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, often 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 poor water solubility and low melting points, and they are easily soluble in organic solvents. Their physical properties vary with different alkyl groups in the molecules; as the side chains grow longer, the lipophilicity and boiling point rise accordingly.

• Common Types: Widely seen 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 plasticizers at present, phthalates are extensively applied in medical supplies, construction materials, plastic packaging materials and other fields. In the plastic industry, they eliminate molding and processing difficulties caused by van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds between linear macromolecules. They are also commonly used in food processing & packaging, floor manufacturing, automobile production and other industries. Besides, they can be applied to textiles in production processes such as PU or PVC coating, adhesive printing, soft plastic accessories and artificial leather manufacturing.

• Hazards: Phthalates are a critical category of persistent organic pollutants acting as environmental hormones. They carry reproductive toxicity with estrogen-like effects, as well as teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic (three types of toxicities). They can enter the human body via inhalation, ingestion and skin contact, endangering human health. On October 27, 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization released the preliminary sorted reference 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 in all toys and childcare articles shall not exceed 0.1%; otherwise such products are prohibited from being sold on the EU market. For all toys and childcare articles that can be placed in 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 those of the European Union.