Phthalates (pronounced thalates) are a group of chemicals that are added to plastic materials to make them soft and flexible1. The majority of phthalates produced are used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, but other uses include building materials, floor and wall coverings, cosmetics, automobiles, children's toys, medical supplies, and food packaging1,2,3. Unfortunately, phthalates are not permanently attached to these products, so they tend to "leach" out and are found widely dispersed throughout the environment4. These products can be found on surfaces and in the air, and their many uses lead to multiple routes of exposure, including inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the skin, and directly into the blood stream through certain medical supplies and procedures5.
The major source of phthalates in the average home is most likely vinyl flooring6. Although adult exposure from flooring would mostly occur through the air, young children, who spend more time in close contact with the floor, tend come in contact with these phthalates through "hand-to-mouth" transfer. Up until recently, phthalates were even present in products specifically designed for children to chew on, including teething rings and pacifiers7. Phthalates can also be found in many cosmetic and hygiene products, and although the amounts are small, these products are typically used daily, so the total amount can sometimes be great1.
Phthalates have been linked to a wide array of reproductive and developmental effects, particularly in male children, including decreased birth weight, deformed external genitalia, undescended testes, decreased anogenital distance (the distance between the anus and the base of the penis), disruptions in sperm production, and lowered fertility9. These effects have mostly been seen in animal studies, and further work is needed to determine the full risk to humans.
Phthalate exposure has also been linked to asthma and allergy symptoms, but this is thought to occur from inhaling these chemicals rather than ingesting them. Studies in Germany have shown a correlation between specific phthalates and certain respiratory symptoms6, but no direct evidence has yet been found.
Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to label consumer products that contain phthalates8, so it is often difficult to determine which products to avoid in order to reduce your exposure. The simplest solution is to reduce the use of plastic products. Many alternatives to common products are available, including:
When searching for more information about phthalates, it is important to determine the source of that information. Many groups continue to fight for the use of phthalates, so the information that they present tends to be biased towards the need for these chemicals.