Phthalate esters in bottled drinking water and their human exposure in Beijing, China

Phthalate esters (PAEs) have attracted much attention because of their ubiquity and toxicity. However, previous studies mainly focused on the occurrence of PAEs controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency and neglected most uncontrolled PAEs. In this study, the occurrence of 21 PAEs, including 6 controlled and 15 uncontrolled PAEs, was investigated in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-bottled drinking water samples purchased from markets in Beijing. Seventeen PAEs were detected in all samples, with dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate as the predominant compounds. Correlation analysis suggested that PET bottles might be one of the potential sources of PAEs in PET-bottled drinking water. The human health risks assessments indicated little or no risks from four controlled PAEs in bottled water. In comparison, the risks of uncontrolled PAEs should be of greater concern for their ubiquities in bottled drinking water.