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As parents, the well-being of our family tops our list of priorities. Part of ensuring their safety is staying vigilant about the hidden ingredients lurking in everyday household and personal care items. Surprisingly, many of these products lack clear labels warning us about their potentially harmful ingredients. A prime culprit among these hidden threats is phthalates.
So, what exactly are phthalates, and why should parents be aware of them? Read on to find out.
What Are Phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced “THAL-ates”) are a group of oily synthetic chemicals known as “the everywhere chemical.” They’re commonly used as plasticizers in a huge range of consumer products. These chemicals increase the flexibility and durability of plastics.
Phthalates pop up in lots of common items, including toys, food packaging, makeup, skin and hair care products, and even household cleaners. They’re also used in fragrances, so they make their way into soaps, lotions, laundry detergents, air fresheners, and various scented products we use daily.
Phthalates and Hormonal Disruption
The biggest problem with phthalates is that they’re known endocrine (aka hormone) disruptors. This means that when they’re absorbed into the body, phthalates can mimic or even block female hormones. In males, phthalates can suppress the hormones involved in male sexual development.
This hormonal disruption may lead to a range of health issues, including altered reproductive and developmental outcomes, such as decreased fertility and early puberty in girls.
How Do We Become Exposed to Phthalates?
There are several potential pathways for exposure to phthalates, including ingesting them, inhaling them, and absorbing them through the skin. Over the past 50 years, the widespread use of phthalates as additives in PVC (polyvinyl chloride) products to enhance flexibility and in personal care items to prolong fragrance has led to broad exposure among the general population. Unfortunately, our bodies easily absorb phthalates.
As mentioned, phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. That’s why they can be found in a surprising array of everyday products. Most commonly, they’re present in vinyl flooring, children’s toys, shower curtains, and even some food packaging.
They have also been incorporated into many personal care products like nail polishes, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, and perfumes to increase spreadability and enhance fragrance longevity. Even some medical devices and certain pharmaceuticals use phthalates for their unique properties.
Deciphering Labels to Find Phthalates
While many products might outrightly mention the presence of phthalates, some might use alternative names or codes which can be confusing.
When checking labels, especially for cosmetics and personal care products, look out for acronyms like DBP (dibutyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), and DMP (dimethyl phthalate).
The more generic terms “fragrance” or “parfum” can sometimes mean that phthalates have been used, as they’re often added to fragrances to make the scent linger. As awareness grows, some products now proudly display “phthalate-free” on their labels, making it easier for consumers to make safer choices.
Other Health Concerns Over Phthalates
Research has raised a whole host of concerns about the potential health effects of phthalate exposure, especially for vulnerable groups like infants, children, and pregnant women. Several studies have linked phthalates to other adverse health outcomes besides hormone disruption, including:
- Respiratory problems: Exposure to phthalates has also been linked to respiratory problems, such as asthma and allergies, especially in kids.
- Developmental issues: Studies have suggested phthalates may have negative effects on children’s neurodevelopment, even impacting their cognitive and behavioral abilities.
- Cancer: Certain phthalates have been classified as carcinogens, raising concerns about their potential links to cancer.
- Reproductive health: Phthalates have also been linked to reduced fertility, particularly in men, and may also affect reproductive health in women.
Who’s At The Greatest Risk for Phthalate Exposure?
Children under the age of three are more at risk from phthalates because of their developing bodies and ever-present exposure to children’s products manufactured using multiple types of phthalate compounds. Young children use their mouths to explore. As a result, they can be frequently exposed to higher levels of phthalates by sucking or chewing on products made of phthalate-containing plastics.
It’s best to diminish your kids’ phthalate exposure by providing them instead with non-toxic pacifiers, baby bottles, and other products specifically made without phthalates (and labeled as such).
Pregnant women should also be careful to limit their exposure to phthalates, given they can cross the placenta and potentially affect hormone development in developing babies.
Phthalates in the Environment
Phthalates can enter the environment through various pathways. They’ve been detected in air, water, soil, and sediment samples. They’re often released into the environment during the manufacturing and processing of plastic products. This can include emissions from factories and production facilities.
Phthalates can also leak out of plastic products over time, as well. For example, phthalates in PVC materials can leach into the surrounding environment, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight. Phthalates from personal care products, lotions, cleaning agents, and other household items can enter wastewater when we use these products wash them down the drain. Wastewater treatment plants may not always effectively remove phthalates, leading to their release into water bodies.
Phthalate-containing products that end up in landfills also release phthalates into the surrounding soil and groundwater as they degrade over time. Rainwater can wash phthalates from surfaces into rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Once in the environment, phthalates persist for some time and accumulate in sediment and aquatic organisms, leading to adverse effects on ecosystems and wildlife.
How To Avoid Phthalates In Household Products
There are several important steps you can take to make sure you aren’t buying products that contain phthalates.
1. Read Labels
When looking around for household products, always read labels carefully. Look for “phthalate-free” and “fragrance-free” labels (phthalates are often used in artificially scented products).
2. Use Natural Cleaning Solutions
Opt for natural, eco-friendly cleaning products such as non-toxic dish soap, laundry detergent, floor cleaner, and hand soap that disclose all their ingredients. Many companies offer phthalate-free options that are equally as effective as these conventional products.
3. Go BPA-Free
In addition to phthalates, it’s good to be cautious about products containing Bisphenol-A (BPA), another chemical commonly used in plastics. Choose BPA-free containers and food storage options.
4. Avoid PVC and Vinyl
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl products often contain high levels of phthalates, unfortunately. You can aim to reduce your use of PVC-based items like shower curtains, air mattresses, and vinyl flooring.
5. Use Glass and Stainless Steel Alternatives to Plastics
Replace any plastic containers in your house with glass or stainless steel ones. Not only are these materials safer, but they’re also more durable and better for the environment in the long run.
You can find non-toxic kids’ dinnerware and eco-friendly reusable water bottles made from glass and stainless steel. There are also lots of great eco-friendly toys (including bath toys) made without phthalates or other plasticizers.
6. Seek Out Non-Toxic Skin Care Products
Fortunately, the word is out on phthalates, and there are plenty of phthalate-free options out there for personal care products, including make-up and skincare.
You can find lots of non-toxic versions of lip gloss, foundation, BB cream, mascara, concealer, eye creams, eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. You can also find phthalate-free face washes and body washes for adults and kids.
Avoid Phthalates for a Safer Home
When we shop, we can choose to buy phthalate-free household products for pretty much everything we or our kids need. By embracing more plastic and phthalate-free alternatives, we can protect our family’s health while helping promote a cleaner and safer planet.
FAQs About Phthalates and Household Products
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about phthalates.
What exactly are phthalates?
Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds used to enhance the flexibility, durability, and longevity of plastics. They’re commonly found in various household products.
Which household products may contain phthalates?
These concerning plasticizers can be present in a wide range of household items, including plastic toys, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, personal care products (such as fragrances and cosmetics), and even some food packaging materials.
Why are phthalates a concern for our health?
Phthalates have raised health concerns because they can disrupt the endocrine system. They’re especially concerning for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.
Researchers have found links between phthalates and a range of health issues, including asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, diminished IQ, neurodevelopmental problems, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum conditions, altered reproductive development, and male fertility complications.
How can I identify if a product contains phthalates?
Unfortunately, phthalates are often not listed on product labels. To determine if a product contains phthalates, you may need to contact the manufacturer directly or look for products that are explicitly labeled as “phthalate-free.”
Which phthalates are harmful?
Phthalates encompass a substantial group of chemicals. While not all of them have undergone extensive study, several have demonstrated adverse health effects. These problematic phthalates include the following: diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), dipentyl phthalate (DPP), di-isohexyl phthalate, di-isoheptyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DcHP).
What are the potential health risks associated with phthalate exposure?
Phthalate exposure has been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, asthma and allergies, respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage (at high levels), obesity, and even cancer in animal studies.
The evidence from studies of phthalates suggests that companies should exercise caution when using any chemical within the phthalate category, especially in products for pregnant women or young children. Research indicates that these groups are especially susceptible to the harms of phthalate exposure.
How can I reduce my exposure to phthalates at home?
Here are some ways you can reduce your exposure to phthalates at home:
- Choose phthalate-free or low-phthalate products when possible.
- Opt for glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic for food storage.
- Look for eco-friendly bath toys instead of plastic ones that may contain phthalates.
- Ventilate your home and use an effective air purifier to reduce indoor air pollution.
- Wash your hands before eating, especially if you’ve handled plastic or vinyl materials.
Should I be concerned about phthalates in my child’s toys?
While regulatory agencies in the U.S. have imposed some restrictions on phthalates in toys, you still need to be cautious. Cheap, unregulated toys made in other countries may still contain them. Look for toys labeled as “phthalate-free” to minimize exposure.
Where can I find more information about phthalates and their presence in household products?
You can consult reputable sources like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for more information on phthalates in household products.
