Phthalates

I like to think of phthalates as the Monica Cruz of toxic chemicals--less famous than the sibling but just as striking, if not more so.

Phthalates are a grouping of more than a dozen xenoestrogens that can be inhaled or absorbed through skin, hair and nails. They have the same hormonal effects as Bisphenol A such as hormonal receptive cancers and estrogen dominant conditions, yet most people are unaware of their existence. Lab tests have proven that they also damage lungs (asthma anyone?), liver and kidneys in rats. In 2005, a scientist by the name of Swan published a report showing how phthalates are responsible for what she calls "demasculinization". More specifically, they cause the "phthalate syndrom", a conditions where male rats are born with abnormal genitals --then she proved it in humans in the US. Similarly, other scientists have shown that phthalates cause "testicular dysgenesis syndrome", which includes impaired sperm quality and testicular cancer.

Phthalates are used mostly as plasticizers, making plastics soft and flexible. They're also use to extend the life of fragrances and used as solvents in cosmetics. I'll let that sink in for a moment...

There are 3 main types of phthalates --I quote this directly from the Canadian Cancer Society's website:

1) DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is the most common and is used mostly in PVC plastics. It can be found in vinyl products and in many medical plastics such as IV bags and tubes;

2) DINP (di-isononyl phthalate) is sometimes used in PVC plastics, including children’s toys. In Canada, other phthalates are more likely to be used in children’s toys;

3) DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are most often used in cosmetics.

Although the Canadian Cancer Society is cautious about the information it provides on BPA as previously states in my BPA post, it's definitely taking a clearer stand against phthalates, even urging people to contact their member of Parliament about it. The reason is phthalates are in pretty much everything, from medical tubing and saline bags to children's toys and shampoos. The American Chemistry Council will not only tell you they're safe, but fun as well! I'm not kidding, the tag line on their home page with the nice healthy landscape in the banner is "Performance, Convenience, Fun". They even tell us that conclusions drawn from lab test on animals are not transferable to people. But go to their "About Us" page and you'll see that they are composed of corporations and companies who all have a financial stake in your use of phthalates. Phthalates.com tells us they're safe too, just as the Biphenol.com site did with BPA (did I mention it's an initiative of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates?). When it comes to cancer, the link between it and phthalates hasn't been proven without a shadow of a doubt yet but just like BPA, it fits in estrogen receptions in hormonal receptive cancers. So it's up to you to decide, but who are you going to trust, the Chemical Council or the Cancer Society?

Some of the products* that contain phthalates include:

All plastics #2, #4 and #5;
Cosmetics (make-up, deodorant, hair gel, shampoos and conditioners, body lotion, lubricants, soap, etc). "Fragrance" or "Perfumes" are often used for phthalates ingredients;
Toys (both the kid's kind and the sex kind);
Vinyl (shower curtains, furniture, clothing);
Flooring and building materials;
Medical supplies (blood and saline bags, drain tubes, picc lines, IVs);
Car interiors;
Fatty foods such as dairy, meats and processed foods (because they're fat soluble);
Laundry detergents,
Air fresheners;
Scented cleaning products;
Contaminated dust in your house (when they leach, they go in the air).

The danger is not only that phthalates are unavoidable, but that they easily leach out --they're not an integral part of the plastic or vinyl, but sit on top. Children are especially at risk of their effects with their developing cells and their nasty habit of putting everything in their mouth. Needless to say, this is all very terrifying. Think of how I feel about the picc line that was in my vein from my arm to my heart for 5 months, and the drains tubes under my skin after my mastectomy. So why is nothing being done about this real threat to our health? Well, the European Union has banned 6 phthalates in kids' toys and is working towards limiting their use in products coming in contact with foods. An anti-phthalate law will also come into effect in the US in 2009. It's a start.

The good news, like with BPA, is that phthalates leave the body very quickly so if we stopped being exposed to them tomorrow, we would be rid of them by the next day. There are a few things you can do to limit your exposure*:

Don't use plastic to store foods at all;
Choose foods that come in glass (oils, condiments, etc);
Dust you home, open your windows and change your furnace filter often;
Drive with the windows open;
Change your cosmetics;
Never use air fresheners;
Use frangrance free products as a rule.

The biggest thing you can do however is make noise about it --share what you know, ask companies about phthalates in their products and choose the alternatives.

*More on individual products and alternatives in future posts.

Sources
"Phthalates", Canadian Cancer Society

Phthalate Information Centre, The American Chemistry Council

Phthalates Information Centre Europe Website

Sexy Hormones. F & W Ltd, Markham, 2007.

Smith, R. and B. Lourie. Slow Death By Rubber Duck, Toronto, Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2009.