A Comparative Study of Phthalates in Short and Long Term Plastic using Women Volunteers by GCMS and HPLC Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The usage of plastic products had been multiplied several folds in past few decades. Products which are used on day-to-day life viz shampoos, talcum powders, perfumes, nail polish, toys, cooking materials and etc. contain phthalates. Most phthalates are commonly exposed to the general population through food and water consumption and also, they can enter a person's body through inhalation or skin contact and these metabolites have been linked to a number of major health issues, including endocrine disruption.

Objectives: As there are only a very few studies in human beings with regard to the metabolites of phthalates in blood, this study focuses on the comparison of level of phthalate esters in short term and long-term plastic using women.

Methods: Questionnaires were circulated to 2500 women volunteers of reproductive age group ranging from 20-45 years. Based on their age and exposure to plastic products woman participants are categorized in to two groups, Group I-Short term exposure to plastics aged 20-32 years and Group II -Long term exposure to Plastics aged 33-45 years. The presence of phthalates was analyzed using GC-MS and the levels of phthalates were further quantified using HPLC for both the groups.

Results: The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical differences among controls and each test group were determined by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. When ANOVA resulted in a statistically significant value, a post-hoc test, Tukey, was performed and significant increase was observed in long term plastic users. Results on quantification of phthalate shows the significant differences in the concentrations of phthalate esters in between the group I and II. However, among the identified phthalates, DMP, DEP, DINP, DONP and DBP were below their quantification limit in the case of group I, whereas in the case of group II, all the 9 phthalates (DMP, DEP, DBP, DHP, BBP, DBEP, DEHP, DINP and DNOP) being detected. From the results we inferred that majority of phthalates residues showed a remarkable indication in group II advanced age, whereas three main low molecular weights phthalates such as Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and Di butyl phthalate (DBP) showed their indication in group I when compared with group II.

Conclusions: In comparing short term and long-term plastic using women volunteers, the blood samples of long term volunteers showed increased amount of DMP, DEP, BBP and DEHP metabolite. Hence this study recommends the avoidance of usage of plastic products wherever possible and to use alternate to plastics. Phthalates containing cosmetic products should be replaced with natural and herbal products