1. Chapter 5 Plasticizers By: Chris Bennett, Lendee Henry, and Anna Fiorini

2. Phthalates - Oily, colorless liquids - Chemicals added to increase plasticity or fluidity of a material (PVC) and make fragrances last longer - Children’s toys, upholstery, shower curtains, wire and cable coatings, car parts, food packaging, medical equipment, shampoo, lotions - Can make up as much as 40 to 50 percent of the finished polymer - 1 billion pounds or more are produced annually worldwide

3. Phthalates, chemically  Hydrocarbon compounds varying in composition and structure of benzenecarboxylic acid

4. Problems - Phthalates leak into the substance contained - Found in wastewater, surface water, drinking water - Babies have been born with phthalates found in their bloodstream - Increases generationally

5. Harmful Effects - “Phthalate syndrome” - Causes reproductive problems, doubled in the US since 1970 - Alteration of thyroid hormone and testosterone function - Kidney and liver toxicity

6. Restrictions - 1998 in Canada, 2005 in Europe, 2008 in US; cut the use of six phthalates used in toys for children under the age of 12 (bath and teething toys) - One formulation, DINP, forbidden under the US children’s product safety bill

7. Naysayers - The American Chemistry Council (ACC) claims “There is no reliable evidence that any phthalate has ever caused any harm to any human in their fifty years of use” - Chemical industry calls California’s ban an overreaction which is shared by the FDA and America Consumer Product Safety Commission - ATSDR says DEP is not toxic to humans yet on the website they state rats suffered from birth defects when injected during pregnancy, yet say humans do not come into contact by this way. Up for debate.

8. Questions - Has reading this chapter caused you to think about your own use of plastic containers? - What are some substitutes that we can use for making products instead of using phthalates? - How can the use of these phthalates be better regulated?