Phthalates are currently utilized in PVC and other common plastics as plasticizers ( Health risks from plasticizers ). They can also be found in many paints and varnishes, films, and adhesives. Phthalates are also found in cosmetics, toys, and even medications. Sadly, there is evidence to suggest that plasticizers may provide health hazards, therefore these chemicals are not entirely safe.
However, because distinct chemical groups are referred to in this way, it is impossible to make generalizations about the effects of plasticizers. The main target of criticism is plasticizers used on often fragile polymers.
What exactly are phthalates?
Esters of phthalic acid, or phthalates, are employed as industrial plasticizers. They are added to a variety of materials, particularly plastics, to increase their elasticity, stretchability, and flexibility. The phthalates are transported into the material molecules and interact chemically with the base substance to produce the intended softening effect. There, they function somewhat as a lubricant, giving the plastic’s formerly stiff structure a supple, flexible quality.
Phthalates are frequently used to process materials considerably more easily or to give them the flexible qualities that are required or desired for particular purposes. Phthalates are found in a lot of carpets, paneling, and upholstered furniture in addition to plastics.
Health risks from phthalates
Phthalates have the ability to break out from the carrier material since they are not chemically bonded in polymers. Because of their unique characteristics, they tend to collect in sediments and can therefore move up the food chain. When handled, phthalates can also be absorbed via the skin. Furthermore, phthalates that leak out of plastics end up in household dust and room air before entering your body through your respiratory system. These chemicals have the potential to cause a wide range of health issues.
The fact that phthalates, for instance, alter hormones and can have harmful effects has previously been proven. According to recent research, plasticizers may also be to blame for lower male fertility. Additionally, the results of American studies suggest that they raise the incidence of premature deliveries and may be the cause of diabetes.
Be careful with toys containing plasticizers
Plasticizers are frequently discovered in kid’s toys; for instance, they are included in a lot of inflatable paddling pools for kids. A thorough investigation carried out in Sweden recently established a direct link between phthalates and the development of allergy symptoms. A European Union directive (EU Directive 2005/84 EC) prohibited the use of particularly harmful phthalates in toys, especially ones that young children under three years old could put in their mouths, in order to offer a certain level of protection against health risks.
Information from the European warning system RAPEX indicates that toys containing phthalates continue to be sold on the market in spite of this regulatory restriction. As a result, consumers ought to be aware of such alerts, which are frequently published in the media.