Delivery of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate to patients during hemodialysis.

It has been determined that 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 degrees C. until analyzed for DEHP by gas-liquid chromatography. DEHP was delivered to each of nine patients studied. The amount delivered increased with the length of dialysis, up to 150 mg. during a 5-hour hemodialysis. The metabolic fate and toxicity, if any, of infused DEHP remains to be determined.