Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
where
O = oxygen
R and R′ = C
n
H
2n+1
n = 4-15
O
OR
OR'
O
Phthalate compounds are primarily used as plasticizers. They are
added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and
longevity, and are also used to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—a com-
mon pipe material. More than a billion pounds of phthalates are
used in a variety of products every year (ATSDR 2002a).
The variety of products using phthalates includes the follow-
ing (ATSDR 2002a):
FIGURE 7.9
Basic phthalate
molecule.
O
O
O
• Coatings
• Plastics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Gelling agents
• Stabilizers
• Dispersants
• Lubricants
• Binders
• Children's toys
• Modeling clay
• Eye shadow
• Moisturizer
• Nail polish
• Perfume
• Hair spray
• Detergents
• Packaging
• Waxes
• Paints
• Printing inks
• Fishing lures
• Caulk
• Shower curtains
• Vinyl upholstery
• Automobile interiors
• Food containers
• Many others
O
FIGURE 7.10
Molecular structure of
Di(2-exthylhexyl) phthalate.
According to ATSDR (2002a) and USEPA (2009b), DEHP is a suspected human carcino-
gen (Group: A2), while DEP and DBP are not classified as human carcinogens (Group: A4).
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