Occurrence and Human Health Risk Assessment of Phthalate Esters in Sediments from a Riverine in Southern Thailand

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are environmentally active organic pollutants that can cause endocrine disruption in humans. This study evaluated the human health risk associated with the dermal exposure to the levels of six common PAEs in sediments collected from U-Tapao River. A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC–MS) analytic method was used for the identification and quantification of PAEs. The human health risk was carried out using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). Of the 6 PAEs congeners measured, only 3 including di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-2-ethylhexy phthalate (DEHP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) were identified and quantified. Whereas, including benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-octyl Phthalate (DnOP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), were not detected. The total concentrations of the 3 PAEs congeners found in the riverine sediment samples ranged from 70.0 to 1870 ng/g. The most abundant PAEs congener was DEHP ranging from 70 to 890 ng/g, followed by DiNP ranging from non-detectable (ND) to 820 ng/g, then DnBP ranging from ND to 160 ng/g. The calculated HQs and HIs were < 1, indicating that PAEs congeners posed acceptable health risk via dermal contact on adults and children. The baseline data obtained in this study will be useful for the strategic pollutant control and management in the riverine ecosystem.