What are Phthalates?

Phthalates are used to make plastics more flexible and resilient. They’re often called “plasticizers.”

Phthalates are also found in vinyl.

These chemicals are released from products easily.

How can they get into our bodies?

Eating:

Leaching into food and beverages from plastic packaging or storage containers.

Chewing on soft plastic (toys for children, etc)

Breathing:

Dust particles

Vapors

Skin:

touching products made with phthalates

using products made with phthalates (e.g. cosmetics, etc)

How might they contribute to health conditions?

Phthalates are found in nearly every U.S. person that has been tested. In addition, they’ve been found in breast milk, umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid.

Phthalates pass through the body quickly through urine vs. being stored in fat cells. However, that doesn’t mean they’re “safe.”

Their chemical structure is similar to naturally occurring steroid hormones, therefore phthalates are in a class of synthetic chemicals referred to as “endocrine disruptors.”  

Phthalates disrupt the production of testosterone (male sex hormone), which is needed in order for males to develop, and have proper functioning, reproductive organs. This can lead to permanent damage.

Organs that may be affected:

reproductive system

endocrine disruptor

 affect human reproduction

Possible health conditions:

cancer

human development

infertility

decreased sperm count

undescended testes

malformations of the penis and urethra

obesity

reduced female fertility

preterm birth

low birthweight,

allergy (worse allergies)

asthma (worse asthma)

altered toddler behavior

What products have phthalates?

Products made of or contain plastic, vinyl, dyes and inks, solvents, fragrances.

Food:

food packaging

food wraps 

Clothing:

plastic clothes

Raincoats

Personal Care Products:

toothbrushes

cosmetics

soaps

shampoos

hair sprays

nail polishes

Cleaning Products:

detergents

household cleaners

Furniture:

plastic furniture

Building Products:

flooring (several types)

vinyl flooring

adhesives

sealants

miniblinds and wallpaper

vinyl flooring

adhesives

plastic pipes

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics

Automobiles:

automobile parts

lubricating oils

automotive interiors

Children’s items:

inflatable toys

children’s toys

plastic and vinyl bath toys

Medical:

medical tubing

aspirin

blood-storage containers

medical equipment and devices

pharmaceuticals

Household items:

tools

insecticides

garden hoses

packaging film and sheets

shower curtains

air fresheners

Other items:

printing inks


References

Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, Phthalates. Accessed November 1, 2018.

Mount Sinai, Press Release, “Mount Sinai Researchers Identify Respiratory Support as Source of Exposure to Phthalates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units”.September 26, 2018.

U.S. Center for Disease Control, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxic Substances Portal. Accessed November 1, 2018.

U.S. Center for Disease Control, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), National Biomonitoring Program, Phthalates Face Sheet. Accessed November 1, 2018.

U.S. National Library of Medicine, Tox Town, Phthalates, What are they? Accessed November 1, 2018.

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