Phthalates are colorless oily liquids used in many products, especially in plastics, making the plastics more flexible. However, the use of phthalates is being discouraged because of possible detrimental health effects. As recently as February 7, 2009, a U.S. Law was passed, mandating that all children's products, including toys and childcare products, must contain less than 0.1% phthalates.
According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), an organization devoted to the business of chemistry and ensuring the safety of consumers, there is no definitive evidence that phthalates cause sex development and fertility issues, the main health issues concerning phthalates. The ACC says research has only shown abnormal sexual development in rodents and that this has not been mirrored in humans, as suggested by our class reading, "Persuasive Communication about Matters of Great Urgency: Endorcrine Disruption." When the ACC was asked then why the European Union (EU) had already outlawed the use of phthalates in toys, while the US had not, the ACC said that it was because the EU has much more stringent laws, outlawing phthalates in toys due to the research on rodents. The EU website acknowledges this as well, no research has definitively shown detrimental health effects in humans from phthalates.
However, the Swan study showed a correlation between phthalates and underdeveloped genitalia in infant boys. To measure the effects of phthalates on the sexual development of the infants, the Swan study measured the anogenital distance (AGD), the distance from the anus to the genitalia for the male infants exposed to phthalates. The study concluded that their findings supported the hypothesis that phthalates cause sexual underdevelopment because exposure to phthalates lead to the development of a smaller AGD.
The ACC dismisses the Swan study, claiming it is unreliable and faulty. This seemed fishy to me, since the ACC represents chemical businesses. The ACC turned to a Statisical Assessment Services (STATS) article for support. STATS is a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of scientific research and its representation in the public. Dr. Goldin, the STATS Director of Research, states the many inconsistencies and assumptions made in the Swan study, including how the Swan study ineffectively correlated a smaller AGD to sexual underdevelopment. Furthermore, Dr. Goldin states that eliminating phthalates from toys and cosmetics will have virtually no effect on any person's health because the majority of our exposure to phthalates comes from consuming them.
To what extent does concern over our health become hypochondriacal? Is the fear of phthalates legitimate or paranoia? When does the public need to be protected from its fears by the government at the expense of business? I'm not sure about either, but certainly, more research should be done about the effects of phthalates on humans, and more quality scientific research and journalism must be pursued.
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