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Residues, influencing factors, and health risk assessment of phthalate esters (PAEs) in major crops from a tropical island in China
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Scientists tested crops grown on Hainan Island in China and found traces of phthalates—chemicals used to make plastics soft and flexible—in grains, fruits, and vegetables, with root vegetables like potatoes and carrots absorbing the most. The good news: even though these chemicals are linked to hormone disruption and cancer risk, the amounts found were low enough that eating these crops isn't expected to pose a meaningful health danger. The findings also suggest that microplastics in soil may help phthalates build up in food crops, highlighting the importance of reducing plastic pollution in farmland.
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used plasticizers with potential endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic effects, thereby threatening food safety and human health. This study systematically investigated the occurrence, influencing factors, and health risks of 16 PAEs in crops from major cultivation zones across Hainan Island, China. Total concentrations of 16 PAEs (∑PAEs) ranged from not detected (ND) to 7938 μg‧kg dw (mean: 1009 ± 1025 μg‧kg dw), and six U.S. EPA priority PAEs (∑PAEs) ranged from ND to 2512 μg‧kg dw (mean: 372 ± 324 μg‧kg dw). Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were the dominant PAEs, accounting for 28.2% and 16.1% of ∑PAEs, respectively. Higher PAE residues were found in central mountainous regions, likely due to enhanced atmospheric deposition under local climatic conditions. Crop type significantly affected PAE accumulation: grains and fruits contained higher ∑PAEs (mean: 1319 and 1085 μg‧kg, dw, respectively) than vegetables (907 μg‧kg, dw), and root/tuber vegetables showed higher accumulation than other vegetable subgroups. Soil organic matter and microplastic abundance were positively correlated with crop PAE concentrations, while soil pH was negatively correlated. Health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic hazard indices were far below 1, and carcinogenic risks of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were within acceptable range (10-10). Females exhibited slightly higher exposure than males. This study provides comprehensive insights into PAEs contamination in tropical island agricultural systems and supports the development of pollution control strategies.
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