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Perfluorochemicals and plastic

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Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are a family of man-made chemicals.
They have been around since the 1950s.
They include
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; C8F17SO3),
perfluorobutane sulfonate ( PFBS; C4F9C03),
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; C8F15O2H),
perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA; C4F7O2H), and
perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS; C6F13SO3).
They are hydrophobic (water-repelling), and oleophobic (oil-repelling).

They are used

  • as a surface coating for paper and cardboard they make them water and grease resistant and so suitable for packaging processed foods.
  • on carpets,leather products and textiles to make them stain resistant and waterproof.
  • in non stick coatings on cookware and pans.

They are added to some plastics.

They do not break down easily and can last in the enironment for years.

They have been found in both soil and water.

When they enter the food chain they are retained in animal tissue leading to a process called biomagnification, meaning that they are passed on up the foodchain from animal to animal and because they are stored in the body for years the amount increases exponentially as they travel up the food chain.

Recent studies have found perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in human serum.

Human studies have been done for a number of years in workers exposed to high levels of PFCs. These studies have not found consistent effects on health.

Read more here

Endocrine Disruptors Category 1

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The EU list of potential endocrine disruptors

The EU strategy for endocrine disruptors includes the task of compiling a candidate list of potential endocrine disruptors. The list prioritises the substances that must be evaluated further for endocrine disrupting effects.The European Commission has prepared a strategy for endocrine disruptors.

The proposals were compared and a collective EU list of over 432 candidate substances established, which are to be studied further for endocrine-disrupting properties. In order to prioritise efforts, the substances have been subdivided into a number of categories:

Category 1: Substances for which endocrine activity have been documented in at least one study of a living organism. These substances are given the highest priority for further studies. Contains 194 substances. This does not necessarily mean that there is final proof that the substance is an endocrine disruptor, but there is more or less comprehensive evidence of endocrine-disrupting effects in live animals. The substance should therefore be prioritised for further evaluation of endocrine disrupting properties.

Category 2: Substances without sufficient evidence of endocrine activity, but with evidence of biological activity relating to endocrine disruption.

Category 3a and 3b: Substances for which there are no indications of endocrine-disrupting properties or which cannot be evaluated due to a lack of data.

The plan is to convert these lists into a dynamic working list, where substances can be added or removed as more evidence of their endocrine-disrupting properties becomes available.

Category 1

CAS nr. Name
12789-03-6 Chlordane
57-74-9 Chlordane, – cis- og trans-
143-50-0 Kepone (Chlordecone)
2385-85-5 Mirex
8001-35-2 Toxaphene (Camphechlor)
50-29-3 DDT (technical) (Clofenotane)
50-29-3 p,p’-DDT
3563-45-9 Tetrachloro-DDT
50471-44-8 Vinclozolin
12427-38-2 Maneb
137-42-8 Metam Natrium
137-26-8 Thiram
12122-67-7 Zineb
58-89-9 Gamma-HCH (Lindane)
330-55-2 Linuron
1912-24-9 Atrazine
34256-82-1 Acetochlor
15972-60-8 Alachlor
100-42-5 Styrene
118-74-1 Hexachlorobenzene ( HCB)
85-68-7 Butylbenzylphthalate ( BBP)
117-81-7 DEHP (Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)
84-74-2 DBP (Di-n-butylphthalate)
80-05-7 Bisphenol A(4,4’-isopropylidendiphenol)
1336-36-3 PCB
35065-27-1 PCB 153
32774-16-6 PCB 169
2437-79-8 PCB 47
32598-13-3 PCB 77
53469-21-9 PCB Arochlor 1242
12672-29-6 PCB Arochlor 1248
11097-69-1 PCB Arochlor1254
11096-82-5 PCB Arochlor 1260 (clophen A60)
59536-65-1 PBBs = polybromerede biphenyler
(209 congenere)
40321-76-4 1,2,3,7,8 Pentachloro-dibenzodioxin
(1,2,3,7,8-PCDD)
1746-01-6 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin
( 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
107555-93-1 1,2,3,7,8-Pentabromo-dibenzofuran
No CAS Tributyltin compounds
688-73-3 Tributyltin hydride
56-35-9 Tributyl Oxide (bis(tributyltin)oxide)
26354-18-7 Stannane, tributylmecrylate
(Stannane, tributylmethacrylate)
No CAS Methoxyacrylate tributyltin copolymer
4342-30-7 Phenol, 2-(tributylstannyl)oxy)carbonyl-
4342-36-3 Stannane, benzoyloxytributyl-
4782-29-0 Stannane, (1,2- phenylenebis (carbonyloxy))bis(tributyl-
36631-23-9 Stannane, tributyl(naphthalenyloxy)-
(Tributyltin naphtalate)
85409-17-2 Stannane, tributyl- , mono(naphthenoyloxy)-
24124-25-2 Stannane, tributyl (1-oxo-9,12-octadecadienyl)oxy)-
3090-35-5 Stannane, tributyl((1-oxo-9-octadecenyl)oxy)-
26239-64-5 Stannane, (1R-(1alpha,4abeta,4b alpha,10a alpha))-
Tributyl(((1,2,3,4,4a,4b,5,6,10,10a-decahydro-7-isopropyl-
1,4a-dimethyl-1-phenanthryl)carbonyl)oxy)-
1983-10-4 Stannane, tributylfluoro-
2155-70-6 Stannane, tributyl ((2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy)-
No CAS Tributyltincarboxylate
26636-32-8 Tributyltin naphthalate *
No CAS Tributyltinpolyethoxylate
2279-76-7 Tri-n-propyltin chloride (TPrT chloride)
Flere CAS-numre Triphenyltin
900-95-8 Fentin acetate
95-76-1 3,4-Dichloroaniline
108-46-3 Resorcinol
61-82-5 Amitrol (Aminotriazol)
1836-75-5 Nitrofen
140-66-9 4-tert-octylphenol
25154-52-3 Phenol, nonyl-
1461-25-2 Tetrabutyltin (TTBT)
99-99-0 4-Nitrotoluene
63-25-2 Carbaryl
5103-73-1 Cis-Nonachlor
39765-80-5 Trans-Nonachlor
2971-22-4 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chloro-phenyl)ethane
65148-80-3 3-MeO-o,p’-DDE
43216-70-2 3-OH-o,p’-DDT
65148-81-4 4-MeO-o,p’-DDE
65148-72-3 4-MeO-o,p’-DDT
65148-75-6 5-MeO-o,p’-DDD
65148-82-5 5-MeO-o,p’-DDE
65148-74-5 5-MeO-o,p’-DDT
65148-73-4 5-OH-o,p’-DDT
4329-12-8 m,p’-DDD
65148-83-6 o,p’-DDA-glycinat
(N-[(2-chlorophenyl)4-chlorophenyl)acetyl]glycin)
53-19-0 o,p’-DDD
3424-82-6 o,p’-DDE
14835-94-0 o,p’-DDMU
789-02-6 o,p’-DDT
72-54-8 p,p’-DDD
1022-22-6 p,p’-DDMU
72-55-9 p,p’-DDE
32809-16-8 Procymidon
8018-01-7 Mancozeb
9006-42-2 Metiram(Metiram-complex
319-85-7 Beta-HCH(isomer til gamma-HCH = Lindan)
608-73-1 Hexachlorocyclo-hexane= HCH mixed (inkluderer gamma-HCH = Lindan)
1689-83-4 Ioxynil
2971-36-0 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-Hydroxyphenyl)ethane(HPTE)
30668-06-5 1,3-Dichloro-2,2-bis(4-methoxy-3- methylphenyl)propane
2971-36-0 Bis-OH-Methoxychlor(1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane (HTPE))
72-43-5 Methoxychlor
72-43-5 p,p’-Methoxychlor
122-14-5 Fenitrothion
82657-04-3 Bifenthrin (@Talstar)
91465-08-6 Cyhalothrin, lambda-
52918-63-5 Deltamethrin
10453-86-8 Resmethrin
60168-88-9 Fenarimol
1918-02-1 Picloram
65277-42-1 Ketoconazol
1087-64-9 Metribuzin
86-50-0 Terbutryn
106-93-4 Ethylene Dibromid (1,2-dibromethan or EDB)
12002-48-1 Trichlorobenzene
608-93-5 Pentachlorobenzene
87-86-5 Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
1806-26-4 4-octylphenol
11081-15-5 4-isooctylphenol
9016-45-9 Nonylphenolethoxylat
85535-85-9 Intermediate chain chlorinated paraffins
85535-84-8 Short chain chlorinated paraffins
84-61-7 Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
84-66-2 Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
101-53-1 Phenyl-4-hydroxy-phenylmethane
(4-Benzylphenol eller p-Benzylphenol)
25036-25-3 2,2′-bis(2-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) phenyl)propane
(2,2-BPPP) (isomer til BADGE)
106-89-8 Epichlorohydrin (3-Chloro-1,2-epoxypropane)
35693-92-6 2,4-6-Trichlorobiphenyl
53555-66-1 3,4′,5-Trichlorobiphenyl
67651-37-0 3-Hydroxy-2′,3′,4′,5′- tetrachlorobiphenyl
100702-98-5 4,4′-Dihydroxy-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl
13049-13-3 4,4′-Dihydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl
67651-34-7 4-Hydroxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl
14962-28-8 4-Hydroxy-2′,4′,6′-trichlorobiphenyl
53905-33-2 4-Hydroxy-2,2’, 5′-trichlorobiphenyl
111810-41-4 4-Hydroxy-3,3′,4′,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl
4400-06-0 4-Hydroxy-3,4’, 5-trichlorobiphenyl
37680-73-2 4-OH-2,2′,4′,5,5′-pentachlorobiphenyl
54991-93-4 Clophen A30
8068-44-8 Clophen A50
No CAS Blanding af 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 61), 2,2’, 4,5,5′-Octachlorobiphenyl (PCB 101) og 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-Octachlorobiphenyl (PCB 194)
56558-16-8 PCB 104(2,2′,4,6,6′-Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
74472-37-0 PCB 114 (2,3,4,4′,5-Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
76842-07-4 PCB 122 (2,3,3′,4,5-Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
57465-28-8 PCB 126(3,3′,4,4′,5-Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
38380-07-3 PCB 128(2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-Hexachloro-biphenyl)
37680-65-2 PCB 18 (2,2′,5-Tri-chlorobiphenyl)
55702-46-0 PCB 21 (2,3,4-Trichloro-biphenyl)
No CAS PCB Aroclor 1016
32598-14-4 PCB 105 (2,3,3′,4,4′ -Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
7012-37-5 PCB 28 (2,4,4′-Tri-chlorobiphenyl)
35693-99-3 PCB 52 (2,2′;5,5′-Tetra-chlorobiphenyl)
35065-28-2 PCB 138(2,2′,3,4,4′,5′- Hexachlorobiphenyl)
35065-29-3 PCB180(2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′- Heptachlorobiphenyl)
31508-00-6 PCB 118(2,3′,4,4′,5-Penta-chlorobiphenyl)
12642-23-8 PCT Aroclor 5442
56614-97-2 3,9-Dihydroxy-benz(a)anthracene (3,9-DBA)
7099-43-6 5,6-Cyclopento-1,2-benzanthracene
(3,5-CPBA)
56-49-5 3-Methylcholanthrene (3-MC)
57-97-6 7,12-Dimethyl-1,2-benz(a)anthracene
(DMBA)
50-32-8 Benzo[a]pyrene (BAP)
50585-41-6 2,3,7,8-TeBDD
(tetrabrominated dibenzodioxin)
118174-38-2 6-Methyl-1,3,8-trichloro-dibenzofuran
94-82-6 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-butyric acid ( 2,4-DB)
72-33-3 Mestranol
10043-35-3 Boric Acid
104-40-5 Nonylphenol (4-NP)
1113-02-6 Omethoate
1131-60-8 4-Cyclohexylphenol
120-47-8 Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (Ethylparaben)
131-18-0 Di-n-pentylphthalate (DPP)
131-55-5 Benzophenone-2
( 2,2’,4,4’ tetra-hydroxybenzophenon)
131-56-6 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenon
(Benzophenone-1)
131-70-4 Mono-n-butylphthalate
13593-03-8 Quinalphos (Chinalphos)
15087-24-8 3-Benzylidene camphor (3-BC)
1582-09-8 Trifluralin
1634-04-4 Methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE)
25013-16-5 tert. Butylhydroxyanisol (BHA)
27193-28-8 Phenol, (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-
(Octylphenol)
33204-76-1 2,6-cis-Diphenylhexamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane
36861-47-9 3-(4-methyl-benzylidene)camphor
4376-20-9 Mono-2-ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP)
50-18-0 Cyclophosphamide
611-99-4 4,4’-Dihydroxy-benzophenone
6164-98-3 Chlordimeform
7400-08-0 p-Coumaric acid (PCA)
77-09-8 3,3’Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) phthalid
(Phenolphthaleine)
77-40-7 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-n-butan
(Bisphenol B)
92-69-3 4-Hydroxybiphenyl (4-Phenylphenol)
92-88-6 4,4’Dihydroxy-biphenyl
94-13-3 n-Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (Propylparaben)
94-26-8 n-Butyl p-hydroxybenzoate (Butylparaben)
96-12-8 Dibromochloropropane (DBCP)
96-45-7 Ethylene Thiourea (ETU)
99-76-3 Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (Methylparaben)
99-96-7 p-Hydroxybenzoic acid
____________
* The original report to the EU contained this CAS number, which the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has noted is erroneous. Tributyltin naphthalate is already listed under CAS no. 36631-23-9.
Category 1

Phthalates.

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged , ,
  • are used as a plasticiser  used to make a material like PVC softer and more flexible.
  • But they are also used in a wide range of other products.
  • They are small molecules that can dissolve into liquids that come into contact with them.
  • they  are endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Phthalate plasticizers are colorless liquids like vegetable oil with a faint odor, and they are insoluble in water. They are however, miscible in mineral oil, hexane, and most organic solvents. This makes them readily soluble in bodily fluids, such as plasma and saliva (1).

Two good examples of phthalate plasticizers are DEHP ( Di-Ethylhexyl Phthalate), and DINP (Di-Isononyl Phthalate).DEHP has been the most commonly used, and is still the plasticizer of choice for all PVC medical and surgical products.However due to evidence of the toxicity of DEHP in laboratory animal studies it was replaced in childrens products with DINP.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and potential EDCs are mostly man-made, found in various materials such as pesticides, metals, additives or contaminants in food, and personal care products. EDCs have been suspected to be associated with altered reproductive function in males and females; increased incidence of breast cancer, abnormal growth patterns and neurodevelopmental delays in children, as well as changes in immune function. World Health Organisation

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is widely used as a plasticizer in flexible vinyl products. Plastics may contain from 1 to 40% di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate by weight and are used in consumer products such as
  • imitation leather,
  • rainwear,
  • footwear,
  • upholstery,
  • flooring,
  • wire and cabels,
  • tablecloths,
  • shower curtains,
  • food packaging materials,
  • children’toys.
  • tubing and containers for blood products and transfusions.
It is also found in
  • rubbing alcohol,
  • liquid detergents,
  • decorative inks,
  • munitions,
  • industrial and lubricating oils and defoaming agents during paper and paperboard manufacture (Environmental Protection Agency, 1998)
  • hydraulic fluid and as a dielectric fluid (a non-conductor of electric current) in electrical capacitors (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1989).

Phthalates & Cosmetics.

Non-classified phthalates, DMP and DEP are the most widely used in cosmetics in the EU. They have not been classified or restricted because they do not pose any risks for our health or the environment.

Classified low orthophthalates such as  DBP and DIBP are no longer found in products manufactured and sold in the European Union due to provisions of the European Cosmetics legislation, which prohibits the use of substances classified for carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) hazards.

This EU legislation does not apply in other regions of the world, such as the US, where classified low orthophthalates are still permitted, although some companies have voluntarily stopped using them.

Historically, the phthalates used in cosmetic products have been dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used as a plasticizer in products such as nail polishes to reduce cracking by making them less brittle; dimethyl phthalate (DMP), used in hair sprays to help avoid stiffness by allowing them to form a flexible film on the hair; and diethyl phthalate (DEP), used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances. DEP can also function as an alcohol denaturant , rendering alcoholic products unfit for oral consumption.    DEP is the only phthalate still periodically used in cosmetics

Phthalates Leaching From Plastic.

Because phthalate plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC, they can easily leach and evaporate into food or the atmosphere. Phthalate exposure can be through direct use or by indirect means through leaching and general environmental contamination. Diet is believed to be the main source of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and other phthalates in the general population. Fatty foods such as milk, butter, and meats are a major source.  Wikkipedia

“ A 2011 study demonstrated that just a three-day period of limiting intake of packaged foods decreased by half the concentrations of DEHP found in urine (Rudel, 2011)”

Some studies also claim that phthalates are readily absorbed through the skin (Janjua, 2008) and can also enter the body through inhalation or medical injection procedures (Schettler, 2005).

When plastic toys are chewed by a child the plasticiser may be dissolved by the saliva of the child and possibly ingested.

Phthalates have been found in indoor air and dust (Rudel, 2001) and in human urine and blood samples from children, adolescents and adults (Calafat, 2011; Frederiksen, 2011; Kato, 2003; Rudel, 2011).

They are also found in breast milk.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate released into air can be carried for long distances in the troposphere and it has been detected over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; wash-out by rain appears to be a significant removal process (Atlas & Giam, 1981; Giam

Are they dangerous?

In a National Institutes of Health (NIH) report published in 2000, di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC plastics, was found reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

The breast cancer fund have no doubts that it causes cancer and the reports they quote all reinforce that view

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified DEHP as non-carcinogenic to humans.

How much is out there?

Production of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the United States increased during the 1980s, from approximately 114 000 tonnes in 1982 to over 130 000 tonnes in 1986 (Environmental Protection Agency, 1998).
In 1994, production of di(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate in the United States was 117 500 tonnes; production in Japan in 1995 was 298 000 tonnes; production in Taiwan in 1995 was 207 000 tonnes, down from 241 000 tonnes in 1994 (Anon., 1996).

Most Common Phthalates In Use

Name Abbreviation Structural formula Molecular weight (g/mol) CAS No.
Dimethyl phthalate DMP C6H4(COOCH3)2 194.18 131-11-3
Diethyl phthalate DEP C6H4(COOC2H5)2 222.24 84-66-2
Diallyl phthalate DAP C6H4(COOCH2CH=CH2)2 246.26 131-17-9
Di-n-propyl phthalate DPP C6H4[COO(CH2)2CH3]2 250.29 131-16-8
Di-n-butyl phthalate DBP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH3]2 278.34 84-74-2
Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH3)2]2 278.34 84-69-5
Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate BCP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOC6H11 304.38 84-64-0
Di-n-pentyl phthalate DNPP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH3]2 306.40 131-18-0
Dicyclohexyl phthalate DCP C6H4[COOC6H11]2 330.42 84-61-7
Butyl benzyl phthalate BBP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOCH2C6H5 312.36 85-68-7
Di-n-hexyl phthalate DNHP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH3]2 334.45 84-75-3
Diisohexyl phthalate DIHxP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH(CH3)2]2 334.45 146-50-9
Diisoheptyl phthalate DIHpP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH(CH3)2]2 362.50 41451-28-9
Butyl decyl phthalate BDP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 362.50 89-19-0
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP, DOP C6H4[COOCH2CH(C2H5)(CH2)3CH3]2 390.56 117-81-7
Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH3]2 390.56 117-84-0
Diisooctyl phthalate DIOP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH(CH3)2]2 390.56 27554-26-3
n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate ODP CH3(CH2)7OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 418.61 119-07-3
Diisononyl phthalate DINP C6H4[COO(CH2)6CH(CH3)2]2 418.61 28553-12-0
Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate DPHP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH2CH2CH3)(CH2)4CH3]2 446.66 53306-54-0
Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH(CH3)2]2 446.66 26761-40-0
Diundecyl phthalate DUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH3]2 474.72 3648-20-2
Diisoundecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)8CH(CH3)2]2 474.72 85507-79-5
Ditridecyl phthalate DTDP C6H4[COO(CH2)12CH3]2 530.82 119-06-2
Diisotridecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH(CH3)2]2 530.82 68515-47-9
Sources
Interesting links

Endocrine System & Endocrine Disruptors

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets, 2.1 reports, stats and studies Tagged , , , 1 Comment

A few quotes on the endocrine system…….

“Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.”Kids health

“Endocrine systems, are found in all mammals, birds, fish, and many other types of living organisms. They are made up of:

Glands located throughout the body.
Hormones that are made by the glands and released into the bloodstream or the fluid surrounding cells.
Receptors in various organs and tissues that recognize and respond to the hormones.
Hormones are released by glands and travel throughout the body, acting as chemical messengers.

Hormones interface with cells that contain matching receptors in or on their surfaces. The hormone binds with the receptor, much like a key would fit into a lock. The hormones, or keys, need to find compatible receptors, or locks, to work properly. Although hormones reach all parts of the body, only target cells with compatible receptors are equipped to respond. Once a receptor and a hormone bind, the receptor carries out the hormone’s instructions by either altering the cell’s existing proteins or turning on genes that will build a new protein. Both of these actions create reactions throughout the body. Researchers have identified more than 50 hormones in humans and other vertebrates.

The endocrine system regulates all biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into old age, including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and function of the reproductive system, as well as the metabolism and blood sugar levels. The female ovaries, male testes, and pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands are major constituents of the endocrine system.”The EPA website

“The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) focuses on the estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones. Estrogens are the group of hormones responsible for female sexual development. They are produced primarily by the ovaries and in small amounts by the adrenal glands. Androgens are responsible for male sex characteristics. Testosterone, the sex hormone produced by the testicles, is an androgen. The thyroid gland secretes two main hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, into the bloodstream. These thyroid hormones stimulate all the cells in the body and control biological processes such as growth, reproduction, development, and metabolism. For additional information on the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors, visit the Endocrine Primer.” The EPA website

“Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. A wide range of substances, both natural and man-made, are thought to cause endocrine disruption, including pharmaceuticals, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT and other pesticides, and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. Endocrine disruptors may be found in many everyday products– including plastic bottles, metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.” National institute of Environmental Health Sciences
“Disruption of the endocrine system can occur in various ways. Some chemicals mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body into over-responding to the stimulus (e.g., a growth hormone that results in increased muscle mass), or responding at inappropriate times (e.g., producing insulin when it is not needed). Other endocrine disrupting chemicals block the effects of a hormone from certain receptors (e.g. growth hormones required for normal development). Still others directly stimulate or inhibit the endocrine system and cause overproduction or underproduction of hormones (e.g. an over or underactive thyroid). Certain drugs are used to intentionally cause some of these effects, such as birth control pills. In many situations involving environmental chemicals, however, an endocrine effect is not desirable.

In recent years, some scientists have proposed that chemicals might inadvertently be disrupting the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. A variety of chemicals have been found to disrupt the endocrine systems of animals in laboratory studies, and there is strong evidence that chemical exposure has been associated with adverse developmental and reproductive effects on fish and wildlife in particular locations. The relationship of human diseases of the endocrine system and exposure to environmental contaminants, however, is poorly understood and scientifically controversial (Kavlock et al., 1996, EPA, 1997).

One example of the devastating consequences of the exposure of developing animals, including humans, to endocrine disruptors is the case of the potent drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen. Prior to its ban in the early 1970’s, doctors mistakenly prescribed DES to as many as five million pregnant women to block spontaneous abortion and promote fetal growth. It was discovered after the children went through puberty that DES affected the development of the reproductive system and caused vaginal cancer. Since then, Congress has improved the evaluation and regulation process of drugs and other chemicals. The recent requirement of the establishment of an endocrine disruptor screening program is a highly significant step.docrine disruptor screening program is a highly significant step.”The EPA website

Find out more about the endocrine disruptors in plastic here

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Antimony

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged , ,

Is a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemical – ie one that lasts a long time, accumulates in the food chain and is, well, toxic. Read more here…

Humans absorb  antimony  from the  air, drinking water and  food – but also by skin contact with soil and contaminated substances.

Exposure to “relatively high concentrations of antimony (9 mg/m3 of air)” over long periods of time ( doesn’t say how long is long)  can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs.

Greater exposure may result in lung diseases, heart problems, diarrhea, severe vomiting and stomach ulcers.

It is not known whether antimony can cause cancer or reproductive failure.

Animals

“Relatively high” levels may kill rats, rabbits and guinea pigs and can cause damage  to the lungs, heart, liver and kidney of a rat.

Low levels of antimony in the air, experienced for a long time, may result in eye irritation, hair loss and lung damage in animals. Even shorter exposures of a couple of months may result in fertility problems.

Dogs may experience heart problems if exposed to low levels of antimony.

Environment

Antimony is most often found in soil.

It can travel long distances through water.

Products

Antimony is used in

  • Polyester – a synthetic fabric -you always knew those slacks were wrong!
  • PET bottles – used in the beverage industry

Its is shown to leach from both those products.

With thanks to

 Lentech and EPA

 

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Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of manmade chemicals. They are oily liquids or solids, clear to yellow in color, with no smell or taste. PCBs are very stable mixtures that are resistant to extreme temperature and pressure. PCBs were used widely in electrical equipment like capacitors and transformers.

The commercial production of PCBs started in 1929.

Since the 1970s and 80s use has been banned or severely restricted in many countries  because of the possible risks to human health and the environment.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) compounds were used as additives in paint, carbonless copy paper, and plastics.

They were used as a plasticiser to make plastics more flexible.

Commercial production of PCBs ended in 1977 because of health effects associated with exposure. In 1979, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) banned the use of PCBs; however, PCBs are still present in many pre-1979 products.

Of the 209 different types of PCBs, 13 exhibit a dioxin-like toxicity. Their persistence in the environment corresponds to the degree of chlorination, and half-lives can vary from 10 days to one-and-a-half years.

From the 1920s until they were banned in 1979, the U.S. produced an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of these industrial chemicals. They were used in a variety of manufacturing processes, particularly for electrical parts, across the country. Wastes containing PCBs were often improperly stored or disposed of or even directly discharged into soils, rivers, wetlands, and the ocean.

Exposure to PCBs is through food

  • Food: PCBs in food are probably the single most significant source of exposure for people.
  • Surface Soils: 
  • Drinking Water and Groundwater: PCBs are not very water-soluble so it is quite rare for them to be found in groundwater.
  • Indoor Air: Older fluorescent lights found in schools, offices, and homes may still contain transformers or ballasts that contain PCBs. 

Case Studies ( almost complete) from the world bank website

PCBs are toxic to fish, killing them at higher doses and causing spawning failures at lower doses. Research also links PCBs to reproductive failure and suppression of the immune system in various wild animals, such as seals and mink.

Large numbers of people have been exposed to PCBs through food contamination. Consumption of PCB-contaminated rice oil in Japan in 1968 and in Taiwan in 1979 caused pigmentation of nails and mucous membranes and swelling of the eyelids, along with fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

Due to the persistence of PCBs in their mothers’ bodies, children born up to seven years after the Taiwan incident showed developmental delays and behavioral problems. Similarly, children of mothers who ate large amounts of contaminated fish from Lake Michigan showed poorer short-term memory function. PCBs also suppress the human immune system and are listed as probable human carcinogens.”

Dioxins are classed as a persistant organic pollutants, (POPs), also known as PBTs (Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic) or TOMPs (Toxic Organic Micro Pollutants.)

Find out more about dioxins here.

POPs are a small set of toxic chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods and accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals. You can find out more about POPS here

Related articles
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Composting Standards

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets, 3.1 Composting, 3.6 Good to know Tagged , , 6 Comments

Composting accelerates the natural process of biodegrading or rotting down organic waste material into a rich soil or compost. Its the only sustainable way to deal with our waste… we love it.

Biodegradable means …..
Biodegradable products break down through a naturally occurring microorganism, such as fungi or bacteria over a period of time.
They must degrade into simple, stable compounds which can be absorbed into the ecosystem.
You can read more about that HERE

Compostable means…..
To be classed compostable, items must
Biodegrade within a certain time (around the rate at which paper biodegrades.)The resulting particles must be very small.
The resulting biomass must be free of toxins, able to sustain plant life and be used as an organic fertilizer or soil additive.

Composting Standards
For a man-made product to be sold as compostable, it has to meet certain standards. One such is the
European Norm EN13432
This is a EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC), EN 13432:2000 – “Packaging: requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation”
It was introduced in 2000.
It has been adopted by the UK and is published as BS EN 13432 by the British Standards Institution.
Comprehensive evidence has to be submitted before a product gets ‘compostable’ certification.

Home Composting V Industrial Composting

HOWEVER compostable in this instance means that these certified products will break down in an industrial composters.
Industrial composting are large scale schemes.
Home composting is a bin in your back yard.
The difference is is that industrial composting is a lot hotter and can work more quickly.
Therefore, while a product might be classed as both biodegradable and compostable, it might not break down in a backyard compost bin.

Home Composting

Vinçotte, a Belgian accredited inspection and certification organisation,  provide a home composting certification service. Products that display the ‘OK Compost Home’ logo, can go in your bin.

The Association for Organics Recycling is working to establish a similar specification for the UK.

Compostable Plastics

Cellulose derived plastics such as Cellophane. These plant derived plastics are amongst the first examples of the product and do biodegrade. ­
Starch based plastics which are compostable such as PLA plastics. They are certified compostable and do biodegrade.

Composting Compostable Plastic At Home
While most agree that compostable plastic is indeed compostable, many say that it can only composted in industrial composters. As we don’t have many large scale municipal schemes this they say is a pointless advantage.I say the days of large scale municipal schemes is fast approaching as governments aim to divert biodegradable rubbish from landfill sites.
AND I have been composting my PLA plastic for years. We have used and composted a number of products (including Biobags , Deli pots  and disposable Cutlery)
It does take longer than other products and  sometimes I have found shreds of it in my compost but I dig it into the soil where it quickly disappears.

Bioplastics
Most compostable plastics are bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from natural materials such as corn starch. However not all are compostable. For example Ethane based plastics as used Coca-Cola’s PlantBottle which replaces 30 percent of the ethanol in their normal polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle with 30 percent plant-derived ethanol. This means the bottle is still considered PET and can be recycled but is NOT biodegradable. Find out more here.

To be sure you are getting a compostable plastic get one that has been certified.

More

Check out all our composting posts HERE

Remember, not all bio- plastics can be composted and do not biodegrade – bioplastics dont mean biodegradable. Yup its confusing but try everything you ever wanted to know about plastic.but were too scared to ask, to find out a lot more about plastic.

Antimony in fabrics

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged

Yet more reasons to reduce your plastic use …. quoted highlights from an extremely interesting article from the never dull O Ecotextiles PLEASE NOTE the quotes are the points that struck me, I strongly reccomend you read the whole article to place the quotes in context and access the citations.

“65% of the world’s production of fibers are synthetic, and 35% are natural fibers. (1) Fully 70% of those synthetic fibers are polyester.

There are many different types of polyester, but the type most often produced for use in textiles is polyethylene terephthalate, abbreviated PET. Used in a fabric, it’s most often referred to as “polyester” or “poly”. It is very cheap to produce, which is the primary driver for its use in the textile industry.

Annual PET production requires 104 million barrels of oil – that’s 70 million barrels just to produce the virgin polyester used in fabrics.

Antimony is used as a catalyst to create PET.

Antimony is present in 80 – 85% of all virgin PET. Antimony is a carcinogen, and toxic to the heart, lungs, liver and skin.

Antimony used in the production of PET fibers becomes chemically bound to the PET polymer so although your PET fabric contains antimony, it isn’t available to your living system. (3)

Antimony is leached from the fibers during the high temperature dyeing process. The antimony that leaches from the fibers is expelled with the wastewater…. Countries that can afford technologies that precipitate the metals out of the solution are left with a hazardous sludge …..Countries who cannot or who are unwilling to employ these end-of-pipe treatments release antimony along with a host of other dangerous substances to open waters.”

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Tin Cans, Plastic Liners & Health

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So you think, no that you’ve given up plastic but at least you can buy stuff in tins. At least I did for a while. But sadly for me no most tins are plastic lined either with a polymer (plastic) coating or epoxy resin (also plastic) And this is tru for food, drink and even cosmetics.

Linings

Drinks
Aluminium drinks cans have a polymer plastic lining. It’s there to stop acids in the beverage from corroding the metal which is not good for the can or the flavor of the contents. If you don’t believe me, Check out this experiment, as done by Steve Spangler,

Food
Nearly all tin cans are plastic lined with epoxy resin.
Epoxy resins, are used because of their “exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability and chemical resistance. These coatings make it possible for food products to maintain their quality and taste, while extending shelf life.
In tins the liner can be white or yellow or transparent in which case it is  undetectable.  In most cases it is best to assume that your can has a plastic liner.
It helps to prevent canned foods from becoming tainted or spoiled by bacterial contamination.

Read more “Metal food and beverage cans have a thin coating on the interior surface, which is essential to prevent corrosion of the can and contamination of food and beverages with dissolved metals UK FSA, 2002).”

Cosmetics
Tins used to store cosmetics are also lined with epoxy resin this time to prevent corrosion.

Recycling

You might wish to know that when the can is recycled, the liner is burnt off.

History

“The History of the Liner – Technicians at the American Can Company, even before Prohibition, began toying with the idea of putting beer in a can. As early as 1929, Anheuser-Busch and Pabst experimented with the canning process. Schlitzeven proposed a can design that looked like a small barrel.

The major problem the early researchers were confronted with, however, was not strength, but the can’s liner. Several years and most of the early research funds were spent to solve this perplexing problem. Beer has a strong affinity for metal, causing precipitated salts and a foul taste. The brewers called the condition “metal turbidity”.

The American Can Company produced the flat or punch top can in 1934. The lining was made from a Union Carbide product called “Vinylite”, a plastic product which was trademarked “keglined” on September 25, 1934.”

Bad for you?

You might not want to know that the lining contains Bisphenol A (BPA) a chemical building block that is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.
So what?? To cut a long story short it would seem that BPA is toxic and does leach from plastic liners into the food.

The Bisphenol A Organisation argues that it is in such small amounts as to be negligible.

Based on the results of the SPI study, the estimated dietary intake of BPA from can coatings is less than 0.00011 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day. Stated another way, an average adult consumer would have to ingest more than 230 kilograms (or about 500 pounds) of canned food and beverages every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

It is true that several scientific panels including the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Food, the National Toxicology Program and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis have concluded that the claims that low doses of BPA affect human health have not (yet ), been substantiated. While accepting that animal testing has produced adverse results, they can find no concrete evidence that humans will react the same way.

BUT BPA is now considered by many to be  a hormone disruptor, a chemical that alters the body’s normal hormonal activity. There are many counter claims on the internet and in the media  that BPA  is lethal. You can read all the arguments  here

Why  use BPA at all  you might ask ? Here’s some information from the bishenol-a.org

It must also be noted that  despite claims that BPA is as safe as safe, research is  ongoing into alternatives. And maybe they have found one. According to Food Production Daily

“Researchers in the United States have developed a chemical derived from sugar with the potential to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in a number of products, including the lining of food cans. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) said Professor Michael Jaffe had received a US patent for an epoxy resin based on isosorbide diglycidyl ether that could make consumer products safer.

“The patent will enable us to create a family of isosorbide-based epoxy resins that have the potential to replace bisphenol A in a number of products including food can linings”, Jaffe told FoodProductionDaily.com.

Note  the statement by Food Production Daily that this will  make consumer products safer. And I hardly need say that the creators of this new product are clear in their statements that BPA is not a good thing.

Hmmm – the choice is yours. As for me I boycott nearly all tins and cans – tonic, tomatoes, coconut milk, tomato puree and baked beans are the exceptions. I don’t like the plastic or the BPA.

Related Articles

You can find more reports, studies and media scares on BPA here

And how to make epoxy resin here

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BPA

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged , , , 1 Comment

Bisphenol A or BPA is it is known to its chums is used in

  • some thermal paper products such as till receipts.
  • the epoxy plastic liners found in many cans and tins,
  • polycarbonate plastics used to make hard plastic for CDs, cell phones, car parts, medical devices, safety goggles
  • Plastic microwave oven ware, eating utensils and  bottles (including baby bottles).
  • Plastics  labelled with the number “7” identification code. HOWEVER not all plastics labelled with the number “7” contain BPA. The number “7” code is assigned to the “Other” category, which includes all plastics not otherwise assigned to categories 1-6.

The chemical was invented in the 1930s during the search for synthetic estrogens.  Diethylstilbestrol was found to be a more powerful estrogen, so bisphenol A was put to other uses. It was polymerized to form polycarbonate plastic and used to make a wide range of products including those listed above.

Over the years there have been an increasing number of claims that the polymer  is not stable. That, over time, BPA breaks down over time and releases hormones into whatever product it comes into contact with.  Research has indeed proved that  BPA can leach into food from the epoxy linings in cans or from polycarbonate bottles, and that the rate increases if the containers are heated i.e. babies bottle being sterilised or a tin being heated.

However additional studies are now suggesting that the ingestion of leached BPA could be harmful. In March 1998 for example a study in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) found that BPA simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer cells. A more recent study published in EHP shows a significant decrease of testosterone in male rats exposed to low levels of BPA. The study concludes that the new data is significant enough to evaluate the risk of human exposure to BPA.

BPA is now considered by many to be  a hormone disruptor, a chemical that alters the body’s normal hormonal activity.

In the last 10-15 years that concerns have been raised over its safety, particularly during pregnancy and for young babies.

In April 2008, the United States Department of Health and Human Services expressed concerns about it.

The Canadian government have just banned listed it a toxic substance and banned it from being used in baby bottles.

The following chart was taken from the very informative and interesting Wikkipedia article but you can find the same information all over the internet

Low dose exposure in animals

Dose (µg/kg/day) Effects (measured in studies of mice or rats,descriptions (in quotes) are from Environmental Working Group)[104][105] Study Year
0.025 “Permanent changes to genital tract” 2005[106]
0.025 “Changes in breast tissue that predispose cells to hormones and carcinogens” 2005[107]
1 long-term adverse reproductive and carcinogenic effects 2009[76]
2 “increased prostate weight 30%” 1997[108]
2 “lower bodyweight, increase of anogenital distance in both genders, signs of early puberty and longer estrus.” 2002[109]
2.4 “Decline in testicular testosterone” 2004[110]
2.5 “Breast cells predisposed to cancer” 2007[111]
10 “Prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer” 2006[112]
10 “Decreased maternal behaviors” 2002[113]
30 “Reversed the normal sex differences in brain structure and behavior” 2003[114]
50 Adverse neurological effects occur in non-human primates 2008[44]
50 Disrupts ovarian development 2009[77]

 

So why the hell is BPA still being used  you might ask – between  nervously checking your genital tract and belting the kids.

‘BPA is such an easy chemical to make and it’s so useful,’ explains Tamara Galloway, a professor in ecotoxicology at the University of Exeter, UK.  ‘It is made from very cheap ingredients – acetone and phenol – and it makes a nice, clear, rigid polycarbonate and is really useful for making epoxy resins. ” Via Chemistry World .

According toPlasticsEurope, an association representing European plastic manufacturers, polycarbonate technology contributed €37 billion to the EU in 2007. And they state that more than 550,000 jobs in the EU depend – either directly or indirectly – on the production and use of polycarbonate. Via Chemistry World .

Also the science is by no means conclusive. It has become something of a cause with consumer and green groups who are vociferous in their opposition. Media  reporting tends to concentrate on the negative aspects of any new reports. Yet several scientific panels, including the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Food, the National Toxicology Program and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, have all concluded that the claims that low doses of BPA affect human health have not (yet ), been substantiated. While accepting that animal testing has produced adverse results they can find no concrete evidence that humans will react the same way.

And even if they do, the amounts of BPA we ingest are so minimal as to be negligible.

In Europe, the tolerable daily intake for BPA is set at 0.05 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This value is an estimate of the amount of a substance that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable risk. The figure was calculated in 2006 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), who at the same time stated that intakes of BPA through food and drink, for adults and children, were well below this value.Via Chemistry World .

The current U.S. human exposure limit set by the EPA is 50 µg/kg/day.

Which means, as the BPA industry’s voice over at to bishenol-a.org puts it

“Based on the results of the SPI study, the estimated dietary intake of BPA from can coatings is less than 0.00011 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day. This level is more than 450 times lower than the maximum acceptable or “reference” dose for BPA of 0.05 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

Which means an adult would have to eat  230 kilograms  of canned food and beverages every day of their life to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As the toxicologists love to say – it’s not the poison but the dose…..

However, what is certain  is that  BPA is a $6 billion plus global industry. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 940,000 tons of BPA are produced in the U.S. per year. About 21% is used in epoxy resins and most of the rest goes to polycarbonate.

want to know more – this is another good read.

You can find reports, studies and media scares on BPA here

Plasticisers

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets Tagged ,
  • are man-made organic chemicals;
  • They are added to plastic,to make it flexible, resilient and easier to handle:
  • They include endocrine disrupting and controversial phthalates:

Claims as to the number of plasticisers out there vary from  300 different types of plasticisers to approximately 50.  

Over the last 60 years more than 30,000 different substances have been evaluated for their plasticising properties. After meeting the rigorous performance, cost, availability, health and environmental requirements which are imposed by the market, users and regulators only 50 are in use.

The most common plasticisers include esters such as adipates, azelates, citrates, benzoates, orthophthalates, terephthalates, sebacates, and trimellitates.

In 1999, the global volume of plasticizers was approximate 10 billion lbs, or about $5 billion.The market has an average yearly growth rate of 2-3%.

Of the ester plasticizers, standard phthalate esters comprise over 85% or the tonnage produced every year. They command the market due to their low cost and easy availability. Other common plasticizers include specialty phthalate esters, adipates, and trimellitates (which are used for low-temperature applications).

Over 90% of the plasticizer volume produced every year goes into Poly(Vinyl Chloride), or PVC. This polymer is found in anything from food packaging to construction materials to toys to medical

Category Name Accronym Used in Classified
Acetate Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, acetate Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Adipates Di isobutyl adipate (DIBA) DIBA Not class.
Adipates Di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) DEHA Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys Not class.
Adipates Di-isodecyl adipate (DIDA) DIDA Not class.
Adipates Di-isononyl adipate (DINA) DINA Adhesives & Sealants, Food packaging – Cling Wrap Not class.
Adipates Di-tridecyl adipate (DTDA) DTDA Not class.
Azelates Di-2-ethylhexyl azelate (DOZ) DOZ Not class.
Azelates Di-isodecyl azelate (DIDA) DIDA Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants
Benzoate Di-ethylene glycol dibenzoate Flooring Not class.
Benzoate Di-propylene glycol dibenzoate Flooring No harmonised C&L
Benzoate Isodecyl Benzoate (IDB) IDB Flooring, Wall coverings, Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Inks and waxes No harmonised C&L
Benzoate Isononyl Benzoate (INB) INB Not class.
Benzoate Isononyl Benzoate (INBB) INBB Flooring, Film and sheet Not class.
Benzoate Tri-ethylene glycol dibenzoate
Citrates acetyl tributyl citrate Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications
Citrates acetyl triethyl citrate Not class.
Citrates tri-2-ethylhexyl citrate Not class.
Citrates tributyl citrate Not class.
Citrates triethyl citrate Not class.
Cyclohexanoate Di-isononyl cyclohexane dicarboxylate (DINCH) DINCH Flooring, Wall coverings, Film and sheet, Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
ESO epoxidised linseed oil (ELO) ELO Not class.
ESO epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) ESBO Automotive , Food packaging – Cling Wrap Not class.
Ester 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-(1-oxobutoxy)-trihexyl ester (BTHC) BTHC Medical Applications
Ester 2,2′-ethylenedioxydiethyl-bis-(2-ethylhexanoate) Film and sheet
Ester Alkylsulphonic acid ester with phenol (ASE) ASE Adhesives & Sealants, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys No harmonised C&L
Ester Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, octyl ester Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Hexanedioic acid, polymer with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and 1,2-propanediol, isononyl ester Film and sheet, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Isosorbide Diesters Flooring, Food packaging – Cling Wrap
Ester Pentaerythritol ester of valeric acid Flooring, Automotive , Toys
Ester TXIB (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3pentanediol di-isobutyrate) TXIB Flooring, Adhesives & Sealants, Toys
Glycerol ester Fully acetylated monoglyceride Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
Orthophthalate Benzyl 3-isobutyryloxy-1-isopropyl-2,2-dimethylpropyl phthalate Coated Fabrics
Orthophthalate Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) BBP Flooring Repr. 1B Aquatic acute 1 Aquatic chronic 1
Orthophthalate Benzyl C7-9-branched and linear alkyl phthalate Flooring, Adhesives & Sealants
Orthophthalate bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) DEHP Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate (BCP) BCP Not class.
Orthophthalate Butyl decyl phthalate (BDP) BDP Not class.
Orthophthalate Di(2-Propyl Heptyl) phthalate (DPHP) DPHP Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics Not class.
Orthophthalate Di(n-octyl) phthalate (DNOP) DNOP Not class.
Orthophthalate Di-C16-18 alkyl phthalate Cables and wires
Orthophthalate Di-isotridecyl phthalate
Orthophthalate Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) DBP Flooring, Automotive , Inks and waxes Repr. 1B Acute aquatic 1

 
Orthophthalate Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP) DNHP No harm. C&L RAC opinion: Repr. 1B; H360FD
Orthophthalate Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DNPP) DNPP Repr. 1B Aquatic acute 1
Orthophthalate Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP) DPP No harmonised C&L
Orthophthalate Diallyl phthalate (DAP) DAP Acute tox. 4 Aquatic acute 1 Aquatic chronic 1
Orthophthalate Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) Flooring, Toys No harm. C&L Reg.of intention: Repr. 1B; H360FD Skin Sens. 1; H317
Orthophthalate Diethyl phthalate (DEP) DEP Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) DIBP Automotive , Adhesives & Sealants, Inks and waxes Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) DIDP Flooring, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisoheptyl phthalate (DIHP) DIHP Repr. 1B
Orthophthalate Diisohexyl phthalate (DHP) DHP RAC opinion: Repr. 1B, H360FD
Orthophthalate Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) DINP Flooring, Wall coverings, Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Automotive , Tubes & Hoses, Coated Fabrics, Inks and waxes Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) DIOP No harmonised C&L
Orthophthalate Diisotridecyl phthalate (DTDP) DTDP Cables and wires, Automotive Not class.
Orthophthalate Diisoundecyl phthalate (DIUP) DIUP Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires, Automotive Not class.
Orthophthalate Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) DMP Not class.
Orthophthalate Ditridecyl phthalate (DTDP) DTDP Not class.
Orthophthalate Diundecyl phthalate (DUP) DUP Cladding and Roofing, Cables and wires Not class.
Orthophthalate n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate (ODP) ODP Not class.
Phosphate ester 2-ethyhexyl diphenyl phosphate Not class.
Phosphate ester TPP (Triphenyl phosphate) TPP Flooring, Wall coverings
Phosphate ester Tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate Not class.
Sebacates Di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate (DOS) DOS Not class.
Sebacates Di-isodecyl Sebacate (DIDS) DIDS Not class.
Sebacates Dibutyl sebacate (DBS) DBS
Sebacates Dimethyl sebacate (DMS) DMS Adhesives & Sealants
Terephthalate Di iso Butyl terephthalate (DBT) DBT Adhesives & Sealants Not class.
Terephthalate Di octyl terephthalate (DOTP or DEHTP) DOTP Flooring, Food packaging – Cling Wrap, Toys, Medical Applications Not class.
Trimellitate Tris-2-ethyhexyl trimellitate Cables and wires, Film and sheet, Medical Applications Not class.

Most Common Phthalates In Use (Wikkipedia)

Name Abbreviation Structural formula Molecular weight (g/mol) CAS No.
Dimethyl phthalate DMP C6H4(COOCH3)2 194.18 131-11-3
Diethyl phthalate DEP C6H4(COOC2H5)2 222.24 84-66-2
Diallyl phthalate DAP C6H4(COOCH2CH=CH2)2 246.26 131-17-9
Di-n-propyl phthalate DPP C6H4[COO(CH2)2CH3]2 250.29 131-16-8
Di-n-butyl phthalate DBP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH3]2 278.34 84-74-2
Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH3)2]2 278.34 84-69-5
Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate BCP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOC6H11 304.38 84-64-0
Di-n-pentyl phthalate DNPP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH3]2 306.40 131-18-0
Dicyclohexyl phthalate DCP C6H4[COOC6H11]2 330.42 84-61-7
Butyl benzyl phthalate BBP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOCH2C6H5 312.36 85-68-7
Di-n-hexyl phthalate DNHP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH3]2 334.45 84-75-3
Diisohexyl phthalate DIHxP C6H4[COO(CH2)3CH(CH3)2]2 334.45 146-50-9
Diisoheptyl phthalate DIHpP C6H4[COO(CH2)4CH(CH3)2]2 362.50 41451-28-9
Butyl decyl phthalate BDP CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 362.50 89-19-0
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP, DOP C6H4[COOCH2CH(C2H5)(CH2)3CH3]2 390.56 117-81-7
Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH3]2 390.56 117-84-0
Diisooctyl phthalate DIOP C6H4[COO(CH2)5CH(CH3)2]2 390.56 27554-26-3
n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate ODP CH3(CH2)7OOCC6H4COO(CH2)9CH3 418.61 119-07-3
Diisononyl phthalate DINP C6H4[COO(CH2)6CH(CH3)2]2 418.61 28553-12-0
Di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate DPHP C6H4[COOCH2CH(CH2CH2CH3)(CH2)4CH3]2 446.66 53306-54-0
Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP C6H4[COO(CH2)7CH(CH3)2]2 446.66 26761-40-0
Diundecyl phthalate DUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH3]2 474.72 3648-20-2
Diisoundecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)8CH(CH3)2]2 474.72 85507-79-5
Ditridecyl phthalate DTDP C6H4[COO(CH2)12CH3]2 530.82 119-06-2
Diisotridecyl phthalate DIUP C6H4[COO(CH2)10CH(CH3)2]2 530.82 68515-47-9

 

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Dioxins

by Posted in 1.4 Additives Fact Sheets, More Information Tagged 1 Comment

The chemical name for dioxin is: 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo para dioxin (TCDD).

The name “dioxins” is often used for the family of structurally and chemically related polychlorinated dibenzo para dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).

Certain dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with similar toxic properties are also included under the term “dioxins”.

Some 419 types of dioxin-related compounds have been identified but only about 30 of these are considered to have significant toxicity, with TCDD being the most toxic.

Dioxins are classed as a persistant organic pollutants, (POPs), also known as PBTs (Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic) or TOMPs (Toxic Organic Micro Pollutants.)

POPs are a small set of toxic chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods and accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals. You can find out more about POPS here

burning plastic & cow

Dioxins occur as by-products in  the incineration of chlorine-containing substances such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), in the chlorine bleaching of paper, and from natural sources such as volcanoes and forest fires, waste incineration, and backyard trash burning, and herbicide manufacturing. More on burning plastic here

The most toxic chemical in the class is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD). The highest environmental concentrations of dioxin are usually found in soil and sediment, with much lower levels found in air and water.

The word “dioxins” may also refer to other similarly acting chlorinated compounds (see Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds).

Dioxins are of concern because of their highly toxic potential. Experiments have shown they affect a number of organs and systems. Once dioxins have entered the body, they endure a long time because of their chemical stability and their ability to be absorbed by fat tissue, where they are then stored in the body. Their half-life in the body is estimated to be seven to eleven years.

In the environment, dioxins tend to accumulate in the food chain. The higher in the animal food chain one goes, the higher the concentration of dioxins.

“Humans are primarily exposed to dioxins by eating food contaminated by these chemicals. Dioxin accumulates in the fatty tissues, where they may persist for months or years. People who have been exposed to high levels of dioxin have developed chloracne, a skin disease marked by severe acne-like pimples. Studies have also shown that chemical workers who are exposed to high levels of dioxins have an increased risk of cancer. Other studies of highly exposed populations show that dioxins can cause reproductive and developmental problems, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of low-level dioxin exposures on cancer risk, immune function, and reproduction and development.”

Doixin is a known human carcinogen and the most potent synthetic carcinogen ever tested in laboratory animals. A characterization by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of cancer causing potential evaluated dioxin as over 10,000 times more potent than the next highest chemical (diethanol amine), half a million times more than arsenic and a million or more times greater than all others.” From the World Health Organisation

“Dioxins, which are highly toxic even at low doses, are produced when plastics are manufactured and incinerated. While dioxin levels in the U.S. environment have been declining for the last 30 years, they break down so slowly that some of the dioxins from past releases will still be in the environment many years hence.

In its 2000 final draft reassessment of the health effects of dioxins, the EPA concluded that dioxins have the potential to produce an array of adverse health effects in humans. The agency’s report estimated that the average American’s risk of contracting cancer from dioxin exposure may be as high as one in 1,000–1,000 times higher than the government’s current “acceptable” standard of one in a million.

Dioxins are also endocrine disruptors, substances that can interfere with the body’s natural hormone signals. Dioxin exposure, moreover, can damage the immune system and may affect reproduction and childhood development.” The green guide

Dioxins are unintentionally, but unavoidably produced during the manufacture of plastics containing chlorine, including PVC and other chlorinated plastic feedstocks.

Halogenated plastics include:
Chlorine based plastics:
Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC)
Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)
Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name of Neoprene)
PVC
Fluorine based plastics:
Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)

Burning these plastics can release dioxins. 

More on PVC here

More on burning plastic here

Other Sources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Wikkipedia