This extensive article, originally published in the Wall Street Journal, examines the dangers of phthalates, chemicals that are used in products ranging from toys to cosmetics to pills.
Phthalates Affect Fetal Development
In experiments on rats, phthalates have demonstrably blocked the action of fetal androgens, which affects gender development in male offspring, with results including undescended testes at birth, low sperm counts, and testicular tumors later in life. Whether phthalates have the same effects in humans has been a matter of heated debate.
Studies Show Effects on Humans
But this year, however, two direct links to humans were made. One study found that boys whose mothers had high phthalate exposures while pregnant were much more likely to have certain demasculinized traits. Another study revealed that 3-month-old boys exposed to phthalates through breast milk produced less testosterone.
Banned in Many Countries
Male reproductive disorders, including testicular cancer, are on the rise worldwide, and many scientists are wondering if phthalates are in part or whole responsible. Five million metric tons of phthalates are used by industry each year, 13 percent in the United States.
Japan has already banned certain types of phthalates in food-handling equipment, and the European Union (EU) recently banned some phthalates in cosmetics and toys. The United States does not restrict phthalates and has lobbied the EU not to increase their regulations.
When the Wall Street Journal -- a pro-corporate newspaper if there ever was one -- gets on the bandwagon about the dangers of phthalates, the environmental damage may be far worse than many of us have imagined.
Even the numbers of advocates, like the American Chemistry Council, that have defended the safety of phthalates for more than a half-century, appear to be shrinking, as the levels of this dangerous substance in our children's bodies keep rising.
The evidence is clear the average phthalate levels in humans has increased a million-fold over the past decade. This, along with PCBs that also interfere with testosterone metabolism, probably explains why patients are taking Viagra in record numbers, even though it may blind them.
But the Unites States hasn't restricted phthalates, although other nations have taken steps to protect themselves. Even some American companies doing big business in Europe -- Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Revlon -- have removed phthalates, or are planning to do so soon. When will this country finally get on board?
Even though it may be next to impossible for most of us to completely avoid all toxins that surround us, you can take steps to limit your contact with them. With that in mind, I urge you to review my extensive list of tips for avoiding toxins.