especially during early prenatal developmental stages when organs are forming, or
causing hormonal imbalance and low fertility (Proshad et al. 2017). Phthalates is
another additive, used as plasticizer. There are three isomers – ortho-isomer
isophthalic acid, meta-isomer phthalic acid, and terephthalic acid of phthalic acid.
The well-known phthalates, their source of exposure, and the health-related issues
are shown in Table 2.7 (Benjamin et al. 2015), and the structural formulas are
illustrated in Fig. 2.15. Phthalic acid esters are commonly added during the
manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride, terephthalic acid esters are used in the making
of bottles for drinks and juices, and isophthalic acid esters are used in resins (Pecht
et al. 2018). These may also later find wide application in cosmetics and personal
care, food packaging, plastic pipes, raincoats, vinyl flooring, and adhesives.
Phthalates can get into the human body through ingestion and also contaminated
Table 2.6 Concentration of Bisphenol A (BPA)
Food items
Food composite
BPA (ng/g)
Dairy
Milk (evaporated, canned), cheese, butter
15.3, 2.24, 0.53
Meat
Meat, canned
10.50
Vegetables
Baked beans, canned
23.5
Fish
Fish, canned
106.00
Modified from Almeida et al. (2018)
Table 2.7 The well-known phthalates, their source of exposure, and health-related issues (Kumar
2018)
Phthalates
Source of exposure
Health-related issues
Dimethyl
phthalate
Industrial-scale production of
petroleum
In bug sprays, plasticizer
Acute toxicity (fetal)
Musculoskeletal system disturbance
Ear and eye anomalies
Diethyl
phthalate
Toiletries, e.g., soaps, shampoos,
beauty creams, and cosmetics
Medicines
Industrial solvent
Insects killer
Growth rate reduction
Minimize food intake ability
Dibutyl
phthalate
Adhesives
Toiletries
Industrial solvents
Medicines
Lower sperm production (until exposed to
additives and returned to near normal
after closure)
Rashes, itchiness, redness
Butyl benzyl
phthalate
Vinyl composition tiles
Viscous binders and adhesives
Toiletries
Artificial leather
Testicular toxicity
Defects of the male genital tract
Less anogenital distance
Accentuate steroid hormone levels
Diethylhexyl
phthalate
Soft plastics for household items,
toys, and lightweight floor tiles
(velvety touch)
Blood bags
Utensils for food storage and
packing
Liver cancer
Testicular toxicity
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
71
causing hormonal imbalance and low fertility (Proshad et al. 2017). Phthalates is
another additive, used as plasticizer. There are three isomers – ortho-isomer
isophthalic acid, meta-isomer phthalic acid, and terephthalic acid of phthalic acid.
The well-known phthalates, their source of exposure, and the health-related issues
are shown in Table 2.7 (Benjamin et al. 2015), and the structural formulas are
illustrated in Fig. 2.15. Phthalic acid esters are commonly added during the
manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride, terephthalic acid esters are used in the making
of bottles for drinks and juices, and isophthalic acid esters are used in resins (Pecht
et al. 2018). These may also later find wide application in cosmetics and personal
care, food packaging, plastic pipes, raincoats, vinyl flooring, and adhesives.
Phthalates can get into the human body through ingestion and also contaminated
Table 2.6 Concentration of Bisphenol A (BPA)
Food items
Food composite
BPA (ng/g)
Dairy
Milk (evaporated, canned), cheese, butter
15.3, 2.24, 0.53
Meat
Meat, canned
10.50
Vegetables
Baked beans, canned
23.5
Fish
Fish, canned
106.00
Modified from Almeida et al. (2018)
Table 2.7 The well-known phthalates, their source of exposure, and health-related issues (Kumar
2018)
Phthalates
Source of exposure
Health-related issues
Dimethyl
phthalate
Industrial-scale production of
petroleum
In bug sprays, plasticizer
Acute toxicity (fetal)
Musculoskeletal system disturbance
Ear and eye anomalies
Diethyl
phthalate
Toiletries, e.g., soaps, shampoos,
beauty creams, and cosmetics
Medicines
Industrial solvent
Insects killer
Growth rate reduction
Minimize food intake ability
Dibutyl
phthalate
Adhesives
Toiletries
Industrial solvents
Medicines
Lower sperm production (until exposed to
additives and returned to near normal
after closure)
Rashes, itchiness, redness
Butyl benzyl
phthalate
Vinyl composition tiles
Viscous binders and adhesives
Toiletries
Artificial leather
Testicular toxicity
Defects of the male genital tract
Less anogenital distance
Accentuate steroid hormone levels
Diethylhexyl
phthalate
Soft plastics for household items,
toys, and lightweight floor tiles
(velvety touch)
Blood bags
Utensils for food storage and
packing
Liver cancer
Testicular toxicity
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
71