Co-occurrence of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers in dust and hand wipes: A comparison of levels across various sources

E-waste dismantlers' occupational exposure to plasticizers, particularly non-phthalate (NPAE) plasticizers, is poorly understood. This study monitored 11 phthalates (PAEs) and 16 NPAEs in dust and hand wipe samples from Central China e-waste workplace and ordinary homes. Concentrations of plasticizers in dust from e-waste dismantling workshops (median: 217 mu g/g) were significantly lower than that from ordinary homes (462 mu g/g; p < 0.01), however, the trend was similar but not significant in hand wipes from these two scenarios (50.2 vs. 72.3 mu g/m(2); p = 0.139). PAEs were still the dominant plasticizers, which is, on average, 5.46 and 3.58-fold higher than NPAEs. In all samples, di-(2ethylhexyl) phthalate (65.4%) and tri-octyl trimellitate (44.9%) were the most common PAE and NPAE plasticizers. Increasing dust concentrations of di-iso-nonyl ester 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, citrates and sebacates were significantly associated with their levels in worker's hand wipe, by contrast, this trend was not found in general population. Dust ingestion was the main channel, followed by hand-to-mouth contact, all participants' daily plasticizer intakes (median: 154 ng/kg bw/day) are within safety limits. Our work highlights knowledge gaps about co-exposure to PAEs and NPAEs by multiple pathways in occupational e-waste workers, which could provide baseline data in the future.

Automated summary

The occupational exposure of e-waste dismantlers to plasticizers, especially non-phthalate (NPAE) plasticizers, is not well understood. This study monitored the concentrations of 11 phthalates (PAEs) and 16 NPAEs in dust and hand wipe samples from e-waste workplaces and ordinary homes in Central China. The results showed that the concentrations of plasticizers in dust from e-waste workplaces were significantly lower than that from ordinary homes, while there was a similar but not significant trend in hand wipes. PAEs were still the dominant plasticizers, with concentrations on average 5.46 and 3.58-fold higher than NPAEs.