Phthalates are a class of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of consumer products, from food packaging and cosmetics to toys and building materials. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled as dust, and have been linked to a range of health problems, including hormone disruption, birth defects, fertility problems, and cancer.
While phthalates are not considered dangerous at low levels of exposure, they can accumulate in the body over time and may have cumulative effects. The European Union has banned several types of phthalates from use in children’s products, and the United States is currently considering similar regulations.
Phthalates are just one type of “endocrine disruptor” – a chemical that interferes with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. Endocrine disruptors can mimic or block hormones, causing them to be produced at abnormal levels or to interfere with their normal function. This can lead to a wide range of health problems, including developmental disorders, reproductive problems, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
There is growing evidence that exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals during development (in utero or during childhood) may be particularly harmful because it can interfere with normal hormonal programming that occurs during these sensitive periods of growth and development. This could have lifelong consequences for health and well-being.