title: Alternatives in blood operations when choosing non-DEHP bags.
abstract: The use of di-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) in blood bags is under discussion due to toxicity concerns and possible restrictions. A questionnaire among 15 blood centres in nine countries showed that none so far have fully switched to non-DEHP blood bags. If centres had to change, sites with a 42-day outdate would choose for a shorter outdating period, while others would allow a higher haemolysis rate (but within current specifications). To improve red cell quality, about half of the centres are willing to move to an alternative red cell storage solution, while the other half would not change for various reasons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Product and Process Development, Sanquin Blood Bank, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.affiliation: Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Devine
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D010968:Plasticizers; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate
keywords: 
  DEHP
  ; 
  DINCH
  ; red cell additive solution; red cell quality; toxicity