Phthalates, a family of industrial chemicals used to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.
What is phthalate syndrome?
In tests of lab rats, chemicals called phthalates, which are widely used in plastic and personal care products, cause several reproductive abnormalities that scientists have dubbed “testicular dysgenesis syndrome” or “phthalate syndrome.” Included are hypospadias, undescended testes, reduced sperm counts and testicular …
What are the health effects of phthalates?
In the past few years, researchers have linked phthalates to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.
What are the health effects of phthalates and BPA?
Studies find that phthalates may increase allergies and change how male reproductive organs develop. BPA may cause behavior problems in children and has been linked to asthma, obesity, and diabetes.
Do phthalates leave the body?
Because of that hand-to-mouth behavior, phthalate particles in dust might be a greater risk for children than for adults. Inside a person’s body, phthalates are converted into breakdown products (metabolites) that quickly leave the body in urine.
Does all plastic have phthalates?
Weirdly, not all soft plastic contains phthalates. Most plastic wraps, water bottles, and food containers are phthalate-free.
How many phthalates are there?
There are six different types of phthalates; DEHP (di-ethylhexyl phthalate), BBP (benzyl-butyl phthalate,), and DINP (diisononyl phthalate) have potent antiandrogenic properties.
How do you reduce phthalate exposure?
To reduce their phthalate-exposure sources, we developed seven intervention strategies: handwashing, not using plastic containers, not eating food with a plastic bag/plastic-wrap cover, not microwaving food, not taking nutrition supplements, and reducing use of cosmetics/personal care products.
Are phthalates banned in the US?
A: In 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of eight ortho-phthalates in children’s toys and child-care articles. But in terms of their use in vinyl plastics and personal care products, there’s currently no specific legislation by other governmental agencies.
Does Tupperware contain phthalates?
The website claims all products made from January, 2010 onwards are BPA-free, and do not contain dioxins or phthalates. Tupperware claims that less than 10% of their products contain BPA, and that they traditionally have not included the recycle triangle because their products come with lifetime guarantees.
What is the safest plastic?
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a plastic. Of the commercial plastics on the market today, polypropylene is considered one of the safest. It’s FDA-approved for food contact, so you’ll find polypropylene in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese, and butter products.
How can you tell if plastic has phthalates?
One easy way to recognize plastic toys, clothing, bottles, food and beverage storage containers, and/or food wrap that may contain phthalate compounds is to look for the number 3 inside the universal recycling symbol usually molded into the plastic on the bottom of the product.
