Author(s)

I. Loureiro, I.M.R. de Andrade Bruning & I. Moreira

Abstract

Phthalate contamination in potable waters of Rio de Janeiro City I. Loureiro, I.M.R. de Andrade Bruning & I. Moreira PUC/RJ Department of Chemistry, Brazil Abstract Phthalates are the most used plasticizers in industrial products. They have low toxicity, but have frequently been an object of environmental concern because of their worldwide distribution in ecosystems. Their presence and concentrations in the environment indicate a region's industrialization degree. Phthalates have also been investigated as an endocrine disruptor, especially in the reproductive system. This work studies phthalate contamination levels in tap water from thirteen different regions of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The samples were solid phase extracted in Qg disks and the obtained acetone extracts were analysed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Extraction recoveries were calculated using surrogate standards, diphenyl phthalate and di- isophenyl phthalate, and provided value

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