At the onset of this program, there were indications that the phthalate 

 esters were present in high concentrations in the environment and that 

 they were toxic to aquatic organisms. Texas A&M investigators were 

 concerned with the impact of phthalate esters on the marine environ- 

 ment. Since phthalate levels in the open ocean had not been reported 

 prior to this study, data was needed to establish the dosage-levels to be 

 used in the laboratory studies of effects on marine life. The analysis 



95' 



900 



30° 



h*cJJ M I I I I J 



2 5^ 



'^9® Sfaf 



Figure 3. DEHP levels in biota, water and sediment from selected locations in the 

 Gulf of Mexico*. 



DEHP 



* Giam, et al., 1973. 

 i Mainly fish. 



23 



