• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.178-181
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• 2004

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is used extensively in the plastic industry and has been known as an environmental hormone (endocrine disruptor). Present study was undertaken to examine whether DBP can induce oxidative stress in mice. In this study, oxidative stress was measured in terms of the modification of lipid peroxidation and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (${\gamma}-GT$) activity. The activity of ${\gamma}-GT$, the level of lipid peroxidation and serum toxicity index were measured in male ICR mice after treatment with DBP (5 g/kg, po). Administration of DBP was found to significantly increase the level of lipid peroxidation approximately 2 fold in liver. The activity of ${\gamma}-GT$ in the liver of DBP-exposed animals was also increased approximately 2.5 fold. However, DBP did not alter the parameters for hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine. These results indicate that DBP can induce oxidative stress in mice. The ${\gamma}-GT$ activity is considered to be increased as one of the adaptive defense mechanisms to oxidative stress induced by DBP.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2012

This study was performed to survey the school supplies such as pencil, eraser, notebook and color paper. Twenty-two kinds of samples were collected near the school zone, and eight kinds of phthalate which is one of the environmental hazard factors analyzed to estimate the contents characteristics of products. As the results of these research, three kinds of phthalates (BBP, DNOP and DIDP) were not detected in the selected samples. In the A group, DEHP and DINP were detected in the rage of 22%~28%, and DINP was selected 28%, 24% and 28% in the A-1, A-3 and A-4 samples, respectively. But the selected samples in the B group were detected less than 1,000 ppm as regulated level. Also, The DBP was detected 1% in the C-2 sample, and DEHP was detected 0.3% in the C-1 and C-6 samples. The DEHA was detected 0.3% in the D-3 sample. In this study, the DINP was mainly detected the eraser, therefore this kind of phthalate can be exposed through dermal exposure.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2006

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were classified in the category of "suspected" endocrine disruptors. The purpose of our study was to screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity of seven phthalate analogues. E-screen assay was performed in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed high estrogenic activity. Their relative proliferation efficiencies (RPE) were 109 and 106%, respectively. In vitro estrogen receptor (ER) binding assay, BBP, di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) and dinonyl phthalate (DNP) showed weak relative binding affinity (RBA: 0.02%) compared to $17{\beta}-estradiol\;(E2)$ (RBA: 100%). In uterotrophic assay, E2 produced a significant increase, whereas four tested phthalate analogues had potential estrogenic effects in vitro did not increased in uterus weight in immature rats. From these results, we demonstrated that phthalate analogues exhibit weak estrogenic activity in vitro assays at high concentrations. Although phthalates induced an increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation by an estrogenic effect, they could not induce a uterus weight increase in vivo. From these, we may suggest that these phthalate analogues are easily metabolized to inactive forms in vivo. Further investigation in other in vitro and in vivo experimental systems might be required.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.548-554
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• 2020

Objectives: This study is to examine the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials in elementary school classrooms and libraries in Seoul, and to investigate phthalate contamination in indoor dust. Methods: PVC material was identified for building materials and furniture using portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF). Phthalates in dust samples (n=19) were extracted by ultrasonic extraction using cyclohexane and analyzed by GC-MS. Results: Diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were found in all collected dust samples (n=19), and diisonyl phthalate (DINP) was detected in all except for one sample (n=18). The concentration of DEHP (median: 2190 mg/kg) and DINP (2960 mg/kg) were higher than other compounds, suggesting that there are many products in the school that used these compounds. When comparing the phthalate concentration in the classroom (n=11) and library dust (n=8), the total concentration in the classroom (median: 10000 mg/kg) was higher than that in the library (8030 mg/kg). DEHP was the dominant compound in the library. The library is relatively more equipped with PVC furniture (n=83) and most floors are also identified as PVC material, suggesting that floors and furniture made of PVC materials are main sources of DEHP contamination. Conclusions: This study is a pilot survey for investigating phthalate contamination in elementary schools. As a result of the survey, phthalate contamination in elementary school was confirmed. However, further study requires risk assessment of children through analysis of phthalate metabolites in children based on sufficient number of samples and information about the site.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.236-241
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• 2012

There are many industrial factories in the central Nakdong river basin and have been occurred water pollution accidents by hazardous chemicals such as phenol, 1,4-dioxane and perchlorate. In this study, ten compounds of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) (dichlorvos, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, 4,4'-methylenedianiline, 4,4'-methylenebis (2-chloroaniline), diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthaltate, bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate, benzophenone, 4,4'-bisphenol A) of hazardous chemicals which may be potentially discharged into the Nakdong river, were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with disk-type solid-phase extraction. Accuracy and precision were in the range of 75.6~110.5%, and 4.6~12.7%, respectively and recovery was in the range of 72.4~127.9%. Three compounds (bis (2-ethylhexyl)adipate, benzophenone, 4,4'-bisphenol A) were detected in industrial wastewater such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and wastewater discharge facilities in the Nakdong River basin.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2022

Background: Few studies have evaluated the exposure to phthalates via inhalation of floor dust in children's living areas. Objectives: This study evaluated the concentration and exposure level of phthalates emitted from indoor floor dust in children's living areas. Methods: This study utilized the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment in 2019. Indoor dust was collected from 150 households with children aged 3~7 and 67 daycare centers or local children's centers by using vacuum cleaners. It was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Six types of phthalates were analyzed: Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), Di-N-octyl phthalate (DNOP), Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Di -isodecyl phthalate (DIDP). Results: The medians of DEHP concentrations were 1,028 and 1,937 mg/kg in homes and daycare centers, respectively. The median and maximum values of daily intake were calculated by applying the median and 95th percentile values (the upper 5% of the total concentration) in dust measured in the homes. The DEHP median value was 1.6 ㎍/kg/bw/day, and a maximum A value of 7.8 ㎍/kg/bw/day was calculated. When the childcare center values were applied, the median daily intake of DEHP was 3.1 ㎍/kg/bw/day and the maximum value was 29.2 ㎍/kg/bw/day. As a result of calculating the daily intake by integrating the values of home and childcare facilities, the median and maximum values of daily intake were 1.9 and 10.9 ㎍/kg/bw/day, respectively. Conclusions: This study derives phthalate concentrations among the floor dust in homes and childcare facilities where children mainly spend time, and suggests their intake of phthalates through this. In particular, it was newly suggested that the phthalate concentrations in homes and childcare facilities are different, resulting in differences in intake.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.127-131
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• 2002

Migration of di-(ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHF) from PVC food packaging materials detected plasticizer into food simulanting solvents(4% Acetic acid, 8% Ethanol, 50% Ethanol, 95% Ethanol, Heptane) were studied. For executing this study ,2 PVC food packaging materials detected DEHP were used. Analysis was by GC-FID and GC-MSD(selected ion monitoring) for DEHP, and optimized for quantification of plasticizer. The recovery of DEHP into food simulanting solvents were min. 87.4${\pm}$ 3.6 ∼ max. 109.9 ${\pm}$ 10.7% respectively. Following exposure to food simulants 95% Ethanol for 24hours at 60$^{\circ}C$ the migration results of 1020.90 ${\pm}$ 10.15$\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 563.54 ${\pm}$ 5.60$\mu\textrm{g}$/dm$^2$and 73.51 ${\pm}$ 5.09$\mu\textrm{g}$/g 149.22 ${\pm}$ 10.34$\mu\textrm{g}$/dm$^2$were detected from the container for lunch and for stock fish respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2002

In recent reports, the multiple reproductive defects such as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, epididymal cysts, low sperm counts, and testicular cancers are increased in humans, and these changes were doubted by the chemicals with estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities in our environment. To compare the effects of neonatal exposure of di (n-butyl) phthalate and flutamide on the development of reproductive organs and to identify the specific mechanisms of these abnormalities related to the male reproducton, Sprague-Dawley neonate male rats were injected subcutaneously during 5-14 days after birth with corn oil (control), flutamide (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (5, 10, and 20 mg/animal). Animals were killed at 31 (immature) and 42 (pubertal) days of age respectively and blood was collected from abdominal aorta for serum testosterone analysis. Testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscle (LABC), cowpers glands and glans penis were weighed. Expression of steroid hormone receptors (AR and ER) was examined in the testes and ventral prostate. At 31 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, LABC, and cowpers glands significantly decreased in the flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but serum testosterone levels were not changed. Flutamide slightly delayed the testes descent at the high dose (0.5 mg/animal), but DBP did not show any significant effect on the testes descent at all doses. DBP and flutamide decreased the expression of AR protein in the testes but did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. At 42 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and cowpers glands weights were still significantly decreased at the high dose of flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but the weights of testes and epididymides were not different. Serum testosterone decreased significantly in DBP treated animals and slightly, not significantly, in flutamide group. While DBP still significantly decreased the expression of AR protein in testis, flutamide recovered from downregulation of AR protein and did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. Based on these results, flutamide and DBP have shown several similar patterns in reproductive abnormalitis, but some marked differences which may be caused by different acting mechanism.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.143.1-143.1
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• 2002

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.53.1-53.15
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• 2023

Background: Plastics are high-molecular-weight materials composed of long carbon chains. They are prevalent in daily life, present in various items such as food containers and microwavable packaging. Phthalates, an additive used to enhance their flexibility, are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We utilized the data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 3, representing the general South Korean population, to investigate the relationship between the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage and phthalate exposure. Methods: We assessed 3,333 adult participants (aged ≥ 19 years) including 1,526 men and 1,807 women, using data from KoNEHS cycle 3. Using the 75th percentile concentration, urine phthalate metabolites were categorized into high and low-concentration groups. χ² test was conducted to analyze variations in the distribution of each variable, considering sociodemographic factors, health-related factors, food intake, the use of plastics, and the concentration of urine phthalate metabolites as the variables. To calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the high-concentration group of urine phthalate metabolites based on the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: In men, the use of plastics in refrigerator food storage had significantly higher adjusted ORs compared to those using the others. The adjusted ORs were calculated as follows: mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) had an OR of 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.72), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) had an OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16-1.88), mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) had an OR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.04-1.66), ∑di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (∑DEHP) had an OR of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08-1.74) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had an OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.13-1.84). Conclusion: The concentrations of urine phthalate metabolites (MEHHP, MEOHP, MECPP, ∑DEHP, and MnBP) were significantly higher in men who used plastics in refrigerator food storage compared to those using the others.