【Popular Science on Polymers and Materials】--31 Phthalate Plasticizers in Plastic Products + zdl1966
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This post was last edited by ljtjbx on 2015-11-20 07:58: Phthalate plasticizers in plastic products. As we all know, phthalate plasticizers are toxic, but our lives depend on plastic products, and the vast majority of these plastic products rely on phthalate plasticizers. This is because phthalate plasticizers have good compatibility with polyvinyl chloride, high plasticization efficiency, good processability, relatively low costs, abundant raw materials, and sufficient production capacity. Although **there are already binding regulations and policies, and the public is also aware of them. But after all, they are not professionals, so it’s difficult to tell the difference. At the same time, there are unscrupulous companies that engage in fraud, passing off inferior products as high-quality ones, mixing inferior items with good ones, and engaging in illegal production – it’s simply impossible to keep up with them. For example: 1. Everyone knows that there is no problem with the beverage bottle; it’s made of PET. However, the bottle caps and gaskets are made of PVC, so non-toxic plasticizers should be used (epoxy soybean oil, citrate esters, phthalate esters)—if supervision is inadequate, this could pose problems. 2. For children’s toys and similar products, there are generally no issues with exporting them, but when sold domestically, it’s not guaranteed that there will be no problems; these products may contain certain phthalate-based plasticizers, which help with manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve cost-effectiveness. 3. As for daily household items such as vegetable washing baskets and plastic basins, very few of them are made using non-toxic plasticizers; in fact, none exist at present. 4. Artificial leathers, films, etc. – Today’s artificial leather sofas resemble genuine leather in appearance and are of high quality; at least 30% of the plasticizers used in them are phthalate-based plasticizers. Phenoxy plasticizers are widely used and not dangerous; we have been exposed to them for decades. It is possible to reduce their use by using rubber and plastic products containing phenoxy plasticizers in a proper manner. By taking into account the properties of these plasticizers, and by avoiding contact with oils and solvents, high temperatures, sunlight, and acids and bases, it is possible to reduce the extraction, migration, decomposition, and oxidation of these plasticizers.
How do we judge? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Phenoxy plasticizers are widely used and not dangerous; we have been exposed to them for decades. It is possible to reduce their use by using rubber and plastic products containing phenoxy plasticizers in a proper manner. By taking into account the properties of these plasticizers, and by avoiding contact with oils and solvents, high temperatures, sunlight, and acids and bases, it is possible to reduce the extraction, migration, decomposition, and oxidation of these plasticizers. How do we make distinctions and classifications
It can be simply classified as follows: 1. Plastic products for medical use definitely do not contain phthalate plasticizers. 2. Everyday items in use today generally contain phthalate plasticizers. 3. Low-grade plastic products definitely contain phthalate plasticizers. 4. Used in food packaging and in contact with the mouth, phthalate plasticizers are generally not present, but it cannot be guaranteed that none are present at all. 5. Soft plastic products are more likely to contain phthalate plasticizers. 6. Products that become significantly harder at low temperatures may contain phthalate plasticizers.
In previous products, there were way too many items with plasticizers added. Later, due to increased attention and a clear ban in Europe, it gradually became known to people. The hazards of plasticizers have been around for a long time!
I’ve learned that phthalate plasticizers are indeed widespread