When Googling phthalates (pronounced “thal-ates”), the first-page domain names include ourstolenfuture.org, thedailygreen.com, chemicalbodyburden.org and pollutioninpeople.org. Clearly environmentalists are concerned. But it’s called “environmental science” for a reason: empirical, data-driven studies are the foundation, and this plastic house appears slightly wobbly.
Some of the health concerns attributed to phthalates are caused by high-level exposure and include cancer and infertility. Since many synthetics can, in large doses, cause cancer and infertility, this is not especially surprising. The uproar has come over low-level exposure, which has been reported to cause disrupted male genital development, low sperm count, premature breast development in prepubescent girls, obesity, ADHD and insulin-resistance. Low level exposure is not hard to achieve – phthalates are in an endless amount of products, including cosmetics, toys (including sex toys), sippy cups, vinyl flooring and car interiors (supposedly that “new car smell” is enhanced by the sun warming up those phthalates in your dashboard).
NPR has an ongoing series of stories called “Plastic Peril: The science behind everyday plastics” (with a water fowl graphic that looks suspiciously like an “I Rub My Duckie”). In February, NPR reported that the phthalates children’s toy ban wasn’t transparent enough, making it an ineffective piece of legislation against the use of dangerous chemicals. In April, the phthalates toy ban was unnecessary, brought about by public uproar rather than solid science. In October, BPA (a chemical under similar scrutiny) was found safer than birth control pills in lab rats. In November, phthalates increased the risk of impotence in Chinese factory workers. In December, concerned citizens were hanging in suspense over what the FDA would say about BPA. And last week the FDA warned against BPA exposure, though scientists debate whether enough relevant and conclusive studies have been performed. The Western world seems to be obsessively searching for the newest, sleekest, most chemical-free water bottle. A BPA scandal and ensuing Sigg recall paved the way for the next 20 hippie water bottle companies waiting in the wings to take their place. There’s a lot of money to be made in the plastic-free water bottle market – that is, until the next study comes out.
Tickle currently sells a bunch of vibrators that are phthalate -free. The less unpronounceable stuff you put in your orifices, the better, as common sense tells us. But with such contradictory available information, how can we judge the relative safety levels? The pro-phthalates site tells us they’re not so bad, but so did the pro-Agent Orange and pro-DDT literature of the time.
Just as with global warming, the “aliveness” of fetuses and the existence of aliens, we do our own research and come to our own conclusions (or we listen to whoever is most convenient – Al Gore, pastor, the government). We live in a chemical world, and those chemicals require further study to ensure human and environmental health.
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Tweets that mention Phthalates: Hard to Spell, Hard to Understand – The Tickle Spot Magazine -- Topsy.com says:
Jan 29, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kristine Empire and Phthalate-Free , Phthalate-Free . Phthalate-Free said: Phthalates: Hard to Spell, Hard to Understand – The Tickle Spot …: In February, NPR reported that the phthalates… http://bit.ly/cJfdDQ [...]