Phthalates, also known as phthalic acid esters, are a general term for esters formed by phthalic acid. They are a class of organically synthesized compounds mass-produced in industry, frequently used as plasticizers in plastic products to improve the flexibility, elasticity and durability of plastics. Detailed introduction is as follows:

• Physicochemical Properties: Most phthalates are high-boiling liquids with low water solubility and low melting points, and are easily soluble in organic solvents. Their physical properties vary with different alkyl groups in the molecule. As the side chain lengthens, lipophilicity and boiling point increase accordingly.

• Common Varieties: Typical phthalates include Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP), Diethyl Phthalate (DEP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Diisobutyl Phthalate (DiBP), Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP), etc.

• Application Fields: As the most widely used plasticizer at present, phthalates are extensively applied in medical supplies, construction materials, plastic packaging materials and other fields. In the plastics industry, they facilitate molding and processing by overcoming restrictions caused by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds between linear macromolecules. They are also commonly adopted in food processing & packaging, floor manufacturing, automobile production and other industries. Furthermore, they can be used in textiles for production processes such as PU or PVC coating, adhesive printing, soft plastic accessories and artificial leather manufacturing.

• Hazards: Phthalates are critical persistent organic pollutants acting as environmental hormones. They possess reproductive toxicity and estrogen-like effects, together with teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic toxicities (three types of toxic effects). They can enter the human body via inhalation, ingestion and skin contact and impair human health. On 27 October 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under WHO released a preliminary list of carcinogens, in which Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was classified as a Group 2B carcinogen.

• Relevant Regulations: EU Directive 2005/84/EC stipulates that the total content of DEHP, DBP and BBP shall not exceed 0.1% in all toys and childcare articles; otherwise such products cannot be placed on the EU market. For all toys and childcare articles that can be put into children’s mouths, the content of DINP, DIDP and DNOP shall not exceed 0.1%. Regulations and directives in other countries and regions are basically consistent with EU requirements.