Phthalates have been widely used since the 1930s, with 6 million tonnes produced each year worldwide. They are widely used. They are found in plastics, cosmetics, etc. Today, because of their endocrine disrupting effect, the use of some of them is regulated in Europe. But what happens to these molecules when the products containing them reach the end of their life cycle and become waste? RECORD is continuing its work on emerging pollutants at the end of their life cycle, with a particular focus on phthalates. A summary of the literature, supplemented by expert opinions, explains what these molecules are, how they behave in humans and in the environment, and then reviews what is known about their fate in the main waste and wastewater treatment/recovery processes.
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