ACCUMULATION OF MONO-2-ETHYLHEXYLPHTHALATE (MEHP) DURING STORAGE OF WHOLE-BLOOD AND PLASMA

The accumulation of the plasticizer di‐2‐ethylhexyl‐phthalate (DEHP) in blood and blood components has been of considerable concern for some time. We have followed the accumulation of DEHP and one of its major metabolites, mono‐2‐ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP) during storage of whole blood, platelet‐rich plasma, platelet concentrates, and platelet‐poor plasma for periods ranging from 72 hours to four weeks. Both phthalates showed a progressive increase in concentration with time. While the levels of DEHP were much greater than those of MEHP, there was nonetheless a significant and continual increase in MEHP in all preparations. The highest concentrations of both DEHP and MEHP were found in the platelet‐poor plasma, indicating that platelets do not have a major role in the accumulation of the phthalates in blood. The accumulation of MEHP was shown to be a direct result of the metabolism of DEHP by plasma protein(s) rather than leaching from the blood bag. 1978 AABB