A press release published on March 18, 2014 by the U.S. non-governmental organization (NGO) Clean and Healthy Maine reports on a biomonitoring study finding elevated levels of phthalates. Phthalates are used as plasticizers in various plastic materials and as fragrance additives in personal care products. They have been linked to a variety of health effects including reduced semen counts and obesity. As previously reported by the FPF the study tested urine samples of 25 male and female Maine residents for the presence of the following phthalates and their respective breakdown products: diethyl phthalate (DEP; CAS 84-66-2), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP 84-69-5), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP; CAS 85-68-7/84-74-2), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP; CAS 117-81-7), diisononyl phthalate (DINP; CAS 28553-12-0), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP; CAS 26761-40-0). In the samples analyzed the chemicals were measured in the range of 46 to 763 parts per billion (ppb). 6 out of 9 metabolites were present in all samples and in 8 samples all 9 metabolites were detected. The study revealed that 8 subjects had phthalate levels as high as those in the top 5 % range of U.S. exposure levels, and further 4 individuals had phthalate levels equivalent to the top 10 %. The report concludes that test subjects are widely exposed to phthalates. In reaction to the study, a petition has been presented to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) demanding the labeling of phthalate contents on consumer goods and their general reduction.
Read more
Clean and Healthy Maine (January 18, 2014) „Hormones Disrupted: Toxic Phthalates in Maine People“. (pdf)
