Phthalate esters extensively used as plasticizers in the plastic industry, are suspected of being endocrine disruptors. In this article, data for toxicity and the possible mechanisms of phthalate ester action in rodents are summarized for each endpoint related to reproduction and development, based on the latest research. As it is considered that the hydrolyzed metabolite of phthalate esters, t...

cern to Blount and co-workers (1) were the significantly higher concentrations of the dibutyl phthalate metabolite in the urine of childbearing-age women (20–40 years) than in that of other segments of the population. The presence of phthalate esters in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) toys has generated the most controversy. Regulators in Greece have completely banned soft PVC toys, and Austria, Denma...

Bacteria from the genus Acinetobacter are opportunistic pathogens and cause harm to humans. In this study a new bacterial strain designated as Acinetobacter sp. 33F was isolated from municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate. This bacterium is useful as it degrades and utilizes dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as sole carbon source. Acinetobacter sp. 33F degraded 82.45% of the initial 2000 mg/L of DBP in min...

Due to health concerns about phthalate esters, the use of alternative plasticizers is being considered. Phthalate esters enhance skin sensitization to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) in mouse models. We have demonstrated that phthalate esters stimulate transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channels expressed on sensory neurons. We also found a correlation between TRPA1 activat...

Tests were performed with the freshwater invertebrates Hyalella azteca, Chironomus tentans, and Lumbriculus variegatus to determine the acute toxicity of six phthalate esters, including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHP), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). It was possible to derive 10-d LC50 (...

Background and Aim: Phthalate esters used in the manufacture of cosmetics, lubricants, medical devices and wood furnishings enter the human system through various routes and accumulate into tissues to a considerable level. Low levels of plasticizer cause infertility, hypospadias and premature puberty, while high doses of esters can damage the liver and lung. Reports on the ocular effects of the...

Phthalate esters are commonly used plasticizers; however, some are suspected to cause reproductive toxicity. Administration of high doses of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) induces germ cell death in male rodents. Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), a hydrolyzed metabolite of DEHP, appears to be responsible for this testicular toxicity; however, the underlying mechanism of this chemical's ...

The American Chemistry Council Phthalate Esters Panel read with great interest the paper by Blount et al. (1) regarding urinary levels of phthalate ester metabolites in a sample set of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) population. We have known for some time of this research, and have provided whatever information and assistance we could to the Centers for ...

A review of the literature reveals that several different phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are capable of causing testicular damage. Phthalate-induced zinc deficiency is consistent with germinal epithelial damage. Among experimental animals, mice perhaps show the greatest sensitivity to phthalate-induced terata, but high doses/exposure are required. Little toxicologic information is available with r...

Self-immolative aryl phthalate esters were conjugated with cleavable masking groups sensitive to light and hydrogen peroxide. The phthalate linker releases the fluorescent dye 7-hydroxycoumarin upon exposure to light or H2O2, respectively, leading to an increase in fluorescence. The light-sensitive aryl phthalate ester is demonstrated as a pro-fluorophore in cultured S2 cells.