Consumer Product Safety Regarding Phthalates

In August 2008, Congress passed a bill banning phthalates (chemical) in products for use by children under the age of 12. This bill will go into effect in February 2009. But before consumers breathe a sigh of relief, know that this bills does not require products made before that date or already on store shelves to be recalled if they contain the banned substance.

It is important, then, that consumers concerned about the effects of phthalates on their children be watchful of the products they purchase for some time to come. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by this consumer safety bill. Changes will come, that is true, but they won't be instantaneous with the bill going into effect on February 10, 2009.

It is ironic that one governmental agency, the Food and Drug Administration seems to be overly cautious when compared to its European counterparts when it comes to approving new drugs for the consuming public, but another government agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission lags behind Europe in protecting the public from suspected harm.

Unfortunately, phthalates are not always included in a list of ingredients or chemicals in a product, so not finding phthalates on a label is not an assurance there are none.

Consumer Reports advises that because many of these phthalate-containing products will soon be under increased scrutiny from the public at large and some products may cease to exist after the February 2009 ban, many retail stores are featuring the phthlatate-containing products prominently this holiday season. This website can help consumers determine the safety of toys they already own or consider for purchase: www.healthytoys.org.

Remember, too, that once the ban goes into effect, second-hand sellers such as E-bay, thrift stores, garage sales, etc. will still be selling the phthalate-containing products-not with malicious intent necessarily-but the potential for health risks will remain with those products nevertheless.

What Are Phthalates?

Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are mainly used in plastics to improve pliability/flexibility. Children's and animal soft plastic toys have been manufactured using phthalates, as well as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Phthalates are found in a wide variety of products, including but not limited to: nail polish, shower curtains, glues, paints, building materials, enteric coatings of some medicines, teething rings, hair spray, detergents and perfumes.

In the year 2004, 800 million pounds of phthalates were made by manufacturers around the world.

When the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) performed testing on Americans, it was found that the majority of people tested had "metabolites of multiple phthalates in their urine" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate). Exposure is through diet, inhalation, and through skin contact.

What Are the Health Risks Presented by Exposure to Phthalates?

The recent increase in infant boys born with the condition hypospadias (abnormality of the penis where the urethral opening is on the underside of the penis-which can interfere with ability to impregnate later in life) has been associated with exposure to phthalates in the mother.

This condition was found to be twice as prevalent in beauticians who are exposed to high levels of hair spray (it contains phthalates) than their non-beautician counterparts in a study done by Paul Elliot from Imperial College London, with over 900 women (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16110-hairspray-link-to-genital-birth-defects-.html).

Other studies continue to determine what other health effects phthalate exposure may cause. Like with most exposure, the greatest risk is posed to the smallest/youngest of people, namely infants.