The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has just issued a report in English called Human Exposure to Selected Phthalates in Denmark. The report analyses human exposure to five of the most commonly used phthalates, DEHP, DBP, DINP, DIDP and BBP.
 
Human exposure to phthalates is taking place because the phthalates are not chemically bound in the PVC products, in which they are used as plasticizers. The phthalates are migrating off the products, after which they end either in the aquatic environment or in the air, whereupon there is a possibility of human exposure.
 
The report concludes that the Danes are getting the largest amount of the five analysed phthalates via the food. In the foodstuffs the phthalates may come from the environment, which is exposed to phthalates. Thus there is found phthalates in seawater, freshwater, air and dust in the atmosphere. The phthalates are typically coming from flooring, wall coverings, cars’ interior, tarpaulins, tents, garden hoses, toys and clothing.
 
The report shows that there is still a great demand of getting more data as regards the concentrations of the various phthalates in both foodstuffs and also in consumer goods and the environment.
 
The report concludes that children on an average are exposed up to ten times as much compared to adults, especially infants of the age of six to twelve months. As regards the children, a considerable source is contact with phthalate containing toys.
 
The evaluation of the report is based on concrete measuring of the substances in food stuffs, consumer goods, indoor climate and the outdoor environment and computer calculations.
 
One of the authors of the report, Ole Ladefoged of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, has commented on the outcome of the report in the media. A summary from the media can be read in English here.
 

See also on this website No General Risk to Human Health from the Plastiziser DEHP