Columbia Analytical Offers Testing to Detect Phthalate Levels
A recent article in the journal Pediatrics has raised further questions about the presence of phthalates in the environment. They note that certain phthalates, found in numerous baby care products, may lead to developmental and reproductive toxicity in infants.
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals that are used to make vinyl products flexible and soft. They also make products like nail polish harder to chip and make fragrances last longer. They are found in many industrial and common household items, including PVC plastics, cosmetics, personal care products (including most lotions, shampoos and powders), plastic toys, vinyl products and almost all products with fragrance. Phthalates are also used in medical devices, and numerous items our homes and cars. Essentially, phthalates are everywhere.
Phthalate testing is problematic due to their wide spread use and background levels can lead to false positive results. Therefore the laboratory must eliminate background sources of phthalates and ensure that quality control data supports that the analysis is free of these interferences. Although there are a number of analytical testing alternatives, the most common way for a laboratory to test for phthalates is using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer operated in selected ion monitoring mode (GC/MS/SIM). This GC/MS/SIM technique is currently being used by Columbia Analytical Services in similar studies investigating phthalates in medications, ambient air, and other applications related to human health risk. Columbia Analytical has performed analytical testing for phthalates for over 20 years.
For more information on testing for phthalates, contact Jeff Christian, Columbia Analytical Services, Inc. at 360-577-7222.
Chemical structure of butyl benzyl phthalate
Tags: gas chromatograph, GC/MS/SIM, mass spectrometer, Phthalate
August 5th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Do vinyl-covered polyurethane foam crib mattresses out-gas phthalates and other toxic chemicals that could contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If so, does covering the crib mattress with a polyethylene mattress cover, as suggested by New Zealand scientist, Dr. Sprott, protect the newborn baby against these toxic chemicals and help to prevent SIDS?
August 5th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Thank you for your question. I would suggest contacting your local medical provider or the CDC (Center for Disease Control). We only test for the presence of phthalates and other chemicals.
August 8th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Hi Melaney,
I suspect that we will see that off-gassing mattresses are indeed the culprit in SIDS (although whether or not this information will be made public is another story). It makes sense that SIDS rates decreased when children started sleeping on their backs as their airways are now directed away from the mattress. I am not a doctor or a scientist in the field, but it seems clear to me. I bought an organic mattress and let my daughter sleep on her stomach. You can find lots of organic options these days.
good luck,
jennifer
September 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I am a small business owner that creates and customizes kaleidoscopes. I have clients who are now requiring me to verify that my product is phthalate free. How do I have these test conducted? What will my costs be?
Jean Schilling
September 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Hi Jean,
Yes, we do perform the required testing. Please contact us and we will give you a quote. We can be reached at the following number 360-577-7222 or 800-695-7222 x 07. Thank you for your interest.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Our company manufactures pvc plastisol screen inks. We need to certify that we do not use any of the 6 phthalates that are banned in europe and california for childrens toys. Are your test sensitive enough to identify banned phthalates from phthalates that are not banned such as DOTP.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi Rocky,
The following is the standard list of phthalates that we currently test for:
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate
Di-n-octyl Phthalate
Dimethyl Phthalate
Di-n-propyl Phthalate
Di-n-pentyl Phthalate
Dicyclohexyl Phthalate
Diethyl Phthalate
Di-n-butyl Phthalate
Di-n-hexyl Phthalate
Benzyl butyl phthalate
The following is a list of the Consumer Product Safety Council Regulated Phthalates that we test for:
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate
Di-n-octyl Phthalate
Di-iso-decylphthalate
Di-iso-nonylphthalate
Di-n-butyl Phthalate
Benzyl butyl phthalate
We can test for the presence of these substances in the low parts per billion range. We can also test for other phthalates upon request, though the cost of the standard may be added to the cost of the analytical procedure.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Do you have a product list that includes all the products might content phthalates? How about office products, such as pens, cd holders, rubber bands, white boards, is the phthaltaes requirement applied to these products also or only for kid’s toys and care products?
Thanks,
December 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Hi Joanne, thanks for your question.
Phthalates are used in so many products that it would be hard to list of all products that may contain it. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) lists the types of products in which the level of phthalates is of concern; their committee will address this issue in early 2009.
Please keep in mind that if phthalates are indeed in a particular product, it doesn’t necessarily mean it can get out and into your body or cause an adverse health effect.
The best idea is to monitor the consumer products safety website and the various state regulatory agencies to see if the requirements will be extended to other products.