GC-MS Determination of Undeclared Phthalate Esters in Commercial Fragrances: Occurrence, Profiles and Assessment of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Risk Associated with Their Consumption among Adult Consumers.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Bench analytical chemistry and theoretical exposure risk modeling without human clinical data (design analogy).
PubMed 36838677 · doi:10.3390/molecules28041689
What was done
A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed and validated (recoveries 94.9% to 105.6%, RSD ≤ 4.06%, detection limits 0.0010 to 0.0021 µg/mL) to measure undeclared phthalate esters in commercial perfumes sold in Saudi Arabia. Using measured concentrations, the authors modeled systemic exposure doses and evaluated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for adult male and female users.
What was found
Diethyl phthalate was detected in 100% of analyzed samples (maximum concentration 5766 µg/mL). Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was present in 95% of samples (mean 55.9 µg/mL, maximum 377.7 µg/mL). Modeled systemic exposure at mean concentrations ranged from 4.59 × 10⁻⁴ to 4.29 × 10⁻² mg/kg/day in males and 5.00 × 10⁻⁴ to 4.68 × 10⁻² mg/kg/day in females. Non-carcinogenic risk values exceeded 100 for all tested phthalates. Carcinogenic risk values at maximum DEHP levels were 5.49 × 10⁻⁵ for males and 5.98 × 10⁻⁵ for females.
Why it matters
This study provides the first risk assessment of undeclared phthalate exposure from perfumes in Saudi Arabia. It demonstrates widespread presence of phthalates, with high-end DEHP concentrations posing a potential carcinogenic risk.
Limits
The abstract does not state the total number of perfume samples tested. Risk calculations are based on exposure modeling rather than direct human biomonitoring or clinical outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Phthalates are added to cosmetics and pesticides to increase barrier absorption and are used in fragranced products to retain scent and color.