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Phthalates

General chemical structure of orthophthalates. (R and R' are general placeholders.)

Phthalates (US: /ˈθæleɪts/ UK: /ˈθɑːleɪtsˌ ˈfθælɪts/[1][2]), or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are mainly used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers, not all plasticizers are phthalates. The two terms are specific, unique, and not used interchangeably.

Lower-molecular-weight phthalates are typically replaced in many products in the United States, Canada, and European Union over health concerns.[3][4] They are being replaced by higher molecular-weight phthalates as well as non-phthalic plasticizers.

Phthalates are commonly ingested in small quantities via the diet. There are numerous forms of phthalates not regulated by governments. In many countries, diethyl phthalate (DEHP) is regulated as a toxin, and is banned from use in broad categories of consumer goods, such as cosmetics, children's toys, medical devices, and food packaging.

DEHP is deemed by various governments to be a biological hazard. In the European Union, DEHP is regulated as having endocrine disruptor properties for which there is scientific evidence of probable serious effects to human health and the environment.

  1. ^ "phthalate". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  2. ^ "phthalate" in Collins English Dictionary
  3. ^ Commission Regulation (EU) No 143/2011 of 17 February 2011 amending Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (‘REACH’)
  4. ^ "Phthalates | Assessing and Managing Chemicals Under TSCA". www.epa.gov. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2017.

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