13.05.2020 by Milena Riedl

How to Detect Harmful Substances in Sporting Goods and Toys

Sporting goods and toys for kids or pets are often made of flexible plastics. Some examples are sensory chewing toys, action figurines as well as balls of various kinds. A common polymer used for these applications is PVC (polyvinylchloride), because it can be made softer and more flexible by adding plasticizers. Therefore, they can evaporate or be rinsed out by saliva or sweat. Learn how to determine detect and identify plasticizers!

By Dr. Carolin Fischer, Application Specialist and Dr. Natalie Rudolph, Manager Business Field Polymer

Sporting goods and toys for kids or pets are often made of flexible plastics. Some examples are sensory chewing toys, action figurines as well as balls of various kinds. A common polymer used for these applications is PVC (polyvinylchloride), because it can be made softer and more flexible by adding plasticizers. These compounds are not covalently bonded to the polymer chain. Therefore, they can evaporate or be rinsed out by saliva or sweat. This outgassing or diffusion of plasticizers can be harmful.

One such example is the family of phthalates, which is known to cause a number of health risks. They act like hormones, and have been shown to cause liver damage, infertility, diabetes, cancer and more. Therefore, the European Union has banned a number of phthalates in products, which are in contact with food, in toys, in baby articles and medical supplies in its REACH regulation that is in effect since 2007.

Harmful components can be detected by thermal analysis

Thermal analysis can be used to detect plasticizers in polymers. By means of TGA-FT-IR analysis, it is possible to not only identify the kind of plasticizer used, but also analyze products regarding their plasticizer content.

In the following use case, the surface layer of different toy balls was cut in small pieces and measured with the PERSEUS® TG 209 F1 Libra®. The following table gives an overview of the measurement conditions:

Detect plasticizer content with the TG 209 F1 Libra®

Figure 1 shows that the inspected ball exhibits several mass-loss steps during PyrolysisPyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic compounds in an inert atmosphere.pyrolysis. These mass-loss steps result from the evaporation of plasticizer or other organic additives and at last the PyrolysisPyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic compounds in an inert atmosphere.pyrolysis of the polymer in the temperature range between 200°C and 500°C.

The Gram Schmidt curve (in red) displays the overall IR intensities and behaves as a mirror image of the DTG curve. It shows also maximum intensities during the mass-loss steps. This proves the interaction of the evolved compounds with the IR beam.

Figure 1: Temperature-dependent mass change (TGA, green), rate of mass change (DTG, black) and Gram Schmidt curve (red) of ball no. 1

More detailed composition results with a FT-IR spectrum

For detailed analysis of the plasticizer contained, a 2D FT-IR spectrum was extracted and compared to gas phase libraries to identify the evolved compounds. High similarity was found for the spectrum at 266°C to the library spectra of di-n-octylphthalate (DOP, blue) und bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP, green). It can be assumed that a single compound or a mixture of different phthalates was released. However, this comparison clearly indicates that the ball contains harmful phthalates. Further analysis is required to identify the plasticizers.

Figure 2: Measured spectrum at 266°C (red) in comparison to library spectra of di-n-octylphthalate (DOP, blue) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP, green)

A second ball was investigated under the same measurement conditions. A clear difference can be observed in the PyrolysisPyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic compounds in an inert atmosphere.pyrolysis behavior. The comparison of the extracted FT-IR spectra for the two ball samples, both extracted at 266°C, show completely different VibrationA mechanic process of oscillation is called vibration. Vibration is a mechanical phenomenon whereby oscillations occur about an equilibrium point. In many cases, vibration is undesirable, wasting energy and creating unwanted sound. For example, the vibrational motions of engines, electric motors, or any mechanical device in operation are typically unwanted. Such vibrations could be caused by imbalances in the rotating parts, uneven friction, or the meshing of gear teeth. Careful designs usually minimize unwanted vibrations.vibration patterns (see figure 3).

Figure 3: Temperature-dependent mass change (TGA) and rate of mass change (DTG) of ball no. 1 (green) and ball no. 2 (blue)

The com­parison of the spectra at 266°C of ball no 2 (blue) to the gas phase library gives clear accordance with the spec­trum of tributyl citrate (green). For ball no. 2, the toxic phthalate plasticizers were replaced by nontoxic citric ester, which also acts as a plasticizer.

Make sporting goods and toys safer!

Outgassing and decomposition processes of polymers can be investigated by thermal analysis. Thermogravimetry indicates the release of gases already below 300°C. Only evolved gas analysis like FT-IR can identify the gases released.

The above example explains how to identify the different plasticizers used and therefore, to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic additives. The PERSEUS® TG 209 F1 Libra® is perfectly suited to help make sporting goods and toys safer for us and our children.