Occurrence and Dietary Intake of Organophosphate Esters via Animal-Origin Food Consumption in China: Results of a Chinese Total Diet Study

Although diet is regarded as a major exposure source of organophosphate esters (OPEs), the dietary survey of OPEs in China has been limited. Based on the sixth Chinese Total Diet Study (TDS) conducted during 2016-2019 in 24 of 34 provinces in China, 14 OPEs were detected in 96 food composites from four animal-origin food categories. Twelve OPEs were detected in more than 80% of the samples and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) presented the highest median concentration (1.63 ng/g wet weight (ww)). The most contaminated food composite was meat, with a median Sigma 14OPEs of 13.6 ng/g ww, followed by aquatic food (11.5 ng/g ww), egg (7.63 ng/g ww), and milk (3.51 ng/g ww). The contribution of the meat group was close to or even greater than 50% in the estimated dietary intake (EDI) of OPEs. The average (range) EDI of the Sigma 14OPEs via animal food consumption for a Chinese standard man was 34.4 (6.18-73.3) ng/kg bodyweight (bw)/day. The geographical distribution showed higher EDI in southern coastal provinces compared to the northern inland provinces. Nevertheless, the highest EDI of Sigma 14OPEs from animal food was still more than 10 times lower than the reference dose. This is the first national survey of OPEs in foods from China.

Automated summary

Although diet is considered a major source of exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs), dietary surveys of OPEs in China have been limited. A national survey conducted from 2016 to 2019 found that meat was the most contaminated food, with a contribution of 50% to the total intake. The intake of OPEs was higher in southern coastal provinces compared to northern inland provinces.