[Genotoxicity of phthalates. On the discussion of plasticizers in children's toys].
OBJECTIVE
Recently, health hazards caused by phthalates, which are added as softeners to plastic materials, have been subject to discussion. The aim of the present study was to measure possible genotoxic impacts on mucosal cells of the upper aerodigestive tract.


METHODS
Genotoxicity tests for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) on human oropharyngeal mucosa in vitro were performed using the alkaline comet assay. Specimens (n = 50) were harvested from the surface of ectomized tonsils.


RESULTS
DBP and DiBP caused significant DNA damage in human mucosal cells of the upper aerodigestive tract. The impact of DiBP was higher than that of DBP.


CONCLUSIONS
A genotoxic impact of phthalates on human epithelial cells as a hazard to babies and children chewing these materials cannot be excluded and demands further investigation. The DNA damage measured in this study may represent one factor in the complex genesis of neoplasms in the upper aerodigestive tract.
Kleinsasser
N H
NH
Klinisch experimentelle Onkologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstrasse 4a, 80336 München. norbert.kleinsasser@hno.med.uni-muenchen.de
Kastenbauer
E R
ER
Wallner
B C
BC
Weissacher
H
H
Harréus
U A
UA
D000328:Adult; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000187:drug effects*; D010988:Play and Playthings
D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; C025605:diisobutyl phthalate