RSC - Advancing the Chemical Sciences


Policy

 

Why Do We Worry About Phthalates?


15 December 2008

Phthalates are a group of man-made organic chemicals known as esters produced by the simple chemical reaction of an alcohol with phthalic anhydride. The most important use of Phthalates is as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which they turn into a material which is soft, flexible, resilient and easier to handle.


Downloadable Files

EHSC note on Phthalates
PDF icon PDF (114k)  


PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader



Contact

Dr Steven Lipworth
Health, Safety and Environment Policy Adviser
Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7440 3337
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7734 1227
Email: Dr Steven Lipworth