Central Florida Green Guide

The one thing that can be agreed upon when it comes to phthalates is that it has been a “hot” topic for the last six months. With the Pediatric Journal publication of the “Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure” study on February 1st the issue of phthalates has spiraled out of control, leaving most readers alarmed or terrified based on inaccurate dramatized reporting. However, that is not to say that the use of phthalates is to be welcomed.

To understand what is going on the best place to start is by answering the simple question, “What are phthalates?” According to Environmental Defence, phthalates can be defined as follows:

Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely used as plasticizing additives in a broad range of consumer products, including cosmetic and personal care products, PVC consumer products and construction materials.  These chemicals are also used in synthetic fragrances to extend the scents’ staying power. Phthalates are relatively persistent in the environment and have been found in drinking water, soil, household dust, wildlife, fatty foods (meat and dairy products) and in the blood and breast milk of people. Scientific research has shown that phthalates disrupt hormones, and can cause birth defects of male reproductive organs.

Taking a moment to consider that phthalates are man made chemicals for many of you this may end your need to read further, but I urge you to read a little bit more. Any man made chemical has inherent risks associated with. Anyone choosing to live a chemical free life will likely not use products with phthalates in it. Sounds easily enough right? No, it is not.

Unfortunately there are a two reasons why simply reading of ingredient labels is not sufficient to insure you are buying products without phthalates:

• There is no requirement for phthalates to be listed specifically on ingredient labels, so just because it is not listed it does not mean the product does not contain them.
• Phthalates can be present in numerous forms making it harder to discern when they are listed in ingredients that it is in fact a phthalate, especially with the use of abbreviations. This extensive list includes: phthalate esters such as terephthalates; Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP).

The Phthalates Information Centre Europe has a list of the common use names of phthalates along with information on when they are each typically used. The only way to be sure a product is free from phthalates is either call the manufacturer or only buy products that plainly state they are phthalate free. The scare that has sent widespread panic over phthalates being used in baby products includes phthalates found in lotions, powder and toys.

After reading the study, “Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure,” that has created this increased panic I came away with a few clear points. First of all the study has concluded “we observed that reported use of infant lotion, infant powder,and infant shampoo were associated with increased infant urine concentrations of MEP, MMP, and MiBP, and this association is strongest in younger infants.” This means that infants exposed to products containing phthalates, whether with lotion, powder, shampoo, were associated with significant levels of various forms of phthalates in their urine; more exposure equates to higher levels in the urine. And, of course the younger the infant the greater the levels “given their increased dosage unit per unit body surface area.”

To be honest this seems very logical to me, we absorb everything that is put on our skin into our bodies; we take in environmental toxins through our skin and lungs as well. Why wouldn’t there be significant levels of phthalates in the urine of infants who were exposed to these products? Why wouldn’t younger smaller infants have higher levels? I am not a scientist, but common sense dictates this would be the case.

Second, the study also concluded, “if parents want to decrease exposures, then we recommend limiting amount of infant care products used and not to apply lotions or powders unless indicated for a medical reason.” This makes sense. Limit use and exposure to products that contain phthalates to decrease exposure.

Lastly, this study does not even study the medical effects of phthalates on infants, in fact it suggests the need for additional research. I did some quick research to determine the ease of finding phthalate free products. There seems to be a wide range of products available. For example, SoapChix have soaps that are all natural, organic (where possible) and phthalate free. A Dutch company, Natursutten, manufactures a Pacifier that is free of phthalates along with a lot of other frowned upon ingredients.

To give you an idea how easy it is to speak to manufacturers directly I contacted Gerber. From their website I was taken to a live call now option, entered my number, the phone rang, within 30 seconds I had a representative on the phone. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. After speaking with a representative at Gerber she informed me that the following baby care items: pacifiers, nipples, bottles, and cups have been phthalate free since 1998. However, she indicated information was not currently available on all other baby care items but that when it was she would contact me. Definitely worth the time to call to avoid bringing phthalates into your home!

To sum up: yes, phthalates are man made chemicals that may cause a myriad of medical problems in infants/adults/the environment (as will most man made chemicals); when exposed to phthalates infant’s urine has elevated levels of phthalates; to limit the risks associated with phthalates limit exposure; to limit exposure do research, ask questions, buy phthalate free and always confirm with manufacturers that the product is in fact phthalate free. In ending it is important to mention that chemicals, such as phthalates, have an environmental impact and your child may be exposed to them even if you do not use the products directly. This is why it is so vital that we each take an active role in writing our legislators to have products with phthalates banned altogether.