QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF DI (2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE (DEHP) IN HEMODIALYSIS- RELATED MATERIALS

Introduction: Phthalates are founded in medical devices such as filters and dialysis catheters. Scientific evidences show health disadvantages due to exposure to phthalates. In this study, level of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in Iranian hemodialysis-related materials was measured. Methods: Ten samples of Iranian dialysis catheters (five samples from SUPA medical devices company (SUPA-MDC) and five samples from Helal Ahmar- MDC) were randomly selected. The level of DEHP for each sample was measured by Gas chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Mean concentrations of DEHP (mg per ml) for each brand was reported separately. Results: Means of DEHP concentration for SUPA- MDC and Helal Ahmar- MDC were 1.36±0.11 and 0.97±0.11 mg/ml, respectively. Range of measured concentrations differed from 1.47 to 1.21 mg/ml and 1.13 to 0.83 mg/ml, for SUPA- and Helal Ahmar-MDCs respectively. Conclusion: Application of alternative medical products without or with less phthalate could reduce exposure of patients to phthalates.