Phthalate Introduction
German recent study shows that many cosmetics, toys, food packaging contain health hazard chemical Phthalate. Studies have shown that men’s sperm reduction over the past few decades may be related to light in a wide range of chemicals used as softeners related phthalate. This substance is widely present in cosmetics, children’s toys, food packaging, if its content exceeding the standard would be a great risk to human health.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals with softening effects, widely used in toys, food packaging materials, medical blood bags and pipes, vinyl flooring and wallpaper, cleaning agents, lubricants, personal care products such as nail polish, hair spray, soap and shampoo, etc. Studies have shown that phthalates play a similar role of female hormones in human and animal bodies. They will interfere internal secretion, resulting in decrease of men???s semen volume and sperm count, low sperm motility, sperm shape abnormalities and testicular cancer can be caused when serious.
In cosmetics, phthalates content is maximum in nail polish. Fragrance ingredients of cosmetics also contain phthalates which will enter into body through women???s respiratory system and skin. The excessive use of phthalates will increase risks of women’s suffering from breast cancer and endanger the reproductive system of baby boys.
As things stand, phthalates in children’s products are laid stress on. In 1999 EU formally made a decision in its member states that phthalates contents are strictly restricted in mouth contact toys (such as baby pacifiers) for children under 3 years old as well as other children’s products. Experts found phthalates contained in soft plastic toys and children???s products may be placed in the mouth of a child. Placing long enough in the mouth will result in phthalates dissolution in excess of safety standards, which endangers children’s liver and kidneys and sexual precocity may also caused.
Phthalates limits in Toys
EU Directive 2005/84/EC, restriction on toys and child-care products, takes in effect on 16 January 2007. All EU Member States shall transfer the Directive to native laws before7 June 2007 and guarantee to implement its own laws on 16 June 2008, so does Romania and Bulgaria which will join EU on 1 January 2008. The Directive will influence importers greatly. According to the Directive, child-care products refers to anything helpful to children’s sleep, relaxing and sanitation as well as products for children feeding or sucking in a variety of shapes.
Following restrictions are specified in the annex to the most influential Directive 2005/84/EC.
Plasticized parts of children’s toys or child care articles can’t contain concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DEHP, DBP or BBP
Children’s toys or child care articles, with concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DEHP, DBP or BBP, can’t enter the EU market.
Children’s toys and child care articles that can be placed in a child’s mouth can’t contain concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DINP, DIDP, DNOP.
Children’s toys or child care articles, with concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DINP、DIDP or DNOP, can’t enter the EU market.
Clearly, restrictions on DEHP, DBP and BBP will affect all toys and child care articles not just for which can be placed in a child’s mouth because they are classified as class 2 biological toxic by official risk assessment. On the other hand, the Directive indicates that it’s controversial and lack of evidence in risks of DINP, DIDP and DNOP, therefore EU adopts pre-emption doctrine, taking measures according to possible risks rather than actual risks to restrict DINP, DIDP and DNOP with more liberal rules.
Phthalates in different forms
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Benzylbutyl phthalate
Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)
Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)