Phthalates in the environment: Their toxicology and associated risk to humans

This review describes the presence of phthalate diesters (PAEs) in various products and elements of the environment, their toxicology, and possible risk is presented as reported in the scientific literature. PAEs have been detected in a variety of environmental elements, including air, soils, sediments, and landfill leachate, as well as in ground, surface, and drinking water, which makes them a common environmental contaminant. The most common and detectable phthalate in all elements of the environment is di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). When added up, the amounts of human exposure to all sources of phthalates can be significant and pose an equally significant health risk to humans and other living organisms. Several PAEs, including DEHP, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-isobutylphthalate (DIBP), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) are classified as toxic to reproduction and have endocrine-disrupting properties. Despite the introduction of strict regulations and restrictions on PAEs worldwide, long-term monitoring of human exposure is needed to reduce the potential risk to humans and other living organisms.