Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand
Internationally several phthalates are subject to regulatory control regarding maximum allowable concentrations in children’s toys. Such regulation is not in place in New Zealand. Phthalates have been associated with developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. We determined the concentration of...
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doaj-5d0f85f9e2654f179ae3a8deed15ad9a2020-11-24T21:32:25ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012018-01-0115220010.3390/ijerph15020200ijerph15020200Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New ZealandMatthew James Ashworth0Andrew Chappell1Ellen Ashmore2Jefferson Fowles3Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd., Christchurch 8041, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd., Christchurch 8041, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd., Christchurch 8041, New ZealandTox-Logic Consulting, LLC, Petaluma, CA 94954, USAInternationally several phthalates are subject to regulatory control regarding maximum allowable concentrations in children’s toys. Such regulation is not in place in New Zealand. Phthalates have been associated with developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. We determined the concentration of seven phthalates in children’s toys purchased in Christchurch, New Zealand. These results provided data for an exposure assessment deriving Hazard Indices (HI) for oral and dermal exposure routes in children, based on the concentration of mixtures of phthalates shown by the EU to produce either reproductive/developmental or hepatotoxic effects. Of the 49 toys analyzed, 65% contained at least one phthalate at a concentration of >0.1% by mass; and 35% contained multiple-phthalates at individual concentrations of >0.1%. A HI of 3.4 was derived for the combined exposures to the four phthalates associated with reproductive and developmental effects. A HI of 0.3 was derived for the group of phthalates associated with hepatotoxic effects. Five phthalates were detected at levels exceeding the EU regulatory limit of 0.1% by mass. Risk assessment calculations indicate that, using realistic exposure scenarios, the worst-case combined exposure to phthalates associated with developmental toxicity exceeded a HI of 1 so may cause adverse developmental effects.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/2/200phthalateexposurechildrentoysmixturehazard index |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Matthew James Ashworth Andrew Chappell Ellen Ashmore Jefferson Fowles |
spellingShingle |
Matthew James Ashworth Andrew Chappell Ellen Ashmore Jefferson Fowles Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health phthalate exposure children toys mixture hazard index |
author_facet |
Matthew James Ashworth Andrew Chappell Ellen Ashmore Jefferson Fowles |
author_sort |
Matthew James Ashworth |
title |
Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand |
title_short |
Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand |
title_full |
Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand |
title_fullStr |
Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand |
title_full_unstemmed |
Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand |
title_sort |
analysis and assessment of exposure to selected phthalates found in children’s toys in christchurch, new zealand |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2018-01-01 |
description |
Internationally several phthalates are subject to regulatory control regarding maximum allowable concentrations in children’s toys. Such regulation is not in place in New Zealand. Phthalates have been associated with developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. We determined the concentration of seven phthalates in children’s toys purchased in Christchurch, New Zealand. These results provided data for an exposure assessment deriving Hazard Indices (HI) for oral and dermal exposure routes in children, based on the concentration of mixtures of phthalates shown by the EU to produce either reproductive/developmental or hepatotoxic effects. Of the 49 toys analyzed, 65% contained at least one phthalate at a concentration of >0.1% by mass; and 35% contained multiple-phthalates at individual concentrations of >0.1%. A HI of 3.4 was derived for the combined exposures to the four phthalates associated with reproductive and developmental effects. A HI of 0.3 was derived for the group of phthalates associated with hepatotoxic effects. Five phthalates were detected at levels exceeding the EU regulatory limit of 0.1% by mass. Risk assessment calculations indicate that, using realistic exposure scenarios, the worst-case combined exposure to phthalates associated with developmental toxicity exceeded a HI of 1 so may cause adverse developmental effects. |
topic |
phthalate exposure children toys mixture hazard index |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/2/200 |
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