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Phthalates Testing & Analysis

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Phthalates belong to a family of chemical compounds used for the production of different types of plastic like Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and many others. These are essentially added to polymeric substances to act as plasticizers, hence enhancing the mechanical properties of the material. They serve as additives in almost all types of plastic industry so that they can build on durability, transparency and flexibility. Phthalates have wide range of applications in all industries with a variation in concentrations. They are most commonly used in many of our everyday products like car parts, kitchen equipment, ticket dispensers, food wrappers, public transport seats, detergents, lubricating oils, personal care products such as liquid soap, hair spray, lotions, shampoos, nail polish, perfumes, moisturizer and other fragrances. Other end applications include medical devices, waxes, paints, modelling clay, children's toys, printing inks and coatings, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, paint pigments and many more.

Phthalates Finds Applications in Many Industries Including-

  • Food Packaging
  • Automotive
  • Building and construction
  • Electrical wires and cables
  • Outdoor products
  • Textiles
  • Cosmetics and personal care
  • Infant formulations and products
  • Plastic toys
  • Agricultural products
  • Adhesives and glues
  • Vinyl upholstery

Safety Issues Related to Phthalates

Human beings are exposed to phthalates primarily through consumption of foods and beverages that are packed in plastic containers, over the counter drugs (OTC) or through cosmetic products packed in plastic. They can also enter the food chain through migration from low quality plastic tubes, packaging. The chances of phthalates leaching from packaging material into the products that are carrying is also evident. Phthalate's exposure can also occur as a result of breathing air containing phthalate vapours or dust.

As per the studies conducted by International agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program (NTP), these chemicals are possibly known to be carcinogenic as well as reproductive toxicants to human beings.

DEHP (di-exylhethyl phthalate) and many other related phthalates are suspected to act as endocrine disruptors. These endocrine receptors are toxins which may adversely affect the normal activities of endocrine system which may lead to hormonal imbalance.

Consumers can also consume phthalates due to ingestion of microwave foods, packaged foods or may be due to skin absorption from plastic bags, films or through intravenously via medical tubing, blood bags and specifically orally in the case of toys for children.

Regulatory Bodies for Phthalates

Due to the ongoing concern globally, phthalates are heavily regulated due to their possible toxicity. They are strictly restricted under CPSIA and California proposition 65, EU and other international legislations.

In 2018, US CPSC prohibited children's toys and child care articles containing more than 0.1% of the following 5 phthalate compounds.

  • Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
  • Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPENP) also known as Diamyl phthalate
  • Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHEXP)
  • Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

US congress has legislated to prohibit the below listed group of phthalates permanently in children's toys and child care articles above a level of 0.1%.

  • Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)

CPSC now strictly recommends testing of all children's toys and child care articles for the above-mentioned phthalates. These testing should be done only by a CPSC accepted laboratory that is an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited laboratory.

EU (European Union) is maintaining much stricter standards for children and child care toys and articles than US, prohibiting 0.2% phthalate content. The use of certain phthalates in many consumer products is banned in various countries, including in Europe by EEC directive 2005/84/EEC, (EC) 10/2011 (Union List) and other regulations. Moreover, FDA is also monitoring the use of these compounds for food contact materials, and many others.

Eurofins Comprehensive Portfolio of Phthalate's Analysis

Eurofins network of laboratories are fully equipped to perform phthalate analysis to ensure product compliance with the following

  • EEC directive 2005/84/EEC, (EC) 10/2011
  • CCPSA
  • CPSC
  • California proposition 65
  • EN71 European Toy Safety Testing

Phthalates Compounds

  • Diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
  • sum of Di-iso-nonylphthalate and Di-n-nonylphthalte
  • Di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP)
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBO)
  • Diisodecylphthalate (DIDP)
  • Dibutyladipate
  • Diethyladipate
  • Diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA)
  • Diethylphthalate
  • Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP)
  • Di-isobutyladipate
  • DiisoHeptylphthalate (DiHP)
  • Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
  • DINCH
  • DIPENTYLPHTHALATE (sum of I and N)
  • Tributyl-O-Acetylcitrate
  • Tributylphosphate (TBP)

Why Eurofins?

  • Strong customer focus with quality service
  • One-stop solution lab
  • Reliability Assured and Delivered
  • Lab with the latest equipment
  • Competent, Qualified and Experienced analysts
  • Dedicated Customer Support
  • Trusted by top brands in India