How do you protect against phthalates?

Even if it’s impossible to avoid phthalates entirely, there are ways women can decrease their exposure: Limit exposure to plastics, especially anything with the number 3 or 7 on them. Use glass, ceramic, or metal containers for food and drink. Try to buy foods that don’t come in plastic packaging.

How do you get rid of phthalates in your body?

Once they enter the body, phthalates undergo a series of phase I hydrolysis and phase II conjugation reactions and are subsequently excreted in feces and urine [15]. Existing literature suggests that phthalate clearance from the body is rapid and primarily via urinary excretion with only a slight cumulative potential.

How can you reduce exposure to BPA and phthalates?

It is easy to reduce exposure to BPA and phthalates. Avoid heating plastic containers. Avoid #3, 6, and 7 plastics and products labeled vinyl or PVC. Choose stainless steel or glass. Avoid canned, processed or packaged foods.

What foods are high in phthalates?

Food is the leading source of exposure. Phthalates have been found in dairy products, meats, fish, oils & fats, baked goods, infant formula, processed foods, and fast foods.

Do water filters remove phthalates?

Invest in a water filter. Granular activated carbon filters should remove DEHP, which is the type of phthalate used in water pipes. A nano-filtration system is more expensive but possibly more reliable way to filter out phthalates.

Do phthalates leave the body?

Because of that hand-to-mouth behavior, phthalate particles in dust might be a greater risk for children than for adults. Inside a person’s body, phthalates are converted into breakdown products (metabolites) that quickly leave the body in urine.

How long do phthalates stay in your body?

Once it enters your body, it breaks down into other chemicals, some of which are harmful. Diethyl phthalate and its breakdown products will leave your body mostly in the urine within about 2 days. Only small amounts of the compound or its breakdown products will remain in the tissues.

How do you test phthalates in your body?

Our urine test measures your near-term exposure for bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates through their metabolites. The levels detected in urine are typically indicative of exposure in the 24-48 hours prior to collecting the sample.

Do plastic water bottles have phthalates?

Plastic bottles with recycling code “3” should also heed caution, as they may contain phthalates. Studies suggest that PET plastics used for water bottles leach antimony, a metalloid element that is a classified carcinogen.

Do water bottles contain phthalates?

Why are phthalates so dangerous?

Phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system and as such are considered to be dangerous chemical toxins. It has been suggested that they are linked to the alteration of DNA integrity. Phthalates are not chemically bound to plastic, which means that they are continuously being released into the environment.

What products have phthalates?

Phthalates can be breathed in from dust or fumes from any products that contain vinyl, such as vinyl flooring, vinyl seating (in cars, for example), and some diaper-changing mats. The production of fumes by these products is called off-gassing. Phthalates are a concern for adults, too, of course.

Why are phthalates bad?

Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are plasticizing chemicals that are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Phthalates cause reproductive birth defects in laboratory animals, particularly males. Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union .

Is phthalate free PVC safe?

Even phthalate-free PVC still isn’t a safe plastic because of the other harmful chemicals often used during production. The Center for Health Environment and Justice names the following possible concerns with PVC: May contain dioxin (a known carcinogen) May contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)