title: Transfer of eight phthalates through the milk chain--a case study.
abstract: This survey determined the levels of eight phthalates - i.e. dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) - in several Belgian milk and dairy products. Samples were obtained from various farms, a dairy factory and from different shops in order to investigate phthalate contamination "from farm to fork". At several stages in the milk chain, product contamination with phthalates - mostly DiBP, DnBP, BzBP and DEHP - was observed. At farm level, the mechanical milking process and the intake of phthalate containing feed by the cattle were found to be possible contamination sources. At industry and retail level, contact materials including packaging materials were additional contamination sources for phthalates in milk and dairy products.
authors.affiliation: Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. tine.fierens@vito.be
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fierens
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Holderbeke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henauw
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sioen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium; D002417:Cattle; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D010968:Plasticizers; C024629:dimethyl phthalate; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; C032279:phthalic acid; C010715:di-n-octyl phthalate; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; C036042:dicyclohexyl phthalate; C025605:diisobutyl phthalate; C007379:diethyl phthalate