Phthalates
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary
Phthalates is a other — Salts/esters of phthalic acid used as plasticizers in food packaging, inks, coatings
Also: DEHP, Phthalate Esters
What it does
Salts/esters of phthalic acid used as plasticizers in food packaging, inks, coatings
Where you'll see it
PVC food packaging, infant formulas (traces), inks, coatings, plastic toys, plastic wrap, medical devices
What the research says
Endocrine disruptors. DEHP linked to kidney and liver damage in animal studies; labeled probable human carcinogen. Mimic estrogen. May damage testicles. Linked to drop in European male sperm counts.
Regulatory status
- EU: restricted
- Notes: Several EU countries banned in PVC toys. UK MAFF found in infant formulas; recommended reduction in infant formula
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): DEHP (di[2-ethylhexyl]phthalate) has been linked in animal studies to damage in kidneys and liver and has been labeled as a probable human carcinogen