Determination of Phthalate Concentration in Toys and Children’s Products

Importance of the Topic

Phthalates, commonly employed as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride products, are not chemically bound to the polymer matrix and may migrate from toys and childcare items. This leaching raises significant health concerns, particularly endocrine disruption, reproductive development issues, and early puberty in children. Regulatory agencies in China, the European Union, and the United States have established strict limits for phthalate content in toys, driving the need for reliable analytical methods.

Study Objectives and Overview

This study aims to adapt and validate gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods based on Chinese standard GB/T 22048-2008 and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) procedure. Both protocols target six regulated phthalate esters—DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP—plus additional phthalates such as DMP, DEP, DHP, and DBEP. The goal is to achieve accurate quantification, robust recoveries, and compliance with regulatory thresholds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Sample Preparation: Toys and pacifiers were cut to small pieces, Soxhlet-extracted with dichloromethane, and concentrated to defined volumes.
• GC/MS Conditions: An Agilent 7890 GC with split/splitless inlet coupled to a 5975C MSD and J&W DB-5ms Ultra Inert column was employed. Optimized temperature programs and SIM acquisition enhanced sensitivity for target ions.

Key Results and Discussion

• Linearity: Calibration curves for all compounds showed R2 above 0.997 across regulatory ranges (0.5–100 mg/L for GB/T and 0.25–10 mg/L for CPSC).
• Reproducibility and Recoveries: Spiked recoveries ranged from 92% to 107% (GB/T method) and 90% to 110% (CPSC method), with relative standard deviations below 7% and 13%, respectively.
• Real Samples: A PVC toy contained DEHP and DINP at a combined level of 0.037% (w/w), below the 0.1% limit. An infant pacifier showed no detectable regulated phthalates.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Regulatory Compliance: The validated procedures meet both Chinese and US requirements for phthalate monitoring in children’s products.
• Laboratory Efficiency: The use of a single GC/MS platform with the DB-5ms column simplifies method deployment in QA/QC and research settings.
• Public Health Protection: Reliable quantification supports enforcement of safe phthalate levels, reducing children’s exposure risks.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Expansion to New Plasticizers: Method adaptation for emerging non-phthalate plasticizers and alternative ester mixtures.
• High Throughput Screening: Integration with automated sample preparation and faster GC/MS cycles to increase laboratory throughput.
• Non-Targeted Analysis: Coupling full-scan high-resolution MS for comprehensive screening of unknown plastic additives and degradation products.

Conclusion

The implemented GC/MS methods provide robust, precise, and accurate determination of regulated phthalates in toys and childcare products. High linearity, reproducibility, and recoveries confirm suitability for routine compliance testing under Chinese GB/T 22048-2008 and CPSC protocols. These approaches serve as reliable tools for safeguarding children’s health and supporting regulatory frameworks.

Instrumentation

• Agilent 7890 Gas Chromatograph with split/splitless inlet
• Agilent 5975C Mass Selective Detector
• Agilent J&W DB-5ms Ultra Inert capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm)
• Agilent 7683 Automatic Liquid Sampler

References

1. Official Journal of the European Communities Decision 1999/815/EC.
2. US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008.
3. US Consumer Product Safety Commission phthalate testing methods.