Why we need to be concerned about phthalates in Perfume
After reading yesterday’s post, you will be aware that phthalates in perfume and other fragranced products are toxic. Consumer Reports Winter 2007 describes some studies that support that statement:
In rodent studies, phthalates have caused testicular injury, liver injury, and liver cancer. We found no such clear hazards in human research.
But we did find studies suggesting that phthalates may be associated with other health issues, including the following four examples from one source alone, EHP [Environmental Health Perspectives], which is a leading journal published by the National Institutes of Health.
In 2000, EHP published a small study that said elevated blood levels of phthalates were associated with premature breast development in young girls.
Another report in 2003 found that men with higher concentrations of two phthalate breakdown products in their urine were more likely to have a low sperm count or low sperm motility.
A study published in 2005 said women with higher levels of four phthalate compounds in their urine during pregnancy were likelier to give birth to boys with smaller scrotums.
And a 2006 report cited low testosterone levels in male newborns exposed to higher levels of phthalates in breast milk.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of studies describing the ill effects of phthalates and other chemicals found in modern perfume and cosmetics. As a mother of two sons, I find these studies particularly disturbing. In the midst of compiling research to share with you, I came across a very cogent article written by the wise people at RealMama.org.
Titled, “Chemicals in Cosmetics,” the article does a masterful job of pulling together the latest scientific information on the health risks of chemicals in beauty products. It also contains a very useful list of links to the original scientific sources. Here is what the article says about endocrine-disruptors:
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and hormones that regulates many of the body’s functions, including growth, development maturation, and reproduction. The endocrine glands release carefully-measured amounts of hormones into the bloodstream that act as natural chemical messengers, traveling to different parts of the body in order to control and adjust many life functions. The theory concludes that chemicals, or endocrine disruptors, when absorbed into the body either mimic or block the appropriate amount of hormones and disrupt the body’s normal function.
The entire article may be read at Realmama.org/archives. I encourage you to take a look — it’s a real eye-opener.
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