In this study, 72 single-use medical products, grouped
into four
categories, namely, creams/liquids (n= 8), medical
devices (n= 46; 15 of 46 labeled “di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
(DEHP)-free”), first aid products (n= 13),
and intravenous (IV) infusion/irrigation fluids (n= 5), were collected from an intensive care unit in a hospital in
New York State in 2015 and analyzed for the migration of 10 phthalates
in ethanol/water (1:1) mixture for 1 h. The total phthalate concentration
(Σphthalates) leached from medical products ranged
from 0.04 to 54,600 μg. DEHP was the major phthalate found in
99% of the samples analyzed, with the highest amount leached from
respiratory support devices (median: 6560 μg). DEHP was also
found at notable concentrations in products labeled as “DEHP-free”.
Direct exposure to phthalates from the use of medical devices and
first aid supplies and dermal intake from the use of creams/lotions
were calculated. The highest DEHP exposure dose of 730 μg/kg
bw/day was determined from the use of cannula for neonates. This is
the first study to document the amount of phthalates leached from
various medical supplies and associated exposures.