GC-MS Determination of Phthalates Added as Plasticizers in Toys

Six phthalates (i.e., DBP, DEHP, DINP, BBP, DNOP and DIDP) used as plasticizers in plastics for toys and plush toys were determined by GC-MS. The sample was extracted with CH2Cl2 ultrasonically. An aliquot of the extract was taken for GC-MS determination. Under the selected conditions, BBP, DBP, DEHP, and DNOP were successfully separated and by comparing the data of retention time, the chromatograms and the peak area (m/z 149), qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed satisfactorily. To overcome the over-lapping of peaks of DIDP and DINP, quantitative analysis should be performed by choosing the mass spectral peaks of m/z 293 or m/z 307. It was found that phthalates in toys could be successfully detected and determined by the proposed method.