Objective To develop an accelerated solvent extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( ASE / GC-MS) method for the determination of the concentrations of diisobutyl phthalate ( DIBP) , dibutyl phthalate ( DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl ) phthalate ( DEHP) in the paper samples. Methods The paper samples included 11 samples of food packaging paper and 20 samples of tissue paper sold in local supermarket. The samples were pretreated using the accelerated solvent extraction ( ASE) method. They were extracted by hexane at 100 益 with two cycles of static extraction for 5 min. Afterwards they were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS) . The chromatographic conditions were optimized using full scan mode with mass-to-charge ratio range of 50 ~ 600. The quantification was obtained using peak area of the product ion in selected ion monitoring ( SIM) mode. The mass to charge ( m / z) ratio of quantification was 149 for each phthalate. Results All the samples contained phthalates. 22 samples contained three phthalates simultaneously. The concentrations of total phthalates ranged from 7. 8 to 1876. 8 mg / kg. The concentrations of DEHP were higher than the DEHP content limit in plastic material or plastic articles set by EU. The concentrations of these phthalates in Hamburger paper were relatively lower. Conclusion The analysis method was efficient and time-saving. Attention should be paid to the concentrations of these phthalates in food packaging paper and tissue paper products in the market. It is suggested that new standards or regulations about the content limit of each phthalate in food packaging paper and tissue paper should be established. There were other unknown compounds in the paper samples. The safety evaluation of these compounds should be investigated.