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Gas-phase and PM2.5-bound phthalates in nail salons: characteristics, exposure via inhalation, and influencing factors

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of, exposure to, and factors influencing gas-phase and PM2.5-bound phthalates (PAEs) in nail salons. Data on both indoor and outdoor gas-phase and PM2.5-bound PAEs, carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative humidity were collected in nail salons. We also used questionnaires to survey building characteristics and occupants’ behaviors. The average total gas-phase and PM2.5-bound PAE concentrations indoors were higher than those outdoors by 6 and 3 times, respectively. Diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the predominant compounds among both the gas-phase and PM2.5-bound PAEs in indoor air. The volume of the salon’s space or the difference of indoor and outdoor CO2 concentrations (dCO2) was significantly associated with indoor PAE concentrations. The ratios of PM2.5-bound to gas-phase PAEs, especially high-molecular-weight PAEs, were positively associated with the dCO2 concentrations. Higher ratios of indoor to outdoor PM2.5-bound DiBP, DnBP, and DEHP concentrations were discovered when more clients visited each day. Building characteristics, ventilation conditions, and occupants’ activities have influences on the gas-phase and particle-phase PAEs. The study identifies the characteristics of gas-phase and PM2.5-bound PAEs in nail salons and their influencing factors.

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Data availability

The dataset generated and/or analyzed in the current study can be obtained from the corresponding authors on a reasonable request.

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Funding

Funding is acknowledged from the China Medical University (CMU109-N-03) and Min-Hwei Junior College of Health Care Management (MHCHCM109004) for financially supporting this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cosmetology and Health Care, Min-Hwei Junior College of Health Care Management, Tainan City, Taiwan

    Chia-Ling Chang & Hui-Tzu Chen

  2. Department of Occupational Safety and Health, School of Safety and Health Science, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan City, Taiwan

    Chung-Yu Chen

  3. Occupational Environment and Food Safety Research Center, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan City, Taiwan

    Chung-Yu Chen

  4. Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, 40402, Taiwan

    En-Yu Chen, Kuan-Ting Lin & Chien-Cheng Jung

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  1. Chia-Ling Chang
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  2. Hui-Tzu Chen
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Contributions

Chia-Ling Chang: investigation, formal analysis, and writing—original draft. Hui-Tzu Chen: data curation and writing—original draft. Chung-Yu Chen: data curation and writing—original draft. En-Yu Chen: investigation and data curation. Kuan-Ting Lin: investigation and data curation. Chien-Cheng Jung: conceptualization, formal analysis, and writing—original draft, review and editing.

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Correspondence to Chien-Cheng Jung.

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Chang, CL., Chen, HT., Chen, CY. et al. Gas-phase and PM2.5-bound phthalates in nail salons: characteristics, exposure via inhalation, and influencing factors. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 6146–6158 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22606-8

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