Determination of plasticizer residues in tea by solid phase extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Human exposure to plasticizers is widespread because these compounds are commonly found in the environment. Nevertheless, studies on human dietary exposure to plasticizers are limited. This research deals with the evaluation of 27 plasticizer residues in tea infusion samples brewed with and without bag. Levels were determined by solid phase extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPE–GC–MS). Only a small number of plasticizer were detected: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and DEP were found in all analyzed samples, while di-methyl phthalate (DMP), bis-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and DiNP in 80, 70 and 10 % of them. Flavored teas showed higher DMP, DEHA and DEHP residues, probably due to the use of essential oils where plasticizers are accumulated. In addition, decaffeinated black tea showed DBP levels 18 times higher compared with the average of the other samples. The plasticizer contents in samples infused with bag was almost always higher than those infused without bag. The evaluation of contribution of infusion teas to phthalate exposure showed that these do not constitute a risk for the consumers.