Bisphenol A is a solid which has low volatility at ambient temperatures. It has a
water solubility of 120–300 mg/L. Its water solubility increases with alkaline pH
values. Releases of bisphenol A into the environment are mainly in wastewater from
plastics-producing industrial plants and from landfill sites that contain large quantities of plastics. Bisphenol A does not bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms to any
appreciable extent. If released into acclimated water, bisphenol A would biodegrade.
In untreated water, bisphenol A may biodegrade after a sufficient adaptation period,
it may adsorb extensively to suspended solids and sediments, or it may break down
upon exposure to light [9].
3.4.2 Diethyl Phthalate (DEP)
Diethyl phthalate is a synthetic substance that is commonly used to increase the
flexibility of plastics used to make toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and
food packaging. It is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin. DEP can be
released fairly easily from these products since it is not part of the polymer. Plastic
materials containing DEP in waste disposal sites constitute the major reservoir of
DEP in the environment. If released to water, DEP is expected to undergo aerobic
biodegradation. Humans are exposed to DEP through consumer products and
plastics, contaminated air, or contaminated drinking water and foods.
There is evidence which shows a strong correlation with impaired reproductive
performance in multigeneration studies in rodents [29]; however, endocrine effects
associated with DEP exposure in humans have not been reported.
DEP has accumulated and persisted in the sediments of the Chesapeake Bay for
over a century. DEP has been detected in surface water samples from Lake
Ponchartrain and the lower Tennessee River, as well as other industrial river basins.
Surface water samples collected along the length of the Mississippi River contained
DEP in significant concentrations. DEP has been detected in groundwater in
New York State public water system wells, near a solid waste landfill site in Norman,
OK, and at sites in Fort Devens, MA; Boulder, CO; Lubbock, TX; and Phoenix,
AZ. DEP has been identified in drinking water in the following cities: Miami,
Philadelphia, Seattle, Lawrence, New York City, and New Orleans [9].
3.4.3 Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP)
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a manufactured chemical that is used primarily as one
of several plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins that make plastics more
flexible. It is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called
phthalates or phthalic acid esters. DEHP is also used in inks, pesticides, cosmetics,
and vacuum pump oil. DEHP is everywhere in the environment because of its use in
plastics in large quantities, but it evaporates into air and dissolves in water at very
low rates. Colon et al. [30] identified the presence of phthalate esters in the serum of
young Puerto Rican girls with premature breast development. The primary routes of
4 Endocrine Disruptors
183
water solubility of 120–300 mg/L. Its water solubility increases with alkaline pH
values. Releases of bisphenol A into the environment are mainly in wastewater from
plastics-producing industrial plants and from landfill sites that contain large quantities of plastics. Bisphenol A does not bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms to any
appreciable extent. If released into acclimated water, bisphenol A would biodegrade.
In untreated water, bisphenol A may biodegrade after a sufficient adaptation period,
it may adsorb extensively to suspended solids and sediments, or it may break down
upon exposure to light [9].
3.4.2 Diethyl Phthalate (DEP)
Diethyl phthalate is a synthetic substance that is commonly used to increase the
flexibility of plastics used to make toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and
food packaging. It is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin. DEP can be
released fairly easily from these products since it is not part of the polymer. Plastic
materials containing DEP in waste disposal sites constitute the major reservoir of
DEP in the environment. If released to water, DEP is expected to undergo aerobic
biodegradation. Humans are exposed to DEP through consumer products and
plastics, contaminated air, or contaminated drinking water and foods.
There is evidence which shows a strong correlation with impaired reproductive
performance in multigeneration studies in rodents [29]; however, endocrine effects
associated with DEP exposure in humans have not been reported.
DEP has accumulated and persisted in the sediments of the Chesapeake Bay for
over a century. DEP has been detected in surface water samples from Lake
Ponchartrain and the lower Tennessee River, as well as other industrial river basins.
Surface water samples collected along the length of the Mississippi River contained
DEP in significant concentrations. DEP has been detected in groundwater in
New York State public water system wells, near a solid waste landfill site in Norman,
OK, and at sites in Fort Devens, MA; Boulder, CO; Lubbock, TX; and Phoenix,
AZ. DEP has been identified in drinking water in the following cities: Miami,
Philadelphia, Seattle, Lawrence, New York City, and New Orleans [9].
3.4.3 Di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP)
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a manufactured chemical that is used primarily as one
of several plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins that make plastics more
flexible. It is the most commonly used of a group of related chemicals called
phthalates or phthalic acid esters. DEHP is also used in inks, pesticides, cosmetics,
and vacuum pump oil. DEHP is everywhere in the environment because of its use in
plastics in large quantities, but it evaporates into air and dissolves in water at very
low rates. Colon et al. [30] identified the presence of phthalate esters in the serum of
young Puerto Rican girls with premature breast development. The primary routes of
4 Endocrine Disruptors
183