Survey of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate plasticizer contamination of retail Danish milks.

An investigation of residues of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) in retail whole milk in samples from one German and 14 Danish dairies is reported. The investigation was performed about six months after the use of DEHP-plasticized milk tubing was banned in Denmark. The results indicate a mean concentration of DEHP lower than 50 micrograms/litre in retail whole milk. Based on these data and the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for DEHP of 25 micrograms/kg body weight laid down by the EEC Scientific Committee for Food, it is concluded that the intake of DEHP from milk and milk products does not, even through a whole life, constitute a danger to health for the Danish population.