Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics. They often are called plasticizers. Phthalates can prolong the lifespan or durability of plastics and increase the flexibility of some plastics. In addition, phthalates have been used as solvents for other materials. They are used in hundreds of products, including vinyl flooring; adhesives; detergents; lubricating oils; food packaging; automotive plastics; plastic clothing, such as raincoats; and personal-care products, such as soap, shampoo, hair spray, and nail polish.
Phthalates are used widely in flexible polyvinyl chloride plastics (PVC), such as plastic bags, garden hoses, inflatable recreational toys, blood-storage containers, intravenous tubing, children’s toys, and some pharmaceutical and pesticide products. Before 1999, phthalates were used in pacifiers, soft rattles, and teethers.
How People Are Exposed to Phthalates
People can be exposed to phthalates by:
- Using consumer products that contain phthalates.
- Breathing household dust contaminated with phthalates.
- Having a medical treatment, such as a blood transfusion or dialysis, that uses equipment made of plastics.
- Living near a manufacturing facility that makes products containing phthalates.
How Phthalates Affect People's Health
The health effects of phthalates in people are not yet fully known. Although several studies in people have explored possible associations with developmental and reproductive outcomes (semen quality, genital development in boys, shortened pregnancy, and premature breast development in young girls), more research is needed.
Levels of Phthalates in the U.S. Population
For the Third Report, scientists tested urine samples from people 6 years and older who took part in CDC’s national study known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Information about specific levels of phthalates in the U.S. population may be found by reviewing the Report at http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport.
For More Information
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Public Health Statement for Di-n-butyl Phthalate:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs135.html
Public Health Statement for Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP):
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs9.html
Public Health Statement for Diethyl Phthalate
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs73.html
Public Health Statement for Di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP)
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs95.html
ToxFAQs for Di-n-butyl Phthalate
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts135.html
ToxFAQs for Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP):
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts9.html
ToxFAQs for Diethyl Phthalate
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts73.html
ToxFAQs for Di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP):
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts95.html
Food and Drug Administration
Phthalates and Cosmetics Products
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/cos-phth.html
DEHP in Plastic Medical Devices:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/dehp.html
National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine Phthalates
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemical/phthalates.html
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Risk of Chronic Toxicity Associated with Exposure to Diisononyl Phthalate (DINP) in Children's Products:
http://www.cpsc.gov/phth/dinp.html
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Consumer Fact Sheet on Di (2- ethyhexyl) Phthalate:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-soc/phthalat.html
Dibutyl phthalate
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0038.htm
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP):
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0014.htm
