Monte Carlo-simulation risk assessment of oral exposure to bisphenols and phthalates via consumption of carbonated drinks from Iranian market.

Considering the adverse health effects of exposure to bisphenols and phthalates, the current study assessed the risk of oral exposure to bisphenols (A and S) and phthalates through consumption of six types of carbonated drinks. A total of 180 samples of soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer (three flavors each) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and aluminum can packaging were collected from the Iranian market for analysis. Assessment of risk under carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic scenarios was performed using Monte Carlo simulation. The Hazard index (HI) values of bisphenols (A and S) in soft drinks were above one (i.e. moderate risk) only at the 90th percentile for PET packaging and below one at the 50th and 90th percentiles for canned samples. However, HI values for non-alcoholic beer samples in both PET and aluminum can packaging were above one at the 90th percentile. Under the non-carcinogenic scenario for phthalates exposure, the HI values for soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer packaged in aluminum cans and PET bottles were below one at both percentiles, indicating no appreciable risk. Carcinogenic risk assessment for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) revealed that the Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values at both percentiles were below 10-6 across all samples, suggesting negligible carcinogenic risk.