Phthalates, the chemicals used to soften plastic, help cosmetics cling, and make fragrances last that are found in hundreds of personal care and cleaning products, could be making children obese, according to research presented last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.
THE DETAILS: In a part of a larger, 5-year, “Growing Up Healthy in East Harlem” study, researchers asked 255 girls and 95 boys to answer questions regarding which personal care products they used in the last week, such as shampoo, hair gel, and moisturizers. Product use was highest among girls. When researchers analyzed urine samples taken from the children, they found levels of phthalates were highest among girls with the highest body mass index and weight compared to thinner girls with less body fat.
While phthalates are plasticizers used in vinyl products to make them soft and flexible, phthalates are also used in many lotions and make-up products to help these products cling to your face. They’re used, too, as fragrance carriers in products ranging from cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, body sprays, and perfumes to detergents, air fresheners, and scented candles.
You can read more about the study Growing Up Healthy in East Harlem here.Obviously, the bathroom and the playroom are a good place to start purging your home of these plastics. Buy phthalate-free toys for your children and look for "free and clear" formulas in laundry, personal care, and cosmetic items as well. Let your baby smell sweet on her own merit, and not because of artificial fragrances.
1 comments:
Maybe the levels were higher in bigger girls because they were using more product (like lotions, body washes, etc) b/c they have more body to cover, therefore more skin absorbs more phthalates... ?
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