Phthalates

Phthalates are industrial chemicals commonly found in many consumer products including, vinyl flooring and wall covering, detergents, lubricating oils, solvents, food packaging, and personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, hair sprays and nail polish. Other phthalates are used in flexible plastics like blood bags, tubing or children's toys, and in some pharmaceutical and pesticide formulations.

Animal studies have found that some phthalates given at very high doses to animals during pregnancy produce birth defects among offspring (1, 2). Table 2 shows the relation between phthalates and their metabolites and also includes their commonly used abbreviations.

Specific Information by individual phthalate
Mono-ethyl phthalate
Mono-butyl phthalate
Mono-benzyl phthalate
Mono-cyclohexyl phthalate
Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate
Mono-n-octyl phthalate
Mono-isononyl phthalate
Mono-ethyl phthalate. People exposed to diethyl phthalate will excrete mono-ethyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-ethyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with diethyl phthalate has occurred. Diethyl phthalate is an industrial solvent used in many consumer products, particularly those containing fragrances. Products that may contain diethyl phthalate include perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, and hand lotion.

Mono-butyl phthalate. People exposed to dibutyl phthalate will excrete mono-butyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-butyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with dibutyl phthalate has occurred. Dibutyl phthalate is an industrial solvent used in many consumer products. Products that may contain dibutyl phthalate include nail polishes, cosmetics, and insecticides.

Mono-benzyl phthalate. People exposed to benzylbutyl phthalate will excrete mono-benzyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-benzyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with benzylbutyl phthalate has occurred. Benzylbutyl phthalate is an industrial solvent used in many consumer products such as adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, and car-care products.

Mono-cyclohexyl phthalate. People exposed to dicyclohexyl phthalate will excrete mono-cyclohexyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-cyclohexyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with dicyclohexyl phthalate has occurred. Dicyclohexyl phthalate is used primarily in research laboratories.

Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate. People exposed to diethylhexyl phthalate will excrete mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with diethylhexyl phthalate has occurred. Diethylhexyl phthalate is primarily used to produce flexible plastics, such as PVC tubing and blood bags. Diethylhexyl phthalate has been removed from most children's toys and food packaging in the United States.

Mono-n-octyl phthalate. People exposed to dioctyl phthalate will excrete mono-n-octyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-n-octyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with dioctyl phthalate has occurred. Dioctyl phthalate is primarily used to produce flexible plastics.

Mono-isononyl phthalate. People exposed to diisononyl phthalate will excrete mono-isononyl phthalate in their urine. The amount of mono-isononyl phthalate is an indicator of how much contact with diisononyl phthalate has occurred. Diisononyl phthalate is primarily used to produce flexible plastics. Diisononyl phthalate is actually a mixture of many compounds. These compounds are produced with side alkyl chains of C8, C9, and C10 isomers.

References

1. Mylchreest E, Cartley RC, Foster PMD. Male reproductive tract malformations in rats following gestational and lactational exposure to dibutyl phthalate: an antiandrogenic mechanism? Toxicol Sci 1998;43:47-60.
2. Thomas JA, Thomas MJ. Biological effects of diethylhexyl phthalate and other phthalic acid esters. Crit Rev Toxicol 1984;13: 283-317