Testing Consumer Products for Phthalates

Chemicals called phthalates are added to PVC to make it soft. Phthalates are not bound to the plastic and therefore can leach out when chewed or sucked. Concerns have been raised over the potential effect of chronic phthalate exposure on human health. These health concerns have resulted in the regulation of the type and level of phthalates allowable in toys and other children’s products.

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) technology is mandated by regulatory requirements (2005/84/EC; EN 71-11, Section 5.8; CPSIA 2008) to test for the presence of phthalates in children’s products.

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Application Notes
GC/MS Analysis of Phthalates in Children's Products
- Phthalates are added to plastics, primarily vinyl, to make the material softer and to increase flexibility. Concerns have been raised over the potential effect of chronic phthalate exposure on human health. This health concern has resulted in the regulation of the type and level of phthalates allowable in toys and other children’s products.
Webcasts
Phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA) and VOCs in Children's Products
- presented by: Bill Goodman "Monitoring children's products for potentially harmful levels of organics such as Phthalates, Bisphenol A and Volatile Organics".
EcoAnalytix Solutions
Phthalates GC/MS Solution
- PerkinElmer offers a complete solution for this application, featuring a Clarus® 600 GC/MS, delivering robust methodology conforming to established methodology for the determination of phthalates (2005/84/EC; EN 71-11, Section 5.8; CPSIA 2008) and accurate, reliable results with detection at levels considerably lower than the regulations.