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Phthalates, also called phthalic acid esters (PAEs), are the general term for esters formed from phthalic acid; in short, a type of plasticiser. When used as plasticisers for plastics they generally refer to esters of phthalic acid with C4-C15 alcohols, of which dioctyl phthalate is the most important. Phthalates are chemicals that soften materials and can also interfere with the endocrine system.
Phthalates are mainly used in polyvinyl chloride materials, turning rigid PVC into flexible plastic as a plasticiser. They are widely used in hundreds of products including toys, food packaging, medical blood bags and tubing, vinyl flooring and wallpaper, detergents, lubricating oils and personal care products such as nail polish, hair spray, soap and shampoo. In recent years, however, the environmental and health hazards caused by these compounds have attracted widespread attention from environmental science, public health, the media and the general public.
On 27 October 2017 the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization published a preliminary list of carcinogens in which di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen.