In vitro evaluation of plasticizer activity on the growth and metabolism of chick embryo fibroblasts and on the development of chick embryo lungs. 
Administration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to primary cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts brought about a decrease in cell proliferation rate after 48 h and an inhibition of both DNA and protein synthesis measured by [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine, respectively, after 48 h. The growth of chick embryo lung rudiments in vitro was also depressed by DEHP treatment.  Lung rudiment were smaller in DEHP-treated embryos after 6 days' treatment.  These results indicate that DEHP has a cytostatic effect on embryonic cells and tissues.