Exposure to commonly-used phthalates and the associated health risks in indoor environment of urban China

Rapid urbanization and modernization have increased exposures to phthalates from synthetic materials used indoors in China. However, exposure to phthalates from indoor environment and the associated health risks to the urban population have not been adequately characterized and documented. In this study, we summarized the recent measurements of five commonly-used phthalates in indoor environment in urban China and documented their distributions. Based on the activity patterns and exposure factors of Chinese population, Monte-Carlo simulation was used to derive their exposures. On average, the daily intake of all the targeted phthalates was 3.6 mu g/kg/day for adults; and for children it ranged from 4.4 fig/kg/day to 8.1 mu g/kg/day. For children, the total risk from exposures inside residences and offices was 32%-90% and 4%-19%, respectively. From commuting environments and other indoor environments, it was 5%-31%, and 3%-26%, respectively. For adults, the total risk from residences and offices was 26%-78% and 9%-35%. Additionally, from commuting environments and other indoor environments, it was 8%-35% and 5%-11%, respectively. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment was based on a cumulative Tolerable Daily Intake (TDIcum), with means ranging from 0.18 to 0.41, which was mainly as a result of exposure to DiBP and DnBP. The means for lifetime cancer risk resulting from DEHP exposure ranged from 0.4 x 10(-6) to 2.0 x 10(-6) for urban population groups. For 80% of working adults and 40%-75%% of children, their cancer risks exceeded the EPA's benchmark (1.0 x 10(-6)). The present study could provide important information for decision makers to reduce indoor phthalate exposures as well as the associated health risks for larger population groups in Chinese cities. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.