We wanted to share with you why we believe buying phthalate free products is the only way to go. We will translate all the science, bust the myths, and give you the honest assessment you need to be able to make the most conscious choices for you and your family.
What are Phthalates?
More often than not, products are filled with ingredients we know very little about (like BPAs) and words you can hardly pronounce (like Phthaltahe).
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are often used to increase the flexibility of plastics and vinyls. They have been added to our products since the 1920s and more than 18 billion pounds are produced and used globally each year.
There are many different types of phthalates the most commonly used are;
-BBP: butyl benzyl phthalate
-DBP: di-n-butyl phthalate
-DEHP: di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate
-DEP: diethyl phthalate
-DiDP: di-isodecyl phthalate
-DiNP:di-isononyl phthalate
-DiHP: di-n-hexyl phthalate
-DnOP: di-n-octyl phthalate
What do Phthalates do? What are Phthalates in?
Often called plasticizers, they are usually used to soften plastics. They are used in a plethora of everyday products from out food packaging, fragrances, toys, soaps, shampoos, and various cosmetics, to products like shower curtains, adhesives, laundry detergents, and vinyl flooring. The list continues but I think you get the jist. Because of the large array of products containing phthalates it’s no wonder studies have found that 98% of the individuals studied have phthalates in their bodies.
It is time to face the facts; we’re eating them, inhaling them, using them on our bodies, and even being exposed through various medical equipment like IV bags. I’ll agree it sounds scary, but what does that mean for our health?
Some types of phthalates are labeled as “endocrine disruptors” meaning they impact the body's natural hormones which help our bodies to grow and reproduce. This leads to a slew of nasty side effects, including lower fertility and higher risk of cancers.
Phthalates have also been suspected to cause developmental issues in children and adults, obesity, and even asthma. While the studies on the adverse effects on human health are still limited and opinions on them differ, it's probably smartest to play it safe and avoid phthalate exposure whenever and wherever possible.
In addition to the long list of health implications of phthalates these chemicals also pose a huge risk to the environment. Since we know these chemical plasticisers break down and enter our bodies it's not too far off to say it affects the bodies of animals and marine life. Decreasing their natural ability to grow and reproduce while adding pounds of plastic waste to our landfills that will take hundreds of years to decompose and degrade unlike other more natural items. Phthalates are also synthetic and petroleum based meaning that through pruchasing products that contain phthalates you are simultaneously promoting the extraction and production of oil - probably not what anyone thought they were doing with all those candles and plastic water bottles, was it?
Kick the Chemicals
How can I reduce phthalate exposure?
Unfortunately it is next to impossible to completely remove phthalates from your life; but by simply switching a few things in your daily routine you can reduce the amount of chemicals that you are coming into contact with.
The main way we are exposed to phthalates is through the food that we eat, specifically food that is packaged in plastic. However they can also be absorbed or inhaled when used in personal care products or fragrance products. Below I have listed a few ways to help reduce phthalate exposure.
eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less fatty foods. Whole foods have less chance of being contaminated since they have not been processed or packaged in plastics.
-the highest phthalate containing foods are in fatty food like dairy, meat, fish, and oils.
avoid plastics; plastic is not only horrible for the environment but detrimental to your health as well. With some zero-waste tips you’ll be able to reduce phthalate exposure as well as cut down on plastic waste.
-use stainless steel or glass containers that are reusable
-avoid plastic packaging
-ditch your plastic water bottles and swite to a reusable one
-avoid plastic toys
dust regularly and wash your hands frequently since phthalates stick to dust its best to get rid of it regularly and keeping your hands clean lowers the amount of chemicals and phthalates on the skin that would later be absorbed into the body.
avoid the catch-all phrase ‘fragrance’ as they will often include phthalates. The FDA does not currently require the listing of individual fragrance ingredients so shop for specifically marked phthalate free fragrance items whenever possible.
Do the best you can to shop with companies dedicated to being toxin-free and phthalate free like Greye’s Herbal Apothecary. Check those labels, rethink your food choices, re-use those plastic free containers, and you are well on your way to living a less-phthalate life where you inner justice warrior can feel proud of your purchasing decisions.
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