Phthalate Analysis

What are phthalates?

Phthalates are chemical plasticizers often used in the production of certain types of plastics. Phthalates, most often, but not always, are used to make plastics softer or more pliable. Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials. They are used in hundreds of consumer products for which you can find a non-exhaustive list below:

• Toys and Children’s products
• Adhesives
• Food packaging
• Vinyl floor covering
• Paints and plastisol inks
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics
• Perfumes
• Nail polish
• Wearing apparel (raincoats)
• Detergents
• Lubricating oils

Why should you be concerned?

Phthalates are identified as possibly carcinogenic as well as reproductive toxicants to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as well as the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program (NTP).  As consumers, we are exposed to phthalates in our daily lives with potential pathways including ingestion (e.g. microwaving food packaging), inhalation (e.g. dust), skin absorption (e.g. plastic bags and films) or intravenously (e.g. medical tubing, blood bags and catheters).

What are legislators doing about it?

California’s Office of Environmental Health Assessment (OEHHA) has listed certain ortho-phthalates as a carcinogens and reproductive toxins on the California Proposition 65 list.  Congress enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 permanently prohibiting in children’s toys and childcare articles containing concentrations of more than 0.1 percent three ortho-phthalates: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP); dibutyl phthalate (DBP); and, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).  Since the CPSIA was enacted, the CPSC has issued a phthalate final rule becoming effective on April 25, 2018.  Based on recommendation provided in a July 2014 report by the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP), the CPSC has lifted the interim ban for two phthalates, diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), however, making permanent the interim ban on diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and adding four additional phthalates to the list: diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPENP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHEXP), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP).  Many states have enacted their own chemical legislation which prohibit or require reporting of certain phthalates.

Washington’s Children’s Product Safety Act

Maine’s Kids Safe Products Act

Vermont’s Toxic-Free Families Act

New York’s Child Safe Products Act

Maine’s Toxic Chemicals in Packaging

Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act

Minnesota Toxic-Free Kids Act

Why choose a Eurofins company?

The network of Eurofins Consumer Product Testing laboratories use highly sophisticated instrumental techniques for analyzing impurities for trace level analysis to get the best detection limits achievable by todays technological advancements.  At Eurofins Product Testing US Inc., we utilize automated multi-purpose samplers with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for our volatile and semi-volatile analyses.  Please contact us today to find out more.

Chemical testing and analysis are conducted at Eurofins Product Testing US Inc. internationally accredited chemical testing laboratory based in the Greater Seattle area, which is accredited by PJLA (L18-186), ILAC and CPSC (1556) to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

References:

1. 1. “Phthalates Business Guidance & Small Entity Compliance Guide.” gov, 26 Nov. 2019, www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Phthalates-Information.
2. 2. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Phthalates.” S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 5 Dec. 2013, www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/phthalates.
3. 3. “Phthalates Factsheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Apr. 2017, cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html.
4. 4. Hauser, R. “Phthalates and Human Health.” Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 62, no. 11, 2005, pp. 806–818., doi:10.1136/oem.2004.017590, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1740925/pdf/v062p00806.pdf.