Phthalates in soils, dusts, and leachate from MSW landfills in Southwest China: Occurrence, distribution, and potential health risks

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills may function as an important source of phthalate contamination. However, limited information is available regarding the distribution of phthalates within or around these landfills. This study examined the presence of 15 phthalates in the leachate, on-site soil, dust, and off-site soil at three MSW landfills in Southwest China. Total concentrations were in the range of 263–678 μg/L, 120–2,211, 421–4,465, and 119–2,567 ng/g, respectively. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate was the predominant contaminant identified in the landfill environment, representing 84.0%, 52.6%, and 55.4% of the total phthalate concentrations in leachate, on-site soil, and dust, respectively. In contrast, di- n -octyl phthalate dominated off-site soil, accounting for 61.9% of total phthalates. Source assessment indicated that phthalate pollution in off-site soil likely originated mainly from the mobilization of on-site dust, along with emissions from traffic and human activities. The estimated health risks from phthalates in off-site soil were generally low. However, a lack of information regarding the contamination of MSW landfills with these chemicals necessitates further research on phthalate contamination and the associated risks in specific areas.