[Research progress on the human exposure levels and health risks of butylated hydroxytoluene and its metabolites].

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant widely used in food additives, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other industries. It has been frequently detected in various environmental media, including oceans, soils, and the atmosphere. Human exposure to BHT can occur through multiple routes, and it has the potential to accumulate in the body while being readily transformed into several metabolites that are often more toxic than the parent compound. In recent years, numerous studies have investigated the levels of BHT and its metabolites in human populations and their potential health risks. Most current research on BHT exposure and its metabolites has focused on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. These compounds have been detected in various biological samples-including human serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and placenta-with relatively high frequencies.The metabolites of BHT demonstrate greater toxicity than BHT itself and have been implicated in pathological processes such as diminished ovarian reserve and miscarriage. Potential mechanisms include endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. This article reviews current research on human exposure to BHT and its metabolites, as well as their potential health effects, aiming to provide a scientific basis for establishing usage standards and assessing health risks associated with BHT.