Knowledge and Awareness of Anesthesiologists about Di(2-EthylHexyl) Phthalate in Turkey: A Survey Study

Year 2025, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 31 - 46, 12.03.2025

Nilay Boztaş

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and experiences of anesthesiologists in Turkey about the presence and hazards of DEHP and increase their awarenesses.

Materials and Methods: The questionnaire study consisting of web based 20 survey questions about DEHP is sent to anesthesiologists in Turkey via electronic mail. Participants were asked questions about whether they heard the name of the DEHP, whether they knew the harmful effects that the DEHP could cause, and whether it was the effect of DEHP in the selection of the operating room and intensive care medical supplies.

Results: We determined that 70% of anesthesiologists have never heard of ‘the name or notion of DEHP. The study also demonstrates that 90-95% of them do not know whether the medical supplies that they use contain DEHP and they suffer from lack of knowledge about the purchase and selection of medical supplies.

Conclusion: According to the data of this research, the majority of the anesthesiologists in Turkey have insufficient information about DEHP. In order to prevent this threat, there is a need for multidisciplinary working from industrial organizations to health institutions.

Keywords

Keywords: Anesthesiologist, Diethylhexyl Phthalate, Surveys and Questionnaires.

References

• 1. ATSDR. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2002) Toxicological profile for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. URL: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp9.pdf
• 2. Hall AG. Nurses: Taking precautionary action on a pediatric environmental exposure: DEHP. Pedıatrıc Nursıng 2006;32:91-3.
• 3. Latini G. Monitoring phthalate exposure in humans. Clin Chim Acta 2005;361:20-9
• 4. Tickner JA, Schettler T, Guidotti T, McCally M, Rossi M. Health risks posed by use of Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) in PVC Medical Devices: A critical review. Am J Ind Med 2001;39:100-11.
• 5. Heudorf U, Mersch-Sundermann V, Angerer J. Phthalates: Toxicology and exposure. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2007;210: 623–34.
• 6. Bradbury J. UK panics over phthalates in babymilk formulae. Lancet 1996;347:1541
• 7. Wensing M, Uhde E, Salthammer T. Plastics additives in the indoor environment-Flame retardants and plasticizers. Sci Total Environ 2005;339:19-40.
• 8. Schettler T. Human exposure to phthalates via consumer products. Int J Androl 2006;29: 134–9
• 9. Koch HM, Rossbach B, Drexler H, Angerer J. Internal exposure of the general population to DEHP and other phthalates—determination of secondary and primary phthalate monoester metabolites in urine. Environ Res 2003;93:177– 85.
• 10. Lottrup G, Andersson AM, Leffers H, Mortensen GK, Toppari J, Skakkebaek NE, Main KM. Possible impact of phthalates on infant reproductive health. Int J Androl 2006;29:172–80.
• 11. Silva MJ, Reidy JA, Herbert AR, Preau JL, Needham LL, Calafat AM. Detection of phthalate metabolites in human amniotic fluid. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2004;72:1226–31.
• 12. Latini G, Del Vecchio A, Massaro M, Verrotti A, DE Felice C. In utero exposure to phthalates and fetal development. Curr Med Chem 2006;13:2527–34.
• 13. Green R, Hauser R, Calafat AM, Weuve J, Schettler T, Ringer S, et al. Huttner K, Hu H. Use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalatecontaining medical products and urinary levels of mono(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate in neonatal intensive care unit infants. Environ Health Perspect 2005; 113:1222-5.
• 14. Erkekoğlu P, Giray B, Durmaz E, Özmert E, Kızılgün M, Derman O, et al. Fitalat teması ile plazma amilaz ve lipaz düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin pubertal jinekomasti hastalarında değerlendirilmesi. Türk Ped Arş 2010;45:366-70.
• 15. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety Assessment: Safety Assessment of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) Released from PVC Medical Devices. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. URL:https://www.fda.gov/downloads/MedicalDevices/.../UCM080457.pdf