For the first time, this article provides a comprehensive systematic and analytical review of studies conducted in Iran on the monitoring of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) as emerging and recalcitrant pollutants and the world’s most widely used polymer plasticizers, while also evaluating the most effective strategies for their environmental removal and degradation, with emphasis on biological approaches. Available evidence indicates the presence of phthalates in a wide range of consumer products in Iran, including soft drinks, pasteurized milk, bottled drinking water in PET containers, body detergents, food packaging, and personal care products. Their contamination assessment also showed widespread occurrence in different matrices, with total phthalate concentrations in surface soils of the Saravan, Bushehr, and southern Mashhad landfill sites ranging from 11.47–5804, 238–8688, and 3460–14680 ng/g, respectively. In surface waters of Chabahar Bay and Anzali International Wetland, DBP and DEHP concentrations were reported at 0.03–81.87 µg/L, while their levels in Anzali Wetland sediments reached 43120 ng/g.

Comparison of removal methods showed that bacteria-based biological processes, compared with coagulation, adsorption, and advanced oxidation, are a more sustainable and efficient approach. In Iran, bioreactor application and isolation of indigenous strains such as Gordonia alkanivorans Sh6, Rhodococcus pyridinivorans Sh11, and Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens Shss showed considerable capability for DEHP and DBP degradation. These findings highlight the necessity of developing and applying indigenous biological strategies for effective management of phthalate pollution in Iran.