Determination and Risk Associated with Phthalic Esters Distribution from the Ekpan River, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria

Phthalates are additives or plasticizers added to make plastics soft. However, they could leach into the environment and cause harm human health when contacted. Sites along Ekpan river have been used for open dumping of refuse. The also serves as a point source disposal effluents from Warri Refinery Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC). Hence, need preliminary study phthalates across system. Surface water samples were collected six points river. extracted using USEPA standard method 3535 EPA 8061. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) was analysis PAEs including di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP DPX), butyl benzyl (BBP), di(2-Ethylhexyl) (DEHP), di-n-octyl (D-n-OP)), Dimethyl (DMP), Diethyl (DEP) in Analysis system showed that DEP Effurun ranged 4.22 – 13.81 μg/L, DPX; 3.03 11.5 BBP; 0.11–1.39 DEHP; 0.12 3.33 μg/L. D-n-OP DMP below limit detection analytical instrument (0.1 μg/L). distribution network revealed sampling sites urban region more contaminated with due urbanization an increase population network. Human risk assessment hazard quotient (HQ) DEP, DPX, DEHP, D-i-NP 1, indicating acceptable via ingestion bathing water. In addition, Hazard Index (HI) less than 1 risks. According this study, these congeners safe toddlers, adolescents, adults eat bathe tap Even only congener designated carcinogenic agent by WHO, shown tolerable cancer risk. These findings indicate there is no children, DEHP studied.