In order to assess the effects of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) on aquatic environment and specials

toxicity of Dimethyl phthalate（DMP）

Diethyl phthalate（DEP）

Dibutyl phthalate（DBP）and Di-(2-etylhexyl) phthalate（DEHP）to embryonic development of zebrafish (

Danio rerio

) was examined by means of 48 h exposure based on single and multicomponent orthogonal tests. Results showed that PAEs remarkably inhibited the embryonic development of zebrafish and caused embryo abnormality

even death. The most sensitive toxicological endpoints to four different congeners of PAEs had been identified. The toxicity of 4 PAEs to embryonic development of zebrafish was ranked as followed: DBP＞DEHP＞DEP＞DMP. In the orthogonal toxicity experiment

joint effects of DBP and DEHP were the key factors for increasing lethal ratio and developmental toxicity of PAEs. For DBP

results revealed that it had little effects on the lethal and developmental toxicity comparing with other components

but it can cause serious deformity in the combined toxicity experiment.