Pthalates are used in many industrial and consumer products, including children’s toys, food packaging and personal care items. Due to the high potential for exposure, these products are being monitored to determine the potential risk to humans and the environment.
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If you are a polymer researcher or a chemist at a plastics manufacturer, you are probably plenty familiar with phthalates and phthalate standard testing. But for many other areas of university research and chemistry, you may hear more about these plasticizers in the news rather than the lab. Here is some helpful information to learn more about how this plastic ingredient works and why some versions are banned in children's toys.
Better know a phthalate
Phthalates or phthalate esters are the esters that come from synthesizing phthalic acid with alcohols. Phthalates are used in a number of plastics as a plasticizer to make them more soft and flexible without losing their durability and strength. Used with polyvinyl chloride and vinyl, phthalates are inexpensive, effective and one of the most widely used plasticizers across the globe. They are colorless and odorless. Additionally, phthalates are able to withstand very high temperatures.
Phthalates can be divided into two groups, the American Chemistry Council explained. High phthalates, like diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate and dipropylheptyl phthalate, have between seven and 13 carbon atoms. These promote durability and are commonly used in the creation of PVC, cable, flooring, walls, fake leather and coated fabrics among other goods.
Low phthalates on the other hand have between three and six carbon atoms in their chemical backbone and are used in medical supplies, ink adhesives and PVC. These include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
Potential phthalate danger
Although this plasticizer has nearly endless applications for packaging, manufacturing and many other products, some have found it harmful in specific situations. The U.S. Congress banned the use of DEHP, DBP, BBP in children's toys and "certain child care articles" when appearing in a quantity larger than 0.1 percent, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Child care articles usually refer to items, like a pacifier or teething tool, that comes in contact with children's mouths.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained that children may be more at risk for the potential dangers that phthalates pose because they put non-food items into their mouths more often. Although phthalates are not used in the production of many children's toys, there are plenty of other products that adults use every day that are made with these chemicals, from rain coats to detergent. However, the CDC explained that there is no reason to believe that moderate use or exposure to phthalates will have any negative effects.
"Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown. Some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates," the agency outlined.
In animals, the effects of direct introduction to phthalates have been negative. However, when phthalates have been found in humans, it has been reported that it is quickly passed in the urine. The CDC has stated that phthalates are widespread throughout the U.S.
Whether it is medical tubing or the interior of a car, phthalates are an important part of both daily life and plastics engineering. It is important to know everything you can about this unique plasticizer, which has not been found to conclusively cause damage to adults with average exposure.
