Phthalates --- What is it?

[Guest guest]

Phthalates

_http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/05/cheatsheet-phthalates.htm_

(http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/05/cheatsheet-phthalates.htm)

 

What is it?

 

Phthalates are a common industrial chemical used in PVC plastics, solvents,

and synthetic fragrances. They've been around since the 1930's, and now

they're pretty ubiquitous; when they tested 289 people in 2000, the CDC found

phthalates in all of the subjects' blood at surprisingly high levels. They're

often referred to as a plasticizer, which we think sounds rather like a kind of

exercise to be done on the living-room floor in front of videos hosted by

Jane Fonda. But we digress.

 

What are the possible health effects?

 

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to problems of the reproductive

system, including decreased sperm motility and concentration in men and

genital abnormalities in baby boys. (Oh, and did you know that average sperm

counts

have decreased significantly since the 1940's?) More recently they've also

been linked to asthma and allergies.

 

How can I minimize my exposure?

 

Avoid these, and you'll also be avoiding phthalates:

 

1.. Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish

chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may be shortened

to

DBP.

 

2.. Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards.

Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it's heated, so

avoid

cooking or microwaving in plastic.

 

3.. Vinyl toys: Phthalates are what make vinyl (PVC) toys soft, so don't

give them to children. Opt instead for wooden and other phthalate-free toys,

especially during that age when they put everything in their mouths!

 

4.. Paint: Paints and other hobby products may contain phthalates as

solvents, so be sure to use them in a well-ventilated space.

 

5.. Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the

" fragrance " in some products. Since DEP won't be listed separately, you're

better off

choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that don't have

the word " fragrance " on the ingredients list.

 

6.. Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture,

garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like some raincoats)

are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you're making

purchases, there is one easy change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl

shower curtain. That " new shower curtain " smell (you know the one) is a result

of

chemical off-gassing, and it means your shower curtain is a source of

phthalates in your home.

 

7.. Air Fresheners: Just like fragrances in personal care products, _most

air fresheners contain phthalates_

(http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37) .

_http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37_

(http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37)

 

Where can I learn more?

1. Here's a link to _Phthalates in the Chemical Index_

(http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480) .

_http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480_

(http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480)

2. Phthalates were just one of the hormone-disrupting chemicals we found

_contaminating the San Francisco Bay_ (http://www.ewg.org/node/20919) .

_http://www.ewg.org/node/20919_ (http://www.ewg.org/node/20919)

3. NRDC has the low-down on _phthalates in air fresheners_

(http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37) .

_http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37_

(http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view//147/37)

4. EWG's Jane Houlihan discusses _phthalates in children's personal

care products_ (http://www.ewg.org/node/25974) . _http://www.ewg.org/node/25974_

(http://www.ewg.org/node/25974)

5. Olga explains _a recent study linking phthalates to asthma and

allergies_

(http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/phthalateinduced-asthma-gaspin-1.htm)

.. _http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/phthalateinduced-asthma-gaspin-1.htm_

(http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/phthalateinduced-asthma-gaspin-1.htm)

Orginal photo by _Felix63_ (http://flickr.com/photos/flex/)