Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in hundreds of products, such as toys, vinyl flooring and wall covering, detergents, lubricating oils, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, blood bags and tubing, and personal care products, such as nail polish, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and other fragrance preparations.

History

Phthalates were first introduced in the 1920s and quickly replaced the volatile and odorous camphor. In 1931, the plastics industry was revolutionized with the announcement of the ability to plasticize PVC, which would not become brittle in winter or soften in summer.

Production

Phthalates are produced by reacting phthalic anhydride with alcohol(s) that range from methanol and ethanol (C1/C2) up to tridecyl alcohol (C13), either as a straight chain or with some branching.

Uses

Phthalates are used in a large variety of products, from enteric coatings of pharmaceutical pills and nutritional supplements to viscosity control agents, gelling agents, film formers, stabilizers, dispersants, lubricants, binders, emulsifying agents, and suspending agents.

Health effects

Research has shown that exposure to certain phthalates can lead to reproductive issues, including decreased fertility and reproductive abnormalities. Studies have also linked phthalates to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.

Regulation

In the European Union, phthalates are under the REACH regulation. Many countries have passed legislation requiring phthalate-free products in their market.

See also

• Phthalic anhydride
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Endocrine disruptor
• REACH regulation

References

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