DELIVERY OF DI-2-ETHYLHEXYL PHTHALATE TO PATIENTS DURING HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

The plasticizer di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) can be leached from plastic bags used to store blood. During hemodialysis patient''s blood is in contact with various plastic tubings; thus, studies were undertaken to determine how much, if any, DEHP was delivered into patients undergoing hemodialysis. Serial arterial and venous blood samples were drawn into glass syringes; serum was separated in acid-washed glass test tubes and stored at -80.degree. C until analyzed for DEHP by GLC. DEHP was delivered to each of 9 patients studied. The amount delivered increased with the length of dialysis, up to 150 mg during a 5-h hemodialysis. The metabolic fate and toxicity, if any, of infused DEHP remains to be determined.