Vapor-Phase Toxicity of Butylbenzyl Phthalate to Three Plant Species: White Mustard, Chinese Cabbage, and White Clover

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. 220 - 224
• Main Authors: Gorsuch, J. W, Staples, C. A, Brown, D, Enste-Diefenbach, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01.08.2008; Springer-Verlag; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Air Pollutants, Occupational - toxicity; Aquatic Pollution; Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; Brassica; Brassica - growth & development; Brassica - physiology; Chemicals; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Emissions; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental risk; Flowers & plants; Medicago - growth & development; Medicago - physiology; Mustard Plant - growth & development; Mustard Plant - physiology; Phthalates; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Phthalic Acids - toxicity; Phytotoxicity; Plant Shoots - growth & development; Plant Shoots - physiology; Plant species; Pollution; Risk; Soil Science & Conservation; Toxicity; Vapor pressure; Vapors; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Vapor-phase phytotoxicity
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-008-9449-y

During the manufacture of products containing butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), low emissions to the air may occur. Due to potential exposure of terrestrial communities to BBP vapors, phytotoxicity tests were conducted using Chinese cabbage, white mustard, and white clover. No significant effects on shoot growth were observed at the higher BBP vapor-phase concentration tested, which measured 5.7 μg/m³. The overall practicality of vapor-phase testing of chemicals with very low vapor pressures is reviewed. These study results suggest that environmental risk from exposure to BBP vapor is negligible for plants.