What You Need to Know About Phthalates

What Are Phthalates?

Phthalates (pronounced “thal ates”) are a family of man-made chemical compounds that are widely added to personal care products, household cleaning solvents and plastics. Their benefits include helping fragrances in personal care products to last longer and increasing the flexibility of plastic products, like those made from PVC (vinyl).

But phthalates can be released when products containing them are exposed to heat, agitation or even just prolonged storage. These chemicals can then be easily absorbed by our bodies, usually either through our skin or via inhalation. Sometimes they are also ingested, such as when phthalates leach into food or drinks packaged in certain kinds of plastic.

And while phthalates have been shown to pass out of the body fairly quickly, they may be having negative effects while they’re on the scene.

Are Phthalates Harmful?

Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. They’ve been shown to lower hormone levels in men, and have also been linked to brain development problems, diabetes, asthma and obesity.

And as we mentioned in a previous Norwex Movement post, a 2012 study published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology showed that phthalates accelerated growth in certain types of breast cancer cells. This study also showed that phthalates caused cancer cells to multiply three times faster and spread about two-and-a-half times faster than cells that were not exposed to phthalates.

Do I Have Phthalates in My Home?

It’s very likely. Phthalates are found in literally hundreds of products. In addition to all kinds of flexible plastic products, you’ll also find them in many “fragranced” or “scented” household and personal care products like deodorants, air fresheners, candles, soaps, shampoos, lotions, powders, dish soaps and baby wipes to name just a few. Because of proprietary laws, companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents, so you won’t see “phthalates” on the label. But if you spot the word “fragrance,” there’s a good chance phthalates are present.

Even milk packaged in glass may have travelled through plastic tubing at some point in its journey, potentially carrying the phthalate known as DEHP along with it.

As phthalates are off-gassed, they can also accumulate in common house dust, which small children are prone to then inhale or to get onto their hands as they crawl and then ingest.

What Can I Do to Help Protect My Family?

You probably can’t avoid phthalates altogether, but you can take steps to reduce them in your home.

• Read personal care product labels, and try to steer clear of those including the all-encompassing “fragrance” ingredient. If you’re not sure about a product, call the manufacturer.
• Dust at least once a week, especially if you have babies or toddlers in your home.
• Phthalates can leach from food storage containers and/or plastic wraps, especially if the food is oily or high in fat. Always choose microwave-safe containers and never microwave plastic.
• If you purchase food packaged in plastic, place it in a glass container when you get home. Phthalates release throughout the life of a product, so the sooner you can repackage it, the better.



• Avoid anything packaged in #3 plastic.
• Use hemp or cotton shower curtains, rather than vinyl.
• If you’re shopping for new flooring, consider sustainable natural covers, like bamboo or cork instead of vinyl.
• Medical devices like IV tubing, bags and catheters can contain phthalates. Ask for phthalate-free materials, especially if you may need a transfusion.

More on Phthalates

For more about phthalates, we suggest these other Norwex Movement blog posts: