Diethylhexyl-phthalate

The rapid movement in the global phthalates market away from using plasticisers 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in favour of alternative products was underscored recently when BASF revealed plans to close its 2-EH and DEHP plants in Germany. The restructuring in Europe will have no effect on BASF s plasticiser portfolio in Nafta and Asia, however, where the company will continue to offer 2-EH and DEHP. About 70% of the plasticiser maiket volume is phthalates, and plasticisers make up about 60% of the plastic additives maiket. PVC accounts for 80-90% of global plasticiser consumption. In October 2003, California added DEHP to the state s list of more than 750 chemicals known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm. Previous studies had shown that the chemical can leach from plastic bags that contain intravenous fluids, blood, tube feedings or other medical treatment, and thereby enter the bodies of patients. 

We are told that a Scientific Committee of the European Commission has addressed toxicity concerns about PVC plasticised with diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) when used in certain medical applications. It has reached conclusions which differ from those reached by some other organisations. This article discusses the basis for these opinions in detail. 7 refs. 

In an early report of the 1982 annual results of the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS), a compound identified as di- -octylphthalate was reportedly detected in 31% of the composite human adipose tissue samples taken in the various regions of the United States that year. Concentrations in lipid ranged from below the level of detection (9 ng/sample) to a maximum of 850 ng/g (EPA 1986d). However, a later report of the 1982 results stated that the chemical detected was not di- -octylphthalate, but was actually diethylhexyl phthalate (EPA 1989b). 

Albro PW, Thomas R, Fishbein L. 1973. Metabolism of diethylhexyl phthalate by rats Isolation and characterization of the urinary metabolites. J Chromotogr 76 321-330. 

Jansson et al. [189] were able to use the SX3 Biobeads and a mobile phase of dichloromethane in hexane (1 1) to make a further separation of the chloro-paraffins from lipids and other organochlorine pollutants. Using diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) as a marker, they collected the appropriate fractions to isolate the chloroparaffins and other pollutants. 

Howdeshell KL, Purr J, Lambright CR, Rider CV, Wilson VS, Gray LE (2007) Cumulative effects of dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate on male rat reproductive tract development altered fetal steroid hormones and genes. Toxicol Sci 99 190-202... 

The plasticizer diethylhexyl phthalate induces malformations by decreasing fetal testosterone synthesis during sexual differentiation in the male rat. Toxicol Sci 58 339-349... 

Examples of GC-MS data for typical total extracts from rural and urban aerosol particle samples (analyzed as silylated derivatives) (a) total ion current (TIC) trace for Oakridge, OR, rural aerosol (Jan/Feb. 1985) and (b) TIC trace for Pasadena, CA, aerosol (Feb. 1989), DEHP = diethylhexyl phthalate, lA = carbon chain length of -alkanoic acids. 

Synonyms DEHP bis(2-ethylhexyl)phtha-late diethylhexyl phthalate di-xec-octyl phthalate... 

Polyvinyl chloride can be shaped into clear, soft flexible tubing and sheets with the aid of using plasticizers such as diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Polyvinyl chloride resins are used for children s toys, automobile seat covers, and for catheters used for intravenous transfusion of blood and nutrients in hospitals and homes. When DEHP was suspected of leaching out of the products, and of being a carcinogen, substitutions were developed with polyvinylacetate and polyethylene. However, these substitutes are not yet totally satisfactory, as they cannot be steam sterilized, and they are not as clear and flexible as PVC. 

Phthalate, Butyl Benzyl Butyl Benzyl Phthalate Phthalate, Dibutyl Dibutyl Phthalate, n Phthalate, Diethylhexyl Diethylhexyl Phthalate Phthalate, Dimethyl Dimethyl Phthalate Phthalate, Dioctyl Di-n-octyl Phthalate Vinyl Acetate Ethers Fluoride Ion Glycols... 

James, N.H., Soames, A.R. Roberts, R.A. (1998) Suppression of hepatocyte apoptosis and induction of DNA synthesis by the rat and mouse hepatocarcinogen diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and the mouse hepatocarcinogen 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB). Arch Toxicol., 12, 784-790... 

National Toxicology Program (1997a) Diethylhexyl phthalate. Environ. Health PerspecL, 105 (Suppl. 1), 241-242... 

National Toxicology Program (1997b) Diethylhexyl phthalate, juvenile exposure, mouse. 

NTIS (National Technical Information Service) (1988) Reproduction and Fertility Evaluation of Diethylhexyl Phthalate (CAS No 117-81-7) in CD-I Mice Exposed during Gestation (PB88-204300, 04-15-88), Springfield, VA... 

Tugwood, J.D., Holden, P.R., James, N.H., Prince, R.A. Roberts, R.A. (1998) A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARa) cDNA cloned from guinea-pig liver encodes a protein with similar properties to the mouse PPARa implications for species differences in responses to peroxisome proliferators. Arch. Toxicol., 72, 169-177 Turner, J.H., Petricciani, J.C., Crouch, M.L. Wenger, S. (1974) An evaluation of the effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on mitotically capable cells in blood packs. Transfusion, 14, 560-566... 

WHO (1992) Diethylhexyl Phthalate (Environmental Health Criteria 131), Geneva, International Programme on Chemical Safety... 

Studies conducted by different authors on the release of chemical substances from medical devices, mainly those used for infusing solutions, show that these are potential sources of contamination for pharmaceutical formulations. One of the most studied is diethylhexyl phthalate, the same plasticizer found in PVC infusion bags to give flexibility. The same concerns about the use of PVC bags for the storage of lipids or lipophilic formulations are valid for tubing. 

Various chemicals, such as the fibrate (e.g., clofibrate, bezafibrate, and ciprofibrate) and other lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., Wy-14643) and phthalate plasticizers (e.g., diethylhexyl phthalate), bind to and activate PPARa and are also hepa to carcinogenic in rodents. However, different compounds bind with different affinities, from strong (e.g., Wy-14643) to weak (e.g., phthalates). Thus, it is believed that peroxisomal proliferators act via the receptor (PPARa) to cause some of the effects seen. 

Figure 13. Mechanical damping of PVC plasticized with diethylhexyl phthalate (30)...

Environmental Health Criteria 131, Diethylhexyl Phthalate, Wodd Health Oiganization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1992. 

Kayali, N., F.G. Tamayo, and L.M. Polo-Diez. 2006. Determination of diethylhexyl phthalate in water by solid phase microextraction coupled to high performance liquid chromatography. Talanta 69 1095-1099. 

Bluthgen A. 2000. Organic migration agents into milk at farm level (illustrated with diethylhexyl phthalate). Bull Int Dairy Fed356 39-42. 

Faouzi MA, Dine T, Luyckx M, et al. 1994. Leaching of diethylhexyl phthalate from PVC bags into intravenous teniposide solution. Int J Pharm 105 89-93. 

Gray LE, Wolf C, Lambright C, et al. 1999. Administration of potentially antiandrogenic pesticides (procymidone, linuron, iprodione, chlozolinatc,/ ./ -DDE, and ketoconazole) and toxic substances (dibutyl-and diethylhexyl phthalate, PCB 169, and ethane dimethane sulphonate) during sexual differentiation produces diverse profiles of reproductive malformation in the male rat. Toxicol Ind Health 15 94-118. 

Hopkins J. 1983. Is diethylhexyl phthalate genotoxic Food Chem Toxicol 21 684-687. 

Muhlenkamp CR, Gill SS. 1998. A glucose-regulated protein, GRP58, is down-regulated in C57B6 mouse liver after diethylhexyl phthalate exposure. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 148 101-108. 

Nair N, Kurup CK. 1986. Investigations on the mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic action of diethylhexyl phthalate in rats. Biochan Pharmacol 35 3441-3448. 

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