Potential environmental risk assessment of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate emissions from a municipal solid waste landfill leachate

Abstract

Background In certain countries, including Poland, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste, together with di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) contained within (up to 60%), is mostly directed to municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. From there, over time, it is released from the polymer matrix and can migrate with landfill leachate into the environment. The amount of DEHP placed on the Polish market since the start of industrial production and the prevalent landfilling disposal of PVC waste in Poland, indicate that DEHP pollution can increase risk factors in the future. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of DEHP in leachates from a chosen MSW landfill directed to a local sewage treatment plant (STP) and estimate the associated potential risks to the environment. Results DEHP concentrations in leachates ranged from < LOQ to 394.4 µg/L, depending on the sampling year and season. DEHP is a pervasive environmental contaminant present in all investigated landfill leachate samples. The results from The European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) modelling related to DEHP in leachate directed to STP indicated potentially unacceptable risk to freshwater organisms; and birds and mammals feeding on earthworms (where a sewage sludge applications in agriculture take place). The results indicated low risk for other environmental components including local fresh-water sediment, local soil and microorganisms of STP, and freshwater fish-eating birds and mammals. Conclusions Future DEHP emissions may occur after the technical lifetime of the landfill and/or decay its bottom sealing. To avoid contamination, the monitoring of landfills after closure should include DEHP concentrations and last longer than the recommended (inter alia in Poland) 30 years, or until emissions from PVC to leachate are eliminated. More research on leachate of DEHP and its potential risks should be conducted, utilising detailed modelling which can including other landfills and different routes of DEHP emissions in leachates.