When doing daily tasks such as cutting paper, writing, or drawing, many use desk mats to avoid scratching or smudging desktops, and a wide range of desk mats for different purposes are available on the market for consumers to select. In view that in recent years, some desk mats in the Mainland and overseas were found to contain excessive levels of plasticisers, the Consumer Council tested 15 desk mat models available in the market and found that the total detected levels of 4 phthalate plasticisers (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) in 7 models (about 47%) exceeded the 0.1% concentration limit stipulated in the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation of the European Union (EU), with the highest model at 222 times of the limit. According to information by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), these 4 phthalates are classified as reproductive toxicity category 1B substances, which may adversely affect fertility or development. Although the risk of phthalates intake through skin contact is generally low, the risk increases if there are wounds or oil-soluble emollient products applied on the hands. In the test for 3 other plasticisers that may harm the livers of young children, diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was found in 9 models. The Council reminds consumers to refrain from using desk mats as placemats, and children should clean their hands after touching desk mats to avoid oral intake of harmful substances. The Council also recommends manufacturers to review the raw materials of products and avoid using materials that pose health risks. In addition, manufacturers or agents should label information such as materials and origin, and clearly state specified uses and restrictions. The Council has passed the relevant information to the Customs and Excise Department for review.
The Council purchased 15 models of desk mats from stationery shops, bookstores, and online platforms, including 8 cutting mats, 3 writing mats, 3 drawing mats, and 1 general desk mat, with prices ranging from $10 to $198. Although the Toys and Children’s Products Safety (Additional Safety Standards or Requirements) Regulation in Hong Kong has imposed limits on the concentration of 6 phthalates in toys and children’s products, it does not explicitly state that desk mats used as stationery are subject to this regulation, thus the Council’s tests were done with reference to the EU’s REACH Regulation Annex XVII Entries 51 and 52 in examining the content of 7 phthalate plasticisers.
47% Models Exceeded Limit for Reproductive Toxic Plasticisers
Highest is 222 Times of the EU Ceiling
There are various types of phthalates, commonly used as softeners to increase the flexibility, transparency, durability, and service life of plastics. According to information from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), among the 7 plasticisers tested for, 4 are classified as Category 1B reproductive toxicants, namely di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), which have been found to impair fertility or foetal health and interfere with the endocrine system in experimental animals. Furthermore, discarded desk mats will release plasticisers into the surroundings, which may cause pollution to the sea and the environment.
According to the EU REACH Regulation’s requirements set for consumer products with plasticised materials for general indoor use or in prolonged contact with the skin or contact with mucous membranes, the total concentration of these 4 plasticisers must not be equal to or exceed 0.1% by weight of the plasticised material, either by itself or in any combination. Test results showed that these plasticisers were found in 8 models, with total detected amounts ranging from 0.01% to 22.2%, among which 7 models (about 47%) exceeded the EU limit (0.1%). The model exceeding the limit the most was a writing mat, with a level 222 times of the ceiling. Under normal circumstances, it is not likely for plasticisers in desk mats to be absorbed by the human body through the skin. However, if there are wounds on the skin, or if sunscreen or oil-soluble moisturising products have been applied, it would increase the possibility of plasticiser absorption through the skin. Consumers should be cautious about arbitrarily using desk mats as placemats, as it may cause oral ingestion of plasticisers through contact of the hands with the mat surface and subsequently with food during meals. Therefore, before purchasing a mat as a placemat, it is crucial for consumers to check its intended use.
Reduce Risks by Teaching Children to Wash Hands After Working on Desk Mats
As reproductive toxic DEHP is restricted by EU for use in related consumer products, many manufacturers have gradually switched to other plasticisers such as DINP, diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) to improve the softness of plastics. However, some animal experiments have shown that extensively repeated exposure to the phthalates DINP, DIDP and DNOP had adverse effects on the liver of experimental animals.
With reference to the EU REACH Regulation’s requirements for toys, and childcare products which can be placed in the mouth by children, the concentration of DINP, DIDP and DNOP as a single substance or in mixtures should not exceed 0.1%. Although desk mats used as stationery are not classified as toys or childcare products that can be put into the mouth, considering that in actual practice they may be used as multi-purpose items including as placemats, tests for these 3 phthalates were also conducted and DINP was found in 9 models. DINP was also the most commonly detected amongst the 7 phthalates in the test, reflecting that DINP was more commonly used in desk mats. The Council reminds parents that desk mats should not be used as placemats, and children should be taught to wash their hands with soap and water immediately after working on desk mats to avoid ingestion of harmful substances.
Improvement Urged as Nearly Half of the Products Had Incomplete Information
Desk mats on the market are made of varying materials. Taking this test for instance, the model with the highest detected total amount (22.2%) of 4 plasticisers (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) was made of polyurethane (PU), followed by 1 model made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (15.1%). However, due to the small sample size of each material type, the results of this test could only serve as a reference and not representative of a definitive relationship between the materials from which desk mat is made and the amount of plasticisers. Nevertheless, the Council recommends manufacturers to review the materials of their products and minimise the use of raw materials that may pose health risks.
Product information such as materials used is vital reference for consumers when purchasing desk mats. However, nearly half of the models (7) had no indication of the materials used or the place of origin on the products, package labels, or in online shop information. The Council urges manufacturers and agents to clearly display product information, such as material composition, place of origin, and product name, so that consumers have sufficient information to choose the right product. They should also specify that their desk mats are intended for writing or drawing instead of as placemats, and remind consumers to wash hands thoroughly after use. On the other hand, even though desk mats, as stationery products, are not classified as toys and childcare products thus the concentration of phthalates is not regulated by legislation on children’s products in Hong Kong, nor does the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance specifically regulate the content of phthalates, manufacturers, importers and suppliers are still required to ensure that consumer products supplied in Hong Kong comply with general safety requirements, and have a responsibility to ensure a reasonable level of safety in compliance with the authorities’ requirements.
Consumers may refer to the following tips when using desk mats:
- Desk mats and placemats belong to different product categories. As most of the materials used in desk mats are non-food grade, they should not be used as placemats. After use, refrain from picking up food with bare hands and wash hands immediately. Consumers who wish to purchase placemats should pay attention to product labels and confirm the intended use;
- It is recommended to wipe down desk mats with diluted cleaning detergent on a damp cloth. Solvents or alcohol should not be used to avoid surface damage; also, do not rinse the mats with hot water to avoid warping due to heat;
- Do not place mats near fire, high temperature or under direct sunlight to avoid deformation or release of harmful substances;
- Some desk mats may emit a plastic odour and should be kept well-ventilated when in use. Also avoid storing in enclosed spaces.
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