Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in Canadians

Information on human biomonitoring of DEHP in Canada with results from the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

On this page

• Background
• Data sources
• Results
• Suggested citation
• Additional information

Background

What is di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)?

DEHP (CASRN 117-81-7) is part of a class of synthetic chemicals known as phthalates. Phthalates are used as solvents in household products and as plasticizers to make plastics more flexible and resilient.

Where is DEHP found?

Globally, DEHP is used in many products, including plastic food packaging, toys and child-care articles, and construction and renovation products, such as lubricants and greases, adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, and building materials.

How are people exposed to DEHP?

People can be exposed to DEHP and other phthalates when they inhale indoor air, ingest water, food, beverages, soil and dust. They can also be exposed when using consumer products. Other potential sources of exposure are breast milk and the mouthing of children's toys and articles.

How is DEHP measured in people?

DEHP is absorbed after being ingested and is rapidly broken down in the body to form metabolites. Metabolites of DEHP are commonly measured. They can include mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and mono[2-(carboxymethyl)hexyl] phthalate (MCMHP). Measurement of these metabolites in urine reflects relatively recent exposure.

What are the potential health impacts of DEHP?

Evidence from animal studies has shown that DEHP exposure may lead to developmental and reproductive effects. It may also affect the liver and kidneys. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified DEHP as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

What is the Government of Canada doing to lower human exposures to DEHP?

DEHP is identified as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. It is on the List of Ingredients that are Prohibited for Use in Cosmetic Products. Regulations limit the use of DEHP in soft vinyl toys and child-care articles. Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada's risk management approach for DEHP outlines additional existing and proposed regulations. The Government of Canada continues to monitor and assess DEHP.

Data sources

Table 1. Biomonitoring initiatives and their target populations

Initiative	Target population
Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)	General Canadian population living in the 10 provinces
First Nations Biomonitoring Initiative (FNBI)	First Nations people living on-reserve south of the 60° parallel
Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study	Pregnant women and their infants recruited from obstetric and prenatal clinics in 10 cities across Canada
U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)	General U.S. population

This fact sheet presents nationally representative data from the CHMS. These data are compared with data from the FNBI, the MIREC study and the U.S. NHANES.

Table 2. Biomonitoring initiatives and their collection periods, participant age ranges, matrices sampled and biomarkers measured

Collection period	Age range (years)	Matrix	Biomarkers
CHMS
2007–2009	6 to 49	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2009–2011	3 to 79	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2016–2017	3 to 79	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2018–2019	3 to 79	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
FNBI
2011	20+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
MIREC study
2008–2011	18+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
U.S. NHANES
2009–2010	6+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2011–2012	6+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2013–2014	6+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP
2015–2016	3+	Urine	MEHP, MEOHP, MEHHP

Results

Canadian population

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP in the Canadian population from the CHMS (2007–2019). DEHP was calculated as the sum of 3 metabolites (MEHP, MEOHP and MEHHP). Each metabolite was measured in urine (µg/L).

Figure 1: Text description

Collection period	Geometric mean
2007–2009	42
2009–2011	24
2016–2017	11
2018–2019	9.5

There was a statistically significant decreasing trend (P < 0.001) in DEHP concentrations in the Canadian population aged 6 to 49. Concentrations declined by 77% between 2007–2009 and 2018–2019.

Canadian population, by age group

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP in the Canadian population by age group from the CHMS (2007–2019). DEHP was calculated as the sum of 3 metabolites (MEHP, MEOHP and MEHHP). Each metabolite was measured in urine (µg/L). DEHP metabolites were measured in individuals aged 6 to 49 in 2007–2009. Concentrations were therefore not available (NA) for individuals aged 3 to 5, 50 to 59 or 60 to 79.

Figure 2: Text description

Collection period	Age group (years)	Geometric mean
2007–2009	3 to 5	NA
2007–2009	6 to 11	55
2007–2009	12 to 19	51
2007–2009	20 to 39	40
2007–2009	40 to 59	NA
2007–2009	60 to 79	NA
2009–2011	3 to 5	48
2009–2011	6 to 11	42
2009–2011	12 to 19	30
2009–2011	20 to 39	20
2009–2011	40 to 59	21
2009–2011	60 to 79	18
2016–2017	3 to 5	22
2016–2017	6 to 11	18
2016–2017	12 to 19	11
2016–2017	20 to 39	9.5
2016–2017	40 to 59	8.6
2016–2017	60 to 79	8.9
2018–2019	3 to 5	19
2018–2019	6 to 11	15
2018–2019	12 to 19	11
2018–2019	20 to 39	9.6
2018–2019	40 to 59	6.9
2018–2019	60 to 79	8.2

Concentrations of DEHP were higher in children than in adults in the Canadian population.

Canadian population, by sex

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP in the Canadian population by sex from the CHMS (2007–2019). DEHP was calculated as the sum of 3 metabolites (MEHP, MEOHP and MEHHP). Each metabolite was measured in urine (µg/L).

Figure 3: Text description

Collection period	Sex	Geometric mean
2007–2009	Females	39
2007–2009	Males	45
2009–2011	Females	22
2009–2011	Males	26
2016–2017	Females	12
2016–2017	Males	9.8
2018–2019	Females	8.7
2018–2019	Males	10

Concentrations of DEHP were similar between females and males in the Canadian population.

Comparison of the general population and First Nations on-reserve population in Canada

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP metabolites in urine (µg/L) in the general population aged 20 to 79 from the CHMS (2009–2011) and First Nations on-reserve population aged 20 and older from the FNBI (2011).

Figure 4: Text description

Biomonitoring initiative	Metabolite	Geometric mean
CHMS	MEHP	1.7
CHMS	MEOHP	6.4
CHMS	MEHHP	11
FNBI	MEHP	2.0
FNBI	MEOHP	6.5
FNBI	MEHHP	11

Concentrations of DEHP metabolites were similar between the general population and First Nations on-reserve population in Canada.

Comparison of women of child-bearing age and pregnant women in Canada

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP in urine (µg/L) for women of child-bearing age (18 to 49) in the general population from the CHMS (2009–2011) and for women in the first trimester of pregnancy from the MIREC study (2008–2011).

Figure 5: Text description

Biomonitoring initiative	Metabolite	Geometric mean
CHMS	MEHP	1.8
CHMS	MEOHP	6.5
CHMS	MEHHP	11
MIREC study	MEHP	2.2
MIREC study	MEOHP	6.4
MIREC study	MEHHP	9.2

Concentrations of DEHP metabolites were similar between women of child-bearing age and women in the first trimester of pregnancy in cities across Canada.

Comparison of the Canadian and U.S. populations

This figure shows the geometric mean concentrations of DEHP in the Canadian population from the CHMS (2009–2019) and in the U.S. population from the NHANES (2009–2016). DEHP was calculated as the sum of 3 metabolites (MEHP, MEOHP and MEHHP). Each metabolite was measured in urine (µg/L). Note that there are slight differences between the surveys in sampling (such as the age ranges of participants) and analysis (such as the limits of detection).

Figure 6: Text description

Biomonitoring initiative	Collection period	Geometric mean
CHMS	2009–2011	23
CHMS	2016–2017	10
CHMS	2018–2019	9.0
NHANES	2009–2010	23
NHANES	2011–2012	15
NHANES	2013–2014	12
NHANES	2015–2016	11

Concentrations of DEHP were similar between the Canadian and U.S. populations.

Suggested citation

Health Canada. 2021. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in Canadians. Ottawa, ON. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/environmental-contaminants/human-biomonitoring-resources/2-ethylhexyl-phthalate-canadians.html

Additional information

• Arbuckle TE, Davis K, Marro L, Fisher M, Legrand M, LeBlanc A, Gaudreau, E, Foster WG, Choeurng V, Fraser WD, MIREC Study Group. 2014. Phthalate and bisphenol A exposure among pregnant women in Canada - Results from the MIREC study. Environment International, 68: 55–65.
• Assembly of First Nations. 2013. First Nations Biomonitoring Initiative: National Results (2011). Ottawa, ON, Canada.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Atlanta, GA, USA.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada. 2020. Risk management approach for 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP). Ottawa, ON, Canada.
• Health Canada. 2010. Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada: Results of the Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycle 1 (2007–2009). Ottawa, ON, Canada.
• Health Canada. 2013. Second Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada: Results of the Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycle 2 (2009–2011). Ottawa, ON, Canada.
• Health Canada. 2019. Fifth Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada: Results of the Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycle 5 (2016–2017). Ottawa, ON, Canada.
• Health Canada. 2021. Sixth Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada: Results of the Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycle 6 (2018–2019). Ottawa, ON, Canada.