Diverging trends of plasticizers (phthalates and non
Plasticizers are usually grouped into phthalates and non-phthalates. Phthalates still represent the majority in the European plasticizer market, at around 60% [ 58 ]. However, since the end of the 1990s there has been a steady shift within the phthalate plasticizers from LMW phthalates toward HMW phthalates [ 45 ].
Trends for plasticizers in German freshwater environments
We have investigated suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) for the presence of 23 plasticizers, i.e. 17 phthalates and 6 non-phthalates. The samples were collected in the last 10 years at 13 sites in large river basins in Germany such as the Rhine, Elbe and Danube.
Trends for plasticizers in German freshwater environments
Plasticizers are marketed in high volumes and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is frequently detected in the environment and human populations. Industry had largely relied on DEHP until regulation started to restrict its marketing in 1999 due to environmental and human health concerns.
Trends for plasticizers in German freshwater
Federal Environment Agency, Germany Abstract and Figures Plasticizers are marketed in high volumes and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is frequently detected in the environment and human...
Plasticizers - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH) | S&P Global
Overall, phthalates will continue to exhibit modest growth. For example, DINP will experience growth throughout the world. World consumption of phthalate plasticizers is forecast to grow moderatley during 2025–25. Nonphthalate plasticizers are not based on phthalic acid, and have a different chemical structure and toxicological profile.
- Do phthalates and plasticizers exist in German rivers?
- The aim of this study was to obtain spatial-temporal trends for DEHP and its substitutes in German rivers. We have investigated suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) for the presence of 23 plasticizers, i.e. 17 phthalates and 6 non-phthalates.
- Do European phthalates reduce plasticizer levels in the aquatic environment?
- The European restriction on the use of LMW phthalates is not efficiently reducing the levels of plasticizers in the aquatic environment. We found an increasing number of substitutes in the German part of the three major European rivers Rhine, Danube and Elbe, as well as other waters in Germany.
- Which phthalates dominate the plasticizer market?
- Chemical management varies considerably between regions and on a global scale. DEHP still dominates the plasticizer market . Therefore, target analytes were often restricted to DEHP and other LMW phthalates. House dust samples in China, for example, were strongly dominated by DEHP and DBP .
- Which phthalate is the dominant plasticizer in house dust?
- HMW phthalates increased from 19% of the ∑plasticizer concentration to 46% between the mid-2000s and the late 2010s in house dust, and from 50% to 63% in SPM samples. Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) replaced DEHP as the dominant plasticizer in both compartments.
- Why are phthalate plasticizers banned in the EU?
- The use of some phthalate plasticizers has been successively restricted in the EU since the late 1990s due to their endocrine disrupting (ED) properties, especially in sensitive applications for humans, such as baby products, children's toys, cosmetics and food packaging [31, 33, 34, 35].
- Should plasticizers be replaced by regulated phthalates?
- Regrettable substitution: Problematic plasticizers replace DEHP and other regulated phthalates. EU regulations do not sufficiently protect the aquatic environment from new plasticizers. Benefit of monitoring data: environmental trend data can support EU substance risk assessment.
