Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used in food wrappings, cosmetic products and personal care products, children’s toys, cleaning products,and other consumer products because of their properties of transparency, durability, and flexibility. One of the major exposures to phthalates is through the use of personal care products and ingestion (including dietary ingestion and incidental ingestion. The ubiquitous presence of phthalates in the environment and the potential consequences of human exposure to phthalates have raised concerns, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and infants as exposure to toxic pollutants during these period can result in an increased risk of adverse health outcomes later in life.

Animal as well as epidemiological studies in infants and children have found various health effects of specific phthalates, including abnormal reproductive outcomes, children’s neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems, and asthma and allergies. They are also linked with breast and prostate cancer and hormonal and thyroid imbalances in adults.

During development in the womb, the skin of the fetus may be exposed to various products absorbed by the mothers, including phthalates given that some phthalates have been detected in amniotic fluid. Later in life, children’s dermal exposure can occur through the use of emollients, personal care products, and dermal contact with plastic products.

In a study of 604 mother son pairs and building on the research of many before them, found a strong link between mothers exposure and eczema at 5 years of age.

The best way to reduce your exposure to phthalates is reduce your exposure in personal care products. don’t microwave in plastic containers and don’t store food in plastic.

Dangerous Beauty. The truth about personal care products and make up. https://www.drdingle.com/collections/frontpage/products/dangerous-beauty-1

source of study

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp1829/