By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published January 30, 2008, The Maine Switch

On a recent ‘girls afternoon out,’ my daughters and I had manicures at a nearby salon. Abby and Sophie chose shades of fluorescent blue for themselves, assigning me a deep, sultry burgundy. I left the establishment with dazzling digits — and mixed emotions. The scent of nail enamel had extracted some long dormant information from my brain. I recalled that nail products typically contain substances known as phthalates. Researching this further, I learned that phthalates (pronounced ‘thay-lates’) have been linked to serious health issues, such as disruption of sexual development, infertility and allergies in children. Our seemingly innocent bonding activity had not been without its risks.

Phthalates (also known as phthalate esters) are used in a wide variety of products. These include medical equipment, fragrances, car interiors, water bottles and many other common items. Unofficially called ‘plasticizers,’ phthalates make toys more flexible and nail polish more durable. They exist in a dozen different forms, including DEP (diethyl phthalate) and DBP (dibutyl phthalate). More than a billion pounds of phthalates are produced worldwide each year.

While there is no doubt that phthalates have important uses, there have been increasing concerns about their impact upon our health. Certain types of phthalates have been linked to problems as diverse as allergies, decreased sperm count, early breast development in girls and insulin resistance, which eventually leads to diabetes (visit www.epa.gov.) Phthalates are especially harmful in babies and children (see www.cdc.gov). Because of this, some phthalates have been banned in Canada, the European Union, and the United States.

Critics of phthalate research suggest that the studies are inadequate. Some of it has been limited to animals, exposing them to ‘unreasonably high’ levels of these substances. Human studies tend to be smaller, and done with a limited selection of people. Most groups agree that the issue needs to be examined further: in 2003, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report calling for further research on phthalates in infants and fetuses.

While more research on phthalates is carried out, we should exercise caution in their use. Plasticizer-containing products are everywhere: we can’t avoid them. However, we can limit long-term exposure by:

• Purchasing non-toxic baby bottle nipples and pacifiers; weaning children early from these ‘chewable’ items,
• Choosing fragrance-free products, and those that do not contain phthalates such as DBP and DEP (for more information, visit www.ewg.org)
• Transferring food out of plastic containers before microwaving or exposing to high heat,
• Using metal water bottles (SIGG Swiss bottles are available locally at L.L. Bean),
• Selecting non-vinyl shower curtains, rain coats and children’s toys,
• Allowing products with a ‘plastic’ scent to “off-gas” outdoors before using,
• Storing products with a persistent plastic scent outside of living spaces,
• Keeping windows on a non-moving car slightly open on hot days,
• Using art supplies, such as paints and glues, in well-ventilated areas.

Phthalates are here to stay — at least for now. Their impact on our health may not be completely known for many years. In the meantime, we can be appropriately careful. We can drink from non-plastic water bottles, and forego fragrance-laden cosmetics, and I can find other ways to enjoy blue and burgundy body adornments with my daughters.