strategy will be described along with potential benefits and limitations.
Topics: Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Hot Temperature; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Plasticizers; Polymers; Surface-Active Agents
PubMed: 26307759
DOI: 10.1208/s12249-015-0393-y -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2023A [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction using dialkyne and diazide comonomers, both bearing explosophoric groups, to synthesize energetic polymers containing furazan and...
A [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction using dialkyne and diazide comonomers, both bearing explosophoric groups, to synthesize energetic polymers containing furazan and 1,2,3-triazole ring as well as nitramine group in the polymer chain have been described. The developed solvent- and catalyst-free approach is methodologically simple and effective, the comonomers used are easily available, and the resulting polymer does not need any purification. All this makes it a promising tool for the synthesis of energetic polymers. The protocol was utilized to generate multigram quantities of the target polymer, which has been comprehensively investigated. The resulting polymer was fully characterized by spectral and physico-chemical methods. Compatibility with energetic plasticizers, thermochemical characteristics, and combustion features indicate the prospects of this polymer as a binder base for energetic materials. The polymer of this study surpasses the benchmark energetic polymer, nitrocellulose (NC), in a number of properties.
Topics: Polymers; Triazoles; Plasticizers; Aniline Compounds
PubMed: 37298596
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119645