The plastic supplied to the processor can be molded or shaped, but the material's characteristics cannot be changed. In contrast, vinyl may start as a rigid plastic, but adding phthalate esters during product manufacture will actually soften the material. This process can achieve a desired level of flexibility or softness. Quite simply, phthalate esters are unique products that can transform a rigid plastic into a soft and pliable plastic. As a result, the compounds provide an incredible versatility to vinyl.
Humans come into contact with phthalate esters by using flexible vinyl products.
Sitting in a naugahyde chair, playing with a vinyl beachball or fishing with a favorite vinyl fishing lure are examples of contact with flexible vinyl products. However, limited use of these products does not mean that humans are absorbing the compounds. Exposure to phthalate esters does not mean there is a risk from them. Phthalate esters are among the most widely studied compounds in the world from a toxicity standpoint and have shown no adverse human health effects. Although consumers come into contact with vinyl products and may absorb trace amounts of phthalate esters into their system, scientific evidence has not shown any threat to human health.