Dibutyl phthalate-Application, Uses, Toxicity, Mechanism of action

Physical and Chemical Properties

Dibutyl phthalate is a colorless transparent oily liquid with a slight aromatic odor. It is insoluble in water, soluble in common organic solvents and hydrocarbons. It is obtained by using phthalic anhydride and n-butanol as raw materials, sulfuric acid or non-acidic material as a catalyst, and performing an esterification reaction under normal pressure.Dibutyl phthalate is one of the widely used plasticizers, and is the main plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride resins and nitrocellulose coatings. It can also be used as a plasticizer and softener for natural rubber and synthetic rubber. It has good compatibility with pigments and can be used for the coloring of plastic products, artificial leather and films.

The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) concludes that the total exposure of individuals to dibutyl phthalate in the general population is lower than the daily tolerable intake (TDI) ), Only in some special groups need to work hard to reduce exposure. It should be non-toxic, as long as it is not taken orally. Basically harmless to the body.

Fig 1. Chemical structure formula and three-dimensional structure of Dibutyl phthalate

Application

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers in a variety of consumer products and household industries. However, PAEs have been found to have potential adverse effects on human reproduction . Among PAEs, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most commonly used, and its consumption is growing rapidly globally. Accumulating evidence has shown that DBP is an environmental endocrine disruptor with reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity and potential carcinogenic effects .

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a widely used plasticizer. It is widely used in various plastic products such as food packaging and medical devices. It is an important global organic pollutant.As a common semi-volatile organic compounds(SVOC),dibutyl phthalate may have associations with asthma, eye symptoms and eczema in children[1].Once in the ecosystem, it will enter the body with water, food intake, and air inhalation. In which infants and children are more diversified.DBP has estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities in vitro and is recognized as an environmental estrogen.It has been shown that DBP exposure enhances AROM expression in zebrafish , but whether the same mechanism exists in mammals is unknown[2].Infants are at a critical stage of development, and the risk of DBP pollution to infants cannot be ignored. Numerous studies have shown that DBP has embryonic development, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disrupting effects[3]，[4].

Toxicity

 Analysis of liver toxicity

DBP can indeed cause lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice and lead to the occurrence of early liver damage.DBP is a toxic substance in the liver.After entering the body, DBP can quickly dissolve into the blood, and eventually cause changes in the liver tissue morphology.

 Analysis of reproductive toxicity

DBP is able to penetrate the blood-testis barrier, which in turn interferes with sperm growth and development, and eventually leads to an increase in the rate of sperm distortion.DBP can cause a significant increase in the rate of sperm deformity, indicating that the substance has potential teratogenicity. In addition, DBP can penetrate the blood-testicular barrier, and then interfere with the growth and development of sperm, eventually leading to an increase in the rate of sperm distortion. DBP is a genotoxic compound with potential mutagenic effects on male germ cells.

References

[1] Fan GT, Xie JC, Yoshino H, et al.Environmental conditions in homes with healthy and unhealthy schoolchildren in Beijing, China[J].Build Environ, 2017, 112 (8) :270-84.
[2] Li X, Jiang L, Cheng L, et al.Dibutyl phthalate-induced neurotoxicity in the brain of immature and mature rat offspring[J].Brain Dev, 2014, 36 (8) :653-60.
[3] Percy Z, Xu Y, Sucharew H, et al.Gestational exposure to phthalates and gender-related play behaviors in 8-year-old children:an observational study[J].Environ Health, 2016, 15 (1) :87.
[4] Kim JI, Hong YC, Shin CH, et al.The effects of maternal and children phthalate exposure on the neurocognitive function of 6-year-old children[J].Environ Res, 2017, 156 (7) :519-25.

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