Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are the most common plasticizers, approximately 90% of which are used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, but they are also endocrine disruptors that have attracted considerable attention. The metabolism of PAEs in PVC products in China from 1958 to 2019 was studied using dynamic material flow analysis. The results showed that the total consumption of PAEs was 29.2 Mt in the past 60 years. By 2019, the in-use stocks of PAEs were 5.0 Mt. Construction materials were always in the leading position with respect to the consumption and in-use stocks of PAEs. A total PAE loss of 22.7 Mt was generated, of which 68.0% remained in waste distributed in landfills (50.1%), storage sites (5.5%), the environment (44.4%), 12.4% was eliminated during waste incineration and open burning, and 19.6% was emitted into the environment. From 1958 to 2019, 496.4, 55.6, and 3905.0 kt of PAEs were emitted into water, air, and soil, respectively. The use and waste treatment stages contributed 79.3 and 19.9% of the emissions of PAEs in the life cycle, respectively. This study systematically analyzed the metabolism of PAEs at the national level over a long-time span, providing useful information on the life cycle management of PAEs.
Keywords: in-use stocks; life cycle management; material flow analysis; phthalic acid esters; plasticizer; polyvinyl chloride.