Background: This study investigated the contamination levels of phthalates (PAEs) in Baijiu (Chinese liquor) from Sichuan Province, China, and assessed the associated dietary exposure and health risks for the local adult population. Methods: Commonly consumed Baijiu products were collected from Sichuan Province. PAEs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Daily dietary exposure was estimated by combining the measured PAE concentrations with local Baijiu consumption data obtained from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2022 (CNHS 2022). Results: 5 PAEs were detected in these samples. Among these PAEs-positive samples, the detection rates were as follows: primarily di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (detection rate 75.69%), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (40.33%), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (20.44%), di-(2-ethyl) phthalate (DEHP) (11.05%), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (8.29%). DBP showed the highest mean concentrations of 0.44 mg kg-1. The cumulative exposure from Baijiu alone was significantly below the safety threshold (hazard index, HI <1). And a risk assessment based on relative potency factors (RPFs) further indicated that the cumulative exposures (mean 0.315 μg kg-1 bw d-1, P95 1.904 μg kg-1 bw d-1) were well below the group-tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 50 μg kg-1 bw d-1. However, after proportionally adjusting the group-TDI based on Baijiu’s estimated contribution (2.16%) to total dietary PAE exposure, a Baijiu-specific adjusted limit of 1.08 μg kg-1 bw d-1 was derived. Compared to this stricter limit, the mean exposure from Baijiu (0.315 μg kg-1 bw d-1) remained within the safe range, whereas the P95 exposure (1.904 μg kg-1 bw d-1) exceeded it by 76.63%, indicating a potential risk for high-consumption individuals. Conclusions: In summary, PAE exposure via Baijiu is low-risk for most but concerning for high consumers. This highlights the need for enhanced monitoring, stricter controls on DBP, and promoting moderate intake.
Zhao et al. (Sat,) studied this question.