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Environment International Jan 2022In this review of reviews, we overview the current global body of available evidence from structured reviews of epidemiological studies that explore human health... (Review)
Review
In this review of reviews, we overview the current global body of available evidence from structured reviews of epidemiological studies that explore human health outcomes associated with exposure to phthalates (chemical plasticisers commonly found in plastics). We found robust evidence for an association with lower semen quality, neurodevelopment and risk of childhood asthma, and moderate to robust evidence for impact on anogenital distance in boys. We identified moderate evidence for an association between phthalates/metabolites and low birthweight, endometriosis, decreased testosterone, ADHD, Type 2 diabetes and breast/uterine cancer. There was some evidence for other outcomes including anofourchette distance, fetal sex hormones, pre-term birth, lower antral follicle count, reduced oestrodiol, autism, obesity, thyroid function and hearing disorders. We found no reviews of epidemiological human studies on the impact of phthalates from recycled plastics on human health. We recommend that future research should use urine samples as exposure measures, consider confounders in analyses and measure impacts on female reproductive systems. Our findings align with emerging research indicating that health risks can occur at exposure levels below the "safe dose" levels set out by regulators, and are of particular concern given potential additive or synergistic "cocktail effects" of chemicals. This raises important policy and regulatory issues for identifying and controlling plastics and health related impacts and highlights a need for more research into substances of concern entering plastics waste streams via recycling.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Male; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Semen Analysis
PubMed: 34601394
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106903 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Jan 2023Phthalates are one of the most widely used plasticizers in polymer products, and they are increasingly being exposed to people all over the world, generating health... (Review)
Review
Phthalates are one of the most widely used plasticizers in polymer products, and they are increasingly being exposed to people all over the world, generating health concerns. Phthalates are often used as excipients in controlled-release capsules and enteric coatings, and patients taking these drugs may be at risk. In both animals and human, phthalates are mainly responsible for testicular dysfunction, ovarian toxicity, reduction in steroidogenesis. In this regard, for a better understanding of the health concerns corresponding to phthalates and their metabolites, still more research is required. Significantly, multifarious forms of phthalates and their biomedical effects are need to be beneficial to investigate in the various tissues or organs. Based on these investigations, researchers can decipher their toxicity concerns and related mechanisms in the body after phthalate's exposure. This review summarizes the chemical interactions, mechanisms, and their biomedical applications of phthalates in animals and human.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Female; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Ovary; Polymers; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 36374650
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109498 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Sep 2023Being an essential component in the plastics industry, phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment and in everyday life. They are considered environmental contaminants... (Review)
Review
Being an essential component in the plastics industry, phthalates are ubiquitous in the environment and in everyday life. They are considered environmental contaminants that have been classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds. Despite di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) being the most common plasticizer and the most studied to date, there are many others that, in addition to being widely used in the plastic, are also applied in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and cosmetics. Due to their wide use, phthalates are easily absorbed by the human body where they can disrupt the endocrine system by binding to molecular targets and interfering with hormonal homeostasis. Thus, phthalates exposure has been implicated in the development of several diseases in different age groups. Collecting information from the most recent available literature, this review aims to relate human phthalates' exposure with the development of cardiovascular diseases throughout all ages. Overall, most of the studies presented demonstrated an association between phthalates and several cardiovascular diseases, either from prenatal or postnatal exposure, affecting foetuses, infants, children, young and older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly explored. Thus, considering the cardiovascular diseases incidence worldwide and the constant human exposure to phthalates, this topic should be extensively studied to understand the mechanisms involved.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Female; Humans; Aged; Environmental Exposure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Phthalic Acids; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Plasticizers; Plastics
PubMed: 37269565
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131680 -
Biology of Reproduction Feb 2021Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) is a high molecular weight, general purpose, plasticizer used primarily in the manufacture of polymers and consumer products. It can be... (Review)
Review
Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) is a high molecular weight, general purpose, plasticizer used primarily in the manufacture of polymers and consumer products. It can be metabolized rapidly and does not bioaccumulate. The primary metabolite of DiNP is monoisononyl-phthalate (MiNP) and the secondary metabolites include three oxidative derivatives of DiNP, which have been identified mainly in urine: mono-oxoisononyl phthalate (MOINP or oxo-MiNP), mono-carboxyisooctyl phthalate (MCIOP, MCOP or cx-MiNP), and mono-hydroxyisononyl phthalate (MHINP or OH-MiNP). The secondary metabolites are very sensitive biomarkers of DiNP exposure while primary metabolites are not. As the usage of DiNP worldwide increases, studies evaluating its potential reproductive toxicity are becoming more prevalent in the literature. In studies on female animals, the researchers found that the exposure to DiNP appears to induce negative effects on ovarian function and fertility in animal models. Whether or not DiNP has direct effects on the uterus is still controversial, and the effects on human reproduction require much more research. Studies on males indicate that DiNP exposure has disruptive effects on male reproduction and fertility. Occupational studies also indicate that the exposure to DiNP might induce negative effects on male reproduction, but larger cohort studies are needed to confirm this. This review presents an overview of the literature regarding the reproductive effects of exposure to DiNP.
Topics: Animals; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers; Reproduction
PubMed: 33125036
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa201 -
Environmental Toxicology and... Jun 2024Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns... (Review)
Review
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse health effects associated with the presence of phthalates in textiles, such as endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Based on examination of more than 120 published articles, this paper presents a comprehensive review of studies concerning the phthalate content in clothing and other textile products, with special emphasis on those conducted in the last decade (2014-2023). The types and role of PAEs as plasticizers, the relevant legislation in different countries (emphasizing the importance of monitoring PAE levels in clothing to protect consumer health) and the analytical methods used for PAE determination are critically evaluated. The review also discusses the models used to evaluate exposure to PAEs and the associated health risks. Finally, the study limitations and challenges related to determining the phthalate contents of textile products are considered.
Topics: Phthalic Acids; Humans; Plasticizers; Clothing; Esters; Textiles; Animals
PubMed: 38677495
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104457 -
Journal of Biomaterials Science.... Feb 2020Chitosan (CS) has been investigated for copious applications in the biomedical, industrial and environmental fields owing to its diverse advantageous traits.... (Review)
Review
Chitosan (CS) has been investigated for copious applications in the biomedical, industrial and environmental fields owing to its diverse advantageous traits. Nevertheless, CS exhibits debilitated mechanical stability. This debilitated mechanical stability constitutes an obstacle to nearly all of CS's applications. Hence, in this review we discussed different approaches that could be adopted in order to escalate the mechanical properties of CS. Chemical cross-linking was among these approaches where CS was chemically cross-linked with various agents, such as glutaraldehyde, vanillin, and genipin. Different plasticizers were also incorporated with CS. Moreover, nano-materials were added to CS so as to form nano-composites of enhanced mechanical properties. Porogens were also employed to increase the surface area available for the CS's physical and chemical cross-linking processes. Other reports attempted to modify the fabrication conditions and gelling system of CS as a means of producing mechanically stable CS gels.
Topics: Chitosan; Mechanical Phenomena; Nanocomposites; Plasticizers; Polymers
PubMed: 31766978
DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2019.1692641 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Nov 2019Phthalates esters (PAEs) are important organic compounds used as plasticizers to enhance their plasticity and versatility. At the same time, PAEs are also typical... (Review)
Review
Phthalates esters (PAEs) are important organic compounds used as plasticizers to enhance their plasticity and versatility. At the same time, PAEs are also typical environmental endocrine disruptors. Long-term production and use of plastic products have caused harm to the environment and organisms, as well as human health. Previous studies found that biodegradation has become a main pathway to reduce PAEs in the environment. This article reviews PAEs' structural characteristics and classifications, toxicology, pollution in the environment, summarizes the diversity of PAEs-degrading bacterial species, and explores the possible mechanisms of bacterial PAEs degradation. The article may provide some reference in solving the problem of PAEs pollution.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; China; Environmental Pollution; Esters; Phthalic Acids; Plasticizers
PubMed: 31814358
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.190177 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials Jun 2022We investigate the adsorption of insulin onto PE and PVC materials by using HPLC measurements and computer simulations. We interpret the experiments by calculating the...
We investigate the adsorption of insulin onto PE and PVC materials by using HPLC measurements and computer simulations. We interpret the experiments by calculating the Gibbs free energy profiles during the adsorption process. The values of free energy of adsorption show a good agreement with the experimental measurements. The adsorption of insulin onto the different materials is characterized through the conformational changes with respect to its conformation in water and the interfacial regions, which are described by specific arrangements of polymer chains, water, insulin, and plasticizer molecules.
Topics: Adsorption; Insulin; Insulin, Regular, Human; Plasticizers; Polyvinyl Chloride; Water
PubMed: 35549028
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00029 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022While bio-based but chemically synthesized polymers such as polylactic acid require industrial conditions for biodegradation, protein-based materials are home... (Review)
Review
While bio-based but chemically synthesized polymers such as polylactic acid require industrial conditions for biodegradation, protein-based materials are home compostable and show high potential for disposable products that are not collected. However, so far, such materials lack in their mechanical properties to reach the requirements for, e.g., packaging applications. Relevant measures for such a modification of protein-based materials are plasticization and cross-linking; the former increasing the elasticity and the latter the tensile strength of the polymer matrix. The assessment shows that compared to other polymers, the major bottleneck of proteins is their complex structure, which can, if developed accordingly, be used to design materials with desired functional properties. Chemicals can act as cross-linkers but require controlled reaction conditions. Physical methods such as heat curing and radiation show higher effectiveness but are not easy to control and can even damage the polymer backbone. Concerning plasticization, effectiveness and compatibility follow opposite trends due to weak interactions between the plasticizer and the protein. Internal plasticization by covalent bonding surpasses these limitations but requires further research specific for each protein. In addition, synergistic approaches, where different plasticization/cross-linking methods are combined, have shown high potential and emphasize the complexity in the design of the polymer matrix.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Cross-Linking Reagents; Enzymes; Hot Temperature; Mechanical Phenomena; Plasticizers; Proteins
PubMed: 35056758
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020446 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2023Plastic pollution in our oceans is of growing concern particularly due to the presence of toxic additives, such as plasticisers. Therefore, this work aims to develop a...
Plastic pollution in our oceans is of growing concern particularly due to the presence of toxic additives, such as plasticisers. Therefore, this work aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the leaching properties of plasticisers from microplastics. This work investigates the leaching of phthalate acid ester (dioctyl terephthalate (DEHT) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)) and diphenol (bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS)) plasticisers from polystyrene (PS) microplastics (mean diameter = 136 μm to 1.4 mm) under controlled aqueous conditions (temperature, agitation, pH and salinity). The leaching behaviours of plasticised polymers were quantified using gel permeation chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and thermal gravimetric analysis, and the particle's plasticisation characterised using differential scanning calorimetry. Leaching rates of phthalate acid ester and diphenol plasticisers were modelled using a diffusion and boundary layer model, whereby these behaviours varied depending on their plasticisation efficiency of PS, the size of the microplastic particle and the surrounding abiotic conditions. Leaching behaviours of DEHT and DEHP were strongly influenced by the microplastic-surface water boundary layer properties, thus wave action (i.e., water agitation) increased the leaching rate of these plasticiser up to 66 % over 21-days, whereas BPA and BPS plasticisers displayed temperature- and size-dependent leaching and were limited by molecular diffusion throughout the bulk polymer (i.e., the microplastic). This information will improve predictions of plasticiser concentration (both that remain in the plastic and released into the surrounding water) at specific time points during the lifetime of a plastic, ultimately ensuring greater accuracy in the assessment of toxicity responses and environmental water quality.
Topics: Microplastics; Plasticizers; Plastics; Polystyrenes; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; Polymers; Esters
PubMed: 36181812
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159099