Levels of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis(Bethylhexy1)phthalate (DEHP) were measured in airborne fallout andin air at 14 localities in Sweden to determine whether theirdistribution is governed by local or long-range transportprocesses. The phthalate esters in the airborne fallout,derived from dry and wet deposition, were trapped onsilicone-impregnated nets, whereas phthalate esters in theair were collected on polyurethane foam filters. Theubiquity of DBP and DEHP in the airborne fallout andin the air indicates that they are widely distributed in theSwedish atmosphere. The fallout rates and atmosphericconcentrations of DBP and DEHP were of similar magnitude,despite the fact that the consumption of DEHPis 10 times that of DBP in Sweden. A detailed study ofthe emissions from a phthalate ester consuming factoryrevealed a local fallout gradient. The total deposition ofDBP and DEHP to the ground in Sweden was estimatedto be 220 tonpyear-l and is of a similar order of magnitudeas the emissions. The fallout rates and the levels ofphthalate esters in the air were temperature-dependent.In winter when the temperature was low, the atmosphericfallout of phthalate esters was high while their levels inthe air were low. High atmospheric concentrations werefound in the summer.