Exposure to conventional and non-phthalate plasticizers in representative Korean population between 2010 and 2018: Sex and age-stratified comparisons.

Abstract

Due to the adverse health effects reported for several phthalate plasticizers, many phthalates have been increasingly replaced with alternatives in various consumer applications. In this study, we employed urine samples collected from the nationally representative populations of 2010 (n = 785) and 2018 (n = 799) and measured metabolites (n = 37) of major phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers. Exposure levels of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers were compared, and their associated risks were assessed. Over the period, on average, urinary metabolite concentrations of major phthalates like DEHP and DBP decreased by 26 % and 31 %, respectively. In contrast, urinary metabolites of DEHTP and DEHA increased by 2131 % and 33 %, respectively. Metabolite profiles varied by age group, with DEHTP showing the highest levels among infants and children. Urinary metabolite concentrations of conventional phthalates showed the least reduction, and those of non-phthalate plasticizers exhibited the greatest increases during this period. Despite regulatory efforts against the use of several phthalates, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for all plasticizers has doubled among infants and children during this period, with DEHA being identified as a major contributor. Overall risk estimated based on anti-androgenicity decreased between 2010 and 2018, but DEHP and DBP remained significant risk drivers despite regulations during this period. Further research on exposure sources is warranted to inform measures that reduce exposure to plasticizers among the vulnerable populations identified in the present study.