ftalate

Phthalates, also called ftalates in some languages, are a family of esters derived from phthalic acid. They are primarily used as plasticizers to impart flexibility to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other plastics. Commonly used diesters include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, also known as DOP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and the higher molecular weight diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP). They are added in small percentages and are not covalently bound to the polymer, which allows migration out of products.

Phthalates have widespread use in a range of consumer products, including vinyl flooring, cables and films, coatings, cosmetics, medical devices, and toys. Exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, particularly where products containing phthalates are used or released.

Health and safety considerations are the subject of ongoing review. Several phthalates are suspected or established to have endocrine-disrupting effects in animal studies, and some human data link exposure to reproductive, developmental, hormonal, and respiratory outcomes. Regulatory actions vary by region. In the European Union, restrictions limit certain phthalates in toys and childcare articles; in the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has restricted several phthalates in children’s toys and child care articles. Environmental concerns include release into air, water, and soil, with persistence and accumulation in some contexts. Safer substitutes and phthalate-free formulations are increasingly used in many applications.