Phthalates: Chemicals in Plastics Blamed for Serious Developmental Damage in Children
Toxic chemicals called phthalates used to make many plastic products flexible and durable are suspected of causing birth defects, hormone disruption, and other devastating injuries in children who are exposed to toys and other products containing the chemicals.
As a result of health problems associated with childhood exposure to phthalates, many governments around the world, including the United States, have imposed bans on the use of the chemicals in children’s products. The U.S. phthalates ban went into effect in February 2009 and applied to thousands of plastic toys, dolls, teethers, and other consumer products intended for children.
Phthalates Found in Consumer Goods
In most cases, children are exposed to phthalates by chewing or sucking on plastic toys made with the chemicals. In addition to toys and other children’s products, phthalates also pose a risk of exposure to the following plastic consumer products:
• Shower curtains
• PVC pipes
• Vinyl upholstery and flooring
• Caulk
• Fishing lures
• Sex toys
• Adhesives and glues
• Waxes
Research Cites Link to Injuries
Countless scientific studies have found a link between exposure to phthalates and developmental problems in children. One recent survey of preschoolers exposed to phthalates as fetuses found higher levels of the chemicals were associated with feminized behavior in boys. Earlier studies have linked phthalates exposure to delayed puberty, low birth weights, and other developmental problems in children.
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