Exposure Characteristics of Phthalates and Alternative Plasticizers in House Dust

This study analyzed 1,640 indoor floor dust samples collected between 2015 and 2019 as part of the “Children's Environmental Health Birth Cohort” project. The aim was to assess phthalate and alternative plasticizer contamination, their temporal trends, and the exposure implications for children. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to ensure accurate quantification of the phthalates and plasticizers and the established analytical method successfully met all validation criteria for linearity, accuracy, and precision. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) were detected in 100% of samples at high average concentrations of 1670.3 mg/kg, 525.7 mg/kg, and 1462.6 mg/kg, respectively. Other alternative plasticizers (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, acetyl tributyl citrate, tris(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and diisononyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) were found at lower detection rates and concentrations. An analysis of the floor dust revealed that DEHP and DINP concentrations began to decline from 2015 onwards and this decline was concurrent with a progressive increase in DOTP levels. Monitoring phthalates and alternative plasticizers in indoor floor dust is essential when assessing child exposure risks. While alternative plasticizers were generally present at lower concentrations in dust compared to traditional phthalates, their increasing use and detection in indoor environments warrant ongoing surveillance and evaluation of their health impacts.