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Meta-analysis of environmental contamination by phthalates

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Abstract

Phthalate acid esters (PAE), commonly named phthalates, are toxics classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds; they are primarily used as additives to improve the flexibility in polyvinyl chloride. Many studies have reported the occurrence of phthalates in different environmental matrices; however, none of these studies has yet established a complete overview for those compounds in the water cycle within an urban environment. This review summarizes PAE concentrations for all environmental media throughout the water cycle, from atmosphere to receiving waters. Once the occurrences of compounds have been evaluated for each environmental compartment (urban wastewater, wastewater treatment plants, atmosphere, and the natural environment), we reviewed data in order to identify the fate of PAE in the environment and establish whether geographical and historical trends exist. Indeed, geographical and historical trends appear between Europe and other countries such as USA/Canada and China, however they remain location dependent. This study aimed at identifying both the correlations existing between environmental compartments and the processes influencing the fate and transport of these contaminants into the environment. In Europe, the concentrations measured in waterways today represent the background level of contamination, which provides evidence of a past diffuse pollution. In contrast, an increasing trend has actually been observed for developing countries, especially for China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Central de la Préfecture de Police, 39 bis rue de Dantzig, 75015, Paris, France

    Alexandre Bergé & Annie Coursimault

  2. Université Paris-Est, LEESU, UMR-MA 102-AgroParisTech, 61 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94010, Créteil Cedex, France

    Alexandre Bergé, Mathieu Cladière, Johnny Gasperi & Régis Moilleron

  3. Université Paris-Est, LEESU, UMR-MA 102-AgroParisTech, 6-8 Avenue Blaise Pascal Cité Descartes, 77455, Champs-sur-Marne, France

    Bruno Tassin

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  1. Alexandre Bergé
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Correspondence to Régis Moilleron.

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Bergé, A., Cladière, M., Gasperi, J. et al. Meta-analysis of environmental contamination by phthalates. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 8057–8076 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1982-5

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