Occurrence of Phthalate Acid Esters (PAEs) in Protected Agriculture Soils and Implications for Human Health Exposure

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 109; no. 3; pp. 548 - 555
• Main Authors: Li, Xianxu, Li, Na, Wang, Can, Wang, Anyu, Kong, Wenjia, Song, Peipei, Wang, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Agricultural land; agricultural soils; Agriculture; Aquatic Pollution; Carcinogens; Congeners; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological effects; Ecological risk assessment; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Esters; Health risk assessment; Health risks; human health; humans; Laboratories; Medical research; Organic matter; phthalates; Phthalic acid; Pollutants; Pollution; Potassium; risk; Risk assessment; Soil chemistry; Soil pH; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Toxicology; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Protected agriculture; Soil; Phthalic acid esters (PAEs); Health risk assessment
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03553-z

This study explored occurrence of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in protected agriculture soils and assessed their potential health risks to humans. Results showed that DEHP and DBP were the most abundant PAEs congeners, with mean concentrations of 318.68 μg/kg and 137.56 μg/kg, respectively. DOP and BBP concentrations were relatively low, and DMP and DEP were not detected in all samples. DBP concentrations were higher than the allowable concentration standard value. Additionally, soil pH and organic matter were key environmental parameters which may play the vital roles to the occurrence of organic pollutants. Heath risk assessment results indicated that dermal contact was the predominant human exposure route under non-dietary conditions, and children obtained higher health risk scores than adults. In summary, the overall health risk scores were at an acceptable level. These results provide insights for assessing soil environmental safety and ecological risks in protected agricultural soil.