Analysis of potentially toxic phthalate plasticizers used in toy manufacturing
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31/12/1997
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Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
A plasticizer is a substance normally incorporated to a PVC resin or some other materials such as paints, to improve some of its properties as flexibility or processability. Phthalates, adipates, phosphates and some others are the main compounds used as plasticizers. Some of these compounds, as bis-(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (DOP), are being questioned worldwide because of their potential toxicity to humans and the environment (Menzel et al, 1990).Plasticizers are the PVC additives most commonly used in the toy industry, especially in doll manufacturing. Thus, children may be exposed to those compounds, considering the high migration of plasticizers into the PVC derivatives.