Non-phthalate Plasticizers

Diagnostics and Chemical Markers of Exposure

The Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch develops and performs unique laboratory tests to measure organic environmental chemicals in people. Examples of available laboratory tests are shown in the table above. It lists the most common names for these chemicals, and their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers. Many of the chemicals, however, go by alternative names. Please visit the National Library of Medicine ChemID database websiteexternal icon and enter the chemical’s CAS Number. The page displayed after this search will include the chemical’s structure, and alternative names.

Laboratory Methods Panels

CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. Please see the “Methods’ Access” tab in the tables found after clicking on each of the listed chemicals for additional information regarding these methods. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.

Table of laboratory methods panels for Non-phthalate Plasticizers
Chemical Specimen Type
Cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid monohydroxy isononyl ester
CAS No. N/A
urine
Cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid-mono(carboxyoctyl) ester
CAS No. N/A
urine

Laboratory Method: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_13_14/PHTHTE_H_MET_Phthalates.pdfpdf icon

Identification of potential biomarkers of exposure to di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), an alternative for phthalate plasticizers
Silva MJ, Furr J, Preau JL Jr, Samandar E, Gray LE, Calafat AM
Journal article published in Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 2012.
http://www.nature.com/jes/journal/v22/n2/pdf/jes201143a.pdfpdf iconexternal icon

Environmental exposure to the plasticizer 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) in U.S. adults (2000-2012)
Silva MJ, Jia T, Samandar E, Preau JL Jr, Calafat AM. Environ Res. 2013 Oct;126:159-63. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2013.05.007. Epub 2013 Jun 15.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4554753/pdf/nihms717627.pdfpdf iconexternal icon

Identification of potential biomarkers of exposure to di(isononyl)cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), an alternative for phthalate plasticizers
Silva MJ, Furr J, Preau JL Jr, Samandar E, Gray LE, Calafat AM. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2012 Mar Apr;22(2):204-11. doi: 10.1038/jes.2011.43. Epub 2012 Jan 18. Erratum in: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2012 Jul;22(4):427.
http://www.nature.com/jes/journal/v22/n2/pdf/jes201143a.pdfpdf iconexternal icon

CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. CDC does not provide individual health care or assessment unless as part of a broader public health investigation requested by federal or state agencies, such as a health department. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.

Detecting levels of an environmental chemical in a person’s blood or urine does not necessarily mean the chemical will cause adverse health effects or disease. Advances in analytical methods enable CDC to measure very low levels of environmental chemicals in people, but research studies of varying levels of exposure are needed to determine if specific levels cause health effects. Consulting a clinician with a toxicological background to assist with the interpretation of results is recommended.

Samples to be tested should be processed through a state health department laboratory, and should conform to the laboratory’s reporting procedures. These laboratory methods often require that the sample be collected by a particular method, or sometimes with particular pre-screened collection devices, to minimize external contamination. Following the correct sample collection protocol is necessary for accurate sample measurement. Please contact the laboratory that will be analyzing the sample to learn the sample collection instructions before collecting the samples.

Contact DLSLab@cdc.gov for more information or questions about these laboratory methods.

Page last reviewed: March 6, 2019