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Merck

Transfer of eight phthalates through the milk chain--a case study.

Environment international (2012-11-10)
T Fierens, M Van Holderbeke, H Willems, S De Henauw, I Sioen
ABSTRACT

This survey determined the levels of eight phthalates - i.e. dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) - in several Belgian milk and dairy products. Samples were obtained from various farms, a dairy factory and from different shops in order to investigate phthalate contamination "from farm to fork". At several stages in the milk chain, product contamination with phthalates - mostly DiBP, DnBP, BzBP and DEHP - was observed. At farm level, the mechanical milking process and the intake of phthalate containing feed by the cattle were found to be possible contamination sources. At industry and retail level, contact materials including packaging materials were additional contamination sources for phthalates in milk and dairy products.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Potassium phthalate monobasic, puriss. p.a., ≥99.5% (T)
Sigma-Aldrich
Potassium phthalate monobasic, ACS reagent, acidimetric standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Diethyl phthalate, 99.5%
Supelco
Potassium phthalate monobasic, reference material for titrimetry, certified by BAM, >99.5%
Sigma-Aldrich
Diethyl phthalate, ≥99%
Supelco
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, PESTANAL®, analytical standard
Supelco
Dibutyl phthalate, PESTANAL®, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Dimethyl phthalate, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Dibutyl phthalate, 99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Phthalic acid, ACS reagent, ≥99.5%
Sigma-Aldrich
Diisobutyl phthalate, 99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Phthalic acid, reagent grade, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Dioctyl phthalate, ≥99.5%
Sigma-Aldrich
Potassium hydrogen phthalate, BioXtra, ≥99.95%
Supelco
Density Standard 1191 kg/m3, H&D Fitzgerald Ltd. Quality
Supelco
Dibutyl phthalate, certified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland
Supelco
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, certified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland