ISO 16190:2021 was published in November 2021 for “Footwear – Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components – Test method to quantitatively determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in footwear materials”. The 2021 edition supersedes the first edition of Technical Specification ISO/TS 16190:2013 and has been technically revised.
ISO 16190:2021 specifies a method to determine the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in footwear and footwear components. According to the standard, a test sample is extracted using toluene in an ultrasonic bath, an aliquot is then analyzed using a gas chromatograph with mass selective detector (GC-MS). Other changes compared to the 2013 edition include technical and/or editorial changes in the section of Terms and definitions, Reagents, Apparatus, Sample preparation, Procedure & Expression of results, Clause renumbering and addition of Annex A.
PAHs have been identified as being a great concern regarding potential exposure and adverse health effects on humans, thus legislation in major markets around the world restricts the presence of PAHs in finished products, such as:
PAHs are a group of structurally related hydrocarbons. They persist in the environment and accumulate in food chains and can have an adverse effects on aquatic life and humans, including mutagenic, toxic, and/or carcinogenic properties. PAHs are often formed due to incomplete combustion of organic materials. Usually, PAHs are not considered chemical substances in the production of textile garment and footwear products, but are generally impurities in low-grade raw materials. Therefore, PAHs are typically present in finished products as impurities and are not intentionally added. In fact, PAHs are detected in some raw materials used to make plastic and rubber such as extender oils (used as a softener) and carbon black (used as a reinforcing agent). Consequently, they can be present in finished products, such as household items, tools, clothing, footwear, toys and childcare articles. Within the footwear producing industry, PAHs are often found in the outsoles of footwear and in printing pastes for screen prints.
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