By Dr. Teri Dourmashkin
I was pleased to see a television broadcast on 60 Minutes this evening regarding the use of Phthalates. Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals which are ubiquitous in modern day society. They are used primarily to give more flexibility to plastics. They can be found in everything from shower curtains, rain coats, toys, vinyl flooring, nail polish, shampoos and skin creams (they help creams to spread better). They are often used to “hold” fragrance so that it can last longer. The majority of fragrances which men and women use on a daily basis contain phthalates. However, you will not usually see it listed on any ingredient label. For example, companies are allowed to file a fragrance (s) as a “trade secret” without having to reveal all of the individual ingredients that make up a ”finished” fragrance. In some cases, as many as 300 ingredients can comprise a particular fragrance, and phthalates are among them. Even IV bags routinely used in hospital settings contain phthalates.
According to the American Chemistry Council, phthalates have been around since the 1950’s and are considered safe. However, other health care experts and advocacy groups seriously question the safety of phthalates. A recent study (source: EWG) revealed that 20 teenage girls age 14-19 had numerous potentially toxic chemicals in their blood and urine, including phthalates. In 2008, under pressure from the EWG (Environmental Working Group) and other health organizations, Congress banned 6 different phthalates from childrens’ toys and cosmetics.
The “expert” opinions regarding the safety of phthalates on the 60 Minutes broadcast were mixed. And while none of the experts could say for certain that phthalates pose a significant health threat, several did suspect (based on the available studies) that they could pose potential health problems. Some studies have indicated that phthalates may cause abnormalities in infant boys, such as underdeveloped reproductive organs.
While we cannot avoid phthalates completely, isn’t it better to err on the side of caution and avoid products that contain them when possible? For example, synthetic fragrances can be avoided and can be replaced with naturally based ones. Why not educate yourself so that you can make more informed choices?