Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was used as a polymeric plasticizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) for the partial replacement of di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP). The effect of this partial replacement on DEHP leaching from the PVC was evaluated at 10, 25, and 40 degrees C. The study shows that the incorporation of NBR reduces the rate of DEHP leaching, the reduction being prominent at lower temperatures. Gas permeability of the NBR-modified samples was also evaluated at the above temperatures using oxygen and carbon dioxide. A reduction in gas permeability is observed in NBR-modified samples compared to the PVC plasticized with DEHP alone particularly in the case of carbon dioxide. Water vapor transmission rates of the NBR-modified samples are higher than that of the control sample. The NBR-modified PVC sample was found to be noncytotoxic in the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation both by direct contact and test on extract methods. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.