Phthalates, commonly used plasticizers, are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) toys and baby products to increase flexibility. Since they are additives, not lubricants, they are not chemically bound in the polymer and therefore are able to leach from the matrix. Phthalate exposure may disrupt the hormonal development of children and can lead to early puberty, reproductive defects and other health problems. Due to these concerns, recent regulatory methods in China, the EU and the US require determination of six restricted phthalate esters in childcare items and child toys. This application demonstrates analysis of these phthalate esters using an Agilent GC/MSD with an Agilent J&W DB-5ms Ultra Inert column providing accurate calibration coefficients and excellent reproducibility and recovery.
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