PAHs in toys and childcare products - Miljøstyrelsen

PVC can be manufactured by addition of different additives. The potential
additives are
� heat stabilisers
� internal and external lubricants
� processing aids
� impact modifiers
� fillers
� pigments
� UV stabilisers
� primary and secondary plasticisers
The actual composition of the PVC product will depend on the individual
manufacturer and the wanted material properties of the product. Extender oils
can be used in PVC as a secondary plasticiser and are also a cheaper additive
that can substitute part of the more expensive primary plasticisers (e.g.
phthalates) in flexible PVC or as process aid in rigid PVC (Nynas, 2010).
The Handbook of fillers, extenders and diluents (Ash & Ash 2007) mentions
several extender oils which can be used as plasticisers in PVC.
Additives applied in PVC may therefore be a source to PAHs in consumer
products.
2.3.3 Functional oils as additives
Extender oils in the rubber and plastic industry are mainly used by:
� manufacturers of soften polymers.
� manufacturers of finished rubber products in order to aid processing; that
is mixing operation, reducing compounding time and improving process
ability and modify the physical properties of the finished product
The main functions of extender oils are by swelling of the polymer and to
function as lubricants between the stiff rubbery polymers and softeners. By
adding extender oils the molecular weight, viscosity and solvency of the base
polymers (the rubber) can be varied. Further, because of oil content more
additional ingredients can be blended. A major use of extender oils is
therefore as additives in rubber tyres where the additives add important
rubber characteristics and properties to, e.g. winter and summer, tyres.
The content of PAH in extender oils may vary between mineral oil fractions
as mentioned in section 2.2. An example of the composition of PAHs in
extender oil is compiled and presented in table 2.2.
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