Effects of phthalate esters on plant seedlings and reversal by a soil microorganism

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01688390· OSTI ID:6942844

Herring, R; Bering, C L ^[1]

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1. State Univ. of New York, Utica (USA)

Phthalate esters have been widely used in industrial nations as plasticizers, in cosmetics, insect repellants, and munitions. Due to the abundance of plastic materials in use, it has been estimated that 51 million pounds of phthalate esters leach into the environment annually. Very little has been reported concerning the effects of phthalate esters on green plants. Certain phthalate esters are known to be natural constituents of some plants, but in significantly lower concentration than that which may be encountered due to contamination. The authors have examined the effects of four common phthalate esters- dimethylphthalate (DMP), diethylphthalate (DEP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), and di-(2-ethyl)hexylphthalate (DEHP)- added to the soil of developing spinach and pea seedlings. Two of the esters- DMP and DEP- caused significant inhibition of development.

• OSTI ID: 6942844
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA) Vol. 40:5; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
ESTERS
FOOD
GERMINATION
GROWTH
INHIBITION
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MICROCOCCUS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PEAS
PHTHALATES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
SEEDLINGS
SPINACH
VEGETABLES