Levels and health risk assessments of Phthalate acid esters in indoor dust of some microenvironments within Ikeja and Ota, Nigeria
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The levels, profiles of Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and their associated health risk in children and
adults using indoor dust samples were assessed from nine (9) microenvironments in Nigeria. Six PAEs
congeners were determined using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and the human health
risk assessments of PAEs exposure to children and adults were computed using the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) exposure model. The mean concentrations of the total
PAEs (Σ6PAEs) in indoor dust across the study locations ranged from 1.61 ± 0.12 to 53.3 ± 5.27 μg/g
with 72.0% of di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) as the most predominant contributor of PAEs in sample
locations B, C, D, E, F and G. PAEs estimated daily intake results exceeded the USEPA value of 20 and
50 kg/bw/day for children and adults respectively in some locations. Non-carcinogenic risk exposure
indicated no risk (HI < 1), while the carcinogenic risk was within the recommended threshold of
1.00 × 10–
4 to 1.00 × 10–
6 for benzyl butyl phthalate and bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate. From our findings,
lower levels of PAEs were observed in locations with good ventilation system. Also, the human health
risk evaluation indicated indoor dust ingestion as the dominant exposure route of PAEs for both
children and adults, while the children were at a higher risk of PAEs exposure. To protect children
susceptible to these endocrine-disrupting pollutants, soft vinyl children’s toys and teething rings
should be avoided. Appropriate policies and procedures on the reduction of PAEs exposure to humans
should be enacted by all stakeholders, including government regulatory agencies, industries, school
administrators and the entire community.
Keywords
QD Chemistry