Phthalates are controversial because high doses of many phthalates have shown hormonal activity in rodent studies. Studies on rodents involving large amounts of phthalates have shown damage to the liver, the kidneys, the lungs, and the developing testes.
Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility). They are chiefly used to turn polyvinyl chloride from a hard plastic into a flexible plastic.
Phthalate esters are the dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid; the name phthalate derives from phthalic acid. When added to plastics, phthalates allow the long polyvinyl molecules to slide against one another.
As of 2004, manufacturers produce about 400,000 tons (800 million pounds or 363 million kilograms) of phthalates each year. They were first produced during the 1920s, and have been produced in large quantities since the 1950s, when PVC was introduced. The most widely used phthalates are di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). DEHP is the dominant plasticizer used in PVC, due to its low cost. Benzylbutylphthalate (BBzP) is used in the manufacture of foamed PVC, which is mostly used as a flooring material. Phthalates with small R and R’ groups are used as solvents in perfumes and pesticides.
Phthalates are also frequently used in:
Nail polish, cosmetics, personal care products, soaps, plastics in general, fishing lures, adhesives, caulk, paint pigments, plasticizer in cellulose plastics, a solvent for certain dyes, vinyl tile, carpet tiles, artificial leather and is also used in certain adhesives, toys, baby-feeding bottles (which can leak into water and food), IV bags and other medical equipment, and sex toys made of so-called “jelly rubber.”
List of More Common Phthalates (many you will see in products used daily):
Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
Diallyl phthalate (DAP)
Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP)
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate (BCP)
Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DNPP)
Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCP)
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP)
Diisohexyl phthalate (DIHxP)
Diisoheptyl phthalate (DIHpP)
Butyl decyl phthalate (BDP)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, DOP)
Di(n-octyl) phthalate (DNOP)
Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP)
n-Octyl n-decyl phthalate (ODP)
Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
Diundecyl phthalate (DUP)
Diisoundecyl phthalate (DIUP)
Ditridecyl phthalate (DTDP)
Diisotridecyl phthalate (DIUP)
Although DEHP plasticizes numerous products, roughly 95% of the current production is used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (National Toxicology Program 2003), where it typically constitutes 30% of PVC by weight (Cadogan and Howick 1996; Kavlock et al. 2002b). DnBP is used in latex adhesives, in nail polish and other cosmetic products, as a plasticizer in cellulose plastics, as a solvent for certain dyes, and, to a lesser extent than DEHP, as a plasticizer in PVC (Kavlock et al. 2002c). BBzP is a plasticizer for vinyl tile, carpet tiles, and artificial leather and is also used in certain adhesives (Kavlock et al. 2002a).
Children’s Health Article - The Association between Asthma and Allergic Symptoms in Children and Phthalates in House Dust: A Nested Case-Control Study
Phthalates Now Linked to Fat, Related Health Risks - Exposure to phthalates, a common chemical found in everything from plastics to soaps, already has been connected to reproductive problems and now, for the first time, is linked to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance in adult males, according to a study by the University of Rochester Medical Center.
‘Gender-bending’ chemicals found to ‘feminise’ boys - “Gender-bending” chemicals mimicking the female hormone oestrogen can disrupt the development of baby boys, suggests the first evidence linking certain chemicals in everyday plastics to effects in humans. The chemicals implicated are phthalates, which make plastics more pliable in many cosmetics, toys, baby-feeding bottles and paints and can leak into water and food.
A Mass Spectral Guide for Quick Identification of Phthalate Esters (PDF)
Naughty by Nature - Ever thought about the toxins in your sex toys?
Phthalates now linked to fat, related health risks - Rochester study connects common chemicals to rising obesity rates. The analysis found that, as expected, several phthalate metabolites showed a positive correlation with abdominal obesity. Indeed, men with the highest levels of phthalates in their urine had more belly fat and insulin resistance. Researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence the results, such as the mens’ age, race, food intake, physical activity levels and smoking.
The phthalate family of chemicals is used in a variety of products from cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, lotions, lubricants, paint, pesticides, and plastics. Phthalates soften plastic tubing, PVC, and are also used in the coating of some timed-release medicines. More than 75 percent of the United States population has measurable levels of several phthalates in their urine, according to the study.
Diet and Eating - Choose Your Foods Like Your Life Depends on Them - The old era of unthinking reliance on a synthetic existence is showing severe disadvantages, just as the urgency to forge new relationships with nature is becoming apparent. Plants and other whole foods are coming into their own new era as naturopathic physicians and other well-informed health practitioners rely on them for their central role in healing. Within our lifetimes, natural substances will eclipse pharmaceuticals in medical practice, as the general public awakens to its far superior healing capacity.
Young Living products and essential oil do not contain phthalates. Some of their products are in plastic containers - I am trying to get them to use only glass for everything. Please feel free to contact them and tell them you do not want our pure products in plastic containers. Most households don’t have cast iron tubs any longer so the likelihood a thick glass bottle will break are slim. Perhaps we can suggest they make a dispenser we mount our “glass” bottle in??? Let’s contact them and make it happen!
Fortunately, NingXia Red DOES come in a glass bottle, as does many of the suppliments.
I have a bottle of the Young Living Bath & Shower Gel Base (item #3751), (it’s a base that you can add the essential oil of your choice to) sitting on my desk for a friend, the ingredients are: Deionized Water, saponified oils of coconut and olive, vegetable gum, aloe vera, and rosemary extract.
As you may already know, I despise plastics - for good reason. I don’t watch TV too often but some months ago I saw a commercial for the plastic industry where they, cough-cough, cleverly used children to say how great plastics are. I said out loud to the TV, “yeah, we’ll see about that little girl when you’re 30 and aren’t able to have a baby or a normal one! You’ll regret the day that you ever agreed to do that commercial.”
Ok, so I’m a bit outspoken. I’m also a bit upset that we have been conditioned to accept that this stuff is ok when it’s not. Let’s call a spade-a-spade already and get that crap out of our lives! Plastics have no business being in our lives or on earth. I realize we can’t get rid of plastic completely, but we sure can take measures to minimize it’s production, use, and polluting effects.
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