Phthalates are widely used in a wide range of applications and standardized use needs to be strengthened

Phthalate esters (PAEs), also known as phthalates, are the collective name for esters formed from phthalic acid. When used as a plastic plasticizer, it generally refers to the ester of phthalic acid and an alcohol of 4 to 15 carbons. There are many varieties of phthalates (about 30 kinds), the common ones are dioctyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate. wait.

Phthalate esters are generally viscous liquids with very low volatility, special odor and low toxicity. At the same time, phthalate esters have the characteristics of general esters, with a low melting point and are soluble in most organic solutions. And can be hydrolyzed in acidic or alkaline environments.

According to the “China Phthalates Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report 2023-2028” released by the Industrial Research CenterIt shows that plasticizers can improve the performance of polymer materials and reduce production costs, so they are widely used in plastic products, plaster, cement, cosmetics, cleaning agents and other materials. As a representative product of plasticizers, phthalates were first used as plasticizers and put into production in the 1920s. Later, due to their good comprehensive properties and mature production technology, they stood out among many plasticizers and became popular in the 21st century. Century has developed rapidly, with output and usage increasing continuously, accounting for nearly 80% of the total plasticizer output.

Products made with phthalates as raw materials involve hundreds of products in many fields such as industry, agriculture, medical care and daily life. In the industrial field, it is widely used in the manufacture of floors, wallpapers, food packaging materials, automobile interiors and seat covers, etc.; in the agricultural field, it is often used as a pesticide carrier and insect repellent; in the medical field, it is often used in blood bags and syringes. , uterine contraceptive device, artificial heart cast film and other medical devices; in daily life, it can not only be used to make raincoats, rain boots, gloves, toys and other products, but also can be used to make soap, shampoo, hair gel and other care products and Nail polish and other cosmetic products.

However, phthalates are typical endocrine disrupting substances (EDCs) with reproductive and developmental toxicity. Excessive exposure will interfere with the operation of human hormones and have a certain impact on human health. Because phthalates are semi-volatile, they can easily spill out from related products, affecting the human body through diet, skin contact, etc., and endangering human health. In addition, the extensive use of phthalates has caused their concentration in water, soil, and air to varying degrees, causing certain harm to the environment. With the continuous improvement of national safety and health awareness, more and more excessive use of phthalates has been disclosed, and society’s awareness of phthalate plasticizers has continued to deepen. The country has introduced various regulations and policies on phthalate plasticizers. The use of plasticizers is subject to certain restrictions, but due to the large number of phthalate ester categories and their high cost performance, competition is mainly conducted within the product, and less toxic categories will gradually replace more toxic categories.

Industry analysts said that due to their good comprehensive properties, phthalates are widely used in many fields and will continue to be used in the future. It has strong irreplaceability and good development prospects. With the introduction and implementation of various national standards and regulations, the standardized use of phthalates will also gradually increase.