phthalate

American  

[thal-eyt, fthal-] / ˈθæl eɪt, ˈfθæl- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of phthalic acid: phthalates are used mainly, and profusely, as plasticizers and solvents, but growing concern over their environmental impact has led to interest in developing biological alternatives.

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phthalate British  

/ ˈfθæl-, ˈθælɪt /

noun

1. a salt or ester of phthalic acid. Esters are commonly used as plasticizers in PVC; when ingested they can cause kidney and liver damage

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phthalate Scientific  

/ thăl′āt′,fthăl′- /

1. Any of a group of esters of phthalic acid, widely used in manufacturing plastics and as a synthetic additive in perfumes and cosmetics, that have been linked to reproductive and hormonal abnormalities in humans and other animals.

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Etymology

Origin of phthalate

First recorded in 1860–65; phthal(ic) ( def. ) + -ate ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In 2022, a landmark study led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences suggested that phthalate exposure is associated with a 14 to 16 percent greater likelihood of a preterm birth.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024

After showing that the association persists at age 14, the authors state that "the impact of phthalate exposure on the brain and child cognition continues into adolescence."

From Science Daily • Sep. 20, 2023

The word "phthalate" is ludicrously difficult to spell for something that is absolutely ubiquitous.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the safety of food, has no legal thresholds limiting phthalate concentrations in food.

From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2021

The diamyl phthalate is added, with or without the mineral jelly to nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)