noun
- a salt or ester of phthalic acid, widely used as a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride and other polymers
Usage: chemistry; commonly abbreviated as DBP, DEHP, or similar in industrial contexts
Examples
- Phthalates are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable.
- Many consumer products contain phthalates as plasticizers.
- Regulatory agencies have restricted the use of certain phthalates in children's toys.
- The chemical structure of phthalates makes them useful in manufacturing vinyl products.
- Researchers have studied the potential health effects of phthalate exposure.