Plasticizers are added to materials like clay, cement, concrete, and plastics to improve workability and performance. Some are toxic, like phthalates, but many companies have eliminated them. Consumers can find information on production data and safety issues from advocacy organizations.
Plasticizers are chemical compounds that a company can add to clay, cement, concrete and plastic products to improve their workability. People have been using additives in the production of materials for a long time, with examples of plasticizers being found in ancient pottery and other archaeological materials. Some of the same compounds that early humans added to clay continue to be in use today; water, for example, is an excellent plasticizer for increasing the moisture content of clay to make it easier to work with. Their composition can vary greatly and different companies produce plasticizers for various applications.
Some of these products facilitate the processing of materials during production, while others change the chemical properties to improve the performance of the finished products. For materials such as concrete, cement, and drywall, a company may add a plasticizer while making products to make the material easier to work with. It generally flows easier, with fewer bubbles, lumps, and other problems. This will result in a stronger finished product with a clean, uniform appearance and can also reduce production costs; plasticizers in concrete, for example, can prevent it from sticking too quickly and causing problems on a construction site.
Others change the chemical composition of a product to make it more durable and flexible when complete. Plasticizers are often added to plastic products to address problems such as cracking and breaking. Many polymers are very brittle without these additions. Most flexible plastics, especially those with a gel-like consistency, contain added plasticizers to improve their texture. They can also be more breathable and porous as a result, which can sometimes create problems; some plastics tend to become sticky over time, for example, and can harbor bacteria.
The properties of some plasticizers are toxic and there are concerns about leaching risk, particularly with a group of products known as phthalates. Companies once used them extensively to make everything from polyvinyl chloride pipe for plumbing to children’s toys. Research has suggested that the chemicals leached and put people at risk for health problems, leading to industry reforms to eliminate these chemicals from many plastic products.
People with questions about the use of plasticizers in the products they use in their daily lives can look through production data to see what types of chemicals may have been part of production. Many companies concerned about health and environmental issues make this information available, and some specifically produce products such as phthalate-free toys for consumers who express concerns about product safety. Consumer advocacy organizations usually have up-to-date information on safety issues with various products and how manufacturers are working to address these issues.
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