Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and alkylphenols (APs) are known to be endocrine disrupting chemicals and can cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. In this study, environmental samples such as ambient air, surface water, sediment, and soil samples were collected in the Asan lake region in Korea, and the levels of PAEs and APs were determined. The waters in Asan lake, man-made freshwater is between Pyeongtaek and Asan cities in Gyeonggi Province is provided into nearby industrial complex and agricultural areas. Two large streams are joined into this lake and there are industrial complexes near the streams. Total 18 phthalates and 3 alkylphenols were measured from the samples by GC-MS after solid-phase extraction. The results showed that concentrations of ∑PAEs were 5554 ng m-3 (for ∑13 PAEs) in air, 0.2~0.9 μg L-1 (for ∑13 PAEs) in water, ND~2277 μg kg-1 dry weight (dw) (for ∑9 PAEs) in sediments, and 55~648 μg kg-1 dw (for ∑7 PAEs) in soils, respectively. In contrast, APs were detected only in water (0.1~0.3 μg L-1 for ∑2 APs) and sediment samples (ND~170 μg kg-1 dw for ∑3 APs). Among the phthalates, the most abundant compounds were dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in air, diallyl phthalate (DAIP) and DEHP in water, DEHP and DBP in sediments, and DEHP and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) soil, respectively. DEHP and DBP were detected in all environmental media. In air, 64% of total PAEs in air mainly existed as the gas phase compared to particulate phase. Higher levels of some PAEs were observed at the confluence of two streams, implying that anthropogenic activities from the industrial complex in the upstream are the main source of contamination.

Occurrence of phthalic acid esters and alkylphenols in the Asan Lake region, Korea

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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