EVALUATION DES NIVEAUX D’EXPOSITION AUX PHTALATES CHEZ UNE POPULATION URBAINE

Abstract

Abstract: Phthalates are considered endocrine disruptors. They are present everywhere in our daily life and their widespread use promotes human exposure by various means. As a result, they are intensively researched to try to identify their potential health effects. The objective of this study is to estimate the daily exposure to phthalates in the general population and to determine the levels of phthalates in water intended for human consumption.This is a cross-sectional, analytical descriptive study conducted on a random sample of participants residing in the cities of Oran and Tlemcen over a one-year period to assess the rates of six phthalate metabolites (Mono ethyl phthalate , mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono benzyl phthalate, mono-2-ethylhexyl phhtalate, mono-2- ethyl-5- hydroxyhexyl phthalate et mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate) in urine samples. Five phthalates were measured at the level of six brands of bottled water marketed in Algeria. The determination of phthalates and their metabolites was carried out by GC-SM after processing our samples by liquid liquid extraction.The analysis of two hundred and fourteen urine samples revealed the presence of at least one phthalate in each sample with an interval of 18% to 100%. Mono butyl phthalate was present in the samples of all participants. The highest rates were noted in women with a significant difference (p=0.021) this difference may be due to a source of exposure that is the use of cosmetic products. The daily intake of phthalates exceeded the tolerable daily intake in 6.5% and 13% of subjects for DEHP and DBP respectively and 21% of the population exceeded the danger index. Analysis of bottled water showed the presence of DEHP in all samples with an average of 2.39μg/l 0.96. An increase in phthalate concentrations, was noted over time and storage temperature. It was on the order of 1.4 times for DEHP and PBO, and 1.6 times for DiBP. This difference between the different storage conditions is very significant for DiBP and DEHP (p 0.000) and less significant for DBP (p0.048). The contribution to the contamination of our population with phthalates via bottled water ranges from 0.14% to 2.01% for DBP and from 0.07% to 1.66% for DEHP. Improving the public’s knowledge of the risk of phthalates is more than necessary to prevent its harmful effects on health throughout the life cycle. Keywords: phthalate, endocrine disruptors, phthalate metabolites, bottled water