What effects do phthalates have on us by Gaylene Aitken

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as plasticisers, stabilizers and preservatives and are called the everywhere, all the time chemicals.

They’re found in plastic goods, fragrances, cosmetics, hair products, nail varnish, skin care products, laundry detergent, air fresheners, wet wipes, toilet paper, deodorants, dish washing detergents, soap, household cleaners, glue, printing ink, toothbrushes, automobile parts, toys, food packaging, insecticides, aspirin, floor vinyl, food conveyor belts, carpet tiles, artificial leather, adhesives, garden hoses, household and building products.

It’s also been found in food exposed to plastic in its production and processing, for example milk which passes through plastic tubing.

Baby bottles, toys, sippy cups, teething rings are often contain phthalates. They’re typically added to PVC toys as a softening agent. If a plastic product is flexible, it probably contains phthalates unless the label specifically says not.

Phthalates are used as a gelling agent in hair products and detergents, also found in hairspray, conditioners and mousses. It helps soften and lubricate the other substances, is a binding agent, enhances absorption, spreadability and helps fragrances last longer.

What effects do phthalates have on us, considering they’re everywhere all the time?

‘Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health. They can adversely influence the endocrine and functioning of multiple organs, which have negative long term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development and reproductive systems in young children and adults.’ Reference: NIH National Library of Medicine.

In the past few years, researchers have also linked phthalates to asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behaviour issues, autism, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues. Reference: The Guardian, Life & Style Feb 2015.

I suggest that these health disorders could be a saturation of many other chemicals, not just phthalates, like pesticides and the aerial spraying of toxic heavy metals that we observe as chem trails.

What can we do to protect our health and the health of our family, especially the little ones as Phthalates are not listed on product labels, which makes them next to impossible to avoid.

I highly recommend personal care products that use natural preservatives like Rosemary Extract and Grapefruit Seed Extract and essential oils. Find laundry and dish detergents that have no fragrance, or use essential oils, use handmade essential oil natural soaps, use crystal sticks as deodorant, use essential oil shampoo soaps that don’t need plastic packaging, find a good quality natural mineral makeup range.

Dish soaps are great, made from olive and castor oils with shea butter and essential oils that can be shaken in a wire basket under a running hot tap, or use a round natural bristle brush, not plastic, rub it over the soap then onto your dishes.

Do some research, take control of your health, read labels, look for quality, not convenience.

Most people unknowingly live in a toxic soup of chemicals, a cloud of fragrance emanating from their clothes, hair and skin. I’m old enough to remember a time when people didn’t smell like air fresheners and they didn’t stink as a result either.

Let’s take conscious steps to rewild our pheromones and reconnect to each other without a wall of chemicals between us. Be real, be natural, be fully human.