The effects of phthalate esters on fibroblasts in primary culture.

The toxicity of butylbenzyl phthalate(BLP), di-n-heptyl phthalate (DNHP) and n-butyl lauryl phthalate (BLP) to fibroblasts from newborn rat cerebellum in primary culture was significant at concentrations of 7.0, 2.7, and 5.0 x 10(-4) M, respectively. The toxicity of di-methoxyethyl phthalate(DMEP), butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate(BPBG), di-n-octyl phthalate(DNOP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) was not significant. Phthalic acid and potassium hydrogen phthalate (K-phthalate) were the least toxic to fibroblasts. Comparison of the toxicity to fibroblasts of five phthalate esters of normal series showed that dimethyl phthalate(DMP) < diethyl phthalate(DEP) < di-n-butyl phthalate(DNBP) > DNHP > DNOP.