Screen Print Industry-PVC, Phthalates and Organotin Compounds-Three Problem Tie Together

Screen Printing Industry-PVC, Phthalates and Organotin Compounds-Three Problem Tie Together When I found someone with wearing a nice T-shirt with a big fantastic! Print on it, I myself get worried by thinking potential threats to my health, your and next generations. This big photo attached with that T-shirt may be made up with PVC (Polyvinyl Chlorine), yes! The PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride which is used to produce sanitary pipe, door, window, etc.

The difference is, the PVC used in T-Shirt need to be soft enough so that you feel comfortable when you wear it and it should be durable (you might expect, the print last long and shine ever).

For your conformability and to give the best value of your money, scientist, engineer and textile experts came up with two toxic solutions 

Using Phthalates as plasticizer which gives flexibility to PVC Using Organotin compound as heat stabilizer which gives PVC more stability in high temperature.

Phthalates are classified according to their chemical structure, which I do not want write here in details as my aim here is to keep it simple for everybody.

Most of the Phthalates used in textile screen printing industry are known as Endocrine disrupting agent which means they have severe impact on hormone system. They are also proved as carcinogenic agent (chemicals which can create cancer in human body).

On the other hand, Organotin compounds are complex compound of organic substance and metallic tin. The other use of Organotin compounds includes the use as fungicide, biocide and also as catalyst in other chemical formulations. Though still Organotin compound was not found as carcinogen but most of them were found to create adverse problem with human nervous system, kidney and liver.

What needs to do?

So far the best solution is to avoid PVC based printing inks, try to use water based printing pigments instead of solvent based. Alternatives are available in the market, rubber print, silicon print can be good alternatives where fits with requirements, communicate with your chemical manufacturer and get the latest technology on it.