New data reporting phthalates in delta of the Selenga River as the main tributary of Lake Baikal

Abstract

Phthalates are chemical compounds that have been widely used in industrial chemistry and national economy. They are classified as priority toxicants in the system of environmental monitoring of foreign countries. Phthalates are not chemically bonded to the polymer matrix, that is why they easily migrate to the environment during waste disposal of phthalate-containing products as a result of plastic aging and decomposition. Getting into the environment phthalates inevitably accumulate in human bodies and animals, causing disruption of the endocrine system. For the first time 6 priority phthalates were studied in the surface water of the main channels of the Selenga Rivers delta in winter low-water period. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were found in the highest content. Di-octyl phthalate (DOP) was not detected.