Evidence: Moderate
Key takeaways
- Phthalates are chemicals that make plastics soft and help scents last. They’re in many everyday products.
- National testing shows most people have measurable phthalate exposure.
- Animal studies and some human studies link certain phthalates to hormone and reproductive effects; research in people is ongoing.
- Cutting back on fragranced products, vinyl and plastic food containers lowers exposure.
Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) rarely appear on labels, but they’re in many products we touch every day. Here’s where they hide, what researchers know about their health effects, and easy ways to reduce your exposure.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics like vinyl (PVC) soft and flexible, and to help fragrances last longer. Because they aren’t chemically bound to plastic, they can leach out over time, especially with heat, according to a National Research Council report.
Where phthalates hide
- Vinyl products: shower curtains, flooring, some raincoats and toys
- Fragranced products: perfume, scented lotions, air fresheners and detergents, often hidden under the word “fragrance”
- Food: from processing equipment, tubing and packaging, especially in fatty or processed foods
- Household dust, which collects phthalates released from products
Because “fragrance” can hide many ingredients, phthalates often don’t appear on labels at all. Read more in what “fragrance” on a label can hide.
What does the research say?
U.S. national health surveys have measured phthalate breakdown products in the urine of most people tested, and research has found higher levels in children than adults. Phthalates are considered potential endocrine disruptors, chemicals that can interfere with hormones, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Animal studies have linked certain phthalates to reproductive and developmental effects, and some human studies have found associations, but researchers note that effects in people haven’t been conclusively demonstrated.
Why we rated this “Moderate”: Exposure is well documented, and animal evidence of hormone-related effects is substantial for some phthalates. Human evidence is more limited and mostly observational, so we rate this Moderate. How we rate evidence
How to cut your exposure
- Choose fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products.
- Don’t microwave food in plastic. Use glass or ceramic instead.
- Swap vinyl shower curtains for fabric ones.
- Cook more fresh food and eat less heavily processed and fast food.
- Dust and vacuum regularly with a damp cloth or HEPA vacuum, and wash hands before eating.
Cleaner swaps to try
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- Fabric shower curtain instead of vinyl
- Glass food-storage containers
- Fragrance-free lotion and detergent
- Stainless steel water bottle
The bottom line
Phthalates are common, mostly hidden from labels, and linked to hormone concerns in research. You can’t avoid them completely, but going fragrance-free, keeping plastic away from heat and food, and reducing processed foods all help. More in our Avoid List and pantry swaps.
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Sources
- National Research Council. Phthalates and Cumulative Risk Assessment: Phthalate Exposure Assessment in Humans. National Academies Press, 2008.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Endocrine Disruptors.
- Congressional Research Service. Phthalates in Plastics and Possible Human Health Effects. 2008.
