Objective To estimate the exposure levels to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) fr om plastic packaged beverages among college students.
Methods The chronic daily intake and margin of safety of DBP and DEHP were estimated by the gas-chromatography-determined concentrations of DBP and DEHP in 114 brands of plastic packaged beverages, and the drinking patterns among 196 college students were collected via an online questionnaire using convenience sampling strategy. Monte Carlo models were applied to simulate the daily exposures to DBP and DEHP in target students and related sensitive analyses were also performed.
Results The daily intakes of plastic packaged beverages varied, but the plastic packaged drinking water accounted for the largest proportion both in males and females. The contents of DBP and DEHP also varied with beverage categories, but coffee, milk, and juice beverages showed relatively higher contents. The chronic daily intakes of DBP and DEHP were less than corresponding tolerable daily intakes, and the margins of safety were both less than 1. According to the results of Monte Carlo simulation, 99.90% of the students interviewed were within the safe range of DBP exposure through plastic packaged beverages, and the rest 0.10% were at potential risks of reproductive and developmental toxicities. The probabilities of reproductive and developmental toxicity risks were 0.02% for male students and 0.09% for female students. No health risks should be concerned at the exposure levels of DEHP in sampled beverages.
Conclusion The intake levels of DBP via plastic packaged beverages may pose potential risks of reproductive and developmental toxicities to college students; however, that of DEHP is within the safe range.
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