Phthalates in dust collected from various indoor environments in Beijing, China and resulting non-dietary human exposure

Abstract This study measured concentrations of fifteen phthalates in dust from homes (n = 19), offices (n = 10), kindergartens (n = 5) and public places (n = 7) in Beijing, China, during April 2010 and May 2011. We examined phthalate co-occurrence in dust collected from different indoor surfaces and estimated daily exposure to phthalates via dust ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most abundant phthalates in each of the investigated environments (medians: 58.1–272 μg/g, 31.2–145 μg/g, and 202–1310 μg/g, respectively), with detection frequencies greater than 90% except for DiBP in dust from homes. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) was detected only in homes, with a detection frequency of 42%. The detection frequency of dinonyl phthalate (DNP) was 80% in public places (median: 78.8 μg/g). DnBP, DiBP and DEHP concentrations in different indoor environments differed significantly ( p