plasticizers, are emerging pollutants, and their threat to drinking water.
This study looked at OPEs in drinking water across 79 cities in China. These cities represent 28.8% of China’s population and 44.1% of its GDP. We found that the total concentration of 14 common OPEs in drinking water ranged from 13.42 to 265.48 nanograms per liter. While drinking water exposure was much lower than eating contaminated food, it was about the same as breathing in dust or skin contact.
Our health assessment showed a potential cancer risk from OPEs in drinking water, with levels exceeding 1.00E-6. However, we didn’t see any obvious non-cancer effects, with levels below 1. Tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBPP) was a major player, causing about 72.4% of the cancer risk. This means we should really keep an eye on TDBPP in future studies.
Interestingly, the presence and spread of OPEs in China’s drinking water lined up well with the Aihui-Tengchong Line. We also found that drinking water treatment technology (DWTT) plays a key role. Cities with advanced DWTT had much lower levels of total OPEs, halogeno-OPEs, and alkyl-OPEs in their drinking water compared to cities with conventional DWTT. Advanced treatment reduced cancer risk from OPEs by about 65.6% and non-cancer risk by 36.5%. With OPE consumption growing every year in China and globally, we need more studies to truly understand the environmental threat these compounds pose. What are we waiting for?
