Occurrence of phthalates and bisphenol A and F in the environment.
Certain xenoestrogens, namely bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), were measured in various compartments (surface water, sediments, sewage treatment plant effluents, sewage sludge, dump water, liquid manure) in order to contribute to a better understanding of exposure to these compounds in different environments. Hundred and sixteen surface-water samples and 35 sediments from rivers, lakes and channels, 39 sewage effluents, and 38 sewage sludges were collected in Germany. Furthermore, ten liquid manure, two waste-dump and two compost-runoff water samples were also analysed. BPA measurements showed low concentrations from 0.0005 to 0.41 microg L(-1) in surface water, in sewage effluents from 0.018 to 0.702 microg L(-1), in sediments from 0.01 to 0.19 mgkg(-1) and in sewage sludge from 0.004 to 1.363mgkg(-1) dw. Measured concentrations of BPF were clearly lower than BPA in all environmental media. DEHP dominated the phthalate concentrations, which ranged from 0.33 to 97.8 microg L(-1) (surface water), 1.74 to 182 microg L(-1) (sewage effluents), 27.9 to 154 mgkg(-1) dw (sewage sludge) and 0.21 to 8.44 mgkg(-1) (sediment). DBP was found only in minor concentrations and BBP, only in a few samples in low amounts. Very high concentrations of BPA and phthalates were confirmed in waste dump water and compost water samples as well as in the liquid manure samples.
Fromme
Hermann
H
Senate Department of Labor, Social Services and Women Issues, Environmental Health Office, Berlin, Germany. hermann.fromme@senarbsozfrau.verwalt-berlin.de
Küchler
Thomas
T
Otto
Thomas
T
Pilz
Konstanze
K
Müller
Josef
J
Wenzel
Andrea
A
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects; D005399:Fishes; D005858:Germany; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D010636:Phenols; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds