[Determination of organotin compounds in polyvinyl chloride toys]

Organotin compounds in polyvinyl chloride toys were determined by GC/MS after ethyl derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate. The samples were 12 balls, 12 soft toys, 10 food toys and 13 face masks for children. Monooctyltin, dioctyltin and trioctyltin compounds were found in all face masks at the levels of 74.8-917 micrograms/g. 474-3,960 micrograms/g and 1.0-213 micrograms/g, respectively. They also were detected in 6 balls, 4 soft toys and 1 food toy. Monomethyltin and dimethyltin compounds were found in 8 face masks at the levels of 40.9-227 micrograms/g and 222-1,450 micrograms/g, respectively. Monobutyltin and dibutyltin (DBT) compounds were found in 1 ball, 3 food toys and 5 face masks. In particular, 1 ball and 4 face masks contained toxic DBT at the levels of 527-999 micrograms/g.