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Baby Care Products linked to Phthalate Exposure
Jennifer Taggart
Monday, February 04, 2008
First plastic baby bottles. Then lead contaminated toys. Now baby shampoo? Are baby shampoos, lotions and other baby care personal products linked to infants' exposure to phthalates? It appears so. A study published in the journal "Pediatrics" found use of baby care products linked to the presence of phthalates in urine, with increased exposure to baby lotion linked to increased exposure to phthalates. The study concluded that phthalate exposure is widespread in infants (81% of the infants had 7 phthalates above detection limits), that infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased presence of phthalate metabolites in urine, and phthalate exposure increased with number of baby products used.
What in the world are phthalates and why are they in baby care products? Phthalates are added to a wide variety of consumer products, from polyvinyl chloride plastics to personal care products. Phthalates are plasticizers. They are added to polyvinyl chloride products to make them more flexible. They are also added to lotions to make them more spreadable. They are also used to sustain fragrance in personal care products.
Why do we care about phthalate exposure? Some phthalates are endocrine disruptors. An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic chemical that when absorbed into the body either mimics or blocks hormones and disrupts the body's normal functions. Research has associated exposure to phthalates with asthma and other respiratory problems, rhinitis and eczema in children; premature breast development in girls; and deteriorated semen quality, low sperm counts, and poor sperm morphology in men.
What did the study do? The researchers collected urine from wet diapers and information regarding infant care product use during the last 24 hours. The collected urine samples were analyzed for 9 different phthalate metabolites (the metabolites are indicative of phthalate exposure). The researchers found that all babies had detectable levels of at least one phthalate metabolite. Over 80% of the babies had at least 7 metabolites. Four metabolites (MEP, MBP, MBzP and MEOHP) occurred in over 90% of the babies sampled.
How were the phthalate metabolites linked to baby care products? Ninety-four percent of mothers reported they had used infant wipes within the last 24 hours, and 54% had used infant shampoo. Reported use of baby lotion, desitin/diaper cream and baby powder were 36%, 33% and 14%, respectively. The researchers found the following statistically significant associations: Levels of MEP and MMP were higher if the mother reported using baby lotion; MMP was higher following use of baby shampoo; and MiBP was higher following baby powder use. But what is interesting is that when the researchers looked at the mixtures of phthalate metabolites and exposure the associations between use of products and exposure were higher. Baby lotion, baby powder and baby shampoo showed statistically strong associates with higher mixture scores, whereas diaper cream and baby wipes did not. Also, mixture scores were higher for babies whose mothers reported using more products in the last 24 hours.
What can you do? Limit exposure to baby care products containing phthalates. This is hard, because phthalates don't have to be listed (except certain ones in California under Proposition 65) and are frequently present in "fragrance." Which is what you can do - stay away from products with fragrance. MEP, a metabolite of DEP, had the highest average concentrations in urine, and DEP is the phthalate commonly added to fragrance.
Posted by free baby products on 06/25/2009 at 05:49 PM
WOW, I had no idea, now I’m scared to use baby products on my my triplets, and my oldest. Thanks for posting this. I will have to read more up on it. Thanks!
Posted by mosses basket on 11/08/2008 at 04:44 PM
That was such a great read for me and I will pass to my friend; he will be so excited to check this out.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 10/08/2008 at 03:37 PM
There is no way to list all of the products that contain phthalates. Please follow the tips and links referred to in the previous comments.
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 09/23/2008 at 07:53 AM
Refer to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com or www.goodguide.com to find safer products. You can also print one of our pocket shopping guides to help you make the safest purchases when you’re at the store (http://healthychild.org/resources/pocket_guides/).
Posted by fairings on 09/11/2008 at 11:37 PM
I’d like to know what products or brands have Phthalate and I’m hoping that you can list their names. This is not to discourage other people from buying, but it’s best that we are all aware of what dangerous products we are using on our babies.
Posted by Names on 08/20/2008 at 10:51 AM
For product recalls in the UK, go to the trading standards website - http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/newslist.cgi?area=safe
I hope this helps
Posted by janelle on 03/26/2008 at 08:02 AM
In response to the earlier question about what to look for on the label, Mandy neglected to add “fragrance.” Fragrances can be made up of dozens of chemicals and they don’t need to be specifically listed because it’s considered an industry trade secret. As you may have guessed, phthalates are often hidden in these concoctions.
So, when looking for safer products for children, watch for the word “fragrance” (and be warned that simply because a product claims to be “unscented” on the front of the label, it can still actually contain fragrance). Read the ingredients.
In response to baby names’ post, the Federal Government is reviewing eliminating phthalates from children’s toys, but not in personal care products. There are a handful of states looking at banning them from all products intended for children. Hopefully, if these states pass bans, it will either prompt industry to change or prompt federal legislation (or both).
Posted by baby names on 03/07/2008 at 11:58 AM
Thats quite worrying. I have done some work on phthalate exposure, and it has been shown that they have a harmful effect on the male reproductive system in animals. However it has not yet be proven if they can have the same effect on humans. However it is best to be safe and avoid such products. The only problem is that the list of phthalate containing products is so huge. Maybe there should be a ban on phthalates in children’s products imposed at a government level?
Posted by Poli on 02/27/2008 at 04:19 AM
Thank you for this article, it is very interesting and useful information! I don’t think it’s possible for a modern parent to avoid all these products but they can be limited. When it comes to our babies health, we should be very careful!
Posted by JeanAnn on 02/22/2008 at 07:19 PM
Thank you for your reply, Mandy. To clarify, however, it was my understanding that many of the phthalates are NOT LISTED on the label as they are often a by-product of the plastic container and/or the scent of the product. It was also my understanding that the FDA and Consumer Products Safety Commission do not require that Companies disclose this information. Please advise. Thank you.
Posted by Mandy Geisler on 02/06/2008 at 10:45 AM
Hello JeanAnn,
Next time when you go shopping for baby products, just make sure that you look on the back of the product. Stay away from any care products that include phthalates, parabens, etc.
To find safer alternatives, please have a look at the marketplace and you can also find more recommendations in our collaborator section.
Here are the links:
http://healthychild.org/marketplace/retailer/
http://healthychild.org/about/collaborators/
I hope this will help.
Posted by JeanAnn on 02/05/2008 at 07:51 PM
Can you list products to avoid? Are Johnson and Johnson products unsafe? How about products that are safer alternatives? Thanks.
More comments:
Posted by Graco baby strollers on 07/05/2009 at 10:48 PM
I have done some work on phthalate exposure, and it has been shown that they have a harmful effect on the male reproductive system in animals. However it has not yet be proven if they can have the same effect on humans…