Concentrations of phthalate esters and identification of other additives in PVC children's toys

This study was intended to provide data on the composition of soft PVC toys , addressing the widest practicable range of chemical additives and includi ng non-phthalate additives. The study also included toys from as many count ries as possible, since for many, no data were available. A total of 72 toy s were purchased in 17 countries. The majority (64) were PVC or had PVC sec tions. in almost all the soft PVC toys analysed, phthalates comprised a siz eable proportion (most frequently 10-40%) of the total weight of the toy. The predominant phthalates detected were diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Other phthalates identified in high concen trations in some toys include isomeric mixes of diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) and diisodecyl phthaiate (DIDP). The estrogenic chemical nonylphenol was i solated from 13 toys, while 2 toys were found to contain the fungicide Fung itrol 11 (Folpet). 78% of PVC toys contained one or more extractable organi c compounds in addition to those reported above.