Legacy and Emerging Plasticizers and Stabilizers in PVC Floorings: Impacts of an Industrial Transition and Recycling

Hazardous chemicals in building and construction plastics can lead to significant indoor exposure, health risks, and contamination of recycled materials. We systematically sample new PVC floorings on the Swiss market (n=151). We conduct elemental analysis using XRF, targeted and sus-pect GC MS analysis of ortho phthalates and alternative plasticizers, and bioassay tests for cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and endocrine, mutagenic, and genotoxic activities (for selected samples). Surprisingly, 16% of the samples contain regulated chemicals above 0.1 weight%, mainly lead and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Their presence is likely linked with the use of recycled PVC in new floorings, highlighting that uncontrolled recycling can delay the phase-out of hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, 29% of the samples contain ortho-phthalates besides DEHP (mainly diisononyl and diisodecyl phthalates, DiNP and DiDP) above 0.1 weight%, and 17% of the 85 tested samples cause certain adverse biological effects. Together, they make up an additional 35% of samples of potential concern. Moreover, both suspect screening and bioassay results indicate the presence of additional (potentially) hazardous substances, including emerging alternative plasticizers. Overall, our study highlights the urgent need for accelerating the phase-out of hazardous substances and enhancing transparency of chemical compositions in plastics to protect human and ecosystem health and enable the transition to a safe and sustainable circular economy.