【Popular Science Tips on Polymers and Materials】--029 Popular science tips on the commonly mentioned \"plasticizers\" and \"softeners\" + ljtjbx
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Plasticizers are additives used in polymer materials; they belong to the class of phthalates, which are considered environmental estrogens. There are many types of plasticizers, with DEHP (commercially known as DOP) being the most common one. The chemical name of DEHP is di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; it is a colorless, odorless liquid that is widely used in industry. Plasticizers are the largest category of plastic additives in terms of quantity, production volume, and consumption. Any substance added to plastics that increases their plasticity can be called a plastic plasticizer. The main function of plasticizers is to weaken the secondary bonds between polymer molecules, namely van der Waals forces, thereby increasing the mobility of the polymer molecular chains and reducing their crystallinity. This increases the plasticity of the polymer, as evidenced by a decrease in its hardness, modulus, softening temperature, and embrittlement temperature, while the elongation rate, bendability, and flexibility increase. Plasticizers, also commonly known as softeners. Plasticizers are additives widely used in the industrial processing of polymer materials. Adding these substances to plastics enhances their flexibility and makes them easier to process, allowing them to be used legally in industrial applications. Taiwanese manufacturers in China use a common plasticizer, DEHP (with DINP, DNOP, DBP, DMP, DEP, etc. being detected subsequently), to replace palm oil-based clouding agents; this can also produce a thickening effect similar to that of emulsifiers. However, plasticizers such as DEHP and DINP do not belong to food flavoring ingredients. Therefore, DEHP cannot only not be added to food, but it is even not allowed to be used on food packaging. “\"Clouding agent\" is a legal food additive commonly used in foods such as juices, jams, and beverages; it is made by mixing gum arabic, emulsifiers, palm oil, and various other food additives. The molecular structure of certain plasticizers is similar to that of hormones, and they are known as \"endocrine disruptors\"; they are toxic chemicals listed by Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration. Long-term consumption may cause abnormalities in the reproductive system, and even pose a risk of teratogens and cancer. Environmental hormones refer to chemical substances whose secretion in organisms is disrupted by external factors. Trace amounts of such compounds remaining in the environment enter the body through the food chain, forming pseudo-hormones that transmit false chemical signals and affect the levels of hormones in the body, thereby disrupting the normal functioning of the endocrine system and causing endocrine disorders. Plasticizers are bulk industrial products that are widely used in various sectors of the national economy, appearing in thousands of products such as plastics, rubbers, adhesives, cellulose, resins, medical devices, and cables. For example, the common plastic wrap in use includes a type made of PE (polyethylene) without additives, but it has poor adhesiveness ； Another commonly used type is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic wrap, which contains large amounts of plasticizers to make the PVC material softer and increase its viscosity, making it very suitable for packaging fresh foods. Another product in which plasticizers are widely used is children’s toys made of PVC. The EU has set a limit of 0.1% or less for plasticizers in such toys, but currently Taiwan does not have any specific regulations or restrictions in this regard. Cosmetics such as perfumes and nail polish that are frequently used by women contain phthalates as fixatives, to maintain the fragrance or to make the nail polish film smoother. Components 1. Phthalate Esters (PAEs) are esterified derivatives of phthalic acid and are the most common plasticizers. 2. Phthalates are widely used in daily life and industry, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) being the most common, accounting for three-quarters of the total production of plasticizers, followed by dibutyl phthalate (DBP). 3. Phthalate plasticizers are colorless liquids with a slight aromatic odor or no odor; they have moderate viscosity, high stability, low volatility, low cost, and low water solubility, but are soluble in most organic solvents.
Ways people are exposed to DEHP: Since plastic products containing plasticizers are very common, the plasticizer DEHP is widely present in the environment, found in both air and water. During storage, trace amounts of plasticizers can also migrate from packaging materials into the food, but the amount transferred by qualified plastic packaging materials does not exceed the relevant standards. China’s \"Hygienic Standards for the Use of Additives in Food Containers and Packaging Materials\" strictly stipulate that the amount of DEHP that can migrate from food packaging materials into food should be 1.5 mg/kg, while for DINP it is 9 mg/kg – standards that are in line with those of developed countries around the world. Consequences of consumption: The plasticizer DEHP is an environmental hormone. Although its toxicity to the human body is not yet clear, it is found in a wide range of foods. Its toxicity is much higher than that of melamine, and it takes some time for it to be eliminated from the body; over the long term, this could lead to a decline in immunity and fertility. The plasticizer DEHP acts like artificial hormones; it can harm male fertility and cause precocious puberty in females, while long-term excessive exposure to it can lead to liver cancer. Since young children are in the stage of development of their endocrine and reproductive systems, DEHP poses an even greater potential risk to them. 1. It may cause gender confusion in children, including shorter genitalia and less distinct sexual characteristics. 2. Although it cannot be confirmed whether it is carcinogenic to humans, it does cause carcinogenic effects in animals. 3. Phthalates may affect hormone secretion in fetuses and infants, leading to hormonal imbalances that could result in precocious puberty in children. Damage-causing genes: It has been proven that plasticizers can disrupt the human endocrine system and affect the reproductive system. A research team from National Taiwan Normal University has also found that plasticizers possess genotoxicity and can damage human genes. Long-term exposure to them increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases; they also cause significant harm to the liver and urinary system. Moreover, once the body is poisoned, these effects can be passed on to future generations through genetics. It reduces reproductive capacity. The DEHP plasticizer is widely used in plastics; it is an environmental hormone that can harm male reproductive capacity and cause early puberty in females. Taiwan has classified it as a chemical of Category 4 toxicity, prohibiting its use in food products. Just one bottle of such a beverage is enough to cause the plasticizer content to exceed the allowable level. Increases the risk of cardiovascular disease ； Long-term and excessive consumption leads to liver cancer. The plasticizer DEHP, also known as phthalate, is a synthetically produced chemical substance. According to available information, the plasticizer DEHP can cause harm to the human reproductive system, immune system, and digestive system; it may impair male fertility, induce early puberty in females, and lead to gender dysphoria in children. Long-term exposure to high levels of this substance can also result in liver cancer.
I would like to ask the experts in PP: Plasticizers are generally included as components in polypropylene catalysts. I’ve also heard that their use is prohibited abroad, which imposes certain limitations on the export of some products. However, as mentioned earlier, China’s \"Hygienic Standards for the Use of Additives in Food Containers and Packaging Materials\" stipulates strictly that the amount of DEHP that can migrate from food packaging materials into food should be 1.5 mg/kg, while for DINP it is 9 mg/kg – standards that are in line with those of developed countries around the world. What is the truth? Please provide clarification. Also, some of the internal electron donors for PP catalysts do not contain plasticizers – are they already widely used abroad?
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