DEHP can cross the placenta barrier and distribute into foetal tissues. In addition, DEHP can be
transferred through the milk from lactating rats to their pups. Since the immature liver may
have a lower metabolising capacity than that of adults, new-borns and foetuses might be
especially vulnerable to exposure to DEHP and MEHP.”
The oral absorption fraction of adults was adjusted to 70% by the ECHA Risk Assessment
Committee in 2011 and RAC confirmed the EU RAR absorption percentages of 5% for dermal
absorption and inhalatory absorption percentages of 75% for adults and 100% for children
(ECHA 2012).
The toxicokinetics as described in the EU RAR for human health is cited below (EU RAR 2008):
“DEHP is readily absorbed and distributed in the body, but there is no evidence of
accumulation. The metabolism of DEHP involves several pathways and yields a variety of
metabolites. The major step in the metabolism of DEHP is hydrolysis by lipases to MEHP