Things you need to know about Phthalates

Phthalates are widely used in polyvinyl chloride plastics to produce products such as plastic packaging films and sheets, inflatable toys, blood containers, medical tubing and especially children's toys. So what are Phthalates, are Phthalates in children's items harmful?

1. What are phthalates?

Phthalates are a group of chemicals most commonly used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They also act as a binding agent or solvent. Phthalates are also known as plasticizers , they are found in a variety of products and were first introduced in the 1920s as an additive in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and some other products. health care products, such as insect repellents.

Exposure to phthalates is widespread, and studies by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US.CDC) have found phthalates present in the majority of the population, especially in children. and women of childbearing age.

Phthalates are found in many cosmetics and personal care products (shampoo, perfume, nail polish, hairspray, sanitary napkins, etc.), vinyl flooring, mini blinds and wallpaper, and clothing. rain, medical equipment and supplies (including blood storage bags and IV tubing), plastic pipes, shower curtains, plastic films and packaging for food, pharmaceuticals, lubricants and detergents.

Phthalates are believed to leach into food products through plastics found in food packaging and in manufacturing facilities ; Researchers at the University of Washington said in 2013 that Phthalates have been found in foods, especially in milk and spices.

Scientists with the Canadian Wildlife Service discovered Phthalates are widespread in the food chain and found in the eggs of birds in the Canadian Arctic.

General chemical structure of orthophthalates. (R and R' are common sequences).

2. How do Phthalates enter our bodies?

Phthalates are all around us, and adults and children are most likely to absorb them. "Children are extremely vulnerable," said Sheela Sathyanarayana, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and lead author of a study looking at phthalate exposure through baby care products . when exposed to phthalates due to putting hands in mouth and playing on the floor while the nervous and reproductive systems are developing strongly.

Here's how we're all exposed to Phthalates:

1. Swallow. When children suck or chew objects containing plasticizers (such as nipples or squeezy toys), or they hold these toys and then suck their fingers, chemicals can enter the child's body. Because children frequently suck and put objects in their mouths, they are especially susceptible to ingesting phthalates. Trying to keep your baby from putting objects in his mouth is not a good solution, as it is one of the ways he learns about his world and it is developmentally important. Instead, parents can remove potentially harmful objects from their baby's reach and ensure that toys and other objects placed in the mouth are completely safe. Older children also ingest phthalates when they play with things that contain phthalates and then put their hands in their mouths. Polymer clay is an example. These clays are often marketed for children's use and are made primarily of PVC. We also ingest Phthalates when we eat foods contaminated through certain food packaging or when we drink beverages from plastic bottles that leach the chemicals into the food or liquid.
2. Absorb. Phthalates are found in many scented products and cosmetics, they help stabilize fragrance, increase spread and enhance absorption. So you'll find Phthalates in deodorants, nail polish (to help prevent chapping), hairspray (to help stiffen hair), perfumes, lotions, creams and powders (including lotions). , creams and baby powders). Chemicals from these products can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. In 2002, a coalition of public health and environmental groups tested 72 commercial, branded cosmetics for phthalates. They found that nearly three-quarters of the products contained Phthalates. And when the CDC tested phthalate levels in humans, the agency found the highest levels of phthalates in women of childbearing age, perhaps due to their use of cosmetics.

In a study published in the February 2008 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers at the University of Washington Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Rochester found that babies whose mothers applied the products Recent infant care such as lotion, shampoo and talcum powder were more likely to have phthalates in their urine than babies whose mothers did not use these products.

Exposure to phthalates is also a common part of a hospital stay. Many medical devices, such as catheters and IV equipment, are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) - even those used in the NICU and other pediatric and neonatal care areas . Because phthalates can leach into stored fluids, such as blood, plasma, and intravenous fluids, in 2002 the FDA recommended that health care providers avoid Use bags, intravenous tubing, and other equipment containing DEHP phthalate when treating premature infants and women pregnant with boys. Accordingly, some hospitals are now removing phthalate-containing PVC from neonatal intensive care units.

1. Inhale. Phthalates can be inhaled from dust or fumes from any product that contains vinyl, such as vinyl flooring, vinyl seats (e.g., in cars), and some changing mats. The production of smoke by these products is called off-gassing.

Of course, phthalates are a concern for adults, too. Additionally, phthalates can cross the placenta, so they can pass to the baby during pregnancy when the mother is exposed to the substance. And they can be transmitted through breast milk, so it's important to learn how to limit a mother's exposure to protect her baby. Breast milk is still the best food for babies. Phthalates are not a reason to limit breastfeeding, but they are a reason for mothers to read product labels to find out whether they contain phthalates or not.

3. Can phthalates be harmful?

The effects of phthalates on humans have not been widely studied, but they are believed to be an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that can alter hormonal balance and potentially cause problems. reproductive health, development and other issues.

The U.S. National Research Council said in a 2008 risk assessment report that it found a link to reproductive and genital defects, lower sperm count, and disrupted hormones. disorder and infertility .

According to two recent Harvard studies, exposure to phthalates may increase the risk of miscarriage and gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

In infants and children, phthalates have been linked to allergies, male genital malformations, precocious puberty, eczema, asthma, lowered IQ, and ADHD . A 2010 study of New York schoolchildren linked prenatal phthalate exposure to impaired social functioning later in life. Last year, researchers in South Korea discovered, through a review of existing studies, a 'significant association' between DEHP exposure and effects on neurodevelopment in children .

Other studies have linked phthalates to other effects in adults. A Harvard-led research team concluded in a 2008 study that certain levels of phthalates were associated with sperm DNA damage in men at an infertility clinic. Exposure to certain phthalates can cause adverse effects on the thyroid, liver, kidneys and immune system, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a 2014 risk report. . Some phthalates, such as DEHP, which is one of the most widely used phthalates, are listed as possible carcinogens by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) .

Phthalates are linked to early puberty in children.

4. How can consumers limit any risks?

Most exposure to phthalates comes from eating and drinking food, which leads to absorption of this chemical. Phthalates can also be inhaled through vapors from scented cosmetics or hygiene products that are absorbed through the skin. Because they are in so many products, completely avoiding phthalates is difficult.

Minimize exposure by avoiding plastic food containers (plastic marked with recycling codes 1, 2, 4 or 5 is probably safest).

Use glass instead and never heat food in plastic.

Check product labels, avoid using anything that contains phthalates.

When you use baby care products, choose products that are phthalate-free. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell from the list of ingredients in products. Manufacturers are not required to list phthalates separately, so they may be written under the term "fragrance."

Choose alternatives to canned foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables and those in glass containers.

Do not buy vinyl products (PVC, polyvinyl chloride), especially when those products will remain in the child's mouth in the form of pacifiers, pacifiers, or toys. Instead, choose items made from the most natural products possible. When you buy plastic, look for ones made of polyethylene or polypropylene rather than vinyl or PVC.

When painting or using other solvents, make sure the space is well ventilated and your child is elsewhere. Most paints contain DBP (dibutyl phthalate) to help them spread better. You can look for natural paints that do not have this ingredient.

Choose shower curtains, raincoats, furniture and building materials that limit vinyl whenever possible. Chemicals released from these products release phthalates into the air and can be inhaled by your child or you.

Clean up. Phthalates can be airborne and in dust in your home, so wet mopping can help remove these chemicals.