The Truth about Phthalates
Why the Common Chemical may cause Reproductive Issues or Worse
Aug 5, 2008
That item is the common shower curtain. Why?
Because the vinyl in shower curtains and shower curtain liners contains phthalates. Phthalates, short for phthalate esters, are endocrine disruptors. An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that mimics or blocks a naturally-occuring hormone. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, endocire disruption has been proven to be dangerous to humans, especially young children and unborn fetuses. It is the NRDC's stance that exposure to phthalates can result in reproductive problems and even cancer.
And phthalates are a ubiquitous substance. They can be found in many common items and products, including nail polish, plastic children's toys, and the rubbery coating on electrical cords . . . not to mention that seemingly-inoffensive shower curtain. Food wrappers can also leach phthalates onto the food products inside, causing the food to be laden with phthalates as well. It is believed that phthalates are able to enter the body through food, but also through contact with them, or even just through inhaling their vapors.
The Debate
But not everyone believes that phthalates are dangerous. According to a website called Phthalate Information Center, phthalates are perfectly safe to humans. Phthalate Information Center is sponsored by a number of major chemical companies, including Exxon Mobil Chemical, Easter Chemical, and Ferro Corp., among others (although these companies refer to themselves as being part of one entity, the Phthalate Esters Panel).
The Phthalate Information Center acknowledges all of the claims being made by the NRDC and other health and environmental organizations, but states that these claims are false or exaggerated. The site states that "some issues have been raised about possible human health effects. These are based on results of studies that showed some adverse health effects in rodents, at much higher exposures than normally would be encountered by people."
The Coming Clean Network, which sponsors a site called Chemical Body Burden, is an organization made up of Greenpeace members, environmental researchers, and a Pesticide Action Network coordinator, among others. This network sides with the NRDC, and questions the denials of the Phthalate Esters Panel. On the Chemical Body Burden site, a 2001 study is referenced in which the Center for Disease Control confirmed that the average human has a certain amount of phthalates built up in his or her body. The site also points out that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has labelled one particular kind of phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), as being a "probable human carcinogen."
So what's the truth?
Many people think that if the EPA, FDA, and other national organizations had reason to doubt the safety of phtalates, they would make laws restricting them. A little-known fact is that several laws have indeed been passed in an attempt to regulate the use of phthalates, both here and in Europe. These laws pertain mostly to children's products and toys. The FDA is also trying to limit the amount of phthalates that come into contact with food products.
The bottom line is, there is plenty of reason to believe that phthalates do pose a potential hazard, but each individual should do the research, weigh the facts, and decide what he or she believes. Begin by visiting the official NRDC website, as well as the Phthalate Information Center and Chemical Body Burden. If you are interested in avoiding phthalates or decreasing your risk of harm, Chemical Body Burden in particular has good tips on what to do, or not to do; for example, they advise against microwaving foods in plastic containers. Also, try replacing your vinyl shower curtain with a mildew-resistant fabric one.
Remember: an informed consumer is a smart consumer. Organizations like the FDA help to keep Americans safe, but Americans must work to keep themselves (and their families) safe as well.
