Phthalate esters are one of the most frequently detected persistent organic pollutants in the environment. One of the main issues of the existing studies on phthalates is the limitations of the measurement tools as they are mostly based on chromatography and mass spectrometry methods and limited to the analytical laboratories. Towards limiting the impact of phthalates in the environment, there is a critical need to develop sensor solution with capabilities of on-site deployment, and real-time monitoring in environmental and clinical settings. Trace level detection of phthalates, is challenging and generally requires chromatography and mass spectrometry equipment which are expensive, require skillful operation and cannot be miniaturized for point-of-care analysis. The aim of this research programme is to develop novel sensors and detection systems suitable for quantitative assessment of phthalates in different media and develop innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly bioreactors and biofilms for the in-situ biodegradation of phthalates. The wastewater epidemiology approach needs to be refined for plasticizers. It’s quite established for narcotics, yet there is a crucial need for more complex molecules studies with many transformation pathways. Despite some data on phthalates in WWTPs, there is little information on the partitioning of phthalates to sludge. The sludge is then landspread in a lot of countries. There is some evidence that phthalate diesters and monoesters in soil then affect the microbial consortium in soil, and then affects crops. Also uptake to crops. Landspreading leads to human exposure therefore in at least two ways: a) inhalation due to landspreading dusts in the air, and b) also potentially in crops. This goal will be addressed with a multidisciplinary approach involving a combination of classical biochemical, medicine and endocrinology techniques with bioengineering and environmental management methods.