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

Further, phthalate exposure was measured in the pregnant women from just one urine sample in the first trimester, “which may have introduced exposure misclassification,” the paper notes.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Similarly, the scientists discovered that "distinct patterns of using multiple skin care products were predictive of higher urinary concentrations of phthalate and phthalate replacement chemicals that are typically used as plasticizers in packaging."

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2024

The new study estimates that 18% of the total effect of phthalate exposure in pregnancy on children's IQ could be explained by changes in gray matter volumes in both boys and girls.

From Science Daily • Sep. 20, 2023

The lab report shows low levels of the chemical dibutyl phthalate, which is not linked to cancer in humans but can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, irritation of the eyes and throat, and seizures.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2023

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)