By Eve Bralley Phthalates are used in cosmetics, perfumes, aerosols, lotions, air fresheners, shampoos, conditioners, skin emollients, nail polish, and false fingernails. Do the products you use contain phthalates? Unfortunately you won’t find phthalates listed because companies are not required to list them in the ingredients; all you will see is simply the positive term “fragrance.”1 The most significant exposure is from inhalation of aerosols that can deliver highly absorbable phthalates. Skin exposure from lotions and creams can also reach significant amounts.2 Phthalates have numerous physiological effects, mainly related to steroid hormone disruptions. Although studies on individual phthalates have found them to be of low toxicity, when multiple compounds are present it can cause a dramatic enhancement of reactions, because of the additive and synergistic effects of multiple phthalates.3 The problem is that this allows every company to be able to say their product is safe. It’s not like all … Continue Reading
