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Project title

Potential Sources and Environmental Fates of Certain Phthalates

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University (DCU)

Lead Applicant

Jenny Lawler

Project Abstract

The proposed research will establish the monitoring and analysis of eleven priority phthalates in Ireland, in order to assess the potential sources and environmental fate of this emerging group of environmental pollutants. Passive sampling combined with standard sampling techniques will be used to evaluate the presence of these compounds in Irish surfacewater, wastewater, treated wastewater, municipal solid waste, compostable waste and dry recyclables, sludge, landfill leachate, and soil. The project will also pioneer the use of sewage as a biomarker for human health in an Irish context. The impact of such study would be the analysis of priority phthalates from source to fate, in order to inform environmental policy on the risks posed by phthalate usage. While some studies have been done on problematic phthalates in other countries in various matrices, no institute has done an in-depth study on the impact of phthalates on the Irish environment and potential associated human exposures and health risks. This project will develop new technologies to inform the Irish EPA and the public on the condition of phthalate presence, and the impact it is having on human health through sewage epidemiology, using a collaborative group of national and international leading experts in this field. This project targets a number of major outputs which will impact various stakeholders, including the scientific and research community, policy makers, and the general public. Each of them will be reached by various means, such as: 1) the main output for the scientific audience is peer-reviewed publications which will present the results of this project and impact the research community by providing significant and novel contributions in the area of phthalate research and the potential sources and environmental fates of priority phthalates in Ireland.; 2) a set of recommendations will be formed and delivered to policy makers in Law and Government domains associated with water and environmental compliance, this will give an opportunity to the policy bodies to take into account the most recent and valuable results of the project and implement policies accordingly; 3) general public is the most sensitive stakeholder in the area of the health impacts of pthalates, it is vital to provide explicit information to the public about project and its outcomes by means of infosheets, open days and a digital marketing campaign. This will inform citizens and give them clear understanding of how science and research can help them in their daily life and health.

Grant Approved

�351,246.71

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Health and well being

Start Date

01/02/2016

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/02/2019