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Body Burden
Phthalates | Pesticides | Fluoropolymers | PCBs | Flame Retardants | Metals | Dioxins
Phthalates
Phthalates are plastic softeners, used in many common plastics, including childhood toys, vinyl floors, shower curtains, shoes, cling wraps, pipes, cosmetics, garden hoses, crib bumpers, rain coats, and other soft, pliable plastics. Phthalates can be inhaled in indoor air or leached from food wrappings into fatty/dairy foods. Landfill disposal and incineration release phthalates into air for further contamination. Phthalates may adversely affect male reproductive organs, among other effects. Infants/toddlers are at higher risk.
"In a recent study of 289 adults, scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a metabolite of DBP [phthalate, a plasticizer] in the urine of every person tested, with the highest levels in women of child-bearing age." (Children's Health Environmental Coalition) [11]
"Approximately 95% of di(2-ethylhyexl) [DEHP] phthalate is used as a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins for fabricating flexible vinyl products, including toys, dolls, vinyl upholstery, tablecloths, shower curtains, raincoats, garden hoses, swimming pool liners, shoes, floor tiles, polymeric coatings, components of paper and paperboard, defoaming agents, surface lubricants, disposable medical examination and surgical gloves, medical tubing, blood storage bags . . . and other products." (Environmental Health Perspectives) [12]
Phthalates | Pesticides | Fluoropolymers | PCBs | Flame Retardants | Metals | Dioxins
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