Even when people reduced their intake of plastic in food and drinks, levels of a chemical called DEHP in their urine went up. This suggests that DEHP is entering the body through other sources like...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Even when people stop eating food wrapped in plastic, DEHP from dust, air, and lotions still gets into their body through the skin and lungs. Once inside, it gets broken down and shows up in urine — so cutting out plastic food containers doesn’t lower the levels because the chemical is coming from...
Most probable mechanism
DEHP from things like dust, air, and personal care products gets absorbed through the skin or breathed in, then gets broken down in the body and shows up in urine — even when people avoid eating plastic-wrapped food.
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is released from indoor materials such as vinyl flooring, furniture, and personal care products into household dust and air.
DEHP in dust and air is absorbed through the skin during contact or inhaled into the lungs, bypassing gastrointestinal exposure pathways.
Absorbed DEHP is rapidly metabolized in the liver and other tissues into mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and other oxidative metabolites.
These metabolites are filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine, where their concentration reflects total systemic exposure regardless of dietary intake.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH Trial
Contradicting (0)
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Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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