Analysis of Phthalates and Alternative Plasticizers in Gloves by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography-UV Detection: A Comparative Study

Quantification of additives in beached plastic debris from Aotearoa New Zealand

Plastics have become an essential part of modern society. Their properties can be easily manipulated by incorporating additives to impart desirable attributes, such as colour, flexibility, or stability. However, many additives are classified as hazardous substances. To better understand the risk of plastic pollution within marine ecosystems, the type and concentration of additives in plastic debris needs to be established. We report the quantification of thirty-one common plastic additives (including plasticisers, antioxidants, and UV stabilisers) in beached plastic debris collected across Aotearoa New Zealand. Additives were isolated from the plastic debris by solvent extraction and quantified using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twenty-five of the target additives were detected across 200 items of debris, with plasticisers detected at the highest frequency (99 % detection frequency). Additives were detected in all samples, with a median of four additives per debris item. A significantly higher number of additives were detected per debris item for polyvinyl chloride (median = 7) than polyethylene or polypropylene (median = 4). The additives bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, and antioxidant 702 were detected at the highest concentrations (up to 196,930 μg/g). The sum concentration of additives per debris item (up to 320,325 μg/g) was significantly higher in polyvinyl chloride plastics (median 94,716 μg/g) compared to other plastic types, primarily due to the presence of phthalate plasticisers. Non-target analysis was consistent with the targeted analysis, indicating a higher number and concentration of additives in polyvinyl chloride debris items compared to all other polymer types. Feature identification indicated the presence of more additives than previously detected in the targeted analysis, including plasticisers (phthalate and non-phthalate), processing aids, and nucleating agents. This study highlights phthalates and polyvinyl chloride as key targets for consideration in ecotoxicology and risk assessments, and the development of policies to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution.

Primary alcohol-induced coacervation in alkyl polyglucoside micellar solution for supramolecular solvent-based microextraction and chromatographic determination of phthalates in baby food

This study reports for the first time the phenomenon of supramolecular solvent formation based on alkyl polyglucoside as an amphiphile and primary alcohol as a coacervation agent. The physical properties (density, kinematic viscosity, phase diagram for ternary system) of the supramolecular solvent were investigated, and a mechanism for its formation was proposed. A green and simple microextraction procedure for preconcentration and determination of phthalates in baby foods packaged in plastic packaging was developed as proof-of-concept example. The microextraction procedure assumed separation of analytes from solid phase sample in micellar solution of decyl glucoside and in situ formation of supramolecular solvent for analytes preconcentration after addition of n-heptanol. The determination of phthalates in obtained extracts was implemented by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis detection. The limits of detection, calculated from a blank test based on 3σ, were determined to be 10 μg kg-1 for dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate. The developed procedure did not require filtration of sample suspension, and assumed the use of green and biodegradable substances for the supramolecular solvent formation across a wide pH range.

Potential for Glove Risk Amplification via Direct Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Contamination

This review focuses on the potential direct physical, chemical, and microbiological contamination from disposable gloves when utilized in food environments, inclusive of the risks posed to food products as well as worker safety. Unrecognized problems endemic to glove manufacturing were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic due to high demand, increased focus on PPE performance, availability, supply chain instability, and labor shortages. Multiple evidence-based reports of contamination, toxicity, illness, deaths, and related regulatory action linked to contaminated gloves in food and healthcare have highlighted problems indicative of systemic glove industry shortcomings. The glove manufacturing process was diagramed with sources and pathways of contamination identified, indicating weak points with documented occurrences detailed. Numerous unsafe ingredients can introduce chemical contaminants, potentially posing risks to food and to glove users. Microbial hazards present significant challenges to overall glove safety as contaminants appear to be introduced via polluted water sources or flawed glove manufacturing processes, resulting in increased risks within food and healthcare environments. Frank and opportunistic pathogens along with food spoilage organisms can be introduced to foods and wearers. When the sources and pathways of glove-borne contamination were explored, it was found that physical failures play a pivotal role in the release of sweat build-up, liquefaction of chemical residues, and incubation of microbial contaminants from hands and gloves. Thus, with glove physical integrity issues, including punctures in new, unused gloves that can develop into significant rips and tears, not only can direct physical food contamination occur but also chemical and microbiological contamination can find their way into food. Enhanced regulatory requirements for Acceptable Quality Limits of food-grade gloves, and the establishment of appropriate bioburden standards would enhance safety in food applications. Based on the information provided, together with a false sense of security associated with glove use, the unconditional belief in glove chemical and microbiological purity may be unfounded.

Development of novel methods based on GC-HRMS and LC-HRMS for the determination of non-phthalate plasticizers in soil

Non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs) are a suitable alternative to phthalates, which are harmful compounds for human, animal health, and the environment. In this study, 28 commercial non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs) from different families, including adipates, citrates, phosphates, sebacates, trimellitates, benzoates and cyclohexanoates, were determined. Two novel methods for determining these alternative compounds in soil were developed using gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS-Q-Orbitrap) and liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS-Q-Orbitrap). Solid-liquid extraction (SLE) with ethyl acetate or acetonitrile, along with water as extraction solvents, were employed. In most cases, the GC method exhibited recoveries ranging from 84.9 % to 110.8 % at 20, 40 and 200 μg/kg, while the LC method achieved recoveries between 73.1 % and 115.4 % at 10, 20, 40 and 200 μg/kg. Most of the relative standard deviation (RSD) values were below 20 % for both methods. The validated methods were then applied to analyse soil samples collected from four different areas in Almeria. The results indicated that the compounds detected most frequently at high concentrations were 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (HCPK) using GC, in the range 29.1-67.4 μg/kg and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB) using LC, in the range 39.9-51.5 μg/kg. Additionally, suspect and unknown analysis were carried out, and other plasticizers as phthalates, were also detected, in addition to other substances present in the analysed samples. All the soils exhibited the presence of a few plasticizers, either phthalic and/or non-phthalic.

Disposable gloves: An innate source of transferable chemical residues

As workers in medicine, food science, and advanced manufacturing have learned, pristine disposable gloves are an innate source of chemical contamination from the moment they are first donned. Given the typically low extent of chemical contamination on the surface of gloves post-manufacture, many fields overlook, or simply discount, this source of transferable chemical evidence. However, forensic science should not adopt this approach. Instead, the trace chemical signatures left after handling objects while wearing different brands and types of disposable gloves could provide new avenues of forensic intelligence when assessing crime scenes. Similarly, an appreciation of the potential for disposable gloves to transfer innate chemical residues is an important consideration when surface analyses of evidence are envisioned. This review summarises past reports of chemical transference originating from pristine gloves drawn from the fields of medicine, food science, and material science, as well as the few examples highlighting the implications of such events for forensic investigations. Correlations between the chemical identities of the contaminants and the material of glove manufacture are provided here where known, with energy-intensive chemical extraction of glove material, and passive transference of chemical residues through simple contact, both explored. Finally, discussions pertaining to the implications of disposable glove residues, coupled with opportunities for future research, are outlined.

Effects of DEHP, DEHT and DINP Alone or in a Mixture on Cell Viability and Mitochondrial Metabolism of Endothelial Cells In Vitro

Plasticizers are chemicals in high demand, used in a wide range of commercial products. Human are exposed through multiple pathways, from numerous sources, to multiple plasticizers. This is a matter of concern, as it may contribute to adverse health effects. The vascular system carries plasticizers throughout the body and therefore can interact with the endothelium. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro toxicity on endothelial cells by considering the individual and the mixture effects of bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) or bis-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT). In this study, their cytotoxicity on HMEC-1 cells was evaluated on cell function (viability, cell counting, total glutathione and intracellular adenosines) and mitochondrial function (mitochondrial respiration). Results showed cellular physiological perturbations induced with all the condition tested, excepted for DEHT. Plasticizers induced a cytotoxicity by targeting mitochondrial respiration, depleting mitochondrial ATP production and increasing glycolytic metabolism. Additionally, delayed effects were observed between the cellular and the mitochondrial parameters. These results suggest that endothelial cells could go through a metabolic adaptation to face plasticizer-induced cellular stress, to effectively maintain their cellular processes. This study provides additional information on the adverse effects of plasticizers on endothelial cells.

Risk of Abdominal Obesity Associated with Phthalate Exposure of Nurses

Background: Occupational health hazards associated with phthalate exposure among nurses are still not well understood. Methods: We used high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to analyze phthalates. Anthropometric measurements and questionnaires were conducted. Results: We observed associations between mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) and body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), and fat mass index (FMI), visceral fat content, BMI risk and hip index risk (HIrisk), adjusted to consumer behavior and consumer practices (r = 0.36−0.61; p ≤ 0.046). In the same model, we detected an association between mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) and waist to hip ratio (WHR; r = 0.36; p = 0.046), mono-carboxy-isononyl phthalate (cx-MiNP) and BMI (r = 0.37; p = 0.043), HC (r = 0.4; p = 0.026) and WHtR (r = 0.38; p = 0.037), between mono-oxo-isononyl phthalate oxo (MiNP) and HC (r = 0.36; p = 0.045), mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (oxo-MEHP) and HIrisk (r = 0.38−0.41; p ≤ 0.036), between oxo-MEHP and Anthropometric Risk Index (ARI risk; r = 0.4; p = 0.028). We detected a relationship between BMI and MBzP (β = 0.655; p < 0.001) and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP; β = −0.365; p = 0.003), between hip circumference and MBzP (β = 0.486; p < 0.001), MEHP (β = −0.402; p = 0.001), and sum of secondary metabolites of diisononyl phthalate (∑DiNP; β = 0.307; p = 0.016). We observed a relationship between fat content and MBzP (β = 0.302; p = 0.033), OH-MnBP (β = −0.736; p = 0.006) and MiBP (β = 0.547; p = 0.046), visceral fat content and MBzP (β = 0.307; p = 0.030), HI-risk and MBzP (β = 0.444; p = 0.001), ARI-risk and sum of di-n-butyl phthalate metabolites (∑DnBP; β = 0.337; p = 0.018). We observed an association between the use of protective equipment with cx-MiNP. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to phthalates may induce abdominal obesity and result in obesity-related metabolic disorders.