Occurrence and concentrations of benzotriazole UV stabilizers in sediments from industrialized coastal regions, South Korea

Abstract

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) are a class of plastic additives that are used in polypropylene and ABS (Acrylonitril, Butadiene and Styrene) copolymer products, which in turn are employed in building, automobile and consumer materials. Among several BUVSs, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole (UV-326), 2,4-di-t-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2Hbenzotriazole-2-yl) phenol (UV-327), 2-(2H-benzotriazole-2yl)-4,6-di-t-pentylphenol (UV-328) are commonly used and toxic to animals (alterations in sex hormones, developmental effects etc.). The 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol (UV-320) is prohibited from production, usage and import, because of its potential for bioaccumulation and toxicities to liver and other tissues in laboratory mammals. However, environmental data on these compounds are still very limited. Therefore, level and distribution of these BUVs were investigated in sediments (n=84) from two highly industrialized coastal regions in South Korea i.e. Ulsan (n=47) and Busan (n=37) with different characteristics (i.e., population and potential source in the catchment). Their frequent detection ranged from n.d.-174 (UV-320), n.d.-168 (UV-326), n.d.-139 (UV-327) and 0.1-168 ng/g dw (UV-328) indicated widespread use. The overall average concentration was highest for UV-320 (19.2±34 ng/g dw) followed by UV-328(14.6±26 ng/g dw), UV-327(8.9±19 ng/g dw) and UV-326(6.9±22 ng/g . Among several BUVSs, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole (UV-326), 2,4-di-t-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2Hbenzotriazole-2-yl) phenol (UV-327), 2-(2H-benzotriazole-2yl)-4,6-di-t-pentylphenol (UV-328) are commonly used and toxic to animals (alterations in sex hormones, developmental effects etc.). The 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenol (UV-320) is prohibited from production, usage and import, because of its potential for bioaccumulation and toxicities to liver and other tissues in laboratory mammals. However, environmental data on these compounds are still very limited. Therefore, level and distribution of these BUVs were investigated in sediments (n=84) from two highly industrialized coastal regions in South Korea i.e. Ulsan (n=47) and Busan (n=37) with different characteristics (i.e., population and potential source in the catchment). Their frequent detection ranged from n.d.-174 (UV-320), n.d.-168 (UV-326), n.d.-139 (UV-327) and 0.1-168 ng/g dw (UV-328) indicated widespread use. The overall average concentration was highest for UV-320 (19.2±34 ng/g dw) followed by UV-328(14.6±26 ng/g dw), UV-327(8.9±19 ng/g dw) and UV-326(6.9±22 ng/g