2. Academic Validation
  3. Human exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs): A meta-analytic review of levels and distribution

Human exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs): A meta-analytic review of levels and distribution

  • J Hazard Mater. 2025 Sep 15:496:139496. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139496.
Wenjun Li 1,  Yunyan Liu 2,  Qi Song 3,  Qiao Zeng 2,  Junlong Chen 2,  Ruotong Ma 4,  Xianggui Chen 2,  Bing Shao 2,  Lijun Wang 2,  Zhongfan Wang 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Food and Bioengineering, Food Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xihua University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, PR China.
  • 2 School of Food and Bioengineering, Food Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Xihua University, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
  • 3 School of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, PR China. Electronic address: songqi@swufe.edu.cn.
  • 4 School of Business Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
PMID: 40784121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139496
Abstract

With the global increase in organophosphate ester (OPE) usage, contamination has extended beyond environmental media into the human body, raising significant biosafety concerns. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of 254,581 data points from 98 studies spanning multiple regions worldwide. This large-scale synthesis allowed us to minimize regional bias and generate a quantitative profile of human OPE contamination and related risks. Our findings revealed notably high levels of TPHP and TCIPP in human samples. Additionally, we identified a significant correlation between OPE hydrophobicity (logKow) and their distribution between dynamic and cumulative biological matrices. Subgroup analyses further demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between national Environmental Performance Index (EPI) scores and population-level OPE contamination, underscoring the role of environmental governance in reducing chemical exposure and biosafety risks. Based on these findings, we estimated adults' daily internal exposure doses and evaluated the corresponding health risks. Although exposure to eleven OPEs remained below established safety thresholds, our results highlight the need for ongoing efforts to curb environmental OPE emissions and promote safer chemical alternatives.

Keywords

Human expose; Meta-analysis; Organophosphate ester; Risk.

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