Phthalates And Baby Products
Phthalates Are Industrial Compounds Found In Baby Care Products
Skin absorbs whatever is put on it. Do you want your baby's skin to absorb the phthalates that are a common ingredient in many baby care products and toys?
Are you still using baby products laden with phthalates? Phthalates (thowl-ates) are banned by the European Union and 14 countries. European studies have linked phthalates with early puberty, reproduction defects, interference with hormones and other related problems. In 2007, California banned baby and children’s toys and products with more than a trace amount of phthalates.
Health Concerns And Phthalates
Environmentalists have been concerned by the amount of phthalates that can be found in personal products and plastics. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appear uncertain on their stand about the use of phthalates in personal care, baby care and children’s toys.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention did release a 2005 report that stated that semen quality, shortened pregnancy, premature breast development in girls and genital development in boys were studied for the effects that phthalates may induce. The CDC says that more studies are needed.
The Earl Gray Study On Phthalates
Earl Gray of the US Environmental Protection Agency has studied the effects of exposure to low levels of phthalates on the rat fetus with his report being produced in 1999. His research has shown that low levels of phthalates could potentially cause demasculinization effects, such as hypospadias, to male sexual characteristics in male rats.
Phthalates Found In Baby Urine
A recent study tested the phthalate levels of the urine in 163 babies. The mothers were asked about the use of baby personal products that may have been used in the 24 hours before the testing began. Baby personal products that were commonly used in the test subjects included shampoos, lotions, diaper creams, baby wipes and powder.
All the urine samples tested from the 163 babies contained one or more phthalate. The youngest babies showed higher levels. The highest levels of phthalates in the baby urine were found in that of babies whose mothers had used shampoos, lotions and powders.
What Are Phthalates
Phthalates are oily and clear liquids that do not have an odor. The family of phthalates include different varieties of the compound. This group of industrial-use compounds are created from alcohols and phthalic anhydride. Phthalates are used in many common products in the home. You can find phthalates in vinyl and plastic products.
Go Natural
In personal products, the phthalates are used to preserve fragrance in a product and to render plastic flexible. Although phthalates are a common ingredient in fragrances, it is not often listed as an ingredient. There are phthalate free personal products that carry the label DEP or DEHP to indicate that no phthalates have been used as an ingredient in the product.
If you are concerned with the use of industrial chemicals as an ingredient in baby and personal care products, you can easily make your own and save money as part of the bargain including creams or natural liquid soap (follow the links for recipes) or you can buy baby products that are phthalate free. Look for these types of products in health food stores and the natural aisle of your grocery store. You can protect your baby from chemicals in baby care products.
