chemical Class

Phthalates


Chemicals in the class:

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Butyl benzyl phthalate, Di-n-butyl phthalate, Di-n-octyl phthalate, Diethyl phthalate, Dimethyl phthalate, Mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate, Mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate, Mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, Mono-butyl phthalate, Monobenzyl phthalate, Monoethyl phthalate, Monomethyl phthalate

Found in these people:

Anonymous Adult 2, Anonymous Adult 3, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 4, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 9, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 10, Anonymous Adult 14, Anonymous Adult 15, Anonymous Adult 16, Nicholas, Anonymous Adult 17, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Adult 20, Anonymous Adult 21, Andrea Martin, Bill Moyers, Davis Baltz, Lucy Waletsky, Michael Lerner, Sharyle Patton, Lexi Rome, Monique Harden, Charlotte Brody, Participant #1, Participant #10, Fred Gellert, Adelaide Gomer, Ann Hunter-Welborn, Jesse Johnson, Anonymous Adult, Winsome McIntosh, Judi Shils, Participant #18, Lynde Uihlein, Participant #2, Participant #20, Jessica Welborn, Alicia Wittink, Irene Crowe, Martha Davis, Emily Sayrs, Participant #6, Anonymous Adult RN7, Anonymous Teen 22, Anonymous Adult RN9, Sara Corbett, May, Anonymous Teen 20, Emma Spencer, Erin Schrode, Anonymous Teen 21, Sydney Blankers, Sarah Oswald, Asta Haman-Dicko, Laurie Mittelmann, Jenny Gilbertson, Anonymous Teen 11, Anonymous Teen 9, Christa Heffron, Caroline Burlingame, Monica Paulson, Donalin Cazeau, Natalie Klapper, Jessica Assaf, Hope Atkins, Rizza Alcaria, Alex Wells

Found in these locations:

Chicago, IL; Newton, MA; Fredericksburg, VA; Washington, DC; New York, NY; Lamont, FL; Atlanta, GA; Mountain View, CA; Stanford, CA; Palo Alto, CA; San Francisco, CA; Berkeley, CA; NY, USA; Alamo, CA; Fallbrook, CA; Sausalito, CA; NJ, USA; Pleasantville, NY; Bolinas, CA; Mill Valley, CA; New Orleans, LA; Round Hill, VA; CA, USA; Belvedere, CA; Ithaca, NY; Encinitas, CA; Ross, CA; VA, USA; Milwaukee, WI; CO, USA; Littleton, CO; MD, USA; Austin, TX; Winchester, MA; Belmont, CA; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; San Leandro, CA; North Caldwell, NJ; Novato, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Portland, OR; Langhorne, PA; University Place, WA; Dorchester, MA; San Rafael, CA; Tuolumne, CA; Manteca, CA


Summary

Invented in the 1930s, the common industrial chemicals called phthalates (pronounced tha-lates) are used as ingredients in a diverse range of consumer products, from cosmetics to food wraps, toys and building materials. Currently, the chemical industry produces billions of pounds of phthalates each year. They are used as plasticizers to soften plastic, especially PVC plastic, and to make nail polish flexible and chip-resistant; as skin moisturizers and skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics; as an ingredient of fragrance in cosmetics and cleansing products; as components of a broad array of consumer products, from adhesives to inks; and as solvents in a wide range of applications. People are exposed to phthalates daily through their contact with consumer products, via food packaged in plastic, and from indoor air (CDC 2005).

In September 2000, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the first accurate measurements of human phthalate exposures, and reported finding phthalates in every one of 289 people tested, at surprisingly high levels (Blount 2000). Levels of some phthalates in U.S. women of childbearing age have been found to exceed the government's safe levels set to protect against birth defects, according to another CDC study (Kohn 2000). Results of phthalate testing in more than 2,500 people ages 6 and above confirmed the CDC's original findings: phthalate exposures are widespread across the population, and women are exposed at higher levels than men (CDC 2003). In a recent study of girls age 6 to 8 spearheaded by Mount Sinai School of Medicine, phthalates were found in every one of 90 girls tested (Wolff 2007). Phthalates are widespread contaminants in the environment as well (Kolpin 2002; Rudel 2003).

Epidemiological studies of ordinary people have linked high phthalate levels to reduced sperm motility and concentration, increased damage to sperm DNA, and alterations in hormone levels in adult men (Duty 2003, 2004, 2005; Hauser 2007). A recent study of 134 births found marked differences in the reproductive systems of baby boys whose mothers had the highest phthalate measurements during pregnancy (Swan 2005). A second study indicated that these mothers' exposures were not extreme, but rather were typical for about one-quarter of all U.S. women (Marsee 2006). Further research documented decreased testosterone levels among baby boys exposed to phthalates in their mother's breast milk (Main 2006).

New epidemiological studies indicate phthalates may produce non-reproductive health effects in people as well. Results from two studies suggest that breakdown products of some phthalates may be associated with alterations in thyroid hormone levels in adult men and pregnant women (Huang 2007; Meeker 2007). In another study, increased levels of certain phthalates were associated with increased waist circumference and insulin resistance in adult men in the United States (Stahlhut 2007). According to the American Heart Association (2007), over 60 million Americans have insulin resistance; 1 in 4 of these people develop Type 2 diabetes. Finally, concentrations of specific phthalates in house dust are associated with asthma, rhinitis, and wheezing in 2 studies of children (Bornehag 2004; Kolarik 2008).

In addition to this epidemiological research on humans, laboratory studies indicate phthalates cause a broad range of birth defects and reproductive impairments in animals exposed in utero and shortly after birth (e.g. Marsman 1995; Wine 1997; Ema 1998; Mylchreest 1998, 1999, 2000; Gray 1999; CERHR 2000). Phthalate exposures damage the testes, prostate gland, epididymis, penis, and seminal vesicles in laboratory animals (e.g. Mylchreest 1998); most of these effects persist throughout the animal's life. Phthalates have also been shown to build up, or bioaccumulate, in the bodies of animals after repeated exposures (Jobling 1995).

Phthalates are considered a hazardous waste and are regulated as pollutants when industry releases them into the environment. In contrast, phthalates are essentially unregulated in food, cosmetics, and consumer products. One phthalate, DEHP, is regulated in drinking water. In addition, this phthalate was removed voluntarily from children's toys more than a decade ago. The European Union has banned use of some phthalates in cosmetics and other consumer products, in response to concerns about exposure and toxicity.




Phthalates

Used in soft plastics like PVC, and as a component of fragrance in personal care products and cleaning agents. Phthalate exposure is linked to male reproductive problems in people and animals.

Phthalates has been found in 83 of the 83 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.

Top health concerns for Phthalates (References)

health concern or target organ weight of evidence
Endocrine systemunknown
Birth defects and developmental delaysunknown

Other health concerns for Phthalates (References)

health concern or target organ weight of evidence
Gastrointestinal (including liver)unknown
Chronic effects, generalunknown
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)unknown
Respiratory systemunknown

Toxicity Classifications (References)

classification governing entity/references
Birth defects - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedATSDR, CERHR
Chronic effects, general - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedStahlhut RW, van Wijngaarden E, Dye TD, Cook S, Swan SH. 2007. Concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites are associated with increased waist circumference and insulin resistance in adult U.S. males. Environmental health perspectives 115(6): 876-882.
Endocrine system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedMain KM, Mortensen GK, Kaleva MM, Boisen KA, Damgaard IN, Chellakooty M, et al. 2006. Human breast milk contamination with phthalates and alterations of endogenous reproductive hormones in infants three months of age. Environ Health Perspect 114(2): 270-276.
Gastrointestinal system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedField EA, Price CJ, Sleet RB, George JD, Marr MC, Myers CB, et al. 1993. Developmental toxicity evaluation of diethyl and dimethyl phthalate in rats. Teratology 48(1): 33-44.
Immune system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedBornehag, C. G., Sundell J., Weschler, C.J., Sigsgaard, T., Lundgren, B., Hasselgren, M., Hägerhed-Engman, L. (2004). "The Association between Asthma and Allergic Symptoms in Children and Phthalates in House Dust: A Nested Case-Control Study." Environ Health Perspect 112: 5
Limited evidence in humans - immune system toxicityBornehag C, Sundell J, Weschler CJ. The association between asthma and allergic symptoms in children and phthalates in house dust: a nested case-control study. Environmental Health Perspectives 112: 1393-1397 (2004)., Bornehag C, Sundell J, Weschler CJ. The association between asthma and allergic symptoms in children and phthalates in house dust: a nested case-control study. Environmental Health Perspectives 112: 1393-1397 (2004).
Respiratory system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedBornehag C, Sundell J, Weschler CJ. The association between asthma and allergic symptoms in children and phthalates in house dust: a nested case-control study. Environmental Health Perspectives 112: 1393-1397 (2004)., Bornehag, C. G., Sundell J., Weschler, C.J., Sigsgaard, T., Lundgren, B., Hasselgren, M., Hägerhed-Engman, L. (2004). "The Association between Asthma and Allergic Symptoms in Children and Phthalates in House Dust: A Nested Case-Control Study." Environ Health Perspect 112: 5