• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2017

Phthalates, known as typical endocrine disruptors, are plasticizers used to soften plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Because of their material properties, phthalates are used extensively in the production of toys, flooring, wood processing, detergents, and even cosmetics as lubricants and perfume solvents. Due to their endocrine disrupting effect and other adverse health effects published, recently, phthalates have been regulated in many countries. Besides, in an effort to replace phthalates, several chemical plasticizers such as trioctyltrimellitate (TOTM) and dioctylterephthalate (DIOP) have been used instead of the existing harmful phthalates, and novel alternatives are continuously being developed. Nonetheless, phthalates are still being detected in several plastic products, and the safety of alternatives that are considered safe is being questioned. In this review, we describe the adverse health effects of phthalates, their regulation and the current status of their alternatives.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2021

Objectives: Phthalates, which are widely used as plasticizers, have been recognized as endocrine disruptors. In the present study, we provided information on the regulation of these chemicals and summarized the information available on their detection and toxicity in children's products and those of their alternatives. Methods: The regulatory frameworks related to phthalates in children's products in Korea, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU) were compared. Data on the detection concentration of 16 phthalates and seven phthalate alternatives that could be used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products for children as well as on their toxicity classification and endocrine disruption toxicity were collected from the literature. Results: Korea adopted US and EU chemical standards for six phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP), but not others (e.g., DIBP, DPP, DHP, and DCHP). Among the ten phthalates and seven substitutes for which regulatory standards were not determined, DIBP, DHP, DEHA, DIBA, DINA, and DEHT were detected in children's products made from PVC plastic. DIBP and DHP, which have a reproductive toxicity classification of 1B, were frequently detected in PVC toys. The reproductive toxicity, estrogenicity, and anti-androgenic activity of the unregulated phthalates and their alternatives have been reported in diverse in vitro and in vivo assays. Conclusion: The use of unregulated phthalates and their substitutes in children's products is increasing. Further monitoring and toxicological information on phthalate alternatives is required to develop proper management plans.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.411-418
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• 2012

Phthalates and di-2-ethylhexyladipate are both widely used as industrial chemicals and exposure high levels over long periods of time can cause toxicity, estrogenic responses and endocrine disruption properties in both humans and animals. So far, their global monitoring in environmental matrices has been performed continuously. A developed method, including modified SPEED'98 (Japan Environment Agency) and USEPA was established for simple and rapid determination of phthalates and di-2-ethylhexyladipate in various matrices. This method was applied to explore the distribution levels in domestic environmental media such as water, soil and sediment. Eight phthalates (DEP(di-ethyl), DEHP(di-[2-ethyl-hexyl]), DprP (di-propyl), DBP(di-n-butyl), DPP(di-n-pentyl), DHP(di-n-hexyl), DCHP(di-cyclohexyl), BBP(butyl benzyl) and Adipate (di-2-ethylhexyl adipate) were investigated by seasonal sampling(spring, autumn) at 24 domestic sites. Phthalates and adipate were not detected in water samples and DEP, DBP, and DEHP were mainly detected in soil and sediment samples. The concentrations of DEP and DBP excluding DEHP in spring were higher in soil than those of sediment. Total concentrations of phthalates were significantly decreased in autumn for both soil and sediment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.767-772
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• 2008

Biodegradation of endocrine-disrupting phthalates [diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)] was investigated with 10 white rot fungi isolated in Korea. When the fungal mycelia were added together with 100 mg/l of phthalate into yeast extract-malt extract-glucose (YMG) medium, Pleurotus ostreatus, Irpex lacteus, Polyporus brumalis, Merulius tremellosus, Trametes versicolor, and T. versicolor MrP1 and MrP13 (transformant of the Mn-repressed peroxidase gene of T. versicolor) could remove almost all of the 3 kinds of phthalates within 12 days of incubation. When the phthalates were added to 5-day pregrown fungal cultures, most fungi except I. lacteus showed the increased removal of the phthalates compared with those of the non-pregrown cultures. In both culture conditions, p. ostreatus showed the highest degradation rates for the 3 phthalates tested. BBP was degraded with the highest rates among the 3 phthalates by all fungal strains. Only 14.9% of 100 mg/I BBP was degraded by the supernatant of P. ostreatus culture in YMG medium in 4 days of incubation, but the washed or homogenized mycelium of P. ostreatus could remove 100% of BBP within 2 days even in distilled water, indicating that the initial BBP biodegradation by P. ostreatus may be attributed to mycelium-associated enzymes rather than extracellular enzymes. The biodegradation rate of BBP by the immobilized cells of P. ostreatus was almost same as that in the suspended culture. The estrogenic activity of 100 mg/I DMP decreased during biodegradation by P. ostreatus.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2003

To investigate biomarker-based exposure to phthalates and related factors with demographics, 100 subjects who had participated in comprehensive health check-up were selected. We collected demographics through questionnaires and analyzed urine samples for 5 phthalates. Statistical likelihoods and regression methods were applied for data analysis using censored data. The highest levels of urine phthalates were 216$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-isodecyl phthalate, 29.0$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-butyl phthalate, 5.78$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The median values of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were 0.2340 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for male smokers, 0.0399 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for male non-smokers and 0.0085 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for female non-smokers, respectively. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate were higher in males than in females. In addition, mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was decreased with age. Our findings suggest that there might be significant demographic variations in exposure and/or metabolism of phthalates, and that health-risk assessment for phthalate exposure in humans should consider different potential risk groups.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.400-409
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• 2001

A method for the analysis of most common phthalate acid esters (9 secies) in biota samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring mode is described. Phthalates in biota samples are extracted by organic solvent and purified by Florisil column. Phthalates are easily contaminated during extraction prodedure. Since the extraction and cleanup steps for biota samples generally are more complicate than those for water or sediment samples, we compared with contamination state of each sample work-up step. By applying this developed method, the overall recoveries ranged between 79 - 117% in biota sample which was spiked with standards. For phthalates used in this study, the quantitaive accuracy, elution pattern on Florisil column, and detection limits were also investigated.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2001

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers to impart softness and flexibility to normally rigid polyvinylchloride products. However, there are not much studies jar dermal and ocular irritation toxicity of phthalates. So we investigated the skin or eye irritation effect of some phthalates which was not reported. The primary skin irritation of diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), dipropyl phthalate (DPP) and dipropyl phthalate (DPrP) was studied. The ocular irritation of dibutyl phthalate(DBP), DIDP, DINP, DPP and DPrP was also studied. DEP, DIDP, DINP, DPP, and DPrP were found to be non-irritating to the skin of the test animals. DBP, DIDP, DINP and DPP were found to be non-irritating to the eye of the rabbits. DPrP caused the slight irritations to the eye in 1 or 2 days after treatment but irritation of the animals was soon recovered.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2010

Thousands of new chemicals have been introduced to environment during last decades. Many of them and common consumer products have been shown to be the endocrine disrupting chemicals. One such chemical group is the phthalates, used in soft poly vinyl chloride (PVC) material and in a huge number of consumer products. The prevalence of these modem chemicals have a remarkable increase. Approximately 3.5 million tons of the main phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are produced annually worldwide and indeed, DEHP is considered a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. It has been demonstrated that high doses of phthalate can adversely affect adult and developing animals. In this review, we critically discuss the conclusions of recently original research papers and provide an overview of studies on reproductive disrupting effects of phthalates. In addition, we review the reproductive toxicity data of phthalates in some in vitro research and in both male and female reproductive systems in experimental and domestic animals. Finally, we point out some critical issues that should be addressed in order to clarify the implication of phthalates for human reproduction.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2022

Background: Few studies have evaluated the exposure to phthalates via inhalation of floor dust in children's living areas. Objectives: This study evaluated the concentration and exposure level of phthalates emitted from indoor floor dust in children's living areas. Methods: This study utilized the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment in 2019. Indoor dust was collected from 150 households with children aged 3~7 and 67 daycare centers or local children's centers by using vacuum cleaners. It was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Six types of phthalates were analyzed: Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), Di-N-octyl phthalate (DNOP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Di -isodecyl phthalate (DIDP). Results: The medians of DEHP concentrations were 1,028 and 1,937 mg/kg in homes and daycare centers, respectively. The median and maximum values of daily intake were calculated by applying the median and 95th percentile values (the upper 5% of the total concentration) in dust measured in the homes. The DEHP median value was 1.6 ㎍/kg/bw/day, and a maximum A value of 7.8 ㎍/kg/bw/day was calculated. When the childcare center values were applied, the median daily intake of DEHP was 3.1 ㎍/kg/bw/day and the maximum value was 29.2 ㎍/kg/bw/day. As a result of calculating the daily intake by integrating the values of home and childcare facilities, the median and maximum values of daily intake were 1.9 and 10.9 ㎍/kg/bw/day, respectively. Conclusions: This study derives phthalate concentrations among the floor dust in homes and childcare facilities where children mainly spend time, and suggests their intake of phthalates through this. In particular, it was newly suggested that the phthalate concentrations in homes and childcare facilities are different, resulting in differences in intake.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2008

Although phthalates aren't used as an cosmetic ingredient, some cosmetics especially nail lacquer, hair spray, and perfume still have phthalates. This is mainly caused by contamination and carryover during manufacturing process, so analysis of phthalates in those cosmetics has became a very important thing for quality-assurance(Q.A). The main phthalates under debate are diethyl phthalate(DEP), dibutyl phthalate(DBP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in domestic market. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) coupled with solvent extraction and concentration has been used for ppm level and sub ppm level analysis of phthalates. It requires much time and cost to use mass spectrometric detector and to prepare the test solution. Moreover analysis of phthalates at low concentrations is difficult because of contamination which results in wrong analytical results. In the present study, we showed a simple method using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector(GC-FID) which has fast analysis time, minimum use of solvent, reduced sample preparation steps for minimizing contamination and quantitative range of $2{\sim}50{\mu}g/g(ppm)$ in products. Consequently, this method will be proper for Q.A analysis in related companies.