Di‐2–ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) Content of Blood or Blood Components Stored in Plastic Bags

Abstract

Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of plastic bags for blood products, which may be toxic. No more than a trace (less than 0.1 .mu.g/ml) could be detected in anticoagulants in blood bags, or in the blood of heathy untransfused subjects. A mean of 23 .mu.g/ml was found in ACD [acid citrate dextrose solution A] whole blood after 2 wk storage, and 46 .mu.g/ml after 3 wk; the corresponding figures for packed cells were 39 and 45 .mu.g/ml. The level in CPD [citrate phosphate dextrose] whole blood was similar. Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate contained 7 .mu.g/ml, while levels of 1.0 and 0.7 .mu.g/ml of DEHP were found in the blood of 2 patients who had received massive transfusions. Most DEHP in stored blood was associated with plasma lipoproteins.