Phthalate Esters in Blood, Urine and Breast-milk Samples of Transfused Mothers in Some Hospitals in Ibadan Metropolis Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Phthalate esters which are plasticizers in plastics, other polymers, blood bags and infusion tubes are known to leach extensively into the content. Phthalate esters have been implicated as endocrine disruptors in humans. Therefore, clinically; phthalate esters pose serious health risk, as transfused patients are vulnerable to phthalate esters contamination. In this study the concentrations of some phthalate esters and phthalate esters metabolites in blood serum, urine and breast-milk of some transfused nursing mothers. The study was carried out in some major hospitals in Ibadan metropolis after the receipt of ethical approval. Blood, urine and breast milk samples were obtained from twenty consented transfused nursing mothers and the samples were obtained in replicates. Hexane: dichloromethane 87.5:12.5 v/v was used to extract blood serum. Hexane: dichloromethane 87.5:12.5 v/v was used to extract urine. Hexane: diethyl ether, 50:50 v/v was used to extract breast-milk sample. All extractions were done using ultrasonicator. The extracts were cleanup respectively in a column of silica gel and eluted with hexane: acetonitrile 99.3:0.7 v/v, the cleanup extract was analyzed using HPLC-UV. The concentration of diethyl phthalate was in the range from not detected (nd)-3.03, nd-0.30 and nd-0.94 μg/ml; in breast-milk, urine and blood serum respectively. Dipropyl phthalate ranged from 0.09-1.55, nd-1.2 and nd-7.68 μg/ml; in breast milk, urine and blood serum respectively. Dibutyl phthalate ranged from 0.07-2.22, nd-1.2 and nd-10.74 μg/ml; in breast-milk, urine and blood serum respectively. Monobutyl phthalate ranged from 0.62-15.04, nd-3.2 and nd-7.45 μg/ml; in breastmilk, urine and blood serum respectively. Mono-2-ethyl-5-oxo-hexyl phthalate ranged from 0.84-4.29, nd-1.5 and nd-14.68 μg/ml; in breast milk, urine and blood serum respectively. Level of phthalate esters and metabolites in the samples were high; which is suggestive that the infusion tubes and blood bags may be one of the major clinical sources of phthalate esters contamination in transfused patients.