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Sources of Exposure for Phthalate Parent Compounds
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Phthalates have far-reaching exposure and has a number of exposure routes.
Far-Reaching Exposures to Phthalates
- Phthalates are used in the production of a number of commonly used products, and are ubiquitous in air environment. See our listing of commonly used phthalate containing products.
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Phthalate compounds
- DEHP is primarily used as a plasticizer in the manufacture of PVC which is used in consumer products, flooring, and wall coverings as well as food packaging and medical devices.
- Exposure to DEHP can also occur in the workplace (manufacture of DEHP or DEHP containing products or workers using these products), during consumer use of these products or through the environment - food, air, water and dust.
- Inclusion of DEHP in products to which young children are exposed such as toys and medical devices are of particular concern to regulators because of the genetic vulnerability of the population.
- DBP and DEP are used as solvents and plasticizers, in making lacquers, varnishes, personal care products (perfumes, lotions and cosmetics) and coatings including those used in time-released pharmaceuticals.
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Populations are exposed to phthalates by multiple routes:
- Oral via food, water, and other liquids and in children through mouthing of toys and tethers.
- Dermal via cosmetics and other personal care products.
- Inhalation from phthalates volatizing from PVC compounds, nail polish, hair spray, air fresheners, and other phthalate containing products.
| Phthalate Parent Compound | Potential Sources of Exposure |
|---|---|
| Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) | PVC containing medical tubing, blood storage bags, medical devices, (neonatal) intensive care products such as intravenous fluid bags, plasma bags, feeding tubes, nasogastric tubes, umbilical catheters, hemodialysis tubing, respiratory masks, endotracheal tubing, examination gloves, food contamination, food packaging, indoor air, plastic toys, wall coverings tablecloths, floor tiles, furniture upholstery, shower curtains, garden hoses, swimming pool liners, rainwater, baby pants, dolls, some toys, shoes, automobile upholstery and tops, packaging film and sheets, and sheathing for wire and cable. |
| Diethyl phthalate (DEP) | Cosmetics, nail polish, deodorant, hairspray perfumes/cologne, lotions, aftershave, pharmaceuticals/herbal coating, insecticide. |
| Di-sononyl phthalate | Children’s toys. |
| Di-butyl phthalate (DBP) | Nail polish, make-up, aftershave, perfumes, pharmaceuticals/herbal coating, chemiluminescent glow sticks. |
| Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) | Children’s toys |
| Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) | Medicines, cosmetics, cellulose acetate plastics, latex adhesives, in nail polish and other cosmetic products, as a plasticizer in cellulose plastics, as a solvent for certain dyes. |
| Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) | Vinyl flooring, adhesives, sealants, food packaging, furniture upholstery, vinyl tile, carpet tiles, and artificial leather and is also used in certain adhesives. |
| Di-methyl phthalate (DMP) | Insecticides, indoor air, adhesives, hairstyling products, shampoo, aftershave. |