‘Phacts’ about phthalates

In 1973, The Kinks released “Plastic Man”: “He eats plastic food with a plastic knife and fork … And he likes to lick his gravy off a plastic plate.” Little did they know 46 years later their rant would end up being an accurate warning about the health hazards of chemicals in plastics.

For instance, take hormone-disrupting phthalates. They’re a chemical in vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics and plastic clothes and equipment. But they’re also found in personal-care products, as well as plastic packaging film and sheets (hence, in food), inflatable toys, blood-storage containers, medical tubing and some children’s toys.

A recent study tracked the chemicals’ effect on 209 children. First, researchers measured phthalate levels in the urine of women during late pregnancy. Then they sampled levels in their children at ages 3, 5 and 7. Finally, when the children reached 11, they were given a standard test to assess their motor skills. The research showed the motor-skill-damaging effects of prenatal exposure to phthalates persists, especially in girls, and exposure to phthalates after birth was related to lower motor skills in boys. Motor skill deficiencies are associated with cognitive and emotional/social difficulties.

Read labels and ditch phthalate-containing products. Phthalates may be listed as BBP, DBP, DEHP, DEP, DiDP, DiNP, DnHP and DnOP. Avoid plastics with the recycling number 3 and products with added fragrances. Buy fragrances made with only 100 percent essential oils.