Compound or Element? How are Phthalates Made?

Phthalates are compounds and, therefore, not elements. They are man-made and do not chemically combine with the material that they are added to. (So pretty much, phthalates do not form compounds with anything else.)

Takes Steps To Protect Youself

There are many ways to avoid dangerous phthalates. These are what the Washington Toxics Coalition proposes:

"Some of the products that should be avoided include:

• ·      Vinyl windows and doors. Opt for wood instead.
• ·      PVC Packaging. Product packages marked with the #3 recycling symbol contain PVC.
• ·      Vinyl shower curtains. Choose cotton, polyester, or nylon curtains.
• ·      PVC Toys.  Toymakers that have pledged to stop using PVC include: Early Start, Little Tikes, Lego, Prime Time Playthings, Sassy, and Tiny Love.
• ·      Vinyl cling wrap and other food storage. Buy plastic wrap and bags made from polyethylene. For food storage, use glass containers or plastic containers marked with recycling symbols other than PVC, V, or vinyl.
• ·      You can also choose phthalate-free cosmetics. Check ingredient lists and avoid products listing ‘fragrance’ or phthalates. A wide variety of personal-care products may contain phthalates, including perfume, cologne, after-shave, deodorant, soap, hair and skin-care products, and makeup. Choose products from companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics:  a list is available at www.safecosmetics.org."

Phthalates Affect YOU!

Phthalates can seriously harm both you and you offspring:

1. Phthalates cause problems with boys' genitalia. ( Washington Toxics Coalition: "small or otherwise abnormal testes, hypospadias (abnormal urinary openings), and undescended testes.")

2. Phthalates have been linked to asthma.

3. Phthalates have been linked to changes in thyroid hormones. A thyroid is responsible for regulating hormones and metabolism, and if there are issues it may cause damage, especially during pregnancy.

All of these effects are serious and could be life-altering (particularly  while pregnant.) 

How can You Avoid Phthalates?

It is very important to be as far away from phthalates as possible, especially when you are a toddler. That is why some companies have made products that are phthalate-free for babies. California Baby is one of these companies that are trying to make a change in society by having their products free of all harmful chemicals. There are also phthalate-free cosmetics as well. Burt's Bees is a great company that only provides its customers with healthy chemical-free products. The links below bring you to wonderful websites that help lead you to a phthalate-free life.

• California Baby: http://www.californiababy.com/

• Burt's Bees: http://www.burtsbees.com/

Other websites:

• http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/polyvinyl-chloride/pvc-free-solutions/

• http://www.harmancorp.com/Phthalate/

Where Phthalates Are Found

Phthalates are found everywhere! 

Phthalates are found in PVC so children are exposed to them everyday in their toys.

 Phthalates are also found in cosmetics as fragrant lubricant.

Many companies are now creating organic lotions and cosmetics so you can avoid phthalates.

Are Phthalates Carcinogens? Are they Toxic?

Studies have shown that phthalates have affected the liver and testes of rodents. Because of this, EPA listed this as a "possible carcinogen" to humans. Even though we are not sure if phthalates are carcinogenic, it is recommended that we stay away from them for two main reasons. One, they may cause cancer and two, they may affect our bodies in other ways. Phthalates are also toxic, but their level of toxicity varies depending on which phthalate you are focusing on. For example, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalte has a rather high level of toxicity. On the other hand, diisononyl phthalate has a lower level of toxicity.

Physical Properties / Chemical Properties

Since we are focusing on a group of compounds we can't give an exact physical or chemical description. Instead, we chose to focus on dimethyl. It is the simplest form of phthalate and it will serve as the phthalate property representative. Dimethyl is a clear oily liquid with a density of 1.19 g/cm3. Its melting point is 2°C and its boiling point is between 283 and 284°C. It is slightly soluble in water. Dimethyl phthalate also has chemical properties. It reacts with acids. Dimethyl is also combustible (flammable).

Where You Can Find Them

Phthalates are found in many everyday objects. You come across them in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and in fragrant shampoos and beauty products. Phthalates are plasticizers, so they are used to make materials more pliable. They are also fragrant, which means that they are used in shampoos and other scented products. Another reason they are chosen as a source of scenting is because they help scents last longer and are lubricants, so they soften skin and helps it absorb the fragrance.

Phthalates: Why We Chose Them

Phthalates are a very interesting group of chemicals. We found them particularly interesting because they are found virtually everywhere! They are found in PVC (for example, in pipes) and even in cosmetics. Phthalates also have a great effect on people's lives ranging from thyroid issues to asthma. They are relevant to every audience.

Phthalates Video

This video provides a basic understanding of phthalates, showing where they are found, how they affect us, and how to resolve this problem.

Phthalates Effects on Baby Boys

It turns out, that phthalates are harmful particularly towards baby boys. Mothers who are exposed to high levels of phthalates tend to have male babies that are less masculine.

Chemical Formula of Dimethyl Phthalate

Dimethyl phthalate is the most basic form of phthalates. Its chemical formula is C6H4(COOCH3)2.
The following is a key for which element each letter stands for:

• C - Carbon
• H - Hydrogen
• O - Oxygen

The numbers to the bottom-right of some of the letters are called subscripts. Subscripts represent how many of each element are in a bond in the molecule. If an element has no subscript, then there is only one of it in the bond. Think of it as a "silent one."