A cross sectional study to Estimate the presence of Plasticizers in Plastic water bottles and its effect on Hormonal disruption at a Tertiary care hospital in Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Humans are regularly exposed to a wide array of chemicals everyday through consumer products. Many of these chemicals are at very low concentrations and do not present any significant health risk. Certain bisphenols, plasticizers, and flame retardants are receiving growing attention as they have recently been classified as proven or potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning they mimic hormones in the human body and can be associated with altered reproduction in males and females, abnormal growth patterns and neurodevelopmental delays in children.

Objectives & Methodology: The aim of the study was to quantify the presence of plasticizer [di (2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA)] in Plastic water bottles/cans, to Characterize potential exposure through drinking water to plasticizers while taking into account temperature variations, to characterize the Effects of temperature and storage time on leaching of plasticizers and to assess the knowledge and attitude of consumers on the usage of disposable plastic water bottles and hormonal disruption property of the same.

Results: The results was found that significant leaching of DEHP and BPA from disposable plastic water bottles at both high (40°C and above) and low temperatures (5°C and less). DEHP and BPA, a common plasticizer, is regulated by various countries. Indian regulatory should also bring about strict regulations for the same. The survey also showed a lack of knowledge about plasticizers (51.2%), with 15.5% storing bottles in high temperatures and 77.7% storing bottles in refrigerators, out of which 15.5% had history of endocrine abnormalities.

Conclusion: The detected levels of plasticizers were within international limits and also well within toxic limits, emphasizing the need to avoid storing the bottles in extremes of temperature and reuse of disposable plastic or PET bottles. Even during transport temperature conditions should be ensured by regulatory authorities. This can be emphasized only if the consumers are made aware about the Plasticizers and the harmful effects of the same. Also, proper storage of water bottles under normal temperature conditions should be recommended by regulatory authorities. FSSAI regulates that certain infant nutritional food supplements should be packed in BPA free material, similarly standard for making water bottles and the allowable limits of BPA in it can be specified by regulatory authorities.