Phthalates Health Concerns...

Phthalates, was never a household name to be recognized, yet it was a big part of our daily lives!

Phthalates are practically in everything we use. From shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, brushes, oily perfumes, toys, baby toys, vinyl flooring, varnish polishes, pharmaceutical appliances, catheters, baby pacifiers, baby lotions and baby shampoos, etc.....The list is absolutely endless! For further information, I have provided a website that you can reference to, below.

• Potential Harm:

What potential harm does this have on our environment and well being? Great harm has been documented, especially to infants, toddlers, teenagers, and with some adult occurrences. This substance was found to have caused some health issues in various parts of our bodies. Commonly in the liver, reproductive organs, especially in boys, and causes of abnormalities in the growth of fetuses. It has been detected in urine, and continuous studies are being conducted to determine the depth of harm to other organs.

• Outraged Debates:

Europe was one of the first to start research of the potential harm associated with "Phthalates" to humans. Much research was conducted to animals, yet companies debated that there was no relevance to humans, and there was no health risks involved with the use of "Phthalates".

On the other hand, Europeans were not convinced, and moved to ban this substance to be used in any given way or form. Even with lobbyists against the idea of banning it, the measure was constituted as a "Health Risk" substance, thus a voluntary phase-out was to begin. The Consumer Products Commission in the US also followed through, and a ban in the United States has begun. Following through, some toy manufactures such as Disney and Mattel have banned "Phthalates" to be used in their toys. The phase-out will take awhile, and unknown of the ones that will totally commit to this ban?

• View Quote Of Debate:

"European regulators kicked off this debate when they began to explore the possibility of bans on toys intended for infants that contained DEHP. This set in motion fierce industry lobbying from the United States to head off the ban, an effort that not only proved unsuccessful ultimately in Europe, but one that was matched in the US by a call by the Consumer Products Safety Commission for a voluntary phase-out by US manufacturers, not only from pacifiers and toys but also from certain medical devices. Several large US toy manufacturers, including Disney and Mattel, made public commitments supporting the phase-out".

To give you a brief summary of what are "Phthalates" and how they are widely used. I will reference this information from this website:

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NEWSCIENCE/oncompounds/phthalates/phthalates.htm

"According to Hauser et al. (2006):"Phthalates are a class of multifunctional chemicals used in a variety of consumer and personal care products. Highmolecular- weight phthalates (eg, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate --DEHP-- and butylbenzyl phthalate --BBzP--) are primarily used as plasticizers in the manufacture of flexible vinyl, which is used in consumer products, flooring and wall coverings, food contact applications, and medical devices. Manufacturers use low-molecular-weight phthalates (eg, diethyl phthalate --DEP-- and dibutyl phthalate --DBP-) in personal care products (eg, perfumes, lotions, cosmetics), as solvents and plasticizers for cellulose acetate, and in making lacquers, varnishes, and coatings, including those used to provide timed release in some pharmaceuticals."

This is a substance that has been developed since the 1920's. It was used for the purpose of making something more soluble, bindable, flexible, durable, etc.... Intentional uses of phthalates include softeners of plastics, oily substances in perfumes, additives to hairsprays, lotions, lubricants and wood finishers. For industrial use, it was used in many variations, PVC, Industrial machinery, etc....

"Phthalates are a class of widely used industrial compounds known technically as dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. There are many phthalates with many uses, and just as many toxicological properties".

• For further information about toxic or harmful chemicals found in products, reference this website:

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NEWSCIENCE/oncompounds/phthalates/phthalates.htm

Now we are in an era of "Baby Boomers"! In the 1980's and 1990's building a career was the dream of many, and of both genders. Once that was established, realising the need to create a family took precedence, thus reality struck home and "Baby Boomers" began to set their dreams into "Life"!

Now more than ever, parents need to be concerned of what is used before pregnancies, and after!

Why, you question?....Very simply put, what is used on your body, can easily penetrate through the skin, and other organs in your system, eventually to your growing fetus! Hence, once the baby is born, the products that are used on their bodies can also have potential effect, too! Awareness is the key to stop the potential harm, before it begins!

Baby Boomers are starting to create families later, and later in their lives, just when they feel financially comfortable. Henceforth, both genders should be aware of the threats out there that once deciding to have a family, to be aware of the potential harm that can await them, especially with these chemicals that can have an adverse reaction on our well being, and bodies, that can jeopardise us to produce a healthy and normal baby. Caution is always recommended, but paranoia is not.

• Being aware of what to avoid is of grave importance. A safety guide website has been provided for your use to conduct your own investigations.
• A 1-2 score range is of minor concerns.
• A 3-6 score range is moderate (which means an allergy to oils or minor ingredients).
• A 7-10 score range is hazardous (this is the range of concern where Phthalates play a harmful role to your health).

Safety Guide To Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

All ages are to be cautious of this chemical, because it is widely used in many things. The most fragile of ages would be infants/children and the seniors/elderly. I have mentioned the harm it has on children, but what harm does it have on the seniors?....

• Seniors:

Seniors are also at great risk. This chemical is used in many formulations of medicine, thus the elderly are at higher risk. As we age we tend to take on the challenges of remaining healthy. In most cases high blood pressure, heart problems, cholesterol, emphysema, and many other illnesses play a role. Therefore, medication is needed to address any medical problem, and as such, this chemical can be formulated in the recommended medication, not knowing of the potential harm it can have on the recipient.

The concern becomes of what harm this is adding to the dilemma at hand, instead of taking care of the medical problem. Reactions occur, which this chemical might be playing a big role in causing. Medical equipment, catheters, time released capsules, etc....All these concerns are being addressed, since the law passed in early February of 2009.

Only time will tell, and caution will remain until substantial evidence is provided to the public. Meanwhile, remain aware and knowledgeable of what harmful chemicals that might manifest our lives, next. Awareness is the key to combat all evil!

Dr. Maida Galvez of Mount Sinai's Children's Environmental Health Center discusses the use of plasticizers, such as phthalates and bisphenol A, in baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, toys and baby products. She gives advise on how parents can protect their children and themselves.  Phthalates are found in many common consumer products such as food packaging, vinyl flooring and wall covering, medical supplies such as intravenous tubing, and personal care products including fragrances, cosmetics and nail polish. Bisphenol A is found in the lining of canned foods and polycarbonate plastics as is found in water bottles, water dispensers and baby bottles.   

• "Phthalates Found In "Baby Products"!
• To find out whether a product contains phthalates or other potentially harmful chemicals, call the manufacturer or visit the company's website, or use the Environmental Working Group's Safety Guide to Cosmetics and Personal Care Products and search by product, ingredient, or company.
• http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/Phthalates_FactSheet.html

Having had the experience of 25 years as an Esthetician/Cosmetologist, and the knowledge about formulations, I had investigated several companies of what they offered the public as far as safety, and beneficial qualities based on natural and organic concepts that are applied . After investigating deeply into their botanical formulations, I have several that impressed me, thus I share them on my blog at: Skin Care Treatments Professional Blog.

Unknowing the facts behind "Phthalates", I was astounded to find out that vegan and organic companies don't use this harmful material in their products. They never chose to undermine their client's health, and substitute "Phthalates" in its formulations, hence these companies were "Phthalates Free" and "Certified Vegan"!

This being acknowledged, emphasized my need to share these companies' "Quality of Excellence" with the world. Especially with our "children", hoping to help invest in their healthy future through the use of natural products that are certified vegan and organic!.........It truly warms my heart as a mom and as a professional, to know that I am providing the best for my children, and investing into their healthy and growing future!

I urge parents not to over look these precautions, and jeopardise your children's health. Be knowledgeable of your surroundings. Read your product labels, and heed the health warnings with caution of risks at all times!

• View My Skin Care Treatments Professional Blog.....Where I offer an array of great Skin Care lines, mostly associated with nature, certified vegan and organic.