Phthlates-Brittany

= = =**Abstract/Summary** = Phthalate are basically industrial chemicals that help the flexibility of everyday items. Though they are cancerous they have many beneficial chemical properties as well. Phthalates can be found in such items as plastics, oily perfumes, hairsprays, lubricants, wood, etc. Children that are introduced to Phthalates sometimes suffer from defects in their endocrine hormonal balances. In some cases metabolites are found in the urine. They immediately turn into fat when consumed. Because they have no covalent bonds phthalates are often released into the atmosphere and attach themselves to our food. As for the economy, phthalates are the cheapest chemical of its use. This is partially why industries use them instead of the more costly healthier chemicals.

= = =Background Information On Phthalates =

Phthalates is an industrial chemical also known as “plasticizers,” it is used to make PVC. Which can make plastic more flexible or resilent and also is an solvent. Phthalates are found in toys, food packaging, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, nail polish, hair spray and shampoo. Being as though that it is cancerous certain types of phthalates were banned in the E.U and recently in 2009, we have banned those certain types as well. Intentional uses of this product are in:
 * They are compounds are known technically as dialkyl and alkyl
 * They have many beneficial chemical properties
 * about a billion pounds per year are produced world wide.
 * plastics
 * oily perfumes
 * hairsprays
 * lubricants
 * wood
 * also that new car smell comes from the hot plastic dashboard

=**Chemistry** =


 * How it’s made: Detailed description of the process used to make the chemical**

It is a odorless and colorless liquid that is used to make plastic and vinyl products but they are not chemically bound to the items it is added to.


 * Synthesis of common products that contain this chemical**


 * stabilizers, medical devices, detergents,packaging
 * dispersants, wax, paint, modeling clay
 * lubricants, children's toys, printing inks,coatings
 * binders, shower curtains, perfumes, eyeshadow
 * film formers, moisturizers, liquid soaps, nail polish
 * emulsifying, food containers, wrappers
 * glue, hair spray, catheters, blood transfusion devices
 * building materials, suspending agents

"In personal care items, they're used to help lubricate other substances, help lotions penetrate and soften the skin, and help fragrances last longer. They're also used in toys, electronics (such as personal computers), car-care products, insecticides, and many household products, including adhesives, plastic wrap, plastic containers, flooring, furniture, wallpaper, shower curtains, and other things made of vinyl or PVC."

From: http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/safety/phthalates


 * Drawing/diagram of the chemical’s structure**




 * General stability/reactivity in the environment**

Since it is not chemically bound it is easly released into the air.

=Health = = = Human Health The phthalates cause defects in young children when they play with their toys the plastic in them have these chemicals and messes with their endocrine hormnal balances. people who were tested by the CDC on phthalates were found to have metabolites in their urine. Phthalates are in the atmosphere and in your food. phthalates can get into your system directly or indirectly we use these products everyday things such as Phthalates are fat soulble they are in butter and margirine. So when they are in your body they they turn into fat.
 * nail polish
 * hair spray
 * liquid soap

Since it is not chemically bound it is easly released into the air. =**Environmental/ Economic Implications** = Phthalates are released into the air because they have no covalent bonds they are released into the atmosphere and they get into your food. Phthalates in the environment are subject to biodegradation, photodegradation, and anaerobic degradation. indoor air concentrations are usually higher then outdoor air concentrations. In the enviorment Phthalates have been classified as water and air pollutants Phthalates are found in the enviorment but they are low because the process of biodegradation and photodegradation. When phthalates accumilate in some rivers fish can metabolise them so this does not cause them any harm.

Since the alternative cost more plus the cost of replacing them are too high, not much effort or research have been put in to change the phthalates and use the replacement which is healthier than to have to take in and breath in phalates. If phthalates are just banned with no replacement, resources and materials that we use daily or semi daily will of course reduce because phthalates is found in so many materials. Even if it is meant to help us, in the long run it will affect us if the government does not put in the money to change its ways. [] [|PSA]