{"id":4957,"date":"2015-07-21T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2015-07-21T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/?p=4957"},"modified":"2026-04-10T15:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:36:15","slug":"new-approaches-to-phthalate-testing-using-ft-ir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/materials\/new-approaches-to-phthalate-testing-using-ft-ir\/","title":{"rendered":"New Approaches to Phthalate Testing Using FT-IR"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"rubberPhthalates are chemical plasticizers used to make plastic softer and more flexible. Phthalates can be found in hundreds of consumer and personal care products such as toys, cosmetics, shampoo, detergents, food packaging, adhesives, plastic pipes and other building supplies, and medical devices.<\/p>\n

Many countries have prohibited the use of phthalates in toys because of the potential health problems they may cause, particularly in children. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)<\/a> prohibits the use of six types of phthalates in children’s toys and certain child care articles, specifically those designed for children age three or younger, to facilitate sleeping or feeding, or for teething.<\/p>\n

CPSIA limits several phthalate compounds (DEHP, DBP, BBP) to levels not to exceed 0.1 wt %, even though the commercial levels are often greater than 10%. CPSIA bans\u00a0three additional phthalates (DINP, DIDP, DnOP)\u00a0in any amount greater than 0.1% in toys that can be placed in the mouth and in child care articles. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site, CPSIA\u00a0 requires that\u00a0children\u2019s products:<\/p>\n