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Avoiding Phthalates

They’re in the plastic wrapped around our food, the curtains hanging in our showers and the toys our children play with. You’ll find them in the kitchen counter, in your finger nail polish and even in your air fresheners.

Phthalates are everywhere – and a growing number of scientists are starting to wonder if they might be causing Americans some lasting health problems.

Research over the past several years has implicated phthalates in asthma, reproductive disorders and several kinds of cancer, including breast, uterine, testicular and prostate. We inhale or ingest them inadvertently, as they leach out of foods stored in PVC plastic containers or plastic wraps and from the numerous household and personal care products that contain them.

European countries have started to ban phthalates from some consumer products, but they are still ubiquitous in the United States. However some companies, sensitive to consumer concerns, are beginning to offer phthalate-free toys and cosmetics.

The U.S. National Toxicology Program finds there is still insufficient evidence for a ban here, so while research continues, consumers who wish to steer completely clear of phthalates should simply buy non-PVC flooring and countertops, store food in ceramic containers, never microwave in plastic and purchase phthalate-free cosmetics and toys for their families.

To learn more about phthalates, click here.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org