Type: Toxin
Name: Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP)
RDA: 0
Importance- to Body: Toxin: Respiratory, Eye, Skin, Other
Distribution- in Body: Skin, Respiratory System, Eyes
Excess Effects: Headaches, Dizziness, Eye Irritant, Skin Irritant, and Throat Irritant
Deficiency Effects: None Listed
Food Sources: Processed Meat, Dairy, Fast Food
Environmental/Geographic Sources: Perfumes, Hair Spray, Soap, Shampoo, Skin Cleanser, Skin Moisturizers, Nail Polish, Shower curtains, Wall paper, Plastic Wrap, Food Packaging, Toys, Medical Tubing, Fluid Bags, Detergents, Plastic Gloves, Flooring, Building Materials, Adhesives, Wood Finishes
Supplemental information: Preservative, used to soften and increase flexibility of plastic and vinyl
Works Cited:
Norton, Amy. “Unhealthy Phthalates Found in Restaurant Food.” WebMD, WebMD, 29 Mar. 2018, www.webmd.com/diet/news/20180329/unhealthy-phthalates-found-in-restaurant-food.
Phthalates (US: /ˈθæleɪts/,UK: /ˈθɑːleɪts/), or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are mainly used as plasticizers, i.e., substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Lower-molecular-weight phthalates, those derived from C3-C6 alcohols, are being gradually replaced in many products in the United States, Canada, and European Union over health concerns. They are replaced by high-molecular-weight phthalates (those with more than 6 carbons in their backbone, which gives them increased permanency and durability). In 2010, the market was still dominated by high-phthalate plasticizers; however, due to legal provisions and growing environmental awareness and perceptions, producers are increasingly forced to use non-phthalate plasticizers.