Phthalates are synthetic chemicals found in a variety of everyday products, including plastic toys, paints and some pesticide products. They are used to make plastic soft. Unfortunately, these chemicals don’t stay in the products -- instead, they migrate into the air, into food, or into people, including babies in their mother’s wombs. Phthalates have been found in indoor air and dust,¹ and in human urine, blood, and breast milk.² Levels are highest in children ages 6 to 11 and in women, and African Americans have been shown to have higher levels of phthalates than whites.³

Research indicates that boys exposed to phthalates are likely to have smaller genitals and incomplete descent of the testicles. Undescended testicles have been linked to testicular cancer.  Phthalates are believed to also affect girls’ hormones, but the health impact is unknown.

The European Union and 14 other countries, including Japan, Argentina, and Mexico, have already banned these chemicals from children's toys.

In October 2007, California became the first state in the nation to enact a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale or distribution in commerce of children's toys and child care articles that contain phthalates. In addition, approximately a dozen states have introduced - or are considering introducing legislation - to ban phthalates in toys and other consumer products.

For the first time, Congress is considering banning phthalates in toys and children’s products as part of the 2008 reauthorization of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If successful, this effort will reduce potentially dangerous exposures that could harm children’s development and increase the risk of cancer as adults.

This Issue Brief is based on information from Jackie Lombardo, Sierra Club National Toxics Committee and Friends and Advocates for Children, Teachers and Schools, and The Breast Cancer Fund www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=84570

For the chemical industry’s point-of-view, see “Phthalate Information Center” at www.phthalates.org/whatare/qanda.asp