New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Heat boosts phthalate emissions from vinyl crib mattress covers

Date:
December 17, 2014
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
The US continues to look at the use and regulation of phthalates, which have been associated with health problems. Of particular concern is the safety of these plastic additives to children. A new study aims to improve our understanding of one possible exposure route for babies: vinyl crib mattress covers. Scientists report that as these covers warm up, they emit more phthalates into the air.
Share:
FULL STORY

The U.S. banned some phthalates from children's toys, but the plastic additives that have been associated with health problems are still common in other products children are exposed to. A new study has found evidence for one such possible exposure route for babies: vinyl crib mattress covers. Scientists report in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology that as these covers warm up -- for example, from contact with an infant -- they emit more phthalates into the air.

Ying Xu and Yirui Liang note that previous studies have linked phthalates, which soften plastics, to potential health effects, including reproductive issues and an increased risk for asthma and allergies. In response, the U.S. Congress banned six kinds of phthalates from toys in 2008, and manufacturers have been turning to alternative plasticizers, which are different phthalates. But little is known about the toxicity of these replacements or whether they waft into the air infants breathe for 12 to 14 hours per day at potentially harmful levels. Xu and Liang decided to find out whether infants, who breathe in far more air (given their low body weight) than adults, might be getting exposed to high levels of alternative phthalates.

The researchers tested the amounts of the alternative-phthalate plasticizers released from vinyl crib mattress covers at different temperatures and estimated how much of that the infants might breathe in. They found that, under warm conditions, the covers emitted significantly higher levels of phthalates that could cause a baby's exposure to increase four-fold. They say the study is an essential first step to investigating the risk posed by these new phthalates.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Science Foundation.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Yirui Liang, Ying Xu. Emission of Phthalates and Phthalate Alternatives from Vinyl Flooring and Crib Mattress Covers: The Influence of Temperature. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014; 48 (24): 14228 DOI: 10.1021/es504801x

Cite This Page:

American Chemical Society. "Heat boosts phthalate emissions from vinyl crib mattress covers." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 December 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141217101336.htm>.
American Chemical Society. (2014, December 17). Heat boosts phthalate emissions from vinyl crib mattress covers. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141217101336.htm
American Chemical Society. "Heat boosts phthalate emissions from vinyl crib mattress covers." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141217101336.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES