The presence of five plasticizer phthalates in bags and sets for intravenous administration and hemodialyzers (HD), which are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and of other polymeric materials, was investigated. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in PVC is the only authorized phthalate by regulatory agencies. Phthalate determination was carried out by high resolution liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with UV detection. The results showed that the infusion bags that are made of both PVC and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) contained only DEHP. In contrast, the tubing of infusion sets and of HD (as well as the cellulose capillaries of HD) contained not only DEHP but also dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Moreover, all five investigated phthalates were found in HD polysulfone capillaries. Migration of DEHP into the stored solutions (amino acids, glucose and saline) in bags occurred at different rates from one polymer to another. While DEHP from PVC bags was found in solutions within the first days of contact, the migration from EVA bags started only after approximately 6 months of solution storage. Since PVC and non-PVC devices (as well as capillaries of HD sets) contain DEHP and other phthalate-based plasticizers, the extent of the risk that they pose to patients remains a matter of concern.
phthalates; infusion sets; hemodializers; PVC bags; EVA bags
