1. Threats and Challenges for the Plastics Industry : An
Indian Perspective
CHEMICALS IN PLASTICS
A presentation by…
ARVIND M MEHTA
Chairman
Plastivision India Advisory Board. AIPMA
Executive Director
Council of International Plastics
Association Directors (CIPAD)
Past President: Plastindia Foundation
Past President: AIPMA
Miami, USA. 4-5 December 2012
Country Report: Plastics Industry in India- Issues and Challenges

2. Awareness is picking up slowly in India
We want to learn from other countries as chemicals
in plastics are threats
Chemicals in Plastics 2

3. Majority of toys in Indian market contain toxic chemical: Study
• CSE study in 2010 showed that even toys marked as safe for infants and toddlers were
found to contain dangerous levels of the chemicals
• Over 45% of the samples exceeded internationally accepted safe limits for phthalates
• BIS released draft regulations on phthalates in toys – DEHP, DBP, DIDP, DNOP -
regulated to be less than 0.1%
Pesticide residues in bottled water
Between July and December 2002, CSE tested 17 different brands of PDW and PNMW
commonly sold in areas that fall within Delhi NCR & found the samples for 12
organochlorines, and 8 organophosphorus pesticides - covering the spectrum of pesticides most
used in India
BFR in recycled plastic across Delhi
• Delhi-based NGO Toxics Link, in its study (2011), found the presence of brominated flame
retardants (BFR) in recycled plastic across Delhi
• Of the 44 samples that were collected from recycling and moulding units for the study, 18
were found to contain BFR and heavy metals like lead and cadmium
Source: CSE-Centre for Science and Environment, The Economic Times
Chemicals in Plastics 3

4. • Packaged Drinking Water and Packaged Natural Mineral Water are under mandatory BIS
certification as per the PFA Rules, 1955 administered by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Govt. of India.
• Packaged drinking water and natural mineral water shall be packed in clean, hygenic, colorless,
transparent and tamperproof bottles/containers:
o made of PE conforming to IS 10146
o or PVC conforming to IS 10151 or
o PP conforming to IS 10910
o or PET and PBT conforming to IS 12252
o or polycarbonate conforming to IS 14971
o or PS conforming to IS 10142
o or sterile glass bottles suitable for preventing possible adulteration or
o contamination of the water or PE bags conforming to IS 15609
• Plastic containers shall be conforming to IS 15410
• All packaging materials of plastic origin shall pass the overall migration and colour
• migration limits as laid down in the relevant Indian Standards as per method given in
• IS9845
Source: BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards, ICPE
Chemicals in Plastics 4

5. • Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates
o Found In: Water bottles, baby bottles, plastic wraps, food packaging
 Endocrine disruptor  developmental problems
• Propylene Glycol & Polyethylene Glycol
o Used in industrial cleaners, anti-freeze, oven-cleaner, and hydraulic fluid
▪ Allegedly are carcinogenic and have been shown to be related to kidney
problems, dermatitis, liver problems and weakened immunity
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate
o Found in foaming agents like in certain soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, and
many industrial cleaners like car wash soap.
▪ Denature proteins damage cells, Eye malformation in children and
depression
• Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
o A component of Teflon nonstick coatings ; found In nonstick pots and pans
▪ Hormone disruptor
Limited awareness in India; some research being carried out by Govt. agencies –
unlikely to impact plastics use in the immediate future
Chemicals in Plastics 5

6. • IS: 9833-1981: List of pigments and colourants for use of plastics in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 10141-1982: Positive list of constituents of PE for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 10142-1982: Specification for styrene polymers for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 10146-1982: Polyethylene for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs and drinking water
• IS: 10148-1982: Positive list of constituents of PVC &its copolymers for safe contact with foodstuffs/pharma/water
• IS: 10149-1982: Positive list of constituents of styrene polymers in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 10151-1982: PVC and its co-polymers for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 10910-1984: Positive list of constituents of PP& its copolymers for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma
• IS: 11434-1985: Ionomer resins for its safe use in contact with foodstuff, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 11435-1985: Positive list of constituents of ionomer resins in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals & water
• IS: 11704-1986: Ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymers for their safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/water
Chemicals in Plastics Source: BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards, ICPE 6

7. • IS: 11705-1986: Positive list of EAA copolymers in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 12229-1987: Positive list of constituents of PET & PBT for their safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/water
• IS: 12247-1988: Nylon-6 polymer for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 12248-1988: Positive list of constituents of Nylon-6 polymer for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs/pharma
• IS: 12252-1987: PET & PBT for their safe use in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 9845-1998: Method of analysis for the determination of specific and/or overall migration of constituents of
plastics materials and articles intended to come into contact with food stuffs
• IS: 13449-1992: Positive list of constituents of EVA copolymers in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
• IS: 13576-1992: EMA for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 13601-1993: EVA co-polymers for its safe use in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water
• IS: 14972-2001: Positive list of constituents of polycarbonate in contact with foodstuffs/pharma/drinking water
Chemicals in Plastics Source: BIS-Bureau of Indian Standards, ICPE 7

8. Thank you
Chemicals in Plastics 8