Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Phthalate Esters in PSW Recycling Sites: A Typical Case Study

The concentrations of six priority phthalate esters (PAEs) in 700 soil samples and 110 sediment samples from an area in China containing plastic solid waste (PSW) recycling sites were determined. The total concentrations of the six PAEs in soil and sediment were not detected – 274 and not detected – 597 mg kg−1, respectively, and the mean concentrations in soil and sediment were 14.4 and 31.7 mg kg−1, respectively. The dominant PAEs were di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate. PAEs were detected in soil collected from the surface to 0.5 m below ground level around the PSW recycling sites, and the concentrations were markedly higher in these areas than at other polluted sites. PSW recycling is an important source of PAEs to soil and sediment. The di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate concentrations in soil were higher than the relevant concentrations that pose environmental risks for sensitive land uses and non-sensitive land uses (42 and 121 mg kg−1, respectively), indicating emissions of PAEs from PSW recycling sites may pose environmental risks. The results indicate that PAE pollution at PSW sites needs to be better controlled and managed.