Disposable sanitary products (DSPs) are made up of various raw materials including natural/synthetic polymers and adhesives. Phthalate esters (PAEs) are the platicizers used in synthetic polymers such as polystyrene. Because PAEs may be intentionally or unintentionally contained in DSPs from the raw materials or manufacturing processes, there has been growing concerns over the exposure to PAEs from the use of DSPs. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate GC-MS method for simultaneous determination of 15 regulated phthalates and bisphenol A in DSPs. Analytical method was developed through optimization of sample preparation using ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS analytical conditions. Developed analytical method was validated following the ICH guideline in terms of specificity, linearity, LOQ, precision, and accuracy. All of method validation parameters satisfied acceptance criteria, suggesting that this method was suitable and reliable for monitoring the target analytes in DSPs. When this method is applied to the commercial DSPs (N=106), 5 PAEs were found and determined. Our simple and reliable method will be useful as the quality control of PAEs levels in DSPs and further contribute to resolve safety issue as an analytical tool for risk assessment of PAEs exposure from the use of DSPs.
