Comparison of Screening Method (Py-GC/MS) and Quantitative Method (Solvent Extraction-GC/MS) for Phthalate Esters Analysis

From 2019, four phthalate esters (diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), n-dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) will be added to restricted substances in the amended RoHS Directive (a directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment). In this technical report, the quantitative results between the solvent extraction-GC/MS method and the Screening System for Phthalate Esters “Py-Screener” (Py-GC/MS method) were compared. The quantitative results using the Py-Screener were equivalent to the results using the solvent extraction-GC/MS method for quantitative measurements in the region of a restricted concentration level of 1000 mg/kg. The Py-Screener was shown to be useful for screening the phthalate esters added to the amended RoHS Directive.