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Did you know that there is a series of synthetic chemicals lurking in our daily lives? This group of chemicals is phthalates (phthalates) which are often used in various daily equipment, ranging from food packaging, room cleaners, perfumes, cosmetics, to personal care products such as soap, shampoo, and the like.
In general, phthalates are a series of man-made chemicals used to make plastics more durable and flexible. Several types of phthalates are also used to dissolve various other materials.
The scary thing about phthalates is that we can't see, smell, or taste them, but this group of chemicals is in hundreds of products we use every day. Thus, it is possible that phthalates already exist in our bodies. Reporting to Web MD, almost all Americans have phthalates in their urine. Therefore, it never hurts to study the dangers of this group of chemicals in order to minimize their exposure to your body.
How do phthalates get into our bodies?
Phthalates can enter our body through the process of swallowing, inhaling, being absorbed by the skin, to infusion. This group of chemicals is easily absorbed into the human body and quickly converted into metabolites.
Phthalates can interact with each other and increase the effects of exposure so that they can be harmful to humans. In general, you can be exposed to phthalates through the use or consumption of certain ingredients, including:
- Dairy products or meat from animals that have been exposed to phthalates.
- Food or drink packaged or served in plastic that contains phthalates.
- Shampoos, detergents, skin moisturizers, cosmetics, and various other personal care products.
- Items made of PVC plastic often use phthalates to strengthen their durability. Many children's toys are made of this type of plastic.
- Dust in a room where carpet, upholstery, or wood has been polished
- Medical fluid tubes or bags.
In addition, there are several conditions that make you more at risk of exposure to this group of chemicals, including:
- Jobs such as painting, printing, or processing plastics
- Have certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or hemophilia. Kidney dialysis or blood transfusions often use IV tubes and various other products made of phthalates.
Children are also susceptible to phthalates exposure because they often crawl around, touch a lot of things, and often put their hands or toys in their mouths. This habit can cause the phthalate particles in the dust to enter the body.
In addition, based on data from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adult women have higher levels of phthalates metabolites in their urine through exposure to body care products, such as soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and the like.
The Dangers of phthalates to health
Although the presence of phthalates in the body does not always indicate or cause a hazard to health, exposure to these chemicals should be aware of.
In recent years, many studies have emerged regarding the health effects of phthalates. A number of major health institutions from various countries have even expressed their concerns about phthalates exposure.
Experts link exposure to phthalates with asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral problems, autism spectrum disorders, different reproductive development, and male fertility problems.
Phthalates are a large series of chemical compounds and not all types of these chemical compounds have been studied. However, there are several types of phthalates that have been known to have adverse health effects:
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP)
- Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
- Di-butyl phthalate (DBP)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP)
- Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP)
- Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
- Dipentyl phthalate (DPP)
- Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP)
- Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP)
- Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
- Di-isohexyl phthalate (DiHP)
- Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DcHP)
- Di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP)
- Di-isoheptyl phthalate.
These various types of phthalates certainly need to be avoided, especially in pregnant women and children who are considered the most vulnerable group to phthalates exposure.
Phthalates, such as BBP, DBP, and DEHP, have even been permanently banned in some countries as raw materials for toys or products intended to help children under three years of age eat, bite, or suck.
In addition, DBP and DEHP have been shown to damage the reproductive system based on studies in rats, especially males. BBP and DEHP have also been found to cause cancer in animals and are thought to have the potential to cause the same in humans.
Three other types of phthalates, namely DIDP, DINP, and DNP, have also shown potential hazards to humans. DDP can cause redness of the eyes and skin, and cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. DINP has been shown to cause tumors in laboratory mice and has been named a potentially cancer-causing chemical in California. Meanwhile, DNOP is associated with endometriosis in women and results in reproductive developmental problems based on studies in mice.
A recent study that was part of the Illinois Kids Development Study even revealed that phthalates exposure to pregnant women can change the baby's cognition later in life. Most of the findings, presented in the May 2021 journal Neurotoxicology, are slower information processing and poorer recognition memory in infants with high phthalates exposure, particularly male infants who are thought to be more susceptible.
How to avoid phthalates?
Here are some ways you can do to avoid exposure or at least minimize exposure to phthalates.
- Read the label of the product you want to buy. Phthalates are not always listed on labels, especially in personal care products or plastic toys. Usually in this product phthalates are listed as types in the form of abbreviations, such as DHEP or DBP.
- Watch what you eat. A diet that often involves meat and dairy products is thought to carry large amounts of phthalates exposure.
- Avoid fast food. Fast-food packaging is thought to expose you to phthalates and other harmful compounds.
- As much as possible choose products that are labeled "phthalate-free" or free of phthalates.
- If you frequently use the microwave, use products that are labeled "microwave-safe" or safe to heat in the microwave and food containers or plastic wrap that is free of phthalates, especially on oily or fatty foods.
- Prioritize organic products wrapped in glass packaging.
- If you buy a product that comes in plastic packaging, discard the packaging and transfer the contents to a glass container to reduce the risk of phthalates exposure.
- Washing your hands regularly can also help reduce your risk of exposure to phthalates, especially after handling plastic products.
That's the explanation about phthalates and their dangers to our health. Take the above precautions if possible to reduce your risk of exposure to phthalates.