By Sara Russell, Ph.D., FNTP
Phthalates are potent endocrine disruptors that reduce fertility in both men and women. Like many compounds found in plastics, they contain estrogen-mimicking substances that upset the balance of sex hormones over our lifetimes. Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is the most famous culprit. However, even BPA-free (read: newer and less studied) plastics can cause problems. Unfortunately, even many BPA-free plastic products contain estrogen mimickers.
Like all endocrine disruptors, phthalates disrupt fertility and fetal development.
How do phthalates disrupt fertility?
According to a review of the scientific literature,
Phthalates may induce alterations in puberty, the development of testicular dysgenesis syndrome, cancer, and fertility disorders in both males and females. At the hormonal level, phthalates can modify the release of hypothalamic, pituitary, and peripheral hormones. At the intracellular level, phthalates can interfere with nuclear receptors, membrane receptors, intracellular signaling pathways, and modulate gene expression associated with reproduction.
Additionally, these pesky molecules also cause DNA damage. During pregnancy, phthalates in the mother’s body cause developmental damage and even birth defects in the male fetus, as researcher Theo Colborn demonstrates. Girls exposed to high levels have an increased risk of premature sexual development (source).
Common sources of phthalates
Phthalates lurk in numerous consumer products. Because many pesticides contain phthalates, they contaminate the food and water supply. Additionally, they feature strongly in cosmetics. They are in perfumes, air fresheners, cleaning agents and other scented products. They are in many soft plastic children’s toys, particularly those manufactured prior to 2009. Even many sex toys also contain phthalates, and the use of phthalate-containing sex toys may be an underestimated source of toxic exposure.
How to limit phthalates and other harmful plastics
Choose organic produce and organic animal products to avoid phthalates from pesticides. Choose fresh foods over canned foods (which have harmful ingredients in their epoxy lining) and foods packaged in plastic whenever possible. Store food in glass containers. Never place hot foods in plastic containers, and never heat food in plastic.
Use a high-quality water filter or purchase spring water in glass containers. Read more about water filters here.
Avoid vinyl products whenever possible. Cotton tablecloths are versatile. You can use them at home as well as on camping trips. They wash well and last a long time.
Purchase environmentally and chemically safe toys and rain gear for your little ones. Additionally, it is really worth purchasing non-plastic cups and plates for your children as well.
Of course, if your regular dinnerware is plastic, it’s probably time for you to get the grown-up kind.
Aim for progress, not perfection!
This may all seem very scary. Don’t let fear get the best of you, though. You may not be able to get rid of all the plastic in your life, but you can start cutting down on it today. Choose one product, habit or pattern to change at a time and find a good alternative. Start with something simple. For example, change from a vinyl shower curtain or tablecloth to a fabric-based alternative. Or you can start by purchasing glass food storage or glass water bottles.
More resources
Online articles
“How to avoid phthalates (even though you can’t avoid phthalates)”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maia-james/phthalates-health_b_2464248.html
“The Scary New Evidence on BPA-free Plastics” http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/tritan-certichem-eastman-bpa-free-plastic-safe
“Is It Safe To Heat Food in Plastic?” http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a17859/plastic-safety-heat-food/
Environmental Working Group: Phalates cheatsheet http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2008/05/cheatsheet-phthalates
Books
Slow Death by Rubber Duck http://toxintoxout.com/books/death-by-rubber-duck/
Videos
60 Minutes segment: “Phthalates: Are They Safe?” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/phthalates-are-they-safe/