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.
