Quantitative determination and confirmation of identity of trace amounts of dialkyl phthalates in environmental samples.

Alkyl phthalates are used in industry for a wide variety of purposes such as plasticizers, lubricants, and synthetic intermediates. Their use as plasticizers for various types of synthetic resins and plastics is by far their most important industrial use. Recently they have been receiving publicity as possible environmental contaminants, since such plasticizers can volatilize on incineration or be leached from plastics present in landfill projects. Evidence of their presence in soil organic matter (1,2) in water (3), and in fish (4) has been reported. Other reports pertain to their extraction from plastic tubing and from pharmaceutical containers used for storage (5,6). The isolation, identification, and specific localization of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate in bovine heart muscle mitochondria has been reported (7). Furthermore, cause for concern has arisen with regard to their reported teratogenic effect in chick embryos (8) and rat fetuses (9).