The Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs) in Aquatic Products in Minnan Region

Abstract:

According to the results of the Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs) content in the aquatic products collected from Minnan region (Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou) in January and July of 2013, we discussed the PAEs residue levels and the distribution characteristics in different aquatic products and evaluated the contamination status and the ecological risk caused by PAEs. The results showed that the content of PAEs in seawater fish varied from 2.45×102 to 1.13×103 µg/kg (wet weight, similarly hereinafter) and the mean value was 6.78×102 µg/kg. The PAEs content in freshwater fish varied from 4.36×102 to 1.37×103 µg/kg with the mean value of 8.73×102 µg/kg. The PAEs content in shrimp varied from 3.22×102 to 1.27×103 µg/kg and the mean value was 7.76×102 µg/kg. The PAEs content in crab varied from 6.17×102 to 1.20×103 µg/kg with the mean value of 7.91×102 µg/kg. The PAEs content in shellfish varied from 9.77×102 to 1.35×103 µg/kg and the mean value was 1.22×103 µg/kg. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) were not detected in all aquatic products. The order of other four PAEs residues content was di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) > di-n-butyl ortho-phthalate (DBP) > diethyl phthalate (DEP) > dimethyl phthalate (DMP). PAEs had different levels of residues in aquatic products, suggesting a common phenomenon for the enrichment of PAEs in the aquatic products. Compared with other domestic regions, the detection rate and the value of DEHP were higher, indicating that part of the ecological environment in Minnan region had been polluted by DEHP. The expose risk index (ERI) of DBP and DEHP in organic pollutants through feeding was less than 1, suggesting that the risk of exposure to the PAEs was low and acceptable by consuming the aquatic products.