Phthalates Explained What are…

                               Phthalates Explained

What are Phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced "thal-ates") are just one of the many of the problematic
undisclosed ingredient types in most fragrance oils that have been linked to many
degenerative diseases. They are endocrine disrupters. According to the
environmental lobby group phthalates affect hormone levels, semen quality and
genital development in male fetus. Phthalates are used as plasticizers, which are
substances that modify the physical properties of materials. Phthalates are created
by a reaction of alcohols with phthalic anhydride and the elimination of water.
They are present in larger-molecule variety in everyday household items like carpet,
footwear, toys upholstery, electrical cables and vinyl flooring. For this application
hard and inflexible PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is made soft and flexible with the use
of phthalates. The smaller-molecule type serves as a fixative, binder, and solvent in
perfumes and fragrances to slow evaporation and cause the scent to linger. This is
why the aroma of fragrance oils lingers on your body or in the air longer than the
scent of an essential oil. Phthalates allow the fragrance oil to linger on your skin
longer because of its fixative properties. Fragrance chemicals in scented laundry
products, lotions, hairsprays, scented candles and air fresheners are breathed into
the lungs 24 hours per day. Nail polishes also use phthalates to gain a more supple
texture and by using phthalates' fixative properties. A report by The Environmental
and Health Working Group done in 2002 found that phthalates were found in 72%
of beauty products.

Common Phthalates in Cosmetics
The most commonly used phthalate is diethyl phthalate. A few of the commonly
used phthalates including dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate are banned in
Europe but still allowed in the USA. Dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate
are suddenly being removed from products produced by the cosmetic companies
that sell in the USA and EU. But it is only a handful of American companies that
are complying with the EU's regulations, why bother if they only sell in the USA?
Why protect Americans from these hidden ingredients that are protected under trade
secret laws? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found
metabolized forms of dibutyl phthalates in every person tested in their National
"body burden" study. Dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobuyl phthalate,
dicyclohexyl phthalate and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have been found in common
fragrance brands and are still allowed in the EU and USA. Most ingredient
conscious consumers would not purchase a product if they saw any of the following
listed: dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate or diethyl
phthalate. But they are never listed on an ingredient list. The consumer simply
reads "fragrance". If a company uses fragrance oils in their products they should
not claim to be phthalate free, paraben free, preservative free, non-toxic, hyper
allergenic or cruelty free. But it happens everyday because manufactures do not
know what is truly in the fragrance oils they purchase. Any host of ingredients
including "processing agents", preservatives and a long list of chemical cocktails
could be in any fragrance oil.

Phthalate Studies
Studies have shown that phthalates can damage the lungs, liver and kidneys, and to
harm the developing testes of offspring. These results came from animal tests
which, according to government scientists, are pertinent to predict the health
impacts of a substance in humans. There are also studies of phthalates on rats that
showed that phthalates caused deformity and impaired function of the penis and
testes. I was surprised to find that there were human studies that found humans
with similar deformity as the rat studies. Of course, these were not cruel studies
being done on pregnant women. These were pregnant women who had
unknowingly exposed their developing sons to phthalates through deodorant,
perfume, cosmetics, air fresheners, household cleaners and everyday personal care
products. According the Independent News and Media Limited, 1 out of every 150
to 200 boys born in the UK has a birth abnormality of the penis known as
hyperspadias. It is happens during the first trimester as a result of incomplete
masculinisation in the womb. According to Professor Richard Sharpe of the
Medical Research Council's Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, there is a link
between incidents of hypospadias, undescended testes, low sperm-count and
testicular cancers that have to do with environmental and lifestyle factors.

He Said, She Said, Who is Right?
The Environmental Working Group argues that most consumers use multiple
fragranced products which can lead to a potentially dangerous cumulative level of
phthalates in the consumer's bloodstream. Good scientific explanation of the
hormone disruption caused by phthalates can be found on these sites:
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/113-8/ss.html and
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NEWSCIENCE/oncompounds/phthalates/2005/200
5-0527swanetal.htm The Fragrance Material Association declares that the Natural
Resource Defense Council, Environmental Working Group and various studies
done around the world have made inaccurate conclusions and the phthalates are
completely safe. No matter which side is right, I would still like to know what
ingredients are in a product before I use it. If you must stay with fragrance oils for
your cosmetic lines there are phthalate free alternatives that are available to
manufacturers. Some are making the changes so ask your supplier if your supplies
are phthalate free.