November 2009, Sunnyvale, CA—The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), in collaboration with six other organizations, used the Dionex ASE® 200 instrument to extract phthalates from 27 different types of plastic shoes. The shoes were analyzed for a variety of components including phthalates, metals, and organometallics.

Phthalates–suspected to cause health problems–are a group of chemicals that are used as a softener in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which is stiff and brittle. Most plastic shoes are made from softened PVC. The phthalate DEPH (diethylhexyl phthalate) is classified as harmful to the reproductive system. Because phthalates do not chemically bind to the PVC, they can easily leach into ground water, evaporate into the air, or be absorbed through direct contact.

The GC-MS analysis following the extraction showed that 17 of the 27 shoes tested contained various concentrations of the phthalate DEHP, with one concentration as high as 23.2% in a pair of flip-flops manufactured in South Africa.

Dionex (NASDAQ:DNEX) is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of liquid chromatography and extraction systems,
consumables, and software for chemical analysis. The Company’s systems are used worldwide in environmental analysis and by the life sciences, chemical, petrochemical, food and beverage, power generation, and electronics industries. Our expertise in applications and instrumentation helps analytical scientists to evaluate and develop pharmaceuticals, establish environmental regulations, and produce better industrial products.

ASE is a registered trademark of Dionex Corporation.

For further information on Dionex please visit www.dionex.com