Why It Matters
It is important to be informed about phthalates and how to reduce exposure because these ubiquitous chemicals, used to soften plastics and stabilize personal care products, are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that have been linked to numerous adverse health outcomes. While the body can metabolize these chemicals relatively quickly, their pervasive presence in everyday household items like PVC products, plastic food packaging, and cosmetics means exposure is nearly constant, raising significant health concerns. Many research studies have connected phthalate exposure to negative outcomes such as preterm birth, endocrine disruption, obesity, and respiratory problems. Understanding these risks highlights the importance of minimizing exposure, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children, to protect overall health and wellbeing.
What Are They?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used in plastic production due to their ability to soften and increase the flexibility and durability of the material. They are also frequently utilized in personal care products as solvents and stabilizers.
Where They’re Found
Phthalates are regrettably pervasive in modern-day life. They can be found in many things including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, plastic food packaging and containers, medical devices (like IV bags), extended-release medications, air fresheners, and a wide variety of personal care products including fragrances[1], tampons, and cosmetics. This list is not exhaustive.
The Health Concern
A major concern with phthalates lies in their endocrine disrupting qualities[2][3]. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with the body’s hormonal systems by mimicking or blocking natural hormones, which disrupts critical bodily functions. The rapid bio-metabolism of phthalates (monoesters have an approximate 12-hour half-life[4]) is counteracted by the ubiquity of these chemicals, resulting in ongoing, near-constant opportunities for exposure.
Phthalate exposure, particularly chronic, consistent exposure has been the subject of much research. Valuable insight into the effects of prenatal exposure has been a focus area of numerous longitudinal epidemiological studies. One such 2024 study investigating phthalate exposure and negative birth outcomes found a link between prenatal phthalate exposure and preterm birth in humans[5]. A 2022 study monitoring the chemical exposures in a pregnancy cohort observed correlations between phthalate exposure and negative impacts on certain amino acids—the building blocks of proteins that play a critical role in the health of both mother and child[6].
Children are of particular concern in terms of chemical exposures, in general, due to their smaller size and critical windows of development. Multiple epidemiological studies have found phthalate exposure to be associated with precocious (early onset) puberty in children[7], as well as obesity[8][9]. A 2011 review of epidemiological research on phthalates identified a connection between phthalate exposure and respiratory problems and asthma in children[7], a finding that has been recently corroborated by a 2024 multimorbidity-focused study aiming to identify clusters of chronic health issues present in children[8].
Phthalate exposure has been linked to reproductive toxicity in adult populations[1], with a 2020 literature review outlining the mechanisms by which phthalates damage the reproductive systems including, but not limited to, modifying the release of hypothalamic, pituitary, and peripheral hormones (all endocrine disrupting effects), along with interfering with nuclear and membrane receptors, intracellular signaling pathways, and modulating gene expression at the intracellular level[10]. Various studies have found evidence that phthalate exposure negatively impacts male fertility and decreases sperm quality[11][12][13]. Certain phthalates—including dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)—have also been linked to increased cancer risk in humans[14][15][16].
How to Avoid Them
- Read labels when shopping and look for products that are labeled “phthalate-free.” In many cases it is possible to identify phthalates by ingredient names containing the suffix “-phthalate.” Common examples of phthalates that might be listed are:
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
- Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
- Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Avoid products that list “fragrance” or “parfum” as this represents a blanket term, often representing many unknown ingredients, including phthalates. Instead, search out scented products that provide full ingredient disclosure (e.g. 100% essential oils, properly diluted).
- Go fragrance free on products where scent does not feel essential.
- Replace plastic food containers and kitchenware with products containing safer materials such as glass or stainless steel. Aim to eat more whole foods in order to avoid plastic food packaging on pre-packaged goods.
- Find period products that fully disclose their materials list to avoid phthalate-containing plastics.
- Shop MADE SAFE and MADE WISE Certified products.
References
[1] Patel, S. (2017). Fragrance compounds: The wolves in sheep’s clothings. Medical Hypotheses, 102, 106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2017.03.025
[2] Shanna H Swan: Environmental exposure to chemicals and their consequences for human fertility. (2025). Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 103(4), 236–237. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.25.030425
[3] Arrigo, F., Impellitteri, F., Piccione, G., & Faggio, C. (2023). Phthalates and their effects on human health: Focus on erythrocytes and the reproductive system. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 270, 109645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109645
[4] Hoppin, J. A., Brock, J. W., Davis, B. J., & Baird, D. D. (2002). Reproducibility of urinary phthalate metabolites in first morning urine samples. Environmental Health Perspectives, 110(5), 515–518. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.02110515
[5] Trasande, L., Nelson, M. E., Alshawabkeh, A., Barrett, E. S., Buckley, J. P., Dabelea, D., Dunlop, A. L., Herbstman, J. B., Meeker, J. D., Naidu, M., Newschaffer, C., Padula, A. M., Romano, M. E., Ruden, D. M., Sathyanarayana, S., Schantz, S. L., Starling, A. P., Hamra, G. B., & programme collaborators for Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes. (2024). Prenatal phthalate exposure and adverse birth outcomes in the USA: A prospective analysis of births and estimates of attributable burden and costs. The Lancet. Planetary Health, 8(2), e74–e85. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00270-X
[6] Doherty, B. T., McRitchie, S. L., Pathmasiri, W. W., Stewart, D. A., Kirchner, D., Anderson, K. A., Gui, J., Madan, J. C., Hoen, A. G., Sumner, S. J., Karagas, M. R., & Romano, M. E. (2022). Chemical exposures assessed via silicone wristbands and endogenous plasma metabolomics during pregnancy. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 32(2), 259–267. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-021-00394-6
[7] Jurewicz, J., & Hanke, W. (2011). Exposure to phthalates: Reproductive outcome and children health. A review of epidemiological studies. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 24(2), 115–141. https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-011-0022-2
[8] Day, D. B., LeWinn, K. Z., Karr, C. J., Loftus, C. T., Carroll, K. N., Bush, N. R., Zhao, Q., Barrett, E. S., Swan, S. H., Nguyen, R. H. N., Trasande, L., Moore, P. E., Adams Ako, A., Ji, N., Liu, C., Szpiro, A. A., & Sathyanarayana, S. (2024). Subpopulations of children with multiple chronic health outcomes in relation to chemical exposures in the ECHO-PATHWAYS consortium. Environment International, 185, 108486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108486
[9] Kim, S. H., & Park, M. J. (2014). Phthalate exposure and childhood obesity. Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, 19(2), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2014.19.2.69
[10] Hlisníková, H., Petrovičová, I., Kolena, B., Šidlovská, M., & Sirotkin, A. (2020). Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates’ Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6811. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186811
[11] Kamrin, M. A. (2009). Phthalate risks, phthalate regulation, and public health: A review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews, 12(2), 157–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937400902729226
[12] Duty, S. M., Silva, M. J., Barr, D. B., Brock, J. W., Ryan, L., Chen, Z., Herrick, R. F., Christiani, D. C., & Hauser, R. (2003). Phthalate exposure and human semen parameters. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 14(3), 269–277.
[13] Hauser, R., Meeker, J. D., Singh, N. P., Silva, M. J., Ryan, L., Duty, S., & Calafat, A. M. (2007). DNA damage in human sperm is related to urinary levels of phthalate monoester and oxidative metabolites. Human Reproduction, 22(3), 688–695. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/del428
[14] Hsieh, T.-H., Tsai, C.-F., Hsu, C.-Y., Kuo, P.-L., Lee, J.-N., Chai, C.-Y., Wang, S.-C., & Tsai, E.-M. (2012). Phthalates induce proliferation and invasiveness of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer through the AhR/HDAC6/c-Myc signaling pathway. FASEB Journal: Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 26(2), 778–787. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.11-191742
[15] Wu, A. H., Franke, A. A., Wilkens, L. R., Tseng, C., Conroy, S. M., Li, Y., Polfus, L. M., De Rouen, M., Caberto, C., Haiman, C., Stram, D. O., Le Marchand, L., & Cheng, I. (2021). Urinary phthalate exposures and risk of breast cancer: The Multiethnic Cohort study. Breast Cancer Research, 23(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-021-01419-6
[16] López-Carrillo, L., Hernández-Ramírez, R. U., Calafat, A. M., Torres-Sánchez, L., Galván-Portillo, M., Needham, L. L., Ruiz-Ramos, R., & Cebrián, M. E. (2010). Exposure to phthalates and breast cancer risk in northern Mexico. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(4), 539–544. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901091
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