Phthalates

Phthalates (US: UK: THAL-ates ), or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are colorless, odorless, oily compounds, although commercial samples can be yellowish with faint odors. Being fairly chemically inert and easily produced, they are widely used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to polymers to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers, not all plasticizers are phthalates. The two terms are specific, unique, and not used interchangeably. The use of phthalate plasticizers has had a profound effect on the commercialization of PVC, promoting its use for major industrial and consumer applications where flexibility is required, such as for tubing, siding, packaging and wire sheathing. Phthalates are controversial because, when ingested, they pose a threat as endocrine disruptors. Consequently their use is regulated, e.g. in the United States, Canada, and European Union.