Phthalates

Phthalates 

**__Common Phthalate Structural Formulas __** DEP - C6H4(COOC2H5)2 BBP - CH3(CH2)3OOCC6H4COOCH2C6H5 DEHP - C6H4[COOCH2CH(C2H5)(CH2)3CH3]2

**__What are they?__** Phthalates are esters of phthalic acids. They are primarily used to make polyvinyl chloride (plastic) soft and flexible. They are not chemically attached to plastics; therefore they can be released from consumer products into the environment.

**__Uses __** Phthalates are used in many different substances and have many different uses. They’re uses range from coatings on for pharmaceutical pills, vinyl flooring, adhesives, dyes, printing inks, solvents in nail polish, air freshener, cleaning products and detergents, cosmetics, shampoo, and other personal care products. Phthalates are also found in medical devices, sealants and food packaging.

**__Health Hazards __** Studies have shown that phthalates are linked to lower testosterone levels, decreased sperm count, and poor sperm quality. Exposure to phthalates during development has also been linked to genital malformations in the male reproductive system and testicular cancer. Young children and fetuses are the most at risk. It has been found that phthalates have also been associated with reduced female fertility, preterm birth, low birth weight, obesity, worsening allergy and asthma.

__**How Phthalates are Designated and Regulated Today**__ *“The State of California has listed the phthalates BBP, DBP, DEHP, DiDP, and DnHP on Proposition 65 list of chemicals “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.” And DEHP has also been listed as a carcinogen.”

*“Maine has listed 13 phthalates as “chemicals of high concern” for their endocrine disrupting effects and their developmental or reproductive toxicity under its law on Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products.”

*“The National Academy of Sciences concluded in 2008 that people are exposed to multiple phthalates and that the EPA should be assessing phthalate toxicity using a cumulative risk assessment approach, which considers as a group those phthalates which have been shown to interfere with testosterone production and harm male reproduction.”

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">*Source: []

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif';">As an individual it is hard to avoid the exposure of phthalates because they are readily present in everyday items. But some ways to avoid being overly exposed is to be a smart shopper. When purchasing teething rings for your baby, you should make sure that the packaging says “phthalate-free”. Also phthalates are in a lot of cosmetic and personal care products, so when you’re buying things, be sure to check the labels and ingredients. Since phthalates can also be found in building materials, wallpapers, flooring, and household dust, it’s a good idea to keep areas well ventilated. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif';">There are regulations in effect in the United States and Europe that either ban or limit the amount of certain phthalates allowed in toys for very small children, pacifiers, and teethers. However, other phthalates may be used, or they may be used in numbers approved by government regulators but not acceptable from a parent’s point of view.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif';">Limiting Exposure __ **
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif';">Efforts To Curb The Use of Phthalates __ **