Plasticizer leeching

With the advent of modern medical principles, the medical usage of leeches waned somewhat. In more recent years, however, they did stage a limited comeback. They were occasionally used to drain blood from inflamed tissue, and in procedures associated with plastic surgery. 

WFI is quite corrosive, especially at 85°C, and it can promote leeching from even high-grade stainless steel piping. Addition of ozone to the WFI can alleviate this, as the ozone s microcidal properties facilitate prolonged storage/circulation of the water at 25°C. Other innovations in this field include replacement of stainless steel pipework with chemically inert plastics. However, extensive tests need to be undertaken in order to prove that WFI cannot leach potentially dangerous substances from these plastics before their use will become routine. 

Exposure to dibutyl phthalate is usually by inhalation. It is known to leech out from finished plastics into blood, milk, and other food materials and, therefore, can be ingested orally. Dermal and ocular exposures are also possible. 

Schalk, G., Forbes, M. R., and Weatherfaead, P. j., 2002, Developmental plasticity and growth rates of green frog Rana clamitans) embryos and tadpoles in relation to a leech Macrobdella decora) predator, Copeia 2002 445-449. 

Styrene is used for the production of rubber, plastics, coatings, and paints. In those production facilities it may be released to the air and water. Polyst3U ene containers may also leech styrene. 

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